1.

15:
I can see two groups of people. I guess they are in a café or maybe a hotel. They are sitting on a
sofa and comfortable chairs. I think that they are about 17 or 18 years old. The photo shows them
chatting and smiling. The girls in the foreground are all drinking. In my view they are friends
because they look very relaxed and they are laughing. I'm not sure why they are so happy.
Perhaps they are celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday. Or maybe the girl in the blue top
is saying something funny.
1.16:
1.
Laura: Hello. I'm Laura. What's your name?
Martin: Martin. Pleased to meet you, Laura.
Laura: And you. Where are you from, Martin?
Martin: The Czech Republic. I live in Prague. Are you Spanish?
Laura: No, I'm Argentinian. From Buenos Aires.
Martin: Oh, really? And how old are you?
Laura: I'm 17. How old are you?
Martin: 16. What are your hobbies?
Laura: I love reading. And I play football.
Martin: Really? Cool.
Laura: Yes, I play for my school. What about you? What are your hobbies?
Martin: I like going out with friends. And I do a lot of swimming.
2.
Emre: Hi. My name's Emre.
Lottie: Pleased to meet you Emre. I'm Lottie.
Emre: Pleased to meet you too. Where are you from, Lottie?
Lottie: I'm from the UK. What about you?
Emre: I'm from Turkey.
Lottie: Really? Where in Turkey?
Emre: Istanbul.
Lottie: How old are you, Emre?
Emre: 16.
Lottie: I'm 16 too.
Emre: What are your hobbies, Lottie?
Lottie: I like drawing and taking photographs.
Emre: I like taking photographs too, but I can't draw!
Lottie: Do you have any other hobbies?
Emre: Yes, I like playing computer games.
3.
Greg: Hi, my name's Greg.
Brigitta: Hello, Greg. I'm Brigitta. I'm from Hungary.
Greg: I'm from Canada.
Brigitta: Where in Canada?
Greg: I'm from Ontario.
Brigitta: What do you like doing in your free time, Greg?
Greg: I like listening to music.
Brigitta: Me too. What else do you like doing?
Greg: I like surfing the Net. Do you like surfing the Net?
Brigitta: No, not really, but I like chatting online. How old are you, Greg?
Greg: 17. How old are you?
Brigitta: I'm 18.

1.17:
Student: Hi. Do you fancy doing something on Saturday?
Examiner: Sure. Why don't we go out?
Student: Good idea. There's a heavy metal band playing at the concert hall on Saturday.
Examiner: I'm really not into heavy metal.
Student: I know. But guess who the drummer is in the band?
Examiner: Who?
Student: Mr Smithson. You know, the music teacher at our school a few years ago.
Examiner: OK, then. Let's go and see his band.
Student: Cool.
Examiner: How much are the tickets?
Student: I've got the information here...Between ten and fifteen pounds.
Examiner: Oh. That's quite a lot of money.
Student: Oh, wait a moment. It's only five pounds for students.
Examiner: Great. Shall we invite Jack and Martha?
Student: Jack's away this weekend. I'd prefer to go with just you, really. You know I'm not very
keen on Martha. She's so talkative!
Examiner: OK, just you and me then. And what do you want to do after the concert? Shall we get
something to eat in town?
Student: No, let's come back home. We can get a take-away.
Examiner: OK, then. Sounds good.

1.19:
1.
We’re in the 19th minute of the final, and Poland are on the attack. Oooh – what a shot! But the
goalkeeper saves it. Wait a moment. What’s happening?
There's a fight! The players are taking off their gloves, throwing them down onto the ice and
fighting!
2.
This is her final attempt and the crowd are silent as she prepares herself. Now she's ready. Here
she comes, going faster and faster, and... she's in the air now she's down! She's landed back on
the snow. What's the distance? Nearly 200 metres! Amazing!
3.
The Brish fighter moves forward and ... what a punch! His opponent is on the floor of the ring,
he isn't moving. The referee starts counting ... 1,2,3,4... The British boy is waving his gloves in
the air - he thinks he's the winner.
4.
Smith throws the ball to Jones. Jones runs forward and passes the ball back to Smith... Smith
shoots. Yes, it's in the basket! The score is 36-all.
5.
She's still about 150 metres from the finish line and the Spanish girl is catching her... has she got
enough time? Their legs are tired, but they're both trying to run as fast as they can... and the
Spanish girl is going to win!
6.
And Johnson is in the lead. Nobody can catch him! He's winning by 50 metres! But wait! What's
happening? I think his boat is sinking. Yes, it is. His boat is getting lower and lower in the water!
7.
And the Hungarian has asked for an extra 15 kilos on the bar. That's a very heavy weight indeed
now - 165 kilos. Can he lift it? Let's see... ah, no he can't. And I think his leg is hurting him now.
But he's smiling - that's good to see.
8.
Sandra Peters is lying on her board, about 100 metres from the beach. Here comes a big wave.
She's riding the wave, she's standing up... Oh, now I can't see her. Is she in the water? Oh dear...
yes, there she is.

1.23:
Reporter: I'm in the village of Congham, near the east coast of England. Everyone here is getting
quite excited because it's nearly time for the big annual event - the World Snail Racing
Championship. A man called Tom Elwes started the championship in the 1960s after seeing
people racing snails in France. Last year, over 200 snails took part in the competition and
hundreds of people came to watch the races. The organisers say that this year the event is even
bigger. The races take place on a circular track, with the snails starting in the middle and racing
30-40 centimetres out to the edge of the [Link] owners paint racing numbers on the shells or
put small stickers on them so that they can easily see their snail. A snail named Archie set the
world record of two minutes in 1995. Last year's winner was a snail called Speedy. Jack Robins
is entering the championship for the first time this year, and he's with me now. Jack, is training
really important for snail racing?
Jack: Yes, it is.
Reporter: Why?
Jack: Because you have to build up a good relationship with your snail. So the snail wants to
please you. You know, wants to do its best for you in the race...
Reporter: I see. Do you think you have a good relationship with your snail?
Jack: Yes, I do. I spend a lot of time with Flash...
Reporter: That's the name of yo: snail - Flash?
Jack: Yes.
Reporter: Well, good luck, Jack. And of course - good luck, Flash!
Reporter: I'm in the arena now, next to the track. Let's listen to the referee start the race...
Referee: Ready, steady, slow!
Reporter: Well, the first race is over. Jack, how did Flash do? Did he win?
Jack: No, unfortunately, Flash didn't win. In fact, he came last! So that's the end of the
championship for us. We'll race again next year though!
Reporter: Well-good luck for next year!

1.27:
1.
Connor: Hi, Ella. How was your weekend?
Ella: It was great! I played tennis on Saturday.
Connor: That sounds fun. Who did you play with?
Ella: My friend Sarah.
Connor: Oh right, cool. Did you win?
Ella: Yes, I did. But I also broke the tennis racket!
Connor: Oh dear, that's bad. Was it expensive?
Ella: I don't know. I didn't buy it. It was my sister's racket.
Connor: Oops!
2.
Jack: Hi, Abi. Did you have a good weekend?
Abi: Yes, I did. I went to see a show with my family on Saturday. Then we went for a meal.
Jack: Really? Great! Where did you go?
Abi: To a Chinese restaurant. There's a nice one in the town centre.
Jack: That's interesting. Do you often go out for meals?
Abi: No, but it was...a special occasion.
Jack: Really? What?
Abi: It was my birthday!
Jack: Oh no! I forgot!
3.
Jacob: Hi, Daisy. How are you?
Daisy: I'm fine.
Jacob: What did you get up to at the weekend?
Daisy: On Saturday, I went to the cinema with Ben.
Jacob: Cool! What did you see?
Daisy: The new Jackie Chan film.
Jacob: Fantastic! I love Jackie Chan.
Daisy: Yes, it was great. But I left my phone in the cinema.
Jacob: Oh no. Did you go back and find it?
Daisy: I went back, but it wasn't there.
Jacob: Oh dear.
4.
Daniel: Hi, Chloe. How are you?
Chloe: I'm fine thanks.
Daniel: Did you have a good weekend?
Chloe: Yes, I did. I cooked dinner for my family on Sunday.
Daniel: That's interesting. What did you make?
Chloe: Chicken and rice.
Daniel: And how was it?
Chloe: It was OK. The chicken was really nice. But the rice was hard.
Daniel: Oh well...
Chloe: Everybody ate it, though! But Dad wasn't very well the next morning.
1.28:
Anna: Hello. I'm Anna.
Jack: Hi, I'm Jack Are you new here?
Anna: Yes, I am. This is my first day!
Jack: Where are you working?
Anna: In Reception.
Jack: Oh, right. Are you having fun?
Anna: Well, it's only my first day but...so far, it's OK! What about you? Where do you work?
Jack: I'm the IT expert I started here last September.
Anna: It's very quiet, isn't it?
Jack: Yes, but that's because it's March. April is always busy, because of the Easter holiday. And
then from June to September, it's usually full. Hundreds of people!
Anna: Great. I'm looking forward to that! What's the area like?
Jack: It's beautiful. When did you arrive?
Anna: Yesterday. I flew here from Poland. And I started work today.
Jack: I see. So you're Polish. Hey, why don't we go for a drive after work-you can see the area a
bit.
Anna: Thanks! That's a great idea!
Jack: Do you know the other members of staff?
Anna: Only one or two. I met Maggie this morning. She's the boss isn't she?
Jack: That's right. The general manager.
Anna: What's she like?
Jack: Hmm. Well, she's...OK. Very hard-working and clever.
Anna: But...
Jack: But she's a bit arrogant. And she's very impatient.
Anna: Oh. Well, thanks for warning me!
Jack: But there are some nice people here, like Tom in security, and Dani. In fact, there's Dani
over there. Come on, I'll introduce you.
Anna: Thanks!
Jack: Dani, this is Anna. She's new in Reception.
Dani: Hi Anna.
Anna: Pleased to meet you. What's your job here?
Dani: I work in the gym. I'm a fitness instructor.
Anna: Nice job!
Dani: Do you do a lot of exercise?
Anna: Er...not really. I like swimming.
Dani: What's your best time for 50 metres?
Anna: I don't know. I just swim for fun. There's a pool here, isn't there?
Dani: Yes, two pools. You can use them whenever you like.
Anna: And when is the gym open?
Dani: Every day, from seven in the morning until ten at night. Why don't you come and try it
later today?
Anna: Well, maybe. I'm a bit tired, actually...
Dani: Jack does weight-training every day after work. Don't you, Jack?
Jack: Yes...well, usually. But today, I'm going for a drive...with Anna.
Dani: Oh, really?
Jack: Yes.
Dani: Hmm. OK. Well, see you two later.
Anna: Bye!

1.30:
Walker: Excuse me.
Farmer: You what?
Walker: Excuse me! I wonder if you can...
Farmer: I can't hear you.
Walker: Can you turn the engine off?
Farmer: Wait a moment. I'll turn the engine off.
Walker: Can you help me? I'm looking for a village called Chomley.
Farmer: You mean Chumley. That's how people round here say it.
Walker: OK. Chumley. Thanks.
Farmer: No problem. Afternoon.
Walker: Wait! Sorry, excuse me.
Farmer: Yes?
Walker: Can you tell me where...Chumley...is?
Farmer: Of course. Go along this lane. Go past the pond. Then go through the gate on your left.
Go across the field - just follow the footpath - and then go through another gate. Turn right onto
the lane and then go straight on. Go over the bridge. Go past the farmhouse on your left. Take the
first right and walk to the end of the road. Then you're in Chomley.
Walker: Don't you mean Chumley?
Farmer: That's right. Chumley.
Walker: Great. So I go past the pond and through the gate on my right.
Farmer: The gate on your left.
Walker: And I go around the field?
Farmer: You go across the field.
Walker: Oh yes. I follow the footpath. Then I go...sorry, can you tell me again, please?
Farmer: You go through another gate. Then you turn right onto the lane and go over the bridge.
You go past the farmhouse. And you're there.
Walker: OK. So, 1 go...sorry, how do I start?
Farmer: You go past the pond and through...look, jump up on the tractor, I'm going there myself.
I'll give you a lift.
Walker: Thanks very much.

