When I was a little girl

On the day of the World Cup football

final（决赛）in London in 1966, we were very excited because England were playing West Germany in the final. When we were having lunch, my mother told us to go to the post office straightaway after the match if England won, but she didn‟t tell us why. At 2 o‟clock my mother went back to work as usual, while the rest of the family were watching the football on TV at home. Although she wasn‟t watching the match, she was listening to it on the radio.

England won 4:2 and so my brothers

and I ran to the post office. As we burst in, my mother was standing behind the counter. She was waiting to sell us a very special limited edition with ENGLAND WINNERS on each stamp. We were over the moon.

We still have it today, and perhaps it

is worth a lot of money. 2 Anna is only daughter. My wife and I have two sons and Anna is the youngest in the family, but she‟s twenty-five now. Anna was not well when she was little. It was a very worrying time and she stayed at home a lot. She was seen first by the local doctors, and then she was sent to a specialist in Cardiff where she was diagnosed as diabetic. It was my wife who mainly took care of her then. I am not very good at looking after little children. I suppose I am a bit traditional in that way. But when she grew up a bit, we spent a lot of time together. We loved walking and talking and discussing life. We still love it today. We get on very well.

Although she looks like me (tall, dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin), she takes after her mother: she is artistic and musical, and like her mother she‟s attractive.

She loves looking after animals-she

has two dogs, three cats and a goat. She lives in a little house in the country. I like animals too. I like riding and hunting, but Anna hates hunting. She thinks it‟s cruel. We discuss it a lot.

She is quiet and a bit shy with

strangers. I am more outgoing and I love meeting new people. But she‟s not boring-actually, she‟s very funny. She always has lots of stories of her life in the country. She‟s an art and music teacher in a little village school.

She is very good-natured. Anna says

we brought her up well, and she‟s going to bring her children up to be honest and loyal. But I think she was easy to bring up. I don‟t remember ever telling her off. 3 A day in the life of a carer

Lily is 70 years old and she takes care of her 91-year-old mother. She told us about caring for her mother.

I wake up early every day, it‟s usually about 6.30 a.m, and wait until I hear Tilly, my mum, moving about. Then I make her a cup of tea. At about half past seven she gets up and we have breakfast together. We normally just have toast, but on Sundays we always have bacon and eggs. After breakfast she reads the newspaper, then she sits by the window and waves to the neighbours as they walk by.

She hardly ever goes out but she is

very proud of her personal appearance, so she goes to the hairdresser once a month.

She doesn‟t like being left on her own

for very long, so I always arrange for a neighbour to come and sit with her when I go out. Now and again, my friend and neighbour, Joan, comes to spend the day with her, and I can go and have lunch with another friend, May, who lives in town.

I have a brother, Syd. He comes to

stay two or three time a year. He is very good and keeps in touch, but he lives 300 miles away. Once a year, he collects mum and takes her to stay with him in London for a week. She doesn‟t really like going because it‟s a long journey, but I need the rest.

Sally, the nurse, comes to see mum

regularly. My next-door neighbour, jack, often calls in. In the evening we usually watch TVand we sometimes play cards. Mum is fantastic for her age. But I can never decide to go anywhere spontaneously. I always have to plan it, so I feel a bit trapped. But what is the alternative? An old people‟s home? I couldn‟t do that to my mother. 4 Morgan Rees has always been a good businessman. He used to own three petrol stations and was busy most of the time. When he was 65, the normal retirement age, he decided that he didn‟t want to stop. So he carried on working for another two years. Eventually, when he was nearly 68, his wife, Dolly, asked him to retire because she wanted to enjoy their old age together. Reluctantly, he handed over the business to his son.

But he was unhappy. He didn‟t know what to do with himself. Although he read a lot of books and he went on holiday to interesting places with his wife, he was bored and began to get depressed because he hated being retired.

