Practising English
Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today!
B1 grammar practice - repeated comparatives, so much
Today, in this B1 practice, we are going to practise repeated comparatives, including two comparatives in a sentence, and use 'so much' as an intensifier.
For more help on modifiers with comparatives, see my webpage:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-content.htm
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
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...
B2 grammar practice - enough, rather a, by far
Today, we are going to practise some key words that will help you to raise your level from B1 to B2. We are going to practise the use of 'enough', 'rather a', and 'by far'.
For more B2-level grammar exercises, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar-exercises/index.htm
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1...
333. Treasure Island (chapter 20) B1 story
This is my last chapter of the B1-level Treasure Island story.
You can read the transcript here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-333.htm
These are the B1 phrases we will study:
1. All day long
Definition: For the whole day, from morning until night.
Example 1: My grandparents stayed in the garden all day long to watch the children play.
2. Do your best
Definition: To try as hard as you can to do something well.
Example 1: My mum...
B1 grammar practice - present perfect continuous -still, yet, already
Practise of Present Perfect Continuous, still, yet, already and for and since.
You will hear two short sentences describing an action that started in the past and is still happening now. Last week, we practised the use of "for" and "since" with present perfect simple. However, when we use action verbs like "to move", "to work", "to study", we often prefer present perfect continuos....
Here are some help pages from my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/present-perfect-continuous.htm
Present perfect: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-162.htm<...
B2 grammar practice - passive causative
Today's grammar practice for learners of B2 English is about the passive causative e.g. "I had my house painted", and "I got my hair cut".
We'll also look at the passive structure, "It is said that..."
Here is a help page from my website:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/passive-voice.htm
Another podcast of mine on the pasive:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-40.htm
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
<...332. The New Accelerator (B2 story)
This is a B2 story with B2 vocabulary. Here is what we'll study:
You can read the full transcript of the story at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-332.htm
1) Have something sorted
2) Try something out
3) Let somebody down
4) Get on with something
5) Pop out
6) Talk somebody out of something
7) Dash in/out/off/over to
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising...
B1 grammar practice - present perfect, since, for, ever
This is the first of my weekly B1 grammar practice podcasts. Today, you can practise present perfect simple and the use of "for" and "since" and the structure "the most beautiful cathedral they've ever visited".
See help at my website on this: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/present-perfect.htm#for_since
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the...
B2 grammar practice - active to passive voice
This is the first in my series of weekly B2 grammar practice sessions. Ten minutes of listening and repeating B2-level grammar structures so that you perfect your B2 grammar in spoken British English. Today it's about the use of the passive voice and changing from active to passive.
Help on the passive at my website on the passive: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/passive-voice.htm
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "<...
331. Treasure Island (chapter 19) B1 story
Today, for my B1 recording of chapter 19 of Treasure Island, there are three comprehension questions. Read these before you start listening:
1. Why did Doctor Livesey give Long John Silver the map?
2. What had happened to the treasure?
3. Why did Dr Livesey and the others decide not to report Long John Silver to the police?
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Wor...
330. The Great Gatsby (B2-level extract)
These are the B2 words and phrases I'll be explaining today:
You can see the transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-330.htm
1) From time to time
Definition: Sometimes, but not regularly or very often.
Example 1: When revising for my history exam, I take a short break from time to time to rest my eyes.
Example 2: From time to time, the professor gives us a small quiz to check we understand the topic.
2) denied
...
329. Treasure Island (chapter 18) B1 story
These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today:
You can find the transcript here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-329.htm
1. Refuse
Definition: To say that you will not do or accept something.
Examples:
Some people refuse to recycle because they think it takes too much time.
If we refuse to change our bad habits, there will be more plastic in the sea.
2. Throw away
Definition: To put something in the rubbish bin because you do not need it...
328. Jeeves and the hard-boiled egg (B2 level story)
Here are the B2 phrases we'll be talking about today:
See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-328.htm
1. stand up for
Definition: To defend or support someone or an idea when other people are against them.
