Learnenglish Elementary Podcast 09
Elementary Podcast 09
While you listen
Download the LearnEnglish Elementary podcast. You’ll find all the details on this page:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-podcasts-elementary-09.htm
While you listen, read and answer the questions below.
Section 1
Section 5
1. What do you know about Tess? Tick all the
5. Which kinds of holidays do the people prefer?
phrases you think are true. There may be more
Tick all the ones they talk about.
than one right answer.
a) beach
holidays
a) she’s going away for the weekend
b) a holiday in a 5-star hotel
b) she’s
going
cycling
c) travelling
c) she’s
going
camping
d) a
cruise
d) she’s coming back on Sunday
Section 6
Section 2
6. What does Carolina give her guests for
2. What do you know about Matt Groening? Tick
dinner? Tick all the things that they eat.
all the phrases you think are true.
a) rice and beans
a) he’s got two children
b) meat
b) his father’s name was Homer
c) avocado salad called guasacaca
c) he’s got a sister called Lisa
d) fried
bananas
d) he started The Simpsons in the 1970s
Section 3
7. What do you know about Jamie? Tick all the
phrases you think are true.
3. What do you know about Abby and Ethan?
Tick all the phrases you think are true.
a) he doesn’t eat meat
b) he gave Carolina a present
a) Abby has just left school
c) he doesn’t like the rice and beans
b) Ethan is at university
d) he goes with Emily to choose a CD
c) Ethan has been travelling in South America
d) Abby is the winner of the quiz
Section 7
Section 4
8. Tick all the phrases you think are true.
4. What does Bridget say about the Indian film
The parrot
industry? Tick all the phrases you think are true.
a) understood all the magician's tricks
b) watched the magician sleeping
a) Bollywood films are just like American films
c) understood how the ship had disappeared
b) Bollywood films usually tell very sad stories
d) could speak
c) Lots of different kinds of people go to see
Bollywood films
d) There are travelling cinemas in the
countryside
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 1 – “Where are you going?” – plans for the weekend
Ravi: Hello once again and welcome to the LearnEnglish Elementary podcast number 9 with me,
Ravi, from Manchester.
Tess: And me Tess, from London. And Gordon, our producer, from … where are you from Gordon?
Gordon_ Me? I’m from Keswick, in the Lake District, you know, but I’ve lived in London for about
twenty years.
Tess: Keswick? Really? I’m going there this weekend.
Gordon: Really? What for? Having a weekend away?
Ravi: Are you going cycling again?
Tess: Yeah, we are, six of us. We’re getting the train up from London on Friday morning then cycling
to Keswick, spending a night there then we’re going to do a really long ride on the Saturday ..
Ravi: You’re not going to camp, are you? Isn’t it a bit cold?
Tess: No, we’re not – it is a bit cold. We’re staying in youth hostels, you know.
Ravi: Oh right, I haven’t been in a youth hostel since I was a kid. Are they still really cold and
uncomfortable?
Tess: No, not at all. Some of them are fantastic. I mean, they’re not like five star hotels or anything but
they’re really comfortable and you meet some really interesting people in them.
Ravi: Hmm. Sounds OK, better than I remember. It’s the cycling I don’t want to do. How far are you
going to ride each day?
Tess: About fifty miles or so. It depends. It’s more difficult with all the hills and stuff. We haven’t
booked the youth hostels – they won’t be really busy at this time of year. So we’ll just stay at the
nearest place if we get really tired.
Ravi: Ah OK. Sounds great. When are you coming back?
Tess: We’re getting a train on Sunday afternoon so we’ll get back to London in the evening, about six
o’clock, I think.
Ravi: Do you know what I’m going to do this weekend?
Tess: No? What are you up to?
Ravi: Absolutely nothing. I’m going to sit on my sofa all weekend and watch TV. I’ve got loads of
DVDs I want to watch. I’ll think of you on your bicycle though.
Tess: I don’t know how you can do nothing all weekend Ravi. I’d get so bored.
Ravi: I know, I know. I’m going to start going to the gym soon, honest. I can never find the time.
