We suggest you do the vocabulary activity below before you listen. Then listen to the episode and do the first task to check your understanding. Finally, practise some vocabulary and grammar.

　　Match the words and phrases in the boxes to their definitions.

　　1. spacious

　　2. a catch

　　3. location

　　4. a practice

　　5. to hang out

　　6. a mate

　　Definitions:

　　a. A place

　　b. To spend one’s free time

　　c. The business of a professional person

　　d. Containing a lot of space

　　e. A friend (informal)

　　f. A negative aspect

　　Audio script

　　Magda: So, did you see the flat?

　　Sarah: Yeah, it’s great...really spacious, really light, good location near a tube station – and not too expensive!

　　Magda: Sounds perfect. There’s got to be a catch...

　　Sarah: Well, Fadi’s cousin is the owner...

　　Magda: That’s not a problem, is it?

　　Sarah: No...no, I don’t think so...He seems ok...

　　Magda: You don’t sound sure...

　　Sarah: No, really, he’s ok. And I really need a new place!

　　Magda: So you think you’ll move in?

　　Sarah: Yeah, certainly. Already decided....I move in on Saturday!

　　Magda: Great!

　　Johnny: Hi! Magda and

　　Sarah: Hi there Johnny! Come and have a seat! How’s it going?

　　Johnny: Great thanks...just waiting for Harry.

　　Sarah: You two are hanging out together all the time at the moment...

　　Johnny: We’re good mates, we get on really well...

　　Magda: Isn’t Harry working for you as well now?

　　Johnny: No!!! He’s working with me, not for me...there’s a very big difference!

　　Magda: What’s that?

　　Johnny: Well, if he was working ‘for’ me, that means I’d be his boss! But he’s working ‘with’ me, which means that we work for the same company, that’s all.

　　Magda: I’m not sure I’d want to be in the same office as you and Harry! What do you do, talk about football all the time?

　　Johnny: No! We don’t even work in the same office!

　　Magda: Sorry, only joking...I didn’t mean to be rude, but I think it’s a good idea to keep friends and work separate...

　　Sarah: Mmm, I agree...

　　Johnny: You could be right – but we don’t actually work together closely. It’s a big company you know, and Harry works on the IT side. I’m at the front of the operation – searching out opportunities, winning contracts, clinching deals...

　　Magda: Alright for you then!

　　Johnny: I’ll be rich in three years...

　　Magda: That’s what you always say! There are more important things in life than money, you know!

　　Sarah: Magda, don’t worry...not all Chinese people are like that. We don’t only care about money!

　　Johnny: Maybe, but all I mean is, well, I know where I’m going...

　　Magda: Lucky you...I wish I did...I’m about to finish my degree and haven’t got anything lined up for the future yet...

　　Sarah: Oh dear...nothing at all?

　　Magda: Well, I’ve got an interview with a small architect’s practice next week...

　　Sarah: That’s great news! Well done!

　　Magda: Yeah...but...I’m really worried about it! I’ve never done a job interview before. Can you give me some advice?

　　Sarah: Erm...I guess I could help...I’ve done one or two interviews...

　　Johnny: I’ll tell you all you need to know! Don’t worry. Just listen to me, take my advice and you’ll definitely get the job!

　　Magda: Oh, er, well, great...

　　Johnny: But I can’t tell you now...got to go...

　　Sarah: Where are you off to in such a hurry?

　　Johnny: Got an appointment with the boys, haven’t I? Fadi and Harry - we’re all playing football this evening. Bye!

　　Sarah: Bye!!

　　Comprehension Task

　　True or false

　　Read the sentences and decide if they are true or false.

　　1. Sarah is going to move into Fadi’s flat.

　　2. Harry and Johnny are working for the same company.

　　3. Magda thinks it is a good idea for friends to work together.

　　4. Johnny is optimistic about his future.

　　5. Magda has an interview at Johnny’s company.

　　6. Johnny is playing football later.

　　Vocabulary

　　1. Countable or uncountable?

　　Decide if the nouns in the box are countable or uncountable and write them in the correct column.

　　Advice     News     Money     Place     Evening     Job     Work     Company

　　Countable

　　Uncountable

　　2. Opposites

　　Find the opposites of the following words in the audio script.

　　Dark ____________

　　Cheap ____________

　　Old ______________

　　Bad ____________

　　Polite ____________

　　Wrong ____________

　　Small ____________

　　Poor ____________

　　Grammar

　　1. Questions and answers

　　Match the questions with the answers:

　　1. That’s not a problem, is it?

　　a. I guess I could help.

　　2. How’s it going?

　　 b. Got an appointment with the boys.

　　3. Can you give me some advice?

　　 c. Great thanks.

　　4. Where are you off to?

　　d. No, I don’t think so.

　　2. Rearrange the words

　　Rearrange the words to make create sentences.

　　a. a | new place. | need | really | I

　　b. in the same | office | don’t | even | work

　　c. like | all | Chinese people | that. | Not | are

　　d. practice. | I’ve got | an interview | small architects’ | with a

　　e. you | in such a | hurry? | are | off to | Where

　　Answers

　　5. Where are you off to in such a hurry?

　　4. I've got an interview with a small architect's practice.

　　3. Not all Chinese people are like that.

　　2. We don't even work in the same office.

　　1. I really need a new place.

　　Grammar 2:

　　Grammar 1: 1 – d, 2 – c, 3 – a, 4 – b

　　Vocabulary 2:  light, expensive, new, good, rude, right, big, rich

　　Comprehension Task: 1 – b, 2 – c, 3 – a, 4 – c, 5 – a, 6 – b

　　Vocabulary 1: Countable = job, evening, place, company Uncountable = work, news, money, advice

　　Before you listen: 1 – d, 2 - f, 3 - a, 4 - c, 5 - b, 6 - e