Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original ...
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Stative verbsThoughts and opinionsbelieveknowunderstandsupposethink(I would sit and think about her every day.)(People used to think that smoking was good for you.) EmotionsloveI used to love watching children's TV when I was a kid. TV programmes for kids used to be better then than they are now.hatedislikedetestappreciateSensessee (I used to see Jane every day as she walked past my house with the dog)(I would go and see my grandmother every day at a café by the river)hear (would listen to)smell (The bakery used to smell of delicious freshly baked bread)(I would smell each flower as I walked through the field)taste (It used to taste like something out of this world)(I would taste each wine and give my opinion)feel (I used to feel upset every time my neighbour shouted at his dog) noticeIn the end, I never used to notice the planes flying over our heads.Beingbeseemappearbelonghave (When I was a teenager, we used to have Dr Marten boots - it used to be the fashion)(Every day my grandmother would have a bath, spending at least an hour in there.)stand (The castle used to stand by the river)(He would stand by the door waiting for her to come home)lie (The cat would lie on the veranda enjoying the afternoon sun.)(the village used to stand in the valley until it was flooded.)Short story. Three hours between flights by F. Scott Fitzgerald (adapted to B1 level)You can read the transcript here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-232.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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231. B1 Do for emphasis (with dialogue)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Emphasis is used with lots of auxiliary verbs:- I MUST get to the shop before it closes.- You SHOULD try and finish the painting today. I'm fed up with smelling paint all over the house.- I do like your new tie. It's so colourful!- I do want to go and see that new film Anora. You know, the film that won all those oscars.- Well, I saw it. I don't think it's suitable for you, if your favourite film is the Sound of Music.- I do wish it would stop raining. I can't get out at the weekend.Third person:- Mary does like new job. She has chances of promotion now that she never had before.2nd person- You know, you do annoy me with all the regaton music you play at full volume in your bedroom.Past tense- I did want to go away last weekend, but we gave up the idea because of the rain.In negatives:- You helped yourself to my biscuits again, didn't you?- I didn't, actually. I'm on a diet. It must have been Yvonne.Questions:- Where have you been all this time, Peter?- I borrowed your car, Mum. Just went out for a short drive.- You did, did you? And without my permission. Well, you're grounded for the rest of the week.To read the dialogue, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-231.htmPodcasts on intonationhttps://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-43.htmhttps://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-97.htmhttps://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-103.htmhttps://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-197.htmhttps://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-126.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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230. B2 story The Visitors (complete version)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.The VisitorsThis is the full version of my story The Visitors recorded in October of last year. The level is B2, but my B1 students are also invited, of course! ;-) These are the comprehension questions: (the answers are further down - but don't look at those yet!!1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why?2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there?3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it?4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "Merde!" at the end of the story?Answers:1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why?‘Rescue mission!’ the admiral suddenly shouted and he looked irritated. ‘Who are they gonna rescue? I don’t need rescuing, thank you very much! I have a nice home and beautiful family right here on Honolulu Island. 2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there?They hurried along the deck and in through a door that led to the bridge* - the highest part of the ship and the best place to get an all-round view of the surrounding darkening sea and sky.3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it?‘Sonar?’ interrupted Pierre. ‘Do you mean it’s under the water?’ The captain ignored him.‘Estimated time of arrival?’‘Four minutes, Captain! It’s incredible! There’s nothing that can travel that speed under water! I… I don’t get it!’4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "Merde!" at the end of the story?‘Merde!’ said Pierre ('merde' is a swaer word in French) to anyone who might be listening to him. ‘They want nothing to do with us!’(The alien spaceship had come to rescue the dolphins and whales of the ocean, and was not interested in making contact with the humans!)Hope you enjoyed the story and learned some new language from it!Mike.At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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229. B1 adjectives with hyphens (with dialogue)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Adjectives with hyphen at B1 levelgood-looking (only with hyphen) - attractive (for people, often men)well-known - a lot of people have heard of it and know it/him/herold-fashioned (only with hyphen) - (often criticising something) not new, not in fashionwell-dressed - dressed in attractive clothes, smart, elegantup-to-date - (usually technology) the newest in software, hardware, computers etc.middle-aged - around 50 years oldface-to-face (only with hyphen) (also adv. came face-to-face with the burglar) - talk to somebody while looking at them in the same room.out-of-date - (fashion, technology) not new, there are more up-to-date versions, or a more recent fashion, or more modern.hand-held (only with hyphen) - held in the hand e.g. like a mobile phone. next-door (adv. next door) - referring to your neighbours. They live next to you. A house with is next to another.full-time - (work) a complete schedule. 40 hours a week, for example. Compare with 'part-time'.self-service (only with hyphen) - (usually a restaurant) where you get your own food from the counter, no waiters or waitresses.first-floor - on the first floor of a building.second-hand (only with hyphen) - not new, has been used before.We can also invent words by putting the adjective and noun together to make another adjective: dark-haired, short-haired, short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt.Young people's slang in Great BritainAce - really goodBog off - go away and leave me alone.Bonkers - crazyChippy - fish-and-chip shopChuffed - really pleasedFancy - want to do somethingSnog - kissdead wealthy / dead boringgo for a spinTo see the dialogue, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-229.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/My novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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228. The Medical check-up (expressions for emphasis)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Words and expressions for emphasis- The reason is I like working with people, I have experience of looking after elderly people and I enjoy volunteering work. - The problem is I’m a little lazy, I am often late for work because I sleep in. - The fact (of the matter is) is that the planet is warming and many species are dying. - The fact is we need computers to function better in business. - It is true that a lot of accidents are caused by motorbikes. But the point is that the car if far more dangerous. - The thing is, he is in a wheelchair and cannot access his own house because of the high steps.To read the full dialogue, go to my website at: Practising English, podcast 228...At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/ My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N Be back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today!
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