Episoder
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"Scrooge jumped out of bed and rushed over to the window, opened it, and put his head out. There was no fog, no mist; it was a clear, bright, cheerful day...."
This is the last chapter of Charles' Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol adapted to B2 level.
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each word?1) seasonal - refers to a time of year e.g. seasonal decorations (during the Christmas season)
2) remarkable - a wonderful qualities, for a person, perhaps intelligent, clever.
3) astonished - very surprised
4) absurd - ridiculous, very strange
5) cautious - being very careful because you are suspicious about something
6) arrogant - showing yourself to be superior to others
7) uncertain - not sure about something
8) delightful - wonderful, lovely
9) worthwhile - you do it because you know the results will be positive
10) unbearable - you can't stand something, usually a situation you want to get away from it
11) exceptional - of superior quality than other examples of something
12) priceless - so valuable it has no price at all
To read the answers to the task, go to my webpage: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-219.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
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Jonathon goes to the bank to claim his prize, but he comes away with something he didn't expect.
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?1, get rid of - try to make disappear
2, be taken in - makes you believe something bad
3, live for - be a very important thing in your life
4, fall apart - collapse, disappear so it exists no longer
5, see to something - make something happen
6, let somebody down - not help somebody so they are at a disadvantage
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1, tk cr of something - do something very carefully
2, shv - cut hair from face or legs
3, accnt - where you keep money in a bank
4, lk up - check sth in a book, computer, etc.
5, b in tch with - keep contact with
B2-level
1, attmpt - trying to do something
2, qlfd - somebody with the training and experience
3, mnnrs - behaving politely
4, stnnngly - very, very much, amazingly
5, blngngs - things that are yours
To see the answers: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-218.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Manglende episoder?
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Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
English podcast story for B1, B2 levels (intermediate - upper intermediate) - Jonathon Baxter has spent ten years walking around Britain, playing his harmonica to survive. Then he decides to return to his home, but what will he find?
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly
2, obliged to = you have to
3, not have the slightest intention = (used in the neagative) not want or will not do something
4, neither (inversion = e.g. neither do I like...) / neither... nor... e.g. I don't want to do neither one thing or the other
5, drop in = an informal visit
6) turn up = arrive without an appointment
Vocabulary testThe vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) ow - when you must pay somebody money because it is theirs
2) unbl - you cannot do it
3) brng up - the care and protection that parents give their children until they are adults
4) sgntr - your written name
5) lttry - tickets you buy to try to win a money prize
B2-level
1) dbt - the money you owe to somebody
2) dstrb - by making noise etc. other people get annoyed
3) incm - the money you earn in your job
4) py off - pay the money that you have borrowed
5) shbby - untidy clothes
You can find the answers at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-217.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
B1 words and expressions studied:
In this B1-level podcast today, I'll also discuss 6 interesting intermediate B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story.
Intermediate-level words and expressions:lack of something - not enough of something
get rid of somebody - tell somebody to leave
out of work - to have lost your job
try your best - do a task the best way you can
stay behind - to wait after others have left
consist of something - talks about the parts of something
To see answers and read the full transcript, go to my website:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-216.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
In this B1-level podcast today I'll use lots of important vocabulary and expressions to talk about daily actions. I'll also discuss 10 interesting B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story.
I'll analyse these intermediate-level words and expressions:
no going back - you cannot go to where you were earlier, or if you start something, you cannot leave it but must carry on.
warning - a notice or something spoken to tell us to be careful of a danger
damage your health - to harm (B2) or do something that can make you ill
step into / step out of - go in or out of something you get to by using your feet
fresh - can mean cool, such as a cool breeze (but not cold); it can also mean not bad when referring to fruit; or it can mean 'new' such as 'fresh ideas'
admire - to look at a picture etc. and realise you like it; or to look up to somebody (B2) when we think somebody is wonderful because of their qualities.
backwards - moving in the opposite way from forwards; or something like a word seen the other way around e.g. ENGLISH = HSILGNE
funny - amusing, it makes you laugh; also strange or peculiar
topic of discussion - a subject to talk about
can't help + verb + ing - something we do but perhaps should not do like eating too much chocolate.
