NCE1-123 A trip to Australia

Who is the man with the beard?
Look, Scott. This is a photograph I took during my trip to Australia.
Let me see it, Mike.
This is a good photograph.
Who are these people?
They're people I met during the trip.
That's the ship we travelled on.
What a beautiful ship!
Who's this?
That's the man I told you about.
Remember?
Ah yes.
The one who offered you a job in Australia.
That's right.
Who's this?
Guess!
It's not you, is it?
That's right.
I grew a beard during the trip.
but I shaved it off when I came home.
My wife didn't like it!

NCE1-121 The man in a hat

Why didn't Caroline the customer straight away?
I bought two expensive dictionaries here half an hour ago, but I forget to take them with me.
Who served you, sir?
The lady who is standing behind the counter.
Which books did you buy?
The books which are on the counter.
Did you serve this gentleman half an hour ago, Caroline?
He say he's the man who bought these books.
I can't remember.
The man who I served was wearing a hat.
Here you got a hat, sir?
Yes, I have.
Would you put it on, please?
All right.
Is this the man that you served, Caroline?
Yes, I recognize him now.

NCE1-119 A true story

Who called out to the thieves in the dark?

Do you like stories?

I want to tell you a true story.

It happened to a friend of mine a year ago.

While my friend, George, was reading in bed, two thieves climbed into his kitchen.

After they had entered the house, they went into the dining room.

It was very dark, so they turned on a torch.

Suddenly, they heard a voice behind them.

'What's up? What's up?' someone called.

The thieves dropped the torch and run away as quickly as they could.

George heard the noise and came downstairs quickly.

He turned on the light, but he couldn't see anyone.

The thieves had already gone.

But George's parrot, Henry, was still there.

What's up, George? he called.

'Nothing, Henry,' George said and smiled.

'Go back to sleep.'

NCE1-117 Tommy's breakfast

What does she mean by 'change' in the last sentence?
When my husband was going into the dining room this morning,
he dropped some coins on the floor.
There were coins everywhere.
We looked for them, but we could not find them all.
While we were having breakfast, our little boy, Tommy, found two small coins on the floor.
He put them both into his mouth.
We both tried to get the coins, but it was too late.
Tommy had already swallowed them!
Late that morning, when I was doing the housework,
My husband phoned me from the office.
'How's Tommy?' he asked.
'I don't know,' I answered,
'Tommy's been to the toilet three times this morning, but I haven't had any change yet!'

NCE1-115 Knock, Knock!

What does Jim have to drink?
Isn't there anyone at home?
I'll knock again, Helen.
Everything's very quiet.
I'm sure there's no one at home.
But that's impossible.
Carol and Tom invited us to lunch.
Look through the window.
Can you see anything?
Nothing at all.
Let's try the back door.
Look! Everyone's in the garden.
Hello, Helen. Hello, Jim.
Everybody wants to have lunch in the garden.
It's nice and warm out here.
Come and have something to drink.
Thanks, Carol.
May I have a glass of beer please?
Beer? There's none left.
You can have some lemonade.
Lemonade!
Don't believe her, Jim.
She's only joking.
Have some beer!

NCE1-113 Small change

Who has got small change?
Fares, please!
Trafalgar Square, please.
I'm sorry, sir. I can't change a ten-pound note.
Haven't you got any small change?
I've got no small change, I am afraid.
I'll ask some of the passengers.
Have you any small change, sir?
I'm sorry. I've got none.
I haven't got any either.
Can you change this ten-pound note, madam?
I'm afraid I can't.
Neither can I.
I'm very sorry, sir.
You must get off the bus.
None of our passengers can change this note.
They're all millionaires!
Except us.
I've got some small change.
So have I.

NCE1-111 The most expensive model

Can Mr. Frith buy the television on instalments? How does it work?
I like this television very much.
How much does it cost?
It's the most expensive model in the shop.
It cost five hundred pounds.
That's too expensive for us.
We can't afford all that money.
This model's less expensive than that  one.
It's only three hundred pounds.
But, of course, it's not as good as the expensive one.
I don't like this model.
The other model's more expensive, but it's worth the money.
Can we buy it on instalments?
Of course. You can pay a deposit of thirty pounds,
and then fourteen pounds a month for three years.
Do you like it, dear?
I certainly do, but I don't like the price.
You always want the best, but we can't afford it.
Sometime you think you're a millionaire!
Millionaires don't buy things on instalments!