1.34:
Olivia: I live in the country - but i don't know anybody who likes the idea of fox-hunting. My
dad's a farmer and he hated it when hunters rode over his land. They cause a lot of damage, you
know - to the fields, and to the hedges. And they don't ask-they just go wherever they want! So
I'm glad people can't go hunting any more. It was only a few, very rich people who were
interested in it anyway. I'm sure they can find something else to do in their free time.
Rory: My home is on the edge of town - between the town and the country. I think! understand
both sides of the argument about fox-hunting, but a lot of people who live in towns don't really
understand it. In fact, they don't understand rural traditions at all. They only go into the
countryside to have a picnic a few times a year! I never went hunting myself. I'm not that keen
on horse riding. But I respect it, as a traditional activity. I think it's important to respect all of our
national traditions - not just the ones that are really popular.
Jake: I don't see how anybody can say fox-hunting is right. It's disgusting! The whole point of
the hunt is to chase and then kill a living animal - the fox. Why? Just because a few upper-class
idiots think that it's fun! Well, it's wrong to have fun by killing animals. End of story. Perhaps
when hunting started, hundreds of years ago, people didn't worry so much about the rights of
animals. But people are different now. We respect animal rights. That's why so many people are
vegetarians.
Christine: I really don't see what the problem is. I mean, it's only a few foxes! Look at all the
animals that are killed on the roads every year - every day! And what about fishing? I'm sure the
fish think it's cruel. But nobody tries to ban fishing - and do you know why? Because it's popular
with millions of people! And the silly thing is, we do need to control the number of foxes,
because they damage farmers' fields and eat their chickens and lambs. Without hunting, farmers
have to shoot foxes - and that's probably crueller than hunting because the foxes die more
slowly! It just doesn't make sense to me.

1.38:
Examiner: Can you describe the photo for me?
Hannah: Yes. Er...Let me see. This photo shows a street in a town or city on a sunny day. In the
foreground, there are two girls - or young women maybe -sitting at a table outside. They're
chatting and having a drink. One of them has got long, dark hair and is wearing a red top and the
other is wearing a green top. Judging by their clothes, it's quite warm. Behind the women is a
sign which
says 'Open' I can also see a road. In the background, there are other shops and cafés. There are a
few pedestrians on the pavement. Hmm. What else? I can also see some trees in the distance. It
looks like a nice part of town.
Examiner: How do you think the two women are feeling, and how can you tell?
Hannah: Well...Let me think. They look as though they're really relaxed. They're smiling and
talking. And they look comfortable. I imagine they're quite good friends, judging by the way
they're sitting.

1.40:
I live in a detached house in Bristol with two other students. The university doesn't have rooms
for all its students so every summer there are a lot of us looking for flats and houses in the city.
Me and my friend Kate found the house, but the rent is quite high so we had to find a housemate
to share with. We put an ad in one of the student magazines and got lots of replies. We chose to
live with Melanie, a third-year medical student. The house has only got two bedrooms upstairs so
we changed the dining room into another bedroom for Melanie. Our landlord didn't mind and
luckily the kitchen is big enough to eat in. We all have lunch in the university and we share the
cooking in the evenings. I usually do it on Tuesdays and Fridays. There's only one bathroom,
which is a bit annoying, as Kate spends a long time in there in the morning! The house has got a
small garden, but none of us likes gardening, so I'm afraid it's a bit of a mess! Next year, Kate,
Melanie and I are going to stay together - we might look for somewhere a bit bigger and a bit
nearer the university.

2.03:
1.
Courtier: Your Majesty! The Scots are coming! Their army is on the hill now!
King: Bring me my sword! Where is the Duke?
Duke: Here I am, Your Majesty. What are your wishes, Sire?
King: Bring all the women and children into the castle! Order your men to
be at the ready!
Duke: At once, Your Majesty!
2.
Harriet: Hello. You must be Esther. Pleased to meet you.
Esther: Hello. You're Harriet. Come on in.
Harriet: And this is your dog? Gosh, he's enormous.
Esther: This is Prince. Don't worry. He wouldn't hurt a fly.
Harriet: Nice doggie. Arrgh!
Esther: Down, Prince! Down! Sorry. He's just being friendly.
Harriet: Oh, is he? He's very, very heavy.
Esther: Aw, he likes you!
Harriet: Oh...great...Do you think you could get him off me now?
3.
Elizabeth: Who are you? What are you? How did you get in?
Voice: Hello, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: How do you know my name? What do you want?
Voice: You. I want you.
Elizabeth: What do you mean? Who are you?
Voice: Don't you recognise me? I'm you.
Elizabeth: Aargh!
4.
Dog: Where's that cat?
Mouse: He's hiding in the rubbish bin. Over there.
Dog: Right I'll get him this time.
Mouse: There he is!
Dog: Come back here, pussy cat!
Mouse: Hee hee hee!
5.
Torgen: Captain, take a look at this. There's something coming up on my computer screen.
Captain: Torgen, what are we looking at here?
Torgen: It seems to be a message from that red planet over there. It's not in any language I
recognise.
Captain: What's the name of the planet? Do we know anything about it?
Torgen: It's called Red Star.
Captain: Computer! Please translate the message.
Computer: 'Hello Earthlings! You are warmly invited to a party on Red Star -the party planet of
the galaxy! Beam down any time after 11 o'clock, Earth- time.
Captain: Hey, let's go and check it out. Come on, Torgen!
6.
TV presenter: In 2008, Global Concern sent two ships to the Arctic to measure the rate at which
the polar ice cap is melting. What they discovered surprised even the most pessimistic climate
change scientists.

2.05:
While every actor in Hollywood wants an Oscar, nobody wants a Razzie. Razzie is the short
name for Golden Raspberry. It is an award given to the worst actors and films of the year. These
awards are given out on the night before the Oscars. The local and foreign media are in
Hollywood, so there is a lot of interest. Just not the kind of interest that most people want!
How did the Razzies start? John Wilson, a Hollywood publicist, used to hold an Oscars party at
his house after the real awards ceremony. At his party in 1981, he talked about the films that he
liked the least that year, and gave them little prizes. He encouraged friends to do the same. These
parties were a huge success. So, later, he decided to start his own awards ceremony. Wilson
made little awards from plastic raspberries and covered them in gold paint. They only cost $5
each and look terrible! 650 film journalists and film fans are now members of the Golden
Raspberry Award Foundation, and they vote for the worst films of the year. Anyone can be a
member of the foundation, as long as they pay.
At first, no Razzie winners wanted to collect their award, probably because they were
embarrassed. But in 1988, Bill Cosby, an American comedian, heard that he had won three
awards, for Worst Actor, Worst Film and Worst Screenplay. He said, ‘I want my Golden
Raspberry, and if it isn't golden, I'm going to the press!’So a TV company made real gold awards
and Bill Cosby accepted them on a chat show. He said, 'It was a lot of fun to do. After that,
actors and directors with a sense of humour began accepting their awards on TV chat shows.
Paul Verhoeven was the first person to go to the Razzie Awards Ceremony to collect his awards
in person, for Worst Director and Worst Film. Other popular winners include Sandra Bullock,
who accepted her Worst Actress award at the Razzies the night before she accepted her first
Oscar for Best Actress for a different film. But most Razzie winners still prefer to pretend that
they haven't won!

2.12:
Assistant: Good evening. Thank you for calling the Apollo Theatre box office. How can I help
you?
Jeremy: Oh, hello. Can I book tickets to see Jason Mraz on the 3rd of February?
Assistant: The 3rd of February...I'm afraid that concert is sold out.
Jeremy: Oh. What about the 4th? Is that sold out too?
Assistant: Let me see... No, we've got tickets at £50 and a few at £35.
Jeremy: Could you repeat that, please?
Assistant: We've got tickets at £50 and some at £35.
Jeremy: Where are the £35 seats? Are they a long way from the stage?
Assistant: They're not too far away. In the middle of row K.
Jeremy: OK, I'd like three tickets at £35, please.
Assistant: That's £105 plus a booking fee of £9. That's £114 in total. How would you like to pay?
Jeremy By credit card, please.
Assistant: Can I have your card number, please?
Jeremy: 3675 3795 2649 3321.
Assistant: Sorry, did you say 3301?
Jeremy: No, 3321.
Assistant: OK, I'll just read that back to you. 3675 3795 2649 3321.
Jeremy: That's right.
Assistant: And what's the three-digit security code on the back, please?
Jeremy: 739.
Assistant: 739. Thank you. And what's the expiry date?
Jeremy: 05/16.
Assistant: Thank you. And your name and address?
Jeremy: Jeremy Brown, 43 St Mark's Crescent, Bristol BS61 5KW.
Assistant: Thank you. I'll put your tickets in the post today.
Jeremy: Thank you. Goodbye.
Assistant: Goodbye.

2.13:
Anna: Hi Jack. Come in.
Jack: Oh, hi Anna. Hey, do you know about the Leeds Film Festival?
Anna: No, I don't. When is it?
Jack: It's on now-it starts this weekend. Do you fancy going to see something? Dani's really keen
to go. She's really into films.
Anna: OK. Good idea. How do we get into Leeds?
Jack: I've got a car. I can give you and Dani both a lift.
Anna: Excellent!
Jack: Do you want to choose the film? I've got the programme here. I'll leave it with you.
Anna: Oh, OK, I have a look this afternoon.
Jack: Great. See you later.
Anna: Bye.
Anna: So the film starts at eight. It's at the Palace Cinema in West Hill Avenue.
Jack: Oh yes, I know that cinema
Dani: And what kind of film is it?
Anna: It's an action film, I think it's called Tiger City-or something like that
Dani: What's it about?
Anna: I'm not sure. I didn't read the reviews very carefully. But they all gave it five stars and said
it's a really good film.
Jack: Great! I'm looking forward to it.
Anna: Is the cinema far from here?
Jack: No. We'll be there in about twenty minutes. Shall we listen to some music?
Dani: Good idea. Have you got any CDs in the car?
Jack: Yes, there are some in the back. Anna, can you see them? They're on the seat
Anna: Yes, I've got them.
Jack: Why don't you choose one?
Anna OK. How about Ten Rock Classics?
Jack: Perfect 11 put it on.//
Jack: There are loads of kids here.
Anna: Yes, I noticed that. It's a bit strange, isn't it?
Dani: Shh. I think it's starting!
Promo: You enjoyed Timmy Tiger on vacation at the North Pole. Now, he's back - this time in
his craziest and funniest adventure ever. He's in the city!
Jack: Er...this isn't an action film. It's an animated film
Anna: Oh no! I'm really sorry. I really thought it said 'action film!
Jack: We could stay. I mean, it might be OK
Dani: No way! I'm not going to sit here all evening watching a children's film.
Anna: I'm so sorry.
Jack: Well Don't feel too bad about it, Anna. We all make mistakes...
Anna: Thanks.
Dani: Come on. We're leaving.
Jack: Oh, OK.
Anna feels embarrassed.

2.15:
Dialogue 1:
Assistant: How can I help you?
Customer: Have you got Guitar Hero 7 for Playstation?
Assistant: Yes, we have. Computer games are over there, on the left. Just below the sign.
Customer: Which sign?
Assistant: The sign that says Guitar Hero.
Customer: Oh, OK. Thanks.
Assistant: No problem.
Customer: Great! Got it. Actually, it's for my brother. What happens if he's already got it? Can I
get a refund?
Assistant: We don't give refunds, I'm afraid. Why don't you ask him first?
Customer: I can't. It's a surprise. Hmm. I'm pretty sure it's right. I'll buy it.
Dialogue 2:
Assistant: Can I help you?
Customer: Yes. I want to buy a watch.
Assistant: OK, Is it for yourself or a gift?
Customer: It's a gift. For my girlfriend.
Assistant: I see. How much are you hoping to spend?
Customer: About £50, I suppose, or £60 at the most.
Assistant: We don't have many watches for under £60, but there are a few. They're over here.
Walk this way....Can you see anything you like?
Customer: Er...ummmm. That one's OK.
Assistant: Would you like to have a closer look at the watch?
Customer: Oh...yes, please. Thanks. Hmm. I'm not sure. It's not quite right...
Assistant: Well, I'm afraid we don't have anything else at that price.
Customer: OK, I'll try somewhere else. Thank you.
Dialogue 3:
Customer: Good afternoon. I'm looking for a magazine about snowboarding.
Assistant: Well, we have three or four. They're on the shelf, in the sports section.
Customer: Could you help me look for them? My eyes aren't very good!
Assistant: Yes, of course. Follow me.
Assistant: So...let me see. Yes, here they are. This one is called Pro-Boarder. It's the best, in my
opinion.
Customer: Hmm. Yes. That looks interesting. What's the price?
Assistant: £3.50.
Customer: That's a lot! Oh well.
Assistant: Would you like to buy it?
Customer: Yes, please.
Assistant: Is that all for today?
Customer: Yes, it is.
Assistant: So, is the magazine for your grandson - or granddaughter?
Customer: No, it's for me. Next month, I'm going snowboarding for the first time in my life!

