AUDIO SCRIPTS

nothing much after that. Why? Chloe: Hey, Zack, stop being so uptight!
TASK 1
Anna: Well, I hope it’s not too cheeky but You’re not my dad! And he seems like
Question 1 I wanted to ask you for a lift? a good guy! He’s been so nice and he’s
Ben: Hello Ann, I’ve just seen the picture really respectful to me … Anyway, here’s
Tim: That shouldn’t be a problem. Where
you posted online. the café. Let’s see… Which one’s him?
do you wanna go?
Ann: Do you like it? I took it this Zack: Maybe that tall one, with the nice
Anna: Do you remember what Mary told
afternoon. haircut?
us about that animal shelter the other
Ben: It’s ok, I mean, most people post day? Chloe: Emm, that hipster-looking guy?
pictures with leaves during the autumn, No, Andrew said he hates beards.
Tim: Ahh, yeah, it rings a bell. She
but ok. mentioned something about helping Zack: Really? A guy who hates beards?
Ann: Come on Ben! Lying in the leaves, some volunteers… That’s even more suspicious… Fine, then
drinking hot chocolate, that’s boring. maybe he’s the one at the corner table?
Anna: Yup, and she asked me to help at
Ben: Right, and hiking in the rain is the weekend Chloe: I’m not sure… He isn’t wearing
exciting… glasses, and Andrew mentioned being
Tim: So what will you be doing?
allergic to contact lenses.
Ann: Well, at least it shows that I’ve got Anna: Cleaning the cages, feeding and
character. Andrew: Hi, Chloe, right?
playing with the cats. I thought you
Ben: Hmmm, maybe. I must admit might give me a lift and, maybe, give us a Chloe: Err, yes, that’s right. This is my
I preferred the picture with the hand with some of the work? friend Zach.
sunflowers. It was sunny and you looked Tim: I don’t know, I mean, it’s not that I Zack: Hi, nice to meet you. I love your
stunning. don’t like animals, but that’s not really glasses!
Ann: What’s wrong with the way I look? my idea of a fun afternoon. Maybe Andrew: Errr… Thanks
Ben: Well, your face is half covered by we should go out and watch a film or
your hood and the dirty clothes aren’t something? Question 3
exactly flattering. Anna: How can you be so heartless? Ann: Ok, so you want to book Hotel
Ann: Oh, don’t be such a bore! Paradise for 10 nights, breakfast
Tim: But I’m not…
included, from June 11th to June 21st. Is
Question 2 TASK 2 this right?
Lisa: Have either of you thought about Question 1 Tom: Yes, that’s all correct.
what to get John for his birthday? Doctor: So, Mr Stephenson how do you Ann: Ok… just a second… done. Now,
James: Hang on, is it next week? I’d feel? we need to choose how you’re getting
totally forgotten about it! there.
Mr Stephenson: Much better now,
Rick: Yeah, it’s on Tuesday. I didn’t forget, thanks. Tom: Ok, so my wife and I will be
but I don’t have a clue what to get him. traveling to Bulgaria from Kyiv, what
Doctor: Are you following the diet I
options do we have?
Lisa: I was thinking we could get him prescribed?
something music-related. You know, he’s Ann: Let me check … uhum… Ok, so you
Mr Stephenson: Yeah… kind of. Not
always listening to new stuff. can go by plane, but it’ll be around 5
100%, I eat lots of vegetables though –
hours.
Rick: Yeah, but I don’t even know what cabbage, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes of
he’s into. course and, you’ll be happy to hear that Tom: Hmmm, that’s pretty long, isn’t it?
Lisa: Why don’t we get him an – I don’t drink coffee anymore. Ann: Well, you will actually have two
instrument? I bet he’d love to play the Doctor: Good! Have you started eating flights. One to Istanbul, and then to
guitar! more fish? Varna.
James: Yes, Lisa, but guitars are a bit Mr Stephenson: Yes, twice a week, as you Tom: Aha, and how much is that?
expensive, aren’t they? How much do recommended. Ann: Around 350 dollars.
you expect us to spend?? Doctor: Nice, and have you given up Tom: It’s a bit pricey too.
