UNIT 2. Conversational style.

Sightseeing

- Is it possible to see anything of London in one or two days?

- Well, yes, but, of course, not half enough.

- What do you think I ought to see first?

- Well, if you're interested in churches and historical places you should go to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower. Do you like art galleries?

- Rather.

- Then why not go to the National Gallery and the Tate? I'm told one ought to see the British Museum. Do you think I shall have time for that?

- Well, you might, but if I were you, I should leave that for some other day. You could spend a whole day there. It's much too big to be seen in an hour or so.

- I suppose it is. What about going to the Zoo?

- That's not a bad idea. You could spend a couple of hours there comfortably, or even a whole afternoon, watching the wild animals, birds and reptiles. You could have tea there, too.

- I’ll do that, then. How do I get there?

- Let me see. Where are we? Oh, there's the BBC. I think your best way from here is to walk across Regent's Park.

- Is it much of a walk?

- Oh no, a quarter of an hour or so, but if you're in a hurry, why not take a taxi?

- I think I will. Ah, here's one coming. Taxi! The Zoo, please.

A Meeting at Brighton

- I beg your pardon. I do hope I haven't hurt you.

- Not at all. My fault really I was walking far too quickly I'm so sorry.

- It's all right. But haven't we met before?

- I'm afraid I can't place you.

- Last summer at Brighton.

- But of course you're Mike. How stupid of me. I beg your pardon. I should’ve

remembered.

- It doesn't matter. One meets so many people at Brighton. And how are you?

- Not too bad, thank you. And you?

- Oh, I'm fine. But look here. What about a cup of coffee in that espresso I was just going to have one.                                

- I'm afraid I can't just now. I'm sorry but I really must be going.

- That's all right. Some other time perhaps

- Yes, certainly. Do you often go to that espresso bar?

- I usually have elevense's there between lectures.

- All right. I'll drop in one of these days.

- Good bye then».

- Good bye».

Hello and Good-bye

A: Hello Anna. It’s ages since I've seen you. How are you doing?

B: Not so bad. Busy as usual with exams. And you?

A: Oh, still at the same place you know, but enjoying it.

B: Do you see anything of Jane these days?

A: Haven't you heard? She's gone off to live in California.

B: Oh, lucky her! She could do with a bit of Californian sunshine instead of these grey skies.                                                 

A: Yes, so could I. Incidentally she went on her own, without Geoff.

B: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I thought they were very well-suited.

A: Apparently he didn't want to go. Anyway, I must be off. I've got a meeting in ten minutes.

B: Good to see you again, Sarah. Remember me to your Mum.

A: I will. Bye for now.

A Good Holiday

A: What's your idea of a really good holiday?

B: Given a free choice, I'd say somewhere completely off the beaten track, like a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

A: That doesn't sound like my scene at all - far too lonely.

B: Not at all. I'm not particularly keen on crowded places. In fact I find it quite amazing that people want to be sociable on holiday

A: Really? I much prefer having holidays in a town where there's plenty of opportunity to do and see things.

B: I'm happy if I can just gaze at the sea. There's nothing I enjoy more than lazing on the beach with a good book, than having a leisurely lunch before going back to the beach again.

A: That doesn't appeal to me one bit. I'd probably die of boredom.

B: Fortunately we never go on holidays together, so we'll never have to fight about it!

Food

A: Listen to this: «Would you eat what you cat if you knew what the thing you ate had last eaten?»

B: Pardon? What on earth are you talking about?

A: It's this article in the paper talking about what we eat. It says many of the incidents of food poisoning in humans are a result of diseased food fed to animals.

B: Oh, I'm with you now. I agree, it’s horrifying. Soon it won't be safe to eat anything.

A: Right. First it was eggs and chicken, now it's beef. Personally, I'm thinking of becoming a vegetarian.

B: That's no answer. Think of all the chemicals they spray on fruit and veg. I honestly believe we've got to be more radical than that.

A: You mean stop eating altogether.

B: No. What I'm trying to say is that we, the consumers, are going to have to think again about what we want. Mass production of food leads to lower prices, and also all these health scare problems, too.

A: On the other hand, are we willing to pay more for food produced more naturally and in smaller quantities?

B: Exactly In the end, it's a question of money.

A: It seems to me that the government will have to consider more subsidies to keep the price of food down,

B: Quite. Have an apple.

A: No thanks. Not after that discussion!

Tapescript 63b

A = Andy C=Carl

A Hi! Carl? It's Andy.

C Andy!

A Yeah. How are you? Feeling better?

C No! Not a lot. I have to sit down most of the time. It's too tiring walking with a crutch.

A Really? Still using a crutch, eh? So you're not back at work yet?

 C No. And I'm bored to death. I don't go back to the hospital for two more weeks.

A Two more weeks! That's when the plaster comes off, is it?

C I hope so. I can't wait to have two legs again! Anyway, how are you? Still missing all that snow and sun?

A No, I'm fine. The suntan's fading though. Josie's is too. She sends love, by the way.

C Love to her, too. I miss you all. By the way, have you got any holiday photos back yet?

A Yes, yes, I have. I got them back today. They're good. I didn't realize we'd taken so many.

C What about that one you took of that amazing sunset behind the hotel?

A Yes, the sunset. It's a good one. All of us together on Bob and Marcia's balcony, with the mountains and the snow in the background. It's beautiful. Brings back memories, doesn't it?

C Yeah. The memory of me skiing into a tree!

