This support pack accompanies: 

Big City Small World – Series 3 Episode 10 

To listen to the recording, go to: 

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-

world/series-3-episode-10-family-matters 

This support pack contains the following materials: 

1. Before you listen: Vocabulary match up 

2. Audio script 

3. Comprehension Task 

4. Grammar Task 1 

5. Grammar Task 2 

6. Vocabulary Task 

Before you listen 

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. 

Definitions: 

1. Feeling that something is not up to standard 

2. History 

3. Request for information 

4. Following tradition; unchanging 

5. Leave 

6. Plain; normal 

Big City Small World S3 E10 – Family Matters 



Transcript

Big City Small World S3 E10 – Family Matters 

Olivia: Hey, Harry! How’s it going? 

Harry: Not bad, thanks. 

Olivia: Are you a millionaire yet? 

Harry: Eh? What? Oh ... Fadi’s “FindLondon” 

business. Actually, it’s going pretty well – we’ve 

set up a website and now we’re taking lots of 

enquiries, there’s a lot of interest. But I’m only aninvestor, you know – it’s not my real job. 

Olivia: Sounds even better – if you can make 

money without working! 

Harry: Yeah! I guess that’s the plan. That’s 

Fadi’s plan anyhow! But – as your friend Magda 

says – there’s more to life than money. 

Olivia: Well, that’s certainly true. 

Harry: I mean, I want to spend more time with 

Bindyu – that’s what makes me really happy ... 

Olivia: Why don’t you just go out more together?

Harry: Well, we see each other most days ... but 

it’s not that ... 

Olivia: What is it then? 

Harry: I’d like to take our relationship a bit more 

seriously. 

Olivia: But? 

Harry: But she doesn’t want me to meet her 

parents. 

Olivia: Oh, I see. Why not? 

Harry: That’s just it – I don’t know really. I think 

she’s embarrassed by me, or ashamed of me ... 

or something ... 

Olivia: No! That can’t be true! Why do you think 

that? 

Harry: I don’t know. Perhaps I’m not rich 

enough, or successful enough. You know, I’m 

just an ordinary London guy. Anyhow, I must be 

off now – if you see Bindyu let her know I was 

looking for her! 

Olivia: Will do! Bye! 

Bindyu: Hey there! 

Olivia: Hello! Oh, Harry was just in here looking 

for you. 

 Bindyu: I knew it! I meant to catch him – but just 

missed him! 

Olivia: He was talking about you, actually. 

Bindyu: Oh yeah? All good things I hope. 

Olivia: Yes, but ... 

Bindyu: But? You mean there’s a “but”? 

Olivia: Yeah. He thinks you’re not taking the 

relationship as seriously as he wants. 

Bindyu: Oh no! That’s not true ... Why does he 

think that? 

Olivia: He thinks you don’t want him to meet 

your family. 

Bindyu: Oh, I see. It’s not that I don’t want him 

to meet my parents, it’s just that it’s ... 

Olivia: What? 

Bindyu: It’s just difficult, that’s all. 

Olivia: Why? 

Bindyu: Well ... you know ... We’re so different 

... from different backgrounds ... and my family 

are very traditional. 

Olivia: I see ... Still, perhaps you should try. 

Bindyu: Yeah – maybe you’re right. I’ll try. 



Big City Small World S3 E10 – Family Matters 

Comprehension Task 1 

Complete the sentences with these words. 

traditional 

ashamed 

rich 

interested 

serious 

worried 

1 A lot of people are ......................... in the new business. 

2 Harry wants to have a more ....................... relationship with Bindyu. 

3 Harry thinks Bindyu is .......................... of him. 

4 Bindyu tells Olivia she is ........................ about taking Harry home. 

5 Harry doesn’t think he is ................... enough for Bindyu’s family. 

6 Bindyu thinks her family is very ................... 

Grammar Task 1 

Sometimes a root verb can have two adjective forms; one ending in -ing and the other ending in 

-ed. Look at these two sentences: 

Bindyu is worried about Harry meeting her family. 

It is a worrying situation. 

We use an adjective with -ed to describe a feeling. 

We use an adjective with -ing to describe something that produces a feeling. 

Choose the correct adjective in these sentences. 

1 That’s an interested/interesting book. 

2 Harry is interested/interesting in meeting Bindyu’s family. 

3 I’m very excited/exciting about going to London. 

4 The holiday plans are really excited/exciting. 

5 I’m embarrassed/embarrassing because my English is not good enough. 

6 My level of English is embarrassed/embarrassing! 

7 What shall we do? I’m bored/boring! 

8 This is a bored/boring game. Let’s play something else. 



Grammar Task 2 

Type the missing –ing or –ed adjective for each sentence. Use the word in brackets. Look back at 

the last exercise for help. 

1. That’s an ____________ book. (interest) 

2. I’m ____________ because my English is not good enough. (embarrass) 

3. I’m very ____________ about going to London. (excite) 

4. Harry is ____________ in meeting Binyu’s family. (interest) 

5. What shall we do? I’m ____________! (bore) 

6. My level of English is ____________! (embarrass) 

7. The holiday plans are really ____________. (excite) 

8 This is a ____________ game. Let’s play something else. (bore) 

Vocabulary Task 

Complete the sentence with the phrases that go with the verbs. Look back at the dialogue for 

help. 

a) for her 

b) somebody 

happy 

c)up a business 

d) about this 

e) this seriously 

f) a lot of money 

g) time with 

h) the family 

1. I wish you’d take __ . 

2. Harry wants to spend __ Bindyu. 

3. Fadi, Harry and Johnny have set __ . 

4. Have you seen Olivia? I’m looking __ . 

5. If you want to make __, give them a call. 

6. We really need to talk __ . 

7. I’d like to meet __. 

8. I don’t care what I do, so long as I make __ . 

Big City Small World S3 E10 – Family Matters 



Answers 

Pre-listening: 

1. d; 2. c; 3. f; 4. b; 5. a; 6. e. 

Comprehension Task 1: 

1. interested; 2. serious; 3. ashamed; 4. 

worried; 5. rich; 6. traditional 

Grammar Task 1: 

1. interesting; 2. interested; 3. excited; 4. 

exciting; 5. embarrassed; 6. embarrassing; 

7. bored; 8. boring 

Grammar Task 2: 

1. interesting; 2. embarrassed; 3. excited; 4. 

interested; 5. bored; 6. embarrassing; 7. 

exciting; 8. boring 

Vocabulary Task: 

1. e; 2. g; 3. c; 4. a; 5. b; 6. d; 7. h; 8. f. 

Big City Small World S3 E10 – Family Matters