Tom’s tip
Look at Tess and Ravi’s conversation. Ravi is asking Tess about her plans for the weekend. But
notice that Ravi doesn’t only ask questions. He also makes comments about what Tess says.
This is normal in a conversation. We respond to what people say – maybe with our opinion, or
some extra information about ourselves.
Section 1 - Exercise 1
Now look at the exercise. Put the phrases in the box in the correct place in this dialogue between
Stella and Paul. (See ‘Answer Page’ for answers)
Are you driving down
doing anything this weekend
there’s a lovely place
Are you going alone
Me too
When are you coming back
Are you going to have a swim
nothing special
you’ll like it
Where are you staying
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Elementary Podcast 09
Stella: Are you _____________________________ Paul?
Paul: Yes, I am actually. I’m going down to Brighton. I fancy a bit of sea air.
Stella: Brighton? Very nice. Brighton’s one of my favourite places.
_____________________________?
Paul: I’m not sure yet. I haven’t booked anywhere. Do you know anywhere nice?
Stella: Well, _____________________________ on the sea front. I’ve got the phone number if you
want.
Paul: Thanks. That’d be great.
Stella: I’m sure _____________________________. It isn’t too expensive and it’s got lovely views of
the sea. _____________________________?
Paul: No, I’m going to get the train. I don’t want to get stuck in traffic getting out of London on Friday
evening.
Stella: Good decision. The train’s probably quicker. _____________________________?
Paul: Yes. I quite like travelling alone.
Stella: _____________________________. You can do exactly what you want can’t you. No-one else
to worry about. _____________________________?
Paul: Well, I might if it’s not too cold.
Stella: The weather forecast says sunny for this weekend, so you might be lucky.
_____________________________?
Paul: Sunday afternoon I think. I don’t want to get back too late. I’ve got to work on Monday. And
what about you? Have you got any plans?
Stella: No, _____________________________. Me, the dog and a couple of DVDs I expect. I’ll be
thinking of you.
Tom’s tip
This is a summary of part of the dialogue between Dave and Stella.
1. Stella asks Paul about his plans for the weekend:
2. Paul tells Stella what he’s going to do: I’m going to…..
3. Stella makes a comment and then asks another question: Where are you staying?
4. Paul answers and asks Stella about hotels: Do you know….?
5. Stella answers, makes a comment and then she asks another question: Are you driving
down?
6. Paul
answers:
I’m going to…
7. Stella makes a comment and then asks another question.
Each time Paul answers, Stella makes a comment and then asks another question. She makes a
comment to show that she’s interested and then she asks a question to move the conversation
forward. This is a good way to make a conversation work.
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 1 – Exercise 2
Imagine you are talking to a friend. Practise this dialogue:
You: [Ask about your friend’s plans for the weekend].
Friend: Yes, I’m going to____________________________________________
You: [Make a comment]. [Ask another question].
Friend: __________________________________________________________
You: [Make a comment ] . [Ask another question].
Friend: __________________________________________________________
You: [Make a comment]. [Ask another question]
Friend: __________________________________________________________
You: [Make a comment]. [Ask another question]
Friend: __________________________________________________________
You: [Make a comment]. [Ask another question]
Friend: And what about you. Have you got any plans?
Friend: __________________________________________________________
Friend: [Make a comment]. [Ask another question]
Continue: why not practise this dialogue with a friend?
Section 2: I’d like to meet
You listened to Sean talking about Matt Groening, the creator of the cartoon, The Simpsons.
Do you have a favourite cartoon or animation that you can write about? It could be a TV series or a film. If
you can think of one, make some notes to answer these questions:
• What's the cartoon called?
• Is it a TV programme or a film?
• What is / was it about?
• Is / was it funny? sad? exciting?
• Where do you / did you see it? When?
• Why do / did you like it?
• Who is / was your favourite character?
• What do you know about the person who created it?
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Elementary Podcast 09
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Transcript
Ravi: Anyway, it’s time now to move on. As usual we’re going to start with Would Like to Meet. In every podcast
someone comes to the studio and tells us about a famous person – alive or dead - that they’d like to meet.