Lisa: Hmm, good point. smoking? Ann: Well, you could go by bus, that
Rick: What about a music t-shirt? You Mr Stephenson: Almost, I’ve cut it down would take 21 hours, but it costs around
know, something with his favourite band to 2 cigarettes a day. 50 dollars.
on. Doctor: Mr Stephenson, we talked about Tom: But 21 hours…
Lisa: That sounds like a pretty good idea this last time. If you don’t quit completely Ann: Yeah, or, you could also go by car…
actually. Let’s go with that. you’re putting your health at serious risk.
Tom: Nope, that’s not possible, I don’t
James: All we have to do now is find out Mr Stephenson: I know, I know. But I’ve have one. Ok, book those tickets to
who his favourite band is. got myself a membership at the gym as Istanbul and Varna.
well.
Question 3 Ann: Sure, just a moment…
Doctor: Hmmm. Ok, now let’s check your
Anna: Hey, Tim. How’s it going? blood pressure… TASK 3
Tim: Hey hey, not, bad. You? Question 1
Question 2
Anna: Yeah, same here. Have you got Anna: What shall we have for dinner
any plans for the weekend? Zack: I can’t believe you agreed to meet
tonight?
with this Andrew guy! You’ve only known
Tim: I’ve promised to do some shopping Tom: How about a takeaway pizza?
him for a few weeks! I don’t trust guys
with mum on Saturday morning, but
from dating sites. Anna: Anna: We had that yesterday, and
FOCUS ON EXAMS B1+
1
 AUDIO SCRIPTS

the day before, and… Question 3

TASK 4
Tom: Ok, ok, so what do you have in Ann: Hey, Tim. Long time no see! How’s
mind? Question 1
your new apartment?
Anna: Well, do you fancy cooking Waiter: Good afternoon! Ready to order,
something? sir? Tim: Oh, hello stranger. It’s pretty good.

Tom: Well, there is only one dish I’ve Man: I’m a bit lost. I’ve never seen so Ann: So when is the house warming
been able to master. many different types of pasta on one party?
menu! I could do with some help.
Anna: Fried eggs? Tim: Well, how about we get everyone
Waiter: No problem, it can be a bit
Tom: Ha-ha, then there are two! round at the weekend? Are you free?
overwhelming. You see, that’s spaghetti
Anna: So? with vegetables and mushrooms, no Ann: Yeah, I think so!
Tom: Roast chicken! meat, no milk in the sauce – kind of a
vegetarian dish. Tim: So, this weekend it is! I’ll call Steve
Anna: Right…, I’ll probably go with eggs, and Amanda, see if they can come too.
done over-easy. Man: Right.
Waiter: Ok, and this one is the lasagna; Ann: Ok, and could you remind me of
Tom: Oh! Ok, if that’s what you want.
it is usually cooked with layers of beef or the address?
Pass me that bowl and I’ll make a start…
pork, with béchamel sauce and a lot of Tim: Oh, it’s just a 15-minute walk. Look,
Question 2 parmesan. It is very filling! you can walk out of the university and
Man: Have you seen my phone? Man: OK… up Green street.
Woman: Hmm. I think, I saw it on the Waiter: And here we have penne with Ann: All clear so far.
kitchen worktop this morning. three types of cheese: parmesan,
Man: Well, I went to the supermarket mozzarella and brie – that’s soft French Tim: Then you take the second left and
after that and took it with me. cheese with quite a strong smell and a you’ll get onto Park street, you’ll see a
creamy flavour. cinema on the corner.
Woman: You must have left it there then,
right? Man: Oh, no, I hate smelly cheese… I Ann: Uhhuh, a cinema, so are we nearly
think I’ll have the one with the meat in it. there?
Man: No, definitely not. I was chatting to
Mike all the way home. Waiter: The lasagna, ok then, right. Tim: Almost, after that you just walk two
Anything to drink? blocks and my house is on your left,
Woman: Have you looked everywhere in
your room? Man: Ginger lemonade, please. right opposite the gym.