Then one day saw an advertisement

in the newspaper and, without telling his wife, he bought a small crockery factory. The next week he told his family. They were horrified and worried. They thought he was too old at 71 to start work again.

He is now 76 and he has expanded

the company considerably. He has increased the number of staff from 6 to 24 and he has found many new customers for the products. He has developed the export marked and has improved profits by 200%. He has opened a new design office and employed three young designers. They have been all over the world to get new ideas, and one of them has gone to France this week to a major trade fair. Most importantly, he hasn‟t been bored since he bought the factory. 5 An extraordinary change of direction Molly Wilson had been a dancer and a mother for many years when she decided to sail round the world to raise money for charity.

As a child she had trained as a ballet

dancer, but at 15 she had grown too tall for classical ballet, so she became a member of a pop dance team.

She got married, and after she had

children she retired from show business to bring them up. They grew up, and when they were 18 they left home.

She says, ”When I decided to do the

round-the-world race, my husband thought I was bored because the children had left home. He was also worried because I had never sailed before. I was not bored, but I had met some people who told me about the race. They had taken part in it, but they had only done one section, say, from New Zealand to Australia. I wanted to do the whole ten-month journey. ”

Before Molly left she did a lot of

training, but it hadn‟t prepared her for the worst weather which they experienced. She tells one story. “One night the sea was very rough and it was very cold. I had gone downstairs when a huge wave smashed into the boat and injured two men on the deck. One of the men couldn‟t move because he had broken his leg. They were taken to hospital by helicopter. That was the worst time.”

By the end of October last year, she

had raised more than $50,000 for charity.

She says, “ Sometimes I ask myself,

what did I do? How did I do it? But then I think, it‟s the same as being a dancer. Before I left on the trip, I had trained hard. I had got very fit and had prepared myself completely. Then on the trip I was simply a good team member.” 6 John Preston lives in a flat in north London. He moved there after his wife died four years ago to be closer to his daughter‟s family, and because his big detached house and garden were too much work for him as he got older. It‟s easier in the flat because the letting agent does everything that needs doing. The agent has had the roof repaired and got the gutter replaced, but at the moment John is not satisfied because the window frames need painting and the garden looks neglected. The agent had the windows painted two years ago, but the painters didn‟t do it very well, so they need doing again. John pays over $1500 a year for service and maintenance, and he thinks that it‟s not good enough because the flats look shabby and a lot of things need repairing.

His daughter, June, and her husband, Pete, on the other hand, have to do everything themselves or find builders to do it. They live in a large semi-detached house further out from the centre of London than John, but they are still near enough to see him often. They live in the suburbs with a nice garden where their children play. They moved there four years ago to have more space. The only drawback is that June‟s husband has to commute into the centre of London every day, but, overall, they are happy with their decision. When they bought the house, a lot needed doing to it and it still does. June says, “ We have a list of things to do as long as your arm-the roof needs repairing and the chimney needs mending. The bedrooms need decorating and we haven‟t had the broken windowpanes replaced yet in the conservatory. We need to fix the gate and repair the path-it looks dreadful when you arrive.” 7 The residents of 24 Acacia Grove were dissatisfied with the condition of the property, so John Preston called a meeting to discuss things last week. At the meeting John suggested setting up a residents‟ committee. Everyone was so worried and angry about the agent‟s inactivity that they agreed, and they elected John as chairman of the committee. Many residents said that they were tired of telephoning the agent and tired of complaining about the flats. Although the agent was responsible for the flats, they thought that he didn‟t do enough. Therefore John was asked to write to the agent and say that they were disappointed with the management of the flats.

The next service payment was due at

the end of the month. However, they agreed not to pay it until they were happy with the plans to improve the property. They decided to tell the agent that he must start the work within one month. They all went away very pleased with themselves. 8 Dear Mr Hall

As chaiman of the new Residents‟ Committee, I am writing to you to complain about the current state of the flats. We are dissatisfied with the condition of the flats and unhappy that you have not replied to our complaints.