We’ve got Sean here with us today […]
Tess: And who are you going to talk about today Sean. Who’s the famous person you’d like to meet?
Sean: Matt Groening.
Tess: The Simpsons guy?
Ravi: The Simpsons guy? I always thought it was pronounced ‘groaning’.
Sean: Well I did too, for a long time. But no it isn’t, it rhymes with ‘raining’ – Matt Groening.
Tess: OK, That’s the name sorted out. Tell us a bit about him Sean.
Sean: Well, as you know, he’s the guy who created the Simpsons which is probably the best show on TV
anywhere in the world. Ever. And a great film too.
Tess: You’re a fan then.
Sean: Ever since I can remember. And I just think that the man who created something so brilliant must be a
really funny guy. To be honest, I don’t know much about him as a person – I know he’s really old – he must be
fifty or something – at least.
Tess: I’m not sure fifty is really old Sean. My mother wouldn’t be very happy to hear that.
Sean: Well you know, whatever. He’s older than my dad anyway. That’s why I’d like to meet him – he must be
really funny and really smart, but he’s old. Um, what else do I know? Um - and I know he’s got kids – two kids
called Abraham and Homer.
Tess: He called his son Homer! After Homer Simpson!
Sean.: Well maybe – maybe not. Homer was his dad’s name too – he got all the names from his own family. His
mum and dad were Homer and Margaret – Marge for short. And his little sisters are Lisa and Maggie. Bart was
going to be called Matt at first but then he changed his mind. But I read somewhere that the character of Bart
Simpson was based on his older brother. I guess I’d like to meet him too.
Ravi: When did the show start?
Sean: In the 1980s – I’m not sure of the year. But it’s about twenty years old. But the characters never get any
older - I like that. Oh, and another thing I’ve just remembered – “Doh!” – you know Homer Simpsons’ famous
“Doh!” - is now in the Oxford English Dictionary. I think that’s pretty amazing. And I can’t remember anything
else. Doh!
Ravi: Don’t worry about it – that was really interesting
Tess: Thanks Sean , another good one there. Ravi, I don’t why I haven’t asked you this before – who would you
like to meet? Who would you talk about if you were our guest on the podcast?
Ravi: Oof. That’s a tough one. There’s so many. Matt Groening’s a good one – I’d love to meet him. Peter
Jackson who directed the Lord of the Rings films – he’d be really interesting. Erm … J.K. Rowling who wrote the
Harry Potter books. Yeah, maybe her – she seems quite an interesting character.
Tess:
Yeah, I’d like to meet her too. And remember, listeners, that we’re always interested to hear about people that
you’d like to meet. Or even cartoon characters!
Ravi: That’s a good one! Which cartoon character would you like to meet and why. Brilliant idea!
Tess: So send your thoughts to us at learnenglishpodcast@britishcouncil.org.
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 3: Quiz
Exercise 1
The quiz was about phrases that we use with ‘make’. It’s a good idea to learn phrases that we use with
different verbs. Can you put these phrases in the right columns?
a computer game
an exam
on holiday
the piano
a good mark in the test
angry with someone
shopping
to bed early/late
a photograph
football
sugar in your coffee
up in the morning
a trick on someone
married/divorced
swimming
your coat off
play… get… take… go…
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
Section 4: Our person in...
You listened to Bridget talking about the film industry in India. Can you write something about films and
cinema in your country?
Think about these questions:
1
Do people go to the cinema a lot in your country?
2
What kinds of films do they go to see? Cartoons? Musicals? Adventure?
3
When do they go?
4
How many cinemas are there? What are they like?
5
How much does it cost to go to the cinema?
6
Do people watch films in English?
7
What kinds of films are most popular? American films? Bollywood films?
8
Does your country have its own film industry? What films does it make?
9
How often do you go to the cinema?
10
What kinds of films do you like?
Now put your notes together to make a paragraph. If you want, you can send your paragraph to
learnenglishpodcast@britishcouncil.org
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Elementary Podcast 09
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Transcript
Bridget Keenan is Our Woman in India.
