Ashlie: Can you pass me the wrench, Stephen?
Stephen: This one?
Ashlie: No, that’s a screwdriver. The big one next to it.
Stephen: This?
Ashlie: Thanks. Right... I think that’s done. Phew!
Stephen: Well done, Ash.
Ashlie: That's the third time the taps have leaked this month. Just look at them. I'm fed up with living here.
Stephen: Ashlie's flat is falling apart. She's always repairing things.
Ashlie: I hate this flat! I can't stand the kitchen. I can't bear pink. I want to move out!
Stephen: That’s a great idea!
Ashlie: I want to rent somewhere a bit more modern, stylish, you know? Somewhere where everything works!
Stephen: I know what you mean. This place, I mean, look at this, it’s horrible... and it’s full of old rubbish.
Ashlie: Stephen, that’s mine!
Stephen: Mm, really? Nice...
Ashlie: I’ve decided. I’m going to start looking for somewhere else to live.
Stephen: I’ll help you look if you like.
Ashlie: Ahh... Thanks, Stephen.
….
Stephen: What about this one?
Ashlie: Ahh.. That one looks just right, yeah - give them a call.
Stephen: Hi. I'm calling about the flat for rent on Kings Road. Is it still available? It is? Great! Can we see it? Really, OK, see you there. Come on, Ash, let’s go - we can see it now.
Ashlie: Oh great! Come on, Poppy.
….
Ashlie: Hi, I’m Ashlie, and this is my brother, Stephen.
Estate Agent: Hi, I'm Chris. Is it for the two of you? Are you looking for a place together?
Stephen: Ah no, no... it’s just for Ashlie.
Ashlie: Well, it looks great from the outside, and this is a really nice area.
Estate Agent: Yes, it’s lovely, isn’t it? And this flat is perfect for one person. Let’s go and have a look around. After you - this way.
Ashlie: Thanks.
…..
Ashlie: Hmm... It’s not very big, is it?
Estate Agent: Like I said, this place is just perfect for one person. It’s got everything you need.
Stephen: It’s a bit small, isn’t it?
Ashlie: Erm... Where's the bedroom?
Estate Agent: Ah - well look, here’s the bed, and it can also be a sofa.
Ashlie: Do you have anything else?
Estate Agent: Yeah, I can show you something else.
…..
Ashlie: No...
…..
Stephen: This seems better. It’s got much more room, Ashlie. It’s more modern. It’s quite stylish.
Estate Agent: I can really see you living here.
Ashlie: Mmm. It is quite a good size. And the kitchen’s quite big. I like the carpet. No pink in sight!
Stephen: What’s it like round here? I don’t know the area very well.
Estate Agent: Er… It’s really close to the train station. There’s trains every ten minutes into Central London. I’ve got the paperwork with me. You could move in tomorrow.
Ashlie: So how much is the rent?
Estate Agent: What did you say?
Ashlie: Trains every ten minutes? No way!
…..
Stephen: Wow! What a beautiful kitchen!
Ashlie: Ahhh... I love it, it’s so spacious!
Stephen: I think this is the one.
Ash: Come on then. Let’s tell the estate agent. Come on, Poppy.
….
Ashlie: Oh Stephen, that flat was wonderful! I’ve got to have it!
Stephen: Yes, it’s great, but are you sure?
Ashlie: Yes, I mean I feel really at home here. It’s such a peaceful street.
Stephen: Yes, it does seem pretty quiet.
Estate Agent: If you’d just like to sign the rental agreement, we can go back to the office, get the keys, and you can move in when you like.
Ashlie: Great! I can't wait. Where do I sign?
Estate Agent: Just there.
Comments
I thought the word hand is applicable only when the thing is near to you. Now i know that that it is the same. Thank you!!
Hi peter, its me Aaron, i just want to ask what is the difference of hand, like could you hand me the wrench, and the pass, like could you pass me the wrench? Thank you!!
Hi Aaron,
The meaning of these items is the same, and I don't think there is any real different in terms of style or formality. I can't think of a context in which only one and not the other would be possible.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
thank you sooooooooo much
realy
You are the only ones who helped me in my development, but there is one problem..so far i dont find any one to speak with him in english
For me it's the best web site for a English student as a second language!!! Take care for all the team.
Hi all,
I have visited Word on Street many times to practise my English listening. This is one of my favorite programs I find very useful to learn English. I love Ash, Stephen and especially Rod - His voice is very nice and I really love to hear it :). I have just registered an account to join all of you for discussing english study. After listening the video above I have a question. At 2:33 Ash asks the estate agent : "Where's the bedroom?" But afer listening again and again the word bedroom she said sounds to be baddream!?! Well Do I hear it wrongly? Or Does anyone see it like me?
Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks you.
Thang.Ng
Hi Thang.Ng,
Thanks for your feedback - we're really happy to hear that you like Word on the Street and that your your English has improved by watching it.
At 2:33, Ash does indeed say "bedroom" (and not "bad dream"). When speaking quickly, sometimes vowels are reduced and a bit more difficult to understand.
I wouldn't worry too much about this - the meaning of unclear words usually becomes clear from context.
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello.learn English team I have a question! I learned English in an institute, but I can not speak well and not understand well I need a program that I could speak with someone who help me to progress and tell me my mistakes. Is there any program like this in your website or anywhere else. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Hi everybody, I agree with you merkina, I study a lot but I need a partner to talk to in order to improve my English and to use all the knowledge we get here at British council, and I hope this site plan something so we can get in contact with other members and practice together. Thanks for listening.
best wishes
Hello merkina,
I understand exactly what you're looking for as I was looking for the same thing when I was learning a foreign language not so long ago! However, the LearnEnglish Team can't recommend tutors or schools and can't provide individual tuition. We can help you with any specific questions you have and you'll find a lot of useful exercises and materials here to help you improve your English. For example, to improve your speaking it is useful to listen to examples of natural English, and then to practise the new language you hear (and the language you already have) with a partner. Perhaps you have a friend who is also learning English and with whom you can practise - if you do this regularly it will help enormously with your fluency and confidence in speaking, even if your mistakes are not corrected.
Good luck with your learning and best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
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