transcript

3.1 1 A: I love this mural. It’s amazing how he uses these derelict old buildings and turns them into a work of art. I was amazed when I first saw it, really amazed!

B: Yes, I know what you mean, but the images are pretty disturbing sometimes. I mean, all those rats!

A: Yeah, I guess his murals of rabbits are less shocking.

2 A: Hey, this is a great photo! What is it?

B: It’s an installation in an open air sculpture park not far from where we live. It was a really hot day, and we were really surprised – and so pleased – when we came across this last installation. We had no idea it was there. There was just a tunnel into the hillside, and then we came out into this, like, underground room and there was this pool, and in the middle a strange tower. It was so cool and fresh. Just what we needed!

3 A: So, did you get to see the Mona Lisa then?

B: Yes, eventually, but we had to queue up for hours, and then when we finally did get to see the painting, it was so disappointing. It’s so small! And the room was so full of people, you couldn’t see a thing! It was so annoying – all these people taking photos on their phones!

4 A: Is that Rodin? The Thinker? Where is it?

B: There was an exhibition in the centre of town. Six or seven Rodin sculptures. And this one, of course. The kids look really bored, don’t they? But actually they’re just imitating the statue’s pose.

5 Have you seen any of these 3D street drawings? You know, people make them with chalk. They draw them on the floor, but they’re in 3D and it looks like there’s a hole or something. Look, I’ve got a photo of one on my phone. I tell you, this one was so lifelike that the first time you saw it, it was terrifying.

3.2 1 It's amazing how he uses these derelict old buildings and turns them in to a work of art.

2 Yes, but the images are pretty disturbing sometimes, I mean all those rats!

3 We were really surprised when we came across this last installation.

4 It was so annoying. All these people taking photos on their phones.

5 The kids look really bored, dont they? But actually they're just imitating the statue's pose.

6 I tell you, this one was so lifelike that the first time you saw it, it was terrifying.

3.3

Mm this isn't very nice!

Not very nice? It's totally disgusting.

3.4 1 This is quite interesting.

Interesting! It's absolutely fascinating.

2 I'm quite tired after that walk.

Tired? I'm completely exhausted.

3 Hey, this is quite good, you know.

Good? It's really fantastic 3.5 This is a photo of Trafalgar Square in central London. It’s one of London’s best-known squares attracting millions of visitors every year, and has often been at the centre of public demonstrations. In each corner of the square you'll see a plinth – an enormous stone platform – three of these plinths hold a permanent statue, but the fourth plinth – the one you can see in the image – stood empty for over 150 years. It was originally designed to hold a statue of a horse, but because of lack of money the statue was never built. In 1998, the local authorities started to experiment with different statues. These experiments were very popular and attracted even more visitors to the square, and there was a lot of discussion about what exactly should stand on the plinth. In 2010, the Mayor of London announced a competition that would take place every two years where the public would decide. In the first competition, a number of sculptures were suggested and the public voted to choose their two favourite statues, one for 2012, the year of the London Olympics, and the other for the year 2013.

3.6 C = Camelia L = Luke M = Miguel E = Estefanía C: So, what do you think of these six sculptures, Luke?

L: Well, I think I know which one will win, but it’s not my favourite.

C: Well, tell us your favourite, then.

L: I... don’t laugh... I like the cake. It’s by far the funniest.

M: Really? No, no, I mean, the bird’s definitely the funniest and by far the most colourful... Well, I think it’s as funny as the cake, don’t you? And... it will look great in the square. It will be such a shock to the people of London. It’s just a crazy, crazy idea...

E: Oh come on. You can’t be serious, Miguel!

M: OK, so who would you vote for, Estefanía?

E: Me? I would vote for the brass boy on his toy horse. It’s a very personal image, everyone can relate to that. It’s much more elegant than the bird, anyway!

L: You’re right, but I think a sense of humour is important.

Anyway, that cake has a history, you know. It’s a bit more interesting than you think. It’s called Battenburg and it was very popular at the time the plinth was built. I think it’s the most intelligent one, actually.

E: You men... you like the funny ones. What do you think, Camelia?

C: My favourite is the general on the horse. It’s so simple. I don’t know, I think it’s a little more appropriate, that’s all. For me, the boy on his horse is not as good, I don’t know why.

M: No way, that’s the worst!

C: Not at all. Did you know the original statue is actually around the corner from Trafalgar Square? It has beautiful decoration, I think it’s a lot more artistic than the others, those beautiful jewels, look at that...

L: She’s trying to convince us...

C: Anyway, you never told us which one you think is going to win.

L: Well, you know I like cake and I think the mountain landscape is one of the best, too but... I think the horse will win...

E: Which horse? There are two...

L: The boy on the brass horse. It’s not as strange as the others.

It’s classic. If it’s going to be in Trafalgar Square, they’re going to choose something classic that fits in with the architecture, don’t you think?

E: I’m not sure, but that’s my choice as well...

3.7

J: Maybe Frank has a point there but what I hate about it is the position. There was a beautiful park there before and now we have to look at this... thing... argh... I mean it’s absolutely grotesque...

A: Jane’s right, the building’s embarrassing. I’m embarrassed to look at it, I mean. The problem is that the architect is famous and nobody wants to criticise him. That’s the problem. Yeah, OK, we all know it’s a work of art but it’s a bad one... I don’t want to have to see that every day of the week, that’s why works of art should be inside museums. Buildings should be functional...

S: I don’t agree with Adrian. I mean, why put a museum about creativity in a grey square box? That’s the best thing about it – it’s controversial, it provokes debate, you can’t be indifferent to it, can you? I mean you either love it or hate it. And technologically, it’s awesome. The building is a sculpture, the architect intended it to be like that, a work of art in its own right, you know? Our city should celebrate that, not criticise it.

3.9

This is one of my favourite places in town. I love sitting here with a coffee and watching the world go by. It’s a large town and a huge variety of people walk along this street, young and old, tourists and locals, all kinds of cultures and backgrounds, all going about their business.

1 A: Excuse me, do you have a few minutes?

B: Sorry, no, I’m on the way to work.

I love watching them and imagining where they’re going, what they’re like, what they’re thinking. It’s so much more interesting than just staring into space.

Sometimes I watch the people at the next table and tune in to their conversations. Is that bad? I know I shouldn’t really listen in on other people’s conversations, and if they’re too personal, then I turn away, but on the whole, they’re simply passing the time of day, or talking about work. It’s surprising how many people come here to have business meetings over a cup of coffee!

3.8 F = Frank J = Jane A = Adrian S = Sally F: I don’t understand what the problem with this building is ... the crazy design, that’s the idea. What I like is that it matches what’s inside – so much modern music is crazy... and that fits with the building somehow. The most important thing is that people are talking about it. That doesn’t happen with most buildings which we don’t even notice.

1 What I like best is that it matches what's inside.

2 That's the best thing about it.

3 The most important thing is that people are talking about it.

4 The problem is that the architect is famous.

5 What I hate about it is, the position.

3.10

2 A: Excuse me, I wondered if you could answer a few questions…

B: Sorry, I’ve already answered…

A: OK, thank you.

3 A: Good morning, do you have a few minutes to answer a short survey? We’re offering twenty free prints to everyone who answers our questionnaire.

B: Yeah, sure.

A: Thank you. Just a few quick questions to start with. How old are you? Between eighteen and twenty-five? Between twenty-six and thirty? Over thirty?

B: Between twenty-six and thirty.

A: OK, thanks. Do you have a digital camera?

B: A digital camera? No. I use the camera on my phone.

A: What kind of phone do you have?

B: Here it is… see… it’s a…

A: OK, thank you, just one last question… do you ever print your photos on photographic paper?

B: No… it’s too expensive…

A: Well, thanks for taking the time to complete the survey.

Here’s a voucher for twenty free prints. Bring in your phone, or

the memory card and we’ll print off twenty of your favourite photos.

B: Thank you.

A: Have a nice day.

R1

A: What I like about it is that it’s free.

B:Yes, that’s the best thing about the show for me. The exhibition is really good value.

A:The only problem is that I don’t like any of the art!

R6

I like communicating and these new forms of communication are quick and easy. I like to keep things separate though. I use email for my work and business contacts and tweeting for family and friends and also acquaintances. When I want to chat for longer, with my mother for example, I can speak on Skype, which is much cheaper. Face-to-face? Well, I sometimes have to give lectures or presentations for my work before a lot of people, strangers... so that can get quite stressful. With my boyfriend I like to chat about all kinds of things, we discuss serious matters like politics and then, of course, we have arguments too... like all couples I guess.

R2

1: Xavier I’m really lucky. I have a few English-speaking friends. They’re exchange students studying at my university. They don’t speak much French – one’s Dutch, another’s Brazilian – we meet up once a week and do a language exchange, a little bit of French, a little bit of Portuguese, not much Dutch! But the main language we use together is English – it’s really helping me. I feel so much more confident... it’s definitely the best way to learn.

A:How do you know John then?

B:I met him at a party like this one!

2 A:Hi! You don’t know me, but I’m Carl...

B:Hello, I’m Mary.

R3 I love romantic stories and one of the best I know is how my parents met. Apparently, they were sitting next to each other on a plane to Sydney. As soon as they started talking, my mum knew that she had met somebody very special. They had lots of things in common. Both of them were going to visit family in Australia and that was exciting because neither of them had been there before, it was their first time. They had both got divorced recently and both were thinking about starting a new life in a new land. In the end, they decided that they could do that together. Isn’t that incredible, just from one conversation on a plane?

R4 1 A: I think reading aloud is a great way to learn a language.

B:I don’t agree at all.

2 A:Some people can tell entertaining stories and jokes, and others just can’t.

B:I agree to some extent.

3 A:There’s nothing better than a great novel.

B: I couldn’t agree more.

R5

2: Sue When I was studying Spanish at school I used to listen to the radio in Spanish all the time – absolutely anything, the news, the weather, sport, I didn’t care. And every now and then they would show a film in Spanish on the TV – I used to like watching them with the subtitles in English over and over again until I understood every word they said.

3: Kat Music has to be one of the most important things for me. It is so incredible how easy it is to remember words when you associate them with music. I spend hours watching videos of my favourite bands and reading their lyrics online. What did people used to do before YouTube? It is a totally amazing language learning tool. And it’s not just music of course; there are chat rooms and so much more. I don’t think you need a language learning classroom anymore. You can learn it all online!

4.1 S = Silvia (Presenter) L = Lucas S: Treehuggers’ News Update is pleased to welcome Lucas Ainsworth onto the programme – Lucas has two images to talk about this morning, isn’t that right, Lucas?

L: Yes, that’s right, Silvia. These two photos are incredible because they show how man is distorting – you know, changing in a big way – the natural world in two very different ways. OK, so, the first one was taken in Mato Grosso, Brazil, where a large part of the Amazon can be found. You know the best way to see man’s destruction of the Amazon rain forest is from the air.

Farmers and plantation owners have cut down an enormous number of trees to make space for soya crops or cattle ranches. Apart from the obvious environmental damage, these changes are affecting human and animal populations who made their life in the Amazon. Some animals will become extinct and many people will lose their homes; in fact, that has happened already because their land has been destroyed by burning. In other parts of the world, forest fires destroy our green spaces… Here it's all man’s doing and from the sky it is easy to identify.

S: And the second photo?

L: The second one... well, it’s ironic because here we can see humans adding some green, not taking it away, but for what reasons? And as you can see it’s a golf course and this is part of the Bab Alms Resort built in the middle of the desert in Dubai – a golf course in the middle of a desert! So we’ve got tourists riding on camels with a guide, and then here you can see how the specially planted palm trees provide some shade for the golfers. With such a dry climate, drought means there are severe water restrictions – some people in neighbouring countries don’t have enough water to drink – and yet think of the water needed to keep that grass as green as that! Think what else they could do with all that water! At least in the middle of the desert they’ll be able to find sand for the bunkers!

S: That’s right.

L: So, in both photos, we can see how man has divided up the landscape into neat sections, the difference is that in Brazil, man has removed the natural green space to replace it with farmland; in the case of Dubai, man has created an unnatural green space for leisure. Which is sadder, do you think?

S: That’s hard to say, Lucas. Thanks for sharing these thoughts with us this morning...

4.2 1 A: Good evening, everybody and welcome to another City Watch!

Every city has its dangers, some more serious than others, some man-made, some caused by nature. This week, we travel the globe to hear people talking about how these dangers can be prevented. We asked local people across the globe to comment on the dangers around the corner in their part of the world. We start our journey in Melbourne, Australia... So, I take it that the main problem here are fires, is that right?

B: Yes, there are more and more forest fires every year. It’s not good at all – and they’re getting bigger and more destructive.

We’ve already had three major fires this year – and it’s only February! People have lost their homes, their businesses, but luckily no one’s lost their life – yet! And the tragic thing is they’re so easy to start! It only takes a cigarette thrown out of a car window to start a catastrophe here. The land is so dry and the heat is so intense and one of the biggest problems can be a sudden change in the wind direction – if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, it can be fatal. Most local people are aware of all this, but it only takes one person to start a fire – and sometimes visitors, or people from the city, aren’t so aware.

Maybe they haven’t travelled in the bush before, and maybe they don’t know the dangers – so we have to keep campaigning.

2 A: Thanks. And now to an area where a terrible natural disaster took place not so long ago – Phuket in Thailand. What’s being done to take precautions in the future?

C: The terrible tsunami that came in 2004 caught us all by surprise. Luckily, we haven’t seen anything like it since then, but we all know it could happen again. Locals and tourists need to know what to do in case there is another tsunami. We’ve built new evacuation sites, and we’ve put up signs like this to mark the sites very clearly. Look, here’s one. As you can see the sign shows that you need to get up on high ground, above the waves.

We’ve built more shelters on higher ground as well.

A: That sounds good. Sometimes, more minor accidents involving water can occur, our next visit is closer to home – to the English countryside. What’s the problem here?

3 D: Well, Norfolk is very prone to flooding. The land is very flat and very low. When it rains, roads and bridges can get flooded very quickly. And these flash floods have become more and more common recently. Warnings of flash floods in the area are always broadcast on the TV and the radio, but too many people ignore the alerts. They go out in their cars without thinking and then get stuck when the water level rises. Here the weather can change very fast, we get torrential rain and on flatlands like this, that’s dangerous. The water can move at quite a speed and the strong currents can carry away cars and other vehicles.

This sign is quite new. We’ve put up a lot of them in the area. We want to make sure people don’t just ignore the sign, so we’ve given it a humorous message – hopefully, that way they won’t forget!

4 A: Right. And finally, the kind of disaster that doesn’t happen very often and a sign that certainly is alarming. We finish our tour in Recife, on the north-east coast of Brazil. We interviewed a resident of Boa Viagem beach where the main danger lurks... and what a danger!

E: As you can see, the sign really hasn’t made any difference.

People haven’t stopped coming to the beach. There hasn’t been a fatal attack on this beach yet this year, thankfully, and I suppose maybe until there is one, they’ll just keep swimming in the sea.

A: Have you ever seen a shark attack?

E: No, I haven’t. I’ve seen sharks in the waters, and they come up really close to the shore. But we’ve always been able to warn people in time. I’ve never actually seen one attack a person, but we all know they can – and they do.

A: So why do people continue to swim here?

E: They think if they aren’t swimming in deep water it’s OK, if they stay close to the shore – but you know, when there are sharks around an attack can happen anytime, anywhere. We’ve put up more signs and we’ve visited the local schools and told the kids of the danger, they’re the ones who take the most risks.

