|
—Good morning. Can I see Mr. Johnson, please?
—Have you an appointment?
—Yes, at half past ten.
—What's your name, please?
—McDonald, Jane McDonald.
—Ah, yes. Mr. Johnson's expecting you. This way, please. Mr. Johnson's room is on the next floor.
—What does your friend do for a living?
—He's one of those people who give legal advice.
—Oh, I see. He is a solicitor, you mean.
—Yes. That's the word I was looking for. My vocabulary is still very small, I'm afraid.
—Never mind. You explained what you meant.
—What shall we do this weekend?
—Let's go for a walk.
—Where shall we go, then?
—Let's go to the new forest. We haven't been there for a long time.
—That's a good idea. I'll call for you in a car at about half past ten. Is that alright?
—That'll be splendid. See you tomorrow, then. Goodbye.
—You have some brown, suede shoes in the window at four pounds. Would you show me a pair in size six, please?
—Oh, what a pity. We have no size six left in that style. But we have a pair in slightly different style.
—Can I try them on?
—Yes, of course.
—I like these very much. How much are they?
—They are exactly the same price. Four pounds.
—Good. I'll have them, then.
—Excuse me, but I really must go now.
—Oh, must you? It's still quite early.
—I'm terribly sorry, but I have to be at home by midnight. My wife will be very worried.
—I quite understand. What time does your train go?
—At 11:15. Dear me, it's gone 11:00. I'll have to ask you to drive me to the station.
—That's alright. But you must come again soon.
—That's most kind of you.
—You are up early this morning.
—Yes. I've been out and bought a paper.
—Good. Then you can tell me what the weather's like.
—It's freezing.
—Oh, dear, not again.
—Don't worry. It's not nearly as cold as yesterday.
—Thank goodness for that.
—Excuse me, can you tell me where the "James Bond" film is showing?
—Yes, at the Palace Cinema.
—Do you happen to know when it starts?
—I don't know when it starts, but I can tell you how to find out. It's here in the local paper.
—Can you show me which page it is on?
—Here it is. But I don't know which performance you want to see.
—Why aren't you eating your breakfast?
—I don't feel very well.
—Oh, dear, what's the matter?
—I feel feverish. I'm shivering.
—Go and lie down. I'll send for the doctor.
—Look, I hate causing any bother. I prefer working it off.
—Certainly not. You must go to bed and keep warm.
—Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the swimming pool, please?
—I can't, I'm afraid. I'm a stranger here, you see. But why not ask that man over there? He'll be able to tell you, I'm sure.
—Which one do you mean?
—Look, the one over there, on the other side of the road.
—Ah, yes. I can see him now. Thank you so much.
Announcer l: This is Radio 2 and you are listening to the 6 o'clock news. Here are the main points: Texas is having its worst storms for fifty years. Many people are homeless ... and damage to property is estimated at over two million dollars. Today's Irish budget has introduced the highest increase in taxes since 1979. The film Living at Home, has received the Best Film of the Year Award. This is the first British film to win the top award for four years. The rise in the cost of living has been the lowest for six months.
Announcer 2: More news later. And now for the latest sound from The Freakouts.
Mike: (confused) Look, Jenny. I don't understand what's going on. You said your sister was arriving at 7:30. It's 8:30 now.
Jenny: I'm sorry, Mike. I don't understand either. Here's Helena's telegram. Have a look at it.
Mike: Arriving Heathrow Tuesday 19:30. Can't wait to see you. (sarcastic) Can't wait to see you. Hmmm. I can't wait to see her. Jenny, where's she coming from? What airline is she traveling on? What's the flight number?
Jenny: I don't know, do I? This telegram is the only information I have.
Mike: Never mind, Jenny. Let's have a coffee. We can sit down and think about the best thing to do.
—Have you ever been chased by a dog, Keith?
—No, I haven't, but I have been chased by a bull.
—Really?
—Yes, it was a couple of weekends ago—I was ... er ... I was going for a walk out in the country following this footpath and it went through a field, and I was so busy looking out for the footpath that I didn't notice that the field was full of young bullocks. And the trouble was I was wearing this bright red anorak, and suddenly the bulls started bucking and jumping up and down and started chasing me.
—What did you do?
—Well, I was pretty scared—I just ran for the nearest fence and jumped over it.
