Practising English

The second part of my story A Window on Time. Strong B1 and B2-level story. Words to explain:  detention - in schools this was (is?) a punishment for children. We had to stay in a classroom during the lunch-break and do extra homework B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1) to feel faint 2) Naturally, 3) tremble with excitement 4) hit it off 5) stick together 6) stand by s...

B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context they are used in during the story. 1) deep in thought 2) Strangely enough, 3) strictly forbidden 4) an exception to the rule 5) the situation had become unbearable 6) the truth of the matter was B1 words from the story: what are they? 1) prvs adj. what happend before 2) shckd n. very surprised in a bad way 3) prvntng v. stopping 4) apprchd v. got close...

Part 2 of my exciting story Victims of Nature for students studying B1 and B2 English. Words to explain:  shepherd = somebody who looks after sheep in the countryside raft = a small flat boat flock of sheep = a group of sheep waterfall = where water falls vertically down from a high rock B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1) All of a sudden 2) scared him stiff 3) To make...

A Strong B1 and B2-level story based on a real event this summer in the Alpujarra mountain region of Southern Spain (Granada). Words to explain: shepherd = spmebody who looks after sheep in the countryside raft = a small flat boat flock of sheep = a group of sheep waterfall = where water falls vertically down from a high rock B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1) The rea...

One way or another , Norman imagined that other people regarded him as an underachiever . He became obsessed by what his colleagues at the supermarket might call him when he was not listening. What about Norman Nobody or Norman Nothing in Particular. Norman was a man who was of the opinion that life had not treated him fairly ... This is a strong B1 to B2-level story. B2 phrases to listen for. Wha...

The Winds of Bolonia (B1 Story with new comprehension questions) I wanted to publish this story together with the Para-olympics in Paris. I was watching it on television. It shows how positive attitudes, strength, determination are not qualities limited to those athletes in the Olympics we saw earlier this summer, but that persons with disabilities are no different and share the same qualities. Th...

Comprehension questions and answers for the complete story. 1) Why did Benjamin decide to go back to the hotel? 2) How did Jessica know Benjamin was staying in the Borromeo Hotel? 3) Where did Benjamin move to when fe left school? 4) What did Benjamin think the old woman was doing on the stairs? 5) What did Benjamin plan to do with Jessica? 6) Why did Benjamin's son, Logan, leave the car at t...

Comprehension questions to read before listening to the complete B1-level story: Who was Sidney Peabody? 1) What was unusual about the way Sidney Peabody looked? 2) According to Simon Fotheringay, the journalist and reporter, why did Sidney Peabody perform the miracle in Benalmadena? 3) What did people do in Madrid just before Sidney Peabody said the words: "I wish it would rain!"? 4) Af...

This is the complete B1-level story of The Spaceman (first published in 2022) Comprehension questions for story 1) Why was Max Headroom angry at the beginning of the story? 2) What were the space-time doors? 3) Who was the old man in Max's bedroom? 4) Why did Max and his wife, Sheena, separate? 5) Do you think Max and Sheena got back together again? I'll give you the answers at the end o...

Today I'm giving you the full version of my B1-level story (with some B2 English) Tsunami! Here are 4 comprehension questions for part TWO of the story, which starts after the written transcript has finished. 1) What did Yannick think Melville's name was? Mr Tsunami 2) Which was the last accident that stopped Melville and the French family from escaping from the beach? But that jeep was...

These are the two stories I chose for the story task I gave you at podcast 197. Story 1 Mrs Jones was 82. Her husband had died many years ago, so she lived alone with her cat. She had a large vegetable garden, and she kept fit by working there every day. But she was often unhappy, because she remembered she had lost her wedding ring many, many years ago. It was like a treasure for her. One day, sh...

There are 4 questions for you to answer while you listen to the story: The questions are: 1) What did uncle Tom make so he didn't have to get up early? 2) When they were on the boat, where did Stephen Liddel put the box of beer? 3) What did William's Dad do wrong that made him lose the fish? 4) Why did Uncle Tom fall into the sea? At the end of the story, I'll tell you the answers....

