中级口语三课

中级阶段口语课的教学大纲中级阶段口语课的教学大纲随着全球化的发展，英语作为一种国际语言的地位越来越重要。

在学习英语的过程中，口语能力的培养显得尤为重要。

中级阶段的口语课程应该是一个有针对性、系统性的教学过程，旨在提高学生的口语交际能力。

本文将探讨中级阶段口语课的教学大纲。

首先，中级阶段口语课程的教学目标应该明确。

学生在中级阶段已经掌握了一定的词汇和语法知识，因此，口语课程的目标应该是提高学生的口语表达能力和交际能力。

教学目标可以包括但不限于：提高学生的听力理解能力，培养学生的口语表达能力，增强学生的交际能力，提高学生的语音语调，培养学生的口语思维能力等。

其次，中级阶段口语课程的教学内容应该丰富多样。

教学内容可以包括但不限于：日常生活对话，旅游交流，工作场景对话，社交场合交流等。

通过这些不同场景的对话练习，学生可以在实际情境中运用所学的语言知识，提高口语表达能力。

此外，教学内容还可以包括一些实用口语技巧的讲解，如如何进行有效的演讲，如何进行有效的辩论等，以帮助学生更好地应对不同的口语交际场景。

再次，中级阶段口语课程的教学方法应该多样灵活。

在教学过程中，教师可以采用多种教学方法，如小组讨论，角色扮演，情景模拟等。

通过这些互动式的教学方法，可以激发学生的学习兴趣，提高学生的参与度。

此外，教师还可以设计一些口语练习活动，如口语游戏，口语竞赛等，以增加学生的口语练习机会，提高口语表达能力。

最后，中级阶段口语课程的评估方式应该全面客观。

口语课程的评估方式可以包括但不限于：口语测试，口头报告，口语演讲等。

通过这些评估方式，可以全面了解学生的口语表达能力和交际能力的提高程度。

此外，教师还可以结合学生的实际表现，给予个性化的口语指导和建议，帮助学生更好地提高口语水平。

总之，中级阶段口语课的教学大纲应该明确教学目标，丰富教学内容，灵活教学方法，全面评估学生口语能力。

通过系统的口语训练，可以帮助学生提高口语交际能力，更好地应对实际生活和工作中的口语交流需求。

本项考试的时间：7分钟左右本项考试的形式：每个考生得到相同的文字资料，按照要求对需要解决的问题进行讨论，并最终得出结果。

考生在进行考试前有30秒时间阅读文字材料，并且在考试过程中可以参考材料。

实用技巧：将文字材料中的字句进行简化并表达出来。

（见范例）从正反两方面思考，拓宽思路可适当利用个人意见法与细节提问法3．两名考生讨论和解决的问题进行。

实用步骤1：一问一答式的讨论（范例1）A提问（一句话）——B回答（一句话），阐述理由（两句话），A附和（一句话），阐述理由（两句话）——一B提问（一句话）——A回答（一句话）,阐述理由（两句话），B附和（一句话），阐述理由（两句话）.——A或B定下决定（一句话）——B或A支持决定（一句话）。

这种方法思路清晰明确，但切忌回答过于简单。

实用步骤2：各自阐述观点的讨论（范例2）A阐述观点（一句话）和理由（两句话）——B对A的观点表态（一句话），阐述自己的观点并阐述理由（两句话）——双方讨论，深入阐述本人观点（A，B各两句话）——定下决定（A，B各一句话）。

这种方法适合对问题的辩论。

但考生需注意彼此的交流。

实用技巧（见范例）：A.提问者将文字材料中规定讨论的部分（通常特殊疑问句）改为一般疑问句并进行表述。

B.使用第一人称I或We进行表述，自然进入虚拟的工作环境中。

C.使用工作场合中常用的套话使得交流更加自然。

例如：Shall we get down to our business?D.在讨论中表达同意时所用的句型：I think so. / You are right. /That’s quite true. /Definitely. /I have the same view. /I share your concern. /That’s a good point. / No doubt about it.E. 在讨论中表达不同意时所用的句型：That’s true but…. Yes I know but…. I understand but….I don’t think that I agree with you. I don’t think so. I can’t agree with you. I have some difficulty with your view.Attending Trade FairsYour company has been invited to take part in a trade fair, which will take place during the busiest time of the year. Y ou have been asked to decide whether staff should be sent to this trade fair.Discuss and decide together:*what the advantages and disadvantages are of attending trade fairs*which members of staff would most usefully represent a company at a trade fairModel Answer 1:A: You know our company has been invited to this year’s Guangzhou Trade Fair in July. But July is our busiest time. So we have to decide whether to send our staff to attend this fair. What’s your opinion?B: I think we should send our staff because….A: I agree with you. From my point of view, we should…because….B: Which members of staff will you choose to represent our company to attend the fair?A: My ideal members of staff are … You know…B: I think that is the exact reason why we should …A: I am very happy that we hold the same idea.B: So let’s make this decision.A: Ok. I’ll let our boss know our decision this afternoon.Model Answers2:A: You know our company has been invited to this year’s Guangzhou Trade Fair in July. But July is our busiest time. So we have to decide whether to send our staff to attend this fair.B: I think we should send our staff because…A: To be frank, I don’t agree with you…B: But the fact is we can benefit much more from sending our staff to the fair than keeping them at work. You know…A: Ok, maybe you are right.B: Let’s move to the next agenda. Which members of staff should our company send?A: …B: I agree with you. …A: Ok. Let’s make this decision.B: Ok. I’ll let our boss know our decision this afternoon.Entertaining Foreign ClientsYour company is entertaining a group of foreign clients for three days, including one non-working day.