B2 First with Get Speaking English

Hey everyone! I'm just about to go live to a crossword! Coffee & Crossword Stream ☕️ Come hang out with me and help me do crosswords! Review lots of vocabulary and phrases and hopefully learn something new, too! Where to play: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getspeakingenglish Watch at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetSpeakingEnglish Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/getspeakingenglish And be sure to check out the playlist on YouTube of previous Coffee and Crossword Streams after.

Hey everyone. I know recently a lot of the reading tasks have been posting out of order (the second part first followed by the first part moments later). I have no idea why it's happening - I intentionally schedule things to go out in order, but Telegram is messing everything up. To prevent this from happening, I'm going to try and manually share them from now on. (This also explains why sometimes listening tasks don't go out - I schedule them, but then they never send. It's been very frustrating ☺️)

Hey everyone! I'm just about to go live to a crossword! Coffee & Crossword Stream ☕️ Come hang out with me and help me do crosswords! Review lots of vocabulary and phrases and hopefully learn something new, too! Where to play: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getspeakingenglish Watch at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetSpeakingEnglish Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/getspeakingenglish And be sure to check out the playlist on YouTube of previous Coffee and Crossword Streams after.

Reading and Use of English - Part 4 For questions 25-30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0). Example: 0 A very friendly taxi driver drove us into town. DRIVEN We _____________________ a very friendly taxi driver. The gap can be filled by the words 'were driven into town by, so you write: Example: WERE DRIVEN INTO TOWN BY Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet. Not sure how to do this exercise? Check out this post here: https://t.me/b2_first/155 25 My brother doesn't play tennis now as well as he used to. BETTER My brother used to _____________________ does now. 26 Clothing companies are selling an increasing number of goods on the internet. BOUGHT An increasing number of goods _____________________ clothing companies on the internet. 27 'Well done for scoring twice, Mark, said the coach. PRAISED Mark _____________________ for scoring twice. 28 You are welcome to contact me if you need more information. TOUCH Please feel free _____________________ me if you need more information. 29 Tickets for the concert cannot be bought before 12th May. SALE Tickets for the concert will not _____________________ 12th May. 30 I didn't buy the camera because it was so expensive. BEEN I would have bought the camera _____________________ so expensive. Click to reveal the answers below: 25 play BETTER tennis | than he OR play tennis BETTER | than he 26 is/are (being) BOUGHT from OR can | be BOUGHT from 27 was PRAISED | by the coach 28 to get in TOUCH with 29 go on SALE until/before/till OR be on/for SALE | until/before/till 30 if it had not/hadn't BEEN #RAUOE #RAUOEPart4

Hi everyone! Get Speaking about Entertainment. Discover the harsh reality behind the glamorized world of acting in the streaming era, where many stars struggle to make a living despite their fame. Advanced (B2/C1): The 1 cent paycheque - here’s the awful truth about being an actor in the golden age of streaming (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/17/actors-strike-streaming-1-cent-paycheque ❓❓❓ QUIZ YOURSELF - ARTICLE SUMMARY Select the best word to complete a summary about the article: The article discusses the challenging financial 1. (REALITIES / REALNESS / POSSIBILITIES) faced by actors in the streaming era, particularly in light of the 2023 strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The strike, while 2. (UNSETTLING / DISRUPTIVE / DISTURBING), highlights the struggles of actors who are 3. (HARDLY / BADLY / POORLY) compensated for their work on streaming platforms. A 4. (PRINCIPLE / KEY / MAIN) issue is the lack of residual payments from streaming services like Netflix, which no longer re-air episodes, leaving actors with minimal 5. (EARNINGS / INCOME / PAYCHEQUES) from shows. For example, actors from “Orange Is the New Black” revealed that they received 6. (THIN / MEAGER / LITTLE) paychecks, with some even losing money on the project after expenses. Additionally, actors are often unable to meet the income 7. (CAPS / THRESHOLDS / NEEDS) required for union benefits like health insurance, and many work irregular and underpaid jobs. The article 8. (UNDERSCORES / UNDERPINS / UNDERLIES) the widening gap between the massive earnings of studio executives and the financial 9. (CHOICES / DIFFICULTY / HARDSHIP) of actors, making the ongoing strikes a vital action for the future of the industry. I'd be happy to discuss the answers with you during a class! ❓❓❓ LIVE ARTICLE READING Saturday, March 10, 2025 @ 13:00 UTC DISCUSS THIS WITH ME! 🔣 Get Speaking English about this topic by booking a conversation class before May 31, 2025. Book 1 class (or several) or upgrade to a lesson. I'm even having a sale right now on article-based conversation classes, so you can do it at a discounted price. Learn more about the sale here! 🔣 Email getspeakingenglish@gmail.com or message @axl_of_getspeakingenglish on Telegram for more information. 🔣 Mention ONE CENT PAYCHEQUE when you write. Thanks everyone! I hope to Get Speaking English with you about this article soon!