She always stands up for her younger brother when other kids are mean to him.
You should stand up for your rights at work.
2. in favour of
Definition: To support or agree with a plan, idea, or person.
Most people voted in...
327. Treasure Island (chapter 17) B1 story
Here are the phrases we will study in this B1 story:
To see the full transcript with the B1 words: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-327.htm
hand something over
definition: To give something to someone, usually by putting it in their hand.
1. The police officer asked me for my passport, so I handed it over.
2. She handed over the keys to the new owner.
3. Please hand the documents over to the person at the desk.
step forward/backwards/inside etc.
defi...
326. Dracula (extract 2) B2 story
The B2 phrases we'll be studying are:
Transcript available at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-326.htm
1. Bizarre situation
Definition: A very strange or unusual situation that is difficult to understand or explain.
When I arrived at work, everyone was wearing costumes, and I had no idea what was happening. It was a bizarre situation.
We were having dinner when a man suddenly walked into the restaurant with a chicken under his arm. It was a bizarre situation.
I lost my phone on the...
325. Treasure Island (chapter 16) B1 Story
I'm back from my holiday. It's a new season! My sixth year with Practising English Podcasts. There'll be new things this season, which I'll let you know about soon. Firstly, here is the continuation of Treasure Island with interesting B1 language for you. To sea the transcript with B1 words highlighted, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-325.htm
1) remain calm
Definition:
To stay relaxed and not become worried, angry, or frightened in a difficult situation.
Example sentences:
The teacher told everyone to remain cal...
324. Drawing Conclusions (B2 story) summer repeat
Drawing Conclusions is a mystery story about a woman who witnesses some strange things happening at the house next door.
The B2 phrases analysed before the story can be found at the show notes of your podcast app and at Practising English dot com, podcast 184.
See phrases at my website: Practising English...
B2 phrases:
- drawing conclusions
- Mrs Robinson had neither seen nor heard Lorna since
- take great pride in sth
- to go into more detail
- he...
323. Coming Home (complete version) B1 - B2 Story
This story is the complete version of the B1, B2-level, Coming Home, first published here in 2024. Now you can enjoy the full story with vocabulary exercises below and at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-323.htm
Words to explain:
to strengthen = to make stronger
a property = a house (usually for sale)
keep clear = stay away, do not come near
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?
1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly<...
322. The Harmonica Players (full version) B2 story
This is the complete version of the B2-level story, The Harmonica Players. I include here for you a B2 vocabulary list of words and expressions to listen for in the story:
Practising English podcast 322...
B2 Words and expressions in the story
1. couldn't face
Story sentence to listen for: Somehow, he couldn’t face starting his day without a hot shower.
Definition: To feel unable or unwilling to do something because you do not want to deal with it.
2. All...
321. The Visitors (full version) B2 story
Comprension questions and vocabulary tasks
At my website, you can also find B1 and B2 vocabulary tasks to do for this story:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-321.htm
Comprehension questions
1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why?
2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there?
3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it?
4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "Merde!" at the end of the story?
...
320. Bully! (B1 short story)
Hello, and welcome to Practising English! Mike Bilbrough is on his summer holiday, so we'd like to offer a B1 story recorded way back in 2022. It's called Bully, and it's taken from Mike Bilbrough's book for preparing for the Cambridge Preliminary exam: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder". This week we're going to offer you the complete transcript of the story with B1 words highlighted. Enjoy!
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-320.htm
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm
My NEW book: "<...
319. The Hole (complete story) B2 level
Mike Bilbrough is taking his summer holiday at the moment. Meanwhile, we'd like to offer you a story recorded last year in two parts as one complete story for you to listen to, learn from and enjoy. You can follow the story transcript and see the B2 language in bold type at Mike's website at www.practisingenglish.com podcast-319.htm. Enjoy!
Here is the transcript with B2 vocabulary shown in biold type: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-319.htm
Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.c...
