6. (June) Er, more or less, yes. But, erm, I think if you’re obviously aware that your children are getting in bad company, then you’ve sort of erm, got to diplomatically, er, tell your children that don’t approve of their friends, really. But very diplomatically: you can’t really just say, ‘No you can’t play or be friends with these’, but er, try and sort of get them to drop those friends. (Laughs).

7. (Ellen) Having said I would never marry anybody who didn’t know how to cook and been proven wrong: yes, I think people should cook for themselves some of the time. A, to give people who do the cooking most of the time a break, and also because er, you know, it’s (Daniel: Because why?) it can fun.

8. (Ellen) Do you, is that a rule in your house, Kara?

(Kara) Yeah, I agree. Yeah. I erm, often help with housework. And I find that when I go round to friends’ house, their mother does everything for them, and y-, you know, they don’t have, they don’t know a lot, aren’t very independent. Er, they’ll say. ‘Mum, can you do this; Mum, can you do that’, and their mum will go and do it. But as get older they’re going to need to learn it all anyway, so it’s best if you know it.

.

UNIT 21. How Much Do You Know about These Governments?

The USA – the United States of America – is a federation of fifty states. Forty-eight of these states are in the same general area, between Canada in the north and Mexico in the south. The other two states are geographically separate: Alaska is in the extreme north-west of the American continent, and Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The federal capital is Washington, D. C., south of New York near the east coast.

Washington is the center of federal government, but each state has its own capital and its own government. State governments have a large amount of power and independence: they make their own laws, and they’re also responsible for education, for the state police force, for the prison system, for road-building and many other things.

Federal laws are made by Congress, which is the equivalent of the British Parliament. There are two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state sends representatives and senators to Congress. Elections to the House of Representatives are held every two years, while Senators are elected for a six-year period.

The President is elected separately, together with the Vice-President. They serve for a term of four years. The President chooses the people who will form the cabinet. These do not have to be elected members of Congress – they can be brought in from outside Congress – but the Senate must approve their appointment. Power is shared between the President and Congress, and if the President belongs to the minority party in Congress, it can cause problems.

There are two main political parties in the United States: the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats are slightly more to the left than the Republicans, but the differences between their policies are not usually very great.

The United States does not does not have a separate ceremonial Head of State.

UNIT 22. Seeing Is Believing.

John: Hi, darling.

Sally: Hello, John. Well, did you see the magnificent town residence?

John: Yes.

Sally: So what’s it like?

John: Well, first of all it is four miles out of the town center.

Sally: Oh, no!

John: And it’s not all that big. Three bedrooms: one quite big, one smallish, and one that would be OK for the cat. The luxury bathroom doesn’t have a shower, and the downstairs cloakroom is at the end of the garden – at the end of the jingle, I should say. The sitting and dining rooms are both pretty small.

Sally: What about the kitchen? Is it big enough to have breakfast in?

John: Oh, yes. Easily. If you sit on the fridge and put your feet out of the window there’s plenty of room.

Sally: The garage?

John: Fine for a bicycle. A bicycle, mind. Not two bicycles. And there’s oil-fired central heating, which doesn’t work. And the walls and roof are in a very bad state. Apart from that it’s fine.

Sally: Oh, good. Let’s buy it at once.

UNIT 23. Who Is Right?

This is a true story that was reported in the papers a few years ago. There was this guy, aged about 30 or so, who was out of work, and so of course he had money problems. Well, one evening he was going out to visit his old mother, and he had a bit of time to spare, so he thought he’d try crime as a way of solving his problems. So he wrote out this note, saying I’ve got a gun in my bag, and I’ll shoot it off unless you hand over the money. Then he went into four shops, one after the other, and you know he didn’t get a penny. In the first shop, that was a chemist’s, there was a middle-ages women serving, and she wouldn’t accept the note because she thought it said something dirty. So he went next door to a grocer’s, where he found an Asian assistant who couldn’t speak English. Then he tried a Chinese takeaway food shop, but the manager couldn’t read the note because he had eye trouble. In the end, of course, the guy got himself arrested. He was really upset, and kept saying how stupid he was, and how he wouldn’t have fired the gun anyway.

UNIT 24. At the Doctor’s.

1.

A

D: Where does it hurt?

P: Just here, doctor.

D: I see. Does it hurt all the time?

P: No. Only when I run, or when going upstairs. Sometimes when I carry things.

D: When you carry things. Heavy things?

P: Yes.

D: Right. Now I want you to stand up…

B

D: How often do you get them?

P: Oh, two or three times a week.

D: two or three times a week. I see. Are they very bad?

