Radio

I always listen to the radio in the mornings while I’m in the bathroom and while I’m on the bus to school. The radio is on my mobile phone.

My favourite Hungarian radio station is Class FM because I like music programmes. Class FM is a commercial radio station and there is always lots of music on it. I think this station is really popular with young people.

This station also provides news every hour and information on town and road conditions. The Morning Show is really entertaining, the presenters are very funny. They make me feel better  early in the morning.

I don’t like interviews with politicians and programmes about economy.

These programmes mostly give us different people’s opinions. And I’m not interested in sport programmes on the radio, they’re more exciting on TV.

I know other radio stations, too.  e. g. Kosssuth Radio, Bartók Radio. I think  they’re for older people.

In summmer I like listening to the local commercial radio station called Parti Radio. It broadcasts lots of good music and also gives information about local events.

When I am studying I need silence. I can’t concentrate on my studies when I am listening to music.

I have got a Sony make sorround stereo system with a DVD player, CD player, MP3 player and four speakers.

I think music on a CD sounds better than on the radio because there is not any background noise and the music isn’t interrupted with commercials.

I’m interested in the weather forecast on the radio in the morning because it often helps me to decide what to wear and what to do in my free time.

I prefer watching TV to listening to the radio because TV is more enjoyable than the radio and there are much more channels on TV.

But there are advantages of radio, too. You can listen to it particully everywhere: while you are driving or travelling, when you are on the beach, at home while doing housework or cooking and even at your workplace.

Sometimes I listen to an Englih programme on the radio because English is a pleasant sounding language. I think it helps to practise listening skills and improves my pronunciation.

16. Making a complaint

 Making a complain: 

Mistakes happen. When they do, customer service representatives often need to handle consumers' complaints. It's also important for customer service reps to gather information to help resolve the problem. The following short dialog provides some helpful phrases to deal with complaint:

Customer: Good morning. I purchased a computer from your company last month. Unfortunately, I'm not satisfied with my new computer. I'm having a lot of problems.
Customer Care Representative: What seems to be the problem?

Customer: I'm having problems with my Internet connection, as well as repeated crashes when I try to run my word-processing software.
Customer Care Representative: Did you read the instructions that came with the computer?

Customer: Well, yes. But the troubleshooting section was no help.
Customer Care Representative: What happened exactly?

Customer: Well, the Internet connection doesn't work. I think the modem is broken. I'd like a replacement.
Customer Care Representative: How were you using the computer when you tried to connect to the Internet?

Customer: I was trying to connect to the Internet! What kind of question is that?!
Customer Care Representative: I understand you're upset, sir. I'm just trying to understand the problem. I'm afraid it's not our policy to replace computers because of glitches.

Customer: I bought this computer with the software pre-loaded.

I haven't touched anything.
Customer Care Representative: We’re sorry that you’ve had a problem with this computer. Could you bring in your computer? I promise you we'll check the settings and get back to you immediately.

Customer: OK, that will work for me.
Customer Care Representative: Is there anything else I need to know about this that I haven’t thought to ask?

Customer: No, I'd just like to be able to use my computer to connect to the Internet.
Customer Care Representative: We'll do our best to get your computer working as soon as possible.

Visit to a hospital

During  last summer, one of my friends had an accident and was taken to hospital. When I went to see him, I went to the hospital for the very first time in my life.

As I entered the hospital, I saw people coming and going there. I went to the enquiry office and enquired about the wards to find where my friend was admitted. Firstly, I passed through the surgical ward, I saw patients lying silently on their beds. Some of the patients had their arms and legs bandaged and plastered. Various nurses and doctors were attending to them. The doctor was directing the nurse to give the necessary treatment and medicine. His way of talking itself was very consoling. Quietness was prevailing in the whole ward.

In the next ward, patients were lying pensively on their beds. From their faces, I guessed their pathetic plight. The doctor came on round followed by other staff members. He enquired about the welfare of all the patients one by one very sympathetically and patiently. He was also giving injections to some of the patients. To others, he prescribed medicines.

Some patients who were accompanied by their relatives were also seen. The relatives were sitting  on stools of the hospital. Some of the people were going home after recovering completely from their illness and were in highly delighted mood.

