CW Eng
CW Eng
CW Eng
Ex. 1
Audio 18
Tonight will be interviewing a well-known entrepreneur who, despite growing up in
hardship, is considered the country’s most successful businesswoman. The rags-to-
riches story of our determined guest, who has always followed her dream, is an
example to us all. If she hadn’t taken so many risks, she wouldn’t be where she is
today.
Ex. 2
Audio 19
Although I was never a brilliant student at school. I studied hard and managed to pass
my exams. I was determined and had a lot of drive which is why I am where I am
today. Looking back, I think my masterstroke was working in different jobs in the
school and university holidays which impressed my potential employers far more than
my average marks. After a lot of interviews, I finally saw an advertisement for my
joying job I felt that I stood a good chance of getting it, and I did. If it wasn’t for my
persistent and work experience I wouldn’t have managed it. We create our own
opportunities in life. I wish people wouldn’t blame chance for things not going their
way.
My hobby like many of my friends is surfing. Giving a chance, I would spend all day
doing it. A short time ago I was swimming out to the bigger waves with my surfboard
when I saw a swimmer in trouble. I managed to get over to where he was and told
him to hang on to my board. Luckily, I am a part-time lifeguard and know exactly
what to do in these situations, so I didn’t panic while we waited to be picked up by
the rescue boat. Helping him wasn’t easy, but was very satisfying. I can safely say I’d
do the same thing again. It turned out that he had suddenly got cramped and couldn’t
move his legs properly, poor guy.
I'd been training for four months when race day arrived. I remember thanking to
myself just before the starting pistol went off. I wish I was closer to the start line. I
was just one of 10,000 hopeful marathon runners who were about to spend the next
few hours competing. I knew I shouldn't make the mistake of starting too fast, so to
be on the safe side, I went quite slowly for the first few kilometers. Slowly but surely,
I ran faster and faster. I was feeling great. Then it happened. By pure chance, a
dreadful thunderstorm started. I'd never experienced anything like it. In fact, it was so
bad that the race was called off. How upsetting!
Last year, the winter was terrible. You may remember the gale-force winds and heavy
snow. I was walking to work one day through my local park that was deserted because
of the weather when I was badly injured in a freak accident. Even though I was
walking carefully, I slipped on some almost invisible black ice, fell over, hit my head
on the ground and blacked out. If it hadn't been for the park attendant who saw me
and called an ambulance, I mightn't be here today. I was lucky to only have a broken
arm and a sore head. I felt very embarrassed and promised everyone I'd pay more
attention to where I put my feet next time I walked in bad weather.
Last year, I went on a train trip around Europe and had a fantastic time. One journey
that didn't quite go according to plan, though, was between Lisbon and Madrid. I
arrived at the station in Lisbon in good time to board the night service and went to a
cafe to buy a sandwich. However, when I looked for my ticket, I couldn't find it and
hastily came to the conclusion I'd been robbed. I tried to make myself understood to a
ticket officer on the platform and managed to explain the situation as I saw it.
Fortunately, another passenger appeared who'd found my ticket by the snack machine
where I'd left it. I don't know how on earth I'd managed to drop it.
Ex. 3
Matt: This essay looks interesting: ‘Having your own business. Is it worth the risk?’
Hil: I think a major advantage of having a company is that you don’t have a boss!
Wouldn’t that be fantastic?
Matt: True! Although a possible negative aspect is that you might not have anyone to
help you take decisions.
Hil: I see what you mean. However, another obvious benefit is that you can do what
you like!
Matt: Unless you have a business partner! On first consideration, that seems to be a
good idea though.
Hil: Ultimately, there are arguments for both sides.
Part 2:
Ex. 4
1. D (When the ‘Bite This!’ empire started out, that wasn’t the case as they were
all in her father’s head!)
2. F (They were never in a position to splash out on extravagant family dinners at
fancy restaurants either.)
3. A (She finished school with top marks and had the opportunity to study at one
of the country’s best universities.)
4. E (The survival of the business was touch and go at one stage, which was very
stressful.)
5. B (Jackie’s long-term vision is to keep the company in the family as far as
possible.)