Snowdon Scene 1

Stephen and Ashlie arrive at the hotel in Snowdonia, but they don't have the same idea about how to relax!

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

Think about the following questions:

  • What kind of outdoor activities and sports do you like doing?
  • What kind of sports do you think Ashlie and Stephen enjoy?

Now watch Stephen and Ashlie during their trip to North Wales.

Transcript

Transcript

Stephen: Right, I think we’ve got everything.

Ashlie: Here, let me help you with that.

Stephen: No, it’s OK, I’ve got it.

Ashlie: We’re here in the beautiful mountains of Snowdonia in North Wales. We’re here for a short relaxing break. We’re going to put our feet up and have a complete rest for a couple of days. That’s right, isn’t it Stephen?

Stephen: Speak for yourself, Ash. Snowdonia is a great place for outdoor activities. You can go climbing, cycling, walking... I can’t wait to get out onto the mountains and get some fresh air. Come on Ash. Let’s check in.

Receptionist: Hi - Can I help you?

Ashlie: Hi, yes. We have a reservation for two nights.

Receptionist: OK, what’s the name, please?

Ashlie: Walker.

Receptionist: Walker. Is that Stephen and Ashlie?

Ashlie: Yes.

Receptionist: Two rooms for two nights?

Ashlie: Yes.

Receptionist: Can I just get you to fill this in, please?

Ashlie: Sure.

Stephen: Hey Ash, have you seen all these leaflets? There’s loads of stuff to do here. I’m going to hire a bike and ride to the top of the mountain. Do you want to come?

Ashlie: What, now? You’re joking, aren’t you?

Stephen: Yeah – take these, can I have my room key, please? Thank you. I’m going to go get changed. I’ll meet you back here in twenty minutes.

Ashlie: OK.

.....

Ashlie: OK, so I think I'll have the manicure, the pedicure...

Assistant: OK.

Ashlie: Oh, and I’ll have that Indian head massage, too. And can you just tell me, what’s the hot stones massage?

Assistant: Well, we use volcanic rock. You know, stones from a volcano; we heat them up and then we massage them over your body. It’s really relaxing.

Ashlie: Yeah, that sounds nice. Maybe I’ll have that, too. Oh, and I see you do treatments for men?

Assistant: Yeah, we do a lot of treatments for men.

Ashlie: Stephen doesn't know what he's missing.

.....

Ashlie: Look at you!

Stephen: It’s great, isn’t it? I’m all set to go. What are you going to do while I’m racing to the top of the mountain?

Ashlie: Well, I thought I might try this… It looks really relaxing and much better than cycling to the top of some old mountain.

Stephen: Yeah, it looks like hard work.

Ashlie: Go on you, get going. Have a good time – and call me later.

Stephen: Bye.

Ashlie: Bye.

.....

Ashlie: This is just so relaxing.

.....

Ashlie: Hello.

Stephen: Hi, Ashlie.

Ashlie: Hi, Stephen. How are you doing?

Stephen: I’m... exhausted. I can hardly speak.

Ashlie: Me too. This is lovely. I’m so relaxed.

Stephen: Ah, this is really tough. I’ve got a long way to go but I'm going to make it to the top.

Ashlie: OK, then – well you just take it easy.

Stephen: Yeah, alright.

Ashlie: OK, see you later.

Stephen: OK, bye!

Ashlie: Snowden Mountain Railway. I think he’ll see me sooner than he thinks!

Task 1

Comprehension Task

What did you learn about Snowdonia?

Choose the best answer to these questions.

Exercise

Task 2

Comprehension Task 2

Read the statements about Stephen and Ashlie and decide if they are true or false.

Exercise

Download

Language level

Average: 5 (1 vote)
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Profile picture for user Baahubali

Submitted by Baahubali on Thu, 18/01/2018 - 07:23

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hello, sir if there is any rule about it whether we change principal clause or we change subordinate clause to correct whole sentence.if i see it written down somewhere then how would i know whether he is talking about future or past. thanks.
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Sat, 20/01/2018 - 07:34

In reply to by Baahubali

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Hello Baahubali,

The important thing is that the time references and verbs forms in the clauses are consistent. If they are inconsistent then you can change either to make the sentence grammatical.

The context may make it clear what the speaker/writer intended, but if it does not then you need to ask the speaker/writer directly and find out what it is they wanted to say.

 

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Baahubali

Submitted by Baahubali on Tue, 16/01/2018 - 08:07

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hello is it right to say "one and a half hours" or "one hour and a half". "two mangoes and a half" or "two and a half mangoes". thanks. which is preferable or right?
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Wed, 17/01/2018 - 09:39

In reply to by Baahubali

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Hello Baahubali,

Both formulations are possible..

For hours I think the first formulation ('one and a half hours') is most common. For other things the second formulation is more typical.

 

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Baahubali

Submitted by Baahubali on Tue, 16/01/2018 - 07:17

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hello seek your advice "you need not tell a lie when the judge asked you where you were when the crime was committed." i'm confused whether i should change "asked to ask"or "need not to need not have". tell me which is preferable?
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Thu, 18/01/2018 - 06:47

In reply to by Baahubali

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Hello Baahubali,

'Need not' seems an odd choice in the original sentence. Are you sure you do not mean 'must not' here?

As far as your question goes, I cannot say how you might change the sentence as I do not know the context or what you are trying to say. Are you talking about a situation in the future (you will be before a judge later) or in the past (the meeting with the judge has already happened)?

 

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Thu, 18/01/2018 - 06:54

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Hello Baahubali,

There is an inconsistency in the verbs used in the original sentence (which I did not notice in my earlier reply):

You need not tell a lie when the judge asked you where you were when the crime was committed.

As 'asked' refers to a past action you need to use a perfect modal or a past form:

You did not need to tell a lie when the judge asked you where you were when the crime was committed.

or

You needn't have told a lie when the judge asked you where you were when the crime was committed

There is a difference in meaning here. 'Needn't have told a lie' means that the person told a lie and it was not necessary. 'Didn't need to tell a lie' means that it was not necessary but does not tell us whether or not the person actually told the lie.

 

 

You can make both verbs present rather than past:

You need not tell a lie when the judge asks you where you were when the crime was committed.

or

You don't need to tell a lie when the judge asks you where you were when the crime was committed.

There is no difference in meaning here. 'Need not' is a more formal choice and sounds a little archaic. Both sentences use present forms to refer to the future.

 

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Nastassiaka84

Submitted by Nastassiaka84 on Sun, 14/01/2018 - 19:39

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Hallo! Unfortunately the video at this Internet resource does not open - Connection Error! What is the reason? Thanks Best regards

Hello Nastassiaka84,

I'm sorry about that. It sounds to me like a temporary error, but I'm not sure. I've just checked the video and this page and don't see any errors, and I'm able to watch the video. Are you able to see the video now? If not, please try using a different device and/or browser. If you still can't see it, could you please tell us what browser and browser version you're using? It would also be useful to know if you can see videos on other pages of our site, e.g.:

Thanks and once again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team