新标准大学英语视听说教程2(听力材料文本1-10单元)

Unit 3 Crime watch

Inside view

Conversation1

Kate ：So, what did you think of the movie? Mark ：It was good but I thought it was too long. Kate ：Yes, me too.

Kate ：Hey, where’s my bike? I don’t believe it! It’s gone!

Mark ：It was next to mine, you chained it up! Kate ：Someone’s stolen it! Oh, how could they! Mark ：Oh, Kate!

Kate ：How could someone have done this! The creep!

Mark ：It’s a really mean thing to do, steal a bike. Kate ：It was a mountain bike and it cost a fortune –I don’t have the mon ey to buy another one.

Mark ：Listen, I’ll go down the street and see if I can see anyone with it. Why don’t you go into that shop and see if they’ve seen anything suspicious? I’ll be back in a minute.

Kate ：OK.

…

Kate ：Well?

Mark ：No luck. What did they say in the shop? Kate ：I asked the shopkeeper if she’d seen anything –

Mark ：And?

Kate ：She said she hadn’t. I guess it was a long shot. She advised me to report it to the police. But according to her, bikes get stolen all the time around here.

Mark ：Listen, let’s get back so you can report it. Kate ：I’ve got no bike. I’m just so upset!

Mark ：It’s not far to college. Come on! Conversation2

Mark ：So did you ring the police?

Kate ：Yes. I went to the police station to report it.

Mark ：What did they say?

Kate ：No one’s found it. This woman said that Oxford has the fifth highest rate of bike theft

in the country!

Mark ：You’re joking!

Kate ：That’s what she said. Mark ：What else did she say?

Kate ：She told me that sometimes you do get bikes back –the thieves use them and then abandon them, apparently, and then people find them and report them.

Mark ：So you might get it back.

Kate ：I hope so, Mark, I really do. It’s just too much you know? But … um … what else? She told me to go to this sale they have of abandoned bikes. She thinks I might find it there. But it’s only every two months, I can’t wait till then! Honestly, Mark, I’m really furious!

Mark ：You can always buy a cheap bike on eBay.

Kate ：Hello … Speaking … You found it! Where was it? Is it …? Oh, that’s fantastic news! There was a lamp and a basket on it … Right … OK, thank you, I’ll be in tomorrow morning to pick it up. Unbelievable! This guy found it! Mark ：Brilliant! Was that the police?

Kate ：Yes. What they said was, someone du mped it outside this guy’s backyard.

Mark ：That’s so strange!

Kate ：The lamp’s been stolen and the basket. Mark ：Forget about it! You’re lucky to get it back!

Outside view

Part1

Presenter

Dodgy deals aren’t the only problems associated with doorstep sellers. Your doorstep presents these unannouncedvisitors with a real opportunity to undertake distraction burglary where they often pose as bogus officials to gain access to your home.

I’m joined now by Ian Holt, from Thames Valley Police. Ian, just outline for me what does distraction burglary actually entail?

Ian

Holt

Well basically what happens is, somebody uses a story to get inside somebody’s house and then they steal items, usually cash or small items of jewellery.

Presenter

And what are the different techniques that are commonly used?

Ian

Holt

Well basically the er … the people that commit this crime move from area to area, er … they will look at an area, they will try and pick a particular target and they can find that by looking at property, it may beer, an uncut garden, it may be repairs that need doing to the property. Something that indicates that there’s, there’s a vulnerable person in there. It … usually, it’s an elderly person that lives there. Is this quite a common problem now? It is becoming more common. To get it in perspective, of the 14,000 burglaries that were in Thames Valley last year, we had

reported 800 crimes of distraction burglary. But, it … there’s a slight increase this year over last year’s figures.

OK, you mentioned some of the victims

being elderly. What other people are

targeted?

Well, unfortunately, with this type of offence, it is the vulnerable in society and the elderly. The, the national average, if there’s such a thing as a, a victim for this type of crime, is a white female aged 81 years.

And what about things that people can do to prevent it happening, basically?

Well the things they can do are very, very simple. The difficulty comes, is that some of these people, er … it’s very difficult for them t o remember what to do. But the three things we, we always say is: stop, chain and check. And that’s stop before you open the door to make sure who’s on the other side. Always apply a chain. If you haven’t got a chain, fit a chain to the door, or a door bar if you’ve got difficulty in handling a chain with arthritic fingers.

But also when you answer the door, check the identity of the person there. Generally the offenders say they are from the Water Board or from utilities. They may say they’re from a charity or even from local authority. But generally, a utility will be in uniform.

Ask for their identification. A genuine person will not mind you doing that and will wait until you can check them out. If you do need to check them, phone the number on, on your last bill. What won’t happen is that if it is a bogus caller, they will become unnerved by this reaction and they will leave.

Presenter

OK and there’s also a couple of gadgets new on the market that also can help as well. Just talk us through that.

Ian

Holt

Certainly, yes. The … a spy er … viewer is fairly standard. But for elderly who may have poor eyesight there’s a spyscope which actually makes it a lot easier for them to see who’s outside.

As I mentioned before about the door bar, again, it can be easier to apply than the chain. Very reasonable priced er, and something that is fairly new … as I mentioned before it’s very difficult for some of these people to remember what they have to do when they go to the door and that’s why they become victims.

And this item is called a Memo Minder and actually you can record a message on there and it’s nice to have a grand-daughter or somebody to record a message, but every time the person approaches the door it reminds them with a voice to say “Put

your ch ain on.”

Listening in

Passage1

Patrick ：I read a funny story today in the paper –true story.

Steve ：Go on, then.

Patrick ：OK. This 72-year old guy stole a pair of trousers from a department store in Paris. A security man saw him and alerted the police and they were waiting for him when he came out of the shop. The shoplifter started running, but the policeman soon caught up with him. The man thenbit the policeman on his arm several times. Steve ：He bit the policeman?

Patrick ：Yes – you have to remember, he was 72. Steve ：I’d forgotten that.

Patrick ：Problem was, it didn’t hurt the policeman at all, ’cause the guy had forgotten to put his false teeth in before he left home.

Steve ：Very funny!

Patrick ：And the moral of the story is –

Steve ：Always remember to wear your false teeth if you’re going to bite someone.

Patrick ：That’s good. I read a funny crime story the other day. Let’s see … yeah … this guy … this guy robbed a supermarket somewhere in America –I can’t remember where exactly –anyway, he got away with about 4,000 dollars. The next week the local newspaper reported the story but said he’d stolen 6,000 dollars. The thief rang the newspaper office to complain. He said, “Look, I only took 4,000 dollars. I’m wondering if the supermarket manager took another 2,000 and said I’d taken it. I did not take 6,000, I promise you.”

Steve ：He was probably telling the truth. Patrick ：He probably was. Anyway, the newspaper managed to keep the guy talking while they

rang the police. And the police traced the call –the guy was ringing from a phone booth –and they arrested him while he was still talking to the newspaper.

Steve ：That’s good. Stupid guy! I’ve got another true story … This –this – old guy was in court for some crime –and he fell asleep. His case began and his lawyer stood up and said, “My client pleads not guilty.” The man su ddenly woke up, but wasn’t sure what was happening. He jumped up and shouted, “I plead guilty! I plead guilty!”

Patrick ：So what happened?

Steve ：The judge allowed him to plead not guilty.

Patrick ：That’s the best, I think.