 A Yes, I know. I'm sorry. At least it was towards the end; it could have been the first day. You only came home two days early

C OK, OK. Oh, Andy, have you written to the tour operator yet to complain about that car we hired? They did promise us a bigger one.

A Yes, we have. Yesterday, in fact. Bob wrote it and we all signed it. I don't know if it'll do any good, but it's worth a try

C And Marcia's suitcase, did that turn up?

A Yeah. They found it. It arrived on the next flight. Marcia was delighted.

C I'll bet she was! I suppose it was a good two weeks really, wasn't it?

A Sure. Some ups and downs, but generally I think we all got on well and had a great time. Shall we go again next year?

C I'd like to. All six of us again. Julie wants to, too. She fell in love with Switzerland, but she says she'll only come if I don't break a leg!

A Good! Great! It's a date. Next time, look out for the trees! I'll ring again soon, Carl. Take care!

Sports and Games

- What would you say are the most popular games in England today?

- Well, I suppose football, that is, soccer or rugger, and cricket.

- What are the other outdoor games?

- Oh, there's tennis, hockey, golf, and so on. Tennis is played all the year round on hard courts or grass courts in summer and on hard or covered courts in winter.

- What about horse-racing?

- I should say that is one of the most popular sports in Great Britain. Then there are, of course, walking-races, running, swimming and boxing.

- I've been told that there are no winter sports in England.

 - Well, you see, the English winter isn't very severe as a rule, and we do often have the chance of skiing, skating or tobogganing, but winter is the great time for hunting provided the ground is not too hard.

- Is there any golf to be had near London?

- 0h, yes, any amount. There are dozens of good golf links within an hour or so of London. You ought to join a golf club if you're keen on the game.

- I think I shall if I get the chance. What about indoor games?

- Well, there's chess, billiards, cards, table tennis... By the way do you billiards?

- Well, I do, but of course, I'm not a professional or a champion, just ordinary amateur and not a very good one at that.

Interview

I = Interviewer M = Martin

I So Martin, what sports do you play?

M I play football, volleyball, tennis, and table tennis but volleyball is ray favourite game as it's a team game and you can play it with your friends, and enjoy it as a team.

I Is it quite a fast game as well?

M Yeah. It is a fast game and that's another reason why I enjoy it.

I How exciting...

M Yes.

 I Where do you play, then?

 M I play at local sports centres more during the winter and sort of play in tournaments around England. I also, in the summer, play beach volleyball.

I Is beach volleyball different from the volleyball you play in the centres?

M Yes, it's a very different game. Instead of six players on a team, it's only two players.

I You mentioned you played in tournaments - now do you do quite well in the tournaments?

M Yes, I've played for South West England and we've got through to the semi-finals of different England tournaments, and for Wessex, my other volleyball team, we've actually won a few tournaments. So yes, I have done quite well.

I Oh well done! What sort of equipment do you need?

M Well, first of all you need the ball and the net, and obviously the court... but you may also need knee pads and your volleyball kit.

I OK... knee pads because you fall on your knees a lot?

M Yes... 'cos you... when diving and things like that...

I Diving?

M Diving... yeah.

I It sounds like swimming. That means jumping to catch the ball?

M Yeah, jumping to get a ball up in the air.

I Yes, all right. So how often do you play volleyball then Martin?

M Well during the season, which is about September to June, I play twice a week. One of those is training, and one of those is a match. And during the summer I play beach volleyball, but that’s only once a week.

 

Mrs. Jones went shopping

One day Mrs. Jones went shopping. When her husband came home evening she began to tell him about a beautiful cotton dress,” I saw it in the shoe this morning she said... and... «And you want to buy it, said her husband. “How much does it cost?» «Fifteen pounds». «Fifteen pounds for a cotton dress? That is too much!» But every evening when Mr. Jones came back from work his wife continued to speak only about the dress and at last after a week he said «0h, buy the dress. Here is the money. She was very happy. But the next evening when Mr. Jones came home and asked «Have you got this famous dress?» she said «No». «Why not?» he said.

«Well, it was still in the window of the shop after a week, so I thought nobody else wanted this dress, so I don’t want it either.”

Retelling

Well, this woman called Mrs. Jones who one day went shopping. She went into the shop and saw this dress, cotton dress, I think. When her husband came home in the evening she told him about her visit to the shops that day and said she had seen this cotton dress and said that she was nervous, that she wanted to buy it.

Well, of course, the first question her husband asked was how much did it cost and it cost 15 pounds. Naturally, it shocked him a bit. In fact it was rather expensive amount as far as he was concerned.

But Mrs. Jones thought she could get better of him and every evening when Mr. Jones came home she used to come up to him and pestered to him about the dress, she must have this dress, it was the only thing she was after.

In the very end his patience was wore out completely and he said, he told her to buy the dress, gave her money and send her off.

Well, the next evening when Mr. Jones came in of course the first thing he asked was if she had bought the dress after all the fuss she had been making. He was surprised when she said «No». When he asked her the reason he was even more surprised, the women’s logic, I suppose, because she said: «Well, it has been in the window, it is still in the window. When I went back there it’s been a week since I first saw it. So I thought that nobody else could want this dress. Well, it wasn’t a

very fashionable dress, why should I have it? I didn’t want it either».

May Week at Cambridge

The most interesting and bizarre time of the year to visit Cambridge is during May Week. This is neither in May, nor a week. For some reason, which nobody now remembers, May Week is the name given to the first two weeks in June, the very end of the University year.

The paradox is pleasantly quaint, but also in a way apt. May Week denotes not so much a particular period of time as the general atmosphere of relaxation and unwinding at the end of the year's work. It starts for each undergraduate when he finishes his examinations and it continues until he goes down at the end of the term.