What do you think about this idea? Do you agree or disagree with it? Let me know in the comments. You can also practice you speaking with it by commenting on the ideas and giving your opinion about them.

Sometimes when -ES follows certain consonant sounds, it creates a blended sound. After a Z sound, however, it creates an extra syllable! Are you saying the syllable when you're speaking?

Reading and Use of English - Part 6 You are going to read a newspaper article about a blind runner. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Not sure how to do this exercise? Look here: https://t.me/b2_first/62 OPTIONS: A These provide the familiarity and consistency essential for the blind runner. B Their support gave him extra confidence regarding his changing surroundings. C Simon believes the feelings of liberation and independence he gets from running solo far outweigh any anxiety over such dangers. D He began by training on football pitches behind his house, running between the goalposts. E It gives him a great opportunity to run with everyone. F That's not to say the learning curve has been without incident. G As a result of this slow experimentation, he was able to memorise a set five-kilometre course. Blind Runner Paul Hardy reports on a blind runner called Simon Wheatcroft who enjoys taking part in marathon and ultra-marathon races, running distances between 42 km and 160 km. Running marathons, a race of 42 km, has become increasingly popular. This distance poses extreme physical and mental challenges for anyone, but for Simon Wheatcroft there is another hurdle; he has been blind since he was 18 years old. For the past two years Simon, now 29, has been overcoming his disability to compete in marathons and ultra-marathons by training with runners who act as his guides, and also, rather uniquely, by teaching himself to run solo, out on the streets. 'I got bored exercising indoors, so thought, "I'll have a go at running outside",' he explains. [37]____ ] Then he got bored again and wanted to try running on the roads. #RAUOE #RAUOEPart6 cont…

cont… Weeks of gradual exploration followed, walking a route alone. [38]____] It took him along littleused pavements alongside a busy main road. He also recruited technology to help him form his mental map of the area using a smartphone app, to provide feedback through headphones about his pace and distance. This information could then be cross-referenced with his knowledge of the route and any obstacles. Now, having covered hundreds of km alone on the route, Simon has been able, gradually, to phase out the app. 'When I first started I had to really concentrate to an unbelievable level to know where my feet were falling. Now it has become quite automated.' [39]____] 'I did make a few mistakes early on - like running into posts. But you only run into a post once before you think "Right. I'm going to remember where that is next time",' he laughs. Joining Simon for a training session, it's striking how natural and fluid his movement is; he takes shorter, shallower, more gentle steps than most runners, using his feet to feel his way. His landmarks are minute changes in gradient and slight variations in the running surface. [40]____] 'I have to believe this route is going to stay consistent, and there won't be things like roadwork signs or big rocks,' he says. [41]____] 'I try to concentrate on the millions of footsteps that go right and think positively,' he explains. When it comes to racing in ultra-distance events, Simon has to use guides to run sections of the course with him; after all, it would be almost impossible to memorise a 150 km stretch of countryside by heart. However, the physical and practical advantages of training in the fresh air, on his own terms, are vast and have boosted his confidence in his running ability as well as providing inspiration to others. But for Simon the real thrill and motivation for training come from simply being able to compete on equal terms. [42]____] 'I can't hide the fact I'm blind,' he says, 'but at the same time I would rather compete with everybody else and not be put into a special group. Being visually impaired doesn't mean you can't run.' Click to reveal the answers below: Part 6 37 D 38 G 39 F 40 A 41 C 42 E #RAUOE #RAUOEPart6

Do you have any plans that involve other people this weekend? I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

Hey everyone! I'm just about to go live to a crossword! Coffee & Crossword Stream ☕️ Come hang out with me and help me do crosswords! Review lots of vocabulary and phrases and hopefully learn something new, too! Where to play: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getspeakingenglish Watch at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetSpeakingEnglish Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/getspeakingenglish And be sure to check out the playlist on YouTube of previous Coffee and Crossword Streams after.