NCE1-109 A good idea

What dose Jane have with her coffee?
Shall I make some coffee, Jane?
That's a good idea, Charlotte.
It's ready. Do you want any milk?
Just a little, please.
What about some sugar?
Two teaspoonfuls?
No, less than that.
One and a half teaspoonfuls, please.
That's enough for me.
That was very nice.
Would you like some more?
Yes, please.
I'd like a cigarette, too. May I have one?
of course.
I think there are a few in the box.
I'm afraid it's empty.
What a pity!
It doesn't matter.
Have a biscuit instead.
Eat more and smoke less!
That's very good advice!

NCE1-107 It's too small.

What kind of dress does the Lady want?

Do you like this dress, madam?

I like the color very much.

It's a lovely dress, but it's too small for me.

What about this one?

It's a lovely dress. It's very smart.

Short skirts are in fashion now.

Would you like to try it?

All right.

I'm afraid this green dress is too small for me as well.

It's smaller than the blue one.

I don't like the color either.

It doesn't suit me at all.

I think the blue dress is prettier.

Could you show me another blue dress?

I want a dress like that one, but it must be my size.
I'm afraid I haven't got a larger dress.

This is the largest dress in the shop.

NCE1-105 Full of mistakes

What was Sandra's present?
Where's Sandra, Bob?
I want her.
Do you want to speak to her?
Yes, I do.
I want her to come to my office.
Tell her to come at once.
Did you want to see me?
Ah, yes, Sandra.
How do you spell 'intelligent'?
Can you tell me?
I-N-T-E-L-L-I-G-E-N-T
That's right.
You've typed it with only one 'L'.
This letter's full of mistakes.
I want you to type it again.
Yes, I'll do that. I'm sorry about that.
And here's a little present for you.
What is it?
It's a dictionary.
I hope it'll help you.

NCE1-103 The French test

How long did the exam last?
How was the exam, Richard?
Not too bad. I think I passed in English and Mathematics.
The questions were very easy. How about you, Gary?
The English and Maths papers weren't easy enough for me.
I hope I haven't failed.
I think I failed the French paper.
I could answer sixteen of the questions.
They were very easy.
But I couldn't answer the rest. They were too difficult for me.
French tests are awful, aren't they?
I hate them. I'm sure I've got a low mark.
Oh, cheer up! Perhaps we didn't do too badly.
The guy next to me wrote his name at the top of paper.
Yes?
Then he sat there and looked at it for three hours.
He didn't write a word!

NCE1-101 A card from Jimmy

Does grandmother seem pleased to get a card from Jimmy? Why /Why not?

Read Jimmy's card to me please, Penny.

'I have just arrived in Scotland and I'm staying at a Youth Hostel.'

Eh?

He says he's just arrived in Scotland.

He say he's staying at a Youth Hostel.

You know he's a member of the Y.H.A.

The what?

The Y.H.A., Mum. The Youth Hostels Association.

What else dose he say?

'I'll write a letter soon. I hope you are all well.'

What? Speak up, Penny. I'm afraid I can't hear you.

He says he'll write a letter soon.

He hopes we are all well. 'Love, Jimmy.'

Is that all? He doesn't say very much, does he?

He can't write very much on a card, Mum.

NCE1-99 Ow!

Must Andy go to see the doctor?
Ow!
What's the matter, Andy?
I slipped and fell downstairs.
Have you hurt yourself?
Yes, I have. I think that I've hurt my back.
Try and stand up. Can you stand up?
Here. Let me help you.
I'm sorry, Lucy.
I'm afraid that I can't get up.
I think that the doctor had better see you.
I'll phone Dr.Carter.
The doctor says that he will come at once.
I'm sure that you need X-ray, Andy.

