Oxford Scene 1

In this episode, Stephen and Ashlie visit the ancient city of Oxford.

Do the Preparation task first. Then watch the video. Next go to Task and do the activity. If you need help, you can read the Transcript at any time.

Preparation

Before you watch

In this episode, Stephen and Ashlie visit the ancient city of Oxford.

  • Have you ever heard of Oxford?
  • What do you think they are going to do there?

Now, watch Ashlie and Stephen on their trip to Oxford.

Transcript

Transcript

Stephen: Ice on the road, bridge ahead, look out for wild animals. What’s this one, Ash? 

Ashlie: That one means ‘danger, river bank’ or something. It’s obvious, look at it.

Stephen: I’m studying for my driving test. You have to do a test in the car when you’re learning to drive and you have to do a written test as well – so I have to learn all these signs.

Ashlie: And I’m studying for my Business Studies course. I have to go to Oxford this afternoon to do an exam so I’m doing some last minute revision. 

Stephen: Hey, Ash.

Ashlie: What?

Stephen: Did you say your exam’s in Oxford?

Ashlie: Yeah, so?

Stephen: So, why don’t I drive us there? And you can give me a driving lesson on the way. I really need the practice.

Ashlie: OK, then. Sounds good.

Stephen: Great! When do we need to go?

Ashlie: Well, with you driving? Now! 

Stephen: I’ll go and get a map.

Ashlie: Oh, you don’t need to - we’ve got the GPS. 

Stephen: Excellent, shall we go?

Ashlie: Yep.

.....

Stephen: OK. Ready to go!

GPS: Seatbelt on.

Stephen: Oops. Seatbelt on.

Ashlie: Right. Look in the mirrors. Get into gear. Signal. Just check the mirrors again. And off we go.

Stephen: This is easy!

Ashlie: You’re doing OK, just take it easy, the GPS knows where we’re going. 

GPS: Turn right in 100 metres.

Stephen: Turn right in 100 metres.

GPS: Continue driving around the roundabout for five kilometres. Turn left in 200 metres.

Stephen: Left?! That can’t be right. We’re going round in circles.

Ashlie: I think we should go right.

GPS: Keep left. Approaching destination in 5 metres.

Ashlie: Stephen!

Stephen: Let’s turn that thing off and turn around. 

Ashlie: Oh, come on. I’m going to be late. It’s almost two o’clock now.

Stephen: Which way do I go Ash?

Ashlie: Oh, look, just stop here. Over there.

Ashlie: OK – remember to lock the car and don't forget to take the GPS with you. I’ll give you a ring after my exam. Bye! 

Ashlie: Taxi! 

Ashlie: Excuse me, can you take me to Oriel College, please?

Taxi Driver: OK.

Ashlie: Thanks. 

GPS: You have arrived at your destination.

Task 1

Task 2

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Language level

Average: 2.5 (4 votes)
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Submitted by aatefe on Sun, 19/03/2023 - 14:34

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I did not get the meaning of " off we go". could you please explain it in simple words?

Hello aatefe,

'off we go' just means 'we are leaving'. It's similar to 'here we go', which is a phrase we use when we're starting to do something. 

All the best,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by nikoslado on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 20:36

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Dear Team, there are two strange things in this episode : a)How can someone drive a car,(like Steven does), especially in England,, in a route to Oxford- without having the legal licence.( as he says he is still learning ).I thought such a thing it could only happen in my country Greece, for example. b)Τhe gps gives these directions:''Continue driving around the roundabout for five kilometres.'' What does it mean, why has someone to drive around a rounabout for five kilometres....In my opinion this is clearly a logical error, and in non way a ''wrong direction''. What your opinion is. Ever grateful, nikoslado.
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Fri, 11/10/2019 - 06:35

In reply to by nikoslado

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Hello nikoslado,

In the UK a person can have a provisional licence before they pass their test. This allows them to drive the car provided there is a qualified driver with them. There are certain limitations such as not being allowed to drive on motorways.

Many people learn to drive like this and are able to gain a lot of experience before they take the test.

The sentence from the GPS is illogical if you analyse it strictly. This is really due to the GPS voice system itself, which builds sentences by putting together whole phrases without too much attention to grammar and syntax.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Wasiu Giwa on Sat, 21/09/2019 - 16:28

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Hi Kirk, I am trying to comment on an article Learn English magazine-nigeria-sound.mp3 The comment: Then I saw Michael Jackson's concert at the stadium in Hamburg, while I attended six form college called Gymnasium Jenischgymnasium/Hermanneum.

Submitted by Leonel Costa on Thu, 04/10/2018 - 22:19

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I loved that video and story. It's very common in my life.

Submitted by Leonel Costa on Thu, 04/10/2018 - 22:18

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I liked the video. Very funny. That situation keep happening with me. I think gps is not a good idea when we know the way we go. Mainly TomTom is not a such good device.

Submitted by xu711 on Wed, 19/09/2018 - 16:20

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I thought that they would have died already! Phew!

Submitted by Armandito on Mon, 27/08/2018 - 19:23

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OMG, the GPS was totally wrong. They nearly died.