Advice session
1. Listen to Matthew Jenkins, a film critic, talk about a new film. Note down who these people are.
Jane Martins ________
Charles Danton ________
Helen Richards ________
Peter Kite ________
Kevin Hadley ________
Show answers
Jane Martins – A maid in a large country house
Charles Danton – The son of a wealthy farmer
Helen Richards – The actress who pays Jane Martins
Peter Kite – The actor who plays Charles Danton
Kevin Hadley – The director
2. Look at the statements below. Tick True, False or Don’t know for each statement. Then listen again and check.
| True | False | Don’t know | |
| a The film takes place in the north of England. | |||
| b It is based on a true story. | |||
| c Both the main actors are very good. | |||
| d The ending is rather weak. | |||
| e It is Kevin Hadley’s first film. | |||
| f The movie is only suitable for adults. |
Answer & Transcript
a Don’t know
b Don’t know
c True (‘well acted throughout’)
d False (‘gripping from beginning to end’)
e False (‘this film should bring Hadley the fame and recognition he has deserved for such a long time’.)
f False (‘Great for all the family’.)
Transcript
Fiona: And now it’s time to go to Matthew Jenkins, our very own movie critic, for news of an exciting new film ___ Matthew?
Matthew: Thank you, Fiona. Yes, New Beginnings is a heart-warming tale set in 18th-century England. It follows the life of Jane Martins, a maid in a large country house who falls in love with the dashing Charles Danton, the son of a wealthy farmer. The story is gripping from beginning to end and is well acted throughout by Helen Richards and Peter Kite. Thanks to the sensitive direction of Keven Hadley, the whole film blends together well, leading to a very surprising but utterly believable finale. This film should bring Hadley the recognition he has deserved for such a long time. Without doubt, it’s the must-see movie of the year. Great for all the family. Five stars.
Describing TV programmes
1. Listen to six people each describe a TV programme they enjoy. Write the number of each speaker (1-6) next to the type of programme they are describing.
__ news
__ talk show
__ nature
__ crime series
__ quiz show
__ cookery
__ soap opera
__ cartoon
__ sport
__ drama
__ documentary
__ comedy
Show answers
1) cartoon 2) news 3) sport 4) crime series 5) quiz show 6) nature
2. Listen again and note the words and phrases that help you identify the type of programme
____________
Answer & Transcript
1) characters, funny, animation
2) find out what’s been going on, current affairs
3) football, tennis
4) episode, murderer
5) guess the answers, win a lot of money
6) animals behaving really naturally
Transcript
(1 = Russian; 2 = German; 3 = Spanish; 4 = Australian; 6 = American)
1) It really makes me laugh. I think the characters is so funny and the animation is great too. It’s a classic.
2) It’s the only chance I get to find out what’s been going on in the world and catch up with current affairs.
3) It’s about all I watch on TV these days, actually. I mean, if it wouldn’t be for the football and the tennis, I don’t think I’d have a TV at all!
4) Oh, I love it. I don’t think I’ve messed a single episode. I try to guess who the murderer is at the beginning and I’m so good at it now, I’m almost always right!
5) I love trying to guess all the answers. It’s good when people win a lot of money, too. I like that.
6) I don’t know how they do it, but they always manage to capture the animals behaving really naturally and it’s just like you’re there yourself.
3. Listen to five people give their opinion on different TV programmes. Write P (positive) or N (negative).
a __
b __
c __
d __
e __
Show answers
a P b N c P d N e P
4. Listen again and note the key words that helped you identify each comment as positive or negative.
a I’m really into it.
b _____
c _____
d _____
e _____
Answer & Transcript
b I’m not very keen on it
c well written, totally convincing
d ridiculous
e pretty funny
Transcript
(a = Chinese; c = Egyptian; d = Indian; e = Brazilian)
a Yeah, I didn’t use to like it when it first started, but now I’m really into it.
b No, I’m not very keen on it, really.
c It’s very well written and everything. The acting is totally convincing.
d The plot is so ridiculous that I can’t watch it.
e Some of the jokes fall flat, but most are pretty funny.
Listening to the news
1. Listen to the radio news headlines. How many different stories are mentioned?
________…….
Show answers
Six
2. Tick the topics that are mentioned. Then listen again and check.
entertainment
sport
politics
the econo
culture
science
the environment
space
education
Answer & Transcript
the econo, politics, the environment, science, sport
Transcript
Welcome to News 24. I’m Sandy Caulfield. Here are today’s headlines ___ A report into the state of the world’s econo predicts a downturn for European Union and North American economies, but says that China could become the dominant superpower by 2025. In other news, 15 Members of the European Parliament protest about inefficiency and waste at the EU’s headquarters in Brussels ___ Why eco-tourism might not be so good for the planet after all, and how scientists in Germany found a 3,000-year-old mammoth. ___ In tennis, new star, Bill Matson, enjoys a surprising win over world number three, and why the future of Formula 1 may be in doubt.
3. Now listen to the main story in more detail. Answer the questions.
a What organization carried out the research?
The Global Studies Institute
b Has China overtaken the world’s major economies yet?
__________
c By when is China expected to be the dominant economic power?
__________
d When did China’s economic reforms begin?
__________
e How much of the American market is China predicted to have?
__________
f How much of the European market is China predicted to have?
__________
g Who is Tim Robbins?
Answer & Transcript
b No (‘is fast catching up’)
c By 2025
d In the late 1970s
e 50%
f 30%
g The programme’s Asia correspondent.
Transcript
But first, our main story. A report by experts at the Global Studies Institute predicts that China, once known as the world’s sleeping giant, is fast catching up with the major world economies and may be the dominant economic superpower as early as 2025. Since China’s economic reforms began back in the late 1970s, the country has enjoyed staggering success and commercial expansion. The report predicts Chinese companies will soon have up to 50% of the American market and 30% of the European market. Our Asia correspondent, Tim Robbins, reports from Shanghai ___
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