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Estate Agent: Yes, the main bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and there is also another one upstairs.

Client: What about downstairs? Does it have a TV room? Estate Agent: Well, it’s the usual arrangement: sitting room, separate dining room, large kitchen which could also be used as a family room – I suppose you could put the TV there. Oh, and the present owners have recently put in a pool, which is an extra feature that I’m sure your family will appreciate. Client: Well, it does sound just what we’re looking for. When can I see it?

Estate Agent: Let’s say ... [fade]

Tapescript for Exercise 49b (p. 19)

A:Morris and Green. Can I help you?

B:Good morning, yes. I saw an advert in the paper for a house you have to rent on Beech Lane. I was wondering if you could give me some more details about it.

A:Oh yes, of course. I’ll just find the file…..

Ah OK, its number 32 Beech Lane. Do you know where that is?

B:I think so. It’s a couple of miles out of town, towards Deighton, isn’t it?

A:That’s right. A very nice location, it’s out in the countryside but it’s only about 15 minutes’ drive into the centre of town. There’s a regular bus service as well, which will be handy if you don’t drive.

B:Does the house have a garden then?

A:Yes, the house backs on to a small wood but there’s a large garden at the front of the property.

B:Now the ad said that there are two bedrooms and that the whole house is fully furnished. Is that right?

A:Yes that’s correct. Let’s see, there are two very spacious bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. Then downstairs there is another bathroom, and the living room, which has a beautiful old fireplace. Then there’s the dining room, and a large modern kitchen. Ah and there’s a door from the kitchen directly into the garage.

B:That sounds perfect. Can I ask you about the rent?

A:Of course, if you decide to take the property you would be asked to sign a six month contract and the rent would be í800 a month. A very good price for this property I think.

B:Yes, that sounds excellent. Could I make an appointment to come and see the house?

A: Of course madam, if I can just take some of your details ...

UNIT 2

Tapescript for Exercise 2a (p. 20)

Marta

We moved house a week ago and now I’m miles away from all my friends. Mum says I’ll make new ones when I start my new school, but that won’t be for ages because it’s still the summer holidays. I don’t like not having anyone to play with. I’ve got my computer and all my toys in my new room, but I’ve had enough of being all by myself all the time.

Steve

Oh, it’s no use. I’ve been buying all the newspapers every day and going through the job sections, but I still haven’t had any luck. I’ve sent off dozens of application letters, but I just get rejected every time. I did get one interview, but they didn’t call me back afterwards. I’m starting to lose my selfconfidence as well. What with being made redundant when the factory closed and having to claim unemployment benefit, I’m afraid I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Laura

I couldn’t wait until I finished my exams. I thought it would be the best feeling ever. You know, having plenty of time to relax, getting a job and earning some money for the first time. It sounds brilliant, doesn’t it? The thing is though, now that I’ve actually left school I’ve got no idea what I want to do. I’ve been reading about different careers, but none of them really appeal to me. I’m getting tired of doing nothing because my friends are either at university or working, so I’ll have to think of something soon.

Tony

Most people think that old people have an easy life. They don’t have to work, they get a pension from the state, and they have time to take up all kinds of hobbies. Well, let me tell you that the truth is rather different. I’ve worked all my life, since I was sixteen years old and I really enjoyed it. Now that I’ve retired, I don’t know what to do with myself. I miss all my old work mates. I miss the daily routine. Now that I’m not working I feel that there’s a big hole in my life. The pension isn’t that great either, so I’ve had to change my lifestyle and get by on much less money than before. Don’t be in such a hurry to retire, that’s what I say!

Bill and Terry

Nothing prepares you for being a new parent. It doesn’t matter how many books you read, or how many experienced mums and dads you might talk to, you will never be ready. Having a baby in our lives has made a huge difference. We rarely go out now, we never get a good night’s sleep anymore, and we certainly never have a lie-in on Sunday mornings anymore, but we just don’t care! The joy that our tiny baby has brought us is greater than we could ever have

imagined.