As a whole, the entire hospital presented a very gloomy look. The plight of the patients and the seriousness of the atmosphere prevailing (ott lévő hangulat) there touched me deep within. The behaviour of doctors and nurses was worthy of commendations. They acted most wisely and ably in handling problems of the patients. When I came out of hospital, I realized that there is a whole lot of difference in the atmosphere that prevails inside and outside the hospital.

14. Eating habits

 

1.    Eating habits in the family

I’d like to hear something about the meals you and your family usually have.

A day I have 3 meal times. At morning after 8 or 9 o’clock I have breakfast. Around 2 o’clock I have lunch at home because I don’t like canteen food.  Sometimes it’s with family but sometimes I eat alone. And after 4 o’clock I have dinner. Usually I have a sandwich and mineral water for breakfast. Usually I eat meat-soup and the second meal is chicken in breadcrumbs with rice or with roast potatoes.  For dinner I eat different things every day. I like ordering meals by phone for dinner. I call them, give my order and they deliver the food in an hour. Every day my mom cooks the meals. Sometimes I help  her. I can cook, too but usually I make fast food like fried eggs or boiled sausages. At weekend I usually eat lunch with my family. On Sundays we often go to eat out. When we celebrate birthdays sometimes we eat out with the whole family in an elegant restaurant. I think the most important factors when we eat out are the taste of food and that the place is clean. We always eat 2 or 3 courses but at Christmas and New Year Eve we always cook special dishes. Our favourite is fish soup and stuffed cabbage and chocolate cake. But we have special habits because of my father. He is diabetic. So if my mother makes cookies or cake she can’t put much sugar into them. We lay the table for formal occasions only. First I put a very nice tablecloth on the table. Then I put the plates, glasses, napkins and cutlery onto it. I decorate the table with flowers and candles.

Eating habits in the family

On weekdays normally I eat four times a day. These meals are breakfast, elevenses, lunch and dinner. At weekends I have a substantial breakfast when I get up, lunch at one o’clock, and dinner at seven. For breakfast I usually have a slice of bread and a cup of tea that my father prepare. At weekends I usually have a bigger breakfast, not only a piece of toast but also fried or scrambled eggs and some yoghurt and sometimes some fruit, a banana or an orange. Unfortunatelly my whole family has only dinner together for we are very busy on weekdays. This is when we discuss the day’s happenings and make plans. But at weekends we always spend more time together. Occasionally we go to restaurant to celebrate a birthday, a nameday or a wedding aniversary and we have a special meal. In my family the main meal is the lunch when we eat more courses. But the most important is the breakfast, because we have to gather enough energy for the day. Usually my mother does the cooking in our family. She is a real ,,gastronome”. I quite often help her though. I like it but I can only prepare some of the basic dishes as scrambled eggs, and pancakes. I don’t think it’s difficult to learn it if you are interested in. There are a lot of cookery books with detailed instructions and TV programmes where it is shown how to cook. But I must admit the cooking isn’t my cup of tea. In my family nobody has got special eating habits. Nowadays there are more and more vegetarians, who live on diary products, eggs, vegetables and fruit. Vegans don’t eat any animal products at all. This selection isn’t characteristic oy my family. We are so called ,,omnivorous”. We aren’t on a special diet, we have never taken care of our weights. It isn’t necessary. As for me I haven’t got a sweet tooth but I love the junk food as hamburger and chips. It is full of with preservatives and additives, which are very harmful for the health.

A typical Hungarian Sunday lunch consist of three courses: first comes soup ( vegertable, meat, or fruit soup). The second course is either some meat (pork, beef, veal, chicken, duck, turkey or fish) with potatoes, rice or some vegetable dish made from peas, beans, cabbage or lentils. The second course may also be some noodles with cottage cheese or pancakes. The third course is usually some cake or fruit. In any case before the meals we have to lay the table. First we put a nicely ironed tablecloth on the table. We put the plates, glasses and cutlery onto it. The knife and the spoon go on the right-hand side and the fork goes on the left. We place the napkins in rings next to the plates, and some cruets in several places on the table. We might decorate the table with flowers and candles. The most popular Hungarian dishes are fish soup, chicken soup, goulas, stuffed cabbage, crepes with minced meat and cheese in breadcrumbs, and all kinds os stews. If I have an English guest I will present her these meals. A foreigner might find Hungarian cuisine a little strange because there’s red paprika in almost every dish, which makes it hot. Not only is Hungarian food spicy, it is also quite fatty. On the other hand it’s worth tasting.