Kids and tourists – that’s why the signs are also in English – for the tourists, of course.

4.3

In the fight to cut back on plastic, more and more governments are trying to phase out plastic bags, or at least make customers pay for them at the checkout. In Ireland recently the government introduced a tax on plastic bags, and in the first year bag use fell by 95%. It’s a high-profile campaign in many countries, but is it really worth it? Well, probably it is, when you look at how many bags we use each year, More than ten billion in the UK alone. And especially when you look at what usually happens to most of them.

A plastic bag starts out its life on a production line. It’ll be distributed to shops and retailers and may have a logo stamped on it. In the shop we, the customer, pick it up and use it to take our shopping home. Once at home it may get used again, to carry more shopping, or possibly to clean up after our dog. We may take it out with us on a picnic. We may even put it in a litter bin, or better, a recycling container. But only a very small proportion of bags actually ever get recycled. A much larger proportion are disposed of along with other household waste and end up on open rubbish dumps, where they may get caught by the wind and carried far and wide. A lot of plastic bags end up in the sea. The sea is full of plastic – and not only plastic bags, there are plastic bottles and plastic wrappers and plastic boxes, even children’s plastic toys. And all this rubbish gets carried by the currents and trapped in huge floating rubbish dumps. One of the largest of these is the Great Pacific Rubbish Patch. It’s bigger than the state of Texas, and it is continually growing. Governments say it’s too expensive to clean it up.

Meanwhile environmentalists are studying the effects of plastic on marine life, and the results are truly scary.

4.4 fossil fuels harmful chemicals litter bins marine life production line recycling container rubbish dump 4.5 A: Have you heard the story about the three boys who were rescued after fifty days at sea?

B: No... fifty days at sea?

A: Yeah, apparently they survived by drinking rainwater and they even managed to catch a seagull...

B: A seagull? How did they do that?

A: Yes. It landed on the boat and they ate it raw.

B: They did what?

A: Yeah, apparently raw seagull is better than raw fish...

B: Mm, I’m not so sure...

A: Well, they ate raw fish too it seems... but raw fish is supposed to be more salty and makes you thirsty.

B: It is? Ah, yes, I suppose so, from the seawater. And what did they drink?

A: They collected rainwater in the night... they even had to drink their own urine.

B: Oh no, they didn’t!

A: Yes, they did – and apparently they’d got so desperate that at the end they’d even started drinking seawater.

B: Seawater? That’s supposed to be really bad for you, isn’t it?

Though I’m not sure why.

A: Yeah, it speeds up dehydration, I think...

B: So how were they rescued, then?

A: A tuna boat picked them up. They were really lucky – they were miles away from any shipping lanes. Their families thought they were dead. They’d already held a memorial service for the boys...

B: They had? Well, they must have been really happy to see them!

4.6 1 A: Three men broke into the bakery last night.

B: They did what? Which one, the one round the corner?

A: Yes, that’s right. The local bakery.

2 A: My brother destroyed my bike over the weekend.

B: Your bike? How did he do that?

A: He rode it into a tree.

3 A: Lydia got the job, you know, B:Did she? That’s great, I’m so happy for her!

A: Yeah, she’s starting next week.

5.1 A: Well, the computer screen is an easy one to analyse, isn’t it?

B: Yes, social networking sites like Facebook allow you to contact anybody in the world.

A: Yeah, for example, you can find someone you’ve lost touch with... it provides that link, so I guess that Facebook could be building bridges.

B: And we could also say the internet reaches across borders too.

A: But then that can be a problem, can’t it? Some people see Facebook and Twitter as an invasion of privacy, you know...

B: OK, so, then you can put up barriers, even block particular people completely, so they can never get in touch with you.

A: Right, I see what you mean.

B: You have to do something, to prevent everyone from seeing everything about your private life, otherwise it can be dangerous. Too much information!

A: Yeah, you’re right about that. OK. What’s next?

B: Now I really like this photo... it’s beautiful really, I mean...

A: I think it symbolises reaching out… breaking down barriers between ages, bridging the generation gap? Sometimes there’s this big gap between two people because of age.

B: I guess that’s why it’s there, it’s like a contrast with the Facebook image, the woman sitting on her own looking at the screen, and here the two people are together, shaking hands, about to enjoy each other’s company however different they may be.

A: Yeah... and joining hands refers to establishing new links with people and how we can do that. And now finally this sad image...

B: No entry... yeah, that’s sad, I guess.

A: You know I was told that this photo was taken on the border between the USA and Mexico, in the state of Arizona.

B: Wow, OK, that’s symbolic... So it’s saying you can’t cross this land for two reasons: one, because it could be private land or two, because it might be a different country. So that’s a barrier, as well, of course, something that divides nations and people, that stops them connecting… it’s the opposite of the image of the two people shaking hands, connecting. Here a border or a wall can only separate....

5.2 1 Jordi I mainly use it to keep up with my friends. When we left uni last year, we all went our separate ways. A few of us still live in the same town, but, you know, we’ve all got very busy lives and sometimes it’s not easy to meet up. Sharing stuff like links and music and funny comments really helps to feel like we’re still in touch – like I’m seeing them every day – just like when we were students.

2 Karin Social networking isn’t just about keeping in touch with friends you know. It does a lot, lot more. There are some really good pages dedicated to communities and good causes, like collecting money for breast cancer research, or helping build bridges between richer and poorer countries. And when there’s a major international news story, like an earthquake, or a demonstration, or an act of terrorism, you can learn so much more, and so much more quickly on a social network like Facebook or Twitter than you can on the news.

3 When are you going to do your homework?

5.4 With today’s technology it doesn’t matter that a mountain range or a sea divides two countries. There are ways round these obstacles. One of the most important projects in the world in this respect has just reached a milestone.

Yes, Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel is about to become the world’s longest rail tunnel. The engineering team are just completing the drilling work in the Swiss Alps. The tunnel covers a distance of fifty-seven kilometres. It actually consists of two single-track tunnels, which, together with the shafts and passages that link the two tunnels, cover a total of 115 kilometres. But you’ll have to wait some time before you can actually travel through it. The Swiss Federal Railway intend to open the tunnel to the general public in 2017. The tunnel is expected to shorten travel times dramatically for locals, business travellers and tourists between Switzerland and Milan.

The train journey from Zurich to Milan will be cut by two hours to ninety minutes and is bound to increase traffic and trade between the two cities. However, the project has been controversial – eight people have been killed in the building work and green campaigners complained of environmental damage to these beautiful mountains.

On the other side of the world, a different kind of milestone is being celebrated, the very beginning of a project. The Chinese authorities have just given the go-ahead for what is certain to be the longest road bridge in the world – joining the city of Macau to Hong Kong. In fact, there will be a series of road bridges and tunnels that will connect Hong Kong on the east side of the Pearl River Delta with Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai on the west. At present it takes four and a half hours to complete the journey by road. The new bridge hopes to cut the driving time to forty minutes. Local politicians and economists claim that it is bound to have a positive effect on the economy of the developing regions west of the delta.

3 Thom I used to use social networks to share photos of my family holidays, but now I use it to help me with my work. There are so many other people out there doing the same work as me, and they’re all interested in sharing new information and new techniques. It’s a great way to learn and the job market’s changing so quickly, I think it’s the only possible way to stay up to date.

5.3

‘The new transport network aims to improve finance, logistics, and professional services in the Pearl River Delta,’ said a statement posted on the Hong Kong government website.The bridge will eventually be a six-lane expressway and is expected to cost at least 107 billion dollars. It will include the building of two artificial islands. It is due to be completed in 2016. The project also plans to boost the construction industry and when completed the link will be a vital route for both trade and tourism. Environmental groups complain, though, of damage to the natural habitat of the Chinese white dolphin, among other species.

5.5

1 Are you doing anything special this weekend?

2 What are you going to do after the class?

1 A: Thank you. Can I have your arrival card as well, Mr Bianchi?

B: There you go.

A: Thanks. And your passport, please? Where are you staying in Thailand? You need to fill in that part, as well.

B: OK, sorry, it’s the Crowne Plaza hotel.

A: Is your trip for business or pleasure?

B: It’s a holiday.

A: And what is your occupation, sir?

B: Civil servant.

A: OK. And how long are you intending to stay here?

B: Three weeks.

A: And where are you travelling from?

B: London, the Virgin Atlantic flight. There, you see...

A: OK. Are you planning to visit other parts of the country?

B: Yes, I want to visit Chiang Mai. A: Oh, it’s very nice there... Well, I think that’s enough information. Thank you and welcome to Thailand, Mr Bianchi.

Bye. Next, please!

2 C: Hello. Can you put your index finger there, Mrs Strauss?

D: OK. C: OK, now look straight ahead at the camera for two seconds. ...

Thanks. Passport.

D: There you go.

C: Occupation?

D: I’m a dentist.

C: And… you’re from Germany but resident in Spain, correct?

D: That’s right.

C: Why are you visiting Canada?

D: My brother lives here.

C: Are you going to stay with him?

D: That’s right. Here, in Toronto. I put the address here.

C: And you’re leaving in ten days’ time, is that right?

D: Yes, that’s right. Here’s my return ticket ...

C: OK, fine, that’ll be everything, then. Next!

5.6 1 Where are you staying in Thailand?

2 And how long are you intending to stay here?

3 And where are you travelling from?

4 Are you planning to visit other parts of the country?

5 Are you going to stay with him?

6 And you’re leaving in ten days’ time, is that right?

5.7 1 Thank you and welcome to Thailand, Mr Bianchi. Next, please!

2 OK, fine, that’ll be everything, then. Next!

6.1 Today, we’re going to look at some typical festivals that take place every year and what happens when these are held in different parts of the world. Some you’ll know very well and others you probably won’t. Eid is an Arabic word meaning ‘festivity’, while Fitr means ‘conclusion of the fast’ and so the

holiday commemorates the conclusion of the thirty days of daytime fasting which Muslims observe during the month of Ramadan. Of course, it’s celebrated in the whole of the Muslim world, and nowadays that includes countries like the UK where the Muslim community represents an important – and growing – ethnic minority. Since 2007, this event has been held in Trafalgar Square in London and it’s called ‘Eid in the Square’.

This shows how a country’s customs are altered by changes in population. It would have been hard to imagine a Muslim festival taking place in Trafalgar Square a decade ago but now it forms part of the city’s multicultural identity.

6.2 So, that’s a good example of a festival that now takes place in a country that never used to celebrate it. Globalisation and shifting populations are responsible for that. Nowadays, many countries also celebrate well-known festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween or Carnival even though they have no direct link with their culture. This might also be because consumerism is taking over these celebrations.

Two not so well-known events that have a Japanese connection are interesting in this respect because they show that globalisation does not just mean Americanisation. Americans adopt customs from other countries as well. The first is the Cherry Blossom Festival, known as Hanami, which is celebrated every spring in Japan and people have outdoor parties and admire the trees. And it is also well known in the USA now. There the celebration commemorates the date March 27 1912, when the Mayor of Tokyo gave a present to the city of Washington.

Mayor Ozaki donated cherry trees in an effort to enhance the friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close links between the two nations.

Now the festival takes in a parade, a ten-mile run and an alternative music festival called Cherry Blast, all very American phenomena. A Japanese festival has evolved into an American festival.

Another celebration, Cosplay, is also of Japanese origin. Cosplay means costume play. The idea is that you can dress up as characters from comics, video games and fantasy movies. In fact, you take on the role of any person from the real or virtual world. This Japanese festival has now taken off in many countries all over the world. The photo in front of me shows young Cosplay fans dressed as characters from Japanese manga, outside the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. Another example of how an international event adapts to the changing tastes of a globalised world. But when local cultures are transformed, are these changes for the better or for the worse? Are they permanent or temporary? Do countries lose something of their cultural identity if they modify their behaviour in this way?

6.3

1 The Carnival is OK, but you have to be careful of thieves. Going to the procession is an easy way to lose your money if you ask me.

2 It’s only three days and there’s a unique atmosphere here. It’s a great time to be in Berlin, sure! You can’t miss it!

3 It’s an interesting way to find out about cultures, the world comes to Berlin! You can learn so much and it’s so entertaining.

4 I think Berlin is the worst place to be at Carnival time. It’s too noisy and it’s full of tourists. And it’s so commercial now, everything is so expensive, it’s a good idea to stay away.

6.4 At the end of October we have a special festival – it’s at the same time as All Saints on the first of November and it takes the same name – Tosantos. There’s nothing religious about it and I don’t know of anywhere else that has the same celebration.

Basically the stall holders in the local markets shut up shop for a day and dress up their goods – meat, fish, fruit or vegetables.

Each stall has a different theme – they tend to be humorous – pigs dressed up in bikinis – fish smoking cigars – that kind of thing. In the evening the people queue up to see the winners and there’s a concert in the market square. Recently people have been complaining that the festival is losing followers – children used to dress up fruit and vegetables to take into school – now, more and more, they’re dressing up as ghosts and monsters and holding Halloween parties instead. They’re worried that if children start celebrating Halloween parties instead of Tosantos, the old traditions will disappear. Last year there was a protest against the ‘American invader’ with shopkeepers in the old town refusing to sell Halloween costumes – I can’t see any harm in it myself, but then, who knows – maybe they’re right.

6.5 I = Interviewer E = Eshan I: Hi, in our podcast this week, Eshan Brice tells us about a new group of superheroes who are hoping to take over the world. Hi, Eshan. So, tell us something about these new superheroes. Who are they?

E: Well, the 99 are a group of young people from all over the world. Each one comes from a different country, each one has a special, unique superpower that they have been given by one of 99 mystical Noor stones.

6.6

E: Each one comes from a different country, each one has a special, unique superpower that they have been given by one of 99 mystical Noor stones.

I: Noor stones?

E: Yes, these stones represent the 99 virtues – the 99positive qualities of Allah – that are described in the Qur’an. The 99 – this is the name given to this group of young superheroes – are the world’s first Islamic superheroes. Their creator, Naif alMutawa, wanted to take the universally popular figure of the superhero – an American invention – and make it more relevant to young Muslims. He wanted to give young Muslims everywhere role models they could be proud of and offer the world a positive image of the teachings of Islam.

I: So what’s the story behind it all?

E: Well, the story starts in the thirteenth century. The great library in Baghdad known as the House of Wisdom has been destroyed but the knowledge contained in its thousands of books has been saved. It has been stored in 99 mystical stones, the Noor stones, or the stones of light.

I: The stones you talked about earlier?

E: Exactly. Those stones are said to contain all the knowledge and power of all human wisdom. To save the stones from the invaders they are sent to the furthest corners of the world.

Each stone to a different destination where they remain hidden for hundreds of years.

I: Until now I suppose?

E: Yes, that’s it. Now, in the twenty-first century, a psychiatrist, a descendant of the guardians of the House of Wisdom, Dr Ramzi Razem, is looking for the stones. He believes he can use their power to fight evil and save the planet.

I: Of course – the classic mission of all superheroes! So, who are the 99?

E: They are 99 young people from around the world and each one finds one of the stones. And the stone gives them a superpower. Each power is different, each power is unique.

Some have classical superpowers like super strength or super speed; others have more unusual powers like the ability to create light or to become invisible. Dr Razem’s mission is to bring these young people together, to teach them how to use their powers to fight darkness and evil.

I: But who exactly are they fighting against?

E: The main bad guy in the story is Rughal. He too knows about the stones and their powers – but of course he wants to use the powers for his own personal gains. He wants to create an army of superheroes who will follow his commands and take over the whole world. He has no superpowers himself, but he’s a strong character. None of the 99 is strong enough to fight him alone. If they want to win, they have to work as a team and learn about the three key values of tolerance, acceptance and cooperation.