Man: I think so. Wait a minute… Ahhh, Waiter: Ok, great choice! I’ll be back in a Ann: Ok, I’ll call you if I get lost.
here it is, under the bedside table. I minute with your drink!
wonder how it fell there, though. Tim: Sure, see you…
Question 2
Woman: Maybe it was the cat again… TASK 5
Tom: Hey Jasmine, how’s life?
Question 3 Jasmine: Hi Tom, not bad I suppose.
Question 1
Tim: So when is Andrew supposed to be You?
arriving? Den: Hey mom, I’m in the shop. What
Tom: Fine, thanks. Have you heard the
should I get?
Kate: He said about 6 o’clock. I guess latest news?
he’ll be here soon. Mom: Good sweetie, please, get some
Jasmine: What news?
apples …
James: There’s a lot of people here Tom: About the new regulations.
already. We might miss him if we’re not Den: Red or green?
Jasmine: Ugh! What has Mr. Johns
careful. What does he look like? Mom: A kilo of red ones.
changed now?
Kate: Errr… I guess he’s about average Den: Done, anything else?
Tom: A few things. He’s said that we’re
height. With short brown hair. Sort of … not allowed to use mobile phones in Mom: Get a bottle of milk, 2 kilos of
normal looking, I guess. classrooms now. chicken, a packet of rice, a kilo of
James: That’s not much to go on. onions…
Jasmine: We had that rule last year. What
Kate: Yeah, sorry. Let me think. He’s about school uniforms? Do we need to Den: Okay, milk, chicken, onions.
got glasses too and he’ll probably be wear them? Mom: Rice, and some canned tomatoes.
wearing a brown leather jacket that he Tom: Yes, and if you don’t – you can’t Den: Ok, I’ll be home in 30 minutes with
always wears. enter the school building. everything.
James: What sort of stuff is he into? Jasmine: Oh, come on, that’s crazy. And Mom: Great, see you then.
Kate: Hmm, well I know he likes a lot of I’m guessing that we can’t wear make up
sports. I met him at the leisure centre either. Mr Johns wants us all to look the Question 2
where he went to play squash. He also same! Ben: Hello.
likes outdoor stuff like skateboarding Tom: Actually there was nothing Anna: Hello Ben, have you packed the
and BMXing. mentioned about make up, so you can suitcase yet?
James: Hold on, is that him over there relax. Ben: Oh, hey Anna. No, I’m going to do
with the skateboard? Jasmine: Well, that’s a relief! that this evening. Why?
Kate: Yeah, it is! Hey! Andrew!
Anna: Well, I’m not sure what to take.

FOCUS ON EXAMS B1+

2
 AUDIO SCRIPTS

Ben: Relax, Anna. It’s only a 3-day trip, Interviewer: Great. So, why do you want do?
not an Arctic expedition! I’m going to to work for Blackfriars bookshop? Tom: But I don’t want to waste a year.
take a couple of T-shirts, some shorts Tom: I’ve always had a passion for books. Peter: You could do a volunteering job
and my pills.
Interviewer: Ok, and you want to work and add it to your CV later.
Anna: But what if it gets cold in the evening shifts from 4 till 8, right? Tom: Hmm… I’m really not sure.
evening?
Tom: Yes, it would be great if I could
Ben: Well, you could take a hoodie and a TASK 7
work part-time. I’ve got classes at uni in
tracksuit. the mornings. Question 1
Anna: Ok, good idea, I hate cold weather. Interviewer: Nice, and what are you Ann: Hey Andy, are we going on that
And I suppose I’ll also need some insect studying? Literature? We’ve got a few picnic on Saturday?
repellent, sunscreen, and make up, of other literature students working here. Andy: Yes, why? Has something
course…
Tom: No, no. Computer science. happened?
Ben: Anna, it’s a short trip to the
Interviewer: Ok, that’s nice and… Ann: Well, I’ve just checked the forecast
mountains, there are no night clubs
and it says that we’ll have a lot of rain
there. We’ll be staying in a tent! Question 2 here.
Anna: But we’ll be taking pictures, right? Tom: Hello Anna. What’s that you are Andy: Really? It doesn’t look like it.
Ben: Just take whatever you need… reading?