2.18:
Announcement 1
The prize for today's competition is a meal at Rules restaurant in Covent Garden -the oldest
restaurant in London. It's been open since 1798. Those waiters must be exhausted! But seriously,
if you haven't been there already, it really is worth a visit. To enter our competition, all you need
to do is complete this sentence in your own words: 'Covent Garden is a great place to go for
dinner
because... Send us your entries by text or email before the end of today and we'll announce the
winner as usual, on tomorrow's breakfast show.
Announcement 2
Are you a talented street performer: a musician, an acrobat or a fire-eater? Would you like to
perform in front of thousands of people in London's Covent Garden? Well, why not come to our
next auditions? They are being held next Monday morning, the 26th July, at the North Hall.
Arrive before 10.30 in the morning and be prepared to give a three-minute performance in front
of six judges. There's no need to contact us before the date-just turn up!
Announcement 3
Looking for something special to wear for that big party? Come to Lucy in Disguise, Lily Allen's
fantastic Covent Garden clothes store. The sale starts this week, with 50% off some items.
There's also a special offer on clothes hire – two items for the price of one! The shop is open
from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 12 midday until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Announcement 4
If you're thinking of visiting London, then think about staying at the Tavistock Hotel. It's just a
few minutes' walk from Covent Garden. Double rooms cost less than £200 a night, including
breakfast - singles £150 - and the hotel's facilities include a gym and a small swimming pool. But
the best thing about the Tavistock Hotel is the staff, who will greet you with a smile and do
everything they can to look after you. The Tavistock Hotel - your home in the heart of London.
Announcement 5
Discover the magic of musical theatre: come and see Disney's award-winning show, The Lion
King, at the Lyceum Theatre, Covent Garden. It has been one of the most popular and successful
shows in London for more than ten years. There are performances at 7.30 in the evening from
Tuesday to Saturday and at 2.30 in the afternoon on Wednesday. The Lion King - a magical
show for the whole family!

2.23:
Dialogue 1
Customer 1: Hello.
Assistant: Hi. How can I help?
Customer: It's about this paint. I bought it here last weekend. I want to exchange it.
Assistant: Oh yes. And what's the problem with it?
Customer 1: It's the wrong colour. I wanted blue paint. And this is a blue tin!
Assistant: But it isn't blue paint...inside.
Customer 1: No, it isn't. I'll show you what's inside. I'll open it...I'll just...hang on...this'll do
it...have you got a screwdriver?
Assistant: Hundreds. Aisle 5. Look, you don't need to open it. It's white paint Inside.
Customer 1: Yes. How did you know that?
Assistant: It says 'white' on the front.
Customer 1: Oh yes. Silly mistake. Well, can I change it?
Assistant: Yes, of course, if you've got the receipt with you.
Customer 1: Ah, I haven't got the receipt
Assistant: I'm sorry. We can only exchange goods with a receipt.
Customer 1: That's disgraceful. Can I speak to the manager, please?
Assistant: I am the manager.
Dialogue 2
Assistant: How can I help you?
Customer 2: Oh, hello. Yes. I bought this watch here about two months ago. It's stopped
working.
Assistant: I see. And did it work when you bought it?
Customer 2: Yes, it worked perfectly when I bought it. But it doesn't now, so....want my money
back.
Assistant: I'm sorry. We don't give refunds.
Customer 2: Well, what normally happens?
Assistant: We send the watch back to the manufacturer. They repair it and send it back to us.
Customer 2: Is that the best you can do? How long will that take?
Assistant: It could take a few weeks. These watches are made in Taiwan.
Customer 2: That's not good enough.
Assistant: It's our policy, I'm afraid.
Customer 2: Well I don't think much of your policy. I won't buy a watch from here again!

2.24:
Presenter: Welcome to Arts Today. We have with us in the studio Fernando Dias - a young
dancer who is already making his mark on the ballet world. Welcome to the programme,
Fernando.
Fernando: Thank you.
Presenter: Fernando, you are only in your late teens, yet you are starring in your first role for the
Birmingham Royal Ballet. How did you get here and so quickly? Tell us something about your
beginnings in Florida.
Fernando: Well, I was born there, in Miami. My parents are Cuban, but had left there shortly
before I was born. We were a poor family, but there was always music in the house, always
somebody dancing, my uncle, my dad.
Presenter: What inspired you to take up ballet particularly?
Femando: It happened when I was seven and I saw Carlos Acosta dance for the first time. Then I
realised I'd like to do it as well.
Presenter: Carlos Acosta is a famous half-African, half-Cuban ballet dancer. How did he inspire
you?
Fernando: In many ways. Firstly, I didn't really know what ballet was, but when I saw him
dance, I was amazed. He had such strength and power. He seemed like a hero to me. So I went
home and found out more about him. And his story inspired me too.
Presenter: Because he was also Cuban?
Fernando: Yes, but his childhood was much more difficult than mine. My family wasn't as poor
as his. He had 11 brothers and sisters. He sometimes had no shoes or went hungry. He was very
energetic and wild and he only enjoyed football, street dancing and running about with his
friends. His father was worried about him, so he took Carlos to the national ballet school. There
Carlos could learn discipline, and also have a free lunch every day!
Presenter: And how did that inspire you?
Fernando: I thought if Carlos Acosta could achieve so much from so little, then I could do the
same. It didn't matter if ! was poor. I only had to work hard and be determined.
Presenter: And it helps to be a talented dancer!
Fernando: Of course, but talent without hard work is nothing.

2.25:
Student: I bought these jeans in your shop and the zip broke when I wore them for the first time.
Examiner: When did you buy the jeans?
Student: Sorry, but I don't have a receipt.
Examiner: OK, but when did you buy the jeans?
Student: Oh, sorry. I bought them last week and I paid 20 pounds for them. Can I have a refund?
Examiner: I'm afraid the jeans were in the sale and we don't give refunds for the items in the sale.
Student: OK. Can you exchange them? I remember that I bought similar jeans in your shop last
year and they're very good. I still wear them.
Examiner: Wait a minute. I'll have to ask the manager.

2.27:
1.
Mum: We're lost!
Dad: No, we aren't. I know the way.
Emily: We passed that church twenty minutes ago, Daddy.
Dad: No, we didn't, it's a different church.
Mum: Emily's right. We're going round in circles! Why don't you just ask the way?
Advert: No need to ask. RouteWise will help you to find the way every time. Comes with stylish
case and mains charger.
Satnay: You have reached your destination.
2.
Man: New from Logicon Machines! The Slimboy! It weighs only one kilogram, and is just 25
cm by 15! Capable of running multiple applications, with built-in wireless technology, so you
can pick up your email and surf the Net while you're on the move. And with an incredible 15-
hour battery life, you can take it anywhere. Ideal for computing white commuting! Available in
ten colours. Just £199. Yes, folks, you heard. That's £199.
Woman: In selected stores only. While stocks last. Not all colours available in all stores. Prices
start from £199. Standard model £399. Battery life depends on usage. Terms and conditions
apply.
3.
TV: And here are the hockey results.
Man: Come on Boston. Come on Boston!
TV: Philadelphia 4, Vancouver 1.
Man: Come on Boston.
TV: Boston 2, New York Rangers... (Sound of children's voices]
Man: What? I didn't hear the result! What was the result!
Advert: Don't worry! Because you're using the HDR-360, you can pause the programme and
watch it later. Or even rewind it, and watch that part again.
Man: Really? That's amazing! [beeps]
Man: OK, now be quiet! Shh. TV ...hockey results. Philadelphia 4, Vancouver 1.
Man: COME ON BOSTON!
TV: Boston 2, New York Rangers 7.
Man: Oh...[beep]
Advert: The HDR-360. With twin tuners so you can record two programmes at the same time.
And a massive 100 Gb hard disk. You need never miss your favourite programme again.
4.
Ever run out of things to read on holiday? Tired of carrying heavy books around with you? What
you need is the E200. You can download over 2.000 books! The rechargeable batteries last for
up to one week of continuous use, and it comes with a power adaptor to recharge from the mains.
It's lighter than most paperback books, but it can hold a whole library! The E200 - the library in
your pocket.

2.31:
Host: Hello, and welcome to Mind Matters. The topic of today's programme is social networking
sites like Facebook and Myspace.//We want to know if people can become addicted to them. I'm
joined in the studio by Professor Pamela Brown, a clinical psychologist at Cambridge University.
Welcome, Professor Brown.
Professor Brown: Thank you.
Host: Now, we know that some people in the UK spend thirty to forty hours a week on these
social networking sites. Would you say that they are addicted? Professor Brown Well, that is a
lot of time, but I don't think you can call it an addiction. I'm not sure that you can apply the word
'addicted' to people who use Facebook and similar sites.
Host: But according to the press, many people just get lost in Facebook. They lose all sense of
time, they forget to eat. These people can't get through a day without using it. Surely they are
addicted?
Professor Brown: But if someone has an addiction, they find it extremely difficult to give
something up. I'm sure that most people could easily stop using social networking sites if they
wanted to.
Host: Really?
Professor Brown: Oh, yes. It's the same as any other hobby, like stamp collecting or watching
trains. When people like doing something a lot, they want to do too much of it. But that doesn't
mean that they are addicted. I don't think you can call Facebook itself addictive.
Host: But the problem surely is that the social network world is not real. It's not the same as
hobbies like watching trains or collecting stamps. These people treat the online world as the real
world.
Professor Brown: But it is the real world. People chat with real friends, share real photos and
organise real events. Real businesses advertise on there. It's just another way of social
interaction.
Host: Are you saying then that there is absolutely no problem with these social networking sites?
Professor Brown: No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that there are advantages to social
networking, and most of the 400 million users probably live their lives just fine.
Host: But you admit there can be problems with some people using them?
Professor Brown: Yes, of course. People can spend too much time on them and ignore family
and work obligations. But it isn't common. There are very few people who are actually addicted.
Host: But what can people do to avoid this addiction? I mean... I really like spending time on the
Internet myself...
Professor Brown: Well, just be careful about the amount of time you spend online. Give yourself
a time limit and stick to it. No more than, say, an hour a day. And make sure that you aren't
spending time online when you should be doing other things, like working, eating-or even
sleeping. This is just sensible. Most people know this without being told.
Host: Thank you, Professor, for your advice. Next we turn to some recent research which shows
that...

2.34:
1.
Boy: Hi!
Girl: Hello. How are you?
Boy: Fine, thanks. Hey, I'm just going into town. I'm going to have lunch at a café with Jake-you
know, that new café near the library. Do you want to come along?
Girl: Sorry, I can't.
Boy: Oh, shame.
Girl: Yeah, I'd love to, but I told my mum I'd be home by 12.
Boy: OK, another time maybe.
2.
Emily: Hello, Mrs Brown. Is Tom there?
Mrs Brown: Hello, Emily. Yes, he is...Tom!
Tom: Hi, Emily.
Emily: Hi, Tom. I'm just going on a bike ride with Jason and Miranda. Fancy coming along?
Tom: Cool! I'd love to. Is that OK, Mum?
Mrs Brown: Of course. Be back in time for tea.
Tom: OK, will do. Bye!
Emily: Bye, Mrs Brown.
Mrs Brown: Bye. Ride carefully!
3.
Boy: Are you going into town?
Girl: No, I'm not. I've just been to town. I'm going home.
Boy: What are you going to do?
Girl: I think I'll play computer games. Hey, why don't you come along?
Boy: Yeah, sounds good. I've got this really good new game. Shall I bring it along?
Girl: Cool!
4.
Boy: Have you got any plans for the weekend?
Girl: I'm taking my little sister to the cinema on Friday evening.
Boy: Really? What are you going to see?
Girl: Oh, it's an animated film. It's for kids. I promised to take her.
Boy: You doing anything on Saturday morning? I'm going shopping with my brother. Do you
fancy joining us?
Girl: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. My grandad is coming round to see us.
Boy: Oh. That's a shame.
Girl: Yeah, another time.
5.
Steve: Hi, Nina, how are you?
Nina: Hi Steve. I'm fine, thanks. Hey, I'm going to the cinema with a couple of friends.
Steve: What are you going to see?
Nina: We haven't decided yet. Fancy joining us?
Steve: I'd love to, but I can't. My family's having a barbecue.
Nina: Oh well. Sorry you can't make it.
Steve: Yeah, see you around.