I: So, has the series been a success so far?

E: The series has become incredibly popular. The comics have sold millions of copies, both in the Arab world and beyond. In 2009 the TV series was launched. In 2010 the 99 teamed up with Superman, Batman and the other superheroes of the Justice

League to fight together against evil. So yes, I guess they’re a success.

I: Thank you, Eshan. So, are the 99 just another set of comic book heroes, or can they really be a new force for good in real life? Write and let us know what you think! Send us an email or leave a comment.

6.7

2 A: It’s a private party... your name isn’t on the guest list.

B: I’m sorry, but that must be a mistake.

A: I’m sorry...

B: Can I have a look?

K: What exactly do you mean? When can you say a trip is necessary or not? I think budget flights have done some great things. It’s been great for local economies, small towns with airports now have a tourist industry and we can all discover more of the world, can’t we?

M: Right, OK, but what... at what cost? The world is being destroyed by tourism. You can go anywhere now, and nothing’s unspoilt any more. What I’m trying to say is, wherever you go, there are tourists. It’s horrible! And budget flights have done that to the planet.

K: Well, I see what your point is, but what we can do about it?

M: There’s nothing we can do. The world is just a smaller, uglier place because of them.

K: But then all air travel has done that, not just budget flights.

M: True, but I have a particular dislike of the budget...

K: So, do you mean you won’t be going on holiday again?

Anywhere?

M: Well, I don’t know about that...

6.10

3 A: I’ve heard he’s getting married again, you know.

B: Really? I suppose it might be true, but he’s very old.

A: It is true. Denise told me...

B: Don’t believe everything she tells you.

1 A: So, you’re saying you would ban Halloween and other foreign festivals and only have local ones?

B: No, what I meant was that we need to preserve our traditions, that’s all.

4 A: I think it’s good they lost the match, it’ll make the team work harder.

B: I suppose you could say that.

C: Yeah, but it’s still three points lost though.

6.8

2 A: OK, sorry, I’ll rephrase the question. What I’m saying is, would you rather eat a locally grown apple or an imported one? It’s a simple question.

B: It depends.

A: Are you saying that you don’t know?

B: No, what I’m trying to say is it depends if the local fruit is good or not. That’s what I’m trying to say.

R7

1 A: It says thirty degrees and sunny for tomorrow.

B: That can’t be right! It’s winter there right now. Are you sure it’s not thirteen degrees?

A: OK, I’ll check again.

1 Superman has been banned in primary schools.

2 Teachers say children should watch at least five hours of TV a day.

3 Experts now say that video games can be good for kids.

4 Cartoon superheroes are good role models for children.

6.9 K = Katya M = Mehmed K: Look at this ad, there’s a flight for ten euros.

M: Oh no, not another one...

K: You’re not a big fan of budget flights, are you?

M: Well, no, not really. These low prices mean that everybody travels now, the sky is full of planes, people take trips they don’t need to take.

K: So are you saying that not everyone should be allowed to travel? Just a select few who have the money?

M: No, everybody should have the right to if they want to. What I meant was that before we had to have a good reason to travel, now it’s so cheap and convenient, everybody does it all the time.

I don’t think that’s good.

1 There’s water everywhere! The torrential rain brought devastation, and this village suffered the most. This is the worst flood in living memory.

2 Some of the buildings were built to withstand this kind of tremor, but others fell as if made of paper. The earthquake caused great destruction in the poorer parts of town…

3 It hit the coast with tremendous force. The wind direction suddenly changed, nobody was prepared, partly because it was the first hurricane of the season.

R8 1

A: Sorry I'm late, I was caught in this really bad storm.

B: A storm?

A: Yea, didn't it rain where you were?

B: No, not here.

6. I 7. mean 8. is 7.1

2 A: What a disastrous holiday. We came home early you know.

B: You didn't A: We did! The weather was horrible, and there's nothing to do on the beach if the weather's bad is there?

R9

1 These treasured possessions – a few chairs, a carpet, a photograph and some old records – are looking for their owners. They are in a way lost property. But nobody threw these things away. These are household contents which have been left by a natural disaster, Hurricane Ivan. Ivan was one of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded and caused heavy damage in Jamaica and Cuba in 2004 before affecting Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. This photo was taken in Pensacola, Florida. Homes were destroyed and private property scattered everywhere. Did anyone ever claim these articles, I wonder?

1 People use social networks to get in touch with friends.

2 Football is a way of breaking down barriers and uniting people.

3 English can reach across borders because it's a universal language.

4 Countries should build more bridges and tunnels to connect with other nations.

R10 1. Where are you travelling from?

2. How long are you going to stay in Hong Kong?

3. Where are you staying here? In a hotel?

4. And are you planning on visiting other parts of China?

5. Is this your first time in Hong Kong?

R11 The Piazza San Marco is a real must. It’s a good idea to go in the spring because it’s not too hot then. The worst thing you can do is go at Carnival – it’s full of tourists. If you have the time, don’t miss an Italian opera.

R12

2 These family belongings – toys, chairs, laundry baskets – are not in the street because these people are moving house or are homeless. They are there because the police have just removed them from an apartment in Lafayette, Colorado. The people who rented the place could not make their monthly payment, and the owner evicted them with the help of the police. As the economic crisis continues, many Americans are finding it hard to pay their rent or mortgage. If this continues, more and more stuff like this will start appearing on our streets.

3 This photo shows six objects that the family and friends of miner Edison Peña sent to him while he was trapped underground.

Edison was one of thirty-three Chilean miners trapped underground for sixty-nine days at the San José mine after it collapsed on 5 August 2010. He received these objects through a narrow tube that acted as a lifeline, allowing food, water and regular contact between families and their trapped loved ones.

The six objects include a picture of his idol Elvis Presley, some socks and earplugs. Not long before his rescue, Edison sent these personal items back up to the surface.

7.2

Just some things to bear in mind on your first day. We'll pick you up from the station at 10 o' clock, and we'll take you to your hotel to freshen up. Call us when you want to leave, and a car will take you to the conference. Say at 11.30 am. You'll be there until the morning sessions finish at 2 o clock, and then we'll go to lunch. After that you will be able to rest until the events in the evening.

R13

1 The objects laid out on the ground like that, that’s an amazing image ... It makes you think about what it might be like to be stuck underground all that time … and not knowing if you’re ever going to see your family again … Elvis Presley and earplugs! I wonder why this man treasured those particular objects so much. And why did he send them back up to the surface?

1. saying 2. that 3. I 4. don’t 5. understand

2 I think the most shocking image is the one with all the toys, that’s somebody’s life that’s just been dumped on the street there, you think it’s somebody moving house, but it isn’t and you realise they’re going to lose everything. It’s tragic. They

probably really want to hold onto their stuff, but they haven’t got anywhere to put it, so they end up just having to get rid of it.

course there’s a photo of a boy playing the most popular stick game of all – throwing one for his dog!

3 When I first saw this I didn’t really understand the meaning of the sign. I thought these were possessions that somebody had found and wanted to give away or even sell, maybe in a market.

Or I imagined that it was junk, items people had thrown away because they look dirty and old. But now I see how powerful the image is, and these are things which a family had to leave behind when they fled the hurricane. It was a kind of unexpected shock, when I found out. I wonder what happened to that family...

7.3

With so many toys to choose from, you really should come and find out which one you like best. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to join a game of Scrabble...

7.6

My Bed is a work of art by the British artist Tracey Emin. It is her real bed. It was first exhibited at the Tate Gallery in London in 1998. It created a lot of discussion and debate. It was bought by the British advertising tycoon Charles Saatchi for £150,000 to be exhibited at the Saatchi art gallery in London when it opened its new premises in 2003.

7.4

2 A: Can I have another one, please?

B: Yes, sure, which would you prefer?

A: The one with the chocolate bits, please.

B: Go on, have two, why not?

A: No, one is enough, thanks!

Today we’re in the National Toy Hall of Fame, a museum which houses a collection of some of the most popular games and toys of all time, new ones and old ones, digital and traditional, all much loved by adults and children alike. To join the collection a toy must be recognised and loved across the world. It must have been used by children for several generations and it must encourage creativity and learning. The inside of the museum looks more like a giant playroom than a museum. There are toys and games from – and for – all ages. You can touch and explore and play. There are giant building blocks, and an enormous train set. There are board games and puzzles. Choose your favourite one and sit right down and play.

7.5 OK, I’ve spotted one or two of my childhood favourites, I’ve played with Lego blocks, a giant Mr Potato Head, so now it’s time to look at some of the more unusual exhibits. Here in this box is one of my favourites. It’s so obvious, but I hadn’t thought about it as a toy before – although of course I must have played with hundreds of them. It’s quite a recent addition to the collection, but it must be one of the oldest toys in history – in fact I think it might actually be the number one toy of all time. Children of all ages, from all over the world have played with them. You can find them everywhere. They come in all shapes and sizes and with a little imagination they can be anything. Even animals play with them. Have you guessed it yet? Yes, it’s a stick! And here in the Hall of Fame there are so many different sticks, big ones, small ones, straight ones, bent ones… and photos of all the different uses sticks can be put to... the one in the corner is a sword, this long one is a horse and this other one is an aeroplane. In this photo, someone’s drawing with one on the sand and here they’re building a house with sticks. And of

1 A: Look , that’s the one!

B: What, the red one in the corner?

A: Yes. Don’t you think it’s great? He’ll love it.

B: It’s a bit small, isn’t it?

3 A: So which one is it going to be?

B: I don’t know. I like them both. What do you think?

A: I think the first one looks better, the rainbow one. It’ll look great in your living room.

7.7 A: What about you, Marik? Can you remember any childhood games?

B: Well, yes, there’s one we used to play all the time – it was a very simple game, I guess everybody’s played something similar. Basically there was one person who went off to hide.

A: A kind of hide and seek?

B: Yes, but in our game only one person hid and everybody else counted. We had to shut our eyes and count to fifty and the one kid who was ‘it’, you know, whose turn it was to hide, went off to find a hiding place.

A: Just one?

B: Yes, that’s it – and then we – the rest of us, that is – would run off and look for that one kid. When you found where he or she was hiding, you had to hide with them.

A: What? In the same place?

B: Yes, that’s right… in the same place. And the last person to find us all was the one who had to hide the next time.

A: Did the game have a name?

B: Yes, we called it Sardines – I think it’s ’cos when we were all hiding in the same place it was like being in a tin of sardines!

7.8 This is my favourite object in the whole collection. It’s a very simple object, a penny, but it’s the writing on the penny that I find interesting. Can you read it? It’s a protest. At the time, women were asking for the right to vote. This penny is

interesting for two reasons: it represents money and its importance in society, but it also symbolises the fight for independence and democracy.

7.9 This beer can is interesting because it comes from a small brewery in my hometown – a company that’s been making beer for years and years. It was the first brewery to produce beer in cans outside the US. At that time, in the 1930s, beer cans didn’t have pull-tabs, you know the little metal flap you pull to open them, like today, but bottle tops.

7.10 A: Hi, what you up to? Are you catching up on some work?

B: No, I’m looking for a present for my mum.

A: Your mum? Is it her birthday?

B: No, it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday – remember?

A: Oh yes, of course! I’d totally forgotten. I always give mine flowers.

B Yeah, well, I can’t go home to visit this Sunday, so I need to send her something through the post – that’s why I’m looking online.

A: Flowers. That’s easy enough.

B: Nah, I want to get her something different, something a bit more personal, you know.

A: So what are you looking for then?

B: I don’t know! She’s so difficult to buy for. She’s always complaining that her house is cluttered and too full of stuff so I can’t buy her a poster or a plant or anything like that.

A: Get her something for the kitchen. You know, some sort of cooking appliance.

B: No, she’d hate that! No, I want to get her something for her, something she can enjoy.

A: A book then?

B: No, more stuff!

A: Music?

B: I don’t know. Her taste is so different from mine, I just never seem to get it right.

A: Chocolates?

B: She does love chocolate, but no, she says she’s trying to lose weight, so she wouldn’t thank me for that!

A: Hey, what about this?

B: What?

A: This link here – see. It says ‘experiences’.

B: Experiences? What’s that?

A: It’s stuff like tickets to concerts, a free trip somewhere, or something like dinner for two, or a day at a spa, that kind of thing.

B: Hey, that might be a good idea. Let’s look at the spas. I like this one – a day for two at a local spa.

A: Check to see if there’s one near where she lives.

B: Yes, there is. Great, that’s it! Problem solved. Thank you! It’ll be a nice surprise for her. What about you? Are you going to get something similar for your mum?

A: Nah, I’ll just get flowers.

7.11 1 A: What would you like for your birthday?

B: I’d like something different like a ticket to a concert or a trip to a spa or something.

2 A: We really should get a thank-you present for the neighbours.

B: Yes, you’re right. I think we should get something small, just a token, maybe some sort of cake or pastries or something.

3 A: Have you got any ideas what I can buy for your sister for her birthday?

B: She really loves ethnic stuff, you know, incense, candles, ornaments, that kind of thing.

7.12 I'd like something different.

We should get something small.

Maybe some sort of cake.

She really loves ethnic stuff. Incense, candles, ornaments, that kind of thing.

7.13 1 You probably think, what is this? It’s not something valuable or precious or anything like that, but it has great sentimental value. I guess it’s one of my most treasured possessions and it has some very special associations for me. What? Well, I was in Mexico on holiday a few years ago and I was staying in a hotel there on the beach. Anyway in the hotel they gave us a free gift and it was this. When you got into the room, there was this little animal next to your bed. Anyway, when I checked out, I took the toy with me. I travel a lot for work and whenever I travel I take the tortoise with me. It’s like a reminder of home, something familiar amongst the unfamiliar. It’s embarrassing to admit it, I guess, because I’m an adult and shouldn’t be travelling around with a children’s toy. Now, when I arrive at a new hotel, the first thing I do is place the little animal next to my bedside. When I wake up in the morning, there it is and I like to see it. I know it’s stupid but there’s something reassuring about having it with me.

Funny thing is, if I lost it or left it behind, I don’t think I’d be sad because I realise it’s something silly to be attached to a toy.

2 It wasn’t difficult for me to choose an important object. I can’t live without my glasses because I can’t read without them, it’s as simple as that. I mean, they’re an absolute necessity. I can’t leave the house without them.

These particular glasses are quite new. I’ve only had them for about two months. I had my old ones for years and, of course,

my prescription changed. By the end I couldn’t see a thing with the old ones, these ones are great.

I try and make sure I always keep them in the same place, but sometimes I put them down somewhere else … and I can spend ages looking around the flat until I find them!

It’s terrible to be so dependent on something.

I guess I could get a spare pair, that would solve that problem...

I should do that...

8.1 1 Well, I’m not sure. I don’t think women like football much.

Football stadiums are usually full of men, aren’t they? But, yes it does bring people together, people are always exchanging stories and opinions about it. My problem with football is that it’s always in the media. Every time you turn on the news or open a newspaper it’s always the same old story – football, football, football. What if you’re not interested in football?

2 Yes, absolutely right. Hip hop is a great way to express yourself.

It’s like poetry that you recite, that you read aloud. People can find a voice when they rap, and women do it, too, of course! Just because of one or two well-known cases years ago, now all we get is negative stereotypes about it. People prefer to marginalise it and make up these lies. It’s time to tell the other side of the story.