Ann: I know, maybe it’s wrong, but I
Anna: Oh, hey, Tom. It’s “The Minds suppose it wouldn’t be a great idea to
Question 3
of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes. It’s get stuck in the forest during a spring
Ben: Hello fantastic. I haven’t been able to put it thunderstorm.
Tom: Hey Ben, it’s me, Tom. down since I started reading it last night.
Andy: No, it wouldn’t, you’re right. Well,
Ben: Oh, hey mate. Listen, I’m a bit busy Tom: Oh, really? I read his Flowers for does that mean we need to cancel the
now, I’m entering my info for a contest. Algernon. picnic?
Tom: Contest? Are you taking part in Anna: Interesting. I’ve heard of it, but I Ann: I don’t think we should have one
something? haven’t read it yet. on Saturday, but it says that the weather
Ben: Oh, haven’t you heard? “Marvel Tom: Some people said it’s a bit boring will be much better on Sunday.
travel” – announced that they’ll send but I actually really liked it. Andy: Really? Ok, then I’ll call everyone,
3 lucky winners on a free holiday to Anna: It’s the one about a boy and a just to check their plans and we can
Barcelona. mouse who both became very smart, meet at the station at 4, as planned.
Tom: Barcelona? Really? What do you isn’t it? Ann: Ok, just make sure they know it’s
have to do? Tom: Yes, yes, I know it sounds a bit silly, Sunday, not Saturday!
Ben: Oh, you just need to plan a but some of the plot is quite serious. Andy: Sure, thanks, Ann.
one-week holiday and send it to the Anna: Yeah, I read on some forums that
company. it doesn’t have a very happy ending. Question 2
Tom: So the whole idea is to plan the trip Tom: No, it doesn’t. But the story really Paul: Dave, let’s go to training today. The
for yourself. makes you think about what happiness coach said we should all go.
Ben: Right, but there’s a limit on the cost is. Ok, I’m not going to say anything else. Dave: I’m not sure I can. I just realised
of the whole thing and you need to think I don’t want to spoil it for you… we had history homework for next
and choose some landmarks you’d like lesson and I totally forgot about it!
to visit. Question 3
Paul: No way! You’re going to get in
Tom: Ok, anything else? Peter: … So, Tom have you decided what trouble with Mr. Smith!
you want to be?
Ben: There are fixed dates and the hotel Dave: Yeah, I know, but what can I do
is already booked, so you can’t change Tom: No, nothing seems quite right, about it now? The class is straight after
that. really. training.
Tom: That’s good, so you don’t need to Peter: Why don’t you become an Paul: Well, you’re not copying mine and
waste any time on that. engineer like me? We could study for the you shouldn’t annoy the coach either!
next 5 years together. The best thing you can do is to be
TASK 6
Tom: But you know I’m no good with honest and apologize and promise it’ll
Question 1 maths. never happen again.
Tom: Good morning. I’m Tom. I’m here Peter: It’s not all maths, and it’s not that Dave: Yeah, I suppose you’re right.
for the interview. difficult. I could help you with the difficult
parts. Question 3
Interviewer: Hello, Tom. Nice to meet
you. I’m John Key. Tom: But I am not interested in building Anna: Hey Tom, you know what?
Tom: Nice to meet you Mr. Key. things. Tom: Hello, what’s up?
Interviewer: So, Tom, please take a seat. Peter: Ok, so what are you interested in? Anna: I’m starting a vlog.
Did you find the office ok? Tom: You know, I’ve got a few ideas but Tom: You mean a video blog?
Tom: Yeah, no problem. I used to walk I’m not sure if I like any of them enough Anna: Yup, my own channel on YouTube.
my uncle’s dog around here a couple of to spend the rest of my life doing them.