NCE1-97 A small blue case

Does Mr. Hall get his case back?
I left a suitcase on the train to London the other day.
Can you describe it, sir?
It's a small blue case and it's got a zip.
There's a label on the handle with my name and address on it.
Is this case yours?
No, that's not mine.
What about this one?
This one's got a label.
Let me see it.
What's your name and address?
David Hall, 83, Bridge Street.
Three pounds fifty pence, please.
Here you are.
Thanks you.
Hey!
What's the matter?
This case doesn't belong to me!
You've given me the wrong case!

NCE1-95 Ticket, please.

Why did George and Ken miss the train?
Two return tickets to London, please.
What time will the next train leave?
At nineteen minutes past eight.
Which platform?
Platform Two. Over the bridge.
What time will the next train leave?
At eight nineteen.
We've got plenty of time.
It's only three minutes to eight.
Let's go and have drink.
There's a bar next door yo the station.
We had better go back to the station now, Ken.
Tickets, please.
We want to catch the eight nineteen to London.
You've just missed it!
What!
It's only eight fifteen.
I'm sorry, sir.
That clock's ten minutes slow.
When's the next train?
In five hours' time!

NCE1-93 Our new neighbor

Why is Nigel a lucky man?
Nigel is our new next-door neighbor.
He's a pilot.
He was in the R.A.F.
He will fly to New York next month.
The month after next he'll fly to Tokyo.
At the moment, he's in Madrid.
He flew to Spain a week ago.
He'll return to London the week after next.
He's only forty-one years old, and he has already been to nearly every country in the world.
Nigel is a very lucky man.
But his wife isn't very lucky.
She usually stays at home!

NCE1-91 Poor Ian!

Who wanted to sell the house?
Has Ian sold his house yet?
Yes, he has. He sold it last week.
Has he moved to his new house yet?
No, not yet. He's still here.
He's going to move tomorrow.
When? Tomorrow morning?
No. Tomorrow afternoon.
I'll miss him.
He has always been a good neighbor.
He's very nice person. We'll all miss him.
When will the new people move into this house?
I think that they'll move in the day after tomorrow.
Will you see Ian today, Jenny?
Yes, I will.
Please give him my regards.
Poor Ian! He didn't want to leave this house.
No, he didn't want to leave, but his wife did.

NCE1-89 For sale

Why couldn't Nigel decide?
Good afternoon.
I believe that this house is for sale.
That's right.
May I have a look at it, please?
Yes, of course. Come in.
How long have you lived here?
I've lived here for twenty years.
Twenty years! That's a long time.
Yes, I've been here since 1976.
Then why do you want to sell it?
Because I've just retired.
I want to buy a small house in the country.
How much does this house cost?
£ 68500.
That's a lot of money!
It's worth every penny of it.
Well, I like the house, but I can't decide yet.
My wife must see it first.
Women always have the last word.

NCE1-87 A car crash

Can the mechanics repair Mr. Wood's car?
Is my car ready yet?
I don't know, sir.
What's the number of you car?
It's LFZ 312 G
When did you bring it to us?
I brought it here three days ago.
Ah yes, I remember now.
Have your mechanics finished yet?
No, they're still working on it.
Let's go into the garage and have a look at it.
Isn't that your car?
Well, it was my car.
Didn't you have a crash?
That's right. I drove it into a lamppost.
Can your mechanics repair it?
Well, they're trying to repair it, Sir.
But to tell you the truth, you need a new car!

NCE1-85 'Pairs in the Spring'.

At what time of year did Ken visit Pairs?

Hello, Ken.

Hi, George.

Have you just been to the cinema?

Yes, I have.

What's on?

'Pairs in the Spring'.

Oh, I've already seen it.

I saw it on television last year.

It's an old film, but it's very good.

Pairs is beautiful city.

I've never been there.

Have you ever been there, Ken?

Yes, I have. I was there in April.

Pairs in the spring, eh?

It was spring, but the weather was awful.

It rained all the time.

Just like London!

NCE1-83 Going on holiday

Where did Sam go for his holiday this year?

Hello, Sam. Come in.

Hi, Sam. We're having lunch.

Do you want to have lunch with us?

No, thank you, Tom.

I've already had lunch. I had lunch at half past twelve.