Bridget: India is a nation of cinema-lovers – almost 40 million people go to the cinema each month and India
produces almost twice as many films each year as the USA. The Indian film industry is known as Bollywood and
you never feel like you are far from its influence. In cities, giant hand-painted images of Bollywood stars look
down at the passing traffic and in parts of India film stars have used their popularity to start careers as
politicians.
Bollywood films are quite different to Hollywood films. Although the plots can be similar, the Indian films feature
a lot more singing and dancing – there are usually six songs and at least two huge dance scenes. In fact, the
stories are often very predictable and always have a happy ending – but that doesn’t stop people going to see
them.
And going to see films is a special experience too - much noisier and livelier than British cinemas. The crowd
will cheer on the hero through all the action scenes, whistle through the songs and offer advice and support
throughout the film. The audience can be as much fun as the film.
That audience seems to be almost everyone in India – from the very old to the very young. In the countryside
there are touring cinemas – a lorry travelling with all the equipment to make a temporary cinema in a village for
one night before moving on to the next place. It’s a love of cinema shared by the whole, huge country unlike
anywhere else in the world.
Section 5: Your turn
In Your Turn you heard 5 people answer this question: 'What’s your perfect holiday?'
Here are some things people talked about:
• sitting on the beach
• being free to go where you want to go
• doing
nothing
• going on a cruise
• getting bored
• having everything planned for you
• being in the countryside
• seeing a lot of different places
• getting away from crowds
• going to a place that you’ve always wanted to
• travelling
around
visit
And what about you? What’s your opinion? Do you prefer to stay in a 5-star hotel or go camping? Do you
like sitting on the beach or visiting museums and monuments? Is it better to stay in one place or travel
around? Do you enjoy being free to do what you want or having everything planned for you?
Write about your perfect holiday.
If you want, you can send your opinion to learnenglishpodcast@britishcouncil.org
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Elementary Podcast 09
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Transcript
Tess: And that takes us into Your Turn – the part of the show where we ask you what you think. I told you
earlier that I’m going away for the weekend, cycling. That’s a perfect holiday for me and that’s what we asked
people for Your Turn – What’s your perfect holiday. Let’s hear what they said.
Voice 1: Ooh what a lovely idea, I love holidays. The beach for me. Sitting in the sun, with a cold drink and
doing absolutely nothing. That would be perfect. Bah, my next holiday seems ages away.
Voice 2: Hmm. I just get really bored sitting on a beach all day with all that sand getting everywhere. I’d rather
be in the countryside – or just somewhere where there aren’t any crowds. The beach is always so crowded.
Voice 3: What I really like about a holiday is when I don’t have any plan, y’know? I like travelling about and if I
like somewhere I stay there for a few days and if I don’t I just get on a train and go somewhere different. That’s
what I really like – when I don’t have to worry about timetables and all that stuff.
Voice 4: I would really love to go on a cruise. Y’know? A holiday on a boat where you travel to different cities.
My aunt and uncle went on one last year and said it was great. Everything’s planned for you so you don’t have
to worry about anything at all. Lovely.
Voice 5: My perfect holiday would be a trip to China. I’ve always wanted to go there. It just seems so fascinating
– so different, y’know. And there’d be so much to see. I’d love to tour the whole country – but I guess that would
take years.
Tess: Ravi? Your perfect holiday?
Ravi: I really want to go to Australia. A couple of my friends went there last year and said it was brilliant.
Tess: Yeah, I really like the sound of Australia too. Let us know what your perfect holiday would be.
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 6: Carolina
Section 6 - Exercise 1
Look at some parts of Carolina’s conversations with her friends. Put the expressions in the right places.
Did you find it OK?
Make yourselves at home
Now what would you all like to
drink?
It all looks
Oh that’s very kind of you
It’s a sort of salad
what do you call them?
You can put them in my room
Just help yourselves
Yes, we’re very lucky
1.
Emily: What’s guasacaca?
Carolina: _____________________________, with avocadoes and herbs. It goes with the
meat.
2.
