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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
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
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) -
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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
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
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
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
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) -
Send me a text.
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
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
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
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
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These are the two stories I chose for the story task I gave you at podcast 197.
Story 1Mrs Jones was 82. Her husband had died many years ago, so she lived alone with her cat. She had a large vegetable garden, and she kept fit by working there every day.
But she was often unhappy, because she remembered she had lost her wedding ring many, many years ago. It was like a treasure for her.
One day, she was in the garden pulling carrots out of the ground. Suddenly she saw the ring. A carrot had grown inside it.
'Well, well, well. After all these years!' she said.
(Yolanda, La Coruña, Spain)
Story 2
Yvette was a very responsible girl, although she was only 12 years old. One evening, her parents decided to go out for a meal and leave Yvette at home to look after her brother, who was 10.
Yvette sat in front of the fire and read her book. It was a big old house and some people said it had a ghost.
Suddenly, Yvette's mobile phone rang.
'I am the ghost of this house, and I'm coming to get you!' said a voice.
'See you in a bit, then,' she said, and hung up.
Then her little brother came in.
'Why weren't you frightened,' he said.
'Stop playing silly games and go to bed,' said Yvette.
(Aleksy, near Warsaw, Poland)
Thank you for your contributions!
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) -
Send me a text.
There are 4 questions for you to answer while you listen to the story:
The questions are:
1) What did uncle Tom make so he didn't have to get up early?
2) When they were on the boat, where did Stephen Liddel put the box of beer?
3) What did William's Dad do wrong that made him lose the fish?
4) Why did Uncle Tom fall into the sea?
At the end of the story, I'll tell you the answers.
You can also answer the question:
Is there a hero in your family? Who is it?
You can send me your answer by clicking on the link above: Send me a Text. You can only do this from your mobile phone.
I'll read out answers on next week's podcast - July 29th 2024. Please include a name and the country you are from.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) -
Send me a text.
Here are the rules for the story-writing activity.
- The story must include at least one of the phrases 1 to 8 shown below.
- The subject of the story can be anything you like.
- The story should not be longer than 80 words.
- The story can only be sent from the link on mobile phones "send me a text" at the top of this page in your podcast app.
- Please include your name and the country you are from at the bottom of the text.
- The last day for sending the story is 28th July 2024.
- I'll read two or three of the best stories on my podcast.
1) The voice sounded rather weak, sleepy even.2) I’ve got a few hours. I thought we could meet up.
3) Thoughts began to go through Stephen’s mind
4) 'Why don’t you come over?' Jane suggested.
5) ‘See you in a bit* then,’ she said and hung up.
6) On such a small island, everybody knew everybody else
7) 'Well, well, well. After all these years!' she said.
8) She had to move piles of papers off the sofa, so Stephen could sit down.
See the full transcript of the story extract at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-197.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
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
Today I have joined the two halves of The Quiet Man together so you can enjoy this story in one complete story.
I briefly discuss intonation and give you a task to listen to while enjoying the story.For more podcasts on intonation at Practising English, go to podcasts: 126, 109, 43, 103. See the podcast numbers at my website...
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-content.htm
The Quiet Man
First part of story. If you can't see the words in red on your app (the stressed words), you can visit my website at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-196.htm:‘Come on, you’ll like them! They really are super people!’
Simon Willoughby wasn’t convinced. He had never been keen on theatres and actors.
On the only occasion Simon had actually been to the theatre, he had felt terrified. On this visit, he was sitting just two rows back from the front, when, during the play, one of the performers had come down from the stage. She asked if someone would like to come up and take part in the play. As nobody raised their hand, the actress came among the audience to look for someone.
For one terrible moment, Simon thought it was going to be him. He closed his eyes, and his heartbeat raced while sweat poured off his face and hands. Fortunately, for Simon, the actress chose another person, who had been sitting right next to him. Simon could breathe normally again. In fact, feeling worried that the same thing might happen later on in the performance, Simon got up and quietly walked out of the theatre. He’d never been back.
How he had become friends with his department’s manageress, Simon couldn’t even guess. She seemed to like him. Her name was Phillipa, and she had asked Simon to come into her office to talk about his work in the company. He couldn’t really understand why he deserved the attention. His work as a computer programmer was hardly important, as what he did was simple and even rather dull.
