This is the B2 podcast for this week.

Aidioscript:

The Fresh-food Market

Lena had always tried to follow a balanced diet, but after she moved to the city, she often skipped meals. The constant absence of fresh food in her neighbourhood made it difficult to eat properly. One evening, she wandered outside and saw an old, abandoned house at the end of the street. It was heart-breaking to see its broken windows, reminding her of her childhood home that had been left behind when her family moved.

She was so absorbed in her memories that she didn’t notice a neighbour approaching.

“That house is an absolute mess,” he said. “The council wants to demolishit.”

“That’s absurd,” Lena replied. “It could be restored and made into something useful. It’s easily accessible from the main road. Imagine a small market inside, where people could buy fresh food.”

The man laughed, but Lena began to plan seriously. With careful research and surprising accuracy, she worked out the costs and possibilities. Slowly, more neighbours joined her vision.

In the end, the abandoned house became a lively community centre and food market. For Lena, it was proof that even from broken places, healthier and happier lives could grow.

To see my new book on Amazon Spain, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):

http://www.amazon.es/dp/8409766922

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

I'm back from my holidays!

Today I'm publishing the first B1 podcast of season 5 - five years helping intermediate students pass Cambridge exams.

I also have news of my new book just published on Amazon "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases
Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam.

Hear more on the podcast!

The story audioscript is here:

A Climbing Accident

My name is Mary, and I love mountain climbing. My friend John and I travel abroad a lot to climb and hike. However, we were absent from work today because of an accident. All I remembered was waking up in hospital beside John. According to the doctor, the accident had happened while we were hiking in the Alps.

We had found accommodation in a small hotel in the mountains. The views were amazing. However, the weather had changed quickly. According to the weather forecast, it wasn’t going to snow that day. That hadn’t been accurate.

Still, we climbed. That was not acceptable because we could see dark clouds approaching, but John, above all, wanted to achieve his dream: to reach the top of the Matterhorn. Falling hadn’t been part of the plan—or the achievement.

To see my new book on Amazon Spain, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):

http://www.amazon.es/dp/8409766922

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This favourite story for learners of B1 will be the last of the summer episodes before my return for season 5 next week. Enjoy the story!

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Here are some words that are not B1 and you'll need to understand the story.

Words which are outside the A1 to B1 levels

*Greenhouse - a building with glass sides and roof for growing plants in.

*Skin - the outside of some types of vegetable and fruit.

*String - a long piece of material used for tying things together.

*Ultraviolet (light) - a blue light with wavelengths shorter than violet light.

*Allotment - an area of land in a town which a person can rent or buy in order to grow vegetables on it.

*Gardener - somebody who works in a garden as a profession or for pleasure.

*Waiting list - a list of people waiting.

*Chimney - structure often made of stone that carries away the smoke of a fire through the roof.

*Fireplace - where a fire is made in a house to keep the house warm.

*Botanist - a scientist who studies flowers.

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This lovely story from the the American writer O'Henry, I completely re-wrote for B2 level.

Here is the vocabulary discussed:

Just around the corner. The means a place further on where we cannot see but is very close.

English proverb: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. This means that life is better any place but where you are now.

hesitation - worried about doing something because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do.

impersonal - without friendly human feelings or atmosphere.

uncaring - not sympathetic about the problems or suffering of others.

loneliness - unhappiness because you have no friends or people to talk to.

vibrant and bustling - full of people moving about in a busy way.

optimism - a feeling that good things will happen.

look at someone in the eye - look directly into someone's face.

passers-by - people walking past in the street.

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Here is Part two of my popular story, Tsunami for learners of B1 English

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

I am still on holiday during August, so today I bring you a favourite of many listeners - the B1 story of Tsunami! (Part 1). Part 2 next week.

Enjoy it and enjoy your summer!

Mike Bilbrough

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

While I'm on my summer holiday, here is a repeat of a lovely B1 story - Part 2 of "Dad". I published Part 1 last Wednesday.

The verbs we are studying today are:
realize
drop
call out
weigh
admire
encourage
dive
appear
breathe
hug

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)