Practice English Listening B1 Exercises – A difficult celebrity

A

She is happy to talk about her new album and what she’s been doing recently, but not about what happened with the band or her private life.

B

1 F (The song is about money.)

2 F (She used to play in a band, but she now plays solo.)

3 T

4 F (Her father was in a band and her mother is a pianist.)

5 F (She started playing the guitar when she was about four.)

6 T

7 T

8 F (She is going to play at some clubs in New York.)

K = Kerri, R = Rob, J = Jenny, D = Don

K   (singing) You work hard, but your money’s all spent.

Haven’t got enough to pay the rent.

You know it’s not right and it makes no sense

To go chasing, chasing those dollars and cents,

Chasing, chasing those dollars and cents.

R   That was great, Kerri.

K   Thanks.

R   Kerri, you used to be in a band; now you play solo. Why did you change?

K   What happened with the band is private. I’ve already said I don’t want to talk about it in interviews. All I’ll say is that I have a lot more freedom this way. I can play – and say – what I want.

R   Did your relationship with the band’s lead guitarist affect the break-up?

K   No comment. I never talk about my private life.

R   Your dad was in a famous punk band and your mum’s a classical pianist. Have they influenced your music?

K   Of course they have – what do you think? Isn’t everyone influenced by their parents?

R   When did you start playing?

K   I started playing the guitar when I was about four.

R   Four? That’s pretty young.

K   Yeah, the guitar was nearly as big as me!

R   I think that your new album is your best yet. It’s a lot quieter and more experimental than your earlier albums.

K   Thank you! I think it is my best work.

R   So what have you been doing recently?

K   Well, I’ve been writing and recording some new songs. And I’ve played at some of the summer festivals in the UK.

K   And what are you doing while you’re in the States?

K   I’m going to play at some clubs here in New York, then I’m doing some small gigs in other places. I just want to get to know the country and the people. It’s all very new to me.

***

J    Good job, Rob. She isn’t the easiest person to interview.

R   She’s OK. And this video clip will work great online.

***

D   Well, thank you for coming in today, Kerri. Now I suggest we have some lunch. Rob, could you call a taxi?

R   Er, sure.

A

They disagree about which city is better, New York or London.

B

1 a   The waiters in New York never leave the customer alone. London waiters are friendly, but not too friendly. They don’t bother you.

   b   The people in New York are less easy-going.

2   Rob agrees. Don and Jenny disagree. Don thinks New York is the greatest city in the world, and Jenny thinks New Yorkers are very friendly.

3   The taxi driver phones Rob about a (cell) phone left in his taxi.

D = Don, K = Kerri, W = waitress, R = Rob, J = Jenny

D   So when will you be coming back to New York, Kerri?

K   Oh, I don’t know…

W   Hi guys, is everything OK?

D   Yes, it’s delicious, thank you.

W   That’s great!

K   New York waiters never leave you alone! I really don’t like all this ‘Hi guys! Is everything OK?’ stuff.

D   What? You mean waiters aren’t friendly in London?

R   Oh, they’re very friendly!

K   Yes, they’re friendly, but not too friendly. They don’t bother you all the time.

W   Can I get you anything else? More drinks, maybe?

D   No, thanks. We’re fine.

W   Fantastic.

K   See what I mean? Personally, I think people in London are a lot more easy-going. London’s just not as hectic as New York.

D   Sure, we all like peace and quiet. But in my opinion, New York is possibly…well, no, is definitely the greatest city in the world. Don’t you agree?

K   To be honest, I definitely prefer London.

D   Come on, Rob. You’ve lived in both. What do you think?

R   Erm, well, I have to say London’s very special. It’s more relaxed, it’s got great parks, and you can cycle everywhere. It’s dangerous to cycle in New York!

D   Why would you cycle when you can drive a car?

K   You can’t be serious.

D   OK, I agree, London has its own peculiar charm. But if you ask me, nothing compares with a city like New York. The whole world is here!

K   But that’s the problem. It’s too big. There are too many people. Everybody’s so stressed out. And nobody has any time for you.

J    I don’t think that’s right, Kerri. New Yorkers are very friendly…

K   Oh sure, they can sound friendly with all that ‘Have a nice day’ stuff. But I always think it’s a little bit…fake.

D   You’ve got to be kidding me!

R   I’m sorry. I’ll just have to take this… Hello?… Yes…You’re who?… The taxi driver?… What did she leave?…Her cell phone…right. OK. Yes, we’re still at the restaurant. See you in about five minutes.

A

Kerri is surprised because the taxi driver returned to the restaurant to give her back her phone, which she had left in the taxi.

B

1 mean   2 just   3 hang   4 back   5 kind

K = Kerri, D = Don, W = waitress, J = Jenny, R = Rob, T = taxi driver

K   Thank you for a nice lunch, Don.

D   You’re welcome.

W   Thanks for coming, guys! Have a nice day.

D   See? Nice, friendly service.

K   Maybe. But I think she saw the big tip you left on the table!

***

J    Did you mean what you said in the restaurant, Rob?

R   Did I mean what?

J    About missing London.

R   Sure, I miss it, Jenny.

J   Really?

R   But hey, not that much! It’s just that moving to a new place is always difficult.

J    But you don’t regret coming here, do you?

R   No…no…not at all.

J    It’s just that…you seemed so homesick in there. For the parks, the cycling…

R   Well, there are some things I miss, but – Oh, hang on a minute. Look over there. Our taxi’s come back.

***

T   Excuse me, Ma’am.

K   Who, me? What is it?

T   I believe this is your cell phone. You left it in my cab.

K   What?…Oh, wow…thank you!

T   Have a nice day!

K   That was so kind of him!

D   See? New Yorkers are really friendly people.