Tom: And what exactly are you going to
summers ago, so I know the area quite Peter: Why don’t you take a year off to vlog about? Make-up? Nail-polish?
well. travel and think about what you want to
FOCUS ON EXAMS B1+
3
 AUDIO SCRIPTS

Anna: Ha, ha, very funny, Tom. Yes, there telling you to put your phone away! the breakfast table, although this may
will probably be something to do with John: Hmm, right, I guess it is more like 7 change depending on the season and
make up and doing your hair nicely, but I hours then. states. It is also common to eat cake at
want to concentrate on important social breakfast, yet these cakes are usually
Ben: Uh huh, that sounds about right to
issues. orange or corn cakes that are made with
me. Next question, how often do you
Tom: And they would be…? little sugar.
look beyond the first few results when
Anna: All the problems and issues that searching for information online? Coffee is the most important drink at
students face in college. breakfast. It is either served black with
Question 3 a splash of milk, or as média, which is
Tom: I don’t know, I’d vlog about
Josh: Hello half coffee, half heated-up milk. It’s rare
something that people can relate to and
that Brazilians drink coffee unsweetened
something that would be useful, like Kevin: Hello Josh! How are things?
and usually add a couple of spoons of
cooking a tasty lunch in 15 minutes. Josh: Oh hi, Kevin. It’s going okay, thanks. sugar or sweeteners to the drink. For
Anna: Lunch in 15 minutes? How could You? those who don’t like coffee, it’s normal to
you do that? Kevin: Fine, thanks. Hey, listen, do you drink milk mixed with chocolate powder
Tom: Well, you’ll probably find out if I fancy going out for a game of snooker which is common for both adults and
decide to have a vlog)) tonight? children. The concept of tea and milk is
Josh: I’d love to, but I really can’t. considered odd in Brazil, so don’t expect
TASK 8
to see an English breakfast tea at the
Kevin: You’ve got plans? breakfast table!
Question 1
Josh: Kinda, I have that really important So, all coffee lovers, make sure you
Ben: Hey, Tom, Why are you so sweaty?
meeting on Monday. book a ticket for the next plane to São
Tom: Well, I had my first training session
Kevin: But the office is closed tonight Paulo and enjoy a visit to this wonderful
for the cricket team today.
anyway. country…
Ben: I’ve only read about it in some old
Josh: I know, but I have to prepare my
books. Is it some kind of a team game? TASK 10
presentation.
Tom: Yeah, it’s pretty cool, actually.
Kevin: I see. Well, do you need any help? Presenter: Please, welcome THE
Players are split into 2 teams – 11
players on each. Josh: Thanks, but it’s something I need to WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS primatologist
do on my own… Jane Goodall! It’s lovely to have you here,
Ben: Like in a game of football?
Jane! You travel 300 days a year. That’s
Tom: Right, but there is also an extra TASK 9 an incredible schedule.
player called the ‘twelfth man’ who
Breakfast causes more mixed feelings Jane: It’s actually stupid.
comes on to play if one of the main
players gets injured. than perhaps any other meal. There are Presenter: So why do you do it?
Ben: Well. It sounds a lot like football to some people that hate it, then there are Jane: When you are my age, there’s less
me. others that start the day with a huge time left.
meal fit for a king. One of the many Presenter: That sense of urgency aside,
Tom: Not quite, Ben. Unlike with football fascinating cultural differences between
there are restrictions on what roles the how do you stay motivated?
countries is their approach to what
‘twelfth player’ can perform in the game. studies show is the most important meal Jane: Every day I see children. I think
He can’t captain or bowl, or… of the day. about how we’ve harmed the Earth since
Ben: Ok, ok, that’s enough cricket talk for I was their age. When I began to work,
So what is a typical Brazilian breakfast the forest stretched right across Africa.
today. We’d better make a start on our like? As a general rule, breakfast in Brazil
Maths homework. Now it covers fragmented patches. And
begins anywhere between 6:30 and it’s the same all over the world.
Tom: Ok, fair enough. But you should 8am, depending on the hours of school
definitely come to one of our training or work. Although Brazilians generally Presenter: Don’t you get depressed?
sessions one day. don’t view one meal as more important Jane: Of course, but that means I have to
than the other, breakfast is more rushed fight even harder. You can’t do anything
Question 2 and simple than lunch, which is far more alone, so it’s about finding people
John: Hey, Ben. What are you up to? social, more diverse and lasts for about who understand that money is not
Ben: Oh, hey. I’m just filling in a survey an hour. The brunch concept hasn’t everything. I agree that we need money
for a friend. She needs it for her school caught on in Brazil and a ‘let’s do brunch to live but things go wrong when we live
project. tomorrow’ invitation will be met with just for money.
