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 ' gonna use this space because I' don't know where it shoul be properly.
Directly to the point, I need excercise to copy, to print I mean, in order to
give it to my pupil's I'm a teacher of english, but I need help.
What I need is remember the theory of the basic english theory and excercise to give them for practicing ... am I clear ? Thanks a lot.
Hello Grummy!
I think you are asking about downloadable grammar exercises. Some of our pages have support packs which include the exercises. Take a look at our Elementary Podcasts for some exercises, or do a search on particular grammar points using our search box. I'm afraid we don't have a complete set of grammar exercises for download.
You may be able to find more help on our sister site, TeachingEnglish.
Regards
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team
the best video i had seen in years
Hi
This is my first time...does 'too much pink' refer to just the colour or does it imply something else? just wondering whether it is a new expression?
Thank You
bibi
Hi bibi,
No, it just means the colour! Ashlie thinks there are too many things that are pink in her flat.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello, everyone! I'm new here. But I've been learning Word On Street videos for a long time. The first place I got a chance to follow these videos is from Stephen's own Facebook. He posted his work there. I love him from performing everything to Girls Aloud concert tours. Well, I guess it's time for me to start posting some comments, so I'll be writing something from now on. Actually, I find myself doing poorly when it comes to English listening ability. And since the Learn English teacher team have designed the new exercises that are included filling-the-words-you-hear-in-the-video-to-the-blank part. I really realize how poorly I am at listening!
I especially can't seem to hear what Ashlie says word-by-word when I have to fill in the answers on her part. Like, when she should say, "I feel really at home here." I don't think she says the word "at". I think she drops it. It seems to me she says, "I feel really home here" with the sound of "home" very close to "harm". Does anyone see this way like me? What should I do to improve my hearing ability?
Thanks for reading,
Pongsatorn from Thailand
Hello Mingdusy!
I'm glad you like our website and the Word on the Street videos! In answer to your problem, though, I think it is a sign that your listening is pretty good, actually!
What you are hearing (or rather, not hearing) is a very common feature of native speech, called weak forms. When we are speaking at full speed, we often de-emphasise less important words. One example is can - we normally say this as close to 'cun' or even 'cn' unless we want to emphasise it - then we say can strongly. Prepositions often get weakened too, so instead of saying at clearly, Ashlie uses the weak form, which sounds more like ut. Listen carefully, and you may be able to hear it!
The harm is Ashlie's accent, so I shouldn't worry too much about it - but again, it's a good sign that you notice it!
If you still want to improve your listening, then keep listening! If you've enjoyed the Word on the Street videos, you might also like our soap opera, Big City Small World, or for more of a challenge, try some of our audio magazine listenings. To practice listening for weak forms, read the transcript at the same time, and listen out for them!
Regards
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team
Yes, same with me. It's not clearly enough for me when hearing them say "at" or "it is"... I think it's because asian like us pronounce it in different ways.
Dear friends,
It's really amazing video,
Awesome video ♥ I hope there will be more episodes. ☺
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