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
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
Extracts from my stories with examples of SO and REALLY Here are the 4 extracts from my stories I use in this podcast to give examples of the use of SO and REALLY as intensifiers.
Extract 1:
'The fishmonger,' corrected Vanessa again. 'The person who sells fish is called a fishmonger.'
'The fishmonger was REALLY big and fat,' added Jason. 'Then Gran pointed to the fish man and said to me, "Do you know what this gentleman's name is?" And I said, "No, I don't." And Gran said, "His name's Mr Whale!" And Gran laughed, and the big fat fish man looked at me with his big red face and laughed, and everybody in the shop laughed, but I didn't laugh because I didn't understand what was SO funny.
Then Gran said it again, "His name is Mr Whale!" So I said "Oh! I see! His name is Mr Whale, and he's REALLY big and fat like a whale!" And then everybody stopped laughing, and Mr Whale went redder in the face, and then looked the other way, and Gran was REALLY annoyed, but I didn't understand why.'
'Stupid!' said Vanessa angrily. 'It was funny because his name is Mr Whale and he's a fishmonger. Don't you see?'
For extracts 2, 3 and 4, visit my website at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-195.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
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
Writing the B1 article.
(If you are interested in my podcast about writing the B1 story...
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-128.htm )
These are some general, very important words I recommend you learn for writing in any part of the PET exam. You won't be able to use all of them, but try to use some at least:unless, available, suitable, encourage, increase, intend to, involve, keen to/on, supposed to, unable to. (Which words do I use?)
These are the usual topics that come up for the article, Try to learn a few B1 words and expressions related to each topic.work (adults only),
shopping,
Travel and transport.
Entertainment.
Leisure activities.
Sport, health and fitness.
Education.
News and media. (adults only)
Technology.
My topic today for the article today: Sport, health and fitness.
You see this notice in your school magazine. Write an article about young people and how to be healthy. Do you think it is important for young people to do sport and keep fit? Why?
Which are the best ways to stay healthy?
The best articles to answer these questions will be published next month.
Write your article.
Vocabulary for this topic: (which words do I use?)fitness
illness
unfit
unhealthy
disease
aches and pains
injure
keep fit
recover
join a club
competition
compete
court
pitch
Swimming, the best way to exercise.In this world where mobiles and video games are available to everybody, keeping fit isn't always easy. Do you find time to exercise?
I'm really keen on swimming, so I joined a club, where I go nearly every day, and I feel great! However, my brother’s idea of leisure is playing video games! Now he has a weight problem, he’s unfit, and complains of aches and pains. He's unable to swim one length of our local pool!
Although TV and video games are fine sometimes, I encourage teenagers to swim because it keeps you fit and healthy. Be free of pain and start swimming!
So I used the following general B1 words: available, keen on, unable to, encourage.
And the following specific words related to the topic: keep fit, joined a club, unfit, aches and pains.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) -
Send me a text.
Expressions to memorize
1) There is a decline in the numbers of lynxes. (usually negative)
The decline in the number of tourists.2) It is extremely important that we finish this project on time.
It is crucial that we finish this project on time.3) Tigers are an endangered species.
Tigers are a threatened species.
Bees are becoming threatened by the use of pesticides.4) Forests are disappearing very quickly.
Unemployment is increasing at an alarming rate. (usually negative)5) Preventing climate change is becoming more and more difficult.
Preventing climate change is becoming increasingly difficult.
Language learning has become increasingly important.6) We were very confused trying to understand the menu in Chinese.
We were very puzzled trying to understand the menu in Chinese.7) Everybody in our group was unhappy with the service at the restaurant.
Everybody in our group was dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant.8) The tourists were all very happy after the party.
The tourists were all very content after the party.9) We thought the Swiss mountain scenery was incredibly beautiful.
We thought the Swiss mountain scenery was breathtaking.
Some of their football was breathtaking, a delight to watch.10) He didn’t get up in time, so he missed the bus.
He failed to get up in time, so he missed the bus.
FCE Writing Paper (Part 1)
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your points of view.
People need to do more to protect the environment. Do you agree?
Notes:
1, Recycling
2. Using bicycles and public transport
3. .......... (your own idea)
People need to do more to protect the environment. Do you agree?The topic of the environment is an increasingly worrying issue. How much consumers should be involved in caring for our planet is a subject that needs to be discussed.