318. Treasure Island (chapter 15) B1 story
These are the B1 phrases we'll study today:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-318.htm
1. Attempt
Definition: To try to do something, especially something difficult. (Can be used as a verb or a noun).
Example 1: She will attempt to pass her driving test for the second time tomorrow.
2. Welcome
Definition (Noun): The way you greet someone when they arrive.
Definition (Verb): To greet someone in a polite and friendly way when they arrive.
Example 1 (Noun): The hotel staff gave us a very warm...
317. Dracula (extract 1) B2 story
The B2 phrases we'll be studying are:
Full story transcipt: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-317.htm
on behalf of
Definition: Instead of someone else, or representing another person or group.
Example 1: I am writing this email on behalf of my manager who is on vacation.
Example 2: On behalf of the whole team, I want to say thank you for your help.
come to this conclusion
Definition: To decide that something is true after thinking carefully about all the facts.
Example 1: After reviewing all the...
316. Treasure Island (chapter 14) B1 story
Here are the words and expressions we''l study today:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-316.htm
1) to handle
Definition: To deal with a situation, a person, or a problem successfully.
Examples: Don't worry about the cooking tonight, I can handle it.
Our manager is very calm and knows exactly how to handle angry customers.
2) sound like
Definition: To seem true or interesting after hearing or reading about it, or to make a no...
315. The Importance of Being Earnest 2 (B2 level)
Here are the B2 phrases we'll be studying today:
1) far too many/much/few etc.
There are far too many games in this new 48-team tournament, and our players look absolutely exhausted.
The manager chose far too few midfielders in the starting line-up, which is why we completely lost control of the ball.
2) in any case
I don't think the referee should have given that penalty, but in any case, we played poorly and didn't deserve to win.
It is going to be incredibly hot in Miami...
314. Treasure Island (chapter 13) B1 story
These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today!
See full story audioscript here with B1 words highlighted: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-314.htm
1. Take care of. Definition: To look after someone or something and make sure they have what they need.
I need to take care of my little brother while my parents are at work.Please take care of your new books and do not lose them.2. Alive. Definition: Living and not dead.
We found a small bird in the garden, and it...313. The Importance of Being Earnest (B2 story)
These are the B2 phrases I'll be studying today:
(See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-313.htm
as far as sth is concerned
Definition: When talking about a particular subject or issue.
Example:
As far as money is concerned, we need to be careful.a misunderstanding
Definition: A situation in which people do not understand each other correctly.
Example:
The argument started because of a misunderstanding.what on e...
312. Treasure Island (chapter 12) B1 Story
These are the B1 phrases we're going to study today:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-312.htm
1. after a while
Definition: after some time has passed
Example: We talked for a while , and after a while we went home.
2. on purpose
Definition: intentionally; not by accident
Example: John broke his mobile phone on purpose so his parents would buy him a new one.
3. put out (a fire)
Definition: to stop a fire f...
311. The Adventure of the Western Star (part 2) B2 story
These are the B2 phrasal verbs we're studying today:
For full stiry transcript: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-311.htm
1. Turn up (Meaning: To arrive or appear)
"We wrapped up the meeting early because the client didn't turn up on time."
2. Get away (Meaning: To escape or evade capture)
"The thieves managed to get away before the security guards could lock the building down."
3. Deal with (Meaning: To handle or take action on a problem)
"Don't worry about the...
310. Treasure Island (chapter 11) B1 story
These are the B1 expressions we'll study today:
For full story audio script: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-310.htm
1) just in case
Definition: to be prepared if something happens.
Take an umbrella just in case it rains.
2) get ready
Definition: to prepare for something.
We need to get ready for school.
3) come to an agreement
Definition: to decide something together after talking.
After two hours, they came to an agreement.
4) I must admit
Definition...
309. Adventure of the Western Star (B2 story) Part 1
These are the B2 phrases we'll be studying today:
For audioscript see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-309.htm
peculiar
Definition: strange or unusual in a way that is interesting or surprising.
