English Recordings

I live in the city of Hangzhou, China which during the summer can reach 45C in some areas. That doesn't sound very extreme compared to some deserts. But what makes Hangzhou different is that it is extremely humid year round. The extreme humidity combined with the desert like heat makes this a hellishly hot place to be in the summer. Oddly enough neighbouring Shanghai, only one hour away by car, does not get nearly as hot or humid as Hangzhou does. I've never experienced heat anywhere else that even comes close to Hangzhou. Hangzhou is also known for "hot rain" which is exactly what it sounds like. An experience very similar to being in a hot shower everywhere you go. Alex, Hangzhou, China

I live in Tthenaago, an isolated First Nations village in the far north of Canada. In the heart of winter temperatures can plunge to -45C or colder, and last year I was "fortunate" enough to experience a night with a windchill factor of -56C. A temperature of -40C and below holds a special place in the heart of us northerners. The world starts to change when temperatures dip that low, weird clouds appear in the sky, sounds take on baffling intensity, and a profound stillness settles over everything. David, Tthenaago, Canada

I was with the British army in Iraq and Kuwait in 2003 the temperature most days during the summer was 54C, it was just amazing, but you do get used to it after a while. In Kuwait we had a sandstorm that lasted three days. The sweat used to make your clothes stiff with salt. You had to drink litres of water a day - all bottled and delivered by truck. Glen Towler, Wellington, New Zealand

If you are type B, you are straightforward and like to do things your own way.

1. The boss packed him off to a regional office.
2. The band packed up at midnight.
3. At the end of the presentation, I packed up my laptop.
4. You should pack up smoking. Pack it up!
5. The guests paired off for the next dance.
6. We patched up his wound.
7. How much do you pay in each month?
8. We could not pay out an insurance benefit.
9. Do you think we have to pay the criminals off?
10. The ultimatum was delivered to cable companies: pay up.
11. I paid $150 for the coat.
12. Pass these flyers around, will you?
13. With her hair cut like that, she could pass for a boy.
14. Take one and pass the rest on to the next person.
15. They passed him over and made his assistant the new director.
16. You should pass over what he said.
17. John tried to pass himself off as a police officer.
18. I had some coffee to pep myself up.
19. A cup of coffee will perk you up.
20. The government plans to phase in alternative sources of energy.
21. Leaded gas was phased out in the 1970s.
22. We all piled into the car and left.
23. The kids piled out and ran to the beach.
24. Debts from the project were piling up quickly.
25. Pipe down! I've a splitting headache.
26. Jim piped up, saying he didn’t agree.
27. If we all pitch in, it won't take very long to finish.
28. Scientists have been plugging away at the problem.
29. Is the printer plugged in?
30. The drain was plugged up with paper.
31. She was silent, but I plowed ahead with my questions.
32. Profits are plowed back into equipment and training.
33. Our bus plowed into a parked car.
34. It takes me ages to plow through any of his novels.
35. He plunked down $30 for a box of chocolates.
36. The kids polished off the rest of the cake.
37. Fans will have to pony up $35 to see the boxing match.
38. I didn't mean to say that – it just popped out.
39. People are praying for peace.
40. I wanted to prevail upon the committee to reconsider its decision.

Please heat in a microwave at 500w for 5 minutes.

A．You don't have to do anything for my birthday.　　　
B．Come on. Tell me what you wanna do.　A．OK, I'll give it a thought.

A．What do you think?　　　
B．Well...I'll give it a thought and get back to you.　　　
A．OK. Call me tomorrow.

A．How did it go?　　　
B．I didn't make it. Maybe I should give up.　　
A．Don't say that. Just keep trying.

A．I can't do it, daddy.　　
B．Yes, you can. Just keep trying.
A．OK.