Have a cup of coffee then.

I've just had a cup, thank you.

I had one after my lunch.

Let's go into the living room, Carol.

We can have our coffee there.

Excuse the mess, Sam.

This room's very untidy.

We're packing our suitcases.

We're going to leave tomorrow.

Tom and I are going to have a holiday.

Aren't you lucky!

When are you going to have a holiday, Sam?

I don't know. I've already had my holiday this year.

Where did you go?

I stayed at home!

NCE1-81 Roast beef and potatoes

Why is Carol disappointed?
Hi, Carol! Where's Tom?
He's upstairs. He's having a bath.
Tom!
Yes?
Sam's here.
I'm nearly ready.
Hello, Sam. Have a cigarette.
No, thanks, Tom.
Have a glass of whisky then.
OK. Thanks.
Is dinner ready, Carol?
It's nearly ready. We can have dinner at seven o'clock.
Sam and I had lunch together today.
We went to a restaurant.
What did you have?
We had roast beef and potatoes.
Oh.
What's the matter, Carol?
Well, you're going to have roast beef and potatoes again tonight!

NCE1-79 Carol's shopping list

What is Carol not going to buy?
What are you doing, Carol?
I'm making a shopping list, Tom.
What do we need?
We need a lot of things this week.
I must go to the grocer's.
We haven,t got much tea or coffee, and we haven't got any sugar or jam.
What about vegetables?
I must go to the greengrocer's.
We haven't got many tomatoes, but we've got a lot of potatoes.
I must go to the butcher's, too.
We need some meat.
We haven't got any meat at all.
Have we got any beer and wine?
No, we haven't. And I'm not going to get any!
I hope that you've got some money.
I haven't got much.
Well, I haven't got much either!

NCE1-77 Terrible toothache

What time of day is it, do you think? How do you know?
Good morning, Mr. Croft.
Good morning, nurse.
I want to see the dentist, please.
Do you have an appointment?
No, I don't.
Is it urgent?
Yes, it is. It's very urgent. I feel awful.
I have a terrible toothache.
Can you come at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 24th?
I must see the dentist now, nurse.
The dentist is very busy at the moment.
Can you come at 2 p.m.?
That's very late. Can the dentist see me now?
I'm afraid that he can't, Mr. Croft.
Can't you wait till this afternoon?
I can wait, but my toothache can't!

NCE1-75 Uncomfortable shoes

What's wrong with the fashionable shoes?
Do you have any shoes like these?
What size?
Size five.
What color?
Black.
I'm sorry. We don't have any.
But my sister bought this pair last month.
Did she bought them in the U.S.
We had some shoes like those a month ago, but we don't have any now.
Can you get a pair for me, please?
I'm afraid that I can't.
They were in fashion last year and the year before last.
But they're not in fashion this year.
These shoes are in fashion now.
They look very uncomfortable.
They are very uncomfortable.
But women always wear uncomfortable shoes!

NCE1-73 The way to King Street

Why did the man need a phrasebook?
Last week Mrs. Mills went to London.
She does not know London very well, and she lost her way.
Suddenly, she saw a man near a bus stop.
'I can ask him the way,' she said to herself.
'Excuse me,' she said. 'Can you tell me the way to King Street, please?'
The man smiled pleasantly.
He did not understand English!
He spoke German. He was a tourist.
Then he put his hand into his pocket, and took out a phrasebook.
He opened the book and found a phrase.
He read the phrase slowly.
'I am sorry,' he said. 'I do not speak English.'

NCE1-71 He's awful!

How did Pauline answer the telephone at nine o'clock?
What's Ron Marston like, Pauline?
He's awful!
He telephone me four times yesterday and three times the day before yesterday.
He telephoned the office yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon.
My boss answered the telephone.
What did your boss say to him?
He said, "Pauline is typing letters. She can't speak to you now!"
Then I arrived home six o'clock yesterday evening.
He telephoned again.
But I didn't answer the phone!
Did he telephone again last night?
Yes, he did.
He telephoned at nine o'clock.
What did you say to him?
I said, 'This is Pauline's mother. Please don't telephone my daughter again!'
Did he telephone again.
No, he didn't!