For answers and transcript of story, see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-215.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The upper-intermediate phrsal verbs studied in today's episode are:
look up to - admire somebody because of their qualities
fall apart - to break into pieces, probably because it's old
date from - saying how old something is, from what year something is
think sth over - consider something carefully
take on - offer a contract of work to somebody
miss out - not to take advantage of an opportunity which would bring benefits
come across - find something unexpectedly, find something you were not looking for or didn't expect to find
do without - not need something, even though it may or may not help you
Listen for the phrsal verbs in the story and not down the context. Youbcan find the answers at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-214.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
This is another podcast on B1 intermediate phrasal verbs - those a little difficult to learn. The ones I will talk about are:
put on - to switch on or activate some device (electrical?)
sign up - to join or becme part of a club etc.
show up - to arrive somewhere unexpectedly.
deal with - to try to resolve a problem
take up - to begin a new sport, hobby or other activity
carry on - to continue, often when things seem difficult.
Listen to the context these phrasal verbs are used in during the story. Answers are given at the end of the episode. You can read the full transcript of the story and read the answers at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-213.htm
Solidarity with the people who have suffered after the Valencia storms (Spain)!At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The six B1 phrasal verbs studied are:
give up - stop doing some activity e.g. smoking, or a game because you are losing.
end up - to finish in a place probably you didn't expect to find yourself in.
put off - to do some activity at a later time.
set off - to start a journey.
run out - to find you have no more of something e.g. petrol in your car, milk in the fridge.
look forward - wait excitedly for an event to happen.
For story transcript and answers: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-212.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Intermediate (B1) and upper-intermediate (B2) English expressions and vocabulary.
Words to explain:binoculars - a device used to see objects far away
UFO - unidentified flying object (alien spaceship)
What the hell is going on? - What is happening?
fin - wing-like structure of a creature that lives in the sea
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?
1, failed to comprehend
2, under the impression
3, get straight to the point
4, It goes without saying
5, taken somebody's word for it
6, I don’t get it
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1, swtchd off - turned off
2, accrt - precise
3, brz - a light wind
4, srrndd - were on all sides
5, dcrsng - less and less
B2-level
6, cmpsd of - made up of
7, drknng - losing light
8, ignrd - did not look at or speak to
9, incrdbl - hard to believe
10, Srly - of course, obviously
Find all answers at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-211.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Words to explain:
extraterrestrial - from another planet
alien - life from another planet
life forms - beings which are living
electro-magnetic field - this surrounds the Earth and protects us from harmful rays from space
orbit - going around the sun etc.
meteorite - an object that may crash into the Earth
evolve / evolution - life that grows and changes over long periods of time
cosmic - from the universe
comet - a huge ball of us that flies through space
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?
1) Nevertheless
2) no expense spared
3) you've got another thing coming!
4) evidently
5) up to one's eyes
6) in the middle of nowhere
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) knwldg - what is known
2) ancnt - very old
3) dstntn - the end of your journey
4) plnt - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars etc.
5) elmntry - easy
B2-level
6) wsdm
7) uncnvncd
8) figr ot - find a solution
9) ovrxctd - too nervous
10) hbtbl - a place where life can exist
See the answers at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-210.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The second part of my story A Window on Time.
Strong B1 and B2-level story.
Words to explain:detention - in schools this was (is?) a punishment for children. We had to stay in a classroom during the lunch-break and do extra homework
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?
1) to feel faint
2) Naturally,
3) tremble with excitement
4) hit it off
5) stick together
6) stand by somebody
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) uncmfrtbl adj. a chair, for example, that is not nice to sit in because it is too hard etc.
2) blvd v. thought something was true
3) cmplnd v. said he didn't like something
4) aplgy n. saying sorry
5) mngd t v. was able to
B2-level
6) astnshd adj. very surprised
7) rvrsng v. going backwards
8) trvl adj. not serious at all
9) pndng v. beating hard e.g. your heart
10) bd-tmprd adj. angry, in an angry mood
For the answers to the questions above, see https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-209.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context they are used in during the story.
1) deep in thought
2) Strangely enough,
3) strictly forbidden
4) an exception to the rule
5) the situation had become unbearable
6) the truth of the matter was
B1 words from the story: what are they?
1) prvs adj. what happend before
2) shckd n. very surprised in a bad way
3) prvntng v. stopping
4) apprchd v. got closer
5) aplgs v. say sorry
B2 words from the story: what are they?
