Listeningto BBC: учебное пособие по аудированию для студентов неязыковых факультетов

LISTENING TO BBC

Учебное пособие по аудированию 
для студентов неязыковых факультетов

Казань
2021

Л. Р. Нурова
Е. А. Нелюбина

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЕ БЮДЖЕТНОЕ 
ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЕ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЕ ВЫСШЕГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ
РОССИЙСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ  
УНИВЕРСИТЕТ ПРАВОСУДИЯ

УДК 811.111
ББК 81.2
Н 90
Н 49

ISBN 978-5-93916-947-9

© Нурова Л. Р., 2021
© Нелюбина Е. А., 2021 
©  Российский государственный 
университет правосудия, 2021

Учебное пособие содержит аутентичные материалы на английском языке и направлено на развитие навыков аудирования и устной речи. Материалы пособия 
могут быть использованы как для аудиторной, так и для самостоятельной работы 
студентов.
Предназначено для студентов неязыковых факультетов, обучающихся по программам специалитета и бакалавриата, уровень языковой подготовки которых 
Intermediate — Upper Intermediate.

Нурова Л. Р., Нелюбина Е. А.
Listening to BBC: Учебное пособие по аудированию для студентов неязыковых факультетов. — М.: РГУП, 2021. — 132 с.

ISBN 978-5-93916-947-9

     

А в т о р ы - с о с т а в и т е л и:

Л. Р. Нурова, доцент кафедры языкознания и иностранных 
языков Казанского филиала РГУП, канд. филол. наук, доцент;

Е. А. Нелюбина, доцент кафедры языкознания и иностранных 
языков Казанского филиала РГУП, канд. филол. наук, доцент

Р е ц е н з е н т ы :

Ф. Л. Мазитова, доцент кафедры гуманитарных дисциплин 
и иностранных языков Казанского кооперативного института 
РУК, канд. филол. наук, доцент;

К. Н. Гафиуллина, доцент кафедры языкознания и иностранных 
языков Казанского филиала ФГБОУВО «Российский 
государственный университет правосудия», канд. филол. наук

Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Part I. Different people. Different places
Living abroad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Home swap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Homesickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Going where the work is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Hitchhiking in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Trip to Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Quieter London. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Ethical travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Feeling good about your country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
A cultural journey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Part II. Talks on politics and law
Smokers to face one more ban . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Compulsory voting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Women’s right to vote. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Could your smartphone be hacked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Making message apps less private. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Online abuse the same as face-to-face. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Can you trust your own eyes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Us child-separation policy debate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Cryptocurrencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Women in politics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Coronavirus: dealing with mass unemployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Hacking help for us elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Appendix
Part I. Different people. Different Places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Part II. Talks on politics and law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Introduction

Данное учебное пособие предназначено для студентов неязыковых 
факультетов, обучающихся по программам специалитета и бакалавриата, направлено на развитие навыков восприятия аутентичной речи 
на слух и формирование коммуникативных умений и навыков.
Предполагаемый уровень владения английским языком — Intermediate — Upper Intermediate.
В качестве основного источника аудиоматериалов были использованы ресурсы сайта Би-би-си, которые знакомят студентов с различными 
образцами речи носителей языка, содержат социокультурные знания, 
обладая при этом идейно-воспитательной ценностью.
В учебно-методическом пособии представлены два крупных тематических блока: «Different people. Different places» и «Talks on politics and law».
Первый блок предполагает знакомство с культурой, историей, традициями страны изучаемого языка и нацелен на формирование социокультурной компетенции студентов.
Второй блок посвящен рассмотрению актуальных вопросов политики и права, способствует освоению специальной терминологии и развитию профессиональной коммуникативной компетенции студентов. 
Тематика разделов представляется весьма актуальной и отвечает интересам и психологическим особенностям данной возрастной категории.
Все разделы объединены единой структурой и последовательностью 
представленных заданий. В каждом разделе можно условно выделить 
три блока.
Первый блок включает в себя предтекстовые (pre-listening) упражнения, направленные на создание настроя на прослушивание текста определенного содержания, введение в тему, актуализацию знаний и опыта 
студентов, снятие языковых трудностей.
Второй блок упражнений нацелен на проверку понимания содержания аудиотекста, смысла сообщения и коммуникативного намерения 
говорящего.
И, наконец, третий блок представляет собой тщательно разработанную систему послетекстовых (post-listening) заданий, направленных 

Introduction

на активизацию и интенсивную проработку изученного материала, его 
использование в самостоятельных высказываниях. Задания, выполняемые на данном этапе, предполагают вовлечение студентов в активную 
творческую деятельность (ролевые игры, дискуссии, групповые проекты) и вызывают у них наибольший интерес.
Пособие состоит из предисловия, двух разделов, приложения и ссылок на аудиоматериал. Содержащиеся в приложении аудиоскрипты направлены на облегчение восприятия аутентичного материала и способствуют его более детальной проработке.
Представленный в данном пособии аудиоматериал и разработанная 
система упражнений позволяют не только работать над формированием 
навыков аудирования как вида речевой деятельности, но и способствуют повышению мотивации к изучению иностранного языка. Социокультурные знания, представленные в аудиоматериале, знакомят студентов 
с нормами и ценностно-смысловыми ориентирами иноязычной культуры, формируя таким образом социокультурную компетенцию и аксиологический потенциал обучаемых.