Emily: How much garlic?
Carolina: Um, three of those … _____________________________. The small parts of garlic.
3.
Emily: Hi. _____________________________
Henry: Yeah, it was easy.
4.
Jamie: And we brought these too, for you.
Carolina: _____________________________. I love chocolate.
5.
Jamie: Can we put our coats somewhere?
Carolina: _____________________________.
6.
Carolina: Well, sit down. _____________________________.
7.
Henry: Thanks. It’s a nice place you’ve got here. Great kitchen. Really big.
Carolina: Thanks. _____________________________.
8.
Carolina: _____________________________ We’ve got….
9.
Carolina: So, here it is. _____________________________ .
10. Jamie: _____________________________ delicious.
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 6 - Exercise 2
Look again at parts of Carolina’s conversation with her friends. Choose all the phrases that people can say
– there is always more than one correct answer.
1. Emily: What’s guasacaca?
Carolina: _________________________________, with avocadoes and herbs. It goes with the meat.
a) It’s a sort of salad
b) It’s a kind of salad
c) It’s a type of salad
d) It’s a species of salad
2. Emily: How much garlic?
Carolina: Um, three of those … _________________________________? The small parts of garlic.
a) how do you call them?
b) what do you call them?
c) what are they called?
d) how do you say it?
3. Emily: Hi. _________________________________?
Henry: Yeah, it was easy.
a) Did you find the house OK?
b) Was it difficult to get here?
c) Did you get here all right?
d) Did you find it OK?
4. Jamie: And we brought these too, for you.
Carolina:. _________________________________. I love chocolate.
a) Oh that’s very kind of you
b) You’re
very
nice.
c) Oh, how kind of you
d) That’s very nice of you.
5. Jamie: Can we put our coats somewhere?
Carolina: _________________________________.
a) Yes you can.
b) You can put them in my room.
c) I’ll
take
them
d) Give them to me
6. Carolina: Well, sit down. _________________________________.
a) Make yourselves at home.
b) Be at home
c) Make yourselves comfortable
d) Feel
comfortable
7. Henry: Thanks. It’s a nice place you’ve got here. Great kitchen. Really big.
Carolina: Thanks. _________________________________.
a) Yes, we like it a lot
b) Yes, it’s a lovely place
c) Yes, we have a lot of luck
d) Yes, we’re very lucky.
8. _________________________________?
We’ve
got….
a) What do you drink?
b) Can I get you something to drink?
c) Do you want something to drink?
d) Now what would you all like to drink?
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Elementary Podcast 09
9. Carolina: So, here it is. _________________________________.
a) Be
served
b) Serve
yourselves
c) Just help yourselves.
d) Take what you want
10. Jamie: _________________________________ delicious.
a) It all looks
b) It all seems
c) It
all
smells
d) I’m sure it’s all
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
Transcript
Carolina is from Venezuela and she’s come to England to live, study and have fun. Last time we listened she was in the pub
with her friends from the Conservation Society. This time, Carolina is preparing a special meal for her friends.
Student accommodation - In the shared kitchen
Carolina: Oh hi. Hi Henry.
Emily: Hi. How’s it going? Everything under control?
Henry: Hi. Hi Emily.
Carolina: Oh - I’m beginning to panic a bit. The rice and
Emily: Hi. Did you find it OK?
beans are done, they’re cooking now, that’s for Jamie –
Henry: Yeah, it was easy. We’ve brought a bottle of wine –
he’s vegetarian. I need to grill the meat - and I need to
it’s white, it probably needs to go in the fridge.
make the guasacaca - oh dear, and I wanted to have a
Jamie: And we brought these too, for you.
shower – I’m so hot.
Carolina: Oh that’s very kind of you. I love chocolate.
Emily: What time are they coming?
Thanks.
Carolina: I told them eight o’clock. I hope they’re late!
Jamie: Can we put our coats somewhere?
Emily: Don’t panic. You’ve got plenty of time. What can I do
Carolina: You can put them in my room.
to help? What’s gwuh ….. whatever it was?
Emily: Here, I’ll take them.
