English Recordings

Ambition

Topic: Some think that ambition is a good quality. Is it important to be ambitious? Is it a positive or negative characteristic?

Model answer:

The rise of the one percent and accumulated capital has led many people today to question the basic value of raw ambition. In my opinion, though ambition has historical importance, it is a largely negative trait for most of society today.

Ambition’s value lies in pushing forward human progress. Some of the best evidence of this comes from advances in science. Galileo was a determined astronomer, willing to doubt ingrained dogma in order to propagate his heretical view and we owe the basis of our understanding of the planetary system to him. A more recent example would be discoveries like penicillin and vaccines in the 20th century that were all the result of highly ambitious, driven individuals whose legacies endure to this day. Without their aspirations, human civilisation would have stagnated.

However, ambition for its own sake hurts society. When ambition is severed from passion and ethics, it becomes the raw engine of political and economic greed. A good example of this would be the rampant speculation fueling Wall Street. Most employees at large brokerage firms are ambitious in terms of moving up the ladder and making more money for their clients but have little concern for the consequences of their actions. Reckless investment spurred on by greed was one of the underlying causes of the sub-prime mortgage scandal that led to a global financial crisis in 2008 during which millions of homeowners and investors lost their retirement savings. Unchecked, ambition will always tend towards excess and society will always be left to reckon with the aftermath.

In conclusion, ambition is a crucial drive behind human civilisation but it is not a positive force on its own. It is important for parents and educators to serve as good role models to inspire children to check ambition with conscience.

Lots of teenagers have posters of their sports hero on their bedroom wall. But do they
follow the healthy examples set by these athletes? British parents are worried that young people are not as fit and healthy as in the past. Why is this?
According to the British Heart Foundation, 13 to 15 year-olds are spending too much time doing sedentary activities such as watching TV or playing computer games. A special report describes a generation of couch potatoes, young people sitting around at home, growing up in their bedrooms, travelling by car and in serious danger of heart disease as they get older. Is this their fault? Are young people lazy?
Many parents don’t allow their children to play outside or walk to school by themselves. “I ring my Dad on my mobile and he picks me up from the station. It’s 10 minutes’ walk from home but he thinks it is dangerous,” says 14 year old Carrie. Some teenagers blame their over protective parents for making them unfit. It is certainly becoming more difficult to encourage young people to have an active life and protect their hearts. In recent years schools have spent less time on sports. “My Mum did lots of hockey and netball at school but we didn’t have time for that this year because we had so many exams to prepare,” says Ben, 16

The Internet is a million computers that are linked by telephone lines.
It brings together people, homes, schools and businesses around the world.
Surfing the net can be dangerous.
Some grown-ups use chat rooms on the Internet to make friends with young people
because they want to hurt them.
You can stay safe on the net if you follow these basic rules.
Tell a parent or teacher when you are surfing the net.
Tell a parent or teacher about any rude or nasty e-mails you get.
Don't reply to them.
Don't use your real name in a chat room.
Tell a parent or teacher if you feel uncomfortable about what someone is saying in a chat room.
Never meet anyone you've talked to over the Internet without your parents' permission.
Don't give your name, home, school, e-mail address or phone number over the Internet.

My mom is a mummy.

My nanny is nice.

Go out!
Line up!
Hurry up!
Come in!
Take out your material!
Stand up!
Sit down!
Put your material away!

Journalist : Good evening ! So this is the candidate every jury voted for. Who are you and what type of animal are you ?
Gazelle : My name is Kira Hornston (K.I. R. A - H. O. R. N . S. T . O. N) and I’m a gazelle !
Journalist : Yeah ! Right ! Are you a prey or a predator ?
Gazelle : I’m supposed to be a prey, but in my opinion, everyone should be friends, we mustn’t be enemies. My best friends are tigers !
Journalist : Where are you from ?
Gazelle : I come from Sahara Square.
Journalist : How old are you ?
Gazelle : I’m 16 years old.
Journalist : Do you have brothers and sisters ?
Gazelle : Yes, I do. I have 4 siblings : a twin sister and 2 brothers.
Journalist : Where do you live now, Kira ?
Gazelle : I live in Vegan Avenue, Downtown in Zootopia.
Journalist : What can you do ?
Gazelle : I can sing, of course ! You heard me on TV. I can also run very fast, and I can dance very well. I can also write songs. I can see very well too !
Journalist : What are you like ?
Gazelle : I think I am kind. I love my family and friends. I’m passionate about peace and equality for all. I love Zootopia because it’s a place where we celebrate our differences.
Journalist : So you are very generous ?
Gazelle : Yes, I am. I’m also determined and very honest !
Journalist : Do you have an idea for your celebrity name ?
Gazelle : Yes, I do. I think my celebrity name will be « Gazelle » !
Journalist : Well, thank you very much, ‘Gazelle’ ! We’ll see you for the next part of the competition !