2.36:
Anna: Come in! Oh hi, Jack!
Jack: Hi Anna. How are you?
Anna: Fine, fine. Just sending a few emails.
Jack: You said you had a problem with your phone.
Anna: Oh yes, that's right!
Jack: Would you like me to have a look at it?
Anna: Yes, please. Do you know much about phones?
Jack: Well, a bit. I am an IT expert! Where is it?
Anna: It's here.
Jack: What's the problem?
Anna: Well, I can't receive emails. And I've lost some of my contacts too.
Jack: Hmm, I'll have a look at the settings. Just a moment.
Anna: Thank you.
Jack: Ah... maybe...
Anna: Can I make you a cup of tea?
Jack: Oh, thanks. Yes. A white coffee, please.
Anna: Sure. Sugar?
Jack: No thanks. Just milk.
Anna: So, have you had a good day?
Jack Yes, not bad.
Anna: And are you going to the gym later?
Jack: Yes, I'll probably go after dinner. What about you?
Anna: I'm tired. I'm going to watch TV this evening.
Jack: Well, enjoy it.
Anna: Thanks. So, what about the phone? Do you think you can fix it?
Jack: I think I have fixed it. And look! You've just received an email ... from Libby.
Anna: Really? Can I see?
Jack: Yes, of course. Here you are.
Anna: Did you ... er... did you read any of it?
Jack: No! Well, I just saw the first line...
Anna: Oh, right.
Jack: Wow, look at the time. I have to go. See you later!
Anna: What about your... coffee? Oh no! He saw the first line! What did it say?

2.38:
Akiko from Japan
I think that Japanese people are usually very modest and friendly. One of the other nice things
about Japanese people is that we're very polite - and we expect other people to be polite, too.
When you meet someone, you should bow to them, even if you know them quite well. When you
greet a woman, you certainly shouldn't kiss her on the cheek, like they do in some Western
countries. In lots of countries people beckon with their fingers when they want to ask someone to
come to them. This is not the way we do it in Japan, though, and it is considered rude. We wave
our hands back and forward with our fingers pointing to the floor.
Marco from Italy
I think that Italian people are very warm - it's the sunny Mediterranean weather that makes us
like that. We're quite talkative and we're generally not shy. When Italians meet for the first time,
they usually shake hands. We also look directly at each other when we meet somebody. Eye
contact is important, and you should smile. Once you get to know someone quite well, you can
kiss them – usually two kisses on the cheeks, starting with the left cheek. Men don't always kiss
each other. They sometimes shake hands and often pat each other on the back or the arm instead.
Abdullah from Saudi Arabia
Greetings are very important and generally quite formal in Saudi Arabia. Men shake hands every
time they meet, and sometimes when they say goodbye, too. This happens wherever the meeting
takes place - in the street, at work, at home. I think it is respectful. If men know each other well,
they often kiss each other on the cheeks, usually once on each cheek, but sometimes three or four
times. We also say a number of fixed greetings and responses, and this cantake quite a long time,
which surprises many foreigners. And a man must never touch a woman in public - that is
completely unacceptable - even if he has been introduced to her.
3.02:
Craig: My sisters and I wanted to get my mum and dad something really nice for their 20th
wedding anniversary. We thought about jewellery, chocolates, DVDs - but we couldn't find
anything, you know, special. Finally, my oldest sister had a brilliant idea. We bought them
tickets for a show in London – a musical - and we kept it a surprise for Mum and Dad. They
really loved it. This was about four years ago now, but they still talk about it!
Vicky: I remember, it was one Christmas...about five or six years ago. The whole family was
there, and I opened a present from my Aunt Victoria. It was a book. Everybody was looking at
me, asking me what it was, so I read the title out: The Big Book of Jokes. So my dad said, 'Well,
let's hear some jokes then! Read them out, Vicky!' It was so embarrassing! I sat there, reading
out the worst jokes you can imagine. Nobody laughed. I wanted to stop, but my dad kept saying
'Try another one. It was horrible!
Harry: I was about five years old, I suppose. And I was a really huge Batman fan. I loved him!!
wanted to be him. For my birthday that year, I got a Batman costume. I couldn't believe it! I put
it on straight away, and I didn't take it off! I think! wore that Batman costume every day for six
weeks - at home, in town, at the shops. A few weeks later, I lost interest in Batman - I never
really wore the costume again. But still, it's a present that's really stayed in my mind.
Beth: A couple of years ago, I went out to buy a present for my mum – for Mother's Day. I went
to a department store and, as I walked through the door, a woman asked me to try lots of
perfumes. I liked one of them a lot but it was quite expensive. I didn't have enough money to buy
the perfume and a present for my mum. So I had an idea. I bought the perfume as a present for
my mum! The trouble is, my mum can't wear perfume - she's allergic to it. But I forgot that.
Until after I gave it to her! She was OK about it - she said it didn't matter. But I felt really bad.

3.08:
Information Officer: Good afternoon. Can I help you?
Woman: Yes, we'd like some information about the city.
10: Certainly, what would you like to know?
Woman: Pardon? I'm a little hard of hearing. Could you speak up a bit?
Man: He says what would we like to know, dear.
Woman: Well, my husband and I are here for a few days. What do you recommend we see?
10: Well, there's the castle of course, and two or three beautiful churches.
Woman: How much does it cost to get into the castle?
10: I think it's £10.
Woman: That's rather a lot.
10: There may be a reduction for senior citizens. This leaflet here has all the information.
Woman: Thank you. What about art galleries?
10: There's a museum of modern art.
Woman: I'm sorry, could you repeat that?
10: There's a museum of modern art.
Woman: Oh, no, we don't like modern art, do we, Geoffrey?
Man: No, dear. You don't.
Woman: What was that, Geoffrey? Speak clearly. Now, can you recommend a good restaurant
that serves local food? Nothing too expensive, mind.
10: Well, there are a number of good restaurants in King's Road.
Woman: Can you show me where that is on the map?
10: Yes, we are here... and King's Road is here. I think you should probably get a bus or a taxi.
Woman: Oh, no, we'll drive.
10: Cars aren't allowed in the city centre, I'm afraid.
Woman: What did he say, Geoffrey?
Man: Cars aren't allowed in the city centre.
Woman: That's ridiculous.
Man: It's quite a long way. Where can we get a taxi from?
Woman: We're not wasting money on taxis, Geoffrey! And I refuse to use public transport. We'll
just have to eat at the hotel.

3.10:
Presenter:
Welcome to Food Diary. We are discussing the nation's favourite dishes and this week we talk to
five of the best chefs working in Britain today. We ask them what their favourite British meal is.
Speaker 1:
I grew up in a seaside village in Wales. Every Friday I went to the fish and chip shop after school
and bought some to take home for everybody. The fish was so fresh and the batter round the fish
was light and delicious. So were the chips. It's a meal I now make in my fish restaurant and
people like it so much that they sometimes queue right out of the door to get it!
Speaker 2:
My favourite dish when I was young was my mother's steak and kidney pudding. It's basically a
pie with meat and onion in it. My mum made the best steak and kidney pudding ever, but I try to
make the second-best one. I use the very best meat. You can follow my special recipe in my
latest cookbook.
Speaker 3:
In my television programme I show you how to make my favourite British dish - fresh fruit trifle.
I loved it as a child. We had it every Christmas and on birthdays in our family. You can use any
fruit. But the secret is to leave the cake pieces in sherry for a long time, and use lots of fresh
cream.
Speaker 4:
My parents are Italian, so I always ate wonderful italian food at home. But the British dish I
remember is fish pie. I used to eat it at my friend's house. I loved the mashed potato and cheese
on the top, and the different pieces of fish and vegetables underneath. It's so good you can have it
at my Italian restaurant.
Speaker 5:
I think the most famous British dish is a full English breakfast. We ate this at home on Sundays.
My aunt and uncle came round to our house to make it. They brought wonderful bacon and
sausages from their farm. I loved the fried tomatoes and mushrooms. You can have a full English
breakfast every day until midday at my London hotel.

3.11:
I'd rather go to the restaurant in picture 1 with my friends because it seems less formal. The
waiter looks friendly and he is wearing casual clothes. There are some young people in the
restaurant, so it's probably quite relaxed. I think it serves Italian food - pasta and pizza. My
friends love Italian food so, in my opinion, they will enjoy having a meal there. I wouldn't like to
go to the restaurant in picture 2 because it looks more formal and it is probably more expensive.
I'm not very keen on formal restaurants. The people look very elegant. The waiter is wearing a
white shirt and a tie and the tables are neatly laid. So it's definitely not a place for a group of
students. She decides to go to the restaurant in the first picture, as it seems less formal and her
friends love Italian food.

3.13:
1. We were skling near to Chamonix in the Alps when the snow on the slope above us started to
slide down towards us.
2. It starts with a bad headache and sickness. People usually recover if they see a doctor quickly.
3. The water is two metres deep in parts of the town. And the situation won't get any better until
the rain stops.
4. We saw a huge wave moving towards the shore at a terrifying speed. Luckily we managed to
escape to higher ground.
5. I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night when my bed started to shake. It lasted about
thirty seconds.
6. The eruption started at 3 p.m. The mountainside exploded and millions of tonnes of lava
flowed down into the sea.
7. It hasn't rained for over six months in this part of Africa. The crops are dying in the fields.
8. The flames swept through the dry forest, destroying thousands of hectares of trees.
9. Heavy rains caused tonnes of rock and mud to slide down the mountainside, destroying a road
and a railway line.
10. If food doesn't reach the poorest region in the north of the country, then thousands of people
will die of hunger.

3.17:
Ava: I think it's important to recycle as much as you can because it saves energy - and it saves
natural resources too. For example, if we all recycled paper and cardboard, then they wouldn't
need to cut down as many trees. So I always put paper in the recycling bin, not in the dustbin. I
try to recycle glass too, but that's more difficult - there aren't so many recycling bins for glass. In
my view, you don't have to recycle everything - a little is better than nothing.
James: I'm pretty good about recycling, really-paper, glass, plastic. I make sure I don't throw any
of those materials in the dustbin. But some people don't really care about it - the rest of my
family, for example! The worst is my dad. He never puts stuff in the recycling bin, even if there's
one right next to him. I keep telling him to do it and he says, 'Yeah, right, I will' - but then next
time, he doesn't. He says he can't get used to it. If you ask me, he's just lazy.
Charlotte: You see a lot of signs about recycling. And some people talk about it all the time -
recycle this, don't waste that. It gets so boring! To be honest, I don't pay much attention. I'm not
going to carry an empty drinks can with me all day just so that I can put it in a recycling bin. The
way I see it, life's too short to worry about recycling. There are plenty of other things to worry
about.
Archie: We've got a system at home. We put paper in one box, glass in another box and plastic in
another. Since we started doing that, we don't even fill up the dustbin during the week. It's made
a real difference - we're producing much less rubbish, and that's good for the environment. The
thing is, we live on a crowded planet - more than six billion people! We have to think about the
rubbish we produce or there just won't be anywhere to put it all.

3.19:
Peter: Hmm...let me see. I'd choose the first method of raising money – the sponsored run. The
main reason for this is that I think a sponsored run would raise more money because every
runner would ask all their friends and family members to sponsor them. I mean, you can see in
the photo that lots of people are taking part in the sponsored run at the same time, and there are
lots of people watching, too. That's good, because it means lots of people know about the event.
There's also the fact that there's a connection between the event and the reason for the event -
what I mean is, you're raising money for sports equipment by doing a sports event: athletics. I'm
rejecting the second option because it would only involve a few people and probably wouldn't
raise very much money. As you can see in the photo, the bear is waving at the passers-by, but
nobody is looking!

3.20:
Jack: Hi Anna. Come in. Dani and I were just talking about Red Nose Day.
Anna: Oh, right. What's that?
Dani: It's a charity event - it's quite big here in the UK. Lots of people arrange special fund-
raising events.
Jack: So we're thinking of doing something here at Golden Hills. But we can't decide what to do!
Anna: Have you got any ideas?
Dani: Yes, I think we should organise a sponsored run. People can wear costumes, raise some
money - and get some exercise at the same time!
Jack: What do you think, Anna?
Anna: Well, I'm not sure. Some people don't really enjoy running...
Dani: Have you got any better ideas?
Anna: Er...I don't know. I haven't had time to think about it yet.
Jack: I reckon we should have a quiz night. I can set the questions - and the guests can all be in
teams.
Dani: Boring.
Jack: I don't think it's boring. People love quizzes.
Dani: No, they don't. I don't. I hate them.
Anna: Some people like them. But maybe there's a better option.
Dani: Like what?
Anna: Hmm. I know. Why don't we organise a talent show?
Jack: You mean, like X-Factor - with singing?
Anna: It doesn't have to be singing. People could choose to do different things-like comedy, or
dancing, or anything really.
Jack: I think that's a great idea! What do you think, Dani?
Dani: I'm not sure. How many people would really want to take part?
Anna: I don't know.
Jack: That doesn't matter. If we get ten acts, that's enough. Everybody else can watch. Talent
shows are really popular these days.
Dani: But how will it actually raise money?
Jack: We'll sell tickets for the show.
Dani: I'm just not sure. I still think a sponsored run is a better idea. More people could take part.
And it would be fun!
Jack: It wouldn't be much fun for me. I hate running.
Dani: Don't be so lazy!
Anna: We could do both: a sponsored run and a talent show.
Jack: That's true. We don't have to choose, do we?
Dani: Fine! I'll organise a sponsored run. You can organise a talent show. And we'll see who
raises the most money!
Anna: OK. Let's do that. So, when is Red Nose Day?
Jack: It's in two weeks' time. So, we'd better start organising!
3.22:
1.
A gang of criminals robbed a bank in central Paris yesterday. During the day they hid in a shop
next door to the bank, and then got into the bank during the night by making a hole in the wall.
The gang escaped with €1 million in cash.
2.
Residents of the Marcham housing estate in Bristol are complaining that gangs of young people
are openly selling heroin and cocaine on the streets. The police have questioned a number of
teenagers, but say that they have no firm evidence to make arrests.
3.
South Milton village hall was destroyed in a fire last night. Fire engines came from nearby
Kingsbridge, but were unable to put out the flames. An empty petrol can was found nearby.
Police suspect that somebody deliberately set fire to the hall.
4.
Somebody broke into Highfield School on Saturday night and caused thousands of pounds of
damage. They obviously weren't burglars, as nothing was stolen. However, they smashed a lot of
desks, chairs and computers, and broke a number of windows.
5.
A woman stole jewellery worth £100 from a shop in the town centre. She asked to see some
necklaces and earrings, and then put them into her bag while the shop assistant wasn't looking
and ran out of the shop. She was later identified from CCTV footage and arrested.
6.
The body of a woman was found at a flat in south London on Sunday. She died of gunshot
wounds. Police immediately started to look for her husband, who disappeared at about the same
time. Police arrested a 45-year-old man yesterday in connection with her death.

