The B1 story today:

The Girl in the Painting

Sophie had been meaning to visit the old house on the hill for years, and she was surprised to see the door open, as though inviting her to visit.

Inside, the air was heavy and quiet. She glanced around the dusty room and saw an old mirror. In the glass, she saw a handsome young man smiling at her. She turned suddenly, however, there was no one there behind her. She turned back to the mirror. There was the same young man dressed in a smart dinner jacket and matching trousers, his dark, curly hair falling down onto his broad shoulders.

“Help yourself to some tea,” he said calmly, and pointed to a table with a silver teapot, plates and dishes with cakes.

Sophie wanted to escape, but the man’s deep, brown eyes somehow pulled her towards them, and then she disappeared into the mirror altogether.

When her friends came looking for her a few days later, the mirror was gone, and in its place was an enormous painting of a young couple in fine clothes taking tea and cakes. The gorgeous woman looking out of the painting, they recognised as Sophie. Her sad eyes filled with tears.

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

This is a B2 level podcast:

The Magic of True Friendship

Have you ever stopped to think what really makes a good friend? We all have people we hang out with, but genuine friendship goes beyond just having fun together.

A good friend is someone you can count on, no matter what. They listen when you need to talk, cheer you up when you’re feeling down, and tell you the truth — even when it’s hard to hear. Trust and honesty are key. After all, what’s friendship without trust?

With good friends, you don’t have to pretend to be someone else. You can be completely yourself — messy hair, bad jokes and all! They accept you for who you are and stand by you, whatever happens.

But can we really be good friends with lots of people? Honestly, I don’t think so. You can have many acquaintances, sure, but real friendship takes time, effort and care. You can’t give that to dozens of people!

In the end, it’s not about having loads of friends — it’s about having a few who truly matter. Because when you find those special people, you know you’ve found something priceless. So, who’s that person you can always count on?

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

Today, I'm going to read an article, which is similar to the articles you have to write if you're doing the B1 Cambridge PET exam.

Many people enjoy playing games in their free time. Some prefer board games like chess or Monopoly, while others like video games such as Minecraft or FIFA. But which type of game is more interesting to play?

Board games are great for spending time with family and friends. You can sit together, talk, and have fun face to face. These games often need players to think carefully and plan their moves, so they help improve memory and problem-solving skills. They also teach people how to be patient and work as a team.

Video games, on the other hand, are exciting because of their fast action and colourful graphics. They can take you to different worlds and let you do amazing things, like flying a plane or saving a city. Some video games help you think quickly and make decisions under pressure. Online games can also connect you with players from around the world, which is a great way to make new friends.

In my opinion, both types of games are interesting in different ways. Board games are better for real social time, while video games are more exciting and creative. From playing games, people can learn teamwork, problem solving, and how to think in new ways. No matter which type you choose, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game.

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Bully-sample-with-explain.pdf

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

A B2-level short story for you today...

A True Champion

Sofia had always dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. She trained every morning, even when she was tired, because she knew success would depend on her hard work. Some people tried to discourage her from doing so much training, saying she was wasting her time, but Sofia refused to listen.

Her first big tournament didn’t go well. She suffered a terrible defeat, and her confidence began to decline. Deep down, she felt that maybe everyone had been right. For a moment, she even hesitated to enter the next competition.

However, her coach reminded her that real champions never give up. He said that despite the fact she had lost she had learned something important. Sofia realised he was right. She returned to the court, determined to demonstrate her true ability.

In the final match, her opponent tried to deceive her with tricky shots, but Sofia stayed calm and focussed. This time, she won.

When she lifted the trophy, she smiled – not because of the victory, but because she had proved to herself that determination and a belief in yourself are stronger than fear.

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

The Mystery of the Lake

Day after day, Lily walked past the old lake near her village. The elderly people of the village said it was dangerously deep, and that in its depths lived an enormous monster. In all her life, Lily had never seen anything, although she often wondered why there were never ducks or swans on the lake. 

One summer morning, she decided to take her small boat and explore the lake herself.

As her tiny boat moved further from the lake’s edge, dark clouds began to form. The wind grew stronger, and waves started to crash against the side of her boat. She tried to turn back, but something sharp cut into the wood and made a huge hole. Lily thought she saw something just under the water – something powerful and dark that moved under the boat. It was huge like a whale. But no whale lives in lakes. 

Water started to pour into the boat fast. Lily knew she had to deal with the situation quickly. She jumped into the cold water, swimming hard towards the shore. Her arms felt heavy, and her energy began to run out. Just when she thought she wouldn’t make it, a fisherman’s voice shouted from behind her. She knew him. He was a friend of her father’s. He grabbed her arms and pulled her on board. Lily was delighted to be rescued but shaking from cold and fear. 

The fisherman smiled and said, “You were lucky! The last person who went out so far out into the lake never returned. You should stay near the shore.”