Passage2

Presenter ：You’re listening to Kevin Fallon and my topic for today is street crime. Being mugged is something that can happen to anyone –and it’s a very frightening experience. So it’s positive when you hear of someone who was attacked by a mugger and defeated them –especially when that person is a woman. Anna Black was attacked by a mugger. She’s here to tell us about it.

How long ago did this happen, Anna?

News 24/7 Unit 4

Anna

Just over a week ago. The day it happened,

I was coming home from work a bit later

than usual – I think it was about seven. I

was on my mobile phone, talking to my husband.

Presenter

And it was still daylight?

Anna ：Yes. Anyway, suddenly, someone pulled my hair from behind – and at the same time they grabbed my mobile phone. Now, I’m a karate black belt –

Presenter ：Really!

Anna ：Yes, I practise three times a week –so I’m ready for situations like this.

Presenter ：I bet you are.

Anna ：Yes, I can react very fast. So as soon as this guy grabbed me, I did what you’re told to do in these situations.

Presenter ：And what’s that?

Anna ：I fell backwards onto him.

Presenter ：You fell backwards onto him!

Anna ：Yeah! I’m tall and quite heavy – so we both fell to the ground together.

Presenter ：Goodness!

Anna ：I er, yeah –I was ready to hit him but then next thing I knew, two men had seized

the guy. They were driving past and they, they stopped to help. They were big strong guys. They called the police who came in five minutes. Presenter ：So the mugger was arrested?

Anna ：Yes, he was.

Presenter ：Do you think, if that hadn’t happened, you could have injured him?

Anna ：Oh, I’d like to think so. I’m a black belt, that’s what I’m trained to do.

Presenter ：Well, it’s great to hear of women coping well in situations like this. Perhaps we should all learn karate.

Anna ：I think it’s a good idea to have some kind of defence training. Yes, especially if you

live in an area that isn’t very safe.

Unit 5 War

Inside view

Conversation1

Mark：Hi!

Kate ：Hi, Janet! Have you been waiting long? Janet ：Not at all. What did you think of Hero? Kate ：It was brilliant, thanks for suggesting it. Janet ：Well, it was nominated for an Oscar, you know.

Kate ：That figures. It’s a beautiful film.

Mark ：Yes. The costumes, and scenery were amazing,

Kate ：I’d love to know more about the emperor, he was cool. Who was he?

Janet ：Qin Shi Huang –it’s said he was the first emperor in the history of China – he unified China.

Kate ：Did he? When?

Janet ：Er … 221 BC.

Mark ：As long ago as that!

Waitress ：Hi guys! What can I get you?

Kate ：Yes, I’ll have a coke, thanks.

Mark ：Er … Just a coffee.

Waitress ：Sure.

Mark ：Tell us more …

Janet ：Um … Well, before that, there were seven big states and they had been fighting each

other for many years.

Mark ：Right.

Janet ：It’s called the Warring States Period. Anyway –Qin was king of the largest state and he defeated the six other states, one after another. It took him ten years to conquer them, each with a different strategy.

Mark ：What kind of man was he?

Janet ：Well, he was brilliant, obviously. And also wise. He had this huge army –they were very powerful. After his army had attacked the first state, the next state surrendered without much fight. They were so terrified.

Kate ：Wow!

Janet ：What else? The army leaders were very clever, they used a river to flood a city. Mark ：That can’t have been easy.

Janet ：Yes, anyway, after conquering the last state, Qin made himself Emperor of the whole of China.

Mark ：Was he the emperor who created the Terracotta Warriors?

Janet ：That’s right. He was so afraid of death that he wanted them to guard him in the afterlife.

Kate ：Fascinating!

Conversation2

Becky ：OK.

Kate ：Thank you.

Mark ：Thanks.

Kate ：So go on about Emperor Qin. It’s really interesting.

Janet ：It is, isn’t it? Well, so he unified China and that was an incredible achievement. But as a result, huge numbers of soldiers were killed. Kate ：About how many?

Janet ：Oh, I don’t know, something like 500,000 men?

Kate ：That is huge.

Mark ：So how do the Chinese see Qin?

Janet ：He’s seen as the greatest emperor in Chinese history.

Mark ：Why? Because he unified China? That’s a very good reason, mind you.

Janet ：Not only that. The thing is, as a result of the unification, he did many amazing things. He built roads all across China, he standardized writing … and also the money system. Oh, and the system for measuring and weighing things as well.

Mark ：So he was a great leader for China. Janet ：Yes, he was, but he was also very cruel. Mark ：Yes, but most emperors were cruel, weren’t they?

Kate ：Well I guess that’s true. You’re right. Mark ：So did he have enemies?

Janet ：Of course, I think all great emperors have some enemies. Some people hated him so much they tried to kill him!

Mark ：Was he the emperor who built the Great Wall of China?

Janet ：He built the first Great Wall. You see,

tribes from the north were always trying to invade

building it.

Kate ：It’s so sad – all those thousands of people dying.

Mark ：But then … that’s war, isn’t it? Outside view

V/O

On the 25th of April each year, Australia and New Zealand celebrates Anzac Day, when they commemorate all the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who died in action during the First and Second World Wars, and in every armed conflict since then. We’re here now at the Australian War Memorial at the start of the dawn service.

They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Lest we forget.

A verse from the poem, Ode to Remembrance by Laurence Binyon, is recited during the ceremony. Inside the Hall of Memory is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is the grave of a solider whose identity is not known and it represents all those soldiers who died in battle but were

not identified.

Twenty-four years after the ravages of World War I, war came to the mainland of Australia where air raids killed hundreds of service personnel and civilians. In Malaysia, Korea and Vietnam, we answered the call as we have in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through it all the one unshakable truth has been a steadfastness, born of the traditions of the Australian servicemen. Today, Australia’s special day, they remember in East Timor, on Bourgainville, in Afghanistan and Iraq, on the island of Crete, at Gallipoli, they along with us, remember. Anzac Day is a public holiday in Australia. It is one of the most important national days of the year and certainly the most solemn one. Commemoration services are held in all the so he built a huge wall across China to stop major cities in Australia and huge crowds them. Hundreds of thousands of men died attend to pay their respects to those who died. Servicemen and women from all the armed services in Australia march in procession.

They fought in the Second World War and other conflicts since then that have happened around the world.

The men in the trucks are all wearing decorations. They’re veterans from the Second World War, and perhaps a few last survivors from the First World War. After the Parade the veterans will gather in a pub or club to talk and share memories. This veteran fought in the Second World War in Western Australia.

Int

And what does Anzac Day mean to you?

Vet

Well, it means remembering not only those who didn’t go home but the, the fact that you keep in touch with a lot of your … friends.

Listening in

Passage1

There are many war novels but the novel I’m going to talk about today is unusual because it’s war seen through the eyes of a child. The “eyes” are those of J G Ballard, one of Britain’s most respected novelists.

Let’s begin with some information about Ballard. He was born in 1930, in Shanghai, where his father was a businessman, and he was only 11 years old when the city was occupied during World War II. Ballard and his family were placed in a prison camp and he has said that his experiences there affected him so deeply that it was 40 years before he felt able to write about them. “Twenty years to forget and 20 ye ars to remember.”

The result of Ballard’s experiences was a semi-autobiographical novel called Empire of the Sun, published in 1984. It quickly became a success and in 1987 it was made into a movie by Hollywood director, Steven Spielberg.