3.24:
Kevin: It's obviously wrong, I mean morally wrong, to steal. If I own something, I obviously
don't want someone to steal it from me. Having said that, imagine somebody who is homeless,
hasn't got any money and has children to feed. What are they going to do? I think it's OK, in
those circumstances, for that person to steal food from a shop. And shoplifting isn't as bad as
becoming a drug dealer or a burglar, which is what some desperate people do to get money. But I
think that if people have to steal, they should only steal what they need, and no more...and they
should steal from big organisations, big shops, not from, you know, small shops and ordinary
people.
Jill: A friend of mine ordered a couple of DVDs on the Internet a while back, and the company
sent her two of each by mistake. I said, 'What are you going to do?' and she was like, 'I'm going
to keep them, of course! And I was quite surprised, because she's a very honest person in other
ways. She thinks it's wrong to steal, but she doesn't see that as stealing. She didn't actually take
the DVDs, but I don't think it's any different from going into a shop and walking out with them
without paying. Stealing is stealing. If it doesn't belong to you, don't take it. And if somebody
gives you something by mistake, you should give it back.
Andy: We all know the difference between right and wrong, but is stealing always wrong? I
suppose it depends on what you mean by stealing. If a shop assistant gives you the wrong change
and you keep it, is that stealing? Maybe it depends on how much money is involved. That
reminds me...I was in a restaurant with some friends and the waiter forgot to add a couple of
drinks onto the bill - you know, we'd ordered them and drunk them - so he undercharged us by
£5. But it was quite an expensive restaurant and the food and the service weren't really very
good, so we didn't say anything. But I don't feel bad about that. Perhaps I should, though,
because technically, it's stealing. It's a difficult one!

3.27:
Officer: Good morning How can I help you?
Tourist: Good morning. Yes, I'd ike to report a theft. Someone has stolen my wallet from my
jacket.I was in the tourist information office and l was going to pay
Officer: Just a moment, please. I need to take down the details. Would you mind teling me your
name, please?
Tourist: Michael Phipps. That's P, H, I double P S. I'm from New York.
Officer: Thank you. And your wallet is missing.
Tourist: Stolen.
Oficer: Now, when did this happen?
Tourist: Like I said. I was in the tourist information office, about halí an hour ago. I’d used it to
buy some lunch at a café only a few minutes before. I was going to pay for a guidebock and it
wasn’t there.
Officer: Are you sure you didn't leave it in the cafė?
Tourist: Yes, positive.
Officer: But you went back to the café to check?
Tourist: I was going to, but then I remembered putting it back in my bag so I didn't.
Officer: You said it was in your jacke.
Tourist: Yes, sorry, it was in my jacket. There was a very suspicious-looking man in the tourist
infcomation ofice.
Officer: I see. And did you go anywhere else, apart from the information ofice.
Tourist: I walked through the park. I bougnt an ice cream, but I didn't need my wallet for that.
Officer: I see. Cculd I ask what was in the wallet?
Tourist: About £50, my credit cards, and some travellers' cheques.
Officer: OK. You should ring the credit card companies and tell them what's happened. They'll
stop the cards so that nobody can use them.
Tourist: OK.
Officer: And you need to contact your bank and tell them about the travellers' cheques.
Tourist: OK. But I don't think I have the number.
Officer: You can get the number online. Could I ask you to describe the wallet, please?
Tourist: Yes, it's brown, made of leather. Are you going to arrest the suspicious-looking man?
[Phone rings]
Officer: Excuse me a moment. Modbury Police station. How can I help you?...I see... Yes... He's
here...I'll send him over right away... Yes, thank you...Good-bye. That was the café. The manager
said they'd found a brown wallet...

3.28:
Although polar bears can be dangerous, it is polar bears that are in danger. Their icy world is
melting and these beautiful animals are now an endangered species.
Polar bears live in the Arctic, one of the coldest places on Earth. The temperature there is often
below 55 degrees Celsius and the winds blow at an average speed of 30 miles an hour! Polar
bears are found in parts of Alaska, Canada, Russia, Norway and Greenland. They live on the ice
that covers the Arctic. This is sea-ice rather than fresh-water ice. The bears live on the edge of
the ice, near the water, where they can find food. They cannot live anywhere else.
Polar bears are the most dangerous animals in the Arctic. They mainly hunt seals, but they also
eat fish, seabirds and even whales, when they can. Their only enemies are humans, who hunt and
kill them. But humans are now threatening polar bears in a different way. Climate change is now
the biggest threat to the lives of polar bears.
As the Earth becomes warmer, the temperature of the sea rises. This causes more and more of the
Arctic ice to melt each summer. Arctic sea ice has decreased since the early 1970s. As the ice
disappears, so do the animals that the polar bears hunt and eat. And food isn't the only problem.
Polar bears are used to swimming between areas of ice to look for food. But as the ice melts, the
distances between the areas of ice are much bigger. Polar bears are strong swimmers, but they
are now dying in the sea, because they cannot swim the increased distances.
On 14 May 2008, polar bears were declared an endangered species. There are only around 20-
25,000 polar bears remaining around the North Pole. If we don't act soon to prevent more of the
ice from melting, these amazing animals may become extinct within a few decades.
3.30:
Rachel: Hi, Matt. What are you reading?
Matt: It's a magazine article about famous authors. It's really interesting. And there's a
questionnaire, too.
Rachel: Great! I love questionnaires. Let's do it. What's the first question? Matt 'How many
books a year do you read?'
Rachel: Hmm. That's a difficult question. 1 suppose it means fiction. You know, novels.
Matt: Yes, probably. So...what's your answer?
Rachel: About two a month, I guess. That's - what? - twenty-four a year?
Matt: Twenty-four novels a year? That's loads! I only read about five. I do read lots of comics
though.
Rachel: You can't include those. I read hundreds of magazines! OK, next question.
Matt: OK. Question 2: 'Would you rather read a novel or see a film of that novel?
Rachel: I'd rather read it- definitely. Then you can use your imagination. It's much more
interesting.
Matt: Well, I'd rather see the film. More exciting.
Rachel: I don't agree. Anyway, what's the next question?
Matt: If you were an author, would you prefer to be poor but famous, or rich but unknown?
Rachel: That's tricky. I'd prefer to be rich and famous.
Matt: That isn't one of the choices.
Rachel: OK-famous and poor.
Matt: So fame would be more important to you than money?
Rachel: Yes, I think so. If I was an author. What about you?
Matt: I'd prefer to be rich!
Rachel: 1 thought so. Are there any more questions?
Matt: Yes, one more. 'Have you ever written a short story for fun?'
Rachel Hmm. No, not really. Only for school.
Matt: I have.
Rachel: Really? I didn't know that. What was it about?
Matt: It was a science-fiction story...about the future.
Rachel: Really? Can I read it?
Matt: No.
Rachel: Oh go on. Please!
Matt: No, you can't. I don't want anyone to know about it.
Rachel: So why did you mention it?
Matt: I was just answering the questions! I didn't want to talk about it...

3.32:
Interviewer: I'm on the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and died
about 400 years ago. I want to ask some young people what they think of Shakespeare... Hello,
excuse me. Can I ask you a couple of questions about Shakespeare?
Leon: Yes, OK.
Interviewer: Have you ever seen a Shakespeare play?
Leon: Yeah, I saw Hamlet last year. Our whole class went to see it. We're studying it at school,
you see.
Interviewer: What's your opinion of Shakespeare? What do you think of his plays?
Leon: Aw, he's too difficult. I mean, the language is too hard to understand. It's so old-fashioned.
I hate it. I just can't understand what it's all about.
Interviewer: OK, thanks for that... Excuse me. Can I ask you, what do you think of Shakespeare?
Do you find him very difficult?
Maya: Well, yes, the language in Shakespeare's plays is difficult, of course, but I have a really
good teacher at school who makes it a lot easier. And once you understand the language, you
understand how fantastic the stories are. I mean, for example, Hamlet is really action-packed and
very exciting.
Interviewer: Have you seen any Shakespeare plays?
Maya: Yes, I've seen Romeo and Juliet. We're studying it at school. I've seen King Lear too. You
have to see them at the theatre. That's how they should be seen.
Interviewer: OK, thanks very much... Excuse me, I'm just asking young people about
Shakespeare. What do you think of Shakespeare? Are his plays interesting?
Riley: Yes, I think so. I mean he writes about important topics.
Interviewer: Important topics? What, for example?
Riley: Things like love and hate, politics, society, that kind of thing. I also think the people in his
plays are interesting. Yeah, the characters are very interesting.
Interviewer: Are you studying any of his plays at school?
Riley: Yes, we're reading Julius Caesar. In fact I'm going to see it this evening. That's why I'm in
Stratford.
Interviewer: Have you seen any other Shakespeare plays at the theatre?
Riley: Yes, I saw Romeo and Juliet in London last summer. It was set in New York, and the
actors' clothes were all modern, and there were gangsters with guns. It was great, because I could
understand what was happening. I really began to understand what Shakespeare was trying to
say.

3.36:
Gary: Hi, Lisa.
Lisa: Hi, Gary. How are you?
Gary: Fine, thanks.
Lisa: Where are you?
Gary: I'm at the entertainment store in town. What about you?
Lisa: I'm just getting off the bus next to the park. The entertainment store is near the park, isn't
it?
Gary: Yeah, it's just next to it.
Lisa: Why don't we meet in the park? It's a beautiful day. We can have a picnic!
Gary: Have you got any food with you?
Lisa: No - but I've got some money. And I'm standing right outside a supermarket!
Gary: Oh, OK!
Lisa: Well? Do you fancy coming to the park for a picnic?
Gary: I'd prefer to finish my shopping first. I need to buy a present for my brother.
Lisa: What are you going to get him?
Gary: A computer game probably - if I can find a good one that he hasn't got!
Lisa: Well, why don't we meet in the entertainment store instead? I could help you find a present.
And I want to buy the new Shakira CD anyway.
Gary: Great. Thanks!
Lisa: And then shall we have a picnic in the park?
Gary: Sure. Why not?

