I.
Most adults miss their childhood. "Your school years are the best years of your life," — have you ever heard that phrase? Just recently, while I was on my way to work, I started thinking back to my own school years. They probably were not trouble-free but there were many reasons for us to feel happy at school. One of them was not getting tired of being together. The one was uniform. Yes, in my opinion, the school uniform had more advantages than disadvantages. It was unfashionable but comfortable. It was made of natural materials. Besides, the uniform saved a lot of time in the mornings. Now it takes me hours to decide what to wear. Another thing is that I don't really like sport. But at school, we played football, netball, hockey and so on. Sport was compulsory. Now I realise that this was a good thing! And of course there were... holidays! Christmas, Easter, half-term, and the jackpot — the summer holidays. I wish I had as much free time now.
II.
Tracey was very unhappy and scared. She was starting a new school. "I don't want to go to school today," Tracey told her father. A month before, they had moved to a new town and everything was still new and strange for Tracey. Dad smoothed Tracey's hair down and gave her a little hug, "When your classes are over, I'll pick you up, ok?" When Tracey got to school and looked at the big building, she thought, "I wish I could run away," but she knew it was impossible. She took a deep breath and walked up the steps to school. She went straight into her fifth-grade classroom. "That must be Tracey," "Hello, Tracey!", "Welcome, Tracey!" the children in the room welcomed her. Everyone seemed friendly and Tracey felt a little better. The father picked her up after school. "How was your day?" he asked. To his surprise, Tracey answered that she liked her new school. "You are a brave girl," her father said. "I'm proud of you."
III.
Paul was going to be late for his morning class again. He didn't understand why it happened to him so often. This was going to be the third time in one week and that was too much even for Mrs. Pitt. She was the kindest teacher in the world, but Paul wasn't sure that she would forgive him again. "If I don't invent a very good excuse, she will call my parents," Paul thought. His parents were not very strict people, but they didn't approve of Paul's habit of playing computer games till late at night. As a result, he couldn't make himself get up in the morning and was regularly late for school. Paul quietly opened the door and went into the classroom. His classmates were writing something in their notepads and didn't pay any attention to him. Mrs. Pitt looked at him and said in a flat voice: "You are late again, Paul. What happened?" Paul was not ready with an answer.
Bella was a good student. She enjoyed learning but she always started to feel very nervous when she had to write tests. That Monday was not a lucky day for her and she realised it as soon as she came into the classroom. "Let me leave all my pens at home." She turned to Jenny: "Have you got a spare pen?" "I've got this one, but it's green." Jenny opened her bag and pulled out a pen. "Give it to me anyway," Bella said. "If I don't find a proper pen, I won't be able to write. I hope it won't affect my grades." When the teacher handed out the tests, Bella felt even worse than she had felt before. The test was really long - the tasks did not fit on both sides of the page! Bella did the first task quickly, but the second one was a real problem. Bella got panicky. She couldn't concentrate on the tasks.
Vocabulary
My first job was working at a bakery. When I walked from my house to the bakery, I could smell the wonderful fresh bread. I loved it. I worked day after school and at weekends. It made about twenty hours a week. One of the most fantastic things about the bakery was that I could eat all I wanted there. I couldn't stop eating the fresh buns, rolls, and cakes. They were so tasty. Mrs. Bradley, the owner of the bakery, was a very nice woman. She had no children and she treated me like her own granddaughter. I liked her too and did my best to be as helpful as possible.
The best thing about shopping in London is that there really are hundreds of cool shops selling fashionable clothes. Only here can you find a wide choice of original and unique shops. Sometimes you can buy fantastic things there. You can spend a whole day in a shopping centre, have lunch in one of the European or English restaurants, see a new film in the cinema, and even enjoy a performance. But be careful; London shops are expensive! Don't leave all your money in the shopping centre.
Dialogue Prompt Responses:
Electronic assistant: Who usually does the shopping in your family?
Student: My mother usually does the shopping, but sometimes I go with her or do it myself when she's busy.
Electronic assistant: What can you buy in your nearest shopping center?
Student: You can buy clothes, electronics, groceries, and even books at my nearest shopping center.
Electronic assistant: How often do you usually go shopping?
Student: I usually go shopping once a week to get groceries, but I go for clothes or other items probably once a month.
Electronic assistant: Why are shopping centers so popular nowadays?
Student: Shopping centers are popular because they offer a variety of stores in one place, making it convenient for customers to find everything they need.
Electronic assistant: Why do some people hate shopping?
Student: Some people hate shopping because it can be tiring, overwhelming with so many options, and they often dislike crowds.
Electronic assistant: What time would you recommend that busy people should go shopping?
Student: I would recommend that they go shopping early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s less crowded.