 Everything as far as possible has to happen n the open air parties, picnics on punts, concerts and plays. May Week seems almost like a celebration of the coming of spring  till then ignored in favour of sterner matters like examinations and this spirit of release seems to take over the entire town.

People gravitate towards the river and on to the Banks which are the broad lawns and graceful landscaped  gardens behind those colleges which stand next to the river Queens, King’s, Clare, Trinity Hall, Trinity and St. John’s. The river banks are lined with strollers and spectators and there is a steady procession of punts up and down the Cam, some drifting slowly and lazily, others poled by energetic young men determined to show off their skill.

Meanwhile the colleges are preparing feverishly for the various events in which May Week culminates; the most important of those are the May Balls, for which some girls plot years in advance to get invitation at the May Races.

Rowing plays a very important part in Cambridge life, and no less than 128 crews of eight compete in the “Mays” which are rowed over the period of four days.

Music and drama also have a part to play in the festivities. Nearly every college in the University (and there are over twenty of them) holds a May Week Concert. At Trinity for example, there is a concert of Madrigals, at which the performers and most of the audience sit in punts at dusk beneath the willows. Many of the college present a play in the open air. At Corpus Christy College the setting is the medieval courtyard in which Christopher Marlowe lived over 400 years ago at Queens, a Tudor Court.

At the Art theatre, the Footlights, a famous University club which specializes in revue, puts on its annual show. There is also a concert in King's college Chapel, but it is almost impossible for the casual visitor to get tickets for this.

The climax of May Week and for many undergraduates the final event of their university life, is the spate of college May Balls. When the river is lit up with colored lights and flaming torches, braziers glow in the gardens, marquees are erected in flood lit courts, ballroom orchestras compete for dances with string bands and pop groups and punts glide romantically down the river. And in the silver grey light of dawn couples in evening dress stroll leisurely, perhaps, rather dreamily through the Backs and the narrow deserted streets, until it is time to punt upstream through the meadows to breakfast at Granchester or some other equally attractive sport.

May week at Cambridge

      (Reproduced by Roy Paully)

As you probably know the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are the two oldest universities in England and because of that, because of their age they have many traditions which toforeigners might appear to be very strange

One of these traditions is May Week in Cambridge. This is particularly strange as it doesn't happen in May and is not in fact a week. It stretches over two weeks, the 7^th and 8^th weeks o the term. There is no real reason for calling it May eek and perhaps it is heralding the coming of May which is till then being ignored in favour of more serious matters examinations. There're many different activities which go on during May Week for the most part there are many play put on by individual college societies. Very often taking place outdoors in College gardens. There are also rowing races with crews of eight competing in bumping races. What I mean bumping races is when the aim is to bump back of the boat in front of you on the Cam river.

Personally I come from Oxford University, so I know far more about Oxford. At Oxford we don't have a May Week We work until the end of the eighth week when examinations finish and it is not till then that we have our equivalent of May Week when similar things take place.         

Filming History Where it Happened

On a couple of days last August visitors to Bath could be forgiven for feeling that they had suddenly been transported back to the days of George the III at the beginning of the 19th century. Outside the elegant Pump Room horsedrawn carnages jostled with sedan chairs, while on the pavement, among the dozens of people strolling about in period costumes, an old gentleman was being pushed along in a Bath chair

Interested spectators who paused to watch what was happening were treated to a preview of a scene from a new film «A Bequest to the Nation». This film - the fourth historical movie in eight years to be produced in Britain by Hal Wallis, doyen of Hollywood's independent producers-is based on Sir Terence Rattigan's play of the same name and deals with the last few months in the lives of admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, giving a realistic, rather than romanticised, view of their lives and times.

It was Wallis's first visit to Bath, which he described as «a beautiful city, a real architectural treasure», and he spent two days there filming.

Hal Wallis, who could be said to have triggered off the current interest in historical drama when he came to Britain eight years ago to make Becket with Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole, likes whenever possible to film history where it actually happened. «Today people won't accept sets for historical production built on a studio backlog and I wouldn't want to film them that way. When you have the actual places available as locations, as you have here in Britain, then it's foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity», he said.               

This was the reasoning behind Wallis’s decision to come to Britain first to make Becket, then «Anne of the Thousand Days»; «Mary, Queen of Scots» and now «A Bequest to the nation» - four films spanning 700 years of British history from the 12th to the early 19th centuries

Once such authentic setting was Hover Castle, Kent, once the home of Anne Boleyn's family. This was where Henry VIII courted Anne and here Wallis made «Anne of the Thousand Days». The courtyard today is almost completely unchanged from what it was in Anne Boleyn's days. Photostats of love letters which passed between Henry and Anne during their courtship were also used in the film.

Sometimes when the actual places where the historical events took place either no longer exist or prove to be unsuitable for filming, Wallis and his team try to find alternative locations which have some association with the character or are of the same period. Wallis who has made more than 400 movies during his long and distinguished career: particularly likes making historical films. «I find history fascinating» he said. «And the real life drama of great historical figures makes excellent material for screening drama. Not only do I enjoy making these films but judging by their success at the box-office, lots of people enjoy going to see them».

Women in Films

In the last twenty years, much energy and ink have been spent arguing about, the role and place of women, and films have reflected the changes in attitudes.