8.2 curious poverty opposite beautiful outsider initial official incredible 8.3 So, here we are – day three in London! We’ve been so busy – it’s such an incredible city. On the first day here we did all the usual tourist things. We went for a ride on an open-top bus, we saw Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament – of course!

Yesterday we took it easy. In the morning we had a long, slow breakfast at a street café, watching the people go by, just unwinding, having a coffee – then we went shopping – there are some great street markets in London – and some great bargain hunting to do. My favourite is Camden Market. We had a great time, browsing the different stalls and so on. I bought a couple of T-shirts and we had some delicious Indian food. It was really cheap as well.

But today has been the best day of all. We went on a walking tour – there are so many great walking tours in London – but this was a tour with a difference. They’re called the Unseen Tours. The guides are homeless people – people who live and sleep on the street. The tours are organised by volunteers and

80% of the ticket price goes to the guides. They told us to meet them on the street at 3 p.m. – and to bring a camera!

8.4 It was the most interesting tour I’ve ever been on. Our guides knew so much about their city. They told us stories about history, about the famous people who’d lived on those streets – but they also told us their personal stories – stories about living on the street and all the good and bad things that can happen there. We asked them to show us where they slept – and they told us how to avoid pickpockets, and where to get the best cup of tea.

At the end of the tour we all went to a pub to continue our conversations. We asked so many questions! It was fascinating to be able to get to know our guide – and such an interesting insight into a whole new side of London. I took some great photos too by the way. I really feel like I know the city so much better now. If you’re ever in London, I really recommend these tours. I wonder if they’d work back home as well? The Unseen Tours of Marrakech – it’s certainly an idea that’s worth thinking about!

8.5 A: Did you read that article I sent you?

B: Yeah, interesting. I was thinking about that the other day...

A: What, citizen journalism ?

B: Yeah, you know, and all the stuff about Twitter and people finding out about the news from the people who are there, you know, like in the fire the other day.

A: The fire? Oh, you mean the one in the hotel?

B: Yeah… I mean, you know, the first thing I heard was from my flatmate – he came home, he’d been cycling near there and he said he’d seen this huge cloud of smoke… but he didn’t know where it came from...

A: I saw that cloud too – it was massive!

B: Yeah, well, we looked it up on the internet… You know, on the local newspaper’s website…

A: …and there was nothing there?

B: No… no… There was a story there, with a photo and some eye-witness reports – you know, guests who were staying at the hotel, passers-by, that sort of thing…

A: …Yeah…

B: And the story said there were forty people stuck on the roof… but that’s all… no more information, so we went on Twitter and it was amazing!

A: Really?

B: Yeah – there were two people actually tweeting from the rooftop! With photos and comments and quotes from the other people on the roof… it was fascinating…, so much detail and a minute-by-minute commentary, we got really sucked in!

A: I bet!

B: Yeah… I mean, the news story was interesting, but normally I’d have given it about two minutes of my time, but the Twitter side of the story was like following a film or something!

8.6

Pe: How come?

Sa: Terrible delays. He told me to give you that message, OK? Pe: What a shame.

Sa: Could you call him? He sounded pretty annoyed.

S = Secretary N = Natalie M = Mark D = Damian 1 N: Hello. Can I speak to Peter Moorcroft, please?

S: Hold the line, please.

N: OK, no problem.

S: Hello, I’m afraid Peter isn’t picking up the call. Do you want me to take a message?

N: I just wanted to check that he’d received a file from me.

S: Who’s speaking?

N: It’s Natalie Martin. I sent him a file this morning and I just wanted to know if he received it. It’s important. Could you ask him to call me, please?

S: Of course, he has your number, I take it, Natalie?

N: Yes. S: OK, I’m just making a note of this.

A: Thanks.

S: Fine, I’ll let him know.

3 Sr: Hi! Damian, I got your message. It’s Sarah. Are you there already?

D: Of course! I’m waiting for you.

Sr: But why? I told you that we were meeting at 5.15, silly, not 4.15.

D: What? Really, that’s weird. I’m sure that you said 4.15. Oh well, I’ll go and get a coffee then. Just get here when you can.

Sr: OK, I’m on my way!

8.8

2 You’ve reached the voice mail service of Sabine Meyer. Please leave a message after the tone.

M: Sabine, listen. It’s Marc here. You won’t believe this, I’m still at the airport. Uhhh… there are terrible delays, same old story…

I won’t be able to travel tonight. So… do you think you could call Petra? Tell her not to wait for me at the airport or text me her number; I don’t have it for some reason. Thanks for that! Bye! 3 The cell phone you’ve called is off or currently unavailable.

Leave a message after the tone.

D: Sarah, hi, this is Damian. I’m in the square. Where are you?

You asked me to be here at 4.15, didn’t you? I texted you before.

Call me, I’m here, OK, in front of the town hall? Right, bye!

8.7 S = Secretary P = Peter S = Sabine Pe = Petra Sr = Sarah 1 S: Hello, Peter.

P: Yes! S: Natalie Martin has just phoned. She told me that she sent you an important file. Can you tell her that you received it OK? P: Oh, yes, I forgot. Yes, I’ll call her right back.

2 Sa: Petra?

Pe: Hello, yes?

Sa: It’s me, Sabine. Listen, Marc just called. He said he wouldn’t be able to travel tonight, so don’t wait for him at the airport.

Julie: I told you that we were meeting at 4.15 , not 4…

John: Tell her not to wait for me at the airport…

8.9 A: Hi, Gareth. Is it a good time for you to talk? Now, in order to prepare for next week’s meeting, on the 10th, I wonder if you could prepare the following things. Can you make some notes?

B: Sure, of course.

A: Well, we’ve got to get an agenda together and send it out to all parties asap. Can you do that by this afternoon?

B: Fine.

A: Then get in touch with Sandra in marketing and get her to bring up some publicity material – dossiers, posters, etc. We’ll need all that to show to the clients.

B: OK, no problem. Anything else?

A: We’re going to need to organise the cocktail party in the evening, and we’ll need to organise the catering for that. Can I leave that with you?

B: Sure.

A: And can you decide who would do a better job –remember, it’s a small gathering – twenty people maximum. Quite exclusive?

B: I think Richards would do a good job.

A: Well, I’ll leave that with you.

B: Sure.

A: Oh yes, and another thing, it’s nothing to do with the meeting, but it’s urgent.

B: Yes? A: Can you call de Freitas about that shipment to Mexico, that has to go off tomorrow at the latest?

B: OK, will do. I’d better go then, bye!

A: Sure, speak later then. Bye! 8.10 A: Martin do you have a minute?

B: Sure, of course.

A: Could you organise a meeting for next Monday at the building site, with the architects. You'll need to email Joanne Daniels and

Steve Kahn I think. Yes that's right, Joanne Daniels and Steven Kahn.

B: What time's the meeting?

A: Er 9.30 in the morning should do it.

B: Fine, anything else?

A: Well, yes, could you arrange a taxi to pick them from the airport? They're arriving at 8am.

B: Fine, and shall I get the taxi to take them straight to the site?

A: Yes, that's right. Can you also book a table at Zetas, say at 2 o' clock. Do that as soon as possible because it gets booked up.

B: For how many people?

A: There'll be four of us.

B: Table for four, fine.

A: And it would be nice to arrange something for them in the evening as they are visiting the city for the first time.

B: What do you suggest?

A: You could book a show for the evening, a musical or something like that. See what's available and get back to me.

B: Sure. How much would you like to pay for the theatre tickets?

A: Anything around $50 each that's fine. Thanks very much that's all.

B: No problem, I'll get on with that now.

9.1 1 A: It was really ironic – I mean, the presentation was all about using mobile phones in marketing – and there, on the door to the room was this big sign – no mobile phones allowed!

B: You mean, like, switch off your mobile phones?

A: Yeah, that’s it, you know a big picture of a mobile phone with a cross on it!

B: Oh no! That is ironic!

A: And totally unnecessary! I mean, come on, what century are we in?

B: So, did you switch your phones off?

A: Nah, of course not – I mean, it’s not as if mobile phones are illegal – in fact we used them all the way through the presentation – they showed us some great new apps as well – it’s amazing what you can do with mobiles these days!

B: It is, isn’t it?

2 A: I saw this really funny sign in the park today.

B: Yeah?

A: Yeah, I’d never seen it before… it was, like, a high-heeled shoe with a cross through it.

B: What? A shoe?

A: Yeah, with high heels, in the children’s playground…

B: You mean like, no high heels allowed, for the mums I guess, not the kids?

A: Yeah.

B: They’ve got a point though – I mean how can you play with your kids if you’re in high heels?

A: I don’t think that’s the reason actually.

B: No? A: No, it’s because the heels damage the surface – you know, the soft rubber surface under the swings and things...

B: Ah, yes, of course, it makes sense now… I guess it’s a bit selfish, and a bit irresponsible to wear shoes that are going to damage the kids’ play area!

9.2 I = Interviewer R1 = Respondent 1 R2 = Respondent 2 I: So, what’s the situation in your school? Are you allowed to access the internet on the school computers?

R1: In the library we have laptops that we can use to access the internet but there’s a very strong firewall. We can’t access YouTube or Facebook for example and a lot of music sites and chatrooms are blocked. In class we use laptops as well – and sometimes our general studies teacher lets us use our mobile phones to access sites that are blocked on the computers. Most of the teachers hate mobile phones! They make us switch them off as soon as we enter the class. One teacher makes us leave them on the desk at the front of the classroom and we aren’t allowed to have them back until the end of the day! I think that’s a bit extreme, but I guess I kind of understand as well, I think they can be really distracting sometimes.

I: So, what’s the situation in your school?

R2: Our school computers are fairly carefully controlled, a lot of social networking and music sites are blocked. Students aren’t allowed to access music sites or chatrooms on the school computers. I think it makes sense from a security point of view.

And anyway they can do all that on their mobile phones.

I: What about phones? Are those banned?

R1: No, not at all. Students are allowed to bring their mobile phones to class. It can be really good because then we don’t have to rely on the school WiFi, which isn’t always very efficient!

And they’re great for making recordings, taking photos, preparing presentations and so on. Of course students must be taught to be responsible – we don’t share phone numbers in case of cyber-bullying and we have to monitor their use very closely. They mustn’t misuse the internet whether it’s on their phones or on a computer. We’re very strict with offenders. They have to learn about good and bad internet use and I think that’s something we really must help them with, it’s such an important skill for their futures. We talk about it a lot in class too… responsibilities and duties and safety, above all safety. They really need to know about the dangers of the internet. I think that’s a really important part of my job.

9.3 Students are allowed to bring their phones to school, but they aren’t allowed to bring them to class.

9.4 1 We aren’t allowed to park anywhere in the city centre.

2 Kids are allowed to play football on the street.

3 Cars are allowed in the centre of town.

4 People are allowed to play loud music.

5 People aren’t usually allowed to drink in the street.

6 Dogs aren’t allowed in the parks.

9.5 P = Presenter F = Fiona P: Today we have a story of a modern day Quixote fighting against the windmills of the new Spanish smoking law. Fiona Allen reports from Marbella, where bars, restaurants and cafés are coming to terms with the new smoking ban while others are breaking the law! Fiona…

F: I’m here in Marbella, on a street lined with bars and restaurants, all showing the obligatory no-smoking signs. Under the old law, smaller establishments could choose whether to be smoking or non-smoking while larger establishments had to designate a special, sealed-off area for smokers. This could not be more than one-third of the total area available to the public.

A lot of smaller establishments went for the smoking option.

They lost some customers, families with small children for example, but their smoking clients were more than happy. They didn’t have to stand outside to enjoy a cigarette, they could continue to smoke as they ate or drank. But then the law changed.

P: And what did that change mean?

F: Well, all public bars and restaurants, along with all public buildings, children’s parks and entrances to schools and hospitals became no smoking areas. Restaurants and bars were no longer allowed to choose. It was a blanket ban and it came accompanied by heavy fines and the risk of closure. Most people accepted the change. Some grumbled and complained, but on the whole it was seen as being inevitable. But one bar and restaurant owner here in Marbella simply refused to accept the new law. He refused to accept that he wasn’t allowed to choose what to do in his own establishment and he decided to make a stand against the new law.

P: So what did he do?

F: He posted signs in his bar and restaurant stating that smoking was allowed. He claimed that banning smoking would ruin his business. He let his customers continue to smoke over their food and didn’t make them stand out in the street. His regular customers were happy, but the neighbouring bars and restaurants weren’t. They reported him to the authorities and he was threatened with a fine of 145,000 euros and immediate closure of his business. The rebel bar and restaurant-owner stuck to his guns – when the authorities came to inform him of the closure, he invited a group of friends to join him in a protest at his bar and restaurant, where they spent the whole night smoking cigarettes and cigars. There was a party atmosphere, but the party soon came to an end. After long talks with his lawyer and the local authorities, and almost a week of forced closure, the bar and restaurant owner finally agreed to take down all the smoking signs and posters attacking the antismoking law and replace them with the regulation no-smoking signs.

P: And did he?

F: Yes, he did and now his bar and restaurant is just like all the others, and all his customers have to step out onto the street if they want to smoke. Will this ruin his business? Only time will tell!

9.6 With the rest of Europe enforcing anti-smoking laws, you won’t believe it but Holland are changing their tobacco laws. Yes, it’s true. Authorities are to amend the law to allow people to smoke in small owner-operated bars, which the Dutch call pubs. These bars are less than 70 square metres in size and have no other staff. The law that has been changed was driving these small Dutch pubs out of business. The new coalition government has also cancelled 280 fines against smokers and bar-owners.

The relaxation of the smoking ban will cover more than 2,000 bars, many of which had been openly challenging the law. The decision has been popular as many Dutch people thought the original law did not fit the country’s liberal reputation.

‘The new law will allow consumer choice. A sign will inform customers whether or not they are allowed to smoke on the premises,’ a government spokesperson said. Clean Air Netherlands, a public health lobbying group backed by the Dutch medical associations, has launched a campaign to bring back the ban.

9.7 1 A: Oh no! I’m so sorry, that was so clumsy of me! Would you mind helping me pick them all up again? Thanks!

B: No, of course not, no worries, here you are… oh yes, and these too… mm, I think you’re going to need a new bag…

A: Thank you… yes, I will, this one’s broken… sorry.

B: There you are… new bag… everything back in its place.

A: Thanks a lot! You were a great help.

B: Don’t mention it.

2 A: Hi, do you want a hand? Can I take the pushchair for you?

These steps are so difficult!

B: Thank you! I can usually manage stairs but these are really steep – and there are so many of them.

A: I can remember what it was like when mine were that age!

B: Well, thank you for offering to help – not many people do you know.

A: It’s a pleasure. There you are! Bye, have a nice day.

B: Thank you, you too.

3 A: Sorry, do you think you could help? It’s just so difficult with the pushchair.

B: Sure thing, no problem. Look, let me take the pushchair, it’s easier that way.

A: Are you sure? We can take it up together…

B: No, no, you’ve got plenty to look after! There you are.

A: Thank you so much! That was a great help, I don’t know how I’d have done it on my own.

B: No problem! A pleasure… bye.

A: Thanks again, bye…

want to know. Another thing… your luggage also has to be a certain size. If it’s too large, again you have to pay, it’s crazy.

Are you really going to measure your case before you go to the airport? It’s just a way for the airlines to make more money... It would be OK if the fares were always cheap but they aren’t. And then there all the rules about carrying liquids on board, you can’t even take a bottle of water, they force you to buy their expensive water... I mean flying is getting ridiculous!

4 A: Oh no! the bag broke…

B: Here, let me help you…

A: Thank you! They’re all over the place!