Part I

Different people. Different places

“The World is a book, and those who  
do not travel read only a page.”

Living abroad1

Many people move to a new country in search of a new life. What are they 
looking for? Do they always find what they are looking for?
You are going to listen to a programme about travelling, living abroad and 
emigrating. Before you listen, check you understand the following words and 
word combinations.

Vocabulary
to emigrate — to move permanently to another country and make it your 
home
an expatriate — someone who lives in a country which is not their own
permanent — lasting or continuing for a very long time or forever: not 
temporary or changing
Britpack — a word used to describe a group of British expatriates
similar to smb. — almost the same as someone or something else
like-minded people — people who share your culture or background and 
have similar opinions and interests
to be aware of smth. — knowing that something (such as a situation, 
condition, or problem) exists
to bear / keep in mind — to remember, to think, to consider
to be laid-back — to be very relaxed
to fit into — belong and feel you are part of a group
to give something a go — to try doing something
to have a go at something — to try to do something
to be worth a go — to be worth a try

1. Recall the situations in which the words and word combinations from 
the list are used in the programme. Use them in sentences of your own.

1 See Appendix Transcript 1.1 Living abroad. P. 100. URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/world 
service/learningenglish/radio/specials/1630_144_6min_backup/page19.shtml.

Living abroad

7

2. Complete the following sentences using words and word combinations 
from the programme.
1. There is a large British _____community in Australia.
2. She made a _____ home in this country.
3. You two look very _____ to each other.
4. When living abroad it’s quite common to find _____ people to mix with.
5. They are _____ the problem and will do their best to solve it.
6. We have a limited amount of money to spend, and we need to______ 
while we’re planning our vacation.
7. There’s a very ______ atmosphere in Barbados.
8. It can be difficult to _____ when you first move to another country.
9. They have been thinking about emigrating to the USA for many years, 
and they have finally decided to ______.
10. It is a very challenging task, let me _______ at it.
11. I don’t know if this new medicine will help, but I think it’s ________.

3. Listen to the programme again and decide if the following statements 
are true or false.
1. It is Elena’s last day at the office because she has found a new job.
2. Callum has lived in Japan, Denmark and Australia.
3. Michelle emigrated to Australia from the UK.
4. Callum would like to emigrate to Germany.
5. Elena is a very punctual person and she never runs late.

4. Answer the following questions.
1. What advice does Michelle have for people who are thinking about moving abroad?
2. How many people emigrated from the UK from July 2005 to July 2006?
3. What country would Elena prefer to emigrate to and why?

5. Comment on the following statements from the programme.
1. You should match the country you choose to live in with your personality.
2. It is very difficult to live in another country. You have to be aware that the 
culture, even if the language is the same, the culture can still be very different.

6. Work in a small group. Discuss the following questions.
Would you like to live abroad? Why or why not? Discuss the advantages and 
disadvantages of living abroad. What country would you choose to emigrate to? 
Why? What sort of things do you think might be different between two cultures?

Part I. Different people. Different places

8

 
Home swap1

You are going to listen to a programme about home swapping which is the 
growing trend of exchanging your house or apartment with somebody in a 
different country for a limited period. Before you listen, check you understand 
the following words and word combinations.

Vocabulary
to swap something with somebody — to give something to someone and 
receive something in return: to trade or exchange things
to be willing to do something — not refusing to do something: ready
a low cost holiday — a cheap holiday
destination — a place to which a person is going or something is being sent
tremendous — 1. very large or great; 2. very good or excellent: wonderful
marvellous — extremely good or enjoyable; wonderful
the mainstream — the thoughts, beliefs, and choices that are accepted by 
the largest number of people.
accommodation — a place where people can live, stay or work
to live out of a suitcase — To have no permanent residence or a permanent place to hang one’s clothes.
to feel at home — feel comfortable in a particular place or situation
to feel smug — to feel very pleased or satisfied with one’s abilities, achievements, etc.
penthouse — a luxurious apartment or set of rooms at the top of a hotel 
or tall building
cottage — a small self-contained house which is usually in the countryside
townhouse — a house in a town or city, usually a comfortable, expensive 
one in a fashionable area, joined on to another house
houseboat — a special boat which people use as their home, often kept in 
one place on a river
holiday home — where people do not live full time, but visit at the weekends or on holidays

1. Recall the situations in which the words and word combinations 
from the list are used in the programme. Use them in a short story of 
your own.