Choosing a career

Choosing a career is a very important step in everybody's life. Most children and some students don't have clear ideas about their future job. Boys usually want to be pilots, astronauts, designers,

architects, soldiers. Girls on the other hand dream about  becoming actresses, singers, ballet - dancers, dressmakers, nurses or teachers. Some children want to follow their parents or parents want their children to work in the same line as they did.

When I was a small girl I dreamed about becoming a vet. I was interested in animals and I like them very much. It was my dream to open a clinic in my hometown. Now I would like to be a psychologist. I want to continue my studies at a good university in Debrecen. It is very difficult to be admitted. Today studying isn't cheap. There can be talented students who don't have enough money so they can't afford to continue studying but those who have money and aren't not so talented can study further. But it is my dream, to help people who have got mental problems. Besides it’s a very interesting profession. Fortunately, my parents help me in all fields of life. I can count on them. My school lets students concentrate on the field that suits their abilities and interests the most. It provides us with the best possible facilities, such as the library, and

 computer and language labs, so that we could get the most recent information on any issue that we are interested in. They also help us with making this decision. I visited open classes at some colleges to get more information. It is very useful experience. Meanwhile I am taking part in optional courses to prepare for the school leaving exams. I think job satisfaction is one of the most important things at work. This means that it’s not enough to be good at what you do, but you should enjoy it as well. I would like to find a challenging and motivating job in the future.

Part time jobs

Yes, I’ve already had a paid job at the ZOO, in Budapest, in summer.  I was at the house of palms and I had to help people working there. I could help almost everywhere. For example in the kitchen I prepeared the food for the animals, mainly for the little monkeys and for the birds, or sometimes I helped  clean the terrariums of the snakes or other types of reptiles (to tell the truth it wasn’t my favorite activity). I worked there for 4 weeks. I usually started to work at 8 o’clock in the morning and I finished at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. So it was a full time job, but I remember that before the age of 16, I used to work only for 4 hours a day, because I was too young for a full time job. I worked with adults who work at the ZOO all year. All of them were really kind and helpful to me, even my boss, too. I didn’t earn too much, but for me it was satisfactory enough. I think it was a very interesting and cool job  because I love animals so I don’t mind if my salary was a bit low. I got some information about this job from my father because when we used to live in Budapest with my family, he worked there. I think I didn’t read any other job advertisements.

I was really pleased with this part of my summer holiday!

10. Learning Foreign Languages

In Hungary there are two compulsory foreign languages at secondary grammar schools whereas only one is taught in secondary technical schools. That’s why people start learning languages there. There are students who go to private teachers or choose a language school. Some people try to study themselves, reading books, newspapers and magazines with the help of a dictionary, listening to the radio, watching films with subtitles or using a computer programme. Those who can afford it go abroad to attend a language course in the target-language country. Others try to find a job abroad, for example, as an au-pair, to learn the language.

I study English at school. This year I have five lessons a week, but unfortunately we haven’t got any native British or american teachers. It is very hard to get one in the country.

I read several books. For example, my cousin lent me a grammar reference book, and my penfriend, who lives in Scotland, sent me a collection of short stories for my birthday. I also read magazines in English. I watched subtitled English series on cable TV and listened to CDs to improve my listening skills. I did several tests and translations. I also got extra homework from my English teacher at  school, such as compositions.

It is necessary if you want to get a degree, and it is an advantage when a student wants to go on to higher education. Nowadays if you would like to get a good job, you have to be able to speak foreign languages, and it’s good if you can prove it with a certificate. It is a standard in the EU that a European citizen should speak two foreign languages.

Yes, it’s easier to practise a langauge than learning other subjects  because you can do so many things with a language. You can communicate with people while you are travelling, you can give directions to tourists, and you can enjoy books, films and lyrics of songs much more when you are familiar with the language.

Learning foreign languages is really important because you can get to know the culture of other nations, and you can use a foreign language not only in its native country. For example, when I was on holiday in Denmark, I talked to everybody in English. It’s a big advantage if you want to get a good job, especially if you would like to work for a multinational company. You can read books in the original, and you don’t need translations. You can make friends all over the world. You can also chat with foreigners via the Internet.

There are plenty of great resources for language learners on the Internet and you can easily find free websites as well. I like the BBC Learning English website the most.

8. Travelling and tourism

 VIII. UTAZÁS, TURIZMUS

Vehicles = means of transport, public transport

car, bus, coach, train, ferry, tram, underground, trolley, taxi, motorbike, truck (US)/lorry (GB), van, airplane, suburban train. What make is this car?  