In the early days of the cinema, until World War II and much before women's lib, the situation was quite clear. Most of the great stars were women: Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich. They were beautiful superwomen whom men dreamt about and women tried to copy. People went to the cinema to escape from day-to­day life, not to see reality. Men dominated the film industry, but women dominated films - rather ballerinas steal the show in many ballets. When men are only there to lift them up, women in film had interesting complex personalities and audience came to see them.

There were exceptions: westerns - traditionally male-dominated.

The other exception was romantic comedies where actresses like Catherine Hepburn, Carole Lombard and Claudette Coldert were given Spencer Tracy, Сагу Grant and Clark Gable for partners. In these comedies men and women were smart, witty and attractive, equal but different and brought out the best in each other. All was well.

     The picture changed after the war. People became more interested in psychology and realism in films - not, however, in women's psychology unless they were helpless and pitifully neurotic. There was a great many war films, as male-dominated as westerns. The leading ladies of the romantic comedies changed, but the men stayed the same.

In the 30s, Cary Grant played opposite Katherine Hepburn, in the 40s Ingrid Bergman, in the 50s Grace Kelly and in the 60s (when Katherine Hepburn was playing mothers, if not grandmothers of adult children) Sophia Loren. In films, as in real life, nobody objected to an older man falling in love with a girl half his age, but the opposite is unthinkable. If Gary Cooper at fifty had acted with an actress of the same age she would have been playing his mother. In the 50s women in films could be one thing at a time: a gorgeous sex object (Marilyn Monroe) or a well-groomed perfect wife (Doris Day) or a frustrated spinster, or a sweet young girl waiting to meet the right man.

In the late 60s and early 70s a lot of very successful Hollywood and British films had no women in them except as props or in the distant background. Popular films in the 60s were a man's world.

Fortunately, the times have changed a little. Society is getting used to the idea of women's lib and the status of women is slowly improving: "The film industry has recognized this and something strange is happening: it is now fashionable to make films about women. Women as individuals are once more worthy of being filmed. «Julia» is about two women friends, moving played by Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave - who in real life have both let the world know they were liberated a long time ago. «An Unmarried Woman» is about a woman getting a divorce. «Looking for Mr Goodbar» and Woody Allen's «Annie Hall» - which he describes as a nervous romance, a hilarious romantic comedy for the 70s, star Diane Keaton. A few years ago, the same excellent actress was underemployed in «The Godfather» as Al Pascino's subdued and obedient wife. She, and. women in films have come a long way since then. It may just be a new trend but it's a change for the better.

Part of news bulletin

Thirty five vehicles were involved in a multiple collision on the M 1 motorway this morning. The accident occurred about three miles south of the Newport Pagnell service area when an articulated lorry carrying a load of steel bars jack-knifed and overturned. A number of lorry drivers and motorists were unable to pull up in time and ran into the overturned vehicle, causing a major pile-up. Some from the steel bars from the load were flung by the impact across the central reserve into the southbound carriage way which was restricted to single lane working because of repairs and resurfacing, causing several miner accidents. With both carriageways blocked police closed the motorway for a time, and diversion signs were posted at the nearest slip roads. Breakdown vehicles and ambulances had considerable difficulties in reaching the scene of the accident because of fog. This was dense in places and the flashing amber light signals had been switched on for most of the night. So far there are no reports of anybody seriously injured in the accident.

This accident, the fourth involving a multiple pile-up of vehicles in the last month, comes just as the First National Conference on Motorway use is getting under way. At the opening meeting in London last night Sir John Stone the Metropolitan Area Traffic Advisor, cri tic ized the standard of motorway driving in this country. He said that there was evidence that many of the basic disciplines of motorway use had yet to be learned by British drivers. Lane discipline was much worse in this country than in America and habits of drivers when overtaking were particularly bad. One saw far too much dangerous pulling out without an adequate signal having been given and there was a similarly dangerous tendency for drivers to cut in after overtaking. Perhaps the commonest form of misuse, however, was the reluctance of drivers of private cars to move into the inside lane whenever it was possible to do so. Sir John said that far too many were determined to stay in the middle or even the outside lanes regardless of traffic conditions with the result that drivers wishing to overtake became impatient and tried to follow too closely behind the vehicle in front, thus, making accidents more likely. The conference is continuing.                        

Now the Common Market negotiations. Mr. Geoffrey Rippon, the chief negotiator, flew to Brussels last night. It is thought that the object of his journey is to attempt to reduce the disagreement between this country and the European economic Community on what Britain's contribution of the Community budget should be. Britain has put forward the suggestion that a reasonable contribution would be thirteen to fifteen percent built up in a series of equal yearly steps over a period of five years. But the council of Ministers is considering a recommendation that the British share should be twenty one point percent in the first year rising to between twenty and twenty five percent in the fifth year.

There have been signs that some European leaders are reluctant to take the present British offer seriously and it is widely felt in Whitehall that Mr. Rippon’s main task at the moment is to make it clear to the Six that the offer is viewed in this country as reasonable and realistic one.

The Common Market issue was also taken up today by officials of the National Farmer's Union, when they commented on a pamphlet issued by the Conservative Central Office. The pamphlet claims that on balance farmers would be better off if Britain joined the Common Market. The National Farmer's Union, however, points out that while fanners in Europe receive more for some products, such as barley wheat, cattle and sugar, they get less for milk and pigs. In addition, says the Union, the pamphlet fails to mention horticulture, which constitutes an important part of British agriculture, and which is likely to be badly hit in the even of a link-up with the Common Market. The officials said that in their view the pamphlet tended to overemphasize the benefits of joining the EEC and to leave out of account many genuine difficulties.