For example, although you sent

painters to do the doors and windows two years ago, the work was not satisfactory and they now need repainting. We are very concerned about the state of the flats. They look shabby and this affects the value of the property.

Secondly, we are appalled by the

condition of the garden, which is in a terrible state and needs tidying up. The trees need cutting back, the flowerbeds need weeding and the lawns need mowing.

The gardener agreed to deal with this

three months ago. However, he has not been to the property for several months. Therefore the garden now needs extensive work. Residents themselves have had to mow the lawns.

We feel it is unacceptable to residents

to neglect the gardens and buildings in this way. Therefore the Committee has decided that residents will not pay the next service payment until we are satisfied with the plans to improve the situation.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, 9 After hours

Government figures in a recent survey show that British people do housework for an average of three hours a day. This figure has fallen dramatically in the last thirty years because of the increase in labour-saving devices (washing machines, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, etc.)

Consequently, leisure time has

increased. The number of TVs, stereos, videos, CD and DVD players, etc. has also risen sharply during the last decade because using these has become the most important leisure activity.99% of people have spent time watching television in the past four weeks and 78% of people have listened to records or CDs and tapes. However, listening to tapes and records decreases with age, and gardening for pleasure rises sharply. 63%of 55- year-olds have spent time gardening in the past four weeks compared to 21% of 20-24 year-olds. 10 Animals at home

Just under half the households in the UK(45%) own a pet. Pets range from dogs, cats and rabbits to the more exotic animals, such as snakes, lizards and tropical fish. Dogs used to be the most popular pet, but changes in lifestyle and the family structure have now made cats more popular than dogs because they are more independent and need less care.

A large proportion of people who own a dog own only one dog(78%).

Although the majority of people who own a cat own only one cat, over a third (38%) own two or more cats.

More than half the dogs in Britain are pedigree (52%), but only a small proportion of cats are pedigree(8%). 11 The Olympic Games

The ancient Olympic Games were part of a religious festival in honour of the Greek god Zeus, the father of all Greek gods and goddesses. The festival and games were held in Olympia, a religious sanctuary. The athletes came to Olympia from all parts of the Greek world, from as far as Spain in the west and Turkey in the east.

The ancient Olympic Games began in the year 776 BC when Koroibos. A cook from the city of Elis, won a 200-metre-long race. They took place for a period of 617 years until the last games were held in AD393.

In the ancient games, athletes received prizes worth large amounts of money. In fact the word “athlete” is an ancient Greek word, meaning “one who competes for a prize”. Although women did not compete in the games, there was a separate festival held at the same time in honour of Hera, wife of Zeus. At thisfestival unmarried girls

competed in foot races.

The marathon was not an event of the ancient Olympic Games. The marathon is a mondern event that was first introduced in the Olympic Games in 16. It was named after a village called Marathon where the Persians were defeated by a small Greek army. The news of the victory was brought to Athens by a soldier, who ran the 26 miles from the village of Marathon to the capital. 26miles was therefore adopted as the distance of the modern marathon race.

The Olympic flag was introduced in 1908 and carries the symbol of five linked rings, which represent the five continents-Africa, America, Asia, Australasia and Europe. The Olympic flame was firest carried in the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. There was no torch relay in the ancient Olympic Games. The first torch relay in the modern Olympic Games was staged in berlin in 1936. 12 The Fittest Do Live Longer

A study has shown that fitness is the key to long life, irrespective of body shape or even smoking habits. Reserachers discovered that people who exercise live longer than those who do not, even if they are overweight and smoke.

The study found that the least fit of the 6000 middle-aged men in the study were five times more likely to die within six years of the start of the research than the fittest. This was true whether or not the men had heart problems, smoked or were overweight. Scientists concluded that it was better to be fat and active than 1.skinny and 2. sedentary. Dr Ken Cooper, a fitness expert, said, “You are better off smoking a packet of cigarettes a day and exercising regularly than being a non-smoker and sedentary.” Although he adds, “But don‟t misunderstand me. I am not 3, endorsing smoking. I amtrying to tell you how dangerous it is to be sedentary.” However, the study appears 4 to fly in the face of research last year which concluded that more than 30000 people die 5 prematurely every year in Britain from illnesses caused by being overweight.

