The underground

Travelling on the London underground (the ‘tube’) presents few difficulties for visitors because of the clear colour-coded maps. It is always useful to have plenty of spare change with you because there are often long queues, at the larger stations. If you have enough change you can buy your ticket from a machine. You will find sign which lists the station in alphabetical order, with the correct fares, near the machines. There are automatic barriers which are operated by the tickets. You should keep the ticket, because it is checked at the destination.

(from TOEFL Tests, by P.Sharpe

Task Listening, by L.Blundell, J.Stokes. Units 1, 2

Streamline English. Destinations, by B.Hartley, P.Viney. Unit 59)

SECTION 7

UNIT 1

Lesson A

The lamb who couldn’t sleep

It was spring time on the marshes. Every day the young lambs raced around the fields and jumped and turned in the air. Every evening they settled down beside their mothers, out of the wind and fell fast asleep. All except one. He could never get to sleep at the right time. Instead he would lie awake listening to the snores coming from all the other sheep in the field. No matter how hard he tried he just didn’t seem to be able to fall asleep. What was worse just as the first faint light of the sun began to appear over the hedge and the mist began to clear from the field he would stop and doze off.

Every morning began the same way. “Time to get up”, said his mother. “It’s going to be a lovely morning. Have a little drink and nibble some fresh grass and then you can go off and play with your friends.”

Through his sleepy half-opened eyes the lamb could see some of his friends already at their leaping and spinning around the field.

“I don’t think I want to play yet ”, he said and gave a big yawn. “Oh, dear!” said his mother. “Didn’t you sleep very well?” “No”, he said “I didn’t sleep at all. I never do”. “Why don’t you try counting sheep tonight”, his mother suggested.

That night he took his mother’s advice. As he snuggled down beside her, sheltered from the breeze, he began to count. Because he was a very young lamb he could only count up to three. But he thought that counting up to three over and over again was probably as good as counting up to a hundred once.

1,2,3 (repeated 4 times). “What does that young idiot think he is doing?” came the voice of a sheep out of the darkness. “Sounds like he’s starting a race”, came a reply. “Is he trying to get us to join in a song?” suggested another. “I think you are keeping the others awake”, his mother whispered. “That’s enough counting for tonight.” The lamb just sighed, rested his chin on his front feet and settled down to another sleepless night.

After breakfast the next morning he staggered across the field to say hello to his friends but his eyes were so bleary and his legs were so unsteady that he stumbled right into a big oak tree. “It isn’t good manners to go bumping into people’s homes like that,” said the voice above. The lamb looked up and saw an owl sitting on a branch. “I am very sorry”, said the lamb. “I am so tired that I didn’t see the tree.” “How could you be tired?” asked the owl. “You haven’t done anything yet.”

“I didn’t sleep. I never do.”

“ Dearie me!” said the owl in a softer voice. “ We shall have to do something about that. Come back to see me this afternoon and I’ll give you some of my special sleeping mixture.” “ Oh, thank you”, said the lamb. And he set off to join his friends feeling much better already.

Back at the oak tree after lunch he was a little disappointed to find out that the owl hadn’t been able to make his special sleeping mixture. “It’s nearly ready,” the bird explained. “But I am afraid I am short of one or two items. Would you be good enough to bring me a feather which has dropped from a crow, please? That fellow over there has a loose one, sticking out, do you see?” The lamb raced after the crow which waited until he was near before flying up and landing a few feet away. The lamb gave chase again. And the crow did exactly the same thing. It happened again and again until finally his feather came free and fluttered to the ground. Quick as a flash the lamb picked it up in his mouth and ran back to the tree. “Well done.” said the owl. “Just leave it there, while you go for the other thing.” “You mean, there’s more?” panted the lamb. “Well, you want the mixture to work properly, don’t you?” asked the owl. “Yes,” the lamb certainly wanted the mixture to work properly. “Good,” said the owl. “Now you see that black lamb over there. He’s got a particular kind of thistle, sticking to his fleece. Just bring me that and we are ready.” The lamb bounded off again. When the black lamb saw him coming he thought it was a game and raced away as fast as he could. They ran and ran. This way and that, across the field the ages and ages until finally the thistle dropped off and the lamb was able to pick it up. He returned to the tree all hot and puffed up. “That’s exactly what we need,” said the owl. “ Unfortunately, it’s too late this afternoon to finish making the mixture. But you’ll have it tomorrow. Go back to your mother now.”

It was getting dark when the lamb got back to his mother. “Had a nice afternoon?” she asked. And do you know he was so worn out that he just lay down and fell asleep.

The next morning he was completely refreshed from his good night sleep and couldn’t wait to tell the owl. “I slept soundly all night,” he said. “I thought you might,” said the owl with a wink. “So, you won’t be needing my mixture after all. You see, it’s my belief that you’ll sleep well every night from now on.

And the wise owl was right. The lamb spent every day chasing around with his friends and every night he fell sound asleep as soon as he closed his eyes. And I hope you do, too.

(from British Recordings for Children)

UNIT 1

Lesson B

White Xmas

1. (2) I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

Where the tree tops glisten

And children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

3. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

With every Christmas card I write.

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white.

4. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know.

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white.

5. Repeat 3.

(from Christmas Songs)

UNIT 2

Lesson A

Cinderella

Once upon a time there was a lovely young girl named Ella. She lived with her old stepmother and her two ugly stepsisters. They were jealous of Ella because she was so beautiful and happy. They wanted Ella to be as miserable as they were.

They made poor Ella work from morning till night. They gave her the worst jobs and they were always nagging.