Tapescript for Exercise 7b (p. 22)

Speaker A

Sting is one of the most popular solo artists in the world and has had huge success with his latest world tour. Sting, or, to use his real name, Gordon Sumner, has always loved guitar music, although he was trained as a pianist from a young age. He did not become a professional musician straight away, though. He had jobs as a ditch digger and as an English teacher before he left his hometown of Newcastle and moved to London to pursue his dream.

Speaker B

Many of Hollywood’s greatest stars seem to have come from poor backgrounds only to make it big on the silver screen. Harrison Ford’s life story is just one of these rags to riches tales. In his early career, Harrison had very little money and even had to teach himself carpentry in order to find work. These days, however, he is one of Hollywood’s biggest names with millions of dollars in the bank and a never-ending supply of leading roles.

Speaker C

I just love Michelle Pfeiffer. I think she’s a fantastic actress and I’ve seen all her films. In my opinion, she just gets better and better. It must be really hard to become a successful film star. You have to be very ambitious. Michelle Pfeiffer was a checkout clerk in her local supermarket before she went to Hollywood to seek her fortune, so she can’t have had much acting experience. Some people are just naturally talented, though, aren’t they?

Speaker D

There aren’t many rock stars who could manage to stay in the charts for four decades, but Rod Stewart is not just any rock star. He began his musical career in the early sixties and has been a member of several different bands, including The Faces and Shotgun Express. Rod says that music is his first love, but football is his second. In fact, he once played as an apprentice professional for Brentford Football Club.

Speaker E

Who’s my favourite actor? Well, I’d have to say John Malkovich. He’s been working in the film industry for almost twenty years and he has still got that special quality that makes a brilliant actor. He can take on any role and really make it work, if you know what I mean. He’s had a very interesting life, as well. Did you know that he used to work as a forest fire fighter in a national park in Canada? It’s true. He also had jobs as a dishwasher and bus driver before he became famous.

Tapescript for Exercise 8a (p. 22)

A:So, what do you think of life in England, Amy?

B:Oh, I don’t think it’s all that different from life in America, really.

A:Oh? How’s that?

B:Well, people tend to do the same things at the same stages in their lives. We have the same milestones, if you

know what I mean.

A:Hmm, I’m not sure I do. Give me an example.

B:OK. Well, children here in Britain start elementary school

at the age of five, don’t they?

A:Yes, that’s right.

B:Well, it’s the same in the US.

A:Oh, I see. But then things are a little different after that, aren’t they?

B:Yes, I suppose so. In America, children go to junior high

school between the ages of 12 and 14, and you don’t have junior high schools here, do you?

A:Not usually, no. Children here go straight from primary, or elementary school to secondary school.

B:Yes, but they leave school at the same age as children in the US.

A:Really?

B:Yes. In America, you can leave school when you are 16, or you can wait until you graduate at 18. If you leave school at 16, you can get a job right away, but if you leave at 18, you can either get a job, or you can go to college. It’s the same here, isn’t it?

A:Yes, you’re right. So, for how long do people go to college in the US?

B:Well, they usually stay in college for four years, which means that they leave when they are twenty-two, but they can also go to junior college, which means that they can leave when they are twenty.

A:I see. So the education systems are similar in both countries.

B:Yes, but it’s not only that. People in the US and in Britain tend to leave home, get married and have children at around the same ages, too.

A:Do they?

B:Yes. People usually leave home at 18 in both countries, because that’s when they move away to go to college.

A:That makes sense. So, how old are people in the States when they get married, then?

B:The average age for men is about 27, but women are usually a little bit younger than that - around 25 so that’s

an average age of about 26. Women tend to have their first child at about 27 on average.

A:Hmm, that’s interesting. I think things are pretty similar here.

B:They are. I’ve studied this a lot, you know!

A:I didn’t realise you were so interested in social issues. What other things have you found out?

