Practising English

These are the B2 expressions we're going to study today. For full transcript of the story, you can go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-307.htm
1) take the blame
Definition: to accept that you are responsible for something bad that happened. 
I took the blame for the mistake at work.
2) make for
Definition: to move in a particular direction or go toward a place. 
After dinner, we made for the exit.
3) catch up
Definition: to reach the same level as someone else or to get up to date. 
I need to catch up on my homework.
4) think something through
Definition: to consider something carefully before making a decision. 
You should think it through before you answer.
5) figure something out
Definition: to understand or find the answer to something. 
I can’t figure out this question.
6) push oneself
Definition: to make yourself work harder or go beyond your limits. 
He pushed himself to finish the race.
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9
Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i
For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv
Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

These are the B1 phrases we are going to study today.
To read the full transcript of the story, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-306.htm
Non-B1 words from this chapter of Treasure Island:
cannibals - humans who eat the meat of other humans
shipwreck - a ship which has been destroyed at sea
cannon - a large gun used in ships to shoot at other ships
Union Jack - the flag of the United Kingdom
B1 words and expressions:
unknown – something that is not known or not familiar 
face to face – meeting someone in person, not online or by phone 
to my great surprise – I was very surprised 
with great interest – with a lot of attention and curiosity 
tell me the truth – say what is real and honest 
ever since – from a time in the past until now
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9
Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i
For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv
Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

Here is the B2 vocabulary I'll be studying today. The link takes you to see the audioscript.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-305.htm
1) Reckon
Definition: To think or believe that something is true or will happen.
Example Sentence: I reckon it is going to rain this afternoon, so we should probably bring our umbrellas.
2) Head (verb)
Definition: To go or move in a particular direction.
Example Sentence: After the movie ends, we are going to head back towards the city center for some dinner.
3) Take for granted
Definition: To expect that someone or something will always be available and therefore fail to show that you are grateful for them.
Example Sentence: It is easy to take it for granted that there will always be clean water in the house.
4) What the hell
Definition: A phrase used to describe an extremely bad experience or to express surprise or anger.
Example Sentence: What the hell happened to my car? I only left it parked here for ten minutes!
5) In the meantime
Definition: During the period of time while something else is happening.
Example Sentence: The doctor will see you in twenty minutes; in the meantime, please wait in the reception area.
6) Understanding (empathetic)
Definition: Showing sympathy for someone else's problems or situation.
Example Sentence: My teacher was very understanding when I explained why I couldn't finish my homework on time.
7) Under the circumstances
Definition: Considering the particular facts or events of a situation.
Example Sentence: We didn't win the match, but under the circumstances of having two injured players, we played quite well.
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9
Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i
For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv
Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

These are the B1 words and expressions we'll be looking at today: 
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-304.htm
1) Binomial pairs
Neat and tidy (meaning: clean, organized)
Example: She keeps her bedroom incredibly neat and tidy.
Sick and tired (meaning: very annoyed/bored of something)
Example: I am sick and tired of this cold weather.
Short and sweet (meaning: quick but pleasant)
Example: The meeting was short and sweet, which everyone appreciated.
Story:
The ship, the Hispaniola, was moving up and down on the sea.
up and down

2) Paired synonyms
The island looked dull and miserable

3) I was certain I couldn't stand Treasure Island.

4) The place was surrounded by trees

5) a chance = opportunity
Let’s give the men a chance to go ashore.

6) at once = immediately
The men cheered loudly and forgot about being angry at once.

7) I would rather lose my hand than not do my duty!
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9
Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i
For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv
Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

These are the B2 phrases we are going to study in today's podcast:
thinking twice
Definition: Considering a decision carefully or hesitating before doing something. 
Example: I saw the cat in the tree and, without thinking twice , I climbed up to save it. 
lose his nerve
Definition: To suddenly become afraid or lose the courage to do something intended. 
Example: He wanted to go skydiving, but he lost his nerve as soon as he looked out of the plane door. 
it crossed his mind
Definition: To have a sudden or brief thought about something. 
Example: It never crossed my mind that I might actually win the competition. 
switch
Definition: An act of changing or swapping one thing for another. 
Example: We made a switch at the last minute and went to the cinema instead of the park. 
rip open
Definition: To tear something open quickly and forcefully. 
Example: He was so excited that he ripped open the present in seconds. 
shiver
Definition: To shake slightly because of cold, fear, or excitement. 
Example: The cold wind made me shiver as I waited for the bus. 
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9
Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i
For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv
Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...