Carolina: Guasacaca. It’s like a salad sort of thing, with
Carolina: Well, sit down. Make yourselves at home
avocadoes and herbs. It goes with the meat.
Henry: Thanks. It’s a nice place you’ve got here. Great
Emily: Well, why don’t you tell me what to do and I’ll make it
kitchen. Really big.
while you have a shower.
Carolina: Thanks. Yes, we’re very lucky. Now what would
Carolina: OK thanks. You’re an angel. Um, you need an
you all like to drink? We’ve got….
onion, some green pepper, some red pepper, some garlic,
um some parsley – and you chop it all up – in quite small
Later
pieces and put everything in a bowl. It’s all here look.
Carolina: So, here it is. Just help yourselves.
Emily: OK. I’ll start chopping. How much garlic?
Jamie: It looks delicious.
Carolina: Um, three of those … what do you call them? The
Carolina: I hope so.
small parts of garlic.
Jamie: Mmm, this is good. What’s in it?
Emily: Cloves? You mean cloves. Three of these?
Carolina: Rice and black beans, and um onion and pepper
Carolina: Yes that’s right.
– and some spices
Emily: Then what?
Emily: Delicious. Is this a traditional Venezuelan dinner
Carolina: Then you put it in a bowl with olive oil, vinegar, a
then?
little sugar and some chilli powder. Oh and some salt.
Carolina: Well, in Venezuela we usually eat a big meal for
Emily: And what about the avocado?
lunch, and have a smaller meal in the evening. But yes, it’s
Carolina: You add that at the end. There are two avocadoes
a traditional meal, nearly. We should have fried …I don’t
in the fridge. You mash one, you know, with a fork so it’s
know the word – they’re like bananas – big, hard bananas.
like a paste, and the other one you just chop, so it’s in
Henry: Plantains? They look like bananas.
pieces.
Carolina: Yes, maybe, plantains. Anyway, I couldn’t find
Emily: I think I can manage that. And then I add the
any, but everything else is traditional.
avocadoes to the stuff in the bowl?
Emily: Hey, we forgot the music! Henry, do you want to
Carolina: Yes. And put it in the fridge.
come and choose something? I’ll show you where the CDs
Emily: Right. No problem. You go and make yourself look
are.
beautiful.
Henry: Sure.
Emily: My rooms just through here on the……
Later
Jamie: Well. Here we are then. Just the two of us.
Jamie: Hi. Here we are
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 6 - Exercise 3
Now complete this conversation. Imagine that you’ve cooked dinner at your house and your friend has just
arrived.
Friend: Hello.
You: _________________________________________________________________________?
Friend: Yes, it was easy. No problem. I’ve brought some wine – and here’s something for you.
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: Where can I put my coat?
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: This is a really nice place.
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: Mmmm. I’m hungry. What are we having for dinner?
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: Is that a traditional meal from your country?
You: _________________________________________________________________________?
Friend: And what’s this on the table? It looks delicious.
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: What’s in it?
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: And is it difficult to make?
You: ______________________________________________
Friend: That sounds easy. I’ll try it some time.
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: Thanks, I will. Everything looks fantastic.
You: _________________________________________________________________________?
Friend: I’ll have a glass of white wine please.
You: _________________________________________________________________________
Friend: Shall we put some music on?
You: _________________________________________________________________________?
Friend: Sure. Where are your CDs?
You: _________________________________________________________________________
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Elementary Podcast 09
Section 7 - The joke
Exercise 1
Match the two parts of the phrases to tell the joke.
1
A magician who worked on a cruise ship
A
and knew all the tricks.
2
But the parrot had seen the magician’s
B
and immediately fell into a deep, deep
act hundreds of times
sleep.
3
So whenever the magician did his act
C
was the parrot – watching him like a …
well, like a parrot.
4
because he’d worked out how
D
– you know, the big ships that people
have holidays on – had a parrot.
5
Anyway, one night, during the magician’s
E
the magician and the parrot.
show,
6
The only survivors were
F
the magician made things disappear.