B: Well, I can tell you that people in America usually buy their first house when they are in their mid thirties at about 35.

A:Really? I would have thought they would be in their twenties.

B:No, most people want to wait before buying property

these days, so they rent houses or apartments for a few years first.

A:And what about retirement? How old are people when they stop working?

B:Well, you can stop working when you are 55, but most people don’t retire until they are 65 or older. You can get

social security benefits from the age of 62, though.

A:I can’t believe you know so much about all this.

B:Well, it’s just something I find interesting. I like to find out

about how people live around the world and compare life in different countries.

A:And which country would you most like to live in?

B:Oh, I would have to visit them all before I could decide on something like that!

Tapescript for Exercise 10 (p. 23)

Speaker 1

I don’t know how it happened. I was at the bank and had been waiting for ages. Noboby seemed to be doing any work, let alone serving the customers. Suddenly, something just snapped. I totally lost control of myself and started shouting at the top of my voice. I shouted at the teller and banged on the counter with my fist demanding service. I didn’t calm down until they had dealt with me and I left the building!

Speaker 2

It was the last thing I expected. I’d arrived home late from work and I was tired and hungry. The house was unusually dark and quiet. I let myself in and walked into the lounge. Suddenly, the lights went on and everyone jumped up and shouted “Surprise!” We had a fantastic time. It was the best birthday I’ve ever had.

Speaker 3

Today’s lecture was really the worst. Every time Professor Brown opened his mouth, this guy put up his hand and asked a question. It wouldn’t have been so bad if every question hadn’t taken the professor off the topic, but it was just one irrelevant question after another. By the end of the lecture, I was so irritated that I just had to say something to this guy. Then, when I did, I found out he wasn’t even a student, just a visitor!

Speaker 4

It was fantastic. It’s the biggest roller coaster in the country, you know! Anyway, when we went down the first big dip, my stomach felt like it was in my mouth. I just couldn’t stop screaming. I thought we were going to fly off the tracks. It was really scary.

Speaker 5

It’s such a waste of time! I just sit there all day in front of a computer screen. It’s always the same, day in, dayãout. I have a pile of cards and I punch the keys and enter the data and when I’ve finished I go home. The next day there’s another pile of cards. I really must find a more interesting job.

Tapescript for Exercise 18b (p. 25)

Sam: You know Sarah, things are really different today. Sarah: Oh that’s so true. Kids today seem to spend all their time alone. You know, playing with computers and watching TV. We never did any of that in our day. We were always doing something with our friends.

Sam: Yes, that’s true. And have you noticed that they’re always on the phone as well? Some kids even have their own private line. Can you imagine that?

Sarah: We’d never have been able to do that! We didn’t even have a phone when I was young. We used to use the phone at old Mrs Mantry’s house. Do you remember how she used to listen in on us?

Sam: I sure do. I also remember we’d spend a lot of time running around and playing out in the fresh air. Do you remember the games we used to play with our friends in the street? And during summer Dad would take us fishing in the river.

Sarah: That’s right, but he would never let us swim there. He said the current was too dangerous.

Sam: Yes, I remember. Those were the good old days. We didn’t have to worry about safety either. We would always leave our doors unlocked.

Sarah: It was certainly much safer then.

Sam: But it wasn’t a bed of roses either. We had to do everything by hand, even the washing. Mum and Dad were pretty strict with us, too. We had to do all our chores every day.

Sarah: Mmm. I used to feed the chickens and collect the eggs. Sam: And I had to chop the wood every day for the stove. Sarah: Yes. We all had to pull our weight around the house. Sam: And Mum and Dad made us go to bed early every night. Sarah: Yes, especially on school nights. The teachers at school were rather strict too, weren’t they?

Sam: Yes, we couldn’t talk or do anything.

Sarah: Do you remember the school uniforms we used to wear? They were awful, weren’t they?