NCE1-69 The car race

Which car was the winner in 1995?
There is a car race near our town every year.
In 1995, there was a very big race.
There were hundreds of people there.
My wife and I were at the race.
Our friends Julie and Jack were there, too.
You can see us in the crowd.
We are standing on the left.
There were twenty cars in the race.
There were English cars, French cars, German cars, Italian cars, American cars and Japanese cars.
It was an exciting finish.
The winner was Billy Stewart.
He was in car number fifteen.
Five other cars were just behind him.
On the way home, my wife said to me, 'Don't drive so quickly! You're not Billy Stewart!'

NCE1-67 The wekend

What are the Johnsons going to do at the weekend?
Hello. Were you at the butcher's?
Yes, I was.
Were you at the butcher's, too?
No, I wasn't.
I was at the greengrocer's.
How's Jimmy today?
He's very well, thank you.
Was he absent from school last week?
Yes, he was.
He was absent on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
How are you all keeping?
Very well, thank you.
We're going to spend three days in the country!
We're going to stay at my mother's for the weekend.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the country!
Aren't you lucky!

NCE1-65 Not a bady

Dose Jill take the key to the front door?
What are you going to do this evening, Jill?
I'm going to meet some friends, Dad.
You mustn't come home late.
You must be home at half past ten.
I can't get home so early, Dad!
Can I have the key to the front door, please?
No, you can't.
Jill's eighteen years old, Tom.
She's not a baby.
Give her the key.
She always comes home early.
Oh, all right!
Here you are.
But you mustn't come home after a quarter past eleven.
Do you hear?
Yes, Dad
Thanks, Mum.
That's all right.
Goodbye.

NCE1-63 Thank you, doctor

Who else is in bed today? Why?
How's Jimmy today?
Better. Thank you, doctor.
Can I see him please, Mrs. Williams?
Certainly, doctor. Come upstairs.
You look very well, Jimmy.
You are better now, but you mustn't get up yet.
You must stay in bed for another two days.
The boy mustn't go to school yet, Mrs. Williams.
And he mustn't eat rich food.
Does he have a temperature, doctor?
No, he doesn't.
Must he stay in bed?
Yes. He must remain in bed for another two days.
He can get up for about two hours each day, but you must keep the room warm.
Where's Mr. Williams this evening?
He's in bed, doctor.
Can you see him please?
He has a bad cold, too!

NCE1-61 A bad cold

What is good news for Jimmy?
Where's Jimmy?
He's in bed.
What's the matter with him?
He feels ill.
He looks ill.
We must call the doctor.
Yes, we must.
Can you remember the doctor's telephone number?
Yes, It's 09754.
Open your mouth, Jimmy. Show me your tongue. Say, 'Ah'.
What's the matter with him, doctor?
He has a bad cold, Mr. Williams, so he must stay in bed for a week.
That's good news for Jimmy.
Good news? Why?
Because he doesn't like school!

NCE1-59 Is that all?

Does the lady buy any chalk?
I want some envelopes, please.
Do you want the large size or the small size?
The large size, please.
Do you have any writing paper?
Yes, we do.
I don't have any small pads.
I only have  large ones.
Do you want a pad?
Yes, please.
And I want some glue.
A bottle of glue.
And I want a large box of chalk, too.
I only have small boxes.
Do you want one?
No, thank you.
Is that all?
That's all, thank you.
What else do you want?
I want my change.

NCE1-57 An unusual day

What is Mr. Sawyer doing tonight?
It is eight o'clock.
The children go to school by car every day, but today, they are going to school on foot.
It is ten o'clock.
Mrs. Sawyer usually stays at home in the morning, but this morning, she is going to the shops.
It is four o'clock.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Sawyer usually drinks tea in the living room.
But this afternoon, she is drinking tea in the garden.
It is six o'clock.
In the evening, the children usually do their homework, but this evening, they are not doing their homework.
At the moment, they are playing in the garden.
It is nine o'clock.
Mr. Sawyer usually reads his newspaper at night.
But he's not reading his newspaper tonight.
At the moment, he's reading an interesting book.