We should all feel dissatisfied with the current situation of waste. Recycling is available to all of us. Providing local governments place bins near our home, surely, the consumer alone must be responsible for their own recycling.
Secondly, taking the bicycle or public transport instead of the car is an option we should all choose. On the other hand, if local government fails to provide proper bicycle lanes or transport services, our choice may be limited.
Thirdly, as forests disappear at an alarming rate, and animal and plant habitats decline, consumers need to make better choices when shopping to protect our threatened ecosystems. Therefore, it is crucial we buy more goods that come only from renewable forests, and clothing and food produced ecologically.
In conclusion, I find it puzzling that so many people believe irresponsible governments alone will take care of our planet. We should not feel content that everything will be done for us. Instead, both governments and consumers must become more involved.
(194 words)The
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) -
Send me a text.
Introduction to part 2 of The Breath of the Mosquito
Emil Zimmermann, professor of astrophysics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University sat back in his leather chair and studied the colourful feather, he was holding in his hand, through his thick glasses.‘Incredible!’ he said. ‘You say it comes from an extinct* type of bird, don’t you?’
Mathew was sitting the other side of Emil’s huge wooden desk, covered in piles of papers.
‘That’s what we believe, yes, Emil. It came from a bird called Geranopterus alatus, we have found them as fossils from the Eocene period. It stood about thirty centimetres high, so it was quite a large bird. If it was still flying about the county of Oxfordshire, somebody would have seen it.’
Here are some of the "space" words that you will hear in the story:
‘Yes, of course. That’s true, but it’s not exactly what I meant,’ Emil continued. ‘Our Earth, the sun, and all the planets in our solar system are moving through space, as we go round or orbit the centre of our galaxy. In fact, the Earth and sun are moving at 720 thousand kilometres per hour in their galaxy orbit. But, we then also have to consider the speed of the complete galaxy. All the galaxies are moving through the universe at enormous speeds. In 4 billion years from now, we will crash into Andromeda, our nearest neighbour galaxy.’‘That’s amazing,’ said Mathew. ‘But, what are you trying to say?’
‘This means that if you travelled back in time on Earth 33 million years and lived to tell the story afterwards, you must also travel back to where the Earth was situated 33 million years ago.’
Emil looked hard at Mathew. ‘Earth, Mathew, was many, many light years away from where it is now 33 million years ago!’ said Emil loudly. ‘A time traveller must also be a space traveller, an astronaut!'
I'll also talk about the use of Question Tags.
You can listen to how they are used, and why we use them.
There are also some exercises on Question Tags at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar-exercises/question-tags_2.htm
Answer to the question - What does the professor of astrophysics say about the breath of the mosquito?
Here is the extract from the story which explains this theory:
'If… if something went back in time and existed in the past, something or somebody who was not there before, he/she/it would change time in the present. Things would not be the same when he or she returned. It would take just a moment, the tiniest movement in the past would have the effect like a stone thrown into a pond. The circles of effect would move out, growing and growing for ever and changing the world as they go.’
‘But, Emil,’ interrupted his friend. ‘I was only there for a minute or so.’
‘Mathew, a minute is a long, long time. Listen to me, even the breath of a mosquito 33 million years ago would change the world and events in history as we know them today. Just one breath of a mosquito. ImagineAt 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) -
Send me a text.
This is a B1-level short story in two parts.
Professor Mathew Pearson, a paleontologist and professor at Oxford University, made an incredible discovery when he found a skull. Tests are done and the results are extremely surprising...
Technical vocabulary in the story
Prehistory / A prehistoric scene
paleontology
fossils
The Jurassic period (finished 145 million years ago)
The Eocene period (finished 33m years ago)
skull
The prehistoric animal mentioned in the story is a sarkastodon.
B1 vocabulary I discuss at the beginning before the story starts
The weather forecast
seriously hurting the planet
spectacularly beautiful buildings
A friend had introduced them to each other.
Christine had encouraged him to keep on going.
explain in detail
We must keep it a secret.
changed the subject
taking all this extremely seriously
Sorry, if I kept you waiting!
'I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure,’ said Mathew.
There was an embarrassing pause.
without any doubt
Listen for these phrases and enjoy 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
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Send me a text.