Turn around.
Don’t eat chewing-gum in class.
Don’t be late.
Don’t fight.
Open your book.
Clean the board.
Don’t listen to music in class.
Put your chewing-gum in the bin.
Don’t talk in class.
Don’t run in the corridors.
Don’t write on your desk.
Speak English.
Don’t use your mobiles in class.
Put up your hand.
Don’t read comics in class.
Be quiet.
Come to the board.
Answer my questions.

Flourish and Blotts is under Olivander, the wands shop.
There is a rat on the sign of the Magical Menagerie.
The Bank is between HoneyDukes and Zonko.
The cat is in front of the Leaky Cauldron.
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is next to HoneyDukes.
Madam Malkin's robe is opposite the broomstick shop.

I had a horrible day last Wednesday. I got up in the morning, I was 30 minutes late since there was no alarm. My phone had no battery left because I forgot to put it on charge before going to bed. While having a shower, I realized the water was cold...I got ready hurriedly and left for the office without having breakfast to catch the bus. Alas! I missed it and had to hire a taxi.
Reaching the office, I realized I had forgotten to bring the laptop. I had a client meeting and had to present a project proposal. I felt so stressed, so I ordered a black coffee to release the stress. My goodness! I got no clue how on earth I spilled the coffee on my shirt, and it was a complete mess. My boss was very disappointed in me listening to everything, and I came back home immediately with utmost frustration. I couldn’t think about any day worse than this.

-Hi Nelson! Can you help me with my homework assignment?
-Sure! What is it?
-I'd like to ask you some questions about food in America. Is that OK?
-Yeah, go ahead! What do you want to know?
-Well, I'd like to know about American food habits. First, what do you have for breakfast and what time do you have it?
-Oh, I see. On schooldays, I usually have cereal with milk and some strawberries, because it's quick. I have it quite early, usually at half past seven. But at the weekend, I sometimes have pancakes with eggs and bacon.
-Nice! In the UK, we usually have cereal with milk as well and sometimes at the weekend mostly, we have a traditional cooked breakfast, with ham, sausages, eggs, baked beans and toast.
-Mmmm, yummy yummy! I love eggs and sausages.
-It's great but not very healthy.
-Yeah but still delicious.
-Ok, now what about your lunch?
-Well at school, I have lunch at 11 o'clock and I often take mine with me, because there is no cafeteria. But my dad makes fantastic packed lunches . My favorite is chicken wraps with spinach and fresh avocado of course.
-Wow, that sounds healthy!
-And my dad never forgets to put in some fruit, like a pear or some grapes. What about you?
-We have lunch a little bit later than you, at 12 o'clock. We have a canteen at school but I also prefer to bring a packed lunch from home, often a cheese and ham sandwich, crisps and an apple.
-Crisps are ... chips, aren't they?
-Yes, in England, we call them crisps. I love the cheese and onion flavored ones. And by the way, do you have a snack?
-Mmmm, I often have a snack in the afternoon, at around half past three. When I'm at home, I usually have a peanut butter sandwich. Do you like peanut butter?
-I do, but it isn't so popular in the UK, so I hardly ever have it but I sometimes have a bar of chocolate before the end of school, at around half past two.
-Chocolate is good too. Do you need more info?
-Yeah, we're almost done. So can you tell me about your dinner?
-Sure, I have dinner at around 7 o'clock in the evening. My parents usually make something like pasta or burgers with lettuce, tomatoes and French fries. Sometimes, we have a take away. My favorite is spicy tex mex food, which is very popular here in L.A.
-Tasty! I also love spicy food. Sometimes, we go out for dinner at a curry house. Curry is very popular in the UK. But at home, my favorite meal is roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas.
-Tasty! We should share some videos with some specialties from our country.
-Yes, that would be fun! Thank you for helping me with my presentation.
-No problem, Amelia! See you later!
-See you Nelson, bye!