- Ella! Get up and light the fire!

- Ella! Fix my hair!

- Ella! Sweep the chimney!

Ella was so good that she never once complained, and that made her stepmother and stepsisters meaner than ever.

They made Ella wear old rags. They made her go barefoot, even in winter. They even made her sleep in cinders by the fireplace.

One day Ella’s stepmother saw her by the fireplace covered with black ashes.

- Ella is too fine a name for the likes of you. From now on I shall call you Cinderella!

Many, many years went by. Then one day a messenger of the King appeared in the village square.

- Hear, ye! His Greatest Majesty invites all the young ladies of the Kingdom to a grand ball. One of these ladies will be chosen as a bride for his son, the Prince.

When Cinderella’s stepmother heard this news her mean cold heart pounded with excitement. Her daughters were getting old and they still were not married. She ran and told them the good news.

- Come on! We have to get right to work making our gowns. You must look beautiful.

On the evening of the grand ball the Whole Kingdom was filled with merriment and cheer. The music from the dance flooded down from the King’s castle, perched on the very tip-top of the mountain above the town.

In the house where Cinderella lived her two stepsisters dashed around like wet hens getting ready for the ball. They made Cinderella help them. They were so mean that they wouldn’t like Cinderella to go with them. She would have to stay home all alone. On the way out they gave Cinderella last minute instructions.

- Now be sure and clean the house!

- Make our bed and above all fix the fire. So it’s nice and warm when we get home.

And with that they swept from the house escorted by their mother.

Cinderella stared out of the window as unhappy as she could be. She was so alone. It was so quiet. The poor girl started to cry. Just then she heard a voice behind her.

- Don’t cry, Cinderella.

Cinderella turned. And saw a lovely lady standing there.

- Who are you?

- I’m your fairy godmother. I’ve come to get you ready for the ball.

- The ball? The Prince? Oh, I’d love to go. But I can’t. I haven’t a gown. I haven’t dancing slippers or a coach.

- So you haven’t, my child. Well, just look out the window.

Cinderella saw a pumpkin sitting in the garden. The fairy godmother waved her magic wand and the pumpkin became a great golden coach with silver wheels drawn by four slim dark horses.

- Now, we must find you a gown and fix your hair.

She waved a wand once again, and Cinderella found herself wearing the most shimmering, sparkling gown ever. She had never felt more beautiful. And she was! Her dirt disappeared from her face. And her hair was fixed like a princess’.

The fairy godmother placed a pair of dainty glass slippers on Cinderella’s feet. She smiled ever so gently at Cinderella.

- And now, my little princess, you are ready. But I must warn you about one thing. You must promise to leave the ball before midnight, because at the stroke of twelve my spell will be broken and you will again be a cinder girl.

- I promise. Oh, thank you very much!

And she jumped into the coach, and away she went.

The ball was a swirl of colour and happy dancers and bright music. Everyone was excited, except for the Prince who sat on his throne and looked glum and upset. He had met every girl of the dance and not one of them did he want to marry.

And then Cinderella arrived.

When she entered a hush fell over the room. The music stopped. The people murmured:

- Who is she? She’s beautiful! Look at her coach! Look at hr gown! He must be a princess.

The Prince left the throne and walked over to her. Everyone felt quiet.

- Lovely lady! May I have this dance?

- I would be honoured, Your Highness.

No one knew who she was or where she came from, but it didn’t matter. Cinderella and the Prince danced every dance. They neber left each other’s side. Even the cruel stepsisters and stepmother didn’t realize that the beautiful mystery girl was their very own Cinderella.

And so it went on, hour after hour. And then the clock started to strike. Cinderella was startled.

- What’s that?

- Just the clock. It’s midnight.

- Midnight? Oh? I must go.

She tore herself from the Prince’s arms and ran up the door. The other dancers were astonished. The Prince ran after her.

- Wait! Wait! Don’t go! Guards! Stop her!

But it was too late. She was gone. The Prince stood outside and stared sadly into the darkness. Then he looked down at the ground.

- What’s this? A glass slipper! Oh, her slipper! It’s so dainty, so smooth. It must have slipped off her foot. No matter how long it takes I will search until I find the foot that fits this slipper.

So Cinderella returned to her cinders and rags, and the Prince in his castle high on the hill wished for the girl of his heart.

Meanwhile, his servants searched the Kingdom door to door carrying the glass slipper.

Finally, they came to Cinderella’s house. There a royal servant commanded the stepmother.

- Bring all the women of this house to me to try on this glass slipper! Whomever it fits shall become the bride of the Prince.

The two stepsisters grabbed and shouted to get to the glass slipper and be the first to try it on. But it was no use. It was much too tight. Then the king servant took the slipper back.

- Give it here. It doesn’t fit either of you.

He then saw Cinderella hiding behind the fireplace.

- Come here, young lady!

- That’s our cinder girl!

But the servant ignored her.

Cinderella tried on the slipper which of course fit her perfectly.

- Yes, I’m the one you seek. And here is the other slipper.

Cinderella put the other glass slipper on her foot, and suddenly there was a flash.

And Cinderella stood before them dressed as beautifully as she has been on the night of the ball.

The stepmother and stepsisters suddenly realized that Cinderella was the mysterious Princess. Kneeling before her in shame they begged her forgiveness.

Cinderella felt with love and understanding, placed her hand on each of them, and the women were transformed into king and gentle ladies.

A short time after Cinderella became Princess Ella, wife of the Prince. And the whole Kingdom prospered in peace and happiness, for ever after.

(from American Recordings for Children)

UNIT 2

Lesson B

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