This is the third and final part of the story 'The Harmonica Players'.
Here are the B2 phrases I discuss in the podcast.
1) This was not the familiar peaceful atmosphere of Oxted.
2) He found London rather threatening.
3) An awful lot of unfamiliar people who packed the streets.
4) You were swept along by dense, hostile crowds of total strangers.
5) A black man in a hat, moving quickly towards Jeffrey in the opposite direction, bumped straight into him.
6) Jeffrey, although in his fifties, was quite a well-built man, so managed to keep his feet.
frostily
coldly
icily
Which one do I use in the story?
7) 'That’s my wallet!' said Jeffrey ????. 'What do you want from me?'
8) Jeffrey felt he had no choice. He reluctantly took out his own harmonica from his pocket.
9) While Jeffrey was still trying to figure out what he had meant by that comment.
10) He wasn’t ready, but he wanted to give it a go. (I also use give it a try, which has the same meaning,)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) -
Send me a text.
In Part 2 of my story, The Harmonica Players, I’ll be talking about racial prejudice. That means the irrational distrust and dislike of people from other countries. My motive for bringing up this topic and creating Jeffrey, a man who is very prejudiced against foreigners, has been from the unfortunate policy by the current Conservative party in the UK, who have proposed and are about to carry out flying immigrants, who have arrived illegally into the UK, to the African country of Rwanda.
This is a B1 to B2 level English story.
B2 vocabulary discussed in the podcast:
foreigner
native English
"I don’t know what this country is coming to. More foreigners than native English."In contrast to
primarily
"In contrast to the London area, Oxted was primarily a small town of white people."respectable
"All respectable, traditional people. Proper English people, Jeffrey would say. "upbringing
"His upbringing had always been in country areas, away from cosmopolitan* cities. "distrusted
"He distrusted foreigners in his country, in general. "superior / inferior
What does he say about these words? (see answer 1 below)raise their voices
Who don't raise their voices? (see answer 2 below)take it for granted
decency and fair play
"In England, you could take it for granted that you would find decency and fair play*.deceit and dishonesty
"Unfortunately, the deceit and dishonesty, which so many immigrants brought with them from elsewhere was giving this country a bad name. "discourage
"The current government’s policy of sending them all to Rwanda was obviously a practical solution which would discourage others, tempted by England’s superior standard of living, from attempting the crossing of the English Channel. ""immigrants giving the country a bad name"
Answer 1) His main argument was that why would anyone from another country wish to live in England unless his or her own origins were somehow inferior*. Here, in England, everybody enjoyed a superior* culture, a better welfare state: medical care, friendly doctors (such as his own Doctor Feelgood, for instance).
Answer 2) The English didn’t raise their voices* or shout at each other like they did on the Continent. (By the term ‘the Continent’, Jeffrey referred to all of Europe excluding* Britain.)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) -
Send me a text.
The Harmonica Players. The story of two people who are very different from each other, yet there is something that unites them.
Words and expressions discussed in the podcast:
bedsit - accommodation, which is very basic, and is usually just one room.
meter - a machine you put money into which controls the amount of electricity is consumed.- Somehow, he couldn’t face starting his day without a hot shower
- All of a sudden, the ceiling light, television, fridge and electric heater all came on* at once.
- work as a musician had been difficult to get hold of
- From time to time, he gave harmonica lessons online…
- Martin always kept his eye out for a job that he could do.
- Every once in a while, he’d found work doing what he really loved
- a chance of a lifetime
- he dropped out of college
- struggling to make ends meet
- Jeffrey had a strong dislike of mobile phones
- They should be behind bars.
- [She] gazed out of the window at the daffodils in the snow
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-188.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) -
Send me a text.
This is a B1 and B2 level podcast with a new story about the ages of Man. (See link to audioscript of story below.)
B1 words discussed:
sunrise
landscape
valleys
scenery
waterfall
cave
the cool shade
setting sun (sunset)
B2 words discussed
youth
bounced along
life was a gift, which he would grab for himself
make the most of
the lines around his eyes
a bald area
mature
his body was curved and bent
slow, clumsy and tired
leaned awkwardly
his old legs struggling to make the final steps
To see full transcript, visit my website:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-187.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) - もっと表示する
