English Recordings

Last summer, my parents and I decided to take a trip to the USA. We spent three weeks discovering the West. We had such a wonderful time. It was the best vacation ever!
We took a plane from Boston to Chicago, because it was cheaper to stop at Chicago, and since we had never been there, we were so happy to visit this wonderful city. So, we spent our first night and day in Chicago. Have you ever seen Lake Michigan? It’s so impressive. I was amazed to see how big it is. I hope I will go there again soon.
On July the seventh, so two days after, we flew to Phoenix, Arizona, where we rented a car and got our kicks in the West. My father drove us to Grand Canyon. Along the way, we made a stop to eat in the marvelous city of Sedona. We found a lovely café, where we ate some tasty burgers, and yummy pancakes. Once we made it to Grand Canyon, the first thing that struck my eyes was the immensity of the place. We took many pictures and then spent the night in the city of Flagstaff.
On the next day, we drove up to Monument Valley. My father, who is a great fan of westerns, really wanted to go and visit it. To get there, we had to drive a long time along a two-lane road that seemed to be endless. But it was so worth it! It was a lot more beautiful than I expected. After this long day of driving, we had diner and slept in a cute motel.
On July the ninth, we took a four-hour drive to go to Bryce Canyon. We knew it was going to be amazing, but we were not expecting that! It was spectacular! You should really see pictures of it, or even better travel there! It’s worth it!
Then, on the tenth, we drove to fabulous Las Vegas and spent three days there. We needed some rest after all that driving! We visited the hotels: my favorite one is definitely the Bellagio. We rested at the pool of our hotel, and my father bet some money at the casino, but lost it all. No luck that day!
Afterwards, we drove through Death Valley. While we were driving to L.A., we listened to the radio, and I heard my favorite song: “Happy” by Pharell Williams. Do you know it? Do you like this song? A few hours later, we finally arrived in Los Angeles. and because it was late, we made it directly to our hotel and fell asleep right away.
We spent only a few days in Los Angeles, but we didn’t enjoy the city, so we decided to go to San Francisco earlier.
We drove along the Pacific coast on Highway one, kept driving for some hours and finally arrived in the city of the Golden Gate Bridge. While we were eating, my mother had a wonderful idea: to visit Alcatraz. Have you ever heard of it? It’s the prison where Al Capone used to be an inmate. On the next day, we took the cable cars through the city, and it was breathtaking!
Finally, came the time to go back home… And I was so sad. I can’t wait to be next summer and have fun again and discover new places.

She has short gray hair and dark eyes.
He has blond hair and wears glasses.
She has long wavy brown hair.
He is bald and has a beard.
She has long wavy blond hair and blue eyes.
He has gray hair and a goatee and mustache.
She has short curly red hair.
She has long straight blond hair and a ponytail.

I'm a little zebra,
White and black,
Big bushy mane
Riding down my back.
I like to gallop,
And run and play,
Out on the African plains all day.

1. Stop comparing yourself to others

We’re socialised to be competitive, so comparing ourselves to others is natural. But it can be dangerous. There’s just no point in comparing yourself to anyone else on the planet because there’s only one you. Rather, focus on yourself and your journey. The shift of energy alone will help you feel free.

2. Don’t worry about others’ opinions

In that same vein, don’t worry about what society thinks or expects of you. You can’t make everyone happy, so this is a waste of time and will only slow you down on your journey to being the best you.

3. Allow yourself to make mistakes

We’re told again and again from a young age, “nobody’s perfect, everyone makes mistakes.” But the older you get, the more pressure you feel never to fail. Cut yourself some slack! Make mistakes so you can learn and grow from them. Embrace your past. You’re constantly changing and growing from who you once were into who you are today and who you will be one day.

So, forget about that voice in your head that says you need to be perfect. Make mistakes — lots of them! The lessons you’ll gain are priceless.

4. Remember, your value doesn’t lie in how your body looks

This is fundamental! So many things in the world want to distract you from this powerful truth. Sometimes, even your own internalized sexism affirms your thoughts of inadequacy. You are valuable because you are you, not because of your body.