Let’s move on t o the novel itself. Empire of the Sun tells the story of how a young boy, Jim Graham, survives the Japanese occupation.

Interestingly, Jim is J G Ballard’s first name and his second name is Graham.

Also, Jim is the same age as Ballard – 11 – when the occupation begins. At the start of the story, Jim is living with his parents in a wealthy part of Shanghai. When the invasion begins, many of Shanghai’s inhabitants flee from the city and Jim’s parents do the same. But the

boy becomes separated from them and finds himself all alone. He goes back to their empty home and lives alone there. Inevitably, he’s found and then he’s sent to a prison camp.

It’s a terrible four years, but the boy somehow survives. He steals food, finds ways of getting in and out of the camp, and is befriended by some Americans and a Japanese boy.

Is there a happy ending? Yes and no. Jim sees many people die; his Japanese friend is killed by the Americans. But at the end of the war, he gets back to Shanghai and is reunited with his parents. Jim’s experiences are terrible, as a child who discovers the depths of human cruelty. But he learns

also about the strength and courage that is possible, even in these circumstances. Both the great power and the truth of the novel come from the fact that it’s based on the author’s own experiences. The general opinion of critics is that Empire of the Sun is one of the best war novels ever written –so read it, it’s worth it.

Passage2

Host

On Women’s World today, we look at women’s role in the Second World War and the important part they played in it. In the First World War, women had worked in factories and as nurses, both at home and at the front. In the Second World War, women were even more essential to the war effort. Doris Watts was just 18 when the war began and Mavis Grey was only 20.

Host

Do you remember how you felt, Doris, the day the war was declared?

Doris Oh yes … of course I do. I felt frightened of course, but we had known it would happen. The first thing, more than anything I think, that I felt was … was that I wanted to do something! You know, do something useful, so I joined the Land Girls.

Host

Ah, yes, the Women’s Land Army. That was an organization started in the First World War. Women worked in agriculture as the men were away fighting. Did you enjoy the experience? Sporting life Unit 6

Doris

Not really. It was very hard work, very physical. You never saw anybody except the officer coming to inspect your work. So when I heard about the WAAF I signed up.

Host

That’s the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. WAAF, for short. So why the WAAF?

Doris

I’d always thought planes were very exciting. And it’s silly but I liked the light blue uniforms. Host

That’s a good enough reason! Now, Mavis, you were in the WAAF at the same time as Doris. Can you tell us more about it?

Mavis

Yes. Organizations like the WAAF were a way for women to join the armed forces, since they weren’t allowed to fight. Instead, the army, the navy and the air force all had support services, which women could join.

Host

And Doris. What kind of things did you have to do?

Doris Oh, well, a lot of different things. I worked in transport and catering. We were very young but we were given a lot of responsibility.

Host

And what did you do, Mavis?

Mavis

Various jobs but eventually I worked on a ighter station, tracking the German bombers

as they flew towards London. It was very exciting.

Host

Was it ever dangerous?

Doris

Yes, we were always in danger of being bombed. They tell me that over 1,500 young women lost their lives. I was lucky.

Host

And what about social life?

Mavis

We did have some wonderful parties. And of course I met my husband, Eric. He was an electrician at the station.

Host

One last question, Doris. Do you think women’s work in the forces changed things for women? Doris

Without a doubt. Oh absolutely! After the war the position of women could never be the same again –we’d contributed so much.

Host

Doris and Mavis, thank you both.

Unit 6 Sporting life

Inside view

Conversation1

Kate ：Are you on your way to the boathouse? Janet ：No. What’s happening?

Kate ：There’s a practice race to help choose who will row in the college team. Mark really

wants a place on the team, so he has to row well today. And I’m going to watch.

Janet ：Well, I’d like to, but I have an essay to finish.

Kate ：That’s too bad! I know how you feel. Janet ：Maybe I can come later?

Kate ：Sure. I’m thinking of having lunch in the boathouse bar, and then watching the rowing

all afternoon.

Janet ：How do I get to the boathouse?

Kate ：It’s easy. Can you see where we are on the map? Here, look!

Janet ：OK, which way round are we standing? … Yes, got it!

Kate ：OK, go down Catte Street, and turn right into the High Street. Go along the High Street and turn left into St Aldates. Walk along St Aldates, past Christ Church College until you get to Folly Bridge.

Janet ：I see.

Kate ：Then when you get to the bridge, cross over the river … turn left and walk along the river

bank. Keep going along the river … And you’re there! The boathouses are on the right, and the Hertford College Boathouse is the last one along. You can’t miss it.

Janet ：Thanks. I’m looking forward to seeing the rowing.

Kate ：No problem. We shouldn’t miss the rowing –it’s a great university tradition!

Janet ：I know, Mark was telling me.

Kate ：Like the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge universities every year.

Janet ：Of course! The great rivals!

Kate ：The Boat Race has been going for years, maybe nearly 200 years.

Janet ：And Oxford won it this year!

Kate ：Yes, but Cambridge was very close behind. Anyway see you later, down by the river.

Janet ：Bye.

Conversation2

Scripts

Kate ：So the rules are … the boats follow each other and the one behind has to bump the one

in front … just like that one has done.

Janet ：Is that Mark’s boat?

Kate ：Yes! Look, his boat is about to bump the one in front! Well done!

…

Mark ：Hi you guys!

Kate ：Fantastic, Mark. You were amazing! Mark ：Well, we won the practice race, but I’m worried about getting a place on the team. The problem is that there are at least three other people on the team who have rowed before. And I can’t help thinking that they were better than me. Janet ：Don’t worry, Mark. Everything will be OK.

Mark ：And then I hurt my knee getting into the boat.

Janet ：Oh, I’m so sorry!

Kate ：Too bad, but it’s only a scratch. Listen up,

Janet is right. No need to get nervous, Mark.

You were the strongest looking guy in the boat today. Chill out!

Mark ：Hey, they’re putting the team list on the door.

Janet ：Let’s go over and see.

Mark ：No, you go! I can’t bear to look!

Kate ：OK.

…

Kate ：Hey, Mark, great news! You got a place on the college team!

Janet ：Congratulations!

Kate ：That’s great, Mark, you deserve it. You trained so hard.

Mark ：I can’t believe it!

Outside view

Interviewer ：OK then Graham, I wonder if first off you could explain a little bit of the history of Tae Kwon Do.

Teacher ：Tae Kwon Do originated er … about 3,000 years ago in Korea. It’s in the

present form we train and teach now is formulated in 1955 by a Korean general. He was asked to put a self-defence together for the Korean army. This is how we teach it now, but it’s got origins going back thousands of years throughout Asia and of course obviously throughout Korea. So how does it, I mean, how does it differ to, say, other martial arts? Tae Kwon Do is basically the hand and foot martial art. It’s a self-defence martial art as I said, originated for the Korean martial art for the army. It’s legs and hands, Tae means to kick, Kwon means to punch and Do means a way, or method.

OK. So I can see over your shoulder there how it’s a pretty popular class, what kind of mixture of people do you get coming along? Luckily we get all sorts, that’s the aim of the class, it’s open to everyone, we take any flexibility level, any age, any fitness level, and we guarantee to improve flexibility and fitness and also have a good time. We’re also teaching a traditional martial art as well, so it’s a fun aspect but with tradition mixed in as well.

