Gold First Coursebook Audio Script

Unit 6 Speaking Focus Activity 4

Examiner: Roberto, which do you think you need more of, luck or talent, to succeed in the
arts?
Roberto: I think a lot depends on luck. You need the opportunity to succeed and not
everyone gets the right opportunity even if they’re really talented. Then there
are lots of examples of people who are really famous and successful but not very
talented. I think these people need to have a lot of ambition and determination
as well as luck. Would you agree with that, Beata?
Beata: I’m not sure. Basically you’re saying you don’t really need talent to succeed. But
you can’t become successful without any talent at all.
Roberto: Yes, I suppose you are right. You don’t need a lot of talent to succeed but you do
need a lot of luck.

Unit 6 Listening Focus Activity 1

Narrator: 1
Woman: It’s one of my favourite plays so I was really excited about seeing it again. But I
must warn you – it’s quite different from any other production I’ve seen. And on
the whole it works. The futuristic set is stunning, very cleverly contrasted with
the present-day jeans and hoodies. The specially composed music is a welcome
addition and really helps to create a threatening atmosphere. But for some
reason most of the action takes place in semi-darkness, so I just wish I’d been
able to see everything more clearly.

Unit 6 Listening Focus Activity 3

Narrator: 2
Speaker A: OK. So shall we meet outside the theatre at 6.30? That’ll give us time to have a
coffee first.
Speaker B: But it starts at 6.45 – really early and it won’t finish until 10. I’ll be starving by
then!
Speaker A: Well, we could meet a bit earlier and grab a pizza or something. There are a few
places to eat nearby.
Speaker B: Yeah. If we meet at six, that should give us enough time – it’s not like we’ve got
to queue for tickets or anything.
Narrator: 3
Presenter: For all you Josh Willard fans – exciting news. Josh’s new film, which is set in
19th century Scotland, has its premiere next week and Josh will be here in
London to attend. Josh, who famously doesn’t do many interviews, will appear
on Channel 3’s Live Tonight, so make sure you don’t miss him talking to Ned
Bryan. Then it’s back to New York where he’ll be starring alongside Natasha
Reynolds in The Holly Tree at the District Theatre from the end of April...
Narrator: 4
Presenter: The comedy festival will be held again in Lenbury this year, but with a few
changes to last year’s programme. The organisers have decided that this year
it’ll be held in the third weekend in July instead of the first. The main stage is
also moving from the Lenbury Theatre to a tent in the park to provide more
seats, although the theatre’ll still be used for smaller gigs. This means more
tickets’ll be available for the main events.
Narrator: 5
Speaker A: So, Maria, is it true you’re going to retire soon?
Speaker B: Yes. I’m going to be thirty-five soon, so it’s getting harder and harder for me
physically, and I’m still recovering from that last back injury I had. But the main
reason’s that I need to spend time with my little boy. He’s only two and he’s
growing up so fast. I don’t want to miss it.
Speaker A: So you don’t enjoy being on tour any more?
Speaker B: It’s not that I don’t enjoy it. It’s just not practical any more. It’ll actually break
my heart to give up dancing in public.
Narrator: 6
Speaker A: So, as usual, The View will be the biggest contemporary art event of the summer
– not in terms of the number of artworks on display, but in the variety of art on
show.
Speaker B: That’s right. Everything from landscape to abstract; and mostly young artists
who are just beginning to make a name for themselves.
Speaker A: Although there are one or two big names as well – which’ll be an added bonus
for art lovers.
Speaker B: Yes, indeed. It’s a shame, though, that a permanent venue can’t be found for it.
The museum’s a bit old-fashioned and I don’t think the displays are very
imaginative.
Narrator: 7
Woman: I’m really excited about the play. It’s the first time I’ve worked with this director
and that’s always quite challenging. I’m not sure if it’ll be a big success or not
because it is quite a depressing subject and people might not want to spend an
evening in the theatre watching something that they may well find upsetting. But
I think it’s an important subject and theatre is all about exploring all aspects of
life. So I do hope people will support it.
Narrator: 8
Speaker A: Who do you think will get the main part?
Speaker B: I expect it’ll be Zoe. She’s a good singer and dancer, but it could be Molly. I
thought she did a good audition too. Mr Panton says he’s going to tell us in class
on Thursday.
Speaker A: When are you starting rehearsals?
Speaker B: On Friday. It’s going to be really hard work because performances start in three
weeks.
Speaker A: I’ll help you learn your lines, if you like.
Speaker B: Thanks. That’d be very helpful.

Unit 6 Grammar Focus Activity 4

Narrator: 1
Speaker A: What are you doing this weekend?
Speaker B: I’m going to the dance festival in the park. It’s on all weekend.
Speaker A: Oh I’d really like to go but my brother’s moving house and I have to help him.
Speaker B: That’s a shame!
Speaker A: Never mind. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Speaker B: Yes. It should be fun especially as I think the weather’ll be good.
Narrator: 2
Speaker A: Hi Ben! Are you going to the Film Festival at the weekend?
Speaker B: Yes, on Saturday. I’m going to buy the tickets online today.
Speaker A: How much are they?
Speaker B: Only £15. I’ll get you one if you like.
Speaker A: That’d be great. What time does it start?
Speaker B: At 7.30. But I’m going to leave home early, at six o’clock because of the traffic.
I’ll pick you up on my way if you want.