Sam: Yes, I had to wear a tie all year round! It was terrible! Sarah: But we were always free on Saturdays and Sundays, though. And school holidays were always a lot of fun, too. We used to visit Grandma and Grandpa on the farm and spend the whole summer with the animals.

Tapescript for Exercise 27a (p. 28)

Speaker 1

I work to live. I don’t live to work. I’m lucky because in my job I can work from home so I get to spend more time with my kids than most people. We eat together, we play together and I get to see all the things that many working parents miss out on. We are very close, we love each other very much and we would do anything for each other and that’s the way it should be. After all, your family will still be there for you long after all your friends have come and gone. Besides, I think a person who has a strong family behind them is more secure and confident and can deal with life better.

Speaker 2

Most people spend a third of their lives at work so obviously it helps if you enjoy what you do. I’m lucky because I love my work and there’s nothing else I would rather be doing. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am, but it was worth it. I get a lot from my job. I enjoy the responsibility of my position, the respect from my colleagues and I get paid a lot of money. The main reason why it’s so important to me though is that feeling of great satisfaction I get when I have achieved my goals after a difficult day or week. It’s a fantastic feeling.

Speaker 3

There’s a saying that talks about how you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends. I think that’s totally true and my friends certainly mean a lot to me. I spend most of my time with them, but if I don’t see them for a while, when we meet again it’s like we were never apart. I care what they think and I can talk to them about anything. I have a small circle of good friends and we are always there for each other if any one of us needs anything. It’s a good feeling.

Speaker 4

The most important person in my life at the moment is my fianceé. We met at university and got engaged three months ago. We just clicked, you know, right from the start. We have so much in common. Sometimes we talk for hours on end. We share everything and we tell each other everything. I think it is important to have a partner that you can rely on and who will support you. Someone who you can share all your experiences with.

Speaker 5

You can be as rich as Bill Gates but if you only spend your money on doctors and medical bills, then what’s the point? Being healthy means you can enjoy living. You can do anything you want and live life to the fullest. Without good health you have nothing – that’s my opinion.

Tapescript for Exercise 29a (p. 28)

Rachel

I don’t really mind being an only child. At least it means that my parents give me lots of attention. They only have me to look after, so they have plenty of time to spend with me. I think some children are spoilt because their parents give them whatever they want, but mine aren’t like that. They are quite strict. I wouldn’t mind if my parents had another child, though, because I do spend more time than I would like by myself. Sometimes, when my parents are at work, or when I want to play with someone and all my friends are busy I think about it. I wouldn’t want a brother, but a sister might be nice. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have someone nearer my own age at home to talk to and share clothes and stuff with. Of course, if I had a sister we would have to move to a bigger house because the house we live in now only has two bedrooms. I wouldn’t want to have anyone else sleeping in my room. I’ve got lots of good friends, so all in all I’m happy being the only child in my family. I think that if you really have a good friend then it’s not so bad being an only child.

Tapescript for Exercise 31 (p. 28)

Speaker 1

I’ll never forget that day. I was terrified as I walked through those huge gates and joined the crowd of screaming five- year-olds. I was very shy at that age, so I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I stood on my own in a corner of the playground and felt as though I was going to burst into tears at any minute. Luckily, I was soon rescued and taken to my desk, where I could sit and read a book quietly so that no one would bother me! Of course, it got much better after that first experience and I made lots of friends. Now, I honestly believe that those were the best days of my life, but I didn’t know that at the time!

Speaker 2

My strongest childhood memory is from when I was six or seven years old. I’d got a brand new bike for my birthday, and I couldnãt wait to ride it. It was red and shiny and I was really proud of it. It had been raining outside and my parents wanted me to wait before I tried it out, but of course, I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I set off along the path, wobbling bravely on my new bike. Then, the front wheel skidded on a wet patch and I went flying. I had cuts and bruises all over my legs. Look, you can still see one of the scars!