Tapescript 15

1. Suzanne

I love many sports, but best of all - skiing. I first skied when I was six years old, and lived in Canada, and then for many years, in fact decades, I wasn't able to ski again because I was living in hot places.But since I've been living in England, I've resumed skiing and it's even better than it was. For me now the place to ski is the Alps, and particularly France. I live in England and the winters are gloomy, and there's not much sun, so one of the wonderful things about skiing for me, is the light and the brilliant sunshine that you find high, high up in the mountains. A lot of other people like it, too, and it can be rather crowded, especially around the lifts because you now have mechanical lifts that take you zooming up, flying up the mountains like a God, whereas in Canada I had to walk up if I wanted to ski down.

 The equipment you need... skis, and boots and poles. Many people own their own equipment but I hire mine in the resort. I do have my own clothes though, and clothes are very important because skiing is quite a fashion-conscious sport. Also, it's necessary to have yes that will protect you because the rather can be very severe. You need a ski-suit, hat, goggles to protect your eyes, socks, mittens, and a rucksack is useful to carry round your bits and pieces. Now at this point, I have to confess that I am not the world's greatest skier. I would say I am a respectable skier, I'm a safe skier, but that doesn't stop you wing a wonderful time. Also, there is the social life that is such an important part of ding. You can eat and drink as much as you want because you know you're burning it all off. And then at the end of the day there's the evening food and wine with friends and everybody talking about their excitements during the day. I love it!

2. Dorothy

I’m an elderly lady of eighty-three and I've ways been interested in keep-fit, yoga and anything to keep myself mobile, and er... two years ago, I joined a little club run by the Salvation Army, where about eighteen of us meet together and we go through all our movements with music - it's very enjoyable, needless to say, I am the eldest one there, but m able to do most of the exercises, when I feel OK. When I've got a bad bout of sciatica, I've got to ease up a bit.

How often? I go once a week on a Thursday for..., oh we exercise for about three quarters of an hour, and then we end up with having a ice lunch, which is always very good, and that at the Salvation Army Hall in Branksome.

Who with? Lots of my friends; I have made friends since joining because I was a complete stranger when I went there but now there's a lot of people I can call my friends. And for this keep fit we just wear a leotard with a nice bright yellow top and feel very smart. And across the top it says, 'Branksome is fighting fit'. And am I good at it? Well, I think I am... and the instructress tells me, or tells the others rather, that I am an example to the rest of them.

Tapescript 25

I = Interviewer M ⁼ Megan L = Laura

I What are some of the good things about being a teenager, not an adult?

M Urn... well, you don't have to go out to work, for a start.

L And you don't haw to pay bills. You can go out with your friends, go shopping, go to the cinema.

M But I always have to tell my Mum and Dad where I'm going first.

L So do I. Another thing is we don't have to do the housework and the washing and cleaning, and all that stuff, which is really boring.

M One problem is that you never have enough money. We get some money front our parents, but it's never enough. You aren't allowed to buy what you want.

I What do think it's like being an adult?

L Well, adults have to worry about bills and looking after their family. They can't do what they want when they want.

I They have responsibilities, you mean?

L Yeah. I feel more sorry for my Mum. She's always rushing around and she has to go to work as well. She doesn't have to work on Thursdays and Fridays, but she has loads of different things to do in a day, like shopping, er... cooking, taking me to dancing and swimming.

I So do you think your Dad has the easier life?

L Well. I don't know. He has to work full-time, and he drives over a thousand miles a week, but he doesn't have to do anything in the house. When he gets in at 7.30, everything's been done!

I Urm, tell me about school. What are some of the school rules?

M Huh! We have to wear a stupid school uniform, and we're not allowed to wear white socks, they have to be black. We can't wear make-up, and we aren't allowed to chew gum!

 L And if you break one of the rules, you get a Friday afternoon detention.

Tapescript 26

Bert Atkins talks about his school days

I = Interviewer B = Bert

I When did you start school, Bert?

B Well,... er, I was born in 1919 and I started school when I was five, so that was 1924. It was just a little village school, only 20 of us in all. I don't think it had a name, we just called it «The Little School». And we stayed there till we were ten, and then we moved to 'The Big Boys School' in the next village-I don't think that had a name either, it was always just «The Big Boys School».

I And what can you remember about your first school?

B Well… you know the first thing they taught us, all of us, boys and girls? The very first thing they taught us... was knitting. Itseems strange, doesn't it? But we all had to learn to knit. We couldn't learn to read and write till we'd learnt to knit!

I Why was that? Was there a reason?

B Oh yes, there was a reason all right. You see, we all had to knit our own cloth to clean our slate. We weren't allowed to use paper and pencils, at least not until we were seven years old. They were too expensive, so we had to use chalk and a slate for the first two years. So you see it was a good idea, knitting a cloth. I think that's what I remember most about the Little School.

I And when you were ten you moved to the Big Boys? Did you have to take any exams to go there?

B Oh no, I don't remember any exams. When you were ten you just started walking to the next village to 'The Big Boys'. There was no transport, you see, you had to walk. It was about four miles. I didn't get a bike till I was fourteen, and of course I'd left school by then. You had to leave at fourteen in those days.

I And what about «The Big Boys»? Did you enjoy it?

B Ooh, in the beginning I was terrified. There were so many really big boys, and the teachers were really strict. You had to behave in «The Big Boys»!

I What did you have to do?