So how long have you been in this sport yourself? Six years, and I’m a second Dan instructor now. What got you into it in the first place?

I’ve always wanted to do martial art, I lacked a little bit of self-confidence I must admit, and my wife’s uncl e was a black belt and I went along and watched, and thought, yeah I could do that. You know, I had no experience of it at all, and I’ve never looked back. So what do you think people in general get out of it? Well hopefully, it’s fun, as well as learning something. As I said it’s a traditional martial art as well, so we teach tradition in our line work, in our patterns … go back thousands of years, also the fun aspects, as I said fitness, flexibility, making new friends, getting

out, beating the stresses of everyday, daily life. I mean there’s nothing better than coming into a class and smacking a pad, you know, releasing the stresses of daily life, so hopefully they get quite a bit out of it.

Interviewer

OK, two things actually, whereabouts do you hold your classes and if people

were interested in taking up how would they go about finding out?

Teacher

OK, the Bytomic group, they run 26 Tae Kwon Do classes in around the southeast. The easiest way of finding out is look on the website which is www. https://www.wendangku.net/doc/a114032412.html, or alternatively you can ring the office which is 01844 281 888. All the information is on the website or speak to the office. Local clubs are Long Crendon here on a Tuesday and Thursday, Aylesbury on Sundays and Tuesdays and Princes Risborough on a Monday and a Wednesday evening. Interviewer

OK, well thank you very much for your time Graham, cheers very much, very interesting, we’ll give it a go.

Teacher

Thank you very much for your day. Anytime Chris, come along, for a free lesson!

Listening in

Passage1

Speaker 1

And David Seaman is in goal for the England team down to our right … it’s difficult to get used to the change of team colours here … I’m looking at the white shorts and thinking they’re English players, but they’re not.For this match it’s the Germans who are wearing white. I hope the English players don’t have the same problem, we don’t want them to pass the ball to the Germans. Now Gascoigne for England passes to McManaman for the first time … McManaman is immediately

surrounded by three German defenders … he brings the ball to the near side of the pitch … still McManaman for England, crosses the ball to Pearce … Pearce takes a shot! … saved by the German Ziegler, and picked up by Ince only 25 yards away from the Germa n goal … good effort by Ince, aims at the goal! … and Kopke, the German goalkeeper pushes the ball over the top of the goal. So a corner kick for England. Speaker 2

A great shot by Ince, I’m sure he knows that Pearce set that up for him, but Kopke put the shot out of danger.

Speaker 1

He does like to punch the ball, that Kopke in the German goal … England’s first corner of this semi-final … Gascoigne will take it …

Here comes the corner kick from Gascoigne … and Shearer’s there and Alan Shearer score s for England … England have scored after only two minutes’ play … with a corner kick by Gascoigne … aimed at the near post, and Alan Shearer heads the ball into the German goal … It’s an absolute dream start for the semi-final … Shearer has got his fifth goal of the tournament … Would you believe it? It’s England one, Germany nil!

Passage2

Matt ：Now it’s time for Critic’s Choice, with news and reviews about the latest films. Good evening, Jack, seen anything good at the cinema this week? Jack ：Good evening Matt, yes, I’ve seen one of the best sports films of recent years.

Matt ：Sports films? Th at’s not usually a type of film which appeals to you.

Jack ：You’re right, but this time it’s different. I’ve been to see a film about mountain climbing, it’s not really your typical sports film. It’s more man against the mountain.

Matt ：Tell us more.

Jack ：I’ve been to see Touching the V oid, which is the story of a pair of mountain climbers in the Peruvian Andes.

Matt ：Is it a true story?

Jack ：Yes, it is. In 1985, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates set out to climb the 7,000-metre Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes. Simpson and Yates were young, fit and confident they would succeed.

Matt ：So what happens?

Jack ：Simpson and Yates’ style of climbing involved moving quickly up a mountain with very few supplies and no base camps, which is risky. You c an’t make any mistakes.

Matt ：I think I can guess what happens next. Jack ：And sure enough after climbing well for three and a half days, disaster strikes. Simpson falls and breaks his right leg. With no food or water, the climbers know they have to get

off the mountain –fast. Yates is determined to find a way to get his friend home, and he has to lower Simpson down the mountain. Simpson is in agony, but Yates has no choice except to ignore his partner’s cries of pain because otherwise he’ll die. Well, for a while, things go well. But suddenly Simpson, at the end of the rope, fails to respond to Yates’ signal. Yates is unable to move any further and has no idea why Simpson is not responding. So Yates holds on with all of his strength, all too aware that eventually his strength would give out and both would fall. But what Yates doesn’t know is that he has lowered Simpson over the edge of a crevasse. Simpson is hanging in mid-air from the vertical face of the mountain. He’s unable to climb back up the rope and he’s got frostbitten fingers and can’t communicate

with Yates above him.

Matt ：So what happens?

Jack ：Well, I don’t want to spoil the ending for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.

Matt ：But …

Jack ：But Yates hangs onto the rope for an hour, getting weaker. For any climber, cutting

the rope that binds him to his partner is unthinkable.

Matt ：Sounds very exciting. So what about the direction and the filming?

Jack ：The director is Kevin Macdonald, and he tells the story by cutting from interviews to shots of the climb itself. But it’s the message of the film which interests me. You see, in the end, the impression left by the film is astonishment that a human being could do what Joe did, which is to survive.

Matt ：Thanks Jack, this week’s Critic’s Choice is Touching the V oid, on general release in all cinemas from next week.

Unit 7 Animal planet

Inside view

Conversation1

Mark ：Hey, what’s a cat doing in college? We’re not supposed to have cats here.

Kate ：No! What a lovely pussycat! I adore cats. Mark ：I can’t stand them. I find them really boring.

Kate ：But she’s gorgeous! Aren’t you, my darling? I wonder where she’s come from, maybe she’s

wandered in from outside.

Mark ：Actually, I remember, I saw her the other day. Maybe she belongs to someone in college –she hasn’t got a name tag on her.

Kate ：We’re not allowed to keep pets in college. Mark ：Maybe someone’s breaking the rules. Kate ：Could be. So – is it just cats you hate or all animals?

Mark ：No, I don’t hate animals. We’ve got three dogs at home.

Kate ：Three!

Mark ：Yeah, labradors.

Kate ：Oh, they’re very lovable, labradors. So you like animals then – apart from cats.

Mark ：Yes, I love them. That reminds me, there’s a programme on tonight about snakes. I really

enjoy watching nature programmes.

Kate ：So do I, but snakes –They’re so scary. How can you like them?

Mark ：I just do. Hey, what are we going to do about this horrible cat?

Kate ：She’s not horrible. I think she wants to come into my room. Do you want to come in? Such

a sweetie!

Mark ：I’ll say goodbye. See you later. You’d better not keep her, Kate!

Conversation2

Kate ：Come in.

Janet ：Hi, Kate! What are you doing with a cat in your room?

Kate ：I found her in the corridor.

Janet ：Where did it come from?

Kate ：Search me! She doesn’t have a name tag. Janet ：What’s that organization called that protects animals? Maybe you should ring them. Kate ：Um –I think it’s called the RSPCA? Oh, no need. She’ll find her way home.

Janet They’re so mad about animals, the British. Kate ：Yeah. So are Americans. So am I!

Janet ：It’s very different in China.

Kate ：You don’t keep animals as pets, do you? Janet ：Well, that’s not so true for the last 15 years or so.