NCE1-55 The Sawyer family

When do the children do their homework?
The Sawyers live at 87 King Street.
In the morning, Mr. Sawyer goes to work and the children go to school.
Their father takes them to school every day.
Mrs. Sawyer stays at home every day.
She does the homework.
She always eats her lunch at noon.
In the afternoon, she usually sees her friends.
They often drink tea together.
In the evening, the children come home from school.
They arrive home early.
Mr.Sawyer comes home from work.
He arrives home late.
At night, the children always do their homework.
Then they go to bed.
Mr.Sawyer usually reads his newspaper, but sometimes he and his wife watch television.

NCE1-53 An interesting climate

What is the favourite subject of conversation in England?

Where do you come from?

I come from England.

What's the climate like in your country?

It's mild, but it's not always pleasant.

The weather's often cold in the North and windy in the East.

It's often wet in the West and sometimes warm in the South.

Which seasons do you like best?

I like spring and summer.

The days are long and the nights are short.

The sun rises early and sets late.

I don't like autumn and winter.

The days are short and the nights are long.

The sun rises late and sets early.

Our climate in not very good, but it's certainly interesting.

It's our favourite subject of conversation.

NCE1-51 A pleasant climate

Does it ever snow in Greece?

Where do you come from?

I come from Greece.

What's the climate like your country?

It's very pleasant.

What's the weather like in spring?

It's often windy in March.

It's always warm in April and May, but it rains sometimes.

What's it like in summer?

It's always hot in June, July and August.

The sun shines every day.

Is it cold or warm in autumn?

It's always warm in September and October.

It's often cold in November and it rains sometimes.

Is it very cold in winter?

It's often cold in December, January and February.

It snows sometimes.

NCE1-49 At the buthcher's

What does Mr. Bird like?

Do you want any meat today. Mrs. Bird?

Yes, please.

Do you want beef or lamb?

Beef, please.

This lamb's very good.

I like lamb, but my husband doesn't.

What about some steak?

This is a nice piece.

Give me that piece, please.

And a pound of mince, too.

Do you want a chicken, Mrs. Bird.

They're very nice.

No, thank you.

My husband likes steak, But he doesn't like chicken.

To tell you the truth, Mrs. Bird.

I don't like chicken either!

NCE1-47 A cup of coffee

How dose Ann like her coffee?
Do you like coffee, Ann?
Yes, I do.
Do you want a cup?
Yes, please, Christine.
Do you want any sugar?
Yes, please.
Do you want any milk?
No, thank you.
I don't like milk in my coffee.
I like black coffee.
Do you like biscuits?
Yes, I do.
Do you want one?
Yes, Please.

NCE1-45 The boss's letter

Why can't Pamela type the letter?
Can you come here a minute please, Bob?
Yes, sir?
Where's Pamela?
She's next door.
She's in her office, sir.
Can she type this letter for me?
Ask her please.
Yes, sir.
Can you type this letter for the boss please, Pamela?
Yes, of course I can.
Here you are.
Thank you, Bob.
Bob!
Yes?
What's the matter?
I can't type this letter.
I can't read it!
The boss's handwriting is terrible!

NCE1-43 Hurry up!

How do you know Sam doesn't make the tea very often?
Can you make sure the tea, Sam?
Yes, of course I can, Penny.
Is there any water in this kettle?
Yes, there is.
Where's the tea?
It,s over there, behind the teapot.
Can you see it?
I can see the teapot, but I can't see the tea.
There it is!
It's in front of you.
Ah yes, I can see it now.
Where are the cups?
There are some in the cupboard.
Can you find them?
Yes, Here they are.
Hurry up, Sam!
The kettle's boiling!

NCE1-41 Penny's bag

Who is the tin of tobacco for?
Is that bag heavy, Penny.
Not very.
Here!
Put it on this chair.
What's in it?
A piece of cheese.
A loaf of bread.
A bar of soap.
A bar of chocolate.
A bottle of milk.
A pound of sugar.
Half a pound of coffee.
A quarter of pound of tea.
And a tin of tobacco.
Is that tin of tobacco for me?
Well, it's certainly not for me!