1

The Ghost

It was the ghost’s duty to appear in the corridor and frighten people away. He was to do that
three times a week between midnight and four o’clock a.m.

He’d been successful for centuries but now he was having problems with an American
family. The children seemed to ignore what fear was. Some of the tricks they played on him
were worse than the worst ones he had ever played on others.

A: Hey, how was your holiday?

B: Oh, I had a great time. I went to Brighton. What about you?
A: I stayed here. I had to study.
B: Do you have those books of mine you borrowed?
A: Which books? I can’t remember borrowing any.
B: The ones about biology and language.
A: Oh, those books. Er… could I keep them for a few more days?
B: What do you need them for?
A: I need them for my essay.
B: But you’ve had them for a month.
A: Just give me until Monday, and then you can have them back. OK?
B: I suppose so.

3
A: I want to improve my English. Is it a good idea to go to a language school?
B: I went to an English summer school a year ago. It was the Gold School of English.
A: Was it good?
B: Yes, very good. There were grammar lessons and regular progress tests. And we also
played games. That was great.
A: What sort of games?
B: Guessing games, for example.
A: Did you get to know the other students well?
B: Yes, it wasn’t a big group. I’ve forgotten exactly how many

4
A: Who’s phoned?
B: Anne’s just phoned. She’s on her way. Is dinner nearly ready?
A: Yes. Could you get out two eggs from the fridge?
B: Two eggs, did you say?
A: Yes…
B: Which eggs? The large ones or the small ones?
A: The large eggs. Small eggs are no good.
B: OK. Anything else?
A: Yes. Wash these vegetables, please.
B: I can’t wash all these tomatoes.
A: Well, finish laying the table. Could you do that?
B: I suppose so.

5
A: What would you like to eat this morning? B: I usually just have a bowl of cereal. A: The
most important meal of the day is breakfast. B: Yeah, I know... but I don't usually have time
to eat a big breakfast. I’m always in a rush. A: You can always make an easy breakfast. B:
What do you usually make for breakfast? A: Well... I make oatmeal ...
B: Oatmeal, did you say?
A: Yes... and I also make some toast and orange juice. B: That sounds pretty good. A: I like
it, and it's a fast meal. B: That is a very quick meal to make. A: I can make it for you if you
like. B: Oatmeal and toast sounds good to me.

6
Context: Edgar and Catherine are staying in a cottage in the New Forest. It belongs to
Edgar’s uncle, and they’ve borrowed it for the weekend. It’s Friday night. They arrived an
hour or two ago, and they´re sitting in front of a log fire.
C: Oh, Edgar! This house is fantastic! I love old houses.
E: There’s a ghost here, you know.
C: Edgar! Don’t be silly. You’re trying to frighten me.
E: Not at all. I’ve been coming here for years. We used to stay here when I was a child. I
saw the ghost myself once.
C: Edgar, this isn’t funny. It’s late at night. Anyway, I don’t believe in ghosts.
E: Don’t you? I do.
C: Where did you see the ghost?
E: Upstairs. In the bedroom.
C: Ha ha. Did it have a white sheet over its head?
E: No, no. He was quite an ordinary specimen, really.
C: He? Who?
E: The ghost, of course. I’ll tell you about it.

7
Context: A couple is leaving for holidays.
Setting off
A: I’ve already locked the doors, dear.
B: You’ve locked the what?
A: The doors, dear. Have you checked the windows?
B: I think so, but I’m not sure, actually.
A: I seem to remember you doing so, but I’m not sure myself. Shall we check?
B: You do that, darling. You’re so thorough. You never miss a detail.
A: You always say the same; just to save the trouble, I guess. All right. I’ll go.

8
Context: It’s evening and husband and wife are at home. The husband is doing some work
for the office and the wife is going out to buy a newspaper.
A walk for the dog
A: I’m going out to get a paper.
B: Oh! Take the dog with you, please. He’d love a walk. I meant to take him, but I just
haven’t got the time.
A: Will he do what he’s told? I’m a bit scared of the traffic.
B: Oh yes. He’s very good in the street. You can put him on the lead before you get to the
main road.
A: Put him on the lead? He won’t like that, will he?
B: Don’t worry. He won’t make a fuss.
A: Well… if he does, you will take him out next time.

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