Travelling by public transport

to punch your ticket, to queue, fare, rush hours, to get stuck in a traffic jam, ticket office, platform, single/return ticket, carriage, compartment, to take a train/ …, to miss it, ticket inspector

Driving a car

• advantages: freedom (in time and place), it takes you from door to door, you can stop when you want to 

• disadvantages: expensive, tiring, breaking down

• getting a driving licence: the Highway Code exam, first aid exam, practical exam

• the parts of a car: numberplate, bumper, headlight, indicator, bonnet, windscreen wiper, tyre, boot, rear light, rearview mirror, driver’s/passenger/back seat, to fasten your seat belt, steering wheel, handbrake, gear stick, accelerator, clutch, horn, petrol (GB)/gas (US)

• others: keep to the left/right

Travelling by airplane

• places: airport, terminal, check-in-desk, passport control, customs, departure lounge, departure gate, board, arrival lounge, luggage reclaim(conveyor belt), duty free shop

• verbs: to board a plane, to take off, to land, to check in (your luggage)

• things: a boarding pass, air ticket 

Having a holiday

• accommodation: youth hostel, hotel, guesthouse, tent – campsite, bed&breakfast, inn

• types of holiday: package holiday, individual holiday

• packing for a holiday: travel documents, toiletries, …

• others: a holiday resort, to book a holiday/ a room / a flight, to apply for a passport/visa, to expire, to have sg renewed, full/half board, to put sy up, a single/double room, to check in / out, to pay the bill, sg is included in the bill

8. City Life - Country Life

Town & Country

Living in the country and living in the city are two very different lifestyles. They both have

advantages and disadvantages in many areas.

Nowadays the majority of people prefer living in a city. Also this is the well known fact that there are more people in cities than in the country. Those who like living in the city believe that it has a large number of advantages. First, the big offer of the options for spending free time. For instance people can visit various museums, cinemas, and libraries.

 Second, there are a lot of working places in the city. The biggest companies are located in the cities. Therefore, it is easier for people to find suitable jobs in a city. Also, people have more variants in choosing their career. 

Third, you can buy whatever you need if you live in a city. In opposite, people who live in the country don't have wide choice of shops. Also people are able to use different kinds of services. For example a laundry, a car wash, a beauty salon. In the contrast, there is not any variety of services in a village. 

Although living in the city has many advantages there are some disadvantages, too. The cost of living is very high in the city. Most goods are very expensive. There is no fresh air and pure water. The environment is polluted with dust, smoke, garbage and dioxide gases from factories. Most of the people who live in the city are corrupted. So there are lots of crimes in the cities. The streets are dusty and dirty. So it is hard to lead a healthy life in the city.
Other people, who prefer the country, say that there are more advantages of living in villages than in cities.

 First, the country is less polluted and the traffic isn't so heavy. You are fit and you don't need to worry about your health conditions, because in the countryside the air and water are so clean. In the country there are many plant species. There aren't any huge blocks of flats, modern skyscrapers or bothersome traffic jams.

Second, people, living in a village, feel themselves in safety. The crime rate in a country is lower than in a city. 

Third, people, living in a village are friendlier. The country offers a quieter and peaceful style of living.

However, the unemployment rate is much higher than in the city. It can be also a problem to access  hospitals, schools, police stations and shops, which are usually located far from the village. 

To sum up, I think that living in the country may have a lot of advantages such as fresh air, breathtaking landscapes and comfort, but a lot of people decide to stay in the city, due to the fact that the life in the town is easier. In my opinion, life in a country is quiet and slow. Therefore, it is more suitable for children and old people. I prefer living in a big city, where I can have a large number of opportunities.

7. Choosing a restaurant

A: Devi, have you thought about where would you like to go to dinner on Friday for your birthday?

B: I am not sure. I don't know that many restaurants around here.

A: You know, we could look online at the local Internet sites.

B: Good. Let's take a look!

A: What kind of food would you like for your birthday?

B: I enjoy Thai or Japanese the best.

A: This one, Shogun, looks good.

B: Oh yes, I've heard of that one. Everyone I've spoken with says that it is great!

A: Would you like to go there then?

B: I think that that would be a really good choice! Let's call and make a reservation.