B: Here are a few more… oh yes, and there’s one over here.

A: I think we’ve got them all now... thank you! That was so embarrassing!

B: Nah, happens all the time! I blame the bag!

A: Thanks again, bye.

B: Bye.

3 One thing that really annoys me is the change in the speed limit.

The local government announced that the limit would drop from 120 to 100 km/h on the ring road around the city centre. It’s to stop the number of accidents and to help the environment. If we go slower, there’s less pollution it seems... well, anyway, I didn’t know about the change and during the first week I got a fine – it wasn’t my fault, I just didn’t see the signs. I mean, how was I to know? I was really annoyed about that.

9.10

5 A: Do you need any help with that? It looks heavy. Here, let me do it for you.

B: Oh thank you, if you don’t mind, that’d be wonderful.

A: No problem at all, There you are. Safe and sound.

B: Thank you, you’re very kind.

1 What really made me angry about this is that the trains...

2 I just don’t see why they had to change it.

3 … the thing was I had no idea about that change so, yes, I had to pay there and then.

4 What are you supposed do if you don’t have a printer?

5 … it wasn’t my fault, I just didn’t see the signs...

6 I mean how was I to know? I was really annoyed about that.

R14

6 A: Excuse me, I was wondering if you could help me with this, please? I don’t seem to be able to get it up on the rack.

B: Yes, of course. Here, let me do it.

A: Thank you so much!

B: You’re welcome. There you are.

9.8 I was wondering if you could help me with this, please?

9.9 1 Every day I take my bike on the train. Well, anyway, this morning everything was as normal when an inspector stopped me as I was getting on. He said that a new regulation had come in and that between 7 and 10 in the morning and 6 and 8 in the evening, I couldn’t get on the train with the bike. What really makes me angry about this is that the trains are not that crowded when I get on just after 7. I just don’t see why they had to change it.

What am I going to do now?

2 Budget airlines are really getting cheeky. Now you have to print your boarding pass before you get on the plane otherwise they charge you... it happened to me; the thing was I had no idea about that change so, yes, I had to pay there and then. What are you supposed to do if you don’t have a printer, that’s what I

1 A: Would you like to try these ones? Which ones would you like to try on?

B: I’m not sure, I think those would suit me better…

A: Well, it depends if you want a baggy or a tight fit.

B: I like these.

A: Which ones?

B: The baggy ones.

A: Oh, but they’re not in the sale, I’m afraid. Anyway, what size are you? I’ll check for you…

2 A: Do you like it black or white?

B: Black, no sugar, please.

A: And you?

C: I’ve already had one, thanks.

B: You can have another one, you know…

C: Oh, OK. Same for me… black, no sugar…

R15 1 I’m looking for a present for my nephew, he likes model trains, that kind of thing.

2 I want to go on a holiday somewhere I can relax and have a good time, stuff like that.

3 Before I start the job, I need to know something more about my schedule and other conditions.

R16 1 A: It’s Dr Baron here. Could you give him a message, please?

B: Sure.

A: Tell him that I have to change tomorrow’s appointment and ask him to ring me, please.

B: To fix a new time?

A: That’s right, thanks. Tell him I’m very sorry.

2 C: Oh, OK, tell him to call this number – 0489 230388, please.

B: Can I take a name, please?

C: No, it’s OK. Just say it’s urgent; please tell him to call as soon as he gets back.

B: OK, thanks.

C: Thank you, bye.

B: There were two calls, Robert. Dr Baron called and said that he had to change the appointment. Can you call him to fix a new time? He said he was very sorry. Then somebody else called and asked you to phone this number: 0489 230388. They said it was urgent. Can you phone as soon as possible? No, they didn’t give a name.

R17 1 I find it really easy to book travel online, and it’s usually cheaper. I also like doing other shopping, on eBay for example…

I do that on my laptop at home.

2 I like to check out the sport… you know all the results, and I usually do that on my smartphone. With that device, you can do that anywhere, on the bus, for example.

3 I don’t have a computer at home. I do all my work on the desktop in the office, you know formal correspondence – emailing.

R18 A: I was very bad at first but somehow I managed to pass the test and now I can cope fine. It’s all practice.

B: I know what you mean. I couldn’t park at first, it was awful!

C: I was terrible at this subject at school, I didn’t succeed in passing a single exam. I was convinced I couldn’t do it but now I love it.

D: It’s strange, isn’t it? You even write your own songs now.

R19 1. I was wondering if you could give me a hand with this bag?

2. Do you think you could give me a hand with this bag?

3. Would you mind giving me a hand with this bag?

R20 When I first started studying English it was in a classroom very much like the one in the photo. At the time we thought this was cutting edge, state of the art technology – our teacher always told us how lucky we were! We used to do a lot of work in this mini language lab. The teacher would ask us to listen to dialogues on a tape that she played on her cassette player. The individual headphones were great. We could record our voices too and then listen to them. We were allowed to listen to them as many times as we wanted. Hearing my own voice really helped my pronunciation. I thought the lab was really cool! But the rest of the time we had to do grammar exercises and vocabulary tests and we didn’t get much chance to speak.

The course I’m doing now is so totally different! As is the classroom. We have a projector and wifi access. We can watch videos and other clips on YouTube. I think that really helps, though I actually prefer to do it at home when I can decide what to watch. But they’re great for starting a conversation and we get a lot of opportunity to talk and learn through talking. I still love recording my voice though and playing it back and listening to it. The only difference is that now I don’t have to be in a classroom to do it – I do it on my mobile phone – so I can do it when I want, where I want. That’s the one thing I love most about new technology – it’s all so portable!

10.1 Of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion, 5.8 billion people, or ninety per cent, don’t have regular electricity, clean water or shelter – a simple roof over their heads. The exhibition Design for the other 90% explores low-cost, innovative solutions to support this majority. Here are three unique ways that we hope will enable people to live their lives more happily: Firstly, the FLAP (Flexible Light and Power) Bag is a portable solar bag designed for those people who have no electricity. It includes a solar panel, a reading light and a mini-USB port for recharging the batteries on small devices. Portable Light bags are created by local workers in Mexico’s Sierra Madre. The bags are made from a material that absorbs the heat from the sun during the day, and gives light at night. A light, personalised bag, they can be carried to provide temporary or permanent access to light and power depending on the situation and are of great benefit to local industries. It has become an essential tool for leading a happier, more prosperous life in communities without a reliable power supply.

Then, we have the LifeStraw® – this has become an absolutely essential object in parts of the developing world. It’s a personal mobile water tool that is designed to turn any water into drinking water. The straws are effective against diseases such as cholera and typhoid, and remove particles as small as fifteen microns, enabling people to drink from puddles in the road! The

LifeStraw® will be highly beneficial to rural communities, allowing people to access drinking water without having to walk miles to find it.

Finally, this bike cell charger works using an innovative dynamo to convert your cycling into power. The phone is held to the bars of the bike with a big rubber band. The charger will first be available in Kenya at an affordable price and will go on sale worldwide by the end of this year. If you pedal at 6 mph for just ten minutes, you’ll get almost half an hour of talk time or thirtyseven hours of standby. The minimum speed required to charge a phone is 4 mph, or walking speed, so even a short trip should be enough to keep your cell phone going for a whole day. This affordable invention will prove a great help to communities without a reliable electricity supply and where people exploit cell phones for far more than just chatting.

10.2 1 My bike was stolen.

2 The thief has been arrested.

3 Thousands of bikes are stolen from the city centre every year.

4 A bike registration scheme is being introduced.

5 Each bike will be given an electronic registration number.

6 That way the stolen bike can be tracked and found.

10.3 N = Natalie B = Bogdan N: How’s the running going, Bogdan? Still out every morning before breakfast?

B: Yes, absolutely. But things have changed recently.

N: What? You’re training for a marathon or something?

B: No, no... not that. I’ve started running in a different way.

N: In a different way? I thought there was only one way of running.

B: You won’t believe this but I’ve taken up barefoot running… it’s the latest thing!

N: Barefoot running? Are you mad? That must be so bad for your feet!

B: No, listen, before you start, just let me tell you how I heard about it. I read this book called Born to Run. It’s by this guy called Chris McDougall and his whole argument is that it is healthier to run barefoot.

N: Because?

B: Well, he first read about this runner, that won a hundred-mile race through the mountains wearing only a pair of sandals, at the age of fifty-five! And McDougall thought, ‘How can he run like that without getting an injury?’

N: Well, he must have been pretty unusual, that’s for sure!

B: Apparently he was a member of this tribe, the Tarahumara, who all run like that – barefoot or with sandals. It’s a way of life for them. They do it in a very natural way.

N: And, so?

B: Well, that was his inspiration, and the book talks about a whole new way of thinking about running. For example, there are

people who say that conventional running shoes give you more support and protect your feet from the impact when you’re running on hard ground. But when you read Born to Run, you realise it’s the opposite. In fact, sport shoes cause injuries. They put pressure on your feet and…

N: I’m not sure I believe that. It seems more comfortable to me to run in trainers, there’s no comparison. Going running barefoot? I can’t imagine the pain!

B: No, it’s not like that. Well, at first, it’s not easy but you get used to it after a while.

N: I’m not sure I could, you know.

B: Well, if you don’t like that idea, you can try out these sports shoes which make you feel like you’re barefoot. They’re called Five Fingers and they’re incredible. They have thin, flexible soles which are really comfortable and they look amazing, like having gloves on your feet.

N: Now I’ve heard everything – hi-tech shoes that make you feel like you’re running barefoot. That just doesn’t make sense.

B: There are lots of runners who have got rid of their shoes, and they’ve got rid of their stress and injuries, as well. They’ve changed their habits and they’re having a lot more fun running.

N: What’s that got to do with stress?

B: Well, the book says that the way we run is all wrong. First, there are races which require special preparation and equipment and there are companies that make a lot of money from running products. It’s big business. Then, there are people who run marathons and are obsessed with beating their time and keeping up with others and then, when they don’t reach their goal, they just burn out or give up. There are people who say you have to suffer, that running has to hurt. I think that’s all wrong. For the Tarahumara, running isn’t work, it’s an art and I believe that, too.

N: Well, good for you, but I think your barefoot running’s crazy, honestly I do.

10.4 1. Only use shoes which I recommend.

2. I don’t understand people who run marathons.

3. It was the Tarahumara people who influenced Chris.

4. There are many things you can do barefoot.

5. It’s the Five Fingers shoes which resemble feet.

6. Runners who I know don’t like being barefoot.

10.5 Jenny I’ve done things by the book all my life... I’m a good girl... but something you don’t know about me is that three weeks into my second year I dropped out of college. One weekend I took the bus home to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, spent a night at home to think about my future and then went back to Pennsylvania in my dad’s car. I packed up my dorm room and I left all by myself.

The one moment I’ll never forget was when I was leaving the campus for the final time, after I had packed all my stuff. I sat in the car and it was like this weight had been lifted off my

shoulders and I felt free. And that was my epiphany moment. I guess at that moment I finally felt like an adult, I was independent and I didn’t have to do what others told me... It was a really tough decision to make because my parents fought me over this, they were really unhappy with what I did... I know I really disappointed them. But, looking back I know it was the right decision. Everyone goes to college because that’s what you meant to do... But, I’ve realised that you can create your own path, not follow the one everyone else follows.

Marcos My parents always wanted me to be a vet, like my father, so I studied veterinary medicine and started working with my dad. Of course I love animals, but I’ve also seen so many suffer, I suppose that’s one of the reasons why I didn’t want to continue.

I wasn’t very good with dealing with the owners when their animal had to be killed. One day, I’d had a particularly bad experience and I decided to stop work for a few days. I went home and thought about my future. That break got me some perspective on things, I realised that being a vet wasn’t really for me. But what I could do instead? I thought of the hobbies I’d had as a child, and I saw the light... I’d always loved taking pictures. So, I decided to do a photography postgraduate course and set myself up as a professional photographer. It’s not always easy to find interesting work, but I’m doing something that I genuinely want to do, photography has become my new career path. My father wasn’t very happy at first, but now he sees it was the right decision.

10.6

A: I’d like two copies of this key, please.

B: I’m sorry, we don’t make copies of security keys.

A: Oh no, do you know of anywhere that does?

B: Mm…. maybe the jeweller’s on the first floor does… you could try there.

A: OK, thanks. I’ll give that a go.

3 A: Hi, I’ve having problems with the gears, they seem to be stuck.

B: Let’s have a look. Mm… yeah… I think we may need to replace the chain here… See. A: Oh dear… how long will it take?

B: Let me see… if we can get the parts delivered this afternoon… yes, that’s no problem. We can get it fixed for you by tomorrow morning. Is that OK? A: Yeah, that’ll be fine. Thanks!

4 A: Is there anywhere near here where I can get my bike fixed?

B: Erm… I’m not sure… let’s see… oh yes, there’s a new bike shop in West Street, opposite the station. I think they do repairs.

5 A: Do you know where I can get a key cut?

B: Yes, there’s a place next to the supermarket over there. See? At the end of the street?

A: Thanks!

1 Suddenly, I saw the light.

2 I had a flash of inspiration.

3 I was at a crossroads and didn’t know which way to go.

4 I had to choose a new direction.

10.7

6 A: Oh no! The heel’s come off my shoe! I really need to get that fixed!

B: There’s a heel bar on the ground floor – you can get it fixed there.

A: That’s great. Thanks!

10.9

1 Suddenly everything clicked, I realised what I wanted to do...

2 Then, at that moment, it dawned on me that that was the right decision.

3Then I realized, I was at the crossroads, I had to make a choice.

10.8

That’s great. Thanks!

OK, thanks. I’ll give that a go.

Yeah, that’ll be fine, thanks!

10.10

1 A: Hi, can you fix this for me, please?

B: Let’s see. Yeah, that should be no problem.

A: How long will it take?

B: Can you come back in half an hour?

A: But I haven’t got anything on my feet!

B: Ah well, take a seat then, I’ll do it as quickly as I can – mind you, the glue has to dry!

A: Thanks. I’ll just read this magazine, if that’s OK. 2

Well, now you know a little bit about the LifeStraw® and why it’s so incredible, we’re going to see how it works. As you might remember, a LifeStraw® is a tube of durable plastic about twenty-five centimetres long. It has string attached to it, so you can wear it around your neck. To use it, a person simply sticks the LifeStraw® directly into the water and drinks as they would from any normal straw. But what happens when you take that drink? Well, there are four stages as you can see from the diagram.

First, the water passes through a filter and the big pieces of dirt and sediment are removed. The holes in the filter are about 100

microns in diameter. Next, the water passes through another filter, this time the holes are much smaller, only 15 microns in diameter. That’s really small, each hole is just the tenth of the size of a human hair. This catches the bacteria that can spread diseases. In the next stage, the water is sent through a chamber of beads which are covered with iodine. Parasites and over 99% of bacteria and viruses are killed by the iodine. Finally, the water passes through a chamber of carbon filter. This improves the taste and smell of the water and should kill any remaining parasites. It’s the same basic technique as your water filter machine at home. The only difference here is that there are more stages.

11.1 1. Tonight, I’d prefer to eat out.

2. If I could take a holiday now, I’d go to Brazil.

3. It’d be nice if you said yes.

4. I’d never take that risk.

5. I wouldn’t like to say.

11.2 1 People criticise them a lot but I don’t mind my son playing video games. I actually think it can be very creative. If I understood what it was about, I’d be really interested in all of that stuff, science fiction and all that.

2 If I could understand the rules, maybe I’d like them, but it’s so weird for me, you know, this pretending to be someone else, losing yourself in these fantasy worlds. I’m sure it’s not healthy for the kids.

