English Recordings

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Ten people went to a big house on an island.
They did not know each other. A man named Mr. Owen invited them, but no one had seen him.

On the first night, after dinner, a voice from a speaker said,
“You all did something bad in the past.”
Everyone was shocked. They started to feel nervous.

Then, something strange happened.

One of the guests, Anthony Marston, was drinking wine.
Suddenly, he started coughing.
Then, he fell to the floor.
He was dead.

Dr. Armstrong checked him.
He said, “Someone poisoned him.”
Now, the guests knew: a murderer was on the island.

These were the suspects's alibis:
Justice Wargrave said
“I was sitting at the table and was drinking my wine.”

Vera Claythorne exclaimed
“I was eating and was watching Anthony drink.”

Philip Lombard said
“I was talking to Dr. Armstrong.”

Emily Brent said
“I was saying a prayer and was not watching him.”

General Macarthur said
“I was thinking about the past and was eating quietly.”

Dr. Armstrong said
“I was watching the guests. I saw him drink, but I was not touching anything.”

Mr. Blore said
“I was eating and was listening to the voice.”

Mr. Rogers (the butler) said
“I was serving drinks. I did not go near Anthony’s glass.”

Mrs. Rogers said
“I was bringing dessert and was staying in the kitchen.”

Everyone looked at each other.
They were scared.
One of them was a killer.

one

I’m really interested in nature and wild animals, so I joined WWF last year. Now, I often take part in activities like planting trees and cleaning up parks or beaches. Sometimes, I help at events where we give out leaflets and talk to people about the planet. I also try to use less plastic and turn off lights at home.
I feel great when I do something for the Earth. I think we all need to protect our world. I also love this charity work because I frequently learn new things about animals, nature, and climate change. I occasionally meet other teenagers who love nature just like me. We work as a team, and that makes me feel strong and happy

I usually work at the OXFAM shop after school or on Saturday mornings. I help sort clothes, put them on the shelves, and sometimes I help at the cash desk. I also talk to customers and assist them in finding things. I occasionally clean the floor or tidy up the back room if needed.
I love this work because I help people in need by selling second-hand clothes. I feel proud because I do something good. At the same time, I learn how a shop works and how to talk with customers politely. I often meet really nice people, and little by little, I become more confident. I always smile when I go home after working at OXFAM

I often help at the RSPCA on Saturdays. I regularly feed the animals, clean their cages, and sometimes play with the dogs and cats. I'm really fond of animals, so this place is perfect for me. I also brush them and give them water every time I go. The other volunteers are really kind and always show me what to do.
At first, I was a bit nervous. I thought it would take up too much of my free time, but I only go once a week. It doesn’t usually take all day, so I still have time for homework and hobbies. I enjoy every minute because it makes me so happy to help the animals. I'm really keen on learning about animal care, and I also love meeting new people. It makes me feel useful and proud