Now safe, Lilly sat in the back of the large, metal fishing boat. She thought about what she had seen under the water, and realised that perhaps what the elderly people of the village said might be true. 

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

The audioscript for today's B2 story:

If only we could go back

On Tuesday morning, Alice decided to call in sick, not because she was ill, but because the clouds outside looked like elephants marching across the sky. Today she felt like the little girl that she used to be many years before. She simply couldn’t be bothered to sit at her office desk when such wonders were happening around her.

She set off to the fields near her country home, carrying a picnic basket. A rabbit wearing a red jacket ran beside her and said, “You’ve picked a magical day for an adventure.” Alice asked the rabbit how it could talk, to which it didn’t reply, so instead she chose to change the subject and offered the rabbit a sandwich.

As they walked together, a clumsy, rather overweight fairy flew past, dropping fairy dust everywhere. She apologized for her carelessness, then laughed and raced through the air. Alice, trying to be cautious, didn’t touch the fairy dust, unsure what it might do.

“Don’t be so suspicious,” the rabbit said in a cheeky voice. “Magic works best when you trust it.”

Under normal circumstances, Alice might have turned back, but today she followed them, just as a little child follows that which is innocent and wonderful. And when they came to a golden door that appeared among the trees – inviting them to go in, Alice couldn’t face doing the safe thing anymore. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open, ready for whatever lay beyond.

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

The story audioscript for the story. The B1 words are shown in black.

The missing actor

Detective Anna Jones had a long career solving strange crimes. One rainy night, the police had called her to a dark hotel outside the village to help them. A film actor and celebrity, John Kelly, had disappeared from his locked room. The manager had knocked on the door, to bring his dinner, but there had been no reply. 

Unfortunately, the local police had been careless, and Anna realised they had touched and moved objects in the room. Anna couldn’t stand this lack of professional behaviour. It made her job even more complicated.

However, she couldn’t help feeling that probably there was a simple explanation to this mystery – despite the locked door. There usually was. 

Although the window had been pushed shut, it wasn’t, in fact, locked. The actor had left by the window. The room was only on the first floor. But why?

‘Search the gardens around the hotel,’ she ordered. ‘He can’t have gone far.’

Walking through the rain, Anna went in a different direction from the police.
She came to a part of the huge gardens where there was a single lamppost, and in its light, a young man was dancing and singing holding an umbrella.

‘He’s mad!’ thought Anna.

John Kelly then saw Anna. ‘Hello,’ he said.

‘Good evening, Mr Kelly. I’m Detective Jones. We’ve been looking for you. Are you all right?’

John Kelly laughed. ‘Yes, thank you! Please don’t tell anybody. They’ll think I’m crazy. But I’m practising for a play in the West end – Singing in the Rain. I saw this lovely lamppost in the hotel garden, and it was raining. I thought what a wonderful opportunity!’

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

B2 story and vocabulary today. Here is the audioscript of the story and the B2 words in bold.

The Crown Thief

Detective Harris was on the point of leaving the police station when the phone rang. A robbery had taken place at the old museum. He grabbed his coat and hurried out.

At the scene, the guard looked bad-tempered. “This is a disgrace!” he shouted. “The thief just walked in and out. Nobody stopped him. There are three of us, but the robbery happened the other side of the museum. My colleague should have stopped the thief, but he did nothing it seems. I don’t understand why.”

Harris tried to stay calm. “Don’t be ashamed,” he said. “I’m sure you did your best. Now, tell me what happened.”

The guard explained that the lights suddenly went off in the entire museum. “Basically, I heard footsteps, then silence. But I thought it was my colleague checking on the situation. When the lights came back on, the gold crown in the medieval room was gone. With the lights out, it must have been a piece of cake to steal the crown.”

“Well. We should be checking on what your colleague has to say. Will he back up your story?” asked the detective.

“I can’t seem to find him,” said the guard. “That guy is a real pain. He’s never where he should be. He’s new, you see.”

Suddenly, they heard a noise behind a curtain. Harris pulled it back, and there stood a man with the missing gold crown in his hand.

“You again,” Harris muttered.

“You know him, sir?” asked the guard, amazed. “But that’s my colleague, George Rigby – he works as here a guard. He’s been working here for 3 months now.”

The thief tried to run, but the guard stopped him easily. Harris sighed with relief.

“Good work,” Harris said. “His real name is Jack Smith. He’s a well-known jewel thief. We’ve been chasing him for months. Well, finally I’ve caught him. Case closed.”

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

A B1-level podcast today with a story and a test on the B1 words and expressions:

A frightening experience at the airport

Read the audioscript of the story at:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-260.htm

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...

This is the B2 podcast for this week.

Aidioscript:

The Fresh-food Market

See audioscript with B1 words highlighted at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-259.htm

Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level.

https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

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

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...