Unit 5 Urban pulse
Listening to the world Scripts
H = Hina; M1 = Man 1, etc.; W1 = Woman 1, etc. Part 1
H: I’ve always enjoyed living in cities. I like the mix of peopl e and all the different things that
you can do. Not everyone feels like me, though. Some people prefe r the peace and quiet of the country. How about you? Do you enjoy cit y life?
Part 2
M1: No, absolutely hate London. Much prefer the country. W1: Yes, I love city life. Um, I mean, London’s such a vibrant, um, active city. Um, there’s
(there’re) always lots of things to do.
W2: Where I live is very, very central and it’s inner city. So i t’s what I’m used to and I enjoy that
I can get everywhere really easily.
W3: I enjoy it. It’s um – it suits me. I think it suits my pers onality.
W4: I really en joy living in London. Um, it’s a great place to b e. There’s (there’re) lots of people
around, lots of things happening. Where I live, there’s (there’r e) lots of art shows, and … and photographers.
M2: I do like city life. I think er, London especially is very vi brant, and there’s always something
going on. Part 3
H: What are the good things about living in a city?
W1: London is such a large city. Um, you know, you can never tire of it, really.
W4: I think there’s always something to do. Um, always something to go and see. And lots of
events and culture, and um, you can never be bored. M1: Obviously culture. I mean … I live right next door to the Gl obe Theater, the Tate Modern so
um, theater is terrific. Er, huge choice of restaurants, of cours e.
W3: The good things about living in the city is er, the tube, whi ch is … is really amazing. It’s
cheap and it’s really frequent.
M2: Um, I think transport is one of the best things. The fact tha t you can live, probably miles
away from your friends – and you can all sort of, get to the sam e place fairly easily, and fairly quickly.
W2: You’re so central. Everywhere’s close at hand, um, there’s (there’re) always lots of people
around so, you feel quite safe. Part 4
H: What are the main problems in cities? M1: Traffic is horribly congested.
W1: Sometimes it can be difficult to get round the city quickly, um, and that can be frustrating.
W4: I think there’s … there’s always a very much of a go-go ki nd of attitude – that you have to be
on the go the whole time. And there isn’t the time just to chill out or take time out. And if you’re not doing something, you’re mis sing out.
W3: The main problems I’d say, are probably crime, and just
not feeling safe.
W2: I think the crime. I think that the crime’s a huge problem i n city life.
M2: I think we should be trying to encourage um, more sort of gre en transport so, cycling, um,
and encouraging people to walk, and use their cars less. W3: I think there’s not much that you really can do about crime. Because I think it’s a social issue.
So if people are – you have to, kind of, address why people are committing crimes before you can do anything about it.
W4: I think a city’s a city. You either wanna live in a city or you wanna live in the countryside, or
by the sea. And I think it’s your ch oice. Scripts Conversation 1
I = Interviewer; R = Rick
I: Rick, you’ve lived in Dubai for … what, four years, right? R: Yeah, four years.
I: So what’s it like, living in Dubai?
R: Well, I read that Dubai is one of the world’s fastest growing cities, so there are a lot of people,
and it’s very crowded. It’s a great city for shopping, and goin g out. And it has a really good nightlife, with lots of bars and club s.
I: Is it a safe city?
R: Yes, there isn’t a lot of crime. The streets are very safe. B ut one of the biggest problems is the
traffic. Everyone drives a car here – petrol is still cheap, so the traffic’s terrible. One good thing is the taxis though. There ar e lots of them, and they’re cheap, so you don’t have to drive.
Conversation 2
I = Interviewer; S = Sasha
I: Sasha, you live in Tokyo, don’t you? S: That’s right.
I: And, do you … do you like it? Do you like living in Tokyo? S: Yeah, Tokyo is a great city to live in. People think it’s ver y expensive, but actually you can
buy Japanese food in the supermarkets quite cheaply, and eating o ut in Japanese restaurants isn’t expensive either.
I: How about getting around? What’s the public transport like?
S: There’s a really good public transport system here. The metro system is fantastic. It’s very fast,
and it’s cheap, so lots of people use it. That’s the only probl em. It gets very crowded.
I: And what do you like best about living in Tokyo?
S: Ah, the food, definitely. I love Japanese food! And the green spaces. There are lots of parks
and green spaces, so it’s less polluted than you think. Conversation 3
I = Interviewer; C = Charlie
I: What about Sydney? What’s Sydney like, Charlie? C: Sydney is one of the best cities in the world. There are lots of young, friendly people living
here, so there’s a really good atmosphere. The streets are clean and safe and there are lots of things to see and do. There are beauti ful buildings, like the Opera House. You can sit and watch the boats on the harbor. And it has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. I: What’s the weather like? Is it really hot?