B Well, we had to stand behind our desks at the start of every lesson, we weren't allowed to talk at all in class, ever, well... only if the teacher asked a question. The headmaster, Tom Bevan he was called - we called him Bossy Bevan. He was really strict, we were terrified of him, terrified. Once he hit a boy so hard he broke his nose. But he never hit me, no. The worst punishment I got was writing lines after school, and that was for coming late. In the winter, it was, and in all the snow and 1 arrived ten minutes late. Huh…I had to write one hundred times, «I must leave home early. I must not arrive late». One hundred times. But I was never hit, never.

I And did you have to do much homework?

B Homework? No - we never got homework. I don't remember any homework, We didn’t have to do any. The teachers never thought about it. I think they'd bad enough of us after each day. They didn't want more work!

I So were your schooldays the happiest days of your life?

B Ooh no! Never. I don't think I had an education really. The happiest time of my life was when t was in India during the war. It's the only time I've been abroad.

Tapescript 29

1. Sumie

In my country, Japan, usually we invite guests home at the weekend, in the early evening, about seven o'clock. Before they come, we must tidy the front garden and clean the entrance hall. Then we must spray it all with water to show that we welcome guests with cleanliness. Then guests usually bring presents and when they give you the present they say, «I'm sorry this is such a small present», but in fact they have chosen the present very carefully. When the meal is ready the hostess says, «We have nothing special for you today but you are welcome to come this way». You can see that in Japan you should try to be modest and you should not show off too much. If you don't understand our culture you will think this is very strange.

When we have foreign guests we try to serve traditional Japanese meals like sushi, tempura, or sukiyaki but when we have Japanese guests, we serve all kinds of food such as spaghetti, Chinese food, or steaks. When guests leave, the host and hostess see them out of the house and wait until their car turns the corner of the street; they wait until they can't see them any more.

2. Rosa

I come from Spain. At home what we love most is going out to eat in bars and restaurants. There is a big choice and we can go from one bar to another trying different things and having a few drinks, usually wine or beer. But sometimes we also like to invite people to our home.

I usually invite my friends for an informal meal. I cook Spanish omelette, which is made with potatoes, onions and eggs, fried in olive oil. Then we have things like cheese, ham - Spanish ham is very different from English ham. And if you buy the best one called habubu, is something delicious, worth trying. And then things like olives, anchovies, mussels. We drink wine or beer. Some people may bring a bottle of wine or something for pudding. We usually meet late in the evening, about eight thirty or nine. Of course we dress casually; we just want to be relaxed and comfortable, and talk and laugh together.

3. Leslie

I'm from the United States. Sometimes when our family gets together with other families, we have what's called a «pot luck supper», which can take place in the evening or even at lunchtime. This is an informal occasion held perhaps in someone's garden, so people dress casually but nicely. Invitations can be written or made by phone, and each person is asked u bring a dish of food. They're given a choice of starter, main course, salad or vegetable, or dessert. The hostess knows how many of each kind of dish she needs but not exactly what the guests will bring. This is why it's called «pot luck», as it's a lovely surprise, holding a dinner party and not knowing what you're going to feed your guests. As the guests arrive, they put their dish, or pot as it used to be called, on the table and the meal is served buffet-style, and drinks are provided, although some guests might bring a bottle of wine as a present.

I really enjoy this kind of entertaining; it's fun, relaxed way of getting together with friends.

Tapescript 36a

The Geography of the British Isles

The British Isles can be divided into two, not only because of its geography but also because of its climate and agriculture. If you draw a line from about the Bristol Channel to the Wash, then to the south of this line there are mainly low lands and hills, and to the north there are higher lands and mountains. This includes the Welsh Mountains, the Highlands of north-west Scotland, and the Pennines, which is a range of mountains, that runs north to south, and is known as the backbone of England.It is wetter in the north because of the higher land, and drier and sunnier in the south. This has an effect on the agriculture, of course. To the north there are sheep and cows because the grass grows so well. and to the south there are arable farms growing crops and cereal.

Tapescript 36b

The South West of England is famous for its beautiful countryside and dramatic coastline. One particular area of natural beauty is Dartmoor, which is inhabited by wild ponies.

The countryside in the South East is more gentle, and there is a lot of fruit-growing. It is also the most heavily populated part of Britain, East Anglia is very flat, and is famous for its vast fields of wheat and potatoes. The Midlands used to have a lot of heavy industry, but much of this has disappeared over recent years. Wales is characterized by its mountains in the north and its valleys in the south. In the North West of England there is the beautiful Lake District, and the cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The North East used to have a lot of mining and ship building, but not any more, unfortunately.

Scotland is famous for its lakes, of course, known as lochs. The moors and mountains are beautiful and empty. Ireland is famed for its rains and its rich green grass, its romance and its mists.

 

Tapescript 37

The Weather Forecast

And now here's the weather forecast for the next twenty-four hours. We’lldivide the country into four, starting with the North West and the North East of England. Well, there'll be some early morning mists, and after that it'll be mainly dry and sunny, but quite chilly, with temperatures ground six orseven. It should stay dry all day, but there'll bequite a wind, so wrap up warm.

And now the South West and Wales. You can expect some rain in the morning and afternoon. There might be some storms, as well, with thunder and lightning. There'll be quite strong winds, and the temperature will be lower than yesterday, around three or four degrees. I don't think you'll see much of the sun. Cloudy all day, I'm afraid.

The South East, the Midlands, and East will see the best of today's weather. It'll be warmer than yesterday, no winds, and sunshine nearly all day, with temperatures around ten or eleven, so quite warm for the time of year.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, however, there'll he heavy rain and maybe some snow during the afternoon, and on the hills temperatures will drop to below freezing, minus four or live, and on the highest spots minus ten. Over much of Scotland it will be cloudy, and windy, too. as the told front moves in over the Atlantic, Northern Ireland can expect the same, but the rain will end before dark. But again, very cold, with temperatures not going above freezing. And that's all from me.

