Episode 01

Writing home episode 01

Welcome to our audio fiction series, Writing home! In this first episode Milton meets his new neighbour Mei. What do you think he asks her?

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

Milton: Hi, Mum. I'm sorry I haven't written for a while, but your baby boy is still alive so you can stop worrying. It's all OK here. Benedita and Paulo are away, so I'm alone in the flat. The problem is now I have to remember my keys when I go out. I got home yesterday, no keys, so I'm standing there in the hall like an idiot when ...

Mei: Hello.

Milton: Hello.

Mei: Who are you? Do you live here?

Milton: Um, yes, I am, I do, I mean, yes, I live in this flat here, with Benedita and Paulo. Are you our new neighbour?

Mei: I live in this flat here – number 4A.

Milton: My name is Milton. And you're ...?

Mei: Mei.

Milton: Mei. OK, nice to meet you, Mei.

Mei: Nice to meet you.

Mei: Goodbye then.

Milton: Bye.

Mei: Are you not going into your flat?

Milton: Ah, well, that's a bit of a problem. I haven't got the key.

Mei: You haven't got the key? Are you sure you live there?

Milton: Of course I live here – I told you – but I left my keys in the kitchen this morning.

Mei: So what are you going to do?

Milton: I don't know. I used to leave a key with my old friend Carolina on the ground floor, but she's gone away.

Mei: Hmm. 

Milton: Um, you know you've got a small balcony outside your kitchen?

Mei: Yes ...

Milton: Well, so have we.

Mei: Yes ...

Milton: Well, I could climb from your balcony over to our balcony and get in through the kitchen window.

Mei: I am not ... I don't ...

Milton: I'll be careful. Don't worry.

Mei: But I don't know you! How do I know you're not a criminal?

Milton: You mean a burglar? No! I told you – my name is Milton da Silva. I studied here in the UK. I can show you some ... Ha! My old student card. Here.

Mei: OK, so you are Milton da Silva. Newcastle University, School of Theatre Studies. You could be a burglar now.

Milton: Really? Look, you can hold my bag with all my money and everything.

Mei: OK, come in. Go straight to the kitchen. That way.

 

Milton: There you are! Job done!

Mei: OK.

Milton: So, thanks for your help – really.

Mei: That's OK.

Milton: Hey, Mei.

Mei: Yes?

Milton: Well – if we're neighbours now ... I'm Milton, I'm from Brazil, I'm an actor. What about you?

Mei: My name is Mei and I'm from China.

Milton: And are you studying here?

Mei: No, I'm working. I have a job here. In IT.

Milton: Do you like it?

Mei: I don't know. I haven't started yet. I only left China last week.

Milton: Well – good luck. I'm sure it'll all go well.

Mei: I hope so.

Milton: OK. Bye. Thanks again.

Mei: Bye.

Milton: So, we've got a new neighbour from China who thinks I might be a burglar, but she seems nice and I think she quite liked me. And now I want to hear all your news. How's life in Florida? Give my love to Henry. And tell Alfredo to text me sometime. Lots of love, Milton.

Discussion

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Language level

Average: 4.2 (26 votes)

Submitted by clauvera2016 on Mon, 04/10/2021 - 08:39

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Thank you very much for this recent series ! I have liked the tasks too !
Thank you all English team !
I have lived in a block of flats for about 20 years. The neighbours have changed all this time. I just say "Hello!" to some of them and talk a bit with other of them. We usually talk about the topics like: weather, school, market etc. It's strange, but it's a reality...

Submitted by cittàutopica on Thu, 06/05/2021 - 18:29

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In my apartment building there are fifteen apartments, but some of these are occupied by the professional firms, therefore there are no contacts with them, whereas I'm in good relations with other neighbours, particularly with ones inhabitants for a long time now.

Submitted by May Thida Su on Sun, 25/04/2021 - 07:00

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Nice episode !! I make my listening skill myself to improve by listening podcasts and videos like this one. I can catch all the words from this episode. The speed is nice for me. Thanks you all ENGLISH TEAM.

Submitted by Noemi87 on Mon, 08/03/2021 - 23:17

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I found this exercise quite easy but fun!