C: The weather is perfect. It’s never too hot and never too cold. You can eat outside all year
round, so there’s a great café culture with lots of places on th e streets selling really good coffee.
I: So, are there any problems?
C: Problems? Not really. Traffic, I suppose. Too much traffic and a terrible public transport
system. Scripts
P&F = Phillip Scholfield and Fern Britton; JL = Jay Leno; GN = Gr aham Norton;
TS = Tim Samuels; G = George Clooney; J = Joan; W = Winnie; A = A lf
P&F: The Zimmers! Hurray! JL: The Zimmers! GN: The Zimmers!
TS: Who’d have thought it would come to this? When 40 isolated o ld people formed a rock
band. This is the story of how The Zimmers, with a combined age o f nearly 3,000 took the rock world by storm. And even took their mess age all the way to Hollywood.
G: Congratulations, you guys. Hello. Hi, I’m George. How are you?
I hear you’re all over the charts.
TS: Four months ago, we set about making a film about what it’s like being old in Britain today.
We found many who were lonely and forgotten, cast aside by societ y.
J: Hello.
TS: Hello, Joan. I’m Tim. Eighty-two-year-old Joan had been stuc k indoors since a bad fall
three years ago.
J: When I have left the flat, it’s only ever for something li ke that, the doctor’s, the dentist …
you know, not … I haven’t been for pleasure.
TS: Nighty-nine-year-old Winnie was a serial care-home mover. She just couldn’t find one that
felt right. Over the last decade, she’d moved care homes 16 time s. Boredom drove Winnie from her last home. How do you feel about lea ving this place?
W: Nothing but joy.
TS: And 90-year-old Alf was facing the closure of his local bingo club, which meant there
would be nowhere to meet his friends.
A: I’m gonna lose these people, when that closes, it’s because I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta find new
friends. And at our ages, it’s so difficult.
TS: So, we thought we would try and get these cast-aside old peop le heard again. And what
better way than record a charity single, and try and storm the ch arts. All we had to do was convince them we were serious. Eventually, 40 pensioners took a leap of faith and came together at the world-fa mous Abbey Road Studios, to record a cover version of The Who’s “My Generation”. The name of their band, The Zimmers.
TS: It was a day when people made friends, and came alive again.
W: I’ve never kissed a 101-year-old yet.
TS: What’s more, it looked like we might even have a decent
sing le on our hands. And when we
made the video available online, it proved a sensation. Two milli on people watched it in the first few days.
Speaking for communication Scripts Conversation 1
G = Guest; R = Receptionist
G: Oh hello. Er, could you help me? There’s a problem with the a ir conditioning.
R: Oh yes?
G: I’ve just tried to switch it on, but it doesn’t work. R: Is it completely dead?
G: Completely. Absolutely nothing.
R: OK, we’ll look into it right away. I’ll send someone up. It’ll be about five minutes, OK? G: Thanks.
R: You’re welcome. And sorry about that. Conversation 2
W = Waitress; D = Diner; M = Manager
D: I’m afraid I have a complaint. Could I speak to the manager, please?
W: Oh, yes, of course.
M: Good evening, sir. I understand there’s a problem. D: Yes. I’m afraid I have a complaint. M: Oh?
D: Well, we got here at eight. And then we waited about 20 minute s for a table.
M: Right.
D: This is for a table we’d booked for eight, OK? Then we waited another hour for our meal. M: Right.
D: One hour. Then when the bill arrived they put this extra charg e on it.
M: An extra charge? That’s probably the service charge. D: Well, could you check this for me, please? M: Yes, that’s service.
D: Well, to be honest, I don’t want to pay this.
M: Of course not. Well, sir, I am really sorry about that. It’s a very busy time of year.
Conversation 3
(The Eight Thirty-two to Cambridge has been delayed. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.)
W = Woman; M = Man
W: Excuse me. Do you work here? M: Yes.
W: Do you know when the next train will be arriving? I mean, I’v e been here for over an hour. M: I’m sorry but there’s nothing we c an do at the moment. Everything is delayed.
W: And you don’t know when the next train is coming? M: No.
W: Or why there’s a delay? M: Snow. W: What?
M: Snow on the track. It was the wrong type of snow. W: What do you mean “the wrong type of snow”? You’re kidding, right?
Further practice in listening Scripts Conversation 1
W: I love the modern conveniences and efficient public transporta tion the big city offers, and
above all, much greater access to a variety of entertainment. M: The greatest advantage of living in a large city is that I can eat a huge variety of food from
different cultures.