questioning looks. Presenter: Working with youth is a major
John: Ahhh, cool. I could answer some
questions if that would help? Breakfast during the weekdays is focus for you. Why?
substantial yet quick, just enough to get Jane: We could give away everything to
Ben: That would be great.
through the morning at work. At the save a forest or a species, but if the next
John: Ok, let’s get started! weekend, the food choices are likely generation isn’t going to look after it,
Ben: Good, so, how much time do you to be the same yet eaten with more there’s no point. And unfortunately, the
spend online every day? leisure and later in the morning. The next generation in the Western world is
John: 3 to 4 hours maybe. most common breakfast item is French living in an increasingly virtual world.
bread, one or two of which will be eaten
Ben: Really? Ok, ok. And what about Presenter: Have any children of this
toasted with butter.
texting and posting stuff online all day incoming generation inspired you?
long at school? The teacher is always Papaya is the fruit most associated with
Jane: Many of them are amazing. I’ve
FOCUS ON EXAMS B1+
4
 AUDIO SCRIPTS

seen children who visited a patch of land village or town on the map to look can increase to 10 times the usual
in Texas and removed the exotic plants, around. sales volume around this time. Special
replaced them with local species and Presenter: Were the two of you close? Christmas meal packages – much like
gradually restored the area to prairie the ones I enjoyed at work – account for
Tom: I would say so. However, when
status, with bees, birds and butterflies. as much as a third of the annual sales in
we played Battleships together, he
I’ve seen kids clean up a stream – not Japan for the franchise.
always won, claiming every time that
just by picking up rubbish, but by going Long queues outside restaurants are
it was because he’d had Navy training
upstream, finding out what was polluting a regular sight and demand is such
and I hadn’t. These are the details I
the water and learning how to write that it’s sometimes necessary to order
remember.
letters to the polluters and to legislators. weeks in advance. The story of how KFC
Presenter: Impressive.
Presenter: You have a lot of empathy – effectively hijacked Christmas in Japan
for people and animals. You were one of Tom: However, I often think what my goes back to the 1970s and the work of
the first to talk about the personalities grandfather would have written in one man, Takeshi Okawara.
and feelings that animals have. his memoirs. My family would have
Educated at Harvard University,
had his experiences and perhaps his
Jane: I grew up knowing that. When I Okawara was the manager of the
advice.
got to the University of Cambridge in first-ever KFC restaurant in Japan. One
1962 I was told I was doing it all wrong. Presenter: Ok, so what makes a Life fateful day in 1970, he overheard foreign
I gave the chimps names, not numbers. Story? customers in his store, talking about
And I shouldn’t have talked about Tom: At LifeBook my role as project how much they missed being able to eat
personalities, emotions, or minds that manager is to make the voice of your turkey during the festive season. That
could solve problems in chimps; but story unique. night, as legend has it, he woke up and
they claimed that those qualities were Presenter: What do you concentrate wrote down an idea which came to him
unique to human beings. But I had this on, while guiding a client? in a dream: selling a “party barrel” at
teacher in childhood who taught me Christmastime.
Tom: Working with the many authors
that for all their scientific know-how, the As Okawara saw it, if customers couldn’t
at LifeBook who share their stories
professors were wrong – and that was enjoy turkey at Christmastime, fried
in an autobiography, I always look
my dog! chicken was the next best thing. He
for the smallest details that they
Presenter: How is the 82-year-old you could include. How you felt when began marketing his party barrel – a
different from that young woman 56 your first child was born, or perhaps red-and-white bucket filled with goods
years ago, at the beginning of your the feeling when you hit 100mph – and the scheme was such a success
career? in your mother’s car (sorry, Mum), that it went national four years later. It
Jane: Hopefully I’m a little bit wiser and are the details your loved ones may even had its own name – Kurisumasu ni
have used my experience. never have known before. If there’s wa Kentakkii, or Kentucky for Christmas.
one thing my job has taught me, it’s A tradition was born, and Okawara’s
Presenter: What’s surprised you
that no matter how you lived your marketing genius saw him become
most about the way the world has…
life, you have a story to share and an president of KFC Japan in 1984.