P: Oh, yes. They stop me working. Something I can hardly see, you know.

D: Yes. Do you ever get hay fever?

C

P: It’s really bad cough. It’s hurts.

D: Does it hurt when you breathe?

P: If I breathe deeply, yes.

D: I see. Well, I’ll just have a listen to your chest. Do you smoke?

2.

D

P: It’s a really bad pain, doctor. Down here.

D: Which side?

P: This side.

How long has this been going on? When did it start?

P: Yesterday morning, doctor. I thought perhaps it was indigestion, but it’s too bad for that.

D: All right. Now just lie down here. That’s right. Now where exactly does it hurt? Is it here?

P” Ooh! Yes!

E

D: Good morning, Mrs Palmer. What’s the problem?

P: Well, I’ve got a bad sore throat, doctor.

D: Oh, dear. How long have you had it?

P: Oh, about a week. It’s getting very painful. It’s difficult to eat.

F

P: It’s every year about the same time, doctor. Stuffed-up nose, my eyes itch, and I feel sort of funny the whole time.

D: Is it worse when you’re inside or outside?

P: When I’m in the garden.

G

P: I get this pain when I bend over, doctor. Just here.

D: I see. Take your shirt off.

UNIT 25. Keeping Healthy.

1.

BETTY: I’m so worried about Marc these days. Ever since he moved into his own apartment he’s been losing weight. He really doesn’t look well at all.

CHARLENE: he moved into his own apartment?! Well, no wonder he’s looking so thin. He really should try to gain some weight. He’s probably not eating enough. Did you talk to him about it when you saw him yesterday?

BETTY: Yes, but well, you know. Well, anyway, how’s Tim these days?

CHARLENE: Tim? Oh, has me worried, too. He is really getting much too fat. He needs to lose about 75 pounds now. I don’t know what to do. I keep telling him to go on a diet, but he gets angry every time I try to him about it.

BETTY: Seventy-five pounds? That is a lot of weight to lose. What does Tim eat?

CHARLENE: I really don’t know. But I am sure he is eating too much cake and candy. I keep telling him, “Tim, dear, you will just have to eat more fruit and less candy.” Of course, he doesn’t listen to me. Maybe Marc should talk to him.

BETTY: Well, maybe. Oh, did I tell you he’s decided to be a vegetarian? He doesn’t eat any meat now. That has me very worried. He only eats vegetables and fruit.

CHARLENE: Marc doesn’t eat any meat?! That’s probably why he’s so thin! Does he smoke?

BETTY: Does he smoke? About two packs of cigarettes a day. That’s my son – a smoking vegetarian. And he

Buys his vegetables at a health food store.

CHARLENE: Mark smokes two parks a day!? Hmmm. You know, if the stopped smoking he would gain weight. I know he would. Tim put on a lot of weight when he stopped smoking. But Tim has another problem – even worse. He drinks soda. Soda for lunch. Soda for dinner. Soda after dinner. I keep telling him to stop drinking all that soda. Does Marc drink it?

BETTY: No, not very much. Just a little from time to time.

CHARLENE: Well, that’s not so bed.

BETTY: Maybe Tim needs a little exercise Does he play any sports?

CHARLENE: Tim? Play sport? Oh, my Tim is so lazy. I keep telling him, “Tim dear…, ”I say, “Tim, dear, why don’t you take a walk? You really need to get some exercise.“ And you know hat he does? He just gets angry.

BETTY: I know. Marc doesn’t exercise, either. He just works. He works so hard. No time for exercise or even relaxing. He should relax little.

CHARLENE: Did you him -

BETTY: Of course, but you know what it’s like being a mother of a 30-year-old boy. They just don’t think they need your advice anymore. I wish Marc would find a nice girlfriend to relax and have fun with. I heard that Tim has a girlfriend, at last. That’s wonderful.

CHARLENE: You think that’s wonderful? You should meet her. She….

UNIT 26. How Do I Get There?

1.

1. A. Excuse me. Does this bus go to Phoenix?

B. No, you want a number 23.

A. Oh, I see. A twenty-three. And how often does it run?

B. Every ten minutes.

A. Thank you.

2. A. Which bus goes to the airport, please?

B. You want a number 16.

A. And how often does the 16 run, please?

B. Every 15 minutes.

A. Thank you.

3. A. How do I get to the museum, please?

B. Take bus number 33.

A. Does it run often?

B. Every thirty minutes, ma’am.

A. Thanks.

4. A. I want to go t the 200, please. What bus should I take?

B. Number 5. It leaves from the side of the read. There’s one every ten minutes.

A. Thanks a lot

5. A. Which bus do I take to get to the train station, please.

B. The train station? You should take a number 7.

A. Seven? And do you know how often the seven goes?

B. There’s one every five minutes.

A. Thanks.

6. A. How can I set to the art gallery from here, please?

B. You should take bus number thirteen.

A. And does it go often?

B. There’s one twenty minutes from in front of the hotel.

A. Oh, thanks.

2.