Tapescript 46a

Sheila and Bob talking about New York

- How long did you live in the States?

- We were there for two years, in New York.

- And did you enjoy it?

- Oh, tremendously. We had a wonderful time.

- Yeah, what we liked best was that we could work and yet still lead a normal life. I mean, the shops are open till ten o'clock.

- All shops?

- Yes, everything. Food shops, chemists... There's even a huge department store called Gimbles on 86th Street that was open till nine o'clock. And some supermarkets are open twenty-four hours a day. Most shops don't open as early as in England, well, they don't open until about erm... 10 or 11 in the morning.

- Yes, that's right

- Because they all work much later. And everything's open on Sundays. And the holidays, the public holidays are much shorter than here, and in the Slates only the banks are shut. Everything else stays open, so it makes life much easier. You could do what you liked when you liked.

- I see, erm... Do you think New York is as cosmopolitan as London?

- Oh, yes, but it's not as mixed. Nationalities stay in their own areas; like there's the Russian section...,... the German section. We were in German Town, York Town, which is called German town. And there was a row of German shops, all German-speaking.

- I think the major difference was the height of the place. Everything was up. We lived on the twenty-ninth floor.

- Yes, and I worked on the sixty-third floor.

- Yes, but I like heights. And of course everything is faster. And the people are much ruder.

- Oh! In what ways?

- Well, pushing in the street, fights about getting on the bus. People don't queue like they do in England. And of course the taxi drivers! New York taxi drivers must be the rudest in the world! Americans themselves are really friendly but the taxi drivers never speak. And they don't seem to know where anything is. I asked one of them to take me to the Guggenheim Museum once and he was really angry with me because he'd never heard of it!

- He angry with you?  Are all American taxi drivers like that?

- Oh, yes. Well, in New York, anyway. Not so much in other places. When we went to California it was very different.

-Yes, I think we were aware that New York is quite a dangerous place. We never had any problems ourselves at all, but when there was a crime, it was horrendous.

- Oh, yes. The subways are unusable. They're dirty, uncomfortable.

- Did you make many friends?

- Well, that's what's interesting, really. We made more friends in our two years there than we have after two years of living back here near London. I think Americans are more... open, they... you know, they speak their minds, so if they don't like something, well, they actually tell you directly. Not like the British, who might think one thing and say another. So maybe the British are ruder than the Americans!

Tapescript 46b.

Terry talking about London

I = Interviewer T = Terry

I So, Terry. You've been in London quite a long time now.

T Mmm

I What differences do you notice between the two countries?

T Obviously the biggest difference is the people. The average Englishman is... mmm... cold and not very open.

I Oh!

T In the States it's very different. We start conversations with people in the street.

We're a lot more enthusiastic and spontaneous than people here. You know, when I first came, I couldn't understand what was wrong, but now I see that I was trying to be too friendly too soon.

I But um, tell me, do the English improve as you get to know them?

T Oh yes!

I Oh, good!

T Once you've made a friend, it's a friend for life, but it takes a very long time. I'll tell you something that I think is very important. English people in America are respected. Everyone wants to talk to them. We're inquisitive, we love the accent. But Americans in England are thought to be a little inferior because they get excited by everything. They think everything is so 'cute'. One thing I've learned - it's funny now, but it wasn't at the time - I couldn't understand why, when I was talking to someone, they would move away, you know, move backwards. I thought, «Do I smell? Am I boring?» The reason was, you see, Americans stand closer when they're talking.

I Ah, that's interesting. What about your impressions of living here? How does that

compare with the States?

T Well, mmm... I think life's a lot easier in the States. It's easier to make money and it's easier to spend it. Shops are open all the time over there. When I first came to England you had to race to reach the supermarket before 5.30, but this has changed. Some shops are open later now, and on Sundays, but they are still harder to find than in the States.

I Yeah. But it is a lot better than it was.

T Sure. And another thing is Americans work a lot harder than you do here. To theEnglish, their private lives are important,their holidays are important, their gardensare important, their dogs are important, butfor Americans, work is the most importantthing in our lives. You know, holidays seemto be longer here, and around Christmasand New Year the whole country closesdown for two weeks!

I Oh, come on!

T It's true! We Americans are like the Japanese in this respect. We live to work.

I So you don't like London very much!

T Oh, you would think so from what I'm saying, wouldn't you? No, in fact I really love it here. I go home once a year and I really look forward to coming back here.

This is my home now. I find life safer, more relaxed, and much more enjoyable. The Underground isn't very clean but at least you can use it and feel safe. And your taxi drivers are wonderful! They tell you their life stories and know every street in London. Maybe I've gotten into English habits! England doesn't have the dramatic beauty of the States, but oh, it... it's very pretty and charming in a way that I find comforting.

Tapescript 65

1. A large family

J = Jillie I = Interviewer

J I'm the youngest of nine children. My eldest sister is still alive, age ninety-three

and there are sixteen years between us. We were four girls, four boys, and then me.

I And how well did you all get on together when you were children?

J Really, amazingly well. Being the youngest, I and my two young brothers rather looked on the rest of the family as «the others», 'cos by that time they were either away at school or working. But we were always fond of one another and now of course, the roles have rather reversed because they were inclined to keep an eye on us and now - we younger ones, the two youngest, are very busy looking after the remainder, 'the ancient ones'.