Here are the rules for the story-writing activity. - The story must include at least one of the phrases 1 to 8 shown below. - The subject of the story can be anything you like. - The story should not be longer than 80 words. - The story can only be sent from the link on mobile phones "send me a text" at the top of this page in your podcast app. - Please include your name and the country...

Today I have joined the two halves of The Quiet Man together so you can enjoy this story in one complete story.  I briefly discuss intonation and give you a task to listen to while enjoying the story. For more podcasts on intonation at Practising English, go to podcasts: 126, 109, 43, 103. See the podcast numbers at my website... https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-content.htm The Quiet Man...

Extracts from my stories with examples of SO and REALLY Here are the 4 extracts from my stories I use in this podcast to give examples of the use of SO and REALLY as intensifiers.  Extract 1: 'The fishmonger,' corrected Vanessa again. 'The person who sells fish is called a fishmonger.'   'The fishmonger was REALLY big and fat ,' added Jason. 'Then Gran pointed to...

Writing the B1 article. (If you are interested in my podcast about writing the B1 story... https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-128.htm  ) These are some general, very important words I recommend you learn for writing in any part of the PET exam. You won't be able to use all of them, but try to use some at least: unless, available, suitable, encourage, increase, intend to, involve, keen...

Expressions to memorize 1) There is a decline in the numbers of lynxes. (usually negative) The decline in the number of tourists. 2) It is extremely important that we finish this project on time. It is crucial that we finish this project on time.  3) Tigers are an endangered species. Tigers are a threatened species. Bees are becoming threatened by the use of pesticides. 4) Forests are disappearing...

Introduction to part 2 of The Breath of the Mosquito Emil Zimmermann, professor of astrophysics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University sat back in his leather chair and studied the colourful feather, he was holding in his hand, through his thick glasses.  ‘Incredible!’ he said. ‘You say it comes from an extinct* type of bird, don’t you?’ Mathew was sitting the other side of Emil’s huge woode...

This is a B1-level short story in two parts. Professor Mathew Pearson, a paleontologist and professor at Oxford University, made an incredible discovery when he found a skull. Tests are done and the results are extremely surprising... Technical vocabulary in the story Prehistory / A prehistoric scene paleontology fossils The Jurassic period (finished 145 million years ago) The Eocene period (finis...

This is the third and final part of the story 'The Harmonica Players'. Here are the B2 phrases I discuss in the podcast. 1) This was not the familiar peaceful atmosphere of Oxted. 2) He found London rather threatening . 3) An awful lot of unfamiliar people who packed the streets. 4) You were swept along by dense, hostile crowds of total strangers. 5) A black man in a hat, moving quickly...

In Part 2 of my story, The Harmonica Players, I’ll be talking about racial prejudice. That means the irrational distrust and dislike of people from other countries. My motive for bringing up this topic and creating Jeffrey, a man who is very prejudiced against foreigners, has been from the unfortunate policy by the current Conservative party in the UK, who have proposed and are about to carry out...

The Harmonica Players. The story of two people who are very different from each other, yet there is something that unites them. Words and expressions discussed in the podcast: bedsit - accommodation, which is very basic, and is usually just one room. meter - a machine you put money into which controls the amount of electricity is consumed. -        Somehow , he couldn’t face starting his day witho...

This is a B1 and B2 level podcast with a new story about the ages of Man. (See link to audioscript of story below.) B1 words discussed: sunrise landscape valleys scenery waterfall cave the cool shade setting sun (sunset) B2 words discussed youth bounced along life was a gift, which he would grab for himself make the most of the lines around his eyes a bald area mature his  body was curved and bent...

I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. This is a B1-level story. Below, are the phrases I explain from the story. Vocabulary expressions for the story Today's story is B1 level. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. The point of this podcast is to explain that the language you use in your speaking exam must sound authentic. These are the B1 expressions...

In Telmah's life, very little happens. His garden is really the only thing he seems to care about. But one day, a neighbour loses her dog, and Telmah's life suddenly becomes much more complicated than he would like. These are the B1 expressions I explain from the story: be just about to do sth believe it or not feel sorry for a sense of humour straight away be fond of sb/sth keen on sth...