3.37:
Anna: Come in!
Dani: Hello, Anna.
Anna: Oh, hi Dani. How are you?
Dani: I'm fine. And you?
Anna: Yes, fine. Feeling a bit sad though - you know, about leaving.
Dani: Yes, yes, I understand. When are you going?
Anna: Tomorrow. My course starts next Wednesday, but I want a few days to get used to it.
Dani: Remind me...which university is it?
Anna: The University of Liverpool. I'm starting a degree in Economics.
Dani: Oh, yes.
Anna: It's a three-year course.
Dani: Have you got anywhere to live in Liverpool?
Anna: Yes, I have. The university provides accommodation for all first-year students. Next year
I'll probably rent a flat - or share a house.
Dani: You don't seem very excited about it!
Anna: I am excited - but as I said, I'm also a bit sad about leaving. I mean, I've made some good
friends here at the camp. Like you and...Dani and Jack.
Anna: Yes, Jack. Anyway, Liverpool isn't that far away from here. I checked. it's only about 120
kilometres. Jack can come and visit me in his car! And you.
Dani: He's leaving too, you know. Next week.
Anna: Who? Jack?
Dani: Yes, didn't he tell you? He was offered another job somewhere.
Anna: He didn't tell me about that!
Dani: Oh, I see. Maybe it's a secret, and he's only told his closest friends.
Anna: Hmph. [knock at door] Who is it?
Jack: It's me, Jack.
Dani: It's Jack! Don't tell him I told you.
Anna: OK, I won't. I promise.
Jack: Can I come in?
Anna: Oh, yes. Of course.
Jack: Hi, Dani. Hi, Anna. Have you packed your bags then?
Anna: No, not yet. I'll do that tonight. You're in a good mood!
Jack: Yes, I am. Well, it's Friday today. It's nearly the weekend.
Dani: What are your plans for the weekend, Jack? Are you doing anything tomorrow night?
Jack: No, not really.
Dani: Do you fancy going into Leeds? Maybe we could see a film, have a pizza...
Jack: Yes, sure. Why not? There's a French film at the cinema - a police drama - really want to
see it. How about you, Anna?
Anna: I won't be here. I'm leaving tomorrow.
Jack: Oh, yes, that's right. Anyway, I'm just going to the shop to buy some bread. Do you need
anything?
Dani: No, thanks.
Anna: No, I'm fine.
Jack: OK. See you later. Bye!
Dani: He's in a good mood.
Anna: Yes, he is.
Dani: I wonder why?
Anna: Like he said, it's the weekend soon.
Dani: OK, see you later.
Anna: Yes, bye. (on phone] Hi Libby?...Me? Oh. I'm not feeling too happy...Yes, tomorrow...I'm
going by train.... Yes, yes. Jack knows I'm leaving...No, he doesn't. He seems really happy! I
don't understand it...I know. Me too. I really thought he liked me!

Exercise 4 (LISTENING 2): trang 117

1. Terry I love going out with my Uncle Harry. He always pays for everybody. He just enjoys
spending money! He's so different from his brother (that's my dad, of course). The only problem
with Harry is that he can be rather impolite. He isn't very sensitive and doesn't think before he
speaks. The other day he really upset my dad when he told him he was mean.
2. Julie My mum's amazing, really. She never loses her temper, she just stays really calm. She's
got four children (me, my brother and my two sisters) and has to ask us to do things ten or
twenty times before we actually do them - but she doesn't get angry. She also works full-time at
the supermarket and doesn't get home till 6 o'clock. I don't know how she fits it all in. She never
stops!
3. Martin My sister and I have completely different personalities. I like meeting new people and
am happy to chat to people I don't know - at parties, for example. But Sonia feels a bit nervous in
situations like that. She waits for people to come to her. But when she gets to know you and
starts talking she really makes you laugh.
4. Emma We're twins, but we aren't identical. We don't look alike, and our personalities aren't
alike, either. For example, I don't say very much, normally. I'm fairly quiet. Louise is the
complete opposite. She never stops! But she doesn't talk about herself. Last summer for example
she got fantastic marks in her exams but you never hear her talking about it.

Ex4 (lis 3) trang 117:

Daniel: I'm having an amazing time here in the Brazilian rainforest. We arrived from Macapá
two weeks ago. There are ten students and we are staying with families in the village. We're
helping to build a new school. And we're trying to study Portuguese, but it isn't easy!
Christine: I'm here in Cape Town, South Africa. I'm staying with my aunt and uncle. I'm working
at a school in one of the townships outside the city. I teach English to young children. They are
very poor, but they are always laughing. It's hard work, but the children are wonderful.
Thomas: I live in London and I'm working in an old people's home in the city centre. There are
fifty people living here. Some of them are quite sick. I help them read their letters, books and
newspapers. I also help at mealtimes, and take people out for walks. It's hard work, but very
rewarding.

Ex5 (lis 4) trang 118:

Sue: What do you like doing in your free time, Tom?
Tom: I really love going to the cinema.
Sue: Me too. What kind of films are you into?
Tom: I like sci-fi films.
Sue: I'm not really a fan of sci-fi films. I prefer romantic comedies. What else do you like doing?
Tom: I'm quite fond of reading.
Sue: So am I. What kind of books do you like?
Tom: Detective stories. What about you?
Sue: I'm a big fan of romantic novels.

Ex3 (lis 7) trang 119:

It all started in 1980, in a pub in Wales. Two men were having an argument about an unusual
topic: one of them was saying that humans were faster than horses over a long distance, in a
cross-country race. The other man was insisting that horses were much faster than humans. Who
was right? They
couldn't agree. Well, the owner of the pub - a man called Gordon Green - heard the argument and
decided to find out the answer...by organizing a race between people and horses!
The first race took place in the same year - 1980 - and the 'man versus horse marathon' became a
regular yearly event. (In fact, the course is only 35 km long, so it isn't actually a marathon.) The
competitors were men, women...and horses. For the first few years, a horse always won the race.
In 1985, a new rule allowed cyclists to take part as well and although a horse won the race that
year too, it only just beat Jacquie Phelan, a champion cyclist from the USA. In 1989, British
cyclist Tim Gould beat the first horse by three minutes. This was the first time that a human won
the event.
The first human to win the race on foot was Huw Lobb. In 2004, he completed the course in 2
hours, 5 minutes and 19 seconds. He won £25,000. That year there were 500 human competitors
and 40 horses. The only other year a human won was in 2007. It seems that horses are faster than
people after all.
A horse usually wins the 'man versus horse' marathon.

Ex4 (lis9) trang 120:

Lenny: Did you have a good weekend?
Jane: Yes, 1 did.
Lenny: What did you do on Saturday?
Jane: I went shopping in London.
Lenny: Did you buy anything?
Jane: Yes, I did - a new coat.
Lenny: What did you get up to on Sunday?
Jane: I went out for dinner.
Lenny: What did you have?
Jane: Pizza and salad.

Ex2 (lis10) trang 121:

Interviewer: Hello and good morning. Welcome to Sports Today. We have with us in the studio a
young lady who is making a name for herself in the cold and icy world of figure skating. Her
name is Britney Spence. Hello Britney and welcome.
Britney: Thank you. Pleased to be here.
Interviewer: Britney, could you tell us how you came to be interested in ice skating?
Britney: Well, I started when I was very young. My friends all went to ballet classes, but I wasn't
interested in that. When I was four I watched the ice-skating world championships on TV and
loved all the fantastic moves the dancers performed. I begged my mum to take me to the local ice
rink. I tried ice-skating and I loved it. I fell over but I didn't care. I just got up again. So I started
having lessons.
Interviewer: And the rest, as they say, is history... But when did you realise that you wanted to
ice skate competitively?
Britney: Well, my teacher encouraged me to enter small competitions from the very beginning
but my parents were not very happy about it. My teacher talked to them and finally they agreed. I
had the right kind of personality for it. ! was never a shy child. I was usually confident and a bit
impatient, to be honest. I loved competing though.
Interviewer: When did you decide that doubles figure skating was for you?
Britney: When I was twelve a boy joined our classes. He was very quiet but I could see he was
good. Our teacher put us together and it worked well. We entered a doubles competition soon
after and we won it. It was amazing!
Interviewer: And that was Matt Bridges, your skating partner?
Britney: Yes, Matt and I have been partners since we were 12. We train together five times a
week. He's very hard-working. I can't be lazy when I'm with him!
Interviewer: And you're training hard at the moment, aren't you?
Britney: Yes, the junior world championships are coming up and we really want to do well.
Interviewer: The best of luck and we will all be watching you.
Britney: Thank you.

Ex3 (lis 11) trang 121:

Route 1: At the roundabout, go straight on. Go past that rubbish bin and at the end of the road,
tum left. Then turn left again. It's opposite the billboard.
Route 2: Go straight on at the roundabout. Go past the postbox and at the end of the road, tum
right. Go across the pedestrian crossing. Then follow the footpath...and you're there!
Route 3: Go left at the roundabout. Then take the first right. Go past the bus stop. At the traffic
lights, go straight on. At the end of the road, turn right. And you're there.

Ex1 (lis13) trang 122:

Speaker 1: I know it's a tradition, but I just think it's a really cruel activity. I'm glad that it's
illegal now. To be honest, I think it's wrong. There are other hobbies you can do - there's no need
to kill animals for fun.
Speaker 2: I live in a village in the country, and there's a long history of fox- hunting there. It
wasn't just the rich people - the upper classes - that did it. Everybody took part together. And it
was good for the economy of this area. I think the ban is a shame.
Speaker 3: I think even before the ban, fox-hunting was losing its popularity. It's outdated, isn't
it? I mean, I don't know any young people who liked it. So for me, the hunting ban is fine. I'm
happy about it.
Speaker 4: Some people say fox-hunting is part of the countryside - you know, it's traditional -
but I know a lot of farmers who are happy about the hunting ban. They say that fox hunts always
caused a lot of damage to their fields and hedges, because the hunters rode their horses over them
when they were chasing the fox.
Speaker 5: I didn't have a strong opinion about fox-hunting before the ban. But I get angry when
I read about people who break the law and still go hunting. It's really important to respect the
law. That's even more important than respecting a tradition.
Ex 4 (lis15) trang 124:
Jenny: Hi, Ben. Are you going to watch the Oscars tonight? I want to know who wins best actor
this year. Who do you think should win?
Ben: Well, Jenny, I don't really know. I find it all a bit boring.
Jenny: Really? I'm surprised. You love films. You go to the cinema all the time.
Ben: I do love films, but I don't love the Oscars. They are all about big American blockbusters. I
like them, but I also like European films.
Jenny: Well, of course the Oscars is American. It's an American show. But! love it. I love the
dresses, the glamour, the tears. It's fun! I'm not really into the awards.
Ben: I prefer the Golden Globe Awards. I prefer the foreign journalists' choices of film.
Jenny: Oh, OK. But come and watch the Oscars with me, anyway. Maybe your favourite film
will win.
Ben: Fine, let's watch it, then. But I'm not watching the beginning, when the stars arrive and
show off their dresses.

Ex3 (lis17) trang 124:

Assistant: Good afternoon. Can I help you?
Girl: Can I have two tickets for True Grit, please?
Assistant: Which showing would you like?
Girl: The five thirty, please.
Assistant: I'm afraid the five thirty is sold out. We still have tickets for the eight thirty, though.
Girl: Just a moment, please. Dan, the five thirty showing of True Grit is sold out. Shall we go to
the eight thirty or choose another film?
Boy: Let's go to 127 Hours instead.
Girl: OK. Have you got tickets for the six o'clock showing of 127 Hours?
Assistant: Yes, we have tickets for that. Adults or children?
Girl: Pardon?
Assistant: Adult tickets, or children's? Are you under 14?
Girl: No, we aren't.
Assistant: OK. That's two adults then. £19 in total.
Girl: OK. Here you are.
Assistant: £20. Thank you. And £1 change. Enjoy the film.
Girl: Thank you.

Lis18 trang 125:

1. What do I think of reality shows? I think they're stupid. There are so many of them on TV and
I can't tell one from another. And the people who go on these shows are all the same, too.
They're loud and rude and annoying. Who's interested in them?
2. I don't watch TV reality shows on TV in general, but there are a couple of programmes that I
wouldn't want to miss. There's one where ordinary people get the chance to do something that
they've only dreamed of. That's a wonderful idea. I want to go on that programme. I'd like to go
to Antarctica.
3. I think TV reality shows are quite entertaining. It's a good idea to have ordinary people on TV,
instead of all those boring, self-important celebrities. Celebrities want you to think that they are
fantastic people with fantastic lives, but it's all rubbish. Everyday people are just as interesting.
More interesting, actually.
4. Reality TV shows were new and fresh a while ago. I think the idea was a good one. It can be
interesting to watch people who are just the same as you doing things on TV. It makes you think
1 could do that. But now there are so many TV reality shows, they're getting quite boring.
5. I applied to go on the Big Brother reality TV reality show two years ago. I went for two
interviews and spoke to a psychologist. Then I was invited for lunch with a lot of other people.
But I didn't get chosen for the show, and actually, I'm glad about that now!

