NCE1-143 A walk through the woods

What was so funny about the words on the sign.
I live in a very old town which is surrounded by beautiful woods.
It is a famous beauty spot.
On Sundays, hundreds of people come from the city to see our town and walk through the woods.
Visitors have been asked to keep the woods clean and tidy.
Little baskets have been placed under the trees, but people still throw their rubbish everywhere.
Last Wednesday, I went for a walk in the woods.
What I saw made me very sad.
I counted seven old cars and three old refrigerators.
The little baskets were empty and the ground was covered with pieces of paper, cigarette ends, old tyres, empty bottles and rusty tins.
Among the rubbish, I found a sign which said, 'Anyone who leaves litter in these woods will be prosecuted!'

NCE1-141 Sally's first train ride

Why was the mother embarrassed?
Last week, my four-year-old daughter, Sally, was invited to a children's party.
I decided to take her by train.
Sally was very excited because she had never travelled on a train before.
She sat near the window and asked questions about everything she saw.
Suddenly, a middle-aged lady got on the train and sat opposite Sally.
'Hello, little girl,' she said.
Sally did not answer, but looked at her curiously.
The lady was dressed in a blue coat and a large, funny hat.
After the train had left the station, the lady opened her handbag ant took out her powder compact.
She then began to make up her face.
'Why are you doing that?' Sally asked.
'To make myself beautiful,' the lady answered.
She put away her compact and smiled kindly.
'But you are still ugly,' Sally said.
Sally was amused, but I was very embarrassed!

NCE1-39 Is that you, John?

Which John Smith does Graham Turner think he is talking to?
Is that you, John?
Yes, speaking.
Tell Mary we'll be late for dinner this evening.
I'm afraid I don't understand.
Hasn't Mary told you?
She invited Charlotte and me to dinner this evening.
I said I would be at your house at six o'clock, but the boss wants me to do some extra work.
I'll have to stay at the office.
I don't know when I'll finish.
Oh, and by the way, my wife wants to know if Mary needs any help.
I don't know what you're talking about.
That is John Smith, isn't it?
Yes, I'm John Smith.
You are John Smith, the engineer, aren't you?
That's right.
You work for the Overseas Engineering Company, don't you?
No, I don't.
I'm John Smith the telephone engineer and I'm repairing your telephone line.

NCE1-137 A pleasant dream

What would Julie like to do, if she had the money?
Are you doing the football pools, Brian?
Yes, I've nearly finished, Julie.
I'm sure we'll win something this week.
You always say that, but we never win anything!
What will you do if you win a lot of money?
If I win a lot of money I'll buy you a mink coat.
I don't want a mink coat!
I want to see the world.
All right.
If we win a lot of money we'll travel around the world and we'll stay at the best hotels.
Then we'll return home and buy a big house in the country.
We'll have a beautiful garden and.........
But if we spend all that money we'll be poor again.
What'll we do then?
If we spend all the money we'll try and win the football pools again.
It's a pleasant dream but everything depends on 'if'!

NCE1-135 The latest report

Is Karen Marsh going to retire, do you think?
Are you really going to retire, Miss Marsh?
I may.
I can't make up my mind.
I will have to ask my future husband.
He won't let me make another film.
Your future husband, Miss Marsh?
Yes. Let me introduce him to you.
His name is Carlos.
We're going to get married next week.
Look, Liz!
Here's another report about Karen Marsh.
Listen: 'Karen Marsh: The latest.
At her London Hotel today Miss Marsh told reporters she might retire.
She said she couldn't make up her mind.
She said she would have to ask her future husband.
She said her future husband would not let her make another film.
Then she introduced us to Carlos and told us they would get married next week.
That's sensational news, isn't it, Kate?
It certainly is.
He'll be her sixth husband!

NCE1-133 Sensational news!

What reasons did Karen Marsh give for wanting to retire?

Have you just made a new film, Miss Marsh?

Yes, I have.

Are you going to make another?

No,I'm not.

I'm going to retire.

I feel very tired.

I don't want to make another film for a long time.

Let's buy a newspaper, Liz.

Listen to this! 'Karen Marsh: Sensational News!

By our reporter, Alan Jones.

Karen Marsh arrived at London Airport today.

She was wearing a blue dress and a mink coat.

She told me she had just made a new film.

She said she was not going to make another.

She said she was going to retire.

She told reporters she felt very tired and didn't want to make another film for a long time.

I wonder why!

NCE1-131 Don't be so sure!

What's the problem about deciding on a holiday?
Where are you going to spend your holidays this year, Gary?
We may go abroad.
I'm not sure.
My wife wants to go to Egypt.
I'd like to go there, too.
We can't make up our minds.
Will you travel by sea or by air?
We may travel by sea.
It's cheaper, isn't it?
It may be cheaper, but it takes a long time.
I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves.
Don't be so sure.
We might not go anywhere.
My wife always worries too much.
Who's going to look after the dog?
Who's going to look after the house?
Who's going to look after the garden?
We have this problem every year.
In the end, we stay at home and look after everything!

NCE1-129 Seventy miles an hour

What does Ann advise her husband to do next time?
Look, Gary!
That policeman's waving to you.
He wants you to stop.
Where do you think you are?
On a race track?
You must have been driving at seventy miles an hour.
I can't have been.
I was doing eighty when I overtook you.
Didn't you see the speed limit?
I'm afraid I didn't, officer.
I must have been dreaming.
He wasn't dreaming. officer.
I was telling him to drive slowly.
That's why I didn't see the sign.
Let me see you driving licence.
I won't charge you this time.
But you'd better not do it again!
Thank you. I'll certainly be more careful.
I told you to drive slowly, Gary.
You always tell me to drive slowly, darling.
Well, next time  you'd better take my advice!

NCE1-127 A famous actress

Who is only twenty-nine, and why is it so unclear?

Can you recognize that woman, Liz?

I think I can, Kate.

It must be Karen Marsh, the actress.

I thought so.

Who's that beside her?

That must be Conrad Reeves.

Conrad Reeves, the actor?

It can't be.

Let me have another look.

I think you're right!

Isn't he her third husband?

No. He must be her fourth or fifth.

Doesn't Karen Marsh look old!

She does, doesn't she!

I read she's twenty-nine, but she must be at least forty.

I'm sure she is.

She was a famous actress when I was still at school.

That was a long time ago, wasn't it?

Not that long ago!

I'm not more than twenty-nine myself.

NCE1-125 Tea for two

Does Susan have tea by herself?
Can't you come in and have tea now, Peter
Not yet.
I must water the garden first.
Do you have to water it now?
I'm afraid I must.
Look at it!
It's terribly dry.
What a nuisance!
Last summer it was very dry, too.
Don't you remember.
I had to water it every day.
Well, I'll have tea by myself.
That was quick!
Have you finished already?
Yes. Look out of the window.
It's raining!
That means you don't need to water the garden.
That was a pleasant surprise.
It means I can have tea instead.