Al Capone, also known as "Scarface", was an American gangster during the 1920s and 1930s. He became one of the most powerful criminals in American history.
Alphonse Capone was born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Italian immigrants. He was a smart child but left school at age 14 after hitting a teacher. He then joined small street gangs in New York.
As a young man, Capone worked for gangster Johnny Torrio in Chicago. He started doing illegal business, like selling alcohol during Prohibition. At that time, alcohol was illegal in the U.S., but many people still wanted it. Capone made a lot of money from this business. He also controlled gambling and prostitution in Chicago.
Capone became the boss of the Chicago Outfit, a powerful gang. He was rich and powerful, but also very violent. He used bribery, threats, and murder to control the city. Many police officers and politicians were afraid of him or worked for him.
Capone lived a luxurious life. He wore expensive clothes, drove big cars, and lived in a luxury hotel. But he also helped the poor by giving them food and money, so some people saw him as a hero.
One of the most famous crimes linked to Capone was the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929. Seven men from a rival gang were shot dead. People believed Capone gave the order, but the police couldn’t prove it.
In 1931, Capone was finally arrested—not for murder, but for tax evasion. He was sent to prison for 11 years. He spent part of his sentence in Alcatraz, the highest-security prison in the US. He got sick in jail, and he was released early in 1939.
Capone died in 1947 at age 48. He suffered from a serious illness called syphilis, which affected his brain.
Today, Al Capone is remembered as the most famous gangster in American history. His life is often shown in movies, books, and TV shows.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were famous American criminals during the Great Depression. They were a couple in love and partners in crime. Many people saw them as modern-day “Robin Hood” figures, but in reality, they were dangerous and violent.
Bonnie was born in 1910 in Texas. She was a smart woman who loved poetry and acting. Her father died when she was very young, so her mother raised her. Bonnie married a man named Roy Thornton when she was 16, but the marriage didn’t last long. They never divorced, but Bonnie left him.
Clyde Barrow was born in 1909, also in Texas. His family was very poor. As a teenager, Clyde started stealing cars and committing small crimes. He went to prison for robbery, where he met tough criminals and became even more dangerous.
Bonnie and Clyde met in 1930 and quickly fell in love. Soon after, Clyde returned to prison, but Bonnie helped him escape. After that, they began a life of crime together. They robbed banks, gas stations, and small stores across several states. They often traveled with a small gang, including Clyde’s brother Buck and Buck’s wife Blanche.
Between 1932 and 1934, they killed at least 13 people, including police officers. They became famous in newspapers and magazines. Some people admired their courage and love story, but most were afraid of them.
The police hunted them for months. Finally, in May 1934, officers set a trap in Louisiana. Bonnie and Clyde were driving when the police opened fire. They died instantly. Bonnie was 23 years old, and Clyde was 24.
Their story became legendary. Movies, books, and songs tell the story of their love and their crimes. Today, they are remembered as one of the most famous criminal couples in American history.

Topic: In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom. Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

Modal essay:

It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent years. While I understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that the benefits do outweigh the drawbacks.

There are two main reasons why people might disapprove of the use of video cameras in public places. The first objection is that these cameras invade our privacy, in the sense that we are constantly being watched by the authorities or by private security firms. Many people find this intrusive and feel that the recording of their movements is a form of state control that curtails their individual freedom. The second argument against the proliferation of CCTV cameras is that they are being used as an alternative to police officers patrolling the streets. If this is indeed happening, then it is unlikely that members of the public will feel safer.

In spite of the drawbacks mentioned above, I believe that the use of video cameras to monitor public areas is a positive measure. The key objective of video surveillance is to deter criminals and to prevent crime. For example, petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets are less likely to operate in parts of cities where they know that they are being watched. At the same time, when crimes are committed, the police can use video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders. Therefore, in my view, video cameras offer valuable support to police officers, and they make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike.

In conclusion, it seems to me that we gain more than we lose from the enhanced security that CCTV cameras bring to our cities.

Topic: Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

Modal essay:

It is true that some parents are overly permissive and tend to spoil their children. In my opinion, this is not a good parenting style, and it can have a range of negative long-term consequences.

If parents want to raise respectful and well-behaved children, I believe that a certain amount of discipline is necessary. Having worked with children myself, I have learnt that clear expectations and boundaries are necessary, and it is important to be able to say ‘no’ to children when they misbehave or try to push against these boundaries. This is the only way to help young people to regulate their desires and develop self-control. In my view, parents who do the opposite and constantly give in to their children’s demands, are actually doing more harm than good. They are failing their children rather than being kind to them.

The children of indulgent or lenient parents are likely to grow up with several negative personality traits. The first and most obvious danger is that these children will become self-centred adults who show little consideration for the feelings or needs of others. One consequence of such an attitude could be that these adults are unable to work successfully in teams with other colleagues. A second negative trait in such people could be impulsiveness. A person who has never lived with any boundaries is likely to lack the patience to carefully consider options before making decisions. This may lead, for example, to compulsive shopping, unwise financial decisions, or even criminal activity.

In conclusion, parents should help their children to develop self-control and respect for others, and I do not believe that the permissive parenting style supports this objective.