6) rclld v. remember
7) prsmbly adv. supposedly
8) grdlly adv. little by little
9) strd v. looked at somebody in a long hard way
10) frd v. be frightened of
Answers to word test at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-208.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Part 2 of my exciting story Victims of Nature for students studying B1 and B2 English.
Words to explain:shepherd = somebody who looks after sheep in the countryside
raft = a small flat boat
flock of sheep = a group of sheep
waterfall = where water falls vertically down from a high rock
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?
1) All of a sudden
2) scared him stiff
3) To make matters worse
4) it went without saying
5) Out of breath
6) shout at the top of his voice
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) prdctd v. said what would happen in the future
2) crshd v. hit sth hard
3) clff n. a long vertical drop down in the countryside
4) stt n. a stone model of a person
5) fld n. when the water from a river, etc. covers the land
B2-level
6) trmnds adj. to a large extent, very much
7) ignrd v. did not take notice of because it seemed unimportant
8) shllw adj. not deep (water)
9) rg n. anger
10) exhstd adj. very tired
For answers to the above, go to https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-207.htm You can also see a video clip on this page of the flood mentioned in the story!At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
A Strong B1 and B2-level story based on a real event this summer in the Alpujarra mountain region of Southern Spain (Granada).
Words to explain:shepherd = spmebody who looks after sheep in the countryside
raft = a small flat boat
flock of sheep = a group of sheep
waterfall = where water falls vertically down from a high rock
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?
1) The reality of the situation...
2) take charge of...
3) he held on for dear life...
4) What’s the point of...
5) be bored stiff...
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) dsty adj. covered in a fine layer of dirt, sand, etc.
2) shd n. the dark are under a tree, for example, where the sun does not shine.
3) strm n. a small river
4) dprtr n. opposite of arrival, where you leave from, going away
5) end p v. finish, where an event has its end.
B2-level
6) unblvbl adj. something you find difficult to think is true
7) pctrsq adj. very pretty scenery e.g. mountains, woods etc.
8) wtty adj. clever with words
9) undrstndbl adj. when you respect somebody's feelings and feel what they say is true
10) thrtnng adj. something that could hurt or harm us, it could be dangerous
Read the answers at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-206.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
One way or another, Norman imagined that other people regarded him as an underachiever. He became obsessed by what his colleagues at the supermarket might call him when he was not listening. What about Norman Nobody or Norman Nothing in Particular. Norman was a man who was of the opinion that life had not treated him fairly...
This is a strong B1 to B2-level story.
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?1) talk things over with
2) kept in good shape
3) push himself
4) (feel) over the moon
5) took a deep breath
6) taken it for granted
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) achvmnt n. (something difficult you managed to de)
2) dscssn n. (talking among people)
3) rd v. (opposite of polite)
4) rcgnsd (saw somebody and knew who they were)
5) cmpttr n. (somebody in a competition)
B2-level
6) otstnding adj. (exceptional, very good)
7) trgc adj. (very sad)
8) prftbl adj. (a way that earns you money)
9) gggls n. (worn over the eyes when swimming)
10) astnshd adj. (very surprised)
For answers, listen to the podcast, and go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-205.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The Winds of Bolonia (B1 Story with new comprehension questions)
I wanted to publish this story together with the Para-olympics in Paris. I was watching it on television. It shows how positive attitudes, strength, determination are not qualities limited to those athletes in the Olympics we saw earlier this summer, but that persons with disabilities are no different and share the same qualities.The heroine in my story today, The Winds of Bolonia (B1 level) is about a young girl in a wheelchair. Her story is a success story, not because she learns how to be better than her disability but because she has a disability.
Comprehension questions and vocabulary test for the complete story (read before you listen)
1) Why was the wind a problem on the island of Bolonia?
2) What was Ainimos' favourite hobby?
3) Why was Animos in a wheelchair?
4) Did Animos pass the university entry exam?
5) Why did Animos feel positive at the end of the story?
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out of each word (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
1) pnfl adj. (hurts very much)
2) lkd frwrd t v. past (waited for an event and wanted it to happen soon)
3) prvntd v. past. (stopped her from doing something)
4) sns of hmr (be funny, know how to make people laugh; laugh at good jokes)
5) old-fshnd adj. (not modern, not in fashion)
6) hpfl adj. (feeling good about what is going to happen)
7) at lng lst (in the end, finally)
8) rmnd qt (continued not saying anything)
9) cldn’t blv hr eys (she saw something but she didn’t think it could be true)
10) injrd v. past (hurt yourself e.g. in an accident)
See all answers at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-204.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Comprehension questions and answers for the complete story.