So, wear what makes you feel good. Whether it’s a lot or a little, wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and happy.

5. Don’t be afraid to let go of toxic people

Not everybody takes responsibility for the energy they put out into the world. If there’s someone who is bringing toxicity into your life and they won’t take responsibility for it, that might mean you need to step away from them. Don’t be afraid to do this. It’s liberating and important, even though it may be painful.

Remember: Protect your energy. It’s not rude or wrong to remove yourself from situations or the company of people who are draining you.

6. Process your fears

Like erring, feeling afraid is natural and human. Don’t reject your fears — understand them. This healthy exercise can really help with your mental health. Interrogating and evaluating your fears helps you to gain clarity and unmask issues in your life that were causing you anxiety. That, in turn, can help relieve some — if not all — of your anxiety.
7. Trust yourself to make good decisions for yourself

We so often doubt ourselves and our ability to do what’s right, when most of the time we do know in our hearts what’s best. Remember that your feelings are valid. You’re not losing touch with reality. You know yourself better than anyone else, so be your best advocate.

8. Take every opportunity life presents or create your own

The timing is never going to be perfect for that next big step in your life. The setup may not be ideal, but that shouldn’t hold you back from striving for your goals and dreams. Instead, seize the moment because it may never come back.
9. Put yourself first

Don’t feel bad about doing this. Women, especially, can grow accustomed to putting others first. Although there’s a time and a place for this, it shouldn’t be a habit that costs you your mental or emotional well-being.

Find the time to decompress. Without decompressing and recharging, you can put serious strain on yourself. Whether it’s spending the day in bed or outdoors in nature, find what helps you decompress and dedicate time to this.

10. Feel pain and joy as fully as you can

Allow yourself to feel things fully. Lean into pain, revel in your joy, and don’t put limitations on your feelings. Like fear, pain and joy are emotions that will help you understand yourself and ultimately realize that you are not your feelings.
11. Exercise boldness in public

Get into the habit of speaking your mind. Boldness is like a muscle — it grows the more you exercise it. Don’t wait for permission to take a seat at the table. Join the conversation. Contribute your thoughts. Take action, and know that your voice is just as important as anyone else’s.

12. See beauty in the simple things

Try to notice at least one beautiful, small thing around you every single day. Make note of it, and be grateful for it. Gratitude not only gives you perspective — it’s essential to help you find joy.
13. Be kind to yourself

The world is full of harsh words and critique — don’t add yours to the mix. Speak kindly to yourself, and don’t call yourself mean things. Celebrate yourself. You’ve come so far and grown so much. Don’t forget to celebrate yourself, and not only on your birthday!

Takeaway

Self-love may not happen overnight. But with time, it will settle itself into your heart.

Yes, it might be hard at times, but you’ll look back on these moments and see how they were stepping stones on your journey to being the best you.

Dialogue: Exploring Mexico City
Tourist: Excuse me, I'm new in the city. What can I do around here?
Local: Welcome! You can start your day at the Zocalo, our main square. There, you can visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ancient Templo Mayor.
Tourist: That sounds great! Can I find good food nearby?
Local: Definitely! You can try authentic tacos at a local taquería or visit the San Juan Market to taste exotic delicacies. If you like art, you can go to the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán.
Tourist: I've heard about the floating gardens. Can I take a boat tour there?
Local: Yes, you can! You can ride a colorful trajinera in Xochimilco. It's a party on the water! Also, if you want a great view, you can climb to the top of Chapultepec Castle Tourist: This city is amazing. Can I see any pyramids near here?
Local: Of course! You can take a day trip to Teotihuacan. You can't climb the pyramids anymore to protect them, but you can still admire the massive Sun and Moon structures from the ground.

Banksy is a famous street artist, but nobody knows his real identity.
He was born in Bristol, England, around 1974.

He began his career as a graffiti artist in the early 1990s in Bristol. He was part of a graffiti gang called DryBreadZ Crew. At first, he painted freehand, without using stencils. In the late 1990s, he started using stencils, which allowed him to work more quickly and create strong, clear images.

His work became popular in Bristol and later in London. Today, he is famous all over the world.