7
The magician managed to climb into a
G
on the edge of the lifeboat and stared at
lifeboat
the magician.
8
A little bit after that the parrot came and
H
It just stared and stared and stared.
sat
9
The magician slept for three days and the
I
the parrot just sat there looking really
parrot didn’t take his eyes off him.
bored
10 Finally, the magician opened his eyes
J
“Alright. I give up. What did you do with
and the first thing he saw
the ship?”
11 Another hour went past and the parrot
K
the ship hit an iceberg and sank.
didn’t take
12 Then the parrot opened its beak and
L
his eyes off the magician.
squawked
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
Section 7 - Exercise 2
Here's an easy version of the joke – the original version is on the next page.
What are the biggest differences that you notice?
Practise telling yourself the simple version of the joke a few times. When you can do that, then try to tell
the joke using some of the phrases you noticed in the complex version.
Simplified version
• A magician worked on a big ship that people have holidays on.
• He had a parrot who helped him.
• The magician did lots of tricks to amaze the tourists.
• His best trick was to make things 'disappear' or become invisible.
• But the parrot had seen all the magician’s tricks many times.
• He was bored – he knew how the how the magician's secrets – how he made things apparently
disappear.
• One night, during the magician’s show, the ship hit an iceberg.
• It began to sink.
• The magician got into a lifeboat and escaped. He fell asleep for a very long time.
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Elementary Podcast 09
• The parrot sat on the side of the boat, watching the magician all the time.
• After three days the magician woke up.
• The first thing he saw was the parrot.
• The parrot sat there for another hour, watching.
• Finally the parrot opened its mouth and said
• "Okay. I don't understand how you did that trick. How did you make the ship disappear?"
Original version
Gordon: Yes – a parrot and a magician. A magician who worked on a cruise ship – you know, the big ships
that people have holidays on – had a parrot.
But the parrot had seen the magician’s act hundreds of times and knew all the tricks. So whenever the
magician did his act the parrot just sat there looking really bored because he’d worked out how the
magician made things disappear.
Anyway, one night, during the magician’s show, the ship hit an iceberg and sank. The only survivors were
the magician and the parrot. The magician managed to climb into a lifeboat and immediately fell into a
deep, deep sleep. A little bit after that the parrot came and sat on the edge of the lifeboat and stared at the
magician.
The magician slept for three days and the parrot didn’t take his eyes off him. It just stared and stared and
stared. Finally, the magician opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was the parrot – watching him like
a … well, like a parrot.
Another hour went past and the parrot didn’t take his eyes off the magician. Then the parrot opened its
beak and squawked “Alright. I give up. What did you do with the ship?”
Tom the teacher - Exercise 1
Do we use these phrases with ‘make’ or ‘do’? Put the phrases in the right column.
a decision
progress
a noise
an appointment
dinner
a mess
well in a test
gymnastics
friends
the bed
a mistake
your homework
karate
your best
the housework
a cake
a test
make do
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
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Elementary Podcast 09
Tom the teacher - Exercise 2
Now fill the spaces with the right form of ‘do’ or ‘make’
1. Why don’t you come round on Saturday? I’ll ________________ dinner and we can watch a DVD.
2. I’m disappointed with my English. I’m not ________________ any progress.
3. Ana never ________________ her homework on time.
4. Shall we go out for dinner or not? Come on, ________________ a decision.
5. Who ________________ most of the housework? You or your husband?
6. I used to ________________ karate but I don’t have time now.
7. I always ________________ my bed in the mornings.
8. I didn’t ________________ very well in the test last week,
9. Your test results weren’t very good, but you _____________ your best. That’s the important thing.
10. The kids are ________________ a terrible noise. Ask them to be quiet!
11. Oh dear. I think I’ve ________________ a stupid mistake
12. I’m going to ________________ a cake for Sarah’s birthday.
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
Tom the teacher - Exercise 3
Now fill the spaces with the right form of ‘do’ or ‘make’
behave yourself
help yourself
introduce yourself
make yourself at home
teach yourself
enjoy yourself
hurt yourself
make it yourself
tell me about yourself
talk to yourself
1. Please come in! Sit down and _____________________________.
2. If you _____________________________, people will think you’re mad.
3. The food is on the table so _____________________________ to whatever you want.
4. Have a good holiday! Try to relax and _____________________________.
5. Be careful with that knife! Give it to me before you _____________________________.
6. Why don’t you _____________________________? Where do you live? What do you do?
7. You should _____________________________ to the teacher at the beginning of the class.
8. Why don’t you try to _____________________________ English? There are lots of good
websites that you can use.
