Episode 02: A prize

Episode 02: A prize

The architect's company Magda works for is listed for a prize, and Magda's design is going to surprise everyone. And how are things going between Fadi and Olivia?

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

Preparation

Before you listen

We suggest you do the vocabulary activity below before you listen. Then listen to the episode and do the first task to check your understanding. Finally, practise some vocabulary and grammar.

Exercise

Transcript

Audio script

Magda:  Hi, everyone!

Sarah, Olivia:  Hi! Hello there!

Magda:  Could I have a coffee, please, Tony?

Tony:  As usual?

Magda:  Yeah. By the way, do you have any champagne?

Tony:  Champagne? Not in this café, Magda! Wrong place, sorry!

Olivia:  Did I hear you asking for champagne, Magda?

Magda:  Yes you did!

Sarah.  What are you celebrating?

Magda:  Well, nothing yet.

Olivia:  Go on!

Magda:  The company I work for ...

Sarah:  Your architect’s company?

Magda:  Yeah – we’ve been listed for a prize!

Sarah:  Hey – that’s great!

Olivia:  “Listed”? So you haven’t won the prize yet?

Magda:  No – but we’re in with a good chance!

Sarah:  When will you find out if you’ve won?

Magda:  Really soon – I’m expecting a phone call any minute!

Sarah:  Wow! How exciting!

Olivia:  Fingers crossed!

Sarah:  So, Olivia – tell me. How are things going with Fadi? Have you been out with him again?

Olivia:  Oh ... well ... you know ...

Magda:  Go on! Tell us everything!

Olivia:  There’s nothing to tell! Really! Yeah, we’ve been out a couple of times, we went to a movie last night, but we’re just good friends.

Sarah:  “Just good friends”?

Olivia:  Yeah – really! I like him, he’s great, but nothing more than that.

Magda:  I’m not sure I believe you!

Olivia:  It’s true! Anyway, let’s change the subject – how are things going with you and Carlos, Sarah?

Sarah:  Oh, OK.

Olivia:  Come on! Who’s being shy now?

Sarah:  It’s great, actually. I mean, we’re really different as people, but we get on so well together.

Magda:  Sounds good ...

Sarah:  Yeah, it is, but I mean it’s difficult. He doesn’t really like his job here – he’s thinking about going back to Brazil soon. I don’t know if I want to go there!

Olivia:  Decisions, decisions.

Sarah:  Is that you, Magda?

Magda:  Yes, it is. Now I’ll find out if we’ve won ...

Sarah/Olivia:  (squeal of excitement)

Magda: Hello? Yes. Yes. Oh. So? Erm, I see. And? Yes? YES!!!!!!!

Sarah/Olivia:  Hooray!!!!!

Sarah:  You did it!

Magda:  Yes! We won!

Olivia:  Fantastic! Well done!

Sarah:  So was this a building you designed?

Magda:  Erm, no, not exactly ...

Olivia:  But you designed a lot of it?

Magda:  Erm, no, not exactly ...

Sarah:  The doorway?

Magda:  No.

Olivia:  The windows?

Magda:  No.

Sarah:  What did you design, then?

Magda:  Erm, actually, just the handles. On the doors.

Sarah:  Oh.

Olivia:  The door handles?

Magda:  Yes.

Olivia:  I see.

Sarah:  Well, that’s good! Door handles are important! You should be proud!

Magda:  Yes. I guess so. It’s a start!

Tony:  Sorry, girls – no champagne, but I’ll put extra sugar in your coffee. Free!

Olivia (sarcastically):  Thanks, Tony!

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Task 4

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Language level

Average: 4.2 (9 votes)
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Submitted by User_User on Tue, 04/08/2020 - 19:34

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Hello I've got a question: In task 1 and 2 there's the statement that Magda ordered champagne. Magda didn't order champagne because she was unsure if a cafe has got alcoholic drinks so she first asked if Tony has any. For me ordering something and asking if something is available is not the same thing. Can you explain this to me? Bye
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Submitted by Kirk Moore on Wed, 05/08/2020 - 15:04

In reply to by User_User

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Hello User_User,

When Magda says 'By the way, do you have any champagne?', in the context of speaking with the staff of a café or restaurant, it's definitely possible, or even likely, that Magda was ordering a glass. Here it's not completely clear whether she was ordering it or asking about its availability, but when I first listened to it, I understood that she was ordering it.

This is a good example of a case where a misunderstanding could occur and further questioning or comments would be needed to clarify her intentions.

Does that make sense?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Bruno2020 on Thu, 25/06/2020 - 16:05

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Well done Magda! Congratulations for your door handles' design.

Submitted by jmajo on Fri, 25/10/2019 - 15:29

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Good Episode!, thanks for your work!

Submitted by Achmad Shocheb on Thu, 14/03/2019 - 14:06

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Hello The LearningEnglish Team, I am writing this comment to ask something about the conversation above. I've tried to browse the explanation but it was vain. At the conversation above, Magda said to olivia, "I am not sure I believe you." Does it still have the same meaning if Magda said, "I am not sure I believe in you"? Thank you very much
Hello Achmad Shocheb Here, Magda says she's not sure she believes Olivia when Olivia says that she and Fadi are just friends. Magda suspects that they are becoming romantically involved, but that Olivia is denying this. If you believe in someone, it means you have faith or trust in that person – it is a more general idea. For example, you can believe in a person you admire. We also use this phrase to tell someone that we think they are more capable than they think. For example, if my friend is depressed because his business is not going well, I can say 'I believe in you' to tell him that I think he will succeed. All the best Kirk The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by RitaR on Tue, 22/01/2019 - 11:52

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I have tried to listen to Series 3 episode 2 and it won't play. If I use Safari on my Mac I get an error, it won't play using Chrome on my Mac either. I tried using Firefox on my PC and it still won't play. I then tried Series 3 episodes 3 and 4 and had the same problem but episode 5 played perfectly. I borrowed an android tablet and series 3 episode 2 played perfectly, also my student from the Czech Republic was able to hear it via his phone. It appears it is a problem with laptops and desktops but not with mobile devices.

Hi RitaR

It sounds like some kind of temporary error to me. I've just managed to listen to the audio on this page on my Windows desktop and also in Chrome on my Mac laptop. It also played on my phone. Are you able to hear it now? If not, please let us know what browser version you're using.

Best wishes

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team