I think watching TV is a waste of time. How about you?
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In my opinion, we should protect the rainforests and other wild places. What do you think?
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Listen 5 times
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I saw the race!
I saw the race!
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Formula 1!
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The racing cars were at the start line.
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With their engines running I thought that they sounded like angry bees.
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My sister, Tara, leaned forward over the rail and stared down at them with fascination.
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"Look for a blue car with 81 on the side," said Uncle Pete. "The driver is Frank Turner, the national champion."
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"Fantastic!" exclaimed Tara. "This is amazing, isn't it Russ? These cars go at 220 kph!"
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I sighed and turned away. The sun was hot and I was getting a headache.
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I said, "I think I'll go and sit in the shade."
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Nobody answered. I don't think anyone heard.
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I left the viewing box and walked down the stairs.
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At the bottom a quiet and dim passage led along the back of the grandstand.
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At the end of it there was a door. I didn't want to go outside.
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I was wondering where I could go next when I saw bench against the wall near the door.
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I sat down and rested my head against the cool wall.
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Just then the beside me burst open.
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There was a sudden beam of light as a man stepped through and then the door swung shut.
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The man sat down on the bench. He didn't see me at all.
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He was holding a mobile phone.
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He looked closely at it as if he expected it to do something. Then he groaned quietly.
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I shuffled my feet.
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The man looked round quickly."Oh, I didn't know anyone was here," he said.
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"Sorry," I said.
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"It's Ok," said the man. "I've got to go in a minute. I was just hoping...My son, Todd..."
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He looked at me and smiled. "Are you going to watch the race?" he asked.
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" I suppose so," I replied.
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"You don't sound very pleased about it," said the man.
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The door opened again. A voice called, "Frank!"
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The man said, "Ok...I'm coming". He picked up his helmet and gloves from the bench beside him.
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"Cheerio," he said and walked quickly outside.
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I thought I should go back upstairs. I stood up. Then I heard a phone ring.
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I looked back at the bench.
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The man's mobile phone was lying there and it was ringing.
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I picked it up and opened the door. The man had gone.
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I looked at the screen. Todd calling, It said.
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I hesitated for a second then answered.
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"Dad?" said a voice. "No, he's gone," I said.
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"Oh." The voice sounded disappointed. "Mum and I are nearly at the track. The traffic's terrible..but who are you, anyway?"
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"I'm Russ," I answered. "I'm at the race track with my uncle and my sister. I was just talking to your dad, He left his phone so I answered it." "Are you watching the race?"
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"Well, yes, I suppose so. It must be ready to start," I told him.
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"Can you help me?" asked Todd quickly. "Will yo stay on the phone and tell me what's happening?"
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"Well..." I hesitated.
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"Please!" Todd's voice sounded desperate.
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I decided. "OK, I will," I said.
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I hurried back up the stairs.
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I reached the viewing box just as the chequered flag went down and the cars surged forward.
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"They've started!" I gasped into the phone.
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Tara looked at me. " Who are you talking to?" she asked.
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She didn't wait for an answer but turned back to watch the cars roaring past.
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"Russ isn't interested,"she told Uncle Pete. "He's chatting to a friend."
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I told Todd everything that was happening in the race.
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It was nearly over when the door of the box opened and a boy hurried in.
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Todd was just in time to see his father pass the finish line first.
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He cheered and Tara screamed, "Brilliant!"
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"Yes, he is, isn't he?" said Todd.
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"Who are you?" askesd Tara.
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" I'm Todd Turner," said Todd. Tara stared at him in surprise.
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When Frank Turner came into the box a few minutes later Tara looked astonished.
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He hugged Todd and said, "I'm sorry you missed most of the race."
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"I didn't miss it, " said Todd. "Russ told me what was happening on your phone, He's a really good commentator. It was just like being here."
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"My phone" said Frank. "I wondered where I had left it. Thanks, Russ." He shook my hand warmly.
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Tara glared at me. "I thought you weren't interested in racing," she whispered crossly.
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"It was more interesting than I expected," I said with a smile.