9. This cake is delicious! Did you _____________________________?
10. If you don’t _________________________in class, your teacher will have to phone your parents.
Answers: see Answer page at the end of this document
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Elementary Podcast 09
Answers
While you listen – Answers
bit after that the parrot came and sat on the edge of the
1) a,b,d; 2) a,b,c; 3) a,c; 4) c,d; 5) a,c,d; 6) a,b,c;
lifeboat and stared at the magician.
7) a,b; 8) a,b,d.
The magician slept for three days and the parrot didn’t take
his eyes off him. It just stared and stared and stared. Finally,
the magician opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was
Section 1 – “Where are you going?” – plans for the
the parrot – watching him like a … well, like a parrot.
weekend
Another hour went past and the parrot didn’t take his eyes
1. doing anything this weekend
off the magician. Then the parrot opened its beak and
2. Where are you staying
squawked “Alright. I give up. What did you do with the
3. there’s a lovely place
ship?”
4. you’ll like it
5. Are you driving down
6. Are you going alone
Tom the teacher - Exercise 1 - Answers
7. Me too
make: a cake; a decision; a mess; a mistake; a noise; an
8. Are you going to have a swim
appointment; dinner; friends; progress; the bed. do: a test;
9. When are you coming back
gymnastics; karate; the housework; well in a test; your best;
your homework.
10. nothing special
Tom the teacher – Exercise 2 - Answers
Section 3: Quiz – Exercise 1 - Answers
1) make; 2) making; 3) does or did; 4) make; 5) does
play: the piano; football; a trick on someone; a
or did; 6) do; 7) make or made; 8) do; 9) did; 10)
computer game. get: married/divorced; angry with
making; 11) made; 12) make.
someone; a good mark in the test; up in the morning.
take: a photograph; an exam; sugar in your coffee;
Tom the teacher - Exercise 3 - Answers
your coat off. go: on holiday; shopping; swimming;
1) make yourself at home; 2) talk to yourself; 3) help
to bed early/late.
yourself; 4) enjoy yourself; 5) hurt yourself; 6) tell me
about yourself; 7) introduce yourself ; 8) teach
Section 6: Carolina - Exercise 1 - Answers
yourself; 9) make it yourself; 10) behave yourself.
1. It’s a sort of salad
2. what do you call them?
3. Did you find it OK?
4. Oh that’s very kind of you
5. You can put them in my room
6. Make yourselves at home
7. Yes, we’re very lucky
8. Now what would you all like to drink?
9. Just help yourselves
10 It all looks
Section 6: Carolina - Exercise 2 - Answers
1) a,b,c; 2) b,c,d; 3) a,c,d; 4) a,c,d; 5) b,c,d; 6) a,c;
7) a,b,d; 8) b,c,d; 9) b,c,d; 10) a,c,d.
Section 7: the Joke: exercise
1:D; 2:A; 3:I; 4:F; 5:K; 6:E; 7:B; 8:G; 9:H; 10:C; 11:L; 12:J.
Section 7: the Joke: transcript
Gordon: Yes – a parrot and a magician. A magician who
worked on a cruise ship – you know, the big ships that
people have holidays on – had a parrot.
But the parrot had seen the magician’s act hundreds of
times and knew all the tricks. So whenever the magician did
his act the parrot just sat there looking really bored because
he’d worked out how the magician made things disappear.
Anyway, one night, during the magician’s show, the ship hit
an iceberg and sank. The only survivors were the magician
and the parrot. The magician managed to climb into a
lifeboat and immediately fell into a deep, deep sleep. A little
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