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Unit 10

Lesson 2: Conversation

Hello! Today we're at our annual Town Fair. play_circle pause_circle
There are stalls selling all sorts of things like home-made cakes, sweets and toys. play_circle pause_circle
And there are stalls where you can play games and win a prize. play_circle pause_circle
There are pony rides, too, and a fancy dress competition for both children and adults. play_circle pause_circle
The Hampton Hippos are going to give a demonstration of their basketball skills. play_circle pause_circle
And I'm really excited because later on there's going to be Morris dancing. play_circle pause_circle
Have you ever tried Morris dancing, Laura? play_circle pause_circle
No, I've never tried it. Actually, it's usually men who do Morris dancing, isn't it? play_circle pause_circle
That's right. And in fact my Uncle Jim is dancing here this afternoon. He joined the Hampton Morris Men last summer. I'm giong to interview him later. play_circle pause_circle
What do the Morris Men wear when they're dancing? play_circle pause_circle
They wear white shirts and trousers with bells and ribbons on them. Haven't you ever seen Morris dancing? play_circle pause_circle
No, I've never seen it. Have you? play_circle pause_circle
Yes, I saw the Hampton Morris Men two weeks ago. It's good fun. And the music's brillant. play_circle pause_circle
Do they dance to a live band? What instruments do they play?There's an accordion, a flute, drums and a fiddle. play_circle pause_circle
Oh. listen! The band's just starting up! This is really exciting! play_circle pause_circle
Jack, make sure you film it all, ok? play_circle pause_circle
Listen 5 times play_circle pause_circle

Lesson 2: Conversation

Have you seen the photos in this magazine? They're great. play_circle pause_circle
What are they? play_circle pause_circle
They're pictures of festivals and celebrations around the world. play_circle pause_circle
Let's have a look. What's this first one? play_circle pause_circle
That's a festival in Spain. It happens in April every year. play_circle pause_circle
That horse is fantastic, isn't it? play_circle pause_circle
Yes, and look at the costumes. Those dresses are so colourful. play_circle pause_circle
I think I know about the next photo. I bet it was taken at the carnival in Rio. play_circle pause_circle
You're right. And that happens in the spring too, doesn't it? play_circle pause_circle
Yes, there are parades through the street and there are lots of music and dancing. I have never been to a carnival. But my aunt and uncle went to Rio two years ago. play_circle pause_circle
Relly? Lucky them. This next photo is fascinating. Look. play_circle pause_circle
What is it? I don't understand. What an earth is going on? play_circle pause_circle
It's a photo from the Beijing Olympics. It was taken at the opening ceremony. play_circle pause_circle
What's an earth are they doing? play_circle pause_circle
They're playing drums. play_circle pause_circle
How many drums are there? play_circle pause_circle
I don't know. Hundreds. play_circle pause_circle
That's awesome. This next photo is interesting too. Look at those fireworks. play_circle pause_circle
Is that Sydnee. I think I recognize the bridge. play_circle pause_circle
Yes, it says here that the photo was taken at New Year. play_circle pause_circle
And the last picture is the Chinese New Year, isn't it? play_circle pause_circle
What's that animal? It's scary. play_circle pause_circle
It's not real Silly. It's a dragon. There are lots of dances underneath it. play_circle pause_circle
Oh, I get it. play_circle pause_circle
Listen 5 times play_circle pause_circle