Banksy organized his first two exhibitions in 2000.
In 2002, he painted Girl With Balloon as a mural near Waterloo Bridge in South Bank, London. Next to the image, he wrote the sentence: “There is always hope.” This mural is one of his most famous and iconic artworks.

He also created The Flower Thrower, which shows a man throwing flowers instead of a bomb. It is a symbol of peace.
Another famous work is Laugh Now, with a monkey wearing a sign that says, “Laugh now, but one day we’ll be in charge.”
In 2005, he painted Kissing Coppers, a mural showing two policemen kissing. This artwork caused controversy.

In August 2004, he created fake British £10 banknotes that he called "Di-faced tenner". Instead of the Queen’s head, he used Princess Diana’s face. He also changed the words “Bank of England” to “Banksy of England.” This project shocked many people and became very well known.

In 2007, Banksy sold his artwork Space Girl & Bird for £288,000. This was the highest price for his work at that time.

In December 2025, Banksy confirmed that he had painted two new murals in London. He posted photos of them on his Instagram account. The murals show two children lying on the cold pavement. They are wearing thick coats, winter boots, and caps. One of the children is pointing up at the sky.

This picture is a street artwork called Mobile Lovers. It was made by Banksy, a famous British street artist, in 2014 on Clement Street, in Bristol, England. It is a black-and-white stencil painted on a door.

In the middle, there is a couple, a man and a woman, hugging each other. The man is on the left and the woman is on the right. We can see that they are both wearing suits, as if they were on their way to work or coming back from work. At first, it looks like they are about to kiss, but when we look more closely, we can see that they are looking at their phones. Their faces are very close, but they are not looking at each other. It is almost as if they were ignoring each other. Their faces look serious and expressionless. They do not seem to have any feelings.

This picture is very dark, with a plain black background. There is white light only on the two characters’ faces, as if they were lit by the screens of their phones. At the bottom, we cannot see their legs because it is too dark.

What we need is feminism without borders. A world where the voices of the poorest women count as much as that of the richest men.

Your attention please... Good morning everyone and welcome to Stewards School! My name is Mr (Mrs) Gallaway and I am the headmaster. Please listen carefully to our school rules:

- You must always wear your school uniform; you must have a white shirt, a tie, a dark blazer with the school logo, black trousers or a black skirt and black leather shoes.

- You must have your equipment every day: your schoolbag with a pencil-case, three pens (a red, a blue and a green one), a rubber, a ruler and a pencil. Don' t forget your books, your notebooks and your school planner.

- You musn't talk in class, you must listen to the teachers.

- Do your homework every evening and don't forget your exercises!

- Don't be late!

- You can bring a water bottle and a packed lunch but you can't drink or eat in class.
You must eat in the playground or in the canteen.

- Don't use your mobile in class.

All right? Thank you everyone.
Have a good day.

https://rhinospike.com/audio_requests/rmari/36876/#recordings Dear Mr Black:

Following our telephone conversation earlier today, I am writing to give details of my dissatisfaction with my stay at the New Hotel, Los Christianos, Tenerife, on 10– 18 August 2010, which I booked with your company for me and my family.

My central complaint is that the hotel fell far short of the description in the brochure. We had booked two double suites, in rooms 213 and 214. Although the rooms were billed as four-star accommodation, they were very cramped, and the furnishings were worn and dirty. In addition, the shower in room 213 did not work. The hotel’s grounds, described in the brochure as “pleasant, tranquil, and spacious,” were in fact bordered on two sides by a very busy main road. The swimming pool was closed the entire week for repairs.

When we spoke to your representative, Tracey Mills, she promised to try to get the shower fixed, but this took an unacceptably long time to happen—three days from when we first complained. I asked her to fill out an accommodation report form detailing these issues and I enclose a copy for your information, together with photos of the bedrooms and the hotel grounds.

As I stated in my telephone call, I feel that we are due a full refund for this hotel stay as it failed to meet the description in the brochure, and it ruined our holiday.

I look forward to hearing from you within the next two weeks.

Sincerely yours,

Maria Johnson