1. A. Excuse me. What’s the best way to get to the National Gallery?

B. Well, just take a bus. It’s very simple. There’s a bus stop in front of the hotel. You want a number 16.

A. And how long does it take?

B. Oh, it’s not far. It’ll take you about 10 minutes on the bus.

A. Good, thanks.

2. A. How can I get to the Isetan Department Store from here? Can I go by subway?

B. Yes, that’s probably he way to get there.

A. Is it far?

B. No, it will only take 5 minutes by subway.

A. Thanks.

3. A.I want to go to the Far Eastern Shopping Plaza. Is that very difficult to get to from here?

B. No, not at all. Just walk east along the street in front of the hotel and you’ll see it on your left.

A. How far away is it on food? Oh, not more than 10 minutes.

B. Good. Thank you.

4. A. Is it very easy to get to the Plaza Hotel from here?

B. Let me see. It’s probably easiest to take a taxi. There are no buses going in that direction from here.

A. I see. And how far is it by taxi.

B. It will take about 15 minutes.

A. Thank you.

5. A. I want to get to the Hong Kong Restaurant. How can I get there from here, please?

B. Oh, it’s quite simple. Just take bus number 15 from across the street.

A. Is it a long trip?

B. No, it takes about 20 minutes.

A. Thank you.

B. You are welcome.

6. A. How can I get to the United Airlines office from here, please?

B. United Airlines. Oh, yes. That’s in the IBM building. Well, you should take the subway. There’s a subway exit right opposite the IBM building.

A. Good. And how long does it take to get there by subway.

B. Oh, about 10 minutes.

A. Thank you.

CHAPTER III. LISTENING TO SONGS

UNIT 1. You’re Perfect.

You smile and I see a gap in your teeth.

It makes me laugh inside.

You may not be perfection,

But you’re always on my mind.

And when you dance you’ve got two left feet.

You’ll never be a Broadway star.

You may not be perfection,

But I love you just way that you are.

And sometimes when the sun goes down,

We’re alone, nobody else around,

I have got to face the truth:

You’re perfect.

You’re perfect.

You’re perfect, to me.

Out on the town you always lose your way:

Better if you stayed at home.

You may not be perfection,

But I just can’t leave you alone.

You look such a mess when you’re dressing up.

Nothing ever looks quite right.

You may not be perfection,

But will you be mine tonight?

Cause darling when the sun goes down,

We’re alone, nobody else around,

I know that I can face the truth:

You’re perfect.

You’re perfect.

You’re perfect, to me.

UNIT 2. A Bigger Heart.

His arms are stronger than mine

His legs are longer than mine

His car’s always cleaner

An his grass is always greener

But my heart is bigger than his

And my love for you is stronger than his.

His shirts are whiter than mine

His soufflés are lighter than mine

His video is newer

And his faults are fewer

But my heart is bigger than his

And my love for you is stronger than his.

He’s more intelligent, much more elegant

More charming and polite than me

He’s more responsible, much more dependable

He’s everything I long to be.

His office is higher than mine

His martinis are drier than mine

His roses are taller

And his overdraft is smaller

But my heart is bigger than his

And my love for you is stronger than his.

UNIT 3. Brighton in the Rain

I’ve never been to Athens and I’ve never been to Rome

I’ve only seen the Pyramids in picture books at home

I’ve never sailed across the sea or been inside a plane

I’ve always spent my holidays in Brighton in the rain.

I’ve never eaten foreign food or drunk in a foreign bar

I’ve never kissed a foreign girl or driven a foreign car

I’ve never had to find my way in a country I don’t know

I’ve always known just where I am and where I’ll never go.

I’ve read travel books by writers who have been to Pakistan

I’ve heard people telling stories of adventures in Iran

I’ve watched TV documentaries about China and Brazil

But I’ve never been abroad myself; it’s making me feel ill.

I’ve studied several languages like Hindi and Malay

I’ve learnt lost of useful sentences I’ve never been able to say

The furthest place I’ve ever been was to the Isle of Man

And that was full of tourists from Jamaica and Japan.

I’ve never been to Athens and I’ve never been to Rome

I’ve only seen the Pyramids in picture books at home

I’ve never sailed across the sea or been inside a plane

I’ve always spent my holidays in Brighton in the rain.

