English Recordings

Unit 2: CLOTHING | *READ:

The word jeans comes from a kind of material that was made in Europe. The material, called jean, was named after sailors from Genoa in Italy, because they wore clothes made from it. In the 18th century, jean cloth was made completely from cotton and workers at that time loved wearing it because the material was very strong and it did not wear out easily. In the 1960s, many university and college students wore jeans. Designers made different styles of jeans to match the 1960s’ fashions: embroidered jeans, painted jeans and so on. In the 1970s, more and more people started wearing jeans because they became cheaper. In the 1980s, jeans finally became high fashion clothing, when famous designers started making their own styles of jeans, with their own labels on them. Sales of jeans went up and up. But in the 1990s, the worldwide economic situation got worse, and the sale of jeans stopped growing. However, jeans have never been out of fashion, and today young generation is still fond of wearing them.

Unit 2: CLOTHING | *LISTEN AND READ:

For centuries, poets, writers and musicians have mentioned the ao dai in poems, novels and songs. The ao dai is the traditional dress of Vietnamese women. It consists of a long silk tunic that is slit on the sides and worn over loose pants. Traditionally, it was frequently worn by both men and women. The design and material used for men were different from those used for women. Nowadays, women usually wear it, especially on special occasions. However, many Vietnamese women today often prefer to wear modern clothing at work, because it is more convenient.

Now fashion designers want to change the traditional ao dai. Some have printed lines of poetry on the ao dai, so they look modern and very fashionable. Other designers have taken inspiration from Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. They have visited villages and studied traditional designs and symbols, such as suns, stars, crosses, and stripes. They have added these patterns to the ao dai, so Vietnamese women can continue to wear the unique dress, which is now both traditional and fashionable.

Unit 1: A VISIT FROM A PEN PAL | *READ:

Malaysia is one of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is divided into two regions, known as West Malaysia and East Malaysia. They are separated by about 640 km of the sea and together comprise an area of 329,758 sq km. Malaysia enjoys tropical climate. The Malaysian unit of currency is the ringgit, consisting of 100 sen.

The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur and it is also the largest city in the country. The population in 2001 was over 22 million. Islam is the country’s official religion. In addition, there are other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The national language is Bahasa Malaysia (also known simply as Malay). English, Chinese, and Tamil are also widely spoken. The language of instruction for primary school children is Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, or Tamil. Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language of instruction in all secondary schools, although some students may continue learning in Chinese or Tamil. And English is a compulsory second language.

Unit 1: A VISIT FROM A PEN PAL | *LISTEN AND READ:

Lan’s Malaysian pen pal, Razali Maryam, was staying with Lan last week. Maryam is from Kuala Lumpur. Maryam and Lan have been pen pals for over two years and they correspond at least once every two weeks, but this was their first meeting.

On Maryam’s first day in Hanoi, Lan took her to Hoan Kiem Lake. Like Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi is a busy modern city. Maryam was really impressed by the beauty of the city and by the friendliness of its people.

Over the next few days, the girls visited Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the History Museum and the Temple of Literature, as well as many beautiful parks and lakes in Hanoi. On Friday, Maryam wanted to visit the mosque on Hang Luoc Street. Lan used to walk past the mosque on her way to primary school. However, this was Lan’s first visit. She enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere while Maryam was praying.

“I wish you had a longer vacation,” Lan said to Maryam at the end of the week.

“Yes, I wish I had more time to get to know your beautiful country better. Lan, would you like to come and visit me next summer?” Maryam asked.

“That would be great! However, it seems very difficult for me to have a trip abroad. It all depends on my parents. Anyway, we’ll keep in touch.”

999 emergency. What’ s your emergency?
Oh my God! It’s my boss, Sir Villaroy... He is lying unconscious on the floor with a pool of blood all around him!!! He’s holding a gun! He must have shot himself!
Have you checked to see if Sir de Villaroy is dead?Is he breathing?
I don’t think so.
I see. Where are you calling from ?
From the living-room.
No, I mean what’ s the address?
1 Oak Lane West Bromwich
Who are you, m’am?
I’m the housemaid, Mrs Studridge.
Ok Mrs Studridge. I'll have a police officer on his way to check it out. Stay on the line until someone gets there and do not touch anything.

