Do the Preparation task first. Then listen to the audio. Next go to each Task and do the activity. If you need help, you can read the Transcript at any time.
Preparation
Before you listen
We suggest you do the vocabulary activity below before you listen. Then listen to the episode and do the first task to check your understanding. Finally, practise some vocabulary and grammar.
Transcript
Audio script
Johnny: Happy New Year!
Fadi: Stop, please! Enough New Year!
Johnny: It’s the first time I’ve seen you this year! You’re supposed to say ‘Happy New Year!’
Fadi: OK,OK... Happy New Year to you too, then!
Johnny: It will be Chinese New Year soon – then we can do it all again!
Fadi: Fine, OK, let’s wait until then, though, eh?
Magda: Hello everyone!
Fadi /Johnny: Hi!
Magda: Happy New Year!
Fadi: Oh, please!
Magda: I’m only trying to be friendly...
Fadi: Yeah, sure, sorry... Can we think about something else now please?
Magda: Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?
Johnny: New Year’s what?
Magda: New Year’s resolutions. Olivia told me about it - at the beginning of the year, you should decide to do something, and do it all year.
Johnny: What kind of thing?
Fadi: Something like stop smoking, or go to the gym every day, or study more...
All: Hi Olivia! Hey! Hello!
Olivia: Hmph. Tony – could I have a large coffee please? Make it extra strong!
Fadi: Looks like someone’s having a bad day!
Olivia: Oh shut up Fadi!
Fadi: Sorry!
Magda: What’s up, Olivia?
Olivia: My website isn’t working properly. I need to fix it.
Fadi: Here’s the right man to help you!
Harry: Hello there! Are you talking about me?
Olivia: I’ve got problems with my website again...
Harry: I told you I should have set it up the first time! You should have asked me!
Olivia: OK, OK... you were right...
Harry: So what’s the problem?
Olivia: The online sales page doesn’t work. People can’t buy my shoes!
Harry: I’m sure I can help fix it.
Olivia: Go on then. Come over to my flat tonight, and we’ll have a look.
Bindyu: Oh, sorry Olivia. I’m not sure he can come to your flat tonight.
Harry: Yeah, I can. I’m not busy tonight.
Bindyu: I thought we were going to the cinema?
Harry: Were we? Sorry, I didn’t know. I’d like to help Olivia, if I can...
Bindyu: Hmph.
Olivia: Oh, listen Harry... don’t worry if you can’t come and help.
Harry: No. I’ll come. I love websites – you know!
Johnny: Here’s another one of our friends... Thank goodness for that...
All: Hello Carlos!
Carlos: Hello there!
Magda: We were talking about New Year’s resolutions. What’s yours?
Carlos: New Year’s what?
Magda: New Year’s resolution - at the beginning of the year, you should decide to do something, and do it all year.
Carlos: Oh, I see... well, I want to be a chef...
Fadi: We know that, it’s not new.
Johnny: It has to be something new!
Magda: Yes – something you want to do this year!
Carlos: Oh. OK... I see, well... let me think... something I want to do this year... I know, I want to ask Sarah out on a date!
All: Wow!
Magda: Oh... well... it looks like you have a chance right now, Carlos!
Sarah: Hello everyone! Were you talking about me?
Carlos: Well, no, erm yes, I mean...
Magda: Go on, Carlos!
Fadi: Carlos has got a question to ask you...
Sarah: Oh, yes?
Carlos: Oh, yes, erm... well... I was wondering if... erm...
Sarah: If?
Carlos: Yes, if you’d like to...erm... I don’t know... perhaps... erm... go out some time?
Sarah: Go out with you?
Carlos: Well, yeah, I mean, if you want to...
Sarah: Oh, well... erm... what I think is...
Dear friend Ta,
For centuries - since the time of the european enlightenment - we have made it clear within us and we accept whatever need anyone feels to believe or not to believe.The same is true for any religion and any god. I, for example, do not believe in any god that you suggest, but neither do I seek to have you follow what I do. I have the impression that this is the kind of culture we live in today in Europe.
Thank you for listening to me.
With love and respect.
Nikos
PS.
I apologize to the editorial Team for my arbitrary intervention, but I imagine that for reasons of courtesy and tact you don't mean to respond to similar cases because you represent an organization and your position is delicate.
But since we live - fortunately - in a democracy, I can respond on a personal basis to what is published.
Ever thankful
A POLITE CRITICISM
I hope the organizers of this series know that promoting the culture of the lover and the mistress is shameful and unhealthy, and that audio programs should be made more useful for the listener to listen to.
The same idea has been repeated in several series, and it seems exhausted
And I am aware that being away from God makes you don't understand it.