Q: What attracts the woman most in a big city? Conversation 2
M: There seems to be nowhere to park outdoors. Shall we try under ground parking?
W: Underground parking is always a nightmare for inexperienced dr ivers like me. More than once
my car has been scratched on the side when driving down the narro w slopes.
Q: What do we know from what the woman said? Conversation 3
M: Many people think that big cities such as London and New York would be wonderful places to
live in.
W: The problem is that as too many individuals think that way and move into these cities, the
resulting crowdedness and high house prices undermine their attra ctions.
Q: What does the woman imply? Conversation 4
W: The number of citizens above the age of 60 will increase from the current 147 million to 174
million this year, representing about one-eighth of the total pop ulation.
M: The aging problem has not only come earlier than anticipated b ut also come about rapidly. Q: What does the man say about the aging problem?
Conversation 5
M: I live in New York, and for me, there’s nothing that compares to its culture, energy and
convenience.
W: But I also know that people living in big cities tend to be un der greater pressure and have a
greater risk of mental disorders.
Q: What does the woman think about the people living in big citie s?
Scripts
M: Hi Emily! Something troubling you?
W: Not sleeping well. My husband’s got a new job in S anta Fe, Ne w Mexico! I’m a girl born and
raised in big cities. I’m a little worried … M: What about?
W: Well, my hometown has about 4.5 million people! You know how m any people live in Santa
Fe?
M: Not exactly, but, listen!
W: Well, I looked up the populat ion and it’s like 70,000! Tiny! It really is a great job for John –
my husband, but in a small town! I’m sure there will be no good restaurants, or nice places to walk, no nightlife …
M: Whoa! Wait a minute Emily! Did you do anything besides looking at the population of Santa
Fe?
W: Uh, no …
M: You’re jumping to conclusions –and they’re all wrong! I’m from Santa Fe! It does have a
small population –but it’s an amazing place! The history and a rchitecture are unique. The city center was built in the 1600s by the Spanish. It’s full of beautiful shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a nd art galleries. It has amazing nightlife – full of
wonderful peopl e. That’s why famous writers and movie stars love Santa Fe, too!
W: Wow, sounds great … What about outdoor life?
M: It’s wonderful! The colors of the sky and mountains are so be autiful that artists come from
around the world to paint! And the sky at night is so full of sta rs that you feel like you can reach out and touch them. It’s a magic
al place, Emily. Soon you’ll realize how lucky you are. You’ll have a long line of family and friends waiting to come and visit you in Sa nta Fe!
Scripts
Living in the city is hard enough for a single person, but if you have kids life can get more
complex. Finding ways to keep the little ones occupied can be a f ull-time job. So it should be no surprise that parents will go to gre at lengths to get a little peace and quiet.
However, when I first got to know that some parents bought their young children – not teenagers – iPads, I was shocked. Who spends $500 on an iPad for a young child when so many adults in the United S tates go without or have limited access to computers and the Internet? Whatever happened to Lego, building blocks and colored pencils? And for those slightly older kids how about a good, old-fashioned book in stead of an iPad for the car journey to the beach?
Recently, I was at dinner with a couple and I brought up the subj ect of parents buying iPads for their young children. I was curious t o see how they responded since I knew they had three young kids. It t urned out they are a part of this growing trend. The iPad can downloa d or stream cartoons, so it makes for
excellent entertainment when th ey’re trying to get to the grocery store or head out of the city for
the annual family vacation. But the best thing about iPads is that th ere are games and educational applications for nearly every age leve l.
It got me thinking that maybe my first reaction was a little too “reactionary”. Now I can understand the parents a little better. If I had three kids and was living in the city they would probably have an iPad, too.
Q1: What shocked the speaker?
Q2: What is appropriate for slightly older kids according to the speaker?
Q3: What is the best thing about iPads according to the couple?
Q4: What does the speaker think of buying iPads for kids after ta lking with the couple?
Scripts and answers
Around the world smart cities are being built while those we have lived in for centuries are being upgraded for the future. A smart ci ty may mean one that uses data on traffic to ease entire cities up to the network.
Masdar is a city that stands in the middle of the desert of Abu D habi in the United Arab to be carbon free. the system of advanced tec hnologies that run it. It is pedestrian-friendly and entirely car fre
e. The transit – will run six meters under street level across the c ity. The buildings in the city have been buildings including The City Hall in London.
It is hoped that 40,000 people will eventually live in the city, with up to 50,000 10)
因篇幅问题不能全部显示，请点此查看更多更全内容