Examples:
There was a peculiar smell coming from the kitchen.
worrying
Definition: making you feel anxious or concerned.
Examples:
The doctor said the test results were worrying.
playing a joke on
Definition: tricking someone in a funny way for amusement.<...
308. Treasure Island - chapter 10 (B1 story)
These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today:
See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-308.htm
1) on one's own
Definition: alone, without help from others
Example:
· She lives on her own in a small flat.
2) of one's own
Definition: something that belongs only to a person
Example:
· He wants a room of his own.
3) in the end
Definition: finally, after everything
Examp...
307. Cowboy (B2 story) Part 2
These are the B2 expressions we're going to study today. For full transcript of the story, you can go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-307.htm
1) take the blame
Definition: to accept that you are responsible for something bad that happened.
2) make for
Definition: to move in a particular direction or go toward a place.
3) catch up
Definition: to reach the same level as someone else or to ge...
306. Treasure Island - chapter 9 (B1 story)
These are the B1 phrases we are going to study today.
To read the full transcript of the story, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-306.htm
Non-B1 words from this chapter of Treasure Island:
cannibals - humans who eat the meat of other humans
shipwreck - a ship which has been destroyed at sea
cannon - a large gun used in ships to shoot at other ships
Union Jack - the flag of the United Kingdom
...
305. Cowboy (B2 story) Part 1
Here is the B2 vocabulary I'll be studying today. The link takes you to see the audioscript.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-305.htm
1) Reckon
Definition: To think or believe that something is true or will happen.
Example Sentence: I reckon it is going to rain this afternoon, so we should probably bring our umbrellas.
2) Head (verb)
Definition: To go or move in a particular direction.
Example Sentence: After the movie ends...
304. Treasure Island - chapter 8 (B1 story)
These are the B1 words and expressions we'll be looking at today:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-304.htm
1) Binomial pairs
Neat and tidy (meaning: clean, organized)
Example: She keeps her bedroom incredibly neat and tidy.
Sick and tired (meaning: very annoyed/bored of something)
Example: I am sick and tired of this cold weather.
Short and sweet (meaning: quick but pleasant)
Example: The meeting was short and sweet, which everyone appreciated.
Story:
The ship, the Hispaniola, was moving up and d...
303. The Count of Monte Cristo (extract) B2 Story
These are the B2 phrases we are going to study in today's podcast:
thinking twice
Definition: Considering a decision carefully or hesitating before doing something. Example: I saw the cat in the tree and, without thinking twice , I climbed up to save it.lose his nerve
Definition: To suddenly become afraid or lose the courage to do something intended. Example: He wanted to go skydiving, but he lost his nerve as soon as he looked out of the pla...302. Treasure Island - chapter 7 (B1 story)
Read the audioscript: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-302.htm
These are the words studied today:
1) take a good look at
Definition: to look at something carefully
2) for sure
Definition: definitely; without doubt
3) what’s on your mind
Definition: what you are thinking or worrying about
4) sooner or later
Definition: at some time in the future (not now, but eventually)
5) pay attention to
Definition: to focus on something an...
301. Anne of Green Gables (B2 story)
These are the B2 words and phrases we will be studying today:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-301.htm
1) scared stiff
Meaning: extremely frightened; so scared you cannot move
Example:
I was scared stiff when I heard a loud noise in the dark.
2) awkward
Meaning: feeling uneasy, embarrassed, or not relaxed
Example:
I felt awkward when I didn’t know anyone at the party.
3) drop somebody off
Meaning: to take someone to a...
300. Treasure Island - chapter 6 (B1 story)
These are the words we'll be studying in this B1 podcast today. To see the full audioscript of the story, you can go to my website at:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-300.htm
· Set off – We set off early in the morning to start our trip to the mountains.
· Join in – Everyone was dancing, so I decided to join in and have fun.
· Reliable and efficient – Our new computer system is reliable and efficient, so we finish work faster.
· Charmin...