TASK 11
audience who will be captivated when TASK 13
Presenter: Hello everyone and they read it—simply because it’s your
story and it’s you who’s telling it. It’s 6pm. You’ve just left work starving
welcome to our weekly show. Today
after a hard day, and now you have
we have a very special guest… please Presenter: Many thanks, Tom. Now,
a tiring evening of going to the gym,
welcome LifeBook project manager you all have an opportunity to…
meeting friends and feeding the cat
- Tom Harnett. Tom will explain why
TASK 12 ahead of you. Instead of running to a
he’s got the most interesting and
chain café to buy an overpriced coffee
inspiring job in the world.
On 25 December 2015, I woke up, got and snack, wouldn’t it be amazing if you
Tom: Oh, hello! Well, I am lucky to dressed and left my apartment to go to could both save money and do your
help people all over the world write my job as an English teacher in Ishiyama, bit for the environment by ordering
their autobiographies - giving their a small town in central Japan. It seemed a sandwich that would otherwise be
family a precious, timeless legacy. My the same as most other mornings – thrown away by a restaurant via an app?
job is one of the most interesting and Christmas isn’t as important an event YumNow aims to give you exactly that
I do it because I was inspired by my here and a lot of the country still goes to option. Launched in June 2018, this
grandfather Len. work or school. Later that day at work, app gives restaurants a chance to sell
Presenter: Can you tell us what kind of after my colleagues and I had exchanged the extra quantity of meals at flexible,
person your grandfather was? presents and cards, we sat down to a reduced prices and allows them to plan
Tom: That’s not an easy question. decades-old Christmas tradition in Japan demand for food ahead of time thanks
Len was born in London’s East End. – a magnificent feast provided by KFC. to a pre-ordering function.
He served with the British Navy in KFC at Christmas may seem like a Roughly £13 billion worth of edible food
Gibraltar during the Second World somewhat odd, if not completely is wasted every year in the UK. That’s
War, monitoring radar and radio unattractive, option to some Westerners, 7.3 million tonnes, which is more than
for any sign of German submarines. but in Japan it’s a cultural institution 100kg per person, or the equivalent
During his post-war career he up there with Super Mario and heated of 3.476 London Eyes. Thirty percent
worked in a bank in Truro, which toilet seats. It’s also big business – an of that waste comes from retailers
is now a shoe shop. When he estimated 3.6 million families visit the and restaurants, and can be avoided if
retired, he would often drive with KFC chain every December to enjoy restaurants distribute their resources
my grandmother Peggy to any given its delights. Daily sales for Japan KFC
FOCUS ON EXAMS B1+
5
 AUDIO SCRIPTS

more efficiently. employees. a mask, you not only make yourself

YumNow is aiming to resolve the Klaus Schwab, who is the founder more difficult to come up to, but you
problem of restaurants having fixed and executive chairman of the World no longer have to put effort into the
menus, prices and delivery options. By Economic Forum, said: “In order to truly interactions. With a mask you do not
listing extra food they have on the app be able to formulate a winning strategy have to react with a smile, frown or
at a price lower than it’s normally sold for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, laugh, because no one can see it. But
for, the restaurants are selling products businesses will need to recognize although it’s possible that some people
that would otherwise be thrown away human capital investment as an asset.” wear surgical masks to avoid talking
and are able to positively react to short to others from time to time, it’s the
“When we start using new technology
term changes in demand for food. If the exception and not the rule.
it helps business growth, the creation
weather is bad, for instance, and fewer of new jobs and the number of existing And, of course, people do continue to
people are out buying sandwiches than job vacancies grows too. But this is use the masks for health reasons as
normal, the excess food could be listed only possible if we can make the most well. Sales jump during cold and flu
and ordered by customers hungry for a of the talents of motivated staff who periods. In highly populated cities where
deal. are ready to take advantage of the new people spend hours each day on public
“It’s all about visibility and flexibility,” opportunities to retrain.” transport and in the office, masks offer
YumNow founder Hendrik Buechner John Kirven, a senior consultant at a bit of protection from the spread of
tells Culture Trip. Canon, said: “This report brings some airborne illness.