1) Why did Benjamin decide to go back to the hotel?
2) How did Jessica know Benjamin was staying in the Borromeo Hotel?
3) Where did Benjamin move to when fe left school?
4) What did Benjamin think the old woman was doing on the stairs?
5) What did Benjamin plan to do with Jessica?
6) Why did Benjamin's son, Logan, leave the car at the end of the story?
You can see the answers to these questions at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-177.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Comprehension questions to read before listening to the complete B1-level story:
Who was Sidney Peabody?
1) What was unusual about the way Sidney Peabody looked?
2) According to Simon Fotheringay, the journalist and reporter, why did Sidney Peabody perform the miracle in Benalmadena?
3) What did people do in Madrid just before Sidney Peabody said the words: "I wish it would rain!"?
4) After talking to his friend, Stephen Smithers, who did Simon think Sidney Peabody was?
5) Did the detective believe Sidney Peabody wanted to help others by making it rain?
You can find the answers at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-158.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
This is the complete B1-level story of The Spaceman (first published in 2022)
Comprehension questions for story
1) Why was Max Headroom angry at the beginning of the story?
2) What were the space-time doors?
3) Who was the old man in Max's bedroom?
4) Why did Max and his wife, Sheena, separate?
5) Do you think Max and Sheena got back together again?
I'll give you the answers at the end of the story.
Think about this question below. You can send your written answer at the link at the top of this page "send me a text" (mobile phones only)
If you as a much older man or woman came to visit you now from the future, what would he or she (you) tell you that you should stop doing before it's too late?
Transcript.
The transcript below is for the first part of the story (until you hear the music). Listen carefully to the rest of the story and try to answer the questions 2 to 5 above. (Answers at the end of the podcast.)
Max Headroom felt very annoyed. As he looked out of the side window of his tiny spaceship*, he could clearly see the red paint falling off the back wings. Max remembered the words of the advertisement at his local spaceship* garage.
Special offer - this week only!
Small-sized spaceships painted at half-price!
Why hadn’t he taken his spaceship* to the garage last week? Now it was too late for the special offer.
Max turned away from the side window and looked forward through the front windscreen. Bright stars filled the black space ahead of him. It was another wonderful weekend away in space for Max. He really looked forward to his weekends.
Max opened the computer screen and turned on the display. He could now see the space social network groups and who was online. Max found a few of his friends. Dekker was in his own spaceship*. He had just left the planet Gonda. Baxter and Bleeper had been in space since Thursday and were close by. Max touched Dekker’s avatar on the screen. Dekker replied immediately.
‘Hi, there, Max! How are you?’ said Dekker.
‘Fine,’ answered Max. ‘Good to hear from you, Dekker! Let’s do some space travel!’
‘Sure!’ said Dekker. ‘I’ll contact Baxter and Bleeper. The space cowboys are gonna have fun! Wahoo!’
They enjoyed going to the typical holiday planets around Vega with their hot and sunny weather, luxury hotels, enormous swimming pools and noisy night clubs.
However, Max and his friends chose to go to a completely different planet this time – a holiday planet called Bluewater. Not many people travelled there and Max had to choose a different flight route.
First of all, he had to fly past the planet Darkhole, which was where strange non-humans* lived in dirty, smelly houses. They hated visitors from other planets and if they had the chance they would attack and rob them. Even the space police wouldn’t go to planet Darkhole.At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Today I'm giving you the full version of my B1-level story (with some B2 English)
Tsunami!
Here are 4 comprehension questions for part TWO of the story, which starts after the written transcript has finished.
1) What did Yannick think Melville's name was?
Mr Tsunami
2) Which was the last accident that stopped Melville and the French family from escaping from the beach?
But that jeep was going nowhere that day. It hit a rock hidden under the sand, which made it jump to the side and turn over completely - everybody with it.
3) What happened to the Tsunami? Why weren't Melville and the French family killed?
The huge wave divided in two – like a pair of curtains at a window. Each half dropped in height to just a few metres and moved down to the sides of the island and disappeared.
4) What did Melville look like?
Melville stood there in front of them, dark-skinned, handsome, long black curly hair and beard, looking larger than life - like a Greek god.
To read the trandscript go to https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-200.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) - Vis mere