PET B1 Listening Part 1 There are seven questions in this part. For each question there are three pictures and a short recording. Choose the correct picture and put a tick (✅) in the box below it. 4 - What will the girl take with her on holiday? Click to reveal the answer below: ANSWER: B I'll share a transcript in the group later. #listening #b1

Hey everyone! I'm just about to go live to a crossword! Coffee & Crossword Stream ☕️ Come hang out with me and help me do crosswords! Review lots of vocabulary and phrases and hopefully learn something new, too! Where to play: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getspeakingenglish Watch at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetSpeakingEnglish Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/getspeakingenglish And be sure to check out the playlist on YouTube of previous Coffee and Crossword Streams after.

cont… A The first days of television At 3pm on 2 November 1936, BBC television officially began. Mr RC Norman, the BBC chairman, gave a speech that introduced those watching to a new word: 'viewers'. A musical star, Adele Dixon, then sang a song, Television, composed for the occasion, which gave thanks for the 'rnighty maze of mystic, magic rays' that 'bring a new wonder to you'. The BBC's director general, John Reith, attended that evening's broadcast, a single programme called Television Comes to London. In his diary he wrote that it was a 'ridiculous affair' and that he 'left early'. Recently, the BBC4 channel remembered the occasion in a programme called Television's Opening Night: How the Box Was Bom. The first broadcast was recreated using the original technology. This was quite a challenge as no recording exists, of course - all television then was live and died on the air as it was broadcast. B John Logie Baird had first demonstrated television in 1925, but the BBC was lukewarm about his invention. The BBC yearbook for 1930 reflected the official view. 'If this power is ever brought to mechanical perfection,' it wrote of television, there is little reason ... that anyone but a few should go in person to any place of entertainment again.' The BBC had trialled the new television service it was developing for two weeks in autumn 1936, in order to sell some of the new television sets at the Radiolympia show. But it was the launch on 2 November that gave us television that we would recognise today. broadcast two hours a day, at 3pm and 9pm, except Sundays C As time went on many more programmes were developed. L Marsland Gander, one of the first television critics, wrote in his newspaper: 'I find that next Saturday a Mr JT Baily is to demonstrate on the television screen how to repair a broken window.... Probably at some future time, when we have television all day long, it will be legitimate to cater for a minority of potential window repairers. Out of two hours, however, the allocation of 30 minutes to such a subject seems disproportionate.' From the start, television had more of what we'd now call lifestyle programmes than radio: cookery, and gardening, for example. Gander wasn't alone in finding the content generally mundane and banal. He did concede later that the first edition of Picture Page, on that opening night of 2 November, had filled him 'with an enthusiasm for a new artform that has never waned'. D On Picture Page there was a series of quick-fire interviews with everyone from a bagpiper in Trafalgar Square to a London cab driver who'd driven someone to the far north of Scotland. Picture Page epitomised a key advantage that television had over radio: informality, Radio talk at this time was often scripted, and delivered in an extremely formal tone. On television, the announcers could not read from a script if they wanted to look at the viewer, and could not see much in the glare of the lights anyway, so they had to speak more spontaneously and learn to sound natural. E Even so, Reith never changed his position, and said later that the arrival of television influenced his decision to leave the BBC in 1938. On his last day, the corporation presented him with a rather tactless leaving present a television set. He barely looked at it. Were Reith alive today, what would he make of BBC television now? Mostly he would be appalled by the sheer abundance of it, the way it fills every hour of the day. This was a man, after all, who decreed that there be a few minutes' silence in between radio programmes to allow people to switch off! Click to reveal the answers below: 43 C 44 B 45 A 46 E 47 B 48 A 49 C 50 S 51 D 52 A #RAUOE #RAUOEPart7

Reading and Use of English - Part 7 You are going to read an article about the first days of television. For questions 43-52, choose from the sections (A-E). The sections may be chosen more than once. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Not sure how to do this exercise? Check out this post here: https://t.me/b2_first/77 In which section does the writer mention [43]___] a change of heart about the poor quality of programmes? [44]___] a concern about how theatre and cinema might be affected by TV? [45]___] a difficulty involved for the makers of one programme? [46]___] the idea that a break between programmes could be good for the listener? [47]___] an experimental version of TV which predated the official beginning? [48]___] written evidence of someone's dislike of a programme they'd seen? [49]___] a published complaint about the interest value of a programme? [50]___] a practical problem for certain people who appeared on TV? [51]___] a programme that featured ordinary people doing unusual things? [52]___] TV being presented as something mysterious and unexplainable? #RAUOE #RAUOEPart7 cont…

Reading and Use of English - Part 7 You are going to read an article about a new popular psychology book. For questions 43-52, choose from the sections (A-F). The sections may be chosen more than once. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Not sure how to do this exercise? Check out this post here: https://t.me/b2_first/77 In which section does the writer []___] give an example of a personal goal that failed initially? []___] say that he's convinced of the beneficial effects of reading the book? []___] say that one idea in the book is backed up by an academic? []___] give an example of a personal goal that sounds too big? []___] praise the book for giving attention to various bits of research? []___] suggest that keeping a promise made to others can be motivating? []___] suggest that reading the book itself may be a personal goal some people find too hard? []___] say that psychology can sometimes give messages that seem very obvious? []___] give a jokey example of a wholly unrealistic personal goal? []___] suggest that bold behaviour can be helpful? #RAUOE #RAUOEPart7 cont…