2:

A: Devi, do you have any preference for where you would like to go for dinner for your birthday?

B: I don't really know where I want to go. I am having trouble thinking of a particular restaurant.

A: There is a great restaurant directory here in the weekend section of the newspaper.

B: OK, we could look at that.

A: Do you have a particular type of food that you would like?

B: I really like Japanese or Thai food.

A: That Japanese restaurant, Shogun, got good reviews.

B: Oh yeah! I saw a review of that restaurant on television. The reviewer loved it!

A: Would that be a place that you might like to go to for your birthday?

B: That would work out great! Why don't we call and get a reservation? 

3:

A: Devi, do you have a favorite place that you would like to go to for your birthday dinner?

B: I am kind of at a loss right now to think of some place special.

A: I've got a great guidebook here of local restaurants.

B: That would be a good place to look.

A: What is your favorite type of restaurant food?

B: I like a lot of things, but Thai or Japanese would be good.

A: Shogun looks pretty good!

B: Oh, I remember that restaurant. I went there years ago. I really enjoyed it!

A: Would that be a good choice for your birthday dinner then?

B: I would enjoy going there. Let's call ahead to make sure that we can get a table for that night. 

Hometown

I live in a beautiful, small town called Tiszafüred. It is not far from river Tisza. A lot of tourists visit this place year by year, and they wonder about the nature. About 12.000 people live here. We have got 2 churches, a Catholic and a Presbyterian. There are 5 schools, a secondary technical school, a secondary grammar school and 3 elementary schools. There are 3 kindergartens, too. Because of the tourists, there are about 10 really good restaurants, where you can choose about all kinds of foods. In summer, people always go to the famous thermal spa, or they swim at the beach in river Tisza. There is an old castle,  too, called Kemény Castle. You can visit it or one of the museums if you are interested in old things and the history of this place. If young people want to go out with their friends, they go to the local discos and cafés, or they go to the nearby cities.

6. Choosing a holiday

 

A Dialogue between Two Friends about Holiday

Nisha and Naila have spent their holiday with their family and now they have come back to school. Now write a dialogue between two friends about the holiday. 

Nisha: Good morning Naila, how are you?

Naila: Good morning, I am fine. What about you?

Nisha: I am fine too. So how was your holiday? 

Naila: It was amazing. Thanks for asking. How was your holiday? 

Nisha: That was great too. So what did you do on this holiday? 

Naila: I went to visit my grandparents in my village and I have spent an entire week there. 

Nisha: Oh, was the fun?

Naila: Yes, It was a lot of fun. I have lots of cousins in the village and I really love to meet them. I went there for almost a year. Everyone came to meet with me and my family. This is a very good feeling.

Nisha: Waooo, this is so cool. So how your villages look alike?

Naila: It’s a small but very beautiful village near a river and on the other side there are big hills. 

Nisha: It seems so beautiful. What have you done there?

Naila: I visited the river, the hill with my cousins. We went on a journey by boat and enjoyed ourselves a lot. My entire family came together for a picnic in the jungle. Overall that was so much fun. 

Nisha: I am feeling so much excited hearing all these from you. I wish to visit a beautiful village like this. 

Naila: You are invited to my village with me on my next trip. 

Nisha: Thank you so much Naila. Okay talks to you later, take care. 

Naila: Ok, bye. 

A Conversation between Two Friends about Holiday: 2

Sania: How are you Suma?

Suma: I am fine, Sania. What about you?

Sania: I am fine too. So school has started again and how was your holiday? 

Suma: My holiday was amazing. I went for a family picnic and visited a few of my relatives. 

Sania: That seems interesting. Where did you go for the picnic? 

Suma: We went to Rajasthan. We stayed there for three days in a resort. We spend a night camping near a desert. 

Sania: So you have done so much adventure. 

Suma: Yeah, that was adventurous. After completing our tour to Rajasthan, we went to one of our uncle’s place to meet him. He was inviting us to meet him. What have you done on holiday? 

Sania: I visited my uncle and grandmother in the village.

Suma: How was your visit? 

Sania: That was so much fun. I have lots of cousins there. I love meeting and spending time with my cousins. My grandmother is an interesting person. She knows lots of stories. Every night we have listened to lots of stories from her. That is a good experience for me. 

Suma: It seems your holiday was also amazing. 

Sania: Yeah, it was. Thanks for sharing your experience. 

Suma: You are welcome Sania. Take care, see you.