English Recordings

Nelson Mandela, one of history’s greatest leaders, has died at the age of 95 after a long illness.

Mandela was instrumental in bringing the racist system of apartheid in South Africa to an end, and spent 26 years in prison during his fight for justice. Apartheid was a system of laws that were cruel and unfair to black people. White people and black people had different schools, buses, hospitals and even toilets.

Mandela was finally released from prison in 1990. In 1993 he won the Nobel Peace Prize. And in 1994 he was elected as the first black President of South Africa. Among his many achievements was helping South Africa move from the system of apartheid to that of democracy without violence or bloodshed.

In South Africa there will be a one week period of mourning before Nelson Mandela’s funeral. Announcing the news on South African TV, President Jacob Zuma said: “Our nation has lost its greatest son.” People around the world have been paying their own personal tributes to him and his achievements in promoting freedom and peace.

bitch - beach
worst - walk - work - world
hear - here
dessert - desert
to - too - two
bear - beer
sea - see
mail - male
would - wood
eight - ate - a (article a/an/the)
mind - mine - my
sun - son
night - knight
whore - horse
right - write
tale - tail
great - grey
bright - bride

I. Stories of happiness

1. « We gave birth with the help of a midwife… »
Explain with your own words what a midwife is.

A midwife is someone who is going to help the Japanese women give birth to their babies. It may be symbolical of the amount of luck they are going to get. If they are left alone it probably means that they'll have to deal with the babies on their own, without anybody's help.
2. Give 4 other examples of stories of happiness in the chapter.

They are no stories of happiness so to speak. At least were they blessed to have a normal baby. It's more or less about the good signs they read while looking at their babies or if they could afford the help of a doctor. The stories around becoming a mother aren't that joyful.
II. Stories of misfortunes

1. What did these women do when they gave birth to twins ?
Superstition was part of their lives and unfortunately when they had twins they had to choose one of them.
2. « We gave birth while our husband was out gambling… ».
What does the word « gambling » mean ? Explain in your own words.
Their husbands couldn't care less about their wives' pregnancy and future children. They were having fun, wasting the hard won money, forgetting about their wives' ordeals.
3. What does « shake it loose » mean ?
Unable to control the number of pregnancies, the Japansese were jumping off rocks and trees in the wild hope of losing the child. It shows how desperate and isolated they were.
4. Give 3 other examples of stories of misfortunes in the chapter.

Most stories evolve around dead babies or dying babies. Either they were already dead in the mother's womb or died in their cribs. Some very unlucky ones were smothered by their mothers when they looked monstruous.
III. Symbols at birth: children’s fate.

1. What did these women believe when their babies had « the umbilical cord wrapped
around [the] neck » ?
Some of the mothers tried to read in their children's attitude when coming into the world. The cord around the neck was a sign of spirituality and that they would become priests.
For me, one of the funniest moments was when Julie Otsuka wrote that one of the babies' faces would have stopped an earthquake.

I had a nightmare.
Hang in there!
Take your time.
Is Mike there?
I feel dizzy.
You are mean.
I am sorry to hear that.
Take it easy.
It can't be.
He runs a restaurant.

1. Things are changing very fast in the world.
2. 'What are you doing tonight?' 'Nothing, I'm staying at home.'
3. 'Are you coming tomorrow?' 'Sorry, I'm working.'
4. 'Is the weather good?' 'No, it's raining.'
5. He's taking me to the theatre tonight.
6. Sylvia is getting married next month, isn't she?
7. We are losing a lot of money in this business.
8. Excuse me, I'm looking for the Post Office.
9. My sister is learning Italian.
10. The athlete is trying to concentrate.
11. 'At what time are you arriving tomorrow?' 'We're arriving at 10.'
12. Where are you meeting your friend tonight?
13. I have to drive. I'm not drinking anything tonight.
14. I don't understand a word. What language is he speaking?.
15. Children, you are making a lot of noise. Play in the garden.
16. I'm having dinner with your sister on Saturday.
17. I'm reading a very interesting book.
18. He is always losing his keys.
19. I'm meeting Brian in the restaurant.
20. I'm not working this week. I'm on holiday.
21. I am not working tonight.
22. Henry is going to the dentist on Tuesday.
23. Are you playing football tomorrow?
24. At what time are you meeting Ann?
25. At what time is the next train leaving?
26. I'm working tomorrow morning.
27. They are going by train tonight.
28. Is it true that you're getting married next week?
29. We're going to town. Are you coming with us?
30. I'm travelling to Scotland on Monday.
31. I'm inviting Fred to the party tonight.
32. They are taking their exam tomorrow.
33. I'm leaving this house tonight.
34. We are painting our house next week.
35. Are you playing tennis tomorrow?
36. They are not playing today.
37. Next month we are travelling around the world.
38. We are having a party tonight.
39. They are taking/catching the train tonight at nine.
40. I'm making some coffee in a few minutes.

1. She sends you a lot of/lots of kisses.
2. Wash the glasses, please. They are dirty.
3. My mother bought two loaves of bread.
4. There were many flies in that kitchen.
5. I've got two handkerchiefs in my pocket.
6. I think there are mice in the attic.
7. He gave me a couple of pounds/quid for my work.
8. The little girl was looking after the geese by the river.
9. This woman has several kimonos.
10. You have to open several boxes.
11. These cliffs are very famous.
12. The two men ran for their lives.
13. Be careful with those knives.
14. There are many wolves in the mountains.
15. You have to peel the potatoes.
16. Look at those ladies.
17. These gentlemen are with their wives.
18. Our police are very efficient.
19. The police are looking for the thief.
20. My wife is afraid of mice.
21. There is a lot of fish in the sea.
22. There were many planes/aircraft in the hangar.
23. That little girl has very big teeth.
24. I could see many deer in the distance.
25. Mrs Martin has a child. Mrs Setien has two children.
26. That animal had many feet.
27. There were many oxen in the stable.
28. This table is three feet long.
29. She lives in the country.
30. These countries are very poor.
31. There was a lot of trout in that river.
32. The dog is looking after the sheep.
33. The cows have had a lot of calves this year.
34. I am going to take some photos.
35. Clean your teeth.
36. I saw several giant squid.
37. The cups are on the shelves.
38. Our lives are very different.
39. Turn over leaves/pages of the book.
40. Cut several tomatoes for the salad.

hello! welcome to my pet shop! Look! I have four puppies, six kittens, three rabbits, two guinea pigs and eight mice. And I have nine goldfish. And this is my pet Nelson. I love parrots!

A．I left the wedding invitation at home. Can you help me out?
B．Of course. What can I do for you?
A．Can you give me the name and the address of the church?

A．I have a question for you.
B．What is it?
A．It's about my English homework. Can you help me out?

A．How was the musical show last night?
B．It was amazing. I was blown away by their performance.
A．Really?