Upper Intermediate Unit 1 Audio Script
UNIT 1 Recording 1
P = Presenter M= Matt
Part 1
P: Now you might have heard of speed dating – those events for the young, free and single who are just too busy to find the love of their lives – but what about applying the same principle to finding a lodger for your spare room? Natalie Steed went to experience ‘speed flatmating’.
M: My name’s Matt Hutchinson and I’m with SpareRoom.co.uk. Basically what we do is we have an evening that introduces people looking for places to live with people who’ve got a spare room in their house and it’s just a chance for people to meet the people that are involved rather than just see the flats. It’s a chance to actually see who you’d be living with because it makes such a difference. And everybody that arrives gets a list of who’s here so if you’re looking for a room for example, you get a list of everybody who’s got a room, what their area is, what their budget is. Everybody has a badge to say who they are and whether they’ve got a room or are looking.
UNIT 1 Recording 2
P = Presenter M1 = Man 1 M2 = Man 2 W1 = Woman 1
W2 = Woman 2 W3 = Woman 3
Part 2
P: You’re wearing a white label. You’ve got a room to rent.
M1: We both have a room to rent.
P: Oh, I see.
M1: So we’re seeking another person to join us.
P: Why are you looking for someone to move in?
M1: Our magnificent German room-mate, who was away every weekend, has moved out. So as a result we’re looking for someone equally magnificent who will be there as little as possible.
P: You’re looking a little bit lost and you’re wearing a pink badge. What does that mean?
M2: That means I’m looking for a room and also I’m willing to buddy up with someone else who’s looking.
P: How long have you been looking for a room?
M2: A couple of weeks. I’m sort of new to the game. So I’m just trying to understand what’s going on and how it works. You know, it’s a bit of a shock and a bit of a steep learning curve for me.
P: Do you think you’re pretty good at spotting the kind of person you can get on with?
W1: Yes I think it’s easy. You just know straightaway.
P: When you’ve done it before, when you’ve done it through an online service, and you’ve presumably had people come to look at your house, how has that been?
W1: Well I must be a bit choosy I suppose, but the two best lodgers I had, I just knew immediately, as soon as I looked at them, smiled at them, I knew that they were somehow the right sort of people and that we would get along.
P: So, really it’s … this kind of event’s quite good for you, rather than sitting down with somebody where you know straightaway you don’t want to live with them but they’re in your house, you feel obliged to show them round.
W1: Yes, because that’s so embarrassing, having to show someone round when they’re not interested. Sometimes I open the door and because I’m older they look at me and go ‘Oh god, I don’t want to live with my mother.’
W2: It’s two bedrooms. There’s one bathroom which is why I always ask people what time they get up in the morning. Because I do have a bad habit that I like to have half an hour bath in the morning.
W3: That’s not a bad habit!
W2: Other than that I’m not largely in the house at all. I’m actually a little bit sort of brain dead from all the conversations I’ve had but it’s been so so useful.
P: You seem to have to be quite open straightaway, I mean, I heard you talking about your bathing habits earlier.
W2: I think that’s important. I mean they’re going to be living with you. They’re going to be in really close contact and it’s best to advertise yourself as you are from the outset.
P: And have you had any firm interest yet?
W2: I have met several people that I’d like to follow it up with. Several people that I feel I could live with.
UNIT 1 Recording 3
A: So where are you staying at the moment?
B: Quite near here.
A: Oh, who are you living with?
B: Some friends from college. I’m just staying there on a temporary basis until I find a flat.
A: Right. And what made you decide to come to the city in the first place?
B: I work for a big sportswear company and they’ve just relocated here.
A: And have you any idea how long you want to stay here?
B: At least a year, I hope. I suppose it depends how it works out.
A: Do you mind me asking if you’re in a relationship?
B: Not, that’s OK. No, I’m single at the moment.
A: One more question. Er, what are you like in the mornings? It’s just that I’m not at my best early in the day.
B: Me neither. I don’t usually talk to anyone till after my first coffee at work!
UNIT 1 Recording 4
1 I was wondering if I could see the flat.
2 Could you tell me how much the deposit is?
3 Do you mind me asking how old you are?
4 I’d be interested to know how you organise the cooking.
5 Can I ask you how noisy it is?
6 Do you know how soon the room will be available?
UNIT 1 Recording 5
S1 = Speaker 1 S2 = Speaker 2 S3 = Speaker 3 S4 = Speaker 4
S5 = Speaker 5
S1: I didn’t enjoy it much. For a start, I was very anxious and I think animals can sense it when you’re nervous and worried. It was OK when we were going at a walk but then we went faster and I found it difficult to stay on. Actually, I was extremely relieved when the lesson finished and I could get off.
S2: It was the first time I’d tried it and it was a kind of competition. So I chose a song I knew well and I really enjoyed doing it. I came second so I was really thrilled. There were about twenty people entered and I was absolutely fascinated to see how different people behaved when they got in front of the microphone.
S3: It took me ages to do and I got really annoyed and frustrated at one point because I couldn’t make it straight. Eventually, I put the books on it and it looked great. I felt really satisfied when I’d finished because it was the first one I’d ever put up on my own. Yeah. It was a really satisfying thing to do.
S4: Most people were there for the first time and I was really impressed by how quickly they learnt the steps. But I was useless and I’m sure my partner thought so too. I was very embarrassed because I kept treading on her toes. She was very patient but you could tell she was getting annoyed. So it was a bit of a disaster, quite disappointing.
S5: He should never have started it. I think he wanted to impress me because it was our first date but I found out later that he’d never changed one before. Anyway, after three hours, I suggested calling the repair company. I felt very awkward about it but I thought we’d never get home. I didn’t get to bed till two in the morning and I was completely exhausted.
UNIT 1 Recording 6
1 embarrassed
2 exhausted
3 satisfied
4 thrilled
5 awkward
6 relieved
7 anxious
8 fascinated
9 frustrated
10 impressed
UNIT 1 Recording 7
1 I’ve thought about it a lot.
2 I thought about it a lot.
3 We tried to phone you.
4 We’ve tried to phone you.
5 She’s had her first lesson today.
6 She had her first lesson today.
7 I’ve changed my email address.
8 I changed my email address.
9 I think he’s left the building.
10 I think he left the building.
UNIT 1 Recording 8
A frustration
satisfaction
exhaustion
B embarrassment
disappointment
C similarity
generosity
anxiety
D awkwardness
nervousness
UNIT 1 Recording 9
W = Woman M = Man
M: Hello, English Language College. Can I help you?
W: Yes, I’d like to enquire about a course.
M: OK. Have you seen the information on our website?
W: Well, actually the situation is that I booked myself onto a course through your website yesterday, and now I’d like to change.
M: Could you tell me your name?
W: Misa Radnoti.
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