—Actually I do know somebody who once got bitten by a dog while he was jogging.
—Was he? How did that happen?
—Well, he was running past a farm when suddenly this sheepdog came out and started barking at him, so he tried to kick it out of the way but then suddenly the dog jumped up and bit him in the leg. I think he had to go to the doctor to make sure it wasn't infected.
My grandfather was called Charles, and my grandmother was called Ann. They lived in Manchester. My grandmother died last year, aged ninety-eight. They had three children, named David, John and Alice. They are, of course, my father, my uncle, and aunt. My father is called David, and he is the eldest of the three. My mother is called Mary. My father was an engineer. He's retired now. My father's brother, my uncle, as I said, is called John. He's married to Heidi. They have two children. The oldest is called Simon, and the younger one is called Sally. My uncle John is in the army, serving in Germany. Simon is married to a girl called Diana. They have two children, Richard and Fiona. My auntie, Alice, married a man called Henry Jones. They moved to Australia when I was very young. I don't remember them very well.
My husband's name is Andy. We have two children, Ida aged two and Tom who is six months old. We're working in China now, and may visit Aunt Alice next year.
I was born in Scotland. In Glasgow to be exact. In the early 1950s and I suppose like everybody else, I went to school. Primary school, then secondary school. The only difference really is that I always went to the same school from when I was aged five, right through until I was aged eighteen. So there wasn't really much to relate about that part of my life. I suppose it was much the same as everybody else's. I lived in my hometown, Paisley, all that time. But then aged eighteen, like most British people of my sort of class and so on, I left my hometown and moved away to university. A lot of British people don't go to their local university—they go to another one which is further away. Possibly because they'd rather not stay at home with their parents. So I left my hometown of Paisley and I went to St. Andrews on the east coast of Scotland. There I studied English and then Modern History, and so for four years I studied those subjects and was very happy. Later I left St. Andrews with a degree in Modern History, and not really knowing what I wanted to do. I wasn't sure whether I'd go on to do some research or whether I'd like to be a teacher. So I took a year off to think about it. And then one year later I decided I wanted to be a teacher and I went to Teacher Training College. And this time yet again it was in another part of the country. In Newcastle in the northeast of England, so there I trained to be a teacher and I qualified as a teacher of History and English. And after that year I began work—real work for the first time in my 1ife. I suppose this would be around 1977.
So then I went to work in a comprehensive school in southeast England outside London in a place called Basildon. And there I taught History, but I found out I really disliked both the place, Basildon, and the school. It was a terrible school. So I thought I don't want to be stuck here the rest of my life. I want to try something different. So I did something completely different. I went to er ... would you believe, the Sudan. And I ended up in Omdurman which is near the capital city of Khartoum in Sudan. And I taught English, I taught English to foreigners—to, in fact, teachers of English in a Teacher Training College. That went on for a couple of years. And then I returned to Britain where I did my Master's degree in Applied Linguistics. This time, again, in another part of the country. In Wales, in North Wales, at a place called Bangor. After graduating, and getting my master's, I went and I taught at Lancaster University. I taught Algerian students who were going to come to British universities to study.
Then I went, for quite a long time, to Yugoslavia, to Lubijiana to be exact. And I taught ESP. ESP means English for Special Purposes—in particular I taught Scientific English in a Chemistry Department connected to UNESCO, U-N-E-S-C-O. And so I worked there for five years and then I moved, but still in the same city. I moved to another job, in medical English, in a hospital—which was also connected with UNESCO.
After a total of seven years in Yugoslavia, and I left and I ended up here where I am now in China, teaching at Yiwai.
Doctor Sowanso is the Secretary General of the United Nations. He's one of the busiest men in the world. He's just arrived at New Delhi Airport now. The Indian Prime Minister is meeting him. Later they'll talk about Asian problems.
Yesterday he was in Moscow. He visited the Kremlin and had lunch with Soviet leaders. During lunch they discussed international politics.
Tomorrow he'll fly to Nairobi. He'll meet the President of Kenya and other African leaders. He'll be there for twelve hours.
The day after tomorrow he'll be in London. He'll meet the British Prime Minister and they'll talk about European economic problems.
Next week he'll be back at the United Nations in New York. Next Monday he'll speak to the General Assembly about his world tour. Then he'll need a short holiday.