Kate ：Yeah?

Janet ：Yes, more people are keeping pets now, especially in cities. It’s because they get lonely, I think. Sometimes people dislike animals. But that’s the same as everywhere, right?

Kate ：Yes! Some people just don’t like pets. So how do you feel about them?

Janet ：I quite like cats, they’re all right. My mum’s terrified of them, she thinks they carry disease. Lots of people do, they’re frightened of catching rabies.

Kate ：It’s true. Dogs and cats can give people rabies.

Janet ：I know. Actually, I’m afraid of dogs, I’m

really scared of them. It’s their teeth!

Kate ：I adore dogs and cats. But then I’m just crazy about animals. Hey, I think she wants to leave. Do you want to go, baby? There you go! Isn’t she cute?

Janet ：Um …

Outside view

Part1

Presenter

Once upon a time, Louis, a long, long, long time ago, your great-great-great-great grandad was a wolf. Go on, go on … Today’s W ild, your weekly wildlife show around Oxfordshire, is all about the ancestors of all domestic dogs, the wolf. And if you’re really lucky, you might have

one coming soon to a school near you. … Presenter ：So are you looking forward to seeing the wolves today?

Kids ：Yeah!!!

Presenter ：Are you? Are you excited?

Kids ：Yeah!!!

Presenter ：Do you like … no-one … anyone scared of wolves?

Kids ：Yeah!! No …!!

Presenter

… the one at the back … come here then and talk to me for a minute … Are you scared of th e wolf then? What do you think of dogs? Are you scared of dogs as well or is just the wolf?

Girl ：Just the wolf.

Presenter

Just the wolf. OK, so we’ll see what you think afterwards. What’s your name?

Girl ：Amy.

Presenter

OK, Amy. Well, I think we’re going to go into the hall in a minute, so we’ll go and …

Child ：Are we going to see the wolves?

Child ：Can we hold them?

Child ：Are we allowed to stroke them?

Man ：I’ll show you where we’re going to be. Presenter ：Yeah, great. Can we stroke them? Yeah, I think we can. Part2

Roger

Good morning. I’ll now ask you to stay really quiet. Although these wolves are used to going into schools like this, they’re still quite shy and any sudden noise … and they wouldn’t be very happy. As your headteacher said, my name’s Roger and we’re from the UK Wolf Conservation Trust which is half way from a big town just a bit west of here called Reading, half way between Reading and Newbury. And we call these animals our living ambassadors for education and conservation. I’m quite happy to take any questions you may have, if you want to ask about what they eat, if you want to ask about how long they live, if you want to ask anything that comes to your mind. So put your hand up if you want to ask a question. Yes, at the back there.

Boy ：How long do they live?

Roger ：In captivity? Well we pander to every whim that the wolf has, we feed them every day, we

look after them with real care. They can live to be at least 16 years old and there are cases of a wolf living to be … 20 or just over.

Boy ：How fast can wolves run?

Roger

How fast can wolves run? Well, they’re not like a cheetah, which can outrun its prey, by getting up to 60, 70 miles an hour over very short distances. Wolves have evolved to be like a hound, so they can run fairly fast, about 40 miles an hour for three or four miles. And then they’ve used up all their energy. And in the wild, only about one in ten hunts is successful.

Boy ：Um … Are you allowed to keep them for pets?

Roger

They … you can’t keep them literally as a pet. Because although they look … like … cuddly lapdogs, they’re not. These are what we call a socialized wild animal which means that we hand-rear them from about seven days old. They have that all-important first week of special milk from their mother an d then they’re still blind and deaf so the first thing they may see and hear is a human bottle-feeding them. And by doing that,

they grow up to be really friendly, but as I said at

the outset, they may look like pets –they’re not. These are wild animals which have learnt to like people. So if you had them in your house, in a very short time, they … and they’ve done it in our house in years gone by, they will either eat holes in your sofa, they’ll tear down your curtains, pull up your carpets. They’re not animals you want to have loose in the house after all.

Part3

Roger

We have … form a queue … about there. Say hello. She wants to meet you … You

see how she spread her legs for … She really likes it a lot. Underneath. That’s it. That’s what she likes. You can rub hard. You see how soft and thick her coat is.

…

Presenter ：What was your name?

Girl ：Amy.

Presenter ：And you’re …?

Girl ：Grace.

Presenter ：Grace. OK. Now Amy, you were very frightened of the wolf weren’t you? When

we started. What did you think … what d’you think now?

Amy ：They won’t bite.

Presenter ：They what?

Amy ：They won’t bite.

Presenter ：They won’t bite. So d’you like them? … So you’re not too frightened anymore. What did you think when you stroked the wolf? Amy ：I liked it.

Presenter ：You liked it? Did you? Do they seem a bit like dogs really?

Presenter ：They are cuddly?

Presenter ：And you’re not frightened anymore of the wolves? Roger, you’ve done a good job

here! … And what do you think?

Grace ：They’re cute, they’re fluffy … Presenter ：Fluffy?

Grace ：And … er … cuddly.

Presenter ：Thank you very much! You can go back to your class now …

Listening in Passage1

It’s hard to believe but in America there are 68 million dog owners and 73 million cat owners. In the UK, which has a human population of 61 million, there are 6.8 million dogs and 9.58 million cats.

All over the developed world, the pet population is increasing. At the same time, people are spending more and more money on their pets, particularly on their dogs.

The most extraordinary example to date is that of Leonara Helmsley, a childless American billionaire. When she died, she left her dog, a white Maltese called Trouble, 12 million dollars. While Helmsley was alive, nothing was too good for her little dog. He shared her bed, was dressed in expensive clothes and wore a diamond collar. His meals were prepared by a chef and presented to him on a silver tray.

The problem was that Trouble lived up to his name and bit people. But Leonara didn’t mind –she

loved him and he loved her. And so after her death, he got his reward – a lot of money that he didn’t know he had and couldn’t use anyway. Americans were shocked by this story, but the fact is that more and more rich Americans are leaving their dogs money when they die –250,000 dollars is not unusual. In Britain, people don’tspend as much money on their dogs as Americans but they do spoil them. At Christmas, 46 per cent of dogs can expect to receive toys, and biscuits. And one in ten dog owners say they dress their pet up for the special day.

One woman was in the news in America for designing 120 outfits for her dog, which has its own wardrobe, and a $17,000 bed that it doesn’t actually sleep in. Its owner has a very successful dog boutique that sells –yes, you guessed it –designer clothes for dogs.

Now dogs may enjoy all this attention, but spoilt

dogs can create problems for their owners. Dogs

need a master and if their master acts like their friend or parent, they start behaving badly, attacking other animals, and damaging property –often their owner’s homes. Yet, often, this doesn’t make their owners love them less – dogs are their children, after all.

Passage2

Interviewer：

One of the most exciting creatures in the sea is the blue whale. Daniel Cameron is a film-maker who has been filming blue whales for ten years in the south Atlantic. First of all, tell us why you have this fascination with blue whales.

Daniel ：

Well, it seems obvious to me, really. They’re extraordinary creatures. They’re the largest mammals that have ever lived on earth. They –they can be as long as 33 metres –that’s more than 16 times

taller than a human being. And they’re also the loudest animal on earth – the noise they make is louder than a jet plane. I’ve heard them –very, very loud. And when they come to the surface to breathe, their blow –well, it’s usually about ten metres high.

