#audio@english_is_fun
1. About Myself
Hello! My name’s Gordon Wilson. I come from Aberdeen in Scotland, but now I live and work in London. I have a very small flat near the centre. I’m a waiter and I’m also a drama student. I work in an Italian restaurant. I eat Italian food and I drink Italian and French wine. I don’t drink beer. I don’t like it. And I don’t play sports. I speak languages – English, French and a little Italian. I want to be an actor.
2. What can you do?
- Can you use a computer, Josh?
- Yes, of course I can. All my friends can. I use a computer at school and at home.
- That’s very good. What other things can you do?
- Well, I can run fast, very fast, and I can draw a bit. I can draw planes and cars very well but I can’t drive a car of course. When I’m big I want to be a farmer and drive a tractor.
- And I know you can speak French.
- Yes, I can. I can speak French very well because my dad’s French. We sometimes speak French at home.
- Can you speak any other languages?
- No, I can’t. I can’t speak German or Spanish, just French and English of course! And I can cook! I can make cakes. My grandma makes lovely cakes and I sometimes help her. Yesterday we made a big chocolate cake.
3. In a Restaurant
Joe’s Dinner
- Are you ready to order?
- Yes, we are. Renate, what would you like to start?
- Can I have a tomato soup, please?
- And I’d like the seafood cocktail.
- And for you main course?
- I would like the … er… roast chicken, please.
- Certainly. And for you?
- Can I have the steak, please?
- How would you like it cooked?
- Medium.
- What would you like to drink?
- Can we have a bottle of red wine, please?
- Very good.
- And we’d like a bottle of mineral water, too.
- Thank you very much.
- Is everything all right?
- Delicious, thank you.
4. Family Story
My name’s Calico. I know, it’s a funny name! I was born in 1987. My two brothers are Henry and William, they were born … er… Henry in 1992 and William just one year later in 1993. Ugh – they are horrible! My little sister is Cleo, she’s OK. She was born in 1999. Mum and dad are Linda and Alan. My mum was born in 1961 and my dad … er… I think he was born in 1961, too. And my grandmother… er, she was born in 1930 something … yes, 1932. Her name’s Violet. I think it’s a beautiful name.
5. Sydney
How to have a good time in … Sydney
Sydney has everything you want in a city. It’s beautiful, it has old and new buildings, there are fantastic beaches, and the food is delicious.
When to go
The best times to visit are spring and autumn. In summer it is very hot.
Where to stay
There are cheap hotels in King’s Cross. A room is about $50 a night. There are international hotels in the centre. Here a room is about $150 a night.
What to do
Sydney has theaters and cinemas, and of course, the Opera House. The best shops are in Pitt Street. Go to the harbour. There are beaches, walks, parks, and cafés and, of course, the wonderful bridge.
Sydney has the famous Bondi Beach. People go swimming, surfing, windsurfing and sailing.
For night life, there are clubs and bars in Oxford Street.
What to eat
There are restaurants from every country – Italian, Turkish, Lebanese, Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamenese. Australians eat a lot of seafood – it’s very fresh!
How to travel
There are fast trains and slow buses. The best way to see Sydney is by ferry.
6. A Lazy Day
Yesterday was Sunday, so I got up late – 11:30. I had a big breakfast, orange juice, toasts, eggs and coffee. Then I went shopping to the supermarket and I bought some chocolate and a Sunday newspaper: the Sunday Times. In the afternoon I listened to music for a bit and then I watched a film on TV. In the evening I cooked a meal just for me, not a big meal, just soup and salad. I went to bed early. It was a lovely lazy day!
7. The Living Room
There’s a cat on the sofa and there’s a telephone on a small table next to the sofa. There’s CD player with some CDs under it. Not a lot of CDs. There isn’t a television and there aren’t any pictures or photographs on the walls. There’s one lamp, it’s next to the table with the telephone. There are two tables and two armchairs. There are some books under one of the tables.
8. People and the Internet
Fleur
I use the Internet a lot. Every day, I think. It helps me with my homework. It helps me with everything. Yesterday I did an English test. It was quite difficult.
Anya
My brother is in Japan. I can’t phone Japan, it’s very expensive – so Paul (that’s my brother) and me – we talk in chat room on the Internet. We talk late, at about 11 o’clock in the evening – well, it’s evening here, but it’s 8 o’clock in the morning in Japan.
Tito
I play the guitar and I can find lots of songs on the Internet. Yesterday I got the words and music go “Can’t buy me love”, you know, by the Beatles. I can play in now. I use the Internet it weekends because it’s cheap then.
Henry
Well, my family’s name is Krum and I want to write about my family, so every day I chat to people from all over the world – Canada, Germany, Argentina – people who have the name Krum. They send me information about their family. It’s really interesting.
Tommy
I play games. And I go to chat rooms. And I go to websites for my favourite pop-groups and football players. I want to be on the web all the time, but my mum says I can’t. She says I can only use it after school for an hour, and then I stop.
Iris
I go shopping on the Internet. Every Friday I go to my son’s house and I use his computer. It’s fantastic – the supermarket brings all my shopping to my home.
9. I’m Going to Mexico
- What are you doing?
- I’m reading about Mexico.
- Why?
- Because I’m going there on holiday soon.
- Oh, lovely! When are you leaving?
- We’re leaving next Friday.
- Who are you going with?
- My friends Ed and Lucy.
- How are you traveling?
- We’re travelling by plane to Mexico City, then by bus and train around the country.
- Where are you staying?
- We’re staying in small hotels and hostels.
- You’re so lucky! Have a good time!
- Thanks very much.