—Excuse me, but could you tell me the way to the cinema, please?
—No, I'm sorry I can't. I'm a stranger in these parts. But why don't you ask that man with a beard? He'll be able to tell you, I'm sure.
—Which one do you mean?
—Look, the one over there, by the lamp-post.
—Ah, yes. I can see him now. Thank you very much.
—Not at all.
—You are not eating your breakfast.
—I don't feel very well.
—Oh, dear, what's the matter?
—I got a terrible headache.
—You must go back to bed. You look quite ill.
—I don't want to cause any bother. I'd rather work it off.
—Out of the question. You must go to bed and keep warm.
—I'm sorry to bother you. Can you tell me where War and Peace is showing?
—Yes. At the Empire Cinema.
—Would you know when it starts?
—No. I can't tell you when it begins. But I know how you can find out. It's here in this Entertainment's Guide.
—Can you show me which page is it on?
—Certainly. But I'm not sure whether you want to go early or late.
—You are up early this morning.
—Yes. I've been out and bought a paper.
—Good. Then you'll be able to tell me what the weather's like.
—It's raining.
—Oh, dear, not again.
—Don't worry, it's not nearly as wet as it was yesterday.
—Thank goodness for that.
—Good morning. Can I see Mr. Baker, please?
—Have you an appointment?
—Yes, at ten o'clock.
—What's your name, please.
—Jones, Andrew Jones.
—Ah, yes. Mr. Baker is expecting you. Will you come this way, please? Mr. Baker's office is along the corridor.
—What does your friend do for a living?
—She is one of those persons who look after people in a hospital.
—Oh, I see. She is a nurse, you mean.
—Yes. That's the word I was looking for. My vocabulary is rather poor, I'm afraid.
—Never mind. You explained that very well.
—What shall we do this weekend?
—Let's go for a swim.
—Where shall we go for it?
—Let's go to Long Beach. We haven't been there for a long time.
—That's a splendid idea. I'll call for you in a car at eleven o'clock. Is that alright for you?
—Yes. That'll be perfect. See you tomorrow, then. Goodbye.
—You have some black, walking shoes in the window. Would you show me a pair in size seven, please?
—Oh, dear, what a pity! There are none left in size seven. Here is a pair in a slightly different style.
—Can I try them on?
—Yes, of course.
—I like these very much. What do they cost?
—They cost 4.25 pounds.
—Good. I'll have them, then.
—Excuse me, but I must say goodbye now.
—Can't you stay a little longer?
—No, I'm sorry, but I really must go. I shall miss my bus if I don't hurry.
—When does your bus go?
—At ten o'clock. Good gracious, it's already 10:15. I'll have to ask you to drive me home.
—That's alright, but I hope to see you again soon.
—That's most kind of you.
Woman: Which do you prefer: driving a car yourself or being a passenger?
Man: Well—that depends. I enjoy driving, especially on long empty roads where I can go nice and fast. But I'm not very fond of sitting in traffic jams waiting for lights to change, and things like that. I suppose I don't mind being a passenger, but only if I'm sure that the other person really can drive properly.
Woman: So you don't really like being in other people's cars, then?
Man: Well, as I say, it's all right with a good driver. Then I can relax, sit back and enjoy the scenery. But yes, you're right—on the whole I certainly prefer driving to being a passenger.
—Hello, Allen. This is Collin speaking.
—
—Fine. How about you?
—
—Good. And how's Bob feeling after his holiday?
—
—I see. I've got quite a lot to tell you.
—
—I've just got engaged!
—
—Yes! No. We haven't fixed the date yet.
—
—What's she like?
—
—Lovely girl! We met on a bus, believe it or not.
—
—Yes. We just happened to be sitting together and got into the conversation. And we made a date for the same evening, and discovered we've got a lot in common, you know, same interests and, we laugh at the same things.
—
—No. You don't know her. Hmm. At least she doesn't know you or Bob.
—
—Oh, about three weeks now.
—
—Well, yes. It was quite a sudden decision, but I feel really happy. I'd like you both to meet her. Now, how about a meal together one evening soon?
—
—Would you ask Bob to ring me?
—
—Oh, I must go now. My boss has just come into the office. Bye.
