Why does the first speaker dislike doing homework?

 2. What does the second speaker have regrets about?

What are the benefits of doing homework according to the third speaker?

Speaker 1 Homework affects my family. Whenever we want to go out as a family, we can’t because I have my homework to do. And it just puts us in a bad mood. Nobody likes to help me with my homework. When I get home I want to relax instead of having to work in my spare time. I wish I could see the day when there is no homework. I hope to see such a day.

Speaker 2 In high school I did very little homework, except right before tests. I usually copied homework. I graduated and got into a really good college: now I’m dying. I can’t do my homework properly just because I have huge amounts of it. I practically have no time to finish it all even though I have no job, not to mention that I never party or go out. It’s a pity that I haven’t got used to doing homework.

Speaker 3 Everybody hates homework at some point just because we get too much of it. I used to hate the idea of homework, but within the last years I realised that any school wants what’s best for your own future. You may be young, and you really don’t understand what homework does, but it develops a sense of logic. Not only does it make you more intelligent, but it also enhances* your personality. It makes us more disciplined and ready for future working obligations*.

Where was Tina going to?

What happened at the airport?

Why was Tina scared during the flight?

Man: And what about you, Tina? Have you got a story about a journey you remember?

Tina: Yes, I have actually. There’s one journey I’ll never forget. I was going to Hong Kong, from London. The flight was early in the morning, so I made up my mind to spend the night before the flight in a hotel near the airport. When I woke up it was after five o’clock. You know you have to get there early to check in, right? So I panicked, took my bags and rushed outside, looking for a taxi. Luckily, after a few minutes an airport bus came along. When I got there, it was actually nearly six so I thought, you know, I’ve missed my plane. The whole terminal was empty except for a huge crowd of people at one end and luckily, that was the queue for my flight. It was delayed! Yeah. I was really pleased... but the delay went from one hour to nine hours! Finally, at around three o’clock, the plane took off. But the worst part was yet to come! After a few hours there was a huge storm and the plane started bouncing around all over the place. I was really scared. And then! The worst thing of all — the oxygen masks dropped down. I put my mask on and just sat there in absolute terror. Anyway, the plane didn’t crash, thank God, and we got to Hong Kong OK in the end, but what a journey! I’ll never forget it.

How did Uncle Roger explain to the boy why the whales were on the beach?

How did the people help them?

How did this event affect the story-teller's life?

One night there was a big storm with huge waves. It stopped only in the morning.

We were having breakfast when we heard somebody screaming “Whales!” We ran to the beach. I will never forget what I saw that morning. Two whales were lying on the beach, they were so helpless. “Are they dead?” I asked Uncle Roger. “One is dead, but the other is still alive,” he answered in a sad voice. “Why did they do it?” I continued asking him. “Nobody knows for sure but many people believe that whales sometimes throw themselves on the beach. They sort of go crazy. Dirty water makes them that crazy. As you know plants and factories throw rubbish into the water,” he added angrily.

There were a lot of people on the beach. Some people brought ropes* and we began to pull him into the water. It was hard as he was very heavy. I will never forget the moment when the whale began moving in the water and a fountain of water came out of it. We all felt happy.

The whale disappeared but the memory stayed in my heart forever. I think it is the main reason why I decided to study the ocean and protect animals. Now I am a member of Greenpeace and my priority is to protect whales both from hunting and the many other daily threats they face.

 

 

Where does the action take place?

What happened to the furniture in the grandmother's room?

Why were Martin and his friend scared?

Martin: OK! That’s the end of the class. Don’t forget your homework for tomorrow! Student A: Wow, 1 liked that ghost story! Do you think it’s true?

Student B: Oh, no, I don’t think so. It’s just in a book.

Student A: Let’s ask him. Do you believe in ghosts, Martin?

Martin: Oh, er... Well... I did have a strange experience once.

Student A: Really?

Martin: Yes... My grandmother has a big, old house near London... She was in the garden and my friend and I were in the living room and suddenly we heard a noise upstairs. It wasn’t a big noise. We thought maybe a mouse or something. Anyway, we went upstairs and... it seemed to be coming from my grandmother’s bedroom.

Students A and B: Did you go in?

Martin: Yes, we went inside and well, it was amazing really. All the furniture in my grandmother’s bedroom was on the left side of the room, and the carpet was on the other side of the room.

Students A and B: Oh!

Martin: And this furniture is really heavy — a very heavy wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bed — these things would take four men to lift and it was really scary!

Students A and B: Wow!

Martin: And all we heard was a tiny noise... for no more than around a minute. My grandmother said it happened once before, too. The really strange thing is... she didn’t seem to mind!

What problem does the girl have?

What makes the girl think that her habit is harmful?