3 My kids love it, they’re on the X-box and the Wii the whole time.

Video games have a bad reputation, but I think you can learn a lot from them and the kids make friends as well through this. Of course if I didn’t have children, I wouldn’t understand a thing.

4 Some of these games are very violent, these video games.

That’s what I don’t like about them, and they’re so addictive. If I had the chance, I’d throw them away, I really would, but my kids would probably kill me.

11.3 I = Interviewer N = Nicola I: There is always something that you dislike about yourself – everybody gets frustrated sometimes with an aspect of themselves. Well, Nicola Toteva is here to reveal some research done on the subject. Nicola, you asked a number of different people what they disliked most about themselves. What kind of results did you get?

N: First of all, what surprised us was that being distracted or absent-minded was number one on the list, and this didn’t just apply to older people, it affected all age groups. This could be explained by the use of computers these days and mobile devices.

I: I guess connected with that is being indecisive, which is second on the list, right?

N: Yes, but I’m not sure there’s a connection. I’m not sure being indecisive is a new thing. I don’t think technology makes us more indecisive, nor does distraction. Everybody agonises over these things; it’s often the little decisions that are annoying, you know, what drink to have or which T-shirt to wear. People said that they found that kind of indecision really annoying.

I: I know what you mean. I love it when other people make decisions for me! So, what’s next? What’s in third place?

N: Well, according to our survey, being shy is third on the list. A lot of people wish they weren’t so shy, especially in social situations. Interestingly, a lot of people who complain about being shy say they find it easier to socialise online, you know, they say they can be more extrovert online, but they’re still shy face-to-face. I wonder if this particular result is because we did the survey in Northern Europe. People say that shyness is a characteristic of people here, that they need to socialise more, be more extrovert.

I: OK; so what’s the last one?

N: Well, this is slightly different because it’s a physical thing.

Some people are just clumsy, aren’t they? They spill things, they knock things over, you know, they’re not coordinated, especially when they’re feeling nervous.

I: I know exactly what you mean!

11.4 I wish I had three-day weekends.

I wish I had a nap at noon.

I wish I had more time to play.

I wish I had greener grass.

I wish I had whiter teeth.

I wish I had summer all year round.

I wish I had six-pack abs.

I wish I had a magic wand to make all my wishes come true.

11.5 Rashid How will I be using English in the future? Well, I hope to have a successful career in which English plays a part, sure. Maybe in some big global organisation where I have to give presentations or something like that. But I don’t see my relationship with English stopping there. I like the idea of meeting new people through work, people from other cultures, that’s very attractive for me – socialising and getting to know other cultures. I can see myself having trouble at first because I’m not a very confident speaker. I get very nervous sometimes, but I guess people will help me out. What else? Well, travelling for work really appeals to me, sure, and English can allow me to do that. I

can imagine myself in airports, talking in English, that kind of thing... chatting with new friends in bars and restaurants, having fun.

Louise How will I be using English in the future? Well, to start with, I’d like to live in an English-speaking country, to feel part of a community, to talk to the neighbours, you know... to get to know another way of life through the language, that would be important to me. Some things will be easy to achieve, I suppose, the day-to-day stuff, asking for directions, going shopping, but I’d like to think that I could talk about deeper stuff as well. I mean, it’d be great to have a conversation about politics some time. I just don’t know how achievable that is, really. It might never happen, but I can still imagine it! Well, anyway, English is essentially a very useful language. I can see it helping me out in lots of tricky situations in the world, because it’s the world’s common language.

11.6 1 A: Have you thought about just focusing on one thing at a time?

Turn off the computer, or disconnect your email or the internet so that you won’t feel a temptation and get distracted by other things.

B: That’s a good idea. Thanks a lot!

2 A: In your situation, I’d take regular breaks, do something really different just to clear your head and then go back to the work that you have to do.

B: That doesn’t normally work for me.

A: Then, you could always set yourself a schedule, that’s a good idea, say to yourself: ‘I’m going to get this done by this time.’

Give yourself a goal!

B: OK, I’ll try that.

A: Let me know!

3 A: If that were me, I’d go somewhere else or I’d wear headphones. That usually helps my concentration because it shuts out all the noise. If I had a mental block, that’s what I’d do, for sure. You ought to try it.

B: You know, I’d prefer not to... I don’t know why!

A: Well, then get out of the house, do something different.

B: Yes, that could work, thanks!

11.7 1 That’s a good idea.

2 That doesn’t normally work for me.

3 OK, I’ll try that.

4 You know, I’d prefer not to.

5 Yes, that could work, thanks.

11.8

1 Well, thank you everybody for coming. I’m very nervous but I’d just like to say thanks again. It’s great to be here. My name is Ralph Sharma, I’m an expert in this field so I think this talk will be really useful for you. Now, let’s get started, shall we?

2 A: Good morning, pleased to meet you, Jonathan, come in.

B: Hello there, nice to be here. Really nice office you got here.

A: Yes, it has wonderful views. Now, tell me why are you interested in this post?

B: Mm… I wouldn’t mind an office like this! Well, to answer your question, I’ve always wanted to work with people like you. I think I have the experience to do it as well.

3 A: Goodbye, then. It was nice to meet you. We’ll be in touch by email.

B: Yes, of course. Oh, I forgot – here, take my card. I’m trying to get rid of them... ha ha!

A: Oh, thank you. I gave you mine earlier, I believe.

B: Yes, that’s right.

A: Well, you should be hearing from us within a week.

B: Well, I hope to get your call, sure. Keep in touch, as they say!

11.9 1 Well, thank you, everybody, for coming. I’d like to thank Logic Systems for inviting me to speak to you all today. My name’s Ralph Sharma and today I’m going to speak about the field of industrial design. I’d like to start by explaining the outline of my talk.

2 A: Good morning, pleased to meet you, Jonathan, come in.

B: Pleased to meet you, too. Many thanks for giving me this opportunity.

A: Now, tell me why are you interested in this post?

B: Well, I feel I’m well-qualified for the post because of my previous work experience… as you can probably see from my CV. A: Yes, I was going to ask you about that. Are you experienced in organising a team?

3 A: Goodbye. It was nice to meet you. We’ll be in touch by email.

B: Yes, likewise. I look forward to hearing from you when it’s convenient.

A: That’s great, you should hear from us within a week.

B: Excellent, thanks very much. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

12.1

12.3 1 This morning. I forgot to buy milk yesterday. My flatmate had asked me to buy some milk on the way home from work but I forgot. So we had no milk for coffee at breakfast. He wasn’t too pleased!

2 Yesterday. My friend had asked me to lend him a book for our course. He even phoned me up to remind me to bring it with me – and I still forgot! I have such a bad memory! I felt really bad.

But I did remember to give it to him today!

3 Last week. I felt awful about it. I completely forgot that it was Mother’s Day. It wasn’t until the day after that I remembered.

I’m usually good at remembering things like that. And the worst thing was I usually phone my mum on Sundays, but last Sunday, what with one thing and another, I just didn’t remember to call. I sent her a late card, but it isn’t the same. I’ll definitely remember next year! I’ve set my phone to remind me!

12.2 1 Ana Yes, I think I do on the whole, I mean for day-to-day things, you know, dates and appointments and things like that. But for some reason I have a really bad memory for names! You know, I can remember where and when I met somebody really clearly, but I just can’t remember their name! It can be embarrassing sometimes. And when it comes to distant memories, you know, childhood memories and things like that, then they get really vague. It’s awful, I can hardly remember anything!

2 Pete Yes, I always forget where my keys are! It really annoys my wife. I try to put them back in the same place each time, but I just don’t remember! I spend hours looking for them every day! I forget other things too, like umbrellas, my sunglasses. But when it comes to numbers and dates and things like that it’s completely different. I don’t know why, I think it’s because I have a photographic memory. I found it really easy to memorise things at school. It really helped me in my exams!

3 Eli I usually ask someone else to remind me. It really seems to help, even if they don’t remember to remind me, it doesn’t seem to matter. The fact of telling them seems to be enough. I use my mobile for the same thing – to remind me of important meetings, that kind of thing – but of course, the problem is trying to remember to add the date to the phone! Sometimes I think I have a really bad short-term memory!

If he’d been there, he’d’ve done the same thing.

12.4 1 I love the smell of fresh coffee. It really takes me back. It reminds me of the time when I lived in a flat over a café. I always woke up to the smell of coffee. It used to fill the flat in the morning. The café had only just opened when I moved in and it was really popular. I only lived there for six months, and ever since I’ve always associated the smell of coffee with the clatter of cups and the chatter of voices.

2 I grew up in the Czech Republic. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the sea. I was nineteen. I had never seen the sea before. I had just started working for a family, looking after their three kids. They had planned a holiday in Spain and they took me with them. Seeing the sea for the first time was incredible! It was such an amazing sight. So big, so open. I just stood there and looked at the sea, trying to take it all in. And once I actually got in the water, they just couldn’t tear me away! I loved the waves, the sound they made on the sand. We could hear them from our hotel room. The kids slept so well, they were so tired. It made my job really easy as they were lulled to sleep by the waves.

3 I love this photo. We took it on holiday last year in Buenos Aires.

It brings back great memories of our trip. This was one of the highlights, we’d just been to visit the antique market in San Telmo – it’s great. It’s held once a week on Sunday, it’s a great place to just to soak up the atmosphere – anyway, we were just sitting down for a coffee, when this couple started dancing in the square in front of us. It was amazing, they were so good. I’ve seen the tango so many times in dance halls and theatres, but nothing beats seeing it live in the streets of downtown BA. Whenever I look at this photo, the scene just comes flooding back and I can hear the music playing in my mind.

12.5 1 I love the smell of fresh coffee. It really takes me back.

2 I had just started working for a family, looking after their three kids.

3 I just stood there and looked at the sea, trying to take it all in.

4 Once I actually got in the water, they just couldn’t tear me away!

5 I love this photo. It brings back great memories of our trip.

6 It’s a great place to just soak up the atmosphere.

12.6 1 I keep a vocabulary notebook. I write down all the new words we learn in class in it. I use an address book so I can write them

under the correct letter. I try and write an example sentence and a definition each time. I also translate them using my mobile phone. It’s great, like having my own personal dictionary! I take it with me everywhere, and when I have five minutes to spare, I take it out and try and learn four or five new words each time.

2 I collect new words on cards. I put the word on one side and a definition or translation on the other. I carry them around in my pocket. In my left pocket I keep the words I don’t know. As I learn them I move them to my right pocket. When I think I know them really well, I take them out and put some new ones in. I pick the words up from songs and video clips and short texts I read online.

3 I’m not very good at studying vocabulary. I take notes, but then I never look at them! But I do a lot of reading, as much as I can really – comics, books, articles – and I find that if you keep reading, the same words come up again and again. I know it’s a lazy way to learn! Sometimes I try and write short summaries of what I’ve read, and then I try to use the new words I’ve found.

Or sometimes I just practise them in my head, you know, kind of talking to myself in English. Mmm… does that sound a bit mad?

12.7 1 A: Oh no! I’m so sorry! That was so clumsy…

B: Don’t worry, I’ll get a cloth.

A: No, no, I’ll get one… oh no, on the carpet as well… I hope we can get it out.

B: Look, here you are, try with this…

A: I really am very sorry.

B: Stop apologising! It really doesn’t matter! Honestly!

2 A: Hi? Can I come in? I’m really sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have got angry like that. It was really out of order. Can I please come in? I just want to say sorry.

B: OK, come in… those flowers look like they need some water.

A: Here you are. I really am very sorry. There was no excuse.

B: It’s OK. Just don’t let it happen again! Here, give me those flowers.

A: Nice, aren’t they?

B: Yeah, not bad.

3 A: Oh no! What have you done! My clean sheets!

B: I’m sorry, Mum. A: Well sorry’s just not good enough. I’m going to have to wash them all again now!

B: I’m really sorry. I promise it won’t happen again!

A: Yeah… until the next time! Well, you can help me take them down and put them back in the washing machine!

B: Yes, Mum. A: And no TV for you this afternoon!

4 A: So, can I please have your assignments? Thank you.

B: I’m sorry, I forgot.

A: What do you mean you forgot? Did you forget to do it or did you forget to bring it, or did the dog eat it?

B: No, I just forgot to do it. Sorry.

A: Well, could you at least offer me a good excuse?

B: I don’t suppose there is one really. I’m sorry, I’ll do it for the next class.

A: Well, I suppose that’ll have to do! And you, Tom? 12.8 Sorry?

Sorry.

Sorry.

12.9 1 We are very sorry to announce that tonight’s performance has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. All tickets will be refunded at the ticket office.

2 All trains travelling south from Pudsey will be delayed due to a temporary problem with the signalling system. We apologise for any inconvenience.

3 We’re afraid we can’t answer the phone at the moment. Please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

R21 This invention is of great benefit to people who live a long way from each other. It enables people to communicate with each other cheaply and it’s a great help to people who live on their own.

R22 1 Suddenly I saw the light; I knew I had to change my job.

2 Then it just clicked, I realised I had to move away from this town and start afresh.

3 I was at the crossroads, I could go one way or the other… eventually I decided to stay with my husband.

4 Then I had a flash of inspiration; the way forward was to open my own business.

R23 1 A: Excuse me. I need to get my driving licence renewed.

B: Just complete that form over there, please. It will be sent to your address within ten days.

2 C: Can you get this suit cleaned by the end of the day?

D: Let’s see… what time is it now?

C: Ten o’clock.

D:OK, just about. We can get it done for seven tonight. Is that OK? C: Yes, that’s great, thanks…

R24 1 She's a big fan of Chelsea. She supports them even when they lose.

2 She's a real animal lover. She really cares for them.

3 He's a natural performer, he likes an audience and he was born to entertain.

4 She's a bit of a loner. She likes to escape and get away from other people.

R25 A: That’s it! I’ve had enough. I can’t take this any more!

B: What’s up?

A: It’s my boss. She’s just sent me a text message. She wants me to go into work tomorrow morning.

B: Tomorrow morning? But it’s Sunday!!

A: Don’t remind me!

B: Well, if I were you, I’d just say no.

A: I can’t do that – I’ll lose my job!

B: You’d have to give her a good excuse of course. You could always tell her it’s your mother’s birthday or something…

A: No, that won’t work, she knows my mother!

B: Well, I really think you should say no… you can’t let her treat you like that. Have you thought about looking for a new job? It might be time, you know.

A: Well, yes, I have actually – but I don’t want to leave this one until I do – and I need my boss to give me a good reference.

B: Well then, it looks like you’re gonna have to work tomorrow!

A: Yup… looks like it!

R26 1 Like most people, I have a good short-term memory.

2 I have a very vivid memory of my first few years, it’s all very detailed.

3 An early memory is going to the fair with my parents and riding on a merry-go-round.

4 I have a real photographic memory, the image stays in my mind.

5 I think it’s true that sometimes people have a selective memory.

R27 1. I’ve always wanted to fly a plane.

2. Yesterday, Carlos told me that he had just got married.

3. I had just got home when the telephone rang.

4. I had never been interested in English until recently.

5. I have been working full time for five years.

6. My favourite author’s latest book was published last week.

7. The football match is going to be shown live on TV tonight.

R28 1 A: I’m really sorry I forgot your birthday…

B: Don’t worry… I don’t celebrate it any more.

A: Yeah, but you know. It’s not like me… and I feel bad about it.

2 C: I really am sorry that I haven’t had time to do that work you asked me for… I’ve just…

D: Well, that’s not good enough. I need it by the end of the day.

