Series 02 Episode 09

Listen to the whole podcast

These exercises help you when you listen to the podcast for the first time. To get ready to listen to the podcast on your computer:

• Read through the questions in the exercises in the practice materials below. This will give you an idea of the programme you are going to listen to.
• Read the questions and instructions carefully. Sometimes you must listen for the 'right' answers. But in some of these questions, you must choose the one answer that is not possible, or wrong.

Practice materials

Listen to the whole podcast and try to answer the questions while you listen.

Exercise

Check your answers when you have finished. How many did you get right? Remember this, because if you listen to the podcast again later (say next month), you can do the exercise again, and see if you have improved!

Section 1 - Conversations in English

"I think I might stop." - Ravi thinks about quitting his Spanish lessons. 

Part 1 is based on the Introduction. This section looks at encouraging people.

Suggestion: One way to use this is to read the transcript, and then do some exercises to help you to learn the common phrases. A good idea is to practise these with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English.

Practice materials: exercise 1

Put the lines of the dialogue in the right order.

Exercise

Practice materials: further practice

For further practice activities please download and print the support pack.

Section 2 - I'd like to talk about

Section 2 is based on someone talking about something that they’re interested in – it could be anything – a hobby, a person, a place, a thing – something that they know a bit about and would like to share. It helps you to practise speaking for a little bit longer – for example, when you're explaining something, or telling people something about yourself.

Suggestion: The best way to practise is with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English. However, if you can't find someone, you can send us a paragraph in English.

In this section, you heard Pete talking about his grandfather's watch. Do you have a special possession that is very important to you? Write a paragraph describing the object and saying why it's important to you.

There is some useful language to help you on page 5 of the support pack.

If you want, you can add your paragraph to the comments on the website.

Section 3 - Quiz

Section 3 is based on the Quiz. This helps you to learn the meaning of new words and how to remember them.

Suggestion: You can write your answers in our Support Pack. You might want to use a notebook or part of your folder to make your own word lists and maps.

The quiz today was about different forms of transport.

Practice materials: Exercise 1

Fill in the gaps with the correct forms of transport.

Exercise

Practice materials: Exercise 2

Match the forms of transport with their descriptions.

Exercise.

Practice materials: further practice

For further practice activities please download and print the support pack.

Section 4 - Your turn

Section 4 is based on 'Your Turn'. It helps you to listen and understand people giving their opinions.

Suggestion: Download the support pack (below) and look at the phrases that the people use. Sometimes they don't use complete sentences. Write down notes and then say what you think.

In Your Turn you heard 5 people answer this question: "If you had a time machine, what 'time' would you visit?"

What about you? What do you think about time travel? Would you like to visit the same times as the people in the programme? What time would you like to visit?

We'd like you to tell us your opinion. Add your paragraph to the comments on the website.

For some useful language, download the support pack.

Practice materials: further practice

For further practice activities please download and print the support pack.

Section 5 - Carolina

Section 5 follows Carolina – a girl who has come to the United Kingdom (UK) to live, study, and to have fun exploring a different country and culture. Listening to this can help you if you find yourself in a similar situation. You will see that there is often more than one way of saying the same thing in English.

Suggestion: listen to Carolina's conversations with her friends and then do exercises 1 and 2.

Practice materials - Exercise 1

Look at some parts of Carolina and Jamie's conversation at the restaurant.

Put the expressions in the right places.

Exercise

Practice materials - Exercise 2

Look again at parts of the conversations.

Choose all the phrases that people can say.

Exercise

Remember: there is always more than one correct answer.

Practice materials: further practice

For further practice activities please download and print the support pack.

Section 6 - Joke

Section 6 is a joke. A joke is normally a funny story you hear and tell someone else. But you can also describe funny things that happen to you. The most important thing is to watch your friends to see if they are enjoying the story or not – then you can make it longer or shorter.

Suggestion: We suggest you do this:

• Listen to the joke on your computer/mp3 player.
• Do Exercise 1, in which you put the lines of the joke in order.
• Then try telling the joke from the podcast.
• Think of a funny story that you know. Write down the most important words in English (use a dictionary?). Then try telling your joke.

Practice materials - Exercise 1

Put the lines of the joke in the correct order.

Exercise

Practice materials: further practice

For further practice activities please download and print the support pack.

Section 7 - Tom the Teacher

Section 7 is Tom the Teacher. These are more traditional exercises. They look at being accurate in English, and often use the type of exercises you may find in English tests and exams.

Practice materials - Exercise 1

Match the question tags to the sentences.

Exercise

Practice materials - Exercise 2

Fill in the gaps with the correct question tags.

Exercise

Practice materials - Exercise 3

Match the interjections with the descriptions of their uses.

Exercise

Practice materials: further practice

For further practice activities please download and print the support pack.