Interviewer ：That’s amazing.

Daniel ：And I forgot to say, they live for at least 80 years.

Interviewer ：But their numbers are declining, aren’t they?

Daniel ：Yes, well, at the start of the 20th century there were between 275,000 and 300,000

blue whales in the sea. Now there are probably, probably under 5,000.

Interviewer ：And that’s as a result of …? Daniel

… well, of whaling, both in the Atlantic and the Pacific. And also, climate change is beginning to destroy the food they eat, krill.

Interviewer ：So they’re an endangered species? Daniel

Yes. We’re not at all sure they’ll survive. That’s partly why I film whales – to raise awareness of them and let people know how extraordinary they are. We don’t want to lose them.

Interviewer ：Is it very difficult to film them? Daniel ：It’s very difficult. The thing is, we know very little about them so they’re very hard to find. We –we had a boat with 12 men and often the weather was so bad that we couldn’t go to sea. We had a small plane that we used to locate the whales and the plane would find them alright, but, but it would take hours for the boat to get there, and by the time we got there –the whales had gone!

Interviewer ：That must have been very frustrating.

Daniel

Yes, it was. But then sometimes we’d mee t another whale while we were on our way out. We’d see its blow –as I said, it’s about ten metres high –and that’s quite something to see. And then one day – finally – we managed to film a whale feeding. None of us will ever forget that.

Unit 8 Time off

Inside view

Conversation1

Mark ：Have you got your tickets for the play? Kate ：What play?

Mark ：The play which OUDS are producing. You know, the play I’m in at the Oxford Playhouse.

Kate ：Oh, that play! Well, er …

Mark ：What about you, Janet?

Janet ：What’s the play called?

Mark ：Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett. You are coming, aren’t you?

Kate ：Beckett?

Janet ：Why not?

Kate ：Well, um, I’m sure you’ll be totally brilliant, Mark … but I wish I could understand

the

play. It doesn’t make sense.

Mark ：If only you were more patient, Kate. Beckett’s a fascinating writer. You’ll come though, won’t you, Janet? You really ought to see something like this at least once during your stay in Oxford.

Janet ：Well, I’m not sure.

Mark ：Oh, come on! Please!

Janet ：But if Kate doesn’t under stand the play, there’s no way I’ll be able to follow it.

Kate ：Do you want to go?

Janet ：Well, I love going to the theatre, and I’d really like to see Mark acting. And actually, yes, I think I should see a play by Samuel Beckett. Mark ：Good! So you’re coming, Janet. I wish you’d come, too, Kate. It’s a really good performance.

Kate ：Well, OK, but I’m only doing it because you’re in it. When is it on?

Mark ：Next Tuesday to Saturday.

Janet ：How about going Friday night?

Mark ：That’s great. But you’d b etter get your tickets soon, because we’re expecting a full house.

Conversation2

Kate ：Well, what did you think?

Janet ：It was … very interesting.

Kate ：I didn’t have a clue what was going on. Absolutely nothing happened! I don’t know why I bothered coming to see it.

Janet ：I thought Mark was brilliant.

Kate ：Yes, I did too, of course …

Janet ：But I wish I had read the play before I saw it. If only I had known the story, it might have

been easier to follow it. How long do you think Mark will be?

Janet ：I guess he needs to get changed first. He said he’d join us as soon as possible.

Kate ：Here he is. Hi Mark!

Mark ：Hi, what did you think? How was I? Janet ：It was … very challenging.

Kate ：It was so-so.

Janet ：But you were brilliant! Well done.

Kate ：You were awesome, Mark. Everyone adored your performance. Darling, you were to die for!

Mark ：OK, OK, don’t exaggerate. I wasn’t that good! Anyway, I’ve got some great news!

Janet ：Tell us!

Mark ：We’ve started talking about next term’s OUDS play.

Kate ：What’s it going to be?

Mark ：Hamlet, by William Shakespeare! Janet ：Great! And who’s going to play Hamlet? Kate ：Don’t tell me, let me guess!

Mark ：To be or not to be, that is the question! Janet ：I don’t believe it. You’re going to play Hamlet?

Kate ：Come on, let’s celebrate … from Beckett to Shakespeare. Today Oxford, tomorrow, Hollywood!

Outside view

Part1

Viewer 1 ：So, what do you guys want to watch? Viewer 2 ：Uh, I don’t know. What’s on? Viewer 3 ：How about a documentary on the History Channel? I like watching history programmes.

Viewer 2 ：I don’t really like watching the History Channel.

Viewer 1 ：How about a baseball game? From 1973?

Viewer 3 ：No thanks! How about a cooking show?

Viewer 1 ：Yeah, I love watching cooking shows. Viewer 2 ：What?

Viewer 1 ：I do!

Viewer 2 ：Uh, I don’t like cooking shows. Uh, let’s watch some music videos.

Viewer 1 ：This is awful!

Viewer 3 ：Can you see what’s on another channel?

Viewer 1 ：Yeah, sure. What channel?

Viewer 3 ：Uh, anything but this.

V oice-over ：These television viewers are trying to decide on a programme to watch, by

clicking on channels, and seeing what’s on. This practice is known as channel surfing. In the past, it was not difficult to decide what to watch on TV. There were only three channels to choose from.

Cable television has changed all that. There are so many channels, and so many different kinds of programmes to watch, many viewers find it difficult to decide what to watch, even when they are watching by themselves. This business traveller doesn’t like anything. Many people like a particular type of programme.

Speaker 1 ：TV programmes I like watching are cooking shows, um, comedy shows.

Speaker 2：I usually watch dramas, murder mystery programmes, quizzes, comedies. Speaker 3 ：I like watching talk shows. Speaker 4 ：I guess of all my favourite TV shows I’d like news pro grammes.

Speaker 5：I like to watch soap operas and news. Speaker 6 ：I like to watch comedy shows. Speaker 7 ：Well, I like good drama, I like a lot of the cop shows, um … I like a lot of the science fiction shows and good history.

Speaker 8 ：TV programmes I like to watch are like sports, automotive, Discovery, that type of thing.

Part2

V oice-over

Cartoons have always been popular. This brother and sister are watching their favourite DVD. Mum ：Turn that down!

Boy ：OK, Mum.

V oice-over ：He, he turns it down. Now the volume is too low. For couples, deciding what

to watch can require some very careful negotiation.

Woman ：Oh, look! Pretty Woman is on! I love watching that movie.

Joe ：Pretty Woman? Oh, no, not Pretty Woman! Woman ：Joe, you know it’s my favourite movie. It’s on in five minutes. I’ll be right back. I’m

just going to get some coffee.

Joe ：I don’t like watching that kind of movie. Plus I don’t like Julia Roberts. Actually, I really hate that movie.

V oice-over ：Joe realizes that ther e’s a basketball game on tomorrow night. He wants to ask his friends over to watch it.

Woman ：You’re so sweet to watch this with me.

I know you probably don’t want to see it again. Joe ：Oh, sure. I don’t mind. There’s nothing else on anyway. Not tonight.

Viewer 1 ：Hey, look. Swordfish is on. John Travolta

and Halle Berry?

Viewer 2 ：No, I’ve already seen that twice. Viewer 3 ：I hate that movie.

Viewer 1 ：OK. How about The Matrix? Viewer 3 ：That’s OK. But I’ve seen it too many times.