You’ll need to stay on after work, OK? 3 E: I’m so sorry, I’ve lost your keys, I don’t know how it happened.

F: Oh no…

E: Have you got another set?

F: Well, I do actually… just don’t let it happen again, OK? This is the last spare set.

R29 Didac Well, I had an interview the other day and after that I realised that I had to prioritise different things in my English studies. I want to be a doctor and study in the UK. Anyway, the interview didn’t go very well. I was asked lots of different questions and sometimes I didn’t understand them the first time. So I think I would benefit from more listening practice. I wish I had done a bit of that before the interview, it was embarrassing to ask them to repeat. Also, the man who interviewed me spoke very formally. That wouldn’t have been a problem if I had been familiar with that kind of language, but I wasn’t. So, I think I would find learning more formal expressions very useful as well.

The good thing was that the interviewer understood me and the assessor who I spoke to at the end said I sounded very English.

Juliana The thing which I find really difficult still is sounding fluent. I still speak in short sentences. I have to think about what I’m going to say next. I really need to work on that. If I had more time, I could do a language exchange. That’s where I could get some more practice. I have been told that just chatting a little bit everyday should help. I think that would be worth doing. I don’t really need English for work. And I don’t want to sound like a native speaker who says everything perfectly. I just want to sound like myself, with the same confidence I have in my mother tongue. I wish teachers had told me that when I was studying. Next week, I’m seeing an Australian friend who is going to teach me all the slang and street language from Australia. That’ll be great!

WORKBOOK

3.1 A: I’m thinking of getting one of these mouse mats for Sophie.

She loves cats, so I want a cat design.

B: Oh, I love this one, with the teapot! So cute. The other cats are much less cute than this little cat.

A: I’m not sure... What about this one, with the black cat? This design is much more stylish than the other two. I think the black cat is by far the best.

B: Really? I’m not sure. OK. What about this third one, with the woman? This scene looks slightly more traditional than the others. The other designs aren’t as pretty as this one, either.

Although maybe it’s a bit old-fashioned?

A: Oh, I don’t know... Maybe you’re right, maybe the first one is the best, after all. It’s a lot funnier than the other pictures. It’ll make her laugh, and she loves tea, too!

3.2 The entrance to Temple Newsam House has a surprising history.

The Great Hall wasn’t just a place for saying hello or goodbye to friends. In the 16th and 17th centuries it was also used for parties and dancing! Take some time to admire the many works of art here, including the huge painting of a horse on the east wall. Many of the past owners of Temple Newsam House were very keen riders! When you’ve finished, follow the corridor in the opposite wall.

The corridor takes you into a very pretty library. Most visitors comment that it’s the most beautiful room in the house. We hope you’ll like it, too! The first thing you’ll notice is the absolutely stunning writing desk in the centre of the room. The famous Yorkshire furniture maker Thomas Chippendale made this in around 1771. This room wasn’t always used for work. In 1912, the owner preferred to use it for smoking and playing games!

The entrance to the Blue Room is tiny, but don’t hurry! On your left you’ll see a lovely statue of Narcissus, and up above you can see a unique ceiling. Lady Hertford wanted the ceiling to look like a tent! Do you think it does?

if you go to the children’s section, no, not the left... just to your right, you’ll find it there. It’s 4 dollars and 49 cents. Hello, sir.

And...

C: Do you have An Ordinary Life?

A: An Ordinary Life? I’m not sure. Do you know the name of the author?

C: It’s Karel Capek. He’s Czech.

A: I’m sorry, I really ought to read more Eastern European novels sometime... I’ll just check. No, unfortunately we don’t have it here. But we could order it for 12 dollars 50?

C: Well, do you have The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera?

A: You’re in luck! We’ve got one copy, for 9 dollars 98. Kathy, could you show this gentleman to the Foreign Literature section? Thanks!… Hello Madam. I’m Jin. How can I help?

D: Hello, I ordered the Encyclopaedia of Art a few days ago. Can I collect it? My name’s Maria Winter.

A: Here it is, under the desk. That’s 32 dollars, please. Can I help you with anything else?

D: Oh, er, do you have any travel guides to Kazakhstan?

A: To Kazakhstan? Not here, but we can get you one. Let me just scroll down the catalogue... yes, here’s one, the Guide to Kazakhstan, 13 dollars and 40 cents.

D: Oh good. How long will it take to arrive?

A: It should be about three to four days, no more than five. I’ll call you when it arrives.

4.1 A: Hi, Basia! I haven’t seen you for ages! What’s up?

B: Hi, Nina. You know me, I love travelling! I’ve just got back from the USA. Have you ever been to California?

A: No, although I’ve always wanted to go.

B: Oh, you really should! Karol, Marta and I flew there last month. Karol spent most of his time on golf courses, but I’ve never liked golf.

A: Me neither! So what did you do?

B: Lots of sightseeing! It was amazing. Marta hasn’t put the photos online yet, but I can show you on my mobile...

4.2

Lady Hertford decorated the Blue Room in around 1827. Look at the lovely Chinese wallpaper. It looks like a garden, doesn’t it?

Lady Hertford wanted the walls to look even more beautiful. She owned a copy of a famous art book called The Birds of America.

She cut out some of the pictures from the book, and she put them on the wallpaper! Look closely, and you can see American birds in the Chinese trees!

T1

1 A: They built these houses out of mud.

B: Mud? Didn’t they use any stones, or wood?

A: Good afternoon. I’m Jin. How can I help you?

B: Um, I’m looking for a picture book called The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

A: Oh, that’s a lovely book. I think it was one of the earliest ones that I read! Well, after The Little Bear, I’d read that earlier. So...

3 E: We went swimming with sharks when we were on holiday.

F: You did what? That’s really dangerous!

2 C: They spent nearly a year alone in the forest, but they survived.

D: Did they? That’s amazing!

4

G: We can’t visit the forest, because there’s been a fire.

H: A fire? When did that happen?

5 I: Yes, I know Mount Kilimanjaro – I’ve climbed it!

J: Have you? Really? Wow, I’m impressed!

6 K: So, as a treat, we went to Paris for the day.

L: You did what? And why didn’t you invite me?

4.3 P = presenter G = Amy Goodman P: Good afternoon. In part four of our series Women in Business, I’m speaking to Amy Goodman, founder of BeGood Adventures.

Amy, what inspired you to start your company?

G: Well, I’d like to say that I’d always been keen to run my own business, but the truth is, I only considered the idea a few years ago, when I was feeling very bored in a dull holiday resort. My closest friend Nessa agreed to help me, and BeGood Adventures grew from there.

P: How did you start?

G: Well, I’ve been working in the travel industry for a while, so I knew the right people to speak to for advice. My grandparents had left me some money, so I didn’t need to get a loan from the bank. Nessa and I have found the research side of things more challenging. We go on a lot of flights!

P: In what way are you an ethical company?

G: We help people who want to raise money for charity by doing something amazing. This doesn’t have to be volunteering, nor does it need to involve a very basic lifestyle. We’ve even booked five-star hotels before – although most people prefer a simpler option!

P: Could you give us an example?

G: Well, a fortnight ago I helped a law firm from Australia to do a sponsored bike ride across the African plains. They raised nearly €12,000 for a famine relief charity, and at the end they donated their bikes to a local school.

P: And you helped by... ?

G: Well, we gave them ideas for raising sponsorship, although we don’t collect the payments ourselves. We arranged flights, visas, accommodation, food and medical support. We even cycled with them for a short way at the end!

P: What’s the most dangerous trip you’ve ever organised?

G: BeGood Adventures has never knowingly organised an unsafe trip. We won’t visit areas at risk of floods, earthquakes or hurricanes, or organise long treks in the middle of a heat wave.

But some dangers are unexpected, of course. Some clients and I were very unwell once after we’d eaten some undercooked salmon at an airport. I haven’t touched fish since then!

5.1 A: Can I see your arrival card, please?

B: Certainly. Here it is.

A: Where are you travelling from?

B: Perth, originally, but I changed flights in Singapore.

A: Where are you staying in Hanoi?

B: At the Royal Hotel.

A: Are you planning to visit other parts of the country?

B: Yes, I’m going to see Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. A: How long are you intending to stay in Vietnam?

B: For two weeks.

A: So, you’re leaving on Saturday 11th, is that right?

B: Yes. My flight leaves at 10.40 a.m.

A: Here’s your arrival card, thank you. Have a good holiday!

5.2 A = Angela H = Mr Hendricks P = Paul S = Mrs Sogoni G = Gus 1 H: Angela, could I have a word?

A: Of course, Mr Hendricks.

H: You’re doing a great job, Angela. Donations for the sponsored bungee jump have now risen to more than $12,000, which is amazing. Well done!

A: Thank you. I’m going to contact more companies this afternoon. Climate change is such a big issue, I’m sure lots more people will want to sponsor our celebrities.

H: Thanks, Angela. This charity couldn’t do without you. Keep up the good work!

2 P: Oh no, this is rapidly turning into a disaster!

A: What’s the matter, Paul?

P: You know our celebrities? The ones doing the bungee jump for us? Well, it seems they’re arriving tomorrow!

A: I know. It’s on the calendar.

P: Is it? I thought they were arriving on Wednesday. I’m supposed to pick them up from the airport – but my car’s still at the garage!

A: Talk to Mr Hendricks. He’ll know what to do.

3 S: Yes? A: Good afternoon, Mrs Sogoni. This is Angela from the Jump for Change charity. Your company kindly agreed to sponsor us.

S: Yes, yes, we did. Celebrities bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, isn’t it?

A: Yes... unfortunately there’s a small problem. Your payment hasn’t arrived yet. Could I just check that it’s on its way?

S: I’ll get in touch with the accounts department. We’ll sort it out. Must go – good luck!

A: Thank you very much Mrs...

4 G: Angela, you look exhausted! Are you OK? A: Do I? Sorry, Gus. It’s this sponsored bungee jump my charity is organising. The work is just growing and growing...

G: Poor you! You know what I think you should do?

A: What?

G: Come round for dinner tonight. I’ll cook something nice and we can just relax, watch a movie or something. What do you say?

A: That sounds great, Gus. Are you sure you don’t mind?

6.1 A: So, let me get this right. Do you mean that you won’t be celebrating at all this year?

B: No, what I meant was that we’re just going to have a small celebration at home, just the two of us.

A: Are you saying that you don’t want to spend time with your family, is that it?

B: No, not at all! We’d love to see you the next day. What I’m trying to say is that we’d like to have a quiet day this year, keep things simple.

A: What exactly do you mean? Are you saying we’re too noisy now?

B: No! Please listen. This isn’t a criticism of you, it’s just...

6.2 Mmm, can you smell that bacon, ladies and gentleman?... It must be breakfast time! If you make your way to the food stalls on East Field, you’ll find delicious pancakes with all the bacon and syrup you could want. We also serve a tasty cheese version for any vegetarians! I’m delighted to tell you that we’ll be serving food here all day. Our barbecue grills are legendary, and our chillis are hot, hot, hot!

Important announcement: the parade starts at 10.30! If you want to follow the procession and join in the party, go to the main gate now. The first float will leave at exactly half past ten.

And don’t forget, tickets to the horse-riding rodeo are now on sale. Just $6 for adults and $4 for under-18s – what a bargain!

Now everyone, please give a big warm welcome to... Patsy Eastwood! She’s not just a fantastic singer – she’s a big rodeo fan! And she’s come all the way here just to open our parade.

Hey, maybe she’ll give us a song later, if we ask her very nicely.

What do you say, Patsy?

Have you lost a bag or wallet? Some kind person has handed in a bag and wallet here. Could they be yours? If so, please go to the Information Tent. I repeat, please go to the Information Tent.

Ladies and gentlemen, we hope you’re having a great day! Have you visited the First Nations Village yet? Go to the West Field near the river, to see traditional tipi tents, costumes and crafts.

It’s the perfect place to buy souvenirs, too! And don’t miss the fairground, with exciting rides for adults and children over the age of eight. Younger children might enjoy our Circus Fun Tent.

You can’t miss it – it’s the big red and white one!

T2

P = presenter P: On today’s Holiday programme we’re talking about volunteering opportunities with W.W.O.O.F., or ‘WWOOF’. Now, remind me: what does WWOOF mean?

A: Oh, I think it’s Wide World Opportunities... Er...

P: Isn’t it World Wide Organic Organisations and Farms?

B: Almost... it’s World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. But let’s just call it ‘WWOOF’!

P: Good idea... Now, Valerie, why did you book a holiday with WWOOF? B: Well, it was a lot less expensive than other volunteering options, even though it didn’t look quite as relaxing! And it’s good for the environment – although I only thought about that later!

P: Where did you go?

B: Well, an olive farm in Italy was my first choice, but it was fully booked. In the end I went to Portugal, and I had a great time, absolutely loved it. I’ve booked another holiday on a solarpowered farm in Poland for later this year.

P: What was the most difficult part of the experience?

B: Well, I thought I’d find the work hard, but actually, I loved looking after the farm animals. I slept in a tent with other volunteers, but I didn’t mind that. I missed not being able to go online, though!

P: Have you stayed in touch with anyone?

B: Well, not everyone... some you get on better with than others, that’s life. But working together... well, it encourages cooperation and really builds bridges between people. A couple of us have decided to meet up over the Christmas holidays.

P: Now, Thomas, you’re opening your farm to WWOOF volunteers in the UK this year. What will volunteers do on your farm?

A: Well, my wife and I used to farm sheep, but there isn’t much money in wool anymore. So instead of sheep, we have cows, and we make organic cheese. We need people to work in the fields, repairing walls and so on. Oh, and you can try some of the cheese, too!

P: And what about...

7.1 A: Hi Danielle, it’s only me... I thought you might fancy a break, so I’ve brought you a cup of coffee... Oh, err…

B: Sorry! The office is a bit of a mess at the moment. Here... I’ll just move this pile of papers off the chair and you can sit down.

Oops, watch out for that pair of scissors!

A: Danielle, this is terrible. Look, what’s that pile of clothes doing there? And just how many pairs of shoes do you have, anyway?

B: I know, I know, I’ll get round to sorting it out soon. It’s just been a really busy day.

A: Look, I’ll help you. That bunch of flowers needs to go in the bin right away. It’s nearly dead!

B: Absolutely.

A: Let’s clear these books off your desk...Huh. So that’s where the bar of chocolate got to.

B: I’m sorry, I was hungry.

A: Hungry? There’s a packet of biscuits here too! Hey, wait. Is that a packet of cigarettes?

B: Yes, Mum. Please don’t get angry. I can explain...

7.2 A: So, Ivana... what shall we get for Sanjit? He loves entertaining, so maybe something like a nice pot or dish for the table, that sort of thing?

B: OK, great idea. Then, uh, what about your mum, Rory?

A: Oh, that’s difficult. Maybe some sort of ornament? She seems to like those – especially ones with an animal theme.

B: That sounds good. My mum should be easy. She prefers stuff like theatre tickets, opera tickets... something cultural.

A: OK, good, we can buy those online. We haven’t got anything for your gran yet, either.

B: Hmm. I think I’d like to get something a bit more personal, like maybe something with her name on it?

A: OK... but nothing too complicated! We haven’t got a lot of time left. You know, I think we really should get something for Mr Kane too. To thank him for looking after the garden while we were away.

B: Hmm, yeah. Well, we can’t buy him a plant or anything like that – it would seem a bit cheeky! Some chocolates, maybe, or a fruit cake... that kind of thing. What about some really nice biscuits?

A: I’m not sure. Can’t we get something a bit more original?