UNIT 4. My Old Dad

We never saw him in the mornings,

And he always came home late.

Then he sat and read the paper

And did the crossword while he ate.

He never helped us with our homework,

But he taught me how to swim,

And he taught me to be patient.

I guess I learnt a lot from him.

My old Dad

He was one of the good guys.

He was nobody’s hero,

But he was special to me.

Every summer we went to Blackpool,

Except when he was unemployed.

He loved to sit and watch the sunset.

That was one thing we both enjoyed.

He was always very gentle,

Nothing ever made him mad.

He was never rich or famous,

But I was proud of my old Dad.

My old Dad

He was one of the good guys.

He was nobody’s hero,

But he was special to me.

UNIT 5. I Hadn’t Seen Her for a Long Time.

I was walking down the street one day

Looking at the shops

When someone asked me if I knew the way.

I gave the girl direction

And then saw who it was.

I couldn’t think of anything to say.

I hadn’t seen her for a very long time

Since the day we said goodbye.

She hadn’t changed,

She still looked young and shy.

I thought perhaps I’d changed so much

She didn’t realize it was me,

Then I saw the recognition in her eye.

We stood in silence for a while,

Then I led her to a bar.

I felt as if I was walking with a ghost.

We drink and began to talk

And then her eyes met mine.

Her eyes had always shown her feeling most.

We talked about the good old days

About family and friends

About the hopes we’d shared before it all went wrong.

She seemed quite pleased to see me

So I ordered two more drinks

But when I got back to the table she had gone.

I hadn’t seen her for a very long time etc.

UNIT 6. Private Detective.

He’s a very small man

And his face is very thin

He wears a long grey jacket

And he’s got whiskers on his chin

He keeps looking back – I keep diving into doorways

Watching every move – I still don’t know his name …

He’s a dangerous villain

And he’s creeping like a fox.

There is something in his suitcase

And now he’s stepping in a phone box

He keeps looking back – I keep diving into doorways

Watching every move – but I still don’t know his game …

Private Detective – now he’s running free

Private Detective – he’ll never get away from me

She’s sitting in a cafè

And she’s reaching in her bag

She’s looking at a photo

And her face is very sad

She keeps looking up – I dive behind my paper

Something’s gonna happen – sooner or later

Private Detective – now she’s running free

Private Detective – she’ll never get away from me, no, no, no!

She’s a very smart lady

And her nails are very long

And she’s taking to a stranger

And I think she’s got a gun

She keeps looking up – I dive behind my paper

Something’s gonna happen – sooner or later

Private Detective – now she’s running free

Private Detective – she’ll never get away - oh no!

Private Detective – now he’s running free, no, no

Private Detective – he’ll never, never, never get away from me!

UNIT 7. So Near Yet So Far.

Maria lives on a mountainside with her mother

and her father – she’s an only child

She works so hard – in the old vineyard

Antonio lives at the harbour’s edge with his uncle

and aunt … and to earn his bread,

He fishes all day – in a rough black sea

They met at a dance in the market square

A romantic night – there was love in the air

They held each other close and he gave her a ring

Both families agreed it was the very best thing

Maria dreams that the day will come when she and

Antonio are joined as one

They’ll be married soon – happy bride and groom

One not summer’s day on the mountainside

Maria stared as a stranger came by

In a shiny car and gold round his neck

She was the prettiest girl he’d ever met

Maria sits alone on the mountainside in a brand

new dress and tears in her eyes

Now the stranger’s gone - he was a handsome one

Antonio climbs on an out – of – town bus ‘cause now

his dreams have turned to dust

He’s got to get away – he’s just heading for the city

They met at a dance in the market square

A romantic night – magic in the air

Both families agree the wedding is off

So near yet so far from a perfect love.

UNIT 8. The Island.

Each night I dream of a beautiful island

Surrounded by beaches and covered in flowers

Butterflies dance through the sweet-smelling meadows

And birds sing their love songs for hours.

Crystal clear water runs down from the mountains

And flows through deep valleys as a sparkling stream.

Gentle sea breezes blow over my island

While sunshine pours over my dream.

Each night I visit the island of my dreams,

Each night I visit I the island, of my dreams,

I leave the real world behind,

It’s somewhere deep in my mind,

Not too easy to find,

The island.

Bright orange squirrels play games in the tree tops

And chase through the branches where nightingales sing.

It looks so peaceful I wish I could take you

To where each night’s the first day of spring.

Each night I visit the island of my dreams,

Each night I visit I the island, of my dreams,

I leave the real world behind,

It’s somewhere deep in my mind,

Not too easy to find,

The island.