Viewer 2 ：Yeah, me too. But I love that movie. Viewer 3 ：You guys, there’s nothing on. Viewer 2 ：Yeah, you’re right.

Viewer 1 ：Hey, how about we go out and get some pizza?

Viewer 3 ：That’s a good idea. Turn that off. Mum ：I told you to turn it down. Now I’m going to turn it off.

Woman ：Oh, it’s over. I just love that movie! Thanks for putting up with it again. I know

it’s not your favourite.

Joe ：That’s OK. But tomorrow’s my turn. I’m asking the guys over to watch the basketball game.

Woman ：Oh, that’s fine. I won’t be here anyway remember? I’ m going to visit my sister?

Joe ：Oh, yeah. That’s right.

V oice-over

The business traveller seems to have found what he was looking for, a programme that puts him to sleep. And that’s all for tonight, folks! Be sure to tune in tomorrow!

Listening in

Passage1

Speaker 1 Jacob

Interviewer：Can you tell me what your favourite type of music is?

Jacob ：Yes, I can. If I’m pushed, I mean I like a lot of different types of music; but the music of

my youth, that glam rock of the 70s beats them all. Interviewer Yes, and do you play any musical instruments or …?

Jacob ：Yeah, I do attempt to play the instrument that I would love to play well, which is the guitar –the kind of, guitar hero, lead guitar. That’s what I’d like to do.

Interviewer ：Yeah, so, who’s your favourite musician? Do you have a favourite singer or group?

Jacob ：Well, again, all those glam rock bands, there was T-Rex and Slade, David Bowie – they were all brilliant but the kings of them all were Queen.

Interviewer ：Oh, yes. Yeah. And what kind of music … Is there any kind of music that has any special memories for you?

Jacob ：Well, yeah. I mean, really, it is Queen and, I have to say, when we were kids, we all learnt the words to Bohemian rhapsody.

Interviewer ：Bohemian rhapsody.

Jacob ：And I’ll never forget it, as long as I live. Interviewer ：Yeah. Thank you.

Speaker 2 ：Patti

Interviewer ：What’s your favourite type of music?

Patti ：Oh, well, I just love classical music. I just … it’s so relaxing. I often have it on, particularly Bach, I think, is just beautiful. Interviewer ：Oh yes. And do you play a musical instrument?

Patti ：No, I don’t, actually. I, I started to play as a kid. I played a little piano, a little

guitar. I wish I had kept up the piano. It’s a great instrument.

Interviewer ：Yes, yes. And do you have a favourite musician? A favourite singer or a group?

Patti ：Oh, gosh, well, I tell you, I think Ashkenazy is just amazing. The pianist? You know him?

Interviewer ：I know Ashkenazy.

Patti ：He is just one of my gods. Amazing. Interviewer ：And is there any music, which has special memories for you? Patti ：Oh yes, sure. I think, all the music from my wedding. Just – oh – it just really brings back memories of the day. We had, we had the whole congregation sang Wonderful world. You know that? You know that song? Is that Louis Armstrong? I see trees of green –oh, that one. Even the photographer was weeping, I tell you. Louis Armstrong. That’s great. Thank you. Gene ：What’s your favouri te type of music? Well, I’m going to have to cheat here because I have two very favourite kinds of music, both at different ends of the musical spectrum. There’s classical music, which I love, orchestral, symphonic music. And then, at the other end there’s sort of pop music, which I just grew up with and I love. So, pop meaning the Beatles …? The Beatles –certainly, yeah, absolutely. The Beatles.

And do you play any musical instrument … or would you like to play one?

I never took up an instrument. I have three sisters. They all had piano lessons.

I never got to have any piano lessons and now I really miss them, so I would like to learn the piano; but I am just too old for that.

And do you have a favourite musician? A special singer or group?

Well, as, as I said, I grew up during, during the 60s and the 70s so a lot of the groups, like Three Dog Night, Credence Clearwater Revival and, of course, the Beatles. So, a lot of those groups there …

Right. Yes. So music from the 60s and 70s? Yep.

And is there any music which has special memories for you?

I have to go back to the Beatles. In 1964, it was just a few months after Kennedy had been assassinated and suddenly, you know, the mood in the States was very low – a lot of confidence had gone out of the States and then suddenly, there was this huge revival of, of life, this huge new music coming over from Britain and so the Beatles, with I wanna hold your hand and She loves you –just fantastic. I’ll never forget it. Interviewer ：Great. Thank you.

Passage2

Speaker 1

Interviewer

Tell me about leisure activities in the States. What kind of spectator and participation sports are there?

Speaker 1 ：OK, well, the four most popular ones are baseball, basketball, American football

of course, and ice hockey.

Interviewer ：Yeah, and what about –em –indoor activities, rather than sports. The kind of things that you do inside?

Speaker 1 ：Well, you could say, could say martial arts. That’s very popular. Tae Kwon Do –that sort of thing. Bowling. And movies. Interviewer ：Yeah.

Speaker 1 ：Watching television, of course. The average American, I think, watches television about two and a half hours a day.

Interviewer ：And, apart from sports, what other outdoor activities are there?

Speaker 1 ：Cycling, tennis, golf, walking and jogging of course and now, more and more people are playing soccer.

Interviewer ：Right. And what kind of cultural activities are very popular in the States? Speaker 1 ：We all like going to concerts, I think. Er, a lot of people now are joining book clubs. Interviewer ：Book clubs?

Speaker 1 ：To be a member of a book club, do something …

Interviewer ：So just local groups … with friends?

Speaker 1 ：Yes, local groups.

Interviewer ：And you discuss books? Speaker 1 ：Yes, you take a book each, each week or each month. You read it and then you goback and discuss it. That’s very popular now. And how about weekend and holiday activities? Some people like hunting. I’m not one of those at all. I don’t like that. But that’s very popular in, in the rural areas. Then, of course there’s camping and hiking, also. A lot of Americans volunteer for a wide range of causes –from raising funds to helping people who are less fortunate, tutoring students, or leading Scout troops or doing youth sports, that sort of thing.

Right, yeah.

Tell me about leisure activities and sports in Russia. What do you like doing?

Well, football is the favourite sport. But, er, we like also ice hockey in the winter.

Winter sports.

And what about indoor sports? Or indoor activities other than …?

We like very much playing chess. And we are very good at playing chess. Also, television is very common and, in the cities – Moscow and St Petersburg – we like to club, go dancing.

Oh, right. Yeah. OK. Yeah. And what about outdoor activities? Well, believe it or not, collecting mushrooms. In the autumn, we like it very much. And also the skiing. Again,

the ice hockey in the winter. Very popular.

And I believe cultural activities are very important to you? What kind of things do you like doing?

In particular, the ballet.

Yeah.

And of course, the opera as well. Even the small towns have theatres and a cinema. We like the country people, the rural people, they like to watch films. They call it a “Palace of culture”. Right. Yeah.

Interviewer ：And what kind of weekend and holiday activities do you enjoy?

Speaker 2 Well, you find the rich Russians, they very often have a dacha, which is a cottage. Interviewer ：Right.

Speaker 2 ：In the country.

Interviewer ：Right.

Speaker 2 ：You go there for a holiday and maybe for the weekend.

Interviewer ：Right. Thank you.

Speaker 3

Interviewer ：Tell me about leisure activities in Australia. What kind of sports do you enjoy? Speaker 3 ：Well, Australian rules football is our main spectator sport. Of course, we also love our

rugby and our cricket. You know, our national teams are definitely now among the best in the world.