Ex2 (lis19) trang 125:

1.
Estate agent: Good morning. Can I help you?
Man: Yes. I'm looking for a two-bedroom flat near the town centre.
Estate agent: Right, OK. Well, we don't have very much at the moment. There's this one...here
are the details.
Man: Thanks. It's... £175,000.
Estate agent: That's right. It's on West Street. Very nice location. Or this one. It's a little bit closer
to the centre, in Cambridge Avenue. But it's more expensive.
2.
Chemist: Can help you?
Woman: Yes, i need something to help me sleep at night. Some pills, maybe.
Chemist: Well, we've got some herbal pills.
Woman: Are they strong?
Chemist: Not really. You need to see a doctor if you want something stronger.
Woman: It's just that my husband snores. I can't get to sleep. It's very noisy.
Chemist: Well, I can sell you something to stop your husband snoring.
Woman: Great idea!
3.
Woman: Excuse me.
Assistant: Yeah?
Woman: Do you work here?
Assistant: Er...yeah.
Woman: I need to buy some paint. White paint.
Assistant: For indoors or outdoors?
Woman: It's for the outside of my house.
Assistant: OK. Follow me.
4.
Assistant: Can I help you?
Man: Yes, I'm looking for Lady Gaga, Live.
Assistant: OK. is that the CD you want, or the DVD?
Man: The DVD.
Assistant: I'll just have a look on the computer...yes, we've got that.
Man: Where is it?
Assistant: The DVD section is opposite the door - just over there.
Man: Thanks!

Ex4 (lis22) trang 126:

Connor: Hi! How are you?... Yes, I'm having a great time, thanks...No. I haven't bought any
souvenirs yet. I haven't had time! Why did you ask that?...Oh. You want a present... Well, don't
worry, I won't forget...Sunbathing? No, I haven't sunbathed at all. The weather isn't sunny...I've
done lots of things! I've been on a boat trip. That was great. I've made some new friends, and we
all went together... Yes...I've visited a castle too... Sports? No, I haven't. But I'm playing
volleyball with my new friends this aftemoon!

Ex2 (lis23) trang 127:

Assistant: Can I help you, sir?
Customer: Yes, I bought this ham sandwich here this morning. When I opened it at lunchtime, it
smelled funny,
Assistant: Oh, I see. So, you didn't eat it.
Customer: Of course not. I want my money back!
Assistant: Have you got your receipt?
Customer: No, I haven't.
Assistant: Well, I'm afraid we can't give refunds without a receipt.
Customer: I'm sorry, that's just not good enough.
Assistant: It's the rule. There's nothing I can do about it.
Customer: I'd like to speak to the manager, please.

Listening 24 trang 127:

Good morning, shoppers! Welcome to Bluewater Shopping Centre. We hope you have a pleasant
shopping experience with us.
Our opening times have been extended for this Bank Holiday weekend. We will now be open on
Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 10a.m. to 6 p.m.
During this holiday weekend we have several special events for you all. We are all going to the
circus! There will be a funfair in the centre with fabulous clowns and jugglers for all the
children. And don't forget to look up on Saturday afternoon, as there will also be flying acrobats
in the building!
There will also be some wonderful bargains in all our shops over the weekend. If you collect the
special vouchers throughout the centre, you can use them for special discounts in many of our
stores.
And we aren't forgetting the young shoppers amongst you. On each of the three days there will
be a children's treasure hunt in the centre. The children can follow clues and get special prizes!
So we will have something for everyone, adults and children alike, plus some great holiday
bargains! So come to The Bluewater Shopping Centre this Bank Holiday weekend! Come and
have a good time with us!

Ex3 (lis 25) trang 128:

Tamsin: My favourite device was always my MP3 player. I took it everywhere with me so that I
could listen to music. I had a mobile too, so I could make calls and send and receive texts. But
when my mobile contract ran out, I upgraded to a smartphone, and it's the best gadget I've ever
had. I don't need an MP3 player any more as I can store all my songs on the phone. Not only
that, I can surf the Net, pick up my emails, and it's got a video camera.
Henry: I'm crazy about sci-fi stories. I've probably got about 50 on the shelf in my bedroom. The
problem is they take up a lot of space, so I asked Mum and Dad to get me an ebookreader for
Christmas. It's really amazing. You just go to a website that sells ebooks and download them. It
only takes about a minute to download a book. And they're a bit cheaper than real books. My
ebookreader can store about 1,500 books - but it's the same size as a single book. If you're into
reading, you should get one.
Rebecca: I'm not a big fan of gadgets - I've got a mobile, and my dad's old PC in my bedroom.
But I really like the hard disk recorder that we've got at home. You can watch one programme
while you're recording another, and it's got a huge memory so you can record loads of
programmes. The other great thing is that you can pause a TV programme, if you have to answer
the phone or something, and you can also rewind a programme and watch a bit of it again. It's
really cool.

Ex3 (lis26) trang 128:

1.
I use my phone all the time. I sometimes text, but I actually prefer to phone. In fact, some of my
calls are really long. I've got a wireless headset and I walk down the street, talking to my friends.
I know it looks silly, but I don't care. I like chatting. Fortunately, my phone contract gives me
unlimited calls at the moment. Or it would cost a fortune. Oh, excuse me...Oh, hi, Jenny! I'm in
town...yeah, that's right...
2.
I really like mobile phones and I love having the latest model. I usually get a new phone every
six months. At the moment, I've got the latest iPhone. It can do everything - texts, emails, games,
music, videos...Do you want to see a video from my holiday...?
3.
I love my phone. Obviously I use it for texting and phoning, but I also listen to a lot of music on
it. I've got earphones for it. It's great. And I love all the different ringtones you can get. I change
my ringtone every month – you just dial a number and download a new ringtone. It's easy. This
is my ringtone at the moment. Listen.
4.
My friends and I have all got mobiles, and we spend a lot of time texting each other. it's much
cheaper than making voice calls. It costs about 10p to send a text message. it's also quicker. I'm
quite fast. Lock! (texting sounds) Wait a minute...There you are - Zoe's just answered...

Ex4 (lis28) trang 129:

1.
Josh: Hey, Lucy. How are things?
Lucy: Good, thanks, Josh.
Josh: Listen, I'm going for a bike ride with Kate and Ivan. Fancy coming along?
Lucy: Cool! I'd love to. What time are you going?
Josh: We're meeting at my place at half past eleven.
Lucy: OK What about lunch? Shall I bring some food and drink?
Josh: Just bring something to drink. My mum's making sandwiches for us.
Lucy: Cool. What time are you planning to come back?
Josh: About five o'clock.
Lucy: Great. See you soon.
Josh: Yeah. Glad you can make it. See you soon.
2.
Amanda: Hi Ryan. How are you?
Ryan: I'm fine thanks, Amanda. And you?
Amanda: Yeah, I'm fine too. I'm going skateboarding in the park this afternoon. Why don't you
come along?
Ryan: I'd love, but I can't. I'm going to the cinema with my little brother.
Amanda: Share, another time, maybe.
Ryan: Yeah, that would be good.

Ex7 (lis30) trang 129:

Tom: What are you doing on Saturday?
Bev: We're having a barbecue at my house.
Tom: That sounds fun.
Bev: Would you like to join us?
Tom: I'd love to, but I can't.
Bev: Shame. Why not?
Tom: I'm helping my dad with the gardening.
Bev: Oh dear! Sorry you can't make it. Another time, maybe.

Listening 31 trang 130:

1. Calling all swimmers! Have you got any spare time during the Easter holidays? Are you
confident in the water? Would you like to learn how to save lives? Then come down to Salcombe
swimming pool. We are running life-saving courses this week during the holidays every morning
at 11 a.m. They're fun and they're free!
2. Parents, why not bring your young children to the Art Giraffe Café this holiday week? They
can paint a cup or a plate, and you can have a cup of coffee and relax. Or why not try some
painting yourself? We have parent and children sessions every morning. A painted plate or egg
cup makes a wonderful Easter present!
3. Are there any young actors out there? During the Easter holidays, Stagecoach is running
drama classes for young people every afternoon at the community centre. There are two age
groups: 9-12 and 13-16. There will be a show at the end of the week. Phone 856778 for more
information.
4. Have you got some free time this Easter? Would you like to learn how to use watercolours?
Then come to Harbour House with your paintbrushes! We are running classes this week for older
teenagers and adults. If you are 50 or over, it's free! Phone now on 874323 to book your place or
find out more!
5. Fancy a dance? Would you like to have fun and keep fit? Then why not try one of our Team
Jam classes at the Leisure Centre? It's street dance, it's fast, it's fantastic! If you are 18 or over
just join us. We have classes for beginners and intermediate. Come on - have fun this Easter!
Listening 32 trang 131:
[Link] year I got more than one Valentine. Three, in fact. The best one was definitely from my
boyfriend. He didn't write his name on it, but I recognized his handwriting. The next one was
from my dad! It was a jokey one, and it was very funny. He didn't write his name either, but I
know it was him. The third one is a mystery. I've never had a secret Valentine before.
2. There's this girl I really like in my class. I'm quite shy when I speak to her, so she probably
doesn't know that I like her. I'm not really into Valentine's Day and all that, but I sent her a card.
In fact, it's the first Valentine's card I've sent. I didn't sign my name on the card, so she still
doesn't know. I watched her in class yesterday. She showed my card to her friends. Then she
looked at me and smiled. Did she guess the card was from me? I don't know.
3. I sent two Valentine's card this year - one was to a boy that I know. I spent a long time making
it. Then I wrote a poem in it. I didn't want to buy a card. I wanted it to be different, because I
really like him. I hope that he likes me too. He sometimes stops and talks to me. It's usually
about homework or something. He didn't send me a Valentine though. The other one I sent was
to my granddad!
4. There's this girl in the year below me who seems to like me a lot. The card ! got might be from
her. I think I know her handwriting. I feel terrible because I don't feel the same way about her.
She's nice, but I only like her as a friend. I really like her sister, though. The card could be from
her, but it probably isn't.

Ex5 (lis 34) trang 132:

Information Officer: Good morning. Can I help you?
Girl: Yes, I'm visiting the city for a few days, and I'd like some information about places to visit.
10: Certainly. I recommend you go and see the castle. It's very interesting.
Girl: I'm not really into castles...
10: Do you like art? There's an excellent art gallery in the main square.
Girl: Yes, that sounds interesting. Is it far from here?
10: I'll show you on the map... It's here. You can take a number 41 bus from opposite this
information office.
Girl: OK, thanks. What else do you recommend?
10: This weekend there's a big carnival. That's usually a lot of fun.
Girl: I'm afraid we're only here for three days. We won't be here at the weekend.
10: Well, there's the cathedral, of course - that's very popular with tourists.
Girl: What are the opening hours?
10: Nine to five on weekdays and Saturdays. And 2.30 to 4.30 on Sundays.
Girl: How much does it cost to get in?
10: It's £8.
Girl: Is it £8 for students too?
10: Um, let me see. I've got a leaflet about it here... No, it's £6 for students.
Girl: Great, I'm a student. Can I take the leaflet?
10: Of course. And the map, too.
Girl: Thank you very much.
10: You're welcome. Enjoy your stay.

Listening 35 trang 132:

Hi, I'm Paula Hausman and I'm here today to tell you something about my job as a wedding
coordinator.
Planning a wedding can be quite stressful anyway, but when you are doing it in a foreign country
and mixing traditions it can be even harder. So I help foreigners living in New York to bring
their own traditions to American weddings.
My first wedding was my best friend Petra from Slovakia. She was marrying Hans, a Norwegian
guy, and they asked me to help with the plans. A lot of Petra's and Hans's family and friends
came from Slovakia and Norway for the wedding. The beginning of the day was organized
according to Slovak traditions. The bride thanked her parents for her upbringing and then they
left to go to the ceremony in a decorated horse-drawn carriage to the sound of folk music. The
reception was really fun. In Norway, every time the bride leaves the room all the women line up
to kiss the groom then when the groom leaves all the men kiss the bride. Big Norwegians all
desperate to kiss little Petra was a really funny sight.
My next wedding was a Swedish-Israeli couple. Their marriage was lovely because they
combined the traditions of both countries. It's customary in Israel to have the ceremony in the
late afternoon when the first star appears in the sky. So they did that, but also the Swedish
relatives dressed in traditional Swedish wedding outfits and taught everyone the traditional
Swedish wedding dance. It was a marriage of people and cultures.
In Turkey the night before the wedding the bride is decorated with henna tattoos on her hands
and her guests dance and sing traditional Turkish songs. So when Burcu married Jakub here in
Prague, we organised a traditional 'Henna' night for her. The wedding itself was quite Czech: the
male guests kidnapped the bride, as is customary in the Czech Republic, and then the happy
couple broke a plate and swept it up together, a tradition that's meant to bring happiness and
unity to the newly married couple.

Ex4 (lis 36) trang 133:

Speaker 1: I don't think the council has the right to put computer chips in bins. I mean, what
about privacy? It's terrible. It's like living in a police state! This is what happens when councils
have too much power!
Speaker 2: Maybe putting computer chips in bins is a bit too much, but we have to do something.
People just aren't recycling enough - so we need to educate them. The chips are just getting
information, aren't they? If it helps people to be better citizens, then I think it's OK.
Speaker 3: I reckon this is just the first step. Next, they'll put computer chips in your home to see
if you turn the lights out- and computer chips in your car to see if you're driving too fast. It's
frightening! I hate the idea!
Speaker 4: I think it's a great idea. We all need to recycle - but some people refuse to do it - or
they're too lazy. And who pays for their mistakes? Our children. And our grandchildren. This is
important - we've only got one planet!
Speaker 5: I don't like the idea of computer chips in bins. How much can they find out about
your rubbish? Can they see it? It's like somebody looking in your bin, isn't it? Nobody would like
that. I'd feel embarrassed.