The British Government is putting pressure on manufacturers to reduce high levels of sugar in food and to restrict the hard-sell of 6 junk food to children in order to improve the nation‟s health. But the new study suggests the Government should encourage more people to exercise. 13 Hygiene Problems in British Hospitals The government has revealed a finding that 40 public hospitals have failed an inspection of their hygiene standards. This investigation is being conducted by the Commission for Health Improvement. The Commission is committed to taking action to improve standards in hospitals throughout Britain.

Britain has the highest rate in Europe of patients catching diseases while they are in hospital. The Commission intends to tackle this head on. This high rate of infection is being blamed on hygiene conditions in British hospitals. Last week more than 200 patients were being treated in a Glasgow hospital for a virus which they had caught while they were there.

The unions claim that the hospitals used to be much cleaner when they were being cleaned by public employees. Now, four out of five hospitals are being cleaned by private companies.

The 40 public hospitals are now being cleaned by special “hit squads” to raise the wards to satisfactory standard. One hospital is being given a $1 million grant by the government to improve its hygiene conditions. 14 The British School System Children in the UK have to go to school from the age of five for 11 years. When they are two or three years old, they sometimes go to a nursery school, but they don‟t have to . The first school is called a primary school, and in this school children study a range of basic subjects, such as reading, writing and mathematics. There is a National Curriculum which all state schools must follow, but which private schools are not required to follow. Most children go to state schools, where the parents don‟t have to pay. About 6% of children go to private schools, where the parents have to pay fees. These can be very expensive.

At the age of 11,most children change schools and go to a secondary school. They have to stay at this school for five years as schooling is compulsory in the Uk until the age of 16. In many secondary schools children have to wear a uniform for the first five years, but often in the last two years they don‟t have to . At 16, children take examinations in a range of different subjects. This examination is called the General Certificate of Secondary Education(GCSE). After that they may stay at school for two or three more years to take Advanced-level examinations (A-levels) or they may leave. They can, for example, leave school and go to a further education college to take A-levels, or vocational qualifications (diplomas). Or they can leave to find jobs.

Over 20% of students in the UK go on

to higher education (university or college) to take degrees or diplomas. This figure is rising and will soon be 30%-40%.

Because English continues to be a

highly important world language, many foreign students want to go to university in the UK. They believe that good English will help them to find better jobs and have a more successful career. As well as this, many students think that they will benefit from the ideas in Western universities. So, many further education colleges and universities offer foundation courses for foreign students to prepare for university study in the UK. 15 Mapping The Future

At beijing‟s new Urban Planning Exhibition Centre a computerized city planning map is creating great interest. Visitors are crowding around it to locate their neighbourhoods and to learn about the changes that are occurring. Why? Because during the last decade the government and the local authority have been pushing forward urban development at great speed. Old and ugly factories, even whole areas are being demolished to make way for new skyscrapers, blocks of flats and shopping malls.

Urban planning officials say, “We are trying to be more open. We want to get more feedback from the public. This computerized map is real progress.” In fact, the Centre is the first of its kind in the city. Residents are sharing with the government the vision of making a new city.

The main attraction is a large-scale model of the city and about half the size of a tennis court-visitors can even see the traffic lights and the bridges in the city. A guide, who comes from the Beijing suburbs, points out Beijing‟s landmarks to the visitors, for example, the Foridden City and the 2008Olympic Games complex. People can study the new underground extension and see where the new underground stations are.