Interviewer ：Yeah.

Speaker 3 ：What else? We have association football. And also very popular now is horse racing.

Interviewer ：Right. And what kind of indoor activities, other than sports, do you like doing? Speaker 3 ：We’re very much an outdoor nation but when we’re inside I think we like to watch TV and, you know, go to the movies. Interviewer ：So, what kind of outdoor activities are there?

Speaker 3 ：Well, for this we like our cycling. Some people play golf and some play tennis. And some play lawn bowls.

Interviewer ：Right, yeah.

Speaker 3 ：Of course, you know, most Australians do live near the coast and we love to do sailing and surfing; very, very keen on our swimming and I know a lot of people do fishing as well.

Interviewer ：Right. And what about culture? Do you do any cultural activities?

Speaker 3 ：Oh yes, no, no, Australia does have its culture. We’ve go t our aboriginal music and our dancing and a lot of art. And of course, we’ve got our very, very famous Sydney Opera House –you know, best in the world.

Interviewer ：Yes. And what about weekend and holiday activities? What do you like doing then? Speaker 3 ：I think people like to be very social. We do a lot of barbies – you know – barbecues in the back garden and some people like to go bushwalking as well.

Interviewer ：Great. Thank you.

Speaker 3 ：You’re welcome.

Unit 9

Have you got what it

takes?

Inside view

Conversation1

Mark

Look, there’s a careers fair on at the Examination Schools. Do you want to go? Janet

What happens in a careers fair?

Mark

There are lots of different companies and they give you information about careers … advice, that kind of thing.

Janet

OK, I’ll come. You coming, Kate?

Kate

Yeah, sure. But I’ve already decided on my career.

Mark

We know. You’re going to be a brilliant lawyer. Kate

That’s the plan –I’m off to a law firm soon as I get my degree.

Janet

You’re so lucky. I wish I knew what I wanted to do.

Kate

Didn’t you say something about teaching?

Janet

Yes, I’m thinking about it. I’m quite attracted to teaching. But I’m not really sure yet.

Kate

Well, you’ve got lots of time. What about you, Mark? What are your plans?

Mark

I’m going to row for England.

Kate

Seriously?

Mark

No. Problem is, I think if you want to be successful, you’ve got to plan ahead – starting at the age of 12.

Janet

So we’re not doing very well.

Mark

No.

Kate

So?

Mark

We ll … I’m thinking of going into business management. It’s a possibility.

Janet

Really?

Mark

Yes.

Kate

Hey, let’s go to the Careers Fair. It might give you some ideas.

…

Janet

It was very interesting, wasn’t it? You were having a long conversation with that man from the law firm.

Kate

Yes. They said there’s a possibility of a job placement as an intern over the summer. They’re going to let me know about it.

Janet

Fantastic!

Conversation2

Kate

You know that job placement I told you about –t hey’ve asked me to go for an interview.

Janet

That’s brilliant. When?

Kate

Two weeks’ time …

…

Interviewer

So what made you decide to study law, Kate? Kate

A number of reasons. Law interests me a lot. I’ve got a good brain, a good memory. And I’d certainly like to do some part-time work for Legal Aid. And also, I must admit, the money’s good.

Interviewer

Well, those are good, honest answers. Certainly, your CV’s very good. I seem to remember that you only want the work placement for six weeks. Is that right?

Kate

Yes, it is.

Interviewer

Why is that?

Kate

Well, to be honest, I’m planning to go back to the States and spend time with my family. Interviewer

That’s understandable. Now, tell me, what questions do you have?

Kate

I’ve got some idea but obviously, what I’d like to know is, what does the job involve? Interviewer

Of course. Well, for the first few weeks, your main responsibility would be to read files and summarize them. We’d also want you to do some research for us. How does that sound? Rather boring?

Kate

No, not at all. I think I’d learn a lot.

Interviewer

Good, well … you’ll be taking your first year exams soon, won’t you?

Kate

Yes, in a few weeks’ time.

Interviewer

Well, provided they’re OK, I think we can say you’re in.

Kate

Thank you –that’s wonderful!

…

Kate

Hey, guess what?

Janet

What?

Kate

They’ve accepted me. I start at the end of June. Janet

Well done!

Outside view

V oice-over

Every year, millions of young people take time out to help others as volunteers. Many of them do this during a gap year between finishing school and starting in higher education. V olunteers learn to solve problems, work together as a team and develop their personalities. Communities in need get help they couldn’t afford to pa y for. In Britain, one of the main agencies for voluntary work is Raleigh International. It arranges for thousands of people, aged between 17 and 25, to help out in their own country or abroad. This group of 100

people has just arrived at the base camp in Costa Rica. In the next ten weeks, they are taking part in three different projects. One of the projects is environmental, one community-based and one an adventure project. But first, they have training for the conditions they will encounter. For the environmental project at Curu, the volunteers are going to help to build an artificial reef from recycled materials. This forms a protective environment for the fish to breed and feed. It helps the local economy of commercial fishing and protects the natural reefs from over-fishing and destruction. The community project is in one of the poorest rural areas in the world. In the village of El Porvenir, volunteers are going to make bricks. They’re going to help to build a storehouse for the important sesame crop. If they have more storage, the villagers will be able to make more money from selling sesame. V olunteers also take part in a survival activity. Tomorrow, this group is trekking to the summit of Costa Rica’s highest mountain, Mount Chirripo. At the end of the ten weeks, the volunteers are proud that their efforts have helped to improve the lives of the people and the environment of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Listening in

Passage1

Speaker 1

So how’s it all going?

Speaker 2

Well, second year exams are in t wo weeks, so it’s all go at the moment.

Speaker 1

It’s not going to ease up! So what can I do for you?

Speaker 2

Well, next year’s my final year and I need to think seriously about my career.

Speaker 1

I would agree with you there. Let’s have a look at your file. You’re reading English, you’re getting good grades, you got a merit in your first year exams and you’re on track for a 2:1 according to your tutor. Have you any idea what you’d like to do? Speaker 2

I’m very drawn to publishing. I read a lo t of novels and I’m quite a good critic.

Speaker 1

That’s a good start. I’m guessing you’d like to be a literary editor?

Speaker 2

That’s right.

Speaker 1

Well, I should tell you that literary editing is a hard profession to get into and it doesn’t p ay very well, unless you’re at the top. You could think a bit more broadly than just literature. For example, there’s educational publishing, professional publishing and there’s also specialist publishing, such as sports.

Speaker 2

I’m not very sporty.

Speaker 1

Well, I understand sport may not be your thing but … you get the idea.

Speaker 2

Yes, I do. So how do I start?

Speaker 1

First of all, you need a good degree but even before that I would contact publishers and see if they’ll offer you work experience. You won’t get paid, of course, but it’s good for your CV and you’ll learn something about the business. Speaker 2

Right. How do I find out who to write to? Speaker 1

All the publishers are listed in the Publisher’s Yearbook. There’s a copy in the library in the careers section, so you can use that for a start. Check the job adverts in the newspapers and maybe look at the specialist publishing trade journal, the Bookseller. That has job ads as well. Speaker 2

Thank you.

Speaker 1

The other thing you might do is check the Internet –sometimes, the publishers’ websites offer internships or job experience opportunities for new graduates.

Speaker 2