I Tell me how your relationship with your sister.

J Joy has changed over the years. Joy was the sister who used to... in her holidays…used to take me off er... for lovely walks and teach me a great deal about the countryside. And she eventually became a nun and disappeared to Australia for twenty-three years. And we wrote to one another and I was still her little sister. When she came back, shortly after my husband died and the whole relationship changed enormously, and we became tremendous friends, we've never looked back.

I What do you see as the main advantage and disadvantage of coming from such a large family?

J I think the main advantage was this marvelous example of our parents, of how to enjoy life on a shoestring, because we were very much the poor relations, and it always amused us that our wealthy young cousins envied us so much. We had the old bikes and all the freedom in the world, and they were stuffed into Eton suits and expected to behave themselves.

I Disadvantages?

J I think it was very tough at a certain stage to have hand-me-down clothes, especially for a vain little girl, and not to have much in the way of parties and perhaps not to be able to go abroad, as other children did. But the advantages outweighed the disadvantages enormously, there's no doubt about that.

I Six out of the nine of you are still alive. How closely have you kept in touch over the years?

J Very closely. For many years now we've had an annual family party of three generations. And the touching thing is that the two younger generations just love to come, and there are anything up to son of thirty-five of us meet up, once a year, in one or other of the houses, and have this marvellous lunch and tea-party, and lots of photographs are taken. And we've now got baby twins that were handed round this time. D'you know, and all this sort of thing... marvellous!

2. An only child

P = Philippa I = Interviewer

P I'm an only child and basically I think the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages of being an only child. I was erm... relatively happy as a young child but as you get older, I think being an only child gets more difficult to deal with.

I When you were little it wasn't too bad being an only child?

P No, but I was very lucky; I had lots of cousins - I had fourteen first cousins and most of them lived in the same town that I grew up in until I was ten, so we all played together and what have you. And I had a friend who lived next door to me, who was my best friend, who was the same age as me and so she was a bit like a sister then I suppose, and it wasn't until we moved away from there that I think it became more difficult being an only child.

I You said to me once that it was when you were a teenager that it was particularly

hard. Why was that?

P Yes. I think... I think, when you're a teenager, you're quite unsure of how to deal

 with things, especially your parents anyway, and when you're on your own, you   have nobody to compare notes with or to sort of say, are my parents being unreasonable or not, you just have to work it out for yourself, and that I think is quite hard really.

I Some people who come from large families might envy you because you had ail of your parents' attention.

P Yes. That of course has its negatives as well as its positives, doesn't it? I think. You have all of their attention but you don't always want it, especially as a teenager. I think at that point in your late teens, you want to move away from your family a little bit, and... and sort of explore other relationships, and if you have all of your parents' attention, you can't necessarily do that very well.

I What about now that you're an adult? Does the fact of being an only child have any impact on your life at all?

P Er... yes. I think it's probably again quite difficult really. Erm... my father died about ten years ago, so of course I'm the one who's left totally responsible for my mother. I'm the one that has to look after her if she has a problem, and help her if she needs help in any way. There's nobody else to help at all. So yes, I think it does have problems then, too.

I You have two children of your own. Was that a conscious decision because you decided that you didn't want one of your children to be an only child?

P Yes, very definitely. Yes, yes, I didn't want that to happen and I feel sorry for other children who are only children. I must say, I think that's... at this age at the age of my children, it's probably fine but as they get older, I think it gets more difficult.

I So all in all, being an only child is not something you'd recommend.

 P No, certainly not, no, no.

UNIT 3. Declamatory style.

                                                    

Upon Westminster Bridge

W. Wordsworth

Earth has not anything to show more fair:

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:

This City now doth, like a garment wear

The beauty of the morning; silent are

Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky:

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

Never did sun more beautifully steep

In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill,

Never saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at his own sweet will:

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep,

And all that mighty heart is lying still.

***

G. G. Byron [1]

Adieu! Adieu! My native shore

Fades over the waters blue,

The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar

And shrieks the wild sea-mew

Yon sun that sets upon the sea

We follow in his flight;

Farewell awhile to him and, thee,

My native Land-Good Night.

A few short hours, and he will rise

To give the morrow birth,

And I shall hail the main and skies,

But not my mother earth.

Deserted is my own good hall,

Its hearth is desolate

Wild weeds are gathering on the wall;

My dog howls at the gate.

With thee, my bark, I'll swiftly go

Athwart, the foaming brine;

Nor care what land thou bearst me to

So not again to mine.

Welcome, welcome, ye dark blue wave

And when you fail my sight,

Welcome, ye deserts, and ye caves!

My native Land-Good night!

Daffodils

W. Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud                                        

That floats on high o’er valse and hills

When all at once I saw a crowd

A host of golden daffodils.

Besides the lake, beneath the trees

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay

Ten thousand saw I at a glance

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance

The waves beside them dances but they

Outdid the sparkling waves in glee.

A poet could not but be gay

In such a jocund company

I gazed and gazed but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought

For oft when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude

And then my heart with pleasure fills

And dances with the daffodils.

 

Warning

 Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We will have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.

The arrow and the song

 H. W. Longfellow

I shot an arrow into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where,

For so swiftly it flew, the sight

Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where,

For who has sight so keen and strong,

That it can follow the flight of a song?

Long, long afterwards in an oak

I found the arrow, still unbroke;

And the song, from beginning to end,

I found again in the heart of a friend.

Sonnet 116

  by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage, of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although its height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks,

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error, and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.