Visitors come to the Centre for a variety of reasons. One man, in his 70s, is planning to spend five months in Canada with his daughter later in the year- he wants to know if his flat will still be there when he gets back. Good news! He discovers that his area is designated a „conservation area‟. The beautiful old statues, fountains and pavement cafes in his area will stay. They

are even making this attractive part of the city into a pedestrianised area-no more traffic! However, not everyone is pleased with the new centre. One young couple, from the city‟s emerging professional middle classes, are trying to choose the best place to buy a flat. They feel that the Centre still does not give enough information for them to make a good investment decision. 16 Swearing “Charity Worker” Found Guilty of Theft A 15-year-old boy, who was first found guilty of theft at the age of 12, was convicted of stealing 22 charity boxes yesterday from local shops. He was arrested while he was dressed as a woman pretending to be a representative of the charity Help Aids.

The boy had been arrested 80 times before, and neighbours say that he had committed over 1000 offences, One local person said, “ He‟s always in court. We‟ve had enough of him.” He had been sent to a young people‟s prison on two occasions and had been convicted eight times- for burglary, robbery and criminal damage. At the trial the jury heard evidence from the shop owners. One of them had finally called the police because of what he had said after his mobile phone rang. He had answered the call and had started swearing. “ It was only at that point,” the shop owner said, “That I realized it was not the usual lady who collects the boxes.”

After the verdict, his mother, who had given evidence in the case, said that she was unable to control her son. The judge told the court that the problems of the family could be due to the absence of a father.

The judge will sentence the boy next Tuesday. 17 Dr Kath Woodward talks about trends in marriage and divorce in the UK. She uses the following expressions: The Divorce Law Reform Act The marriage rate Lone parents

Lone parent families Headed by a woman 1.8 children per couple

You now hear Dr Woodward.

There have been changes in all sorts of different areas of British society. In recent years in the UK we have had a very large increase in the number of couples who get divorced.

After 1969 and the Divorce Law Reform Act we had a very rapid increase in the number of divorces. The rate increased steadily and in recent years has increased much more rapidly. But there are also quite a lot of people who do actually get married. At present the marriage rate in the UK is about 70 per cent, which has gone down since the number of people who marry has gone down quite a lot in the last 20 years, but more significantly in the last 10 years. Quite high proportions of people now live together without marrying, and, for example, 40 per cent of children born in the UK are born to couples who aren‟t married or are born to none parents. There are quite a large number of lone parent families, 90per cent of these are headed by a woman rather than a man.

The average family size now in the UK is 1.8 children per couple, which means that there‟s been quite a decline in the birth rate in the UK along with other European countries. 18 The Extended Family

Mrs Sharp, a large, red-faced woman in 1 her late sixties, has lived in Greenleas, a “new town” in the countryside outside London, since 1958. Before that she lived in

Bethnal Green, an area of inner London. She was moved to Greenleas by the local authorities when her old house was demolished.

She came from a large family with six girls and two boys, and she grew up among brothers, sisters, aunts, grandparents and cousins. When she married her boyfriend from school at eighteen, 2 they went on living with her parents, and her first child was brought up more by her mother than by herself, because she always worked.

As the family grew, they moved out of their parents‟ house to a flat.3 It was in the next street, and their life was still that of the extended family.” All my family used to live around Denby Street,” said Mrs Sharp,” and we were always in and out of each other‟s houses.” When she went to the shops, she used to call in on her mother to see if 4. she wanted anything. Every day she would visit one sister or another and see a nephew or niece at the corner shop or in the market. “You always knew 90% of the people you saw in the street everyday, either 5.they were related to you or you were at school with them,” She said.

When her babies were born (she had two sons and a daughter), she said, “All my sisters and neighbours would help 6,they used to come and make a cup of tea, or help in some other way.” And every Saturday night there was a family party. 7 It was at Mrs Sharp’s mother‟s house.” Of course we all know each other very well. You have to learn to get on with each other. I had one neighbour who was always poking her nose into our business. 8 She was forever asking questions and gossiping. But you had to put up with everyone. Whatever they were like.”