Speaker 3

I thought it was the end of the world when my parents told me that we were going to live in Scotland. My dad had got a job there and it meant that he would earn much more money, but I didn’t care. All I thought about was the fact that

I would be leaving all my friends behind. I hated the idea of changing schools, too, as I didn’t want to have to get used to a whole new set of teachers and children. In the end, though, it wasn’t that bad. I was a bit sad for a few weeks, but I soon made new friends and everything was fine.

Speaker 4

I remember, when I was four years old, my father woke me up in the middle of the night. He told me that we were taking Mum to hospital and that I should come too. He dressed me and then helped Mum to go downstairs. We got in the car and Dad drove to the hospital - speeding, if I remember correctly. As soon as we arrived, my mother was taken away and my father and I waited nervously. I don’t know how long we waited. It must have been ages, because I know I fell asleep at one stage. Finally my father was called in. Then we went in and I saw my mum holding a tiny bundle wrapped in a blanket. I looked and saw a little person with a wrinkled face. I couldn’t believe it! I had a new brother!

Speaker 5

There are certain things which you never forget. For me, the one occasion which stands out in my memory is the time my parents took me to Italy. I was only about eight years old, but I remember seeing the Colosseum and listening to my big brother telling me about the fights that had taken place there. I was very impressed, I can tell you. I’ve been there since, but that first visit will always be the most memorable to me.

Tapescript for Exercise 39b (p. 30)

Jack and Jill decided to try again. They walked up to the top of the slope and quickly jumped on their sled. They were still talking excitedly, so Jill forgot to hold tight and Jack forgot to steer carefully. They kept going faster and faster. They crashed through the fence, went over the steep bank and flew into the air. With two loud cries, they landed in the middle of the road.

“We knew this would happen,” the other children cried out as they ran over to help. They found Jack sitting up. He had a dazed look on his face and a deep cut on his forehead. “Where’s Jill?” he asked in a worried voice. They all looked for Jill. Finally, they found her lying quietly in the snow. Her face was white and very shocked.

When Jack tried to stand up, he cried out loudly. He couldn’t move. “I think I’ve broken my leg!” Ed Devlin tied his handkerchief around Jack’s head while the other children ran over to help Jill.

Jill was lying in the snow. She was in a lot of pain, but she tried very hard not to cry. Just then, a sled arrived driven by Mr Grant, a farmer. He gently lifted Jack and Jill onto his sled and covered them with a coat. Then, the sad group set off home.

Module Self Assessment 1

Tapescript for Exercise 8b (p. 35)

Speaker 1

Even though our house was small, it was very cosy. Mum was good at sewing so there were lovely colourful curtains and matching cushions everywhere. She also had a pet dog, Chester, who was always lying about and that added to the warm homely feeling of the house that I grew up in.

Speaker 2

Our house was big and very neat. There was always a lot of space in the rooms, and the whole place had a light and airy feel. There was little furniture and what we had was all white. Our house was never cluttered and there was never any mess. I must admit it did feel a bit bare at times, though. I used to wish my house was a bit more like other people’s – you know, more lived in.

Speaker 3

Well, we had two houses. In the city, we lived in a flat. Nothing fancy really, just a typical two-bedroomed place. But our country house was fantastic. It was a cosy little cottage made of old red bricks and had an enormous garden. There was a fireplace in it and lots of comfortable, old furniture. We couldn’t wait for the weekend to arrive so that we could head down there to our country retreat.

Speaker 4

I can’t really say that I remember one particular home as standing out. You see, Dad was in the army, so we travelled quite a bit. We moved every year or so. Oh, there were some interesting houses, like the one with a frog pond in the front yard. There was also a strange, three-storey, tall, narrow house, that was painted bright pink. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I was too embarrassed to invite my friends over!

Speaker 5

My parents were artists and our house was an old, renovated warehouse. The ceiling was high and there were wooden beams holding up the roof. There was really only one huge room with beaded curtains and plants separating the various sections of the house like the kitchen. It wasn’t a traditional house, compared to the ones other children live in. But we had lots of space to run and play in so we were never bored!