Henry VIII’s father was Henry VII. His mother’s name was Elisabeth of York. They had eight children, but four of them died when they were still very yourng children.
Those who survived were Arthur, Prince of Wales, Henry VIII, Margaret and Mary. Arthur was the first born. He married Catherine of Aragon in 1501 and then he died in 1502.
Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow, in 1508 and then he became king in 1509.
They had a daughter, Mary I, born in 1516 but they did not have a son.
Henry VIII fell in love with Anne Boleyn and asked for a divorce in 1526 because he wanted to marry Anne. It was long and complicated for religious and political reasons, but he finally got divorced in 1533 and he married Anne Boleyn that same year. They had a daughter, Elizabeth I, in 1533. In 1536 he had Anne Boleyn executed for treason. Then, he married Jane Seymour, but she died a year later, in 1537, after giving birth to Henry VIII’s first son: Edward VI.
He married again in 1540. His wife’s name was Anne of Cleves. This time, their marriage only lasted a few months and he got a divorce very quickly, in July 1540.
He immediately got married to Catherine Howard, but she was executed two years later, in 1542. In the end, he married Catherine Parr in 1543.
Henry VIII died in 1547. Catherine Parr survived him, but she died in 1548, after she had married Thomas Seymour.

Guess the famous places of London.
number 1 : It's a reconstruction of the theatre built in 1559 by William Shakespeare. You can go and see a play there.It's between the Tate Modern and the Shard
Number 2 It's a round space and a popular meeting place. It's famous for its statue of Eros and its gigantic advertizing screens. You can buy souvenirs because there are many shops.
Number 3 It's a giant observation wheel. You can get an amazing view of the city. It's next to the Houses of Parliament.
Number 4 It looks like a pyramid, You can get a panoramic view of the city. It's opposite the Gherkin on the South bank of the river Thames

Chuck is sleeping.
He is brushing his teeth.
He is having breakfast.
He is reading a comic.
He is running to school.
He is studying.
He is having lunch and he is reading comics again.
He is studying hard.
He is daydreaming.
He is watching a bird.
He is writing.
He is running to the baseball diamond.
He is playing baseball.
He is avoiding the ball.
He is arguing with his friend.
He is watching the girl.
He is walking with the girl.
He is talking to the girl.
He is having and ice cream with the girl.
He is sharing an ice cream with the girl.
He is combing his hair.
He is having dinner.
He is watching TV.
He is sleeping.

Alexa is talking.
She is describing the painting.
The experts are laughing.

The man is holding a pitchfork.
The woman is looking at the man.
The man is wearing overalls.

Mary is sleeping.
She is waking up.
She is doing her hair.
She is running.
She is swimmming.
She is diving in the swimming pool.
She is meeting her friend Chuck.
She is having a snack with Chuck.
Mary and Chuck are riding a bike.
They are buying cinema tickets.
Mary is eating popcorn.
They are watching a movie.
She is having a shower.
She is doing her hair with a pink ribbon.
She is celebrating her friend's birthday.
She is pulling crackers.
She is walking home with Chuck.
Chuck is trying to kiss her.
She is writing in her diary.
She is praying.
She is falling asleep.
She is sleeping.

My name is Linda Collins, and I’m a junior ranger at Yellowstone National Park. It’s great ! What I prefer is rescuing animals, but I also enjoy helping tourists. The most important job I do is, I think, keeping the park clean. For example, a few days ago, I removed some graffiti from rocks, and I collected rubbish which some visitors had left next to Old Faithful geyser.
Oh, these tourists … they always get into trouble ! They never follow the rules ! For example, we tell them : you mustn’t take anything from the park, and you must always carry bear spray, and you must never hike alone.
Well would you believe it ? Last week, another hiker was attacked by a black bear ; he was alone, and didn’t have his bear spray ….. luckily, a ranger was close so he was saved, but sometimes it doesn’t end as well.
Anyway, I just love being a ranger, and I love my park : it’s the most beautiful park in the world, and it’s the oldest in the world. You should visit it some day, but don’t forget : you must take care of it !