Ex2 (lis37) trang 134:

Student: I'd much rather do a sponsored bike ride. The main reason for this is that I really enjoy
cycling. There's also the fact that it's easier to ask friends and family for money, rather than
strangers! I wouldn't choose the first option because I wouldn't enjoy collecting money from
strangers. What's more, I'd feel a bit embarrassed if I had to dress up. The second option would
definitely be better.

Listening 38 trang 134:

Laura: Right, David, the school has asked us to come up with a poster about littering.
David: Why?
Laura: Well, I think it's because there's so much rubbish around the street near the school. Most
of the rubbish is things that kids from our school drop.
David: Oh, OK. So how about a picture with a field or river with lots of litter in it and a slogan
saying 'I wish it didn't look like this?
Laura: Mmm, nice idea.
David: Or we could have the problems litter causes: it costs money to remove, it looks bad, it
attracts more litter and it can harm people and animals.
Laura: I think I'd rather focus on something more positive.
David: Oh yes? Like what?
Laura: Well, we could look at the solutions rather than the problem.
David: Such as?
Laura: We could encourage people to put rubbish in bins and not on the floor, take rubbish home
with them, and use a cloth bag instead of plastic bags.
David: And always clean up after your dog?
Laura: Hmm I don't think that would be a good idea to be honest, dog mess is not what this is
about.
David: Oh, OK. Do you think we should mention recycling as well?
Laura: Yes, good idea. Oh, the poster could have four corners: bin it, take it home, don't use
plastic, and recycle.
David: That sounds brilliant! Shail we make it ourselves?
Laura: I think asking Eva to do it would be better. She is a better artist than us.
David: OK, let's ask her.

Ex2 (lis39) trang 135:

1.
Man: Where's my mobile? It was in my bag.
Woman: Have you checked your pockets?
Man: Hang on.... No, it isn't in my pockets. I left my bag here under the desk while I was having
lunch, and my mobile was definitely in it.
Woman: Do you think somebody came into the office and stole it?
Man: I don't know.
Woman: Is there anything else missing?
Man: Let me check. Yes! My MP3 player is missing too!
2.
Woman: It's late. I'd better go home now.
Man: I'll walk you home.
Woman: There's no need. It isn't far to my house.
Man: Yes, but Tem was walking home a few nights ago, and a couple of men attacked him in the
street and took his wallet and his mobile.
Woman: Did they hurt him?
Man: Yes, they pushed him to the ground. He hurt his arm.
Woman: Poor Tom. Have they caught the people who did it?
Man: Yes, the police arrested two men the following day.
3.
Man: The police raided a house in our street last weekend.
Woman: Really? What were they looking for?
Man: Heroin and cocaine.
Woman: Really? I didn't think that sort of thing went on round here.
Man: Yeah, it does. There's always a couple of men hanging around on the pavement outside the
house, selling drugs.
Woman: How do you know they were selling drugs?
Man: Cars come up stop near the men, and you see them handing over money and small packets
of stuff. It's usually at night, so you never see it really clearly, but I'm sure it's drugs they're
selling.
4.
Woman: Somebody broke into the village hall.
Man: Broke into the village hall? Do you know how they got in?
Woman: They climbed through a window.
Man: Why would they want to do that? Did they steal anything?
Woman: No, but they smashed some chairs and tables.
Man: That's terrible. Do they know who did it?
Woman: No, the police seem to have no idea.
5.
Woman: I was in Jepson's department store the other day when the security guard arrested
someone.
Man: I didn't know security guards could arrest people.
Woman: Well, this one did. It was a woman with a young child. She couldn't have been more
than 18.
Man: What had she done?
Woman: Stolen something, I think. The security guard was holding some baby food and nappy
cream.
Man: Poor woman. She probably couldn't afford to buy it.
Woman: But she shouldn't steal from shops, should she? Anyway the security guard called the
police.
Man: Oh no. Surely that wasn't necessary. He could have let her off with a warning.
Woman: Well, it's her own fault. She broke the law.

Ex4 (lis40) trang 135:

Jesse James is the most famous American outlaw of the 19th century. He lived in Missouri, one
of the southern states of the USA. It was a difficult time in America. There were black slaves
working in the southern states, but not in the northern states. The northern states wanted to ban
slavery, so the southern states decided to be independent. This became the American Civil War.
Jesse James was 14 when the war started. For four years the South fought against the North.
Jesse James and his brother Frank fought for the South. There were lots of terrible battles and a
lot of men died. The North finally won the war.
When the war ended, the new government punished the southern states. Jesse and Frank were
angry at the injustice. They formed a gang of outlaws. The outlaws wanted to fight the
government, so they robbed government banks and trains and stole money. But they killed
people, too. The outlaws got a lot of sympathy from southern people. Some people said Jesse
James was like Robin Hood. Finally, the government promised money to anyone who could
catch Jesse. So a friend of his in the gang murdered him. He was just 35 when he died.

Ex3 (lis 42) trang 136:

Officer: Good afternoon. Can I help you?
Tracy: Hello. I've lost my mobile. I think somebody stole it.
Officer: Oh yes?
Tracy: I was on my way home from school, on my bike. My bag was on the back of the bike.
When I got home, the bag wasn't there. I think it had dropped off on the way.
Officer: So, you've lost your bag as well as your mobile?
Tracy: No, I've got the bag.
Officer: Oh?
Tracy: Yes, I went back. Followed my route back to school. And I found the bag. Someone had
thrown it into some bushes at the side of the road. But the mobile was missing. It was in the bag,
you see.
Officer: What was the make and model of the mobile?
Tracy: It was a Nokia X6.
Officer: Expensive!
Tracy: Yes, very. It was a present from my parents.
Officer: Is it insured?
Tracy: No.
Officer: Could I ask you to describe it, please?
Tracy: It's white, um, about 10 centimetres long. It's got a big touch screen.
Officer: Have you phoned your network?
Tracy: No, not yet.
Officer: Well, you must do that as soon as possible. Now did they take anything else from the
bag?
Tracy: Yes, my bus pass... Luckily my wallet was in my pocket, so they didn't get that. Do you
think I'll get the mobile back?
Officer: I'm afraid it's unlikely. Now, would you mind signing this form, please?

Listening 43 trang 137:

Good morning, everyone!
Welcome to our city; I hope you enjoy the conference. I am just going to say a few words about
safety here. Even though our city is fairly safe, there are some thieves, muggers and other
criminals. Thieves usually target tourists in crowded squares. There are also some busy tram
routes which are not very safe, such as the 22. So make sure you keep your personal possessions
safe at all times and have some common sense in busy areas.
Also, if you plan to change money, do it in a bank, Criminals can trick travellers by offering a
great exchange rate, only for the visitor to then find they have some faked money instead of
euros. This kind of fraud can really ruin your trip. Be careful too when taking a taxi. Although
this is not as big a problem as it used to be, some taxi drivers might still be a little dishonest.
Don't get a taxi on the street, always book one. Make sure you use one of the taxi companies that
we have listed in the conference folder; they speak English if you phone them. Make sure you
get a receipt and if you feel you have been overcharged give the company a call.
Now how about you? I am sure none of you want to break any laws so here are a couple of
things that visitors to our city often get into trouble for. In our country jaywalking is illegal, that
is, crossing the road without using a pedestrian crossing. So always look for zebra crossings
when you need to. Also if there is a red and green light at the crossing, wait until the green man
shows. Walking when the red man is lit can cost you a fine of up to 30 euros. It is also illegal to
ride on the trams or metro without a valid ticket. The system works on a trust basis so there are
no barriers but you still need to buy a ticket. Make sure you punch the ticket in the yellow
machines on the tram or on the metro platform. You might get asked to show your ticket to an
inspector at any time during the journey. If you haven't got a valid ticket you will be fined 20
euros.
Finally, make sure you carry ID with you at all times, that is, an identification card or passport. If
you get stopped by the police or by ticket inspectors they will ask to see your identification.
Thank you for your attention and we hope you have a safe time here in our beautiful city.
Ex2 (lis 44) trang 138:
1. It really does contain a huge amount of information on every subject that you can imagine.
Now, many people think that, because of the Internet, we don't need this kind of book any more.
But in my opinion, it's a very different experience. With this book, you can pick it up, open it and
start reading or looking at the pictures - you don't have to know what you're looking for. And you
can learn something amazing.
2...and I asked myself, 'Have I learned anything new about Michael Jackson from this author?'
Because that's the whole point, isn't it? To learn new things about the person's life. And I decided
that no, I hadn't learnt anything new, and so for me at least, reading this book was pointless. But
perhaps...
3 ...and of course, in the past, it was very much a genre for children – with superheroes like
Spider Man and all the other great Marvel characters. Asterix, Snoopy and Garfield too. But this
latest work is really aimed at adults. The pictures are amazing, the story is exciting and the text is
perfect. Most of the words are in speech bubbles, but there are also occasional paragraphs of
description which really...
4. The first and shortest of the tales, 'Night Terror, is a brilliantly written piece of horror. It really
is terrifying, even though it's only ten pages long. (The others in the book range from 12 to 25
pages.) My other favourite is called 'Blood on the Carpet, which comes about half way through
the book. It tells the story of...
5. Most of the recipes are quite simple, but a few are more complicated – like the chocolate
fudge cake with raspberry and almond cream. All of them are absolutely delicious! My
favourites are the ones with chocolate, but there are also lots of fruit recipes which...

Ex2 (lis 46) trang 139:

Penny: Hi, Brad. What are you up to?
Brad: Nothing much. I've just finished my homework.
Penny: Do you fancy meeting up in town?
Brad: Yes, sure. Why don't we have lunch at the café in the High Street?
Penny: Great idea! Let's meet at the bus stop.
Brad: I'd prefer to meet at the café.
Penny: OK, no problem. Why's that?
Brad: Because I'm not catching the bus. I'm going to cycle.
Penny: Fine. What time do you want to meet?
Brad: How about 12.30?
Penny: Great! I'll see you at the café at 12.30, then.

Ex4 (lis 47) trang 139:

1.
Girl: Do you fancy going to the beach?
Bay: Sure. What time do you want to meet?
Girl: How about 11 o'clock?
Boy: Fine.
2.
Boy: Shall we play tennis this afternoon?
Girl: I'd prefer to go swimming.
Boy: OK, no problem. Give me a call later.
3.
Boy: Let's go jogging together.
Girl: Great idea! Where shall we meet?
Bay: Why don't we meet in the park at 1 o'clock?
Girl: Fine. See you at one!
4.
Girl: Do you fancy going shopping?
Boy: Sure. Why not? Shall we go to the shopping centre?
Girl: Yes, OK. Let's meet there, outside the entertainment store.
Boy: Great. See you later.

Listening 48 trang 140:

Interviewer: Good morning and welcome to Radio 25's Real Lives programme. Today we have
in the studio Keith Biggins, a local charity worker. He has just received some amazing news.
Welcome to the studio, Keith.
Keith: Thanks.
Interviewer: Now, Keith, you have just found out that you have won an award from the Queen.
Keith: Yes! I am going to Buckingham Palace next month to collect it. I can't believe it.
Interviewer: These awards are given to people for their services to their local community. And
you are getting an award for your charitable work.
Keith: Yes, but I feel I don't deserve it. There are many wonderful community and charity
workers in my area.
Interviewer: When did you start this type of work?
Keith: I have always done work for charity. Every year I raise money for homeless people and
for children from poor families. I own a family business selling beds and it has always seemed
wrong to me that I sell wonderful, expensive beds in my shops, but there are so many people in
our society who do not have a bed at all. And there are still a lot of children growing up in
poverty, fear and danger. I think a home should be a safe place with a warm bed to sleep in.
Interviewer: You retired fifteen years ago, but you are still working?
Keith: Yes. My son runs the family business now. But I still do my charity work and he helps
me. For example, last year we raised money for community flats for homeless people and of
course, we put beds in the flats. We also gave hundreds of beds to old people's homes and to
children's homes. And last Christmas I collected more than 3,000 presents for poor children in
our community.
Interviewer: You are 67 years old now. Are you going to stop work soon?
Keith: I don't think so. There's still so much more to do.
Interviewer: Well, Keith, I think you deserve your award. Congratulations!
Keith: Thank you very much indeed.