Lesson Heading

A helping hand play_circle pause_circle
"Tremendous news!" Mum sighed with relief as she put down the phone. play_circle pause_circle
"Grandma's operation was successful but she has to stay in hospital to rest for a while. I'll go and see her tomorrow." play_circle pause_circle
When Mum came back the next evening, she looked concerned. play_circle pause_circle
"Isn't Grandma all right?" asked Sadie, glancing up from her chemistry text book. play_circle pause_circle
"She feels lonely," Mum said. "She misses us and she doesn't know what we're all doing. play_circle pause_circle
"Didn't you tell her that I've been revising hard for my exams since she went into hospital?" asked Sadie. "Did you tell her my teacher has chosen my report on the Centre for Biological Sciences for the school magazine?" play_circle pause_circle
Annette didn't say anything. She had no news that Mum could tell Grandma. play_circle pause_circle
"Yes, I did," said Mum, "but she seems really depressed. She says she's no use to anyone anymore." play_circle pause_circle
At lunch the next day, everyone suggested ideas to cheer Grandma up. play_circle pause_circle
Sadie said, "I could take her to the university and show her where I'll be studying next year." play_circle pause_circle
Dad said, "Grandma's favourite opera is at the theatre next month. I'll get tickets." play_circle pause_circle
Mum said, "I'll make new curtains for Grandma's bedroom. She hasn't had new curtains for years." play_circle pause_circle
Annette wished she had something exciting for Grandma but she needed to concentrate on her photography project for her art exam and she didn't have time to think of anything else. play_circle pause_circle
Over the next few weeks, Annette kept her camera with her all the time, ready for every opportunity. play_circle pause_circle
She was ready when Sadie got her exam results in a crisp, white envelope early one morning and ready again half an hour later when Sadie's friends came round and they stood next to Mum's little lemon tree on the balcony, crying, laughing and hugging each other. play_circle pause_circle
She had her camera when Mum was choosing curtain material at the stall in the market. play_circle pause_circle
She had it on a number of other occasions, too. play_circle pause_circle
Eventually, she had plenty of pictures for her project and she knew what to do for Grandma. play_circle pause_circle
Four weeks later, Grandma was pleased to see the medical faculty at the university where Sadie would be starting in a few weeks. play_circle pause_circle
She enjoyed her visit to the opera and she thanked Mum for the new curtains in her bedroom but she had not regained her usual cheerfulness. play_circle pause_circle
One afternoon, Annette gave her an album of photographs. play_circle pause_circle
Grandma spent a long time looking at the pictures: play_circle pause_circle
Sadie's radiant face above a large sheet of white paper, play_circle pause_circle
Sadie and her friends beaming in front of the lemon tree, play_circle pause_circle
Mum leaning over the material stall surrounded by a rainbow of translucent silks and satins, shimmering gently in the breeze. play_circle pause_circle
"Have you ever realised, Annette," said Grandma, "what a marvellous talent you have?" play_circle pause_circle
Annette sighed. "I've never been good at exams, like Sadie. I got terrible marks last year. I probably won't get a good grade this year and anyway, art isn't an important subject." play_circle pause_circle
"Isn't it? Isn't it important to notice things that are beautiful and interesting?" enquired Grandma. play_circle pause_circle
"It's not as important as being able to make people well, like a doctor," Annette answered with certainty. play_circle pause_circle
"Doctors can make your body better, but it takes more than a doctor to inspire people with beauty and to make them think, Annette. Not everyone can do what you can do." play_circle pause_circle
Grandma paused for a moment then she said, "There's a photography competition at the art gallery. Why don't you enter one of your pictures?" play_circle pause_circle
Annette just laughed and shook her head but she went on thinking about Grandma's suggestion. play_circle pause_circle
Was her work good enough? She didn't know. play_circle pause_circle
She wasn't sure that Grandma knew, either. play_circle pause_circle
She didn't want to be embarrassed. play_circle pause_circle
She went on thinking all the same. play_circle pause_circle
A month later, it was Annette who got an envelope early one morning. play_circle pause_circle
Inside was a letter and a cheque. play_circle pause_circle
Everyone looked at Annette enquiringly. play_circle pause_circle
"I entered a photography competition. I didn't win. I got third prize," said Annette, modestly. play_circle pause_circle
Everyone was pleased and impressed. play_circle pause_circle
Later that day, Annette told her grandmother that she had decided to study photography next year. play_circle pause_circle
Ultimately, she would like to go to art college. play_circle pause_circle
"Have you made that decision since you got the prize?" asked Grandma. play_circle pause_circle
"No, I've been thinking about it for weeks - since we last talked, in fact. You gave me confidence." play_circle pause_circle
"I'm glad you found our chat useful," said Grandma cheerfully. play_circle pause_circle
Mum, listening from the doorway, breathed another sigh of relief. play_circle pause_circle
Listen 5 times play_circle pause_circle