Maybe a …

7.3 D = Dulcie 1 A: Excuse me... How much is this one?

D: That silver one? It’s £20, because it’s brand new. A real bargain!

A: Oh, uh, I’m just looking for something for the garage, really...

D: Well, what about this white one? That’s almost new, too. I’d be happy with just £8 for that.

A: Hmm, it might be a bit too big. There isn’t much room in the garage, you see. What about this older one? Does it work?

D: That? Oh yes, it’s just old, that’s all. Only £5 though.

A: I’ll take it – there you go. But I’ll think about the first one – the modern one. It could be just what we need for the kitchen. I might see you later!

2 B: Oh, isn’t this sweet! My Tanya has one just like this, with the long straight hair and the pretty long dress. I think she lost the doll’s shoes, too! She used to take it everywhere with her.

D: I’ve got some here with shoes, too, if you want the full outfit...

What about this one?

B: Well, my niece has curly hair, so she might like that... Hmm, no, I’ll get this one, with the big eyes. Shame that the hair’s straight, but I think that big eyes are more the thing now, aren’t they?

3 D: Are you looking for a toy car? This one’s got four doors that open, a roof. Just £4.50.

C: My son prefers the sportier ones. What about this one, without the roof?

D: Which one, sorry? There’s one with two doors for £2.30. And then there’s this one, with four doors, and those dark windows.

You can open and close them... see?

C: Oh yes! He’ll like that.

D: £3.60, please. It’s a bit cheaper because I’ve lost the box, I’m afraid.

C: Oh, how about £3 then?

D: Alright then, go on...

8.1 A: Good morning. Could I speak to Melina Katrantzou in accounts?

B: Who’s speaking, please?

A: It’s Gustavo Calderón here.

B: Oh, hello Mr Calderón, this is Nina. Hold the line, please… Mr Calderón? I’m sorry, but Melina isn’t in the office at the moment.

Do you want me to take a message?

A: Yes, could you ask her to call me, please? It’s quite urgent. I have a meeting at 11.30, but I’ll be free after that.

B: OK, Mr Calderón, I’ll give Melina the message.

A: Thank you, Nina. Goodbye!

8.2 Good morning, everyone. This is Campus Radio News.

First, a safety announcement. Due to last week’s floods, the basement floors are still closed. This affects the bike room and the basement common room ONLY. All other floors are open. In a statement earlier today, the university principal told students NOT to miss any lectures. So don’t use the floods as an excuse!

The safety officer, Lev Blok, said that students could leave their bikes behind the sports hall while the basement was wet.

However, he asked us not to leave them in front of the sports hall, as there isn’t enough room.

Now, some good news. You might have heard reports that Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile and now head of UN Women, is visiting us next week. These stories are true! The university has asked her to give a lecture on politics on Tuesday at 2 o’clock, just after the 1 o’clock lunch break. As this is expected to be a popular lecture, we’ll be uploading some short clips onto the website. Copies of her authorised biography will also be on sale.

Finally, some breaking news. We’ve just heard that the Summer Celebration has been approved! The last exam is on June 5th, and the party will take place on the following Saturday. That’s June the 8th, NOT June the 9th as we previously reported! Like last year, there’ll be some great bands, a dance tent and

fireworks. However, this year, students aren’t allowed to bring their own food, for environmental reasons. Apparently last year a lot of students left their trash on the grass, and it took nearly a week to clear it up. Our festival organiser, Yasmina Azura, told us that the food tent last year served cheap and delicious meals and snacks, so we’re sure this won’t be a problem. See you there!

9.1 1 A: Do you need any help with that?

B: Thank you!

2 C: Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me with this, please?

D: Yes, of course. Here, let me do it.

3 E: Here, let me help you.

F: Thank you for offering to help. Not many people do!

4 G: Would you mind helping me for a moment?

H: No, of course not, no worries.

5 I: Sorry for asking you this, but... do you think that you could help?

J: Sure thing, no problem.

6 K: Excuse me, sir... Do you want a hand? Can I help?

L: Oh, thank you, if you don’t mind, that’d be wonderful.

9.2 1 A: This is a no smoking building, although you can smoke on the balcony. No cats or dogs are allowed, but the landlord doesn’t mind fish. As long as you keep the flat clean! You’re welcome to have guests, but they mustn’t stay for more than two nights a week, or I’m afraid we’ll have to charge you extra rent. Now, let me show you...

2 B: Ah! The site won’t let me log in.

C: Are you using the right password?

B: Definitely. I had to change it last week, so I remember.

Anyway, I’ve tried the new one and the old one. And I use the same username on all sites, so that can’t be it. Or maybe it’s my subscription? I don’t remember paying it for a while. Now, where did I put my online banking password...

3

D: Excuse me madam... Could you take off your jacket, please?

Your jewellery should be fine, but you’ll need to remove your belt, please. And lastly your shoes... I’m sorry madam, but yes this is necessary. I don’t make the rules, I only enforce them.

4 E: How are you, Chloe? You look stressed.

F: Do I? It’s my new boss. Unlike my old boss, Alan, she won’t let us take coffee breaks. I thought Alan was bad, because he made it obligatory to work some weekends. Yolanda doesn’t insist on that, but she’s made life hard in a different way. At least she hasn’t restricted the use of headphones, not yet anyway. I need to listen to music to keep me going!

5 G: The Liberal Party wants to pass a new law banning violent video games. This seems unnecessary. We already have enough laws regulating gaming, and the police do a great job of enforcing them. My point is that we need to amend the old law by raising the age limit for these games from 16 to 18.

T3 1 I’d always wanted to go to Italy, and Florence was my top city choice. It’s a beautiful place! The only slight disappointment came at meal-times – being Thai, I prefer hot, spicy dishes. But the others told me they loved the food, so that probably says more about me, really! We had a budget of £250 each, which was plenty. Many of the galleries are cheap or free. There was so much to do – three days wasn’t enough time!

2 I usually like to spend August on the beach, and I missed swimming in the sea... but not too much! We’re all good friends, so even the flight was fun – the holiday began before we arrived! I ate so much food on this trip. I’ve never had better meals! A long weekend was ideal – you need three days to see the statue of David by Michelangelo, the art painted by da Vinci... all the galleries and churches.

3 I saw the city as a kid, but it didn’t impress me then. Back then, mum said that I preferred beach holidays! Not now. We had a small budget of £250 each, so we booked very cheap flights to Italy. The plane journey was hot and crowded, so I was very glad to get there! Visiting the galleries was the highlight. I spent nearly all my time there, and I bought lots of pictures for my flat back home.

4 We were there for three days, which was perfect. You need to go for a long weekend to make the most of the sightseeing. We had a budget of £250 each, but that was a bit silly really – I didn’t have enough money for souvenirs. My sister told me to

see various galleries, but I must admit I preferred peoplewatching in the cafés. As it was August, the main attractions were extremely busy.

10.1 1 This Austrian doctor was one of the first scientists to try to make sense of the human subconscious. He made money by analysing his patients’ dreams. Who was he?

2 This famous scientist did research on radioactivity. She made important discoveries and did a lot of good for people suffering from diseases like cancer. She made well-received speeches at two Nobel Prize awards ceremonies. Who was she?

3 This American physicist was called ‘the father of the atomic bomb’. He first did experiments in a military laboratory, and then did a test of his invention in New Mexico. Later, many believed he had made a terrible mistake. When bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan they did terrible damage, and a quarter of a million people died. Who was the physicist?

Ready for the answers? The answer to Question One is Sigmund Freud. Question Two: Marie Curie. Question Three: J. Robert Oppenheimer. How many did you get right?

10.2 1 A: Good morning. Uh, I need to get this jacket cleaned. I’m afraid I spilt tomato sauce on it!

B: Certainly, no problem!

A: Er, how long will it take to do the jacket? Do you think you could get it cleaned by lunchtime?

B: Sure. We could do it for 1 o’clock.

2 C: I asked you to pass me the flour, Marie, not the sugar!

D: Oops, sorry.

C: Honestly, I worry about your eyesight. I think you need to get it tested again.

D: Huh, thanks!

C: I’m serious! You’ve had those glasses for years. You might need to get some new ones made.

3 E: Hi Rosa. Uh, what’s that noise? I think you should get that checked.

F: Yes, the scooter hasn’t been running well all week... Is there anywhere near here where I can get it fixed?

E: Yes, there’s a garage a few minutes away. I think they do scooter repairs.

4 G: Hey, not in the house! Those dogs are filthy! You’ll have to go back and get them washed.

H: What?

G: Well, you shouldn’t have let them get so muddy! Go back to the park. There’s a woman who runs a dog grooming service near the East Road entrance.

H: OK. I’ll go back there now.

10.3 As I’m sure most of you know, football is the most popular sport in the world. Or that’s ‘soccer’, for any American students! It’s more popular than surfing, tennis or basketball and more people watch the World Cup than any other sporting event in the world.

Official figures show that more than 260 million people watched the last World Cup on TV, and some statistics say that the total number of viewers could be as high as 400 million!

Unsurprisingly, football clothing is a huge industry. But what are our football shirts made of, and where are they made? It might surprise you to learn that some of the football shirts that were worn by top players at the World Cup were made out of plastic bottles. Yes, you heard that correctly. Teams including Brazil, Portugal and the USA wore shirts which started life as plastic bottles. Each shirt was made from at least eight bottles, from at least two countries – Japan and Taiwan in particular.

The recycled plastic is used to make a special material that’s thin and strong, not thick and heavy. The thinner material helps players to stay cool, and its manufacture uses less energy than normal polyester material. In fact, making this material uses 30% less energy. Amazingly, more than 86 million plastic bottles have already been used to make shirts, so that’s two major reasons why this idea is so good for the planet!

What’s more, this idea isn’t new. Although 2006 was the first time we saw recycled bottle shirts in a World Cup, ‘bottle’ clothes have been being made in California since 1993. There, a company called Patagonia makes surfing clothes, hiking clothes, all sorts – these innovative clothes are very affordable, too.

Just search online, or I’ll give you some company addresses after the lecture if you prefer. Come and find me in the café, near the library.

Now, let’s look more closely at the way these recycled fabrics are made. First of all, plastic bottles are collected from…

11.1 Eric was a very pleasant housemate who we all liked. He was really kind and patient – he would help anyone! And he was a very sensitive person. Um… Eric was also really reliable when it

came to paying the bills – he always paid in full and on time. He was extremely honest, too. The best thing about Eric was that he was so friendly – he was outgoing and sociable so we often went out for a drink together.

11.2 1 I’ve travelled to America a lot, so my English is good – my Spanish, too. I like to think of myself as someone who’d be a good manager, and I want to get ahead. Unfortunately I can only work four days a week, because I have children. But if I got the job, I’d work as hard as a full-time worker. I used to manage an internet café when I was a student, so I have lots of experience.

2 In general, I think the interview went quite well. I’m an extrovert and these kinds of situations don’t worry me. However, now I wonder if I was too relaxed. I told them that if I got the job, I’d try to run the internet café by myself within the year. Success is even more important to me than money. But maybe that’s something I should have kept to myself. I have a big mouth sometimes!

3 I was really nervous! I wish I wasn’t so shy. I’m happy with what I said, but I definitely should have said more, especially about my language skills. I forgot to say that I spoke French and Italian as well as English! I used to work in a factory, which shows that I have good concentration skills. I loved it, but the pay was terrible. I hope this role isn’t part-time or badly paid, as I’m saving up for a new car.

4 I don’t speak three languages, or anything impressive like that.

But I’m a native English speaker, born in the USA, and a real computer whiz. The interview was slightly scary, and sometimes I was unsure what to say. They asked what my biggest weakness was! Of course I didn’t tell the truth – that I have a short attention span sometimes! I’ve never worked in an internet café before, but I imagine it’s a busy place, so I’m sure that wouldn’t be a problem.

12.1 1 A: Hello. You’ve reached the answer phone of Jean Legrain. I’m afraid I can’t come to the phone right now, but please leave a message after the tone.

B: Hi, Jean? This is Gracie. If you’re there, please pick up... OK, I just want to say that I really am very sorry. Please forgive me. I was working late and I completely forgot. I hope you didn’t wait too long for me! How can I make it up to you? I...

A: Gracie, it’s Jean. It’s OK, I understand. Just don’t stand me up again...

2 C: Ladies and gentleman. We regret to announce that the 8.35 to London has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

3 D: Don’t do that, Luke! It’s disgusting. Use a glass.

E: Sorry, sorry... I promise it won’t happen again!

D: Yeah, until the next time! It’s so selfish. No one else can drink out of that now...

E: Look, I’ll get some more on my way back from work.

D: Well, I suppose that’ll have to do.

4 F: Stop that right now! I’m so sorry! There’s no excuse for that kind of behaviour.

G: Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out.

F: Georgia, apologise right now!

12.2 A: Tom? B: Yes? A: I’ve finished sorting out the attic.

B: Have you? Wow, that’s great, Alice. If I’d known you were doing that, I would have helped you! I was going to throw out all the home gym equipment this weekend.

A: No need, I did it while you were away. So Gabriel and Lola will be able to stay here when they come to visit, and they won’t have to sleep in the games room anymore. Listen, I found a few things up there. Do you remember this?

B: Remember? How could I forget! I think I gave you that flower on our first date.

A: Ah, you have forgotten! It was our next date, at the restaurant... I remember I dried it at home, and I had it framed for our first anniversary. I found this photo, too. Is that grandpa Jim? B: Possibly... unless it’s great-uncle Norman. He was my first teacher you know – very strict he was, too… No, I think you’re right. Norman would never have worn those awful shoes! Ah, look at that tree in the background. I have a vivid memory of that tree. But where from? It can’t be the farm, because the dates are wrong, and there weren’t any trees in grandpa’s garden, so… it must be in the park. That takes me back. You couldn’t tear me away from that place!

A: Who’s that, I wonder?

B: It’s probably Kelvin. I invited him round for coffee, don’t you remember? I left a note about it.

A: Oh, Tom! I wish you’d told me. It isn’t that I don’t want to see him, but the house is a mess! Thank goodness I bought a cake earlier or we wouldn’t have had anything in. Why didn’t you remind me? Please can you do that next time you arrange a visit – I don’t have time to read everything that’s written on that calendar... I’ll go and let him in…

T4 Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the chocolate factory! First let’s go to the Aztec room. Experts have recently discovered that chocolate was invented at least 3,100 years ago, in about 1,100 BC. As well as being used in drinks, cocoa beans were used as a kind of money. But they weren’t used in sweets!

In the garden room, you can see cocoa trees growing. Of course, these don’t usually grow in this country – it’s too cold!

Around 75% of the world’s cocoa beans are produced in West Africa, although the finest and most expensive cocoa beans are grown in Central and Southern America.

On your left is the manufacturing room, but this is closed to visitors. We roast the cocoa beans at high temperatures for between half an hour and two hours, no more. If you went in there, you’d get rather hot! Instead, please enjoy our tasting room. Apparently, one out of every seven 15- to 24-year-olds claim that life simply isn’t worth living without chocolate. Do you agree?

Now we’ve reached our fantastic international chocolate shop.

Here, you can find chocolate of all varieties, in all kinds of packaging, yellow, green... but not blue, because that’s an unlucky colour in China. Red, however, is very lucky!

We hope you enjoyed your trip. On your way out through the exhibition hall, do look at the many photos of our Fairtrade farmers. All our chocolate is grown by people earning a fair wage, under the shady trees of a rainforest, rather than in hot fields, which damage the environment. We’d like you to enjoy our chocolate guilt-free...