1 See Appendix Transcript 1.2 Home swap. P. 103. URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2009/05/090604_6min_homeswap_page.shtml.

Homesickness

9

2. Paraphrase the following using words and word combinations from 
the programme.
1. We’re ready and eager to make the trip.
2. We need overnight lodging for four people.
3. We often get together and exchange recipes.
4. We had a wonderful holiday in Spain.
5. They did everything they could to make me feel comfortable.
6. He enjoys travelling to remote and exotic places.
7. When she decided to go abroad, she did not realize that she would have 
no permanent residence.

3. Listen to the programme again and answer the following questions.
1. How does home swapping work?
2. What makes home swapping so popular with tourists?
3. What makes home swapping a cheap holiday?
4. What are different types of accommodation one can swap with?
5. According to a recent survey which is the most popular destination for 
UK home swaps?
6. What are the main benefits of home swapping?

4. Explain and expand on the following.
“It is the most marvellous opportunity to become somebody else because 
you inhabit someone else’s life when you swap homes with them.”

5. Work in a small group. Discuss the following questions.
Would you be willing to swap your house with a stranger? Why or why 
not? What are advantages and disadvantages of home swapping for those who 
would like come to this country?

Homesickness1

“Home is the place where, 
when you have to go there,
They have to take you in.”
“I should have called it
Something you somehow haven’t to deserve.”
Robert Frost “The Death of the Hired Man”

Nowadays lots of people live, work or study away from home. People travel 
all over the world, and homesickness is a growing problem. Jennifer and Finn 

1 See Appendix Transcript 1.3 Homesickness. P. 107. URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2013/09/130919_6min_homesickness.shtml.

Part I. Different people. Different places

10

are going to discuss some things that you can do to cope with the problem and 
relieve the feeling of homesickness. Before you listen, check you understand 
the following words and word combinations.

Vocabulary
get / feel homesick — sad because you are away from your family and home
to combat something (homesickness) — to try to stop something from 
happening or getting worse (e. g. homesickness)
lonely — sad from being apart from other people
isolated — separate from others
stressful — full of or causing stress: making you feel worried or anxious
to pine for somebody or something — to feel very sad because you want 
something or because you are not with someone
to long for something — to feel a strong desire or wish for something or 
to do something
familiar faces — people that you know
to withdraw from something — to step back from something; to stop participating in something
to stay in touch — to keep in contact with friends or family
expat communities — groups of people from the same country who live 
abroad

1. Recall the situations in which the words and word combinations from the 
list are used in the programme. Make up your own sentences using them.

2. Complete the following sentences using words and word combinations 
from the programme.
1. At this time of year, most people are _____ spring.
2. He felt _____ when he went to college.
3. The hospital is located in an _____ area.
4. I am really exhausted. I had a ______ day at work today.
5. He was _______without his wife and children.
6. There are a lot of Russian _______ living in London.
7. I’m _______ the time when I will see you again.
8. What are the most effective ways of _______ homesickness?

3. Study the meaning of the following idioms and complete the sentences.
like a house on fire — extremely well. If two people get on like a house on 
fire they like each other very much and become friendly

Homesickness

11

until the cows come home — for a very long time
on the house — given away free
to bring the house down — to excite the audience
to bring home to somebody — to cause somebody to realize something
to bring home the bacon — to earn money to live on
at home in something– to know a lot about something
to be home and dry — to have completed something successfully
to feel at home — to feel relaxed and comfortable
make yourself at home — do what you need to do to feel relaxed and 
comfortable
home from home — a place that is as pleasant and comfortable as your 
own home

1. The business started out ________.
2. Whenever I came to the city, their place was like a _________.
3. He is equally _________ in history and sociology.
4. Come in and __________.
5. She stays at home looking after the kids, while her husband _______.
6. The drinks are _________.
7. We can talk about the problem ________, but it won’t solve anything. 
Let’s get down to business instead.
8. She really _________with her new play.
9. I have got one more report to write and I’ll soon ________.
10. It is her first day in the office and everybody tries to _________.

4. Listen to the programme again and answer the following questions.
1. What percentage of students experience homesickness in their early 
days at university?
2. If you are homesick, how does it feel?
3. What do people usually miss when they move to a foreign country?
4. What would you miss if you lived abroad?
5. What can extreme homesickness lead to?
6. What can you do to cope with the problem of homesickness?
7. How can modern technology help people combat homesickness?

5. What do you think?
A recent survey has shown that students are among those affected most by 
this problem. The University of Cambridge says contributing factors include: 
distance from home, a sense of anticlimax, work overload, family difficulties 
and the contrast in lifestyle. It recommends: