Practising English

English podcast story for B1, B2 levels (intermediate - upper intermediate) - Jonathon Baxter has spent ten years walking around Britain, playing his harmonica to survive. Then he decides to return to his home, but what will he find? B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly 2, obliged to = you have to 3, not have the slightest intention...

B1 words and expressions studied: In this B1-level podcast today, I'll also discuss 6 interesting intermediate B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story. Intermediate-level words and expressions: lack of something - not enough of something get rid of somebody - tell somebody to leave out of work - to have lost your job try your best - do a task the best way...

In this B1-level podcast today I'll use lots of important vocabulary and expressions to talk about daily actions. I'll also discuss 10 interesting B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story. I'll analyse these intermediate-level words and expressions: no going back - you cannot go to where you were earlier, or if you start something, you cannot leav...

The upper-intermediate phrsal verbs studied in today's episode are: look up to - admire somebody because of their qualities fall apart - to break into pieces, probably because it's old date from - saying how old something is, from what year something is think sth over - consider something carefully take on - offer a contract of work to somebody miss out - not to take advantage of an oppo...

This is another podcast on B1 intermediate phrasal verbs - those a little difficult to learn. The ones I will talk about are: put on - to switch on or activate some device (electrical?) sign up - to join or becme part of a club etc. show up - to arrive somewhere unexpectedly. deal with - to try to resolve a problem take up - to begin a new sport, hobby or other activity carry on - to continue, oft...

The six B1 phrasal verbs studied are: give up - stop doing some activity e.g. smoking, or a game because you are losing. end up - to finish in a place probably you didn't expect to find yourself in. put off - to do some activity at a later time. set off - to start a journey. run out - to find you have no more of something e.g. petrol in your car, milk in the fridge. look forward - wait excite...

Intermediate (B1) and upper-intermediate (B2) English expressions and vocabulary. Words to explain: binoculars - a device used to see objects far away UFO - unidentified flying object (alien spaceship) What the hell is going on? - What is happening? fin - wing-like structure of a creature that lives in the sea B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1, failed to comprehend 2,...

Words to explain: extraterrestrial - from another planet alien - life from another planet life forms - beings which are living electro-magnetic field - this surrounds the Earth and protects us from harmful rays from space orbit - going around the sun etc. meteorite - an object that may crash into the Earth evolve / evolution - life that grows and changes over long periods of time cosmic - from the...

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...