—
—Oh, thanks. Bye.
Everyone knows him as Old Arthur. He lives in a little hut in the middle of a small wood, about a mile from the village. He visits the village store twice a week to buy food and paraffin, and occasionally he collects letters and his pension from the post office. A few weeks ago, a reporter from the local newspaper interviewed him. This is what he said:
I get up every morning with the birds. There is a stream near my hut and I fetch water from there. It's good, clear, fresh water, better than you get in the city. Occasionally, in the winter, I have to break the ice. I cook simple food on my old paraffin stove, mostly stews and things like that. Sometimes I go to the pub and have a drink, but I don't see many people. I don't feel lonely. I know this wood very well, you see. I know all the little birds and animals that live here and they know me. I don't have much money, but I don't need much. I think I'm a lucky man.
James wrote a play for television, about an immigrant family who came to England from Pakistan, and the problems they had settling down in England. The play was surprisingly successful, and it was bought by an American TV company.
James was invited to go to New York to help with the production. He lived in Dulwich, which is an hour's journey away from Heathrow. The flight was due to leave at 8:30 am, so he had to be at the airport about 7:30 in the morning. He ordered a mini-cab for 6:30, set his alarm for 5:45, and went to sleep. Unfortunately he forgot to wind the clock, and it stopped shortly after midnight. Also the driver of the mini-cab had to work very late that night and overslept.
James woke with that awful feeling that something was wrong. He looked at his alarm clock. It stood there silently, with the hands pointing to ten past twelve. He turned on the radio and discovered that it was, in fact, ten to nine. He swore quietly and switched on the electric kettle.
He was just pouring the boiling water into the teapot when the nine o'clock pips sounded on the radio. The announcer began to read the news: "... reports are coming in of a crash near Heathrow Airport. A Boeing 707 bound for New York crashed shortly after taking off this morning. Flight number 2234 ..." James turned pale.
"My flight," he said out loud. "If I hadn't overslept, I'd have been on that plane."
Interviewer: Do you mind if I ask you why you've never got married?
Dennis: Uh ... well, that isn't easy to answer.
Interviewer: Is it that you've never met the right woman? Is that it?
Dennis: I don't know. Several times I have met a woman who seemed right, as you say. But for some reason it's never worked out.
Interviewer: No? Why not?
Dennis: Hmm. I'm not really sure.
Interviewer: Well, could you perhaps describe what happened with one of these women?
Dennis: Uh ... yes, there was Cynthia, for example.
Interviewer: And what kind of woman was she?
Dennis: Intelligent. Beautiful. She came from the right social background, as well. I felt I really loved her. But then something happened.
Interviewer: What?
Dennis: I found out that she was still seeing an old boyfriend of hers.
Interviewer: Was that so bad? I mean, why did you ... why did you feel that ...
Dennis: She had told me that her relationship was all over, which ... uh ... which was a lie.
Interviewer: Are you saying that it was because she had lied to you that you decided to break off the relationship?
Dennis: Yes, yes, exactly ... Obviously, when I found out that she had lied to me, I simply couldn't ... uh ... well, I simply couldn't trust her any more. And of course that meant that we couldn't possibly get married.
Interviewer: Uh, huh. I see. At least, I think I do. But ... you said there were several women who seemed 'right.'
Dennis: Yes.
Interviewer: Well, ... what happened the other times?
Dennis: Well, once I met someone who I think I loved very deeply but ... unfortunately she didn't share my religious views.
Interviewer: Your religious views?
Dennis: Yes, I expect the woman I finally marry to agree with me on such ... such basic things as that.
Interviewer: I see.
Dennis: Does that sound old-fashioned?
Interviewer: Uh ... no. Not necessarily. What was her name, by the way?
Dennis: Sarah.
Interviewer: Do you think you'll ever meet someone who meets ... uh ... how shall I say it ... who meets all your ... requirements?
Dennis: I don't know. How can I? But I do feel it's important not to ... not to just drift into ... a relationship, simply because I might be lonely.
Interviewer: Are you lonely?
Dennis: Sometimes. Aren't we all? But I know that I can live alone, if necessary. And I think I would far prefer to do that ... to live alone ... rather than to marry somebody who isn't really ... uh ... well, really what I'm looking for ... what I really want.
|