The 24-year-old founded the app after positivity to the Artificial Intelligence
feeling guilty about his own food waste. conversation. Too often, talk about TASK 16
“I took a gap year after my degree in smart technology in business focuses
economics at the University of Bristol on the potential issues and problems — What do you do when your home
to travel around South East Asia and such as the fear of machines taking jobs country experiences a jellyfish invasion?
America. I was on a tight budget and I away from human workers — instead of A new zealand chef is using his culinary
couldn’t afford to eat out at expensive the more likely reality.” skills to serve an unusual menu. Jacob
places, so I bought a lot of my food in brown is the award-winning chef who
TASK 15 also cares about the environment.
supermarkets to save cash and would
often have leftovers. You can’t take a Since opening the popular restaurant
In Japan, surgical masks have quickly
full Tupperware on a cross-country bus with wife sarah bullock, he has
become a multi-million dollar industry.
trip, and I often ended up throwing the earned a reputation for changing kiwi
The general public may have started out
food away or just leaving it at the hostel. preferences to quite unusual foods –
wearing these face coverings for health
That’s where the idea of the app started, like grilled kangaroo burgers, elk heart,
reasons, but the masks now have a
with my desire to repurpose food for number of uses, the least of which is to or sea urchin ice cream.
other people. stop the spread of germs. A couple of years ago, brown decided to
add jellyfish to his highly-experimental
TASK 14 Many people think the Japanese wear menu. The move was partly inspired
The robot revolution will create millions surgical masks because they’re sick, but by the growing numbers of jellyfish at
more jobs than it destroys, reports the the number one reason for wearing new zealand’s shores – a phenomenon
World Economic Forum. During the next them is actually due to allergies. Face explained by warmer sea temperatures
four years, machines will take 75 million masks marketed specifically for those and a decline in traditional predators
jobs globally while creating 133 million suffering from allergies first appeared like tuna – and also because of the
new ones. on the market in 2003. Unlike before, growing public demand for more
these masks were cheap, easy to use protein options.
New jobs are likely to appear in data
and could only be used once and then Brown recently told the guardian that
analysis, social media and software
thrown away. The new masks were he at present sells some 150 jellyfish
development, as well as positions in
made from unwoven material, which meals per week, using the marine
sales and marketing which need “human
the company said created a barrier to species together with popular food
skills” that machines cannot replace.
help block out pollen and other allergy items like pork and chicken, as well as
However, many jobs will disappear
triggers, making your hay fever much including it in omelettes.
including roles in administrative, factory
more bearable. “I use it as a secondary seafood to go
and financial work.
The report also predicts that robots As the mask became a common thing with other seafoods. The human race
will be doing up to 52 percent of jobs in Japan, people began to use them for is overfishing our oceans and we have
by 2025, compared to 29 percent now, more than just cold and allergy season, a huge amount of jellyfish and i think
as improvements in algorithms and however. Masks with fun pictures or we should be eating them rather than
technology cause a huge change across brand logos turned them into a fashion just eating the premium fish which are
industries. accessory, and not always for show. endangered, such as tuna.”
Wearing a mask has the practical use The problem is that brown is not
One of the biggest challenges of the
of keeping your face warm in the colder allowed to sell local jellyfish at his
so-called “Fourth Industrial Revolution”
months. And no matter what the season, restaurant – instead, he has to import
of automation will be retraining current
they can also be used as a quick cover- it from south korea. Rules imposed
human workers, states the Future of
up when you don’t feel like showing the by new zealand’s ministry of primary
Jobs 2018 report. The report said that
world your no-makeup face. industries means that, while it’s
employers now are being too “narrow”
in retraining their workers by only perfectly legal for someone to use local
For others, they offer anonymity and a
focusing on “highly-skilled, highly-valued” species for personal meals, companies
break from social interaction. By wearing

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aren’t allowed to do the same.

Despite these barriers, brown hopes
that the growing popularity for the
seafood will change this as well as what
people think about eating different
marine species.
“I think it’s crazy and small-minded that
we are happy to eat a cow that is in
some respects quite a dirty animal, but
we have this really clean protein that
just flows through the ocean like a sea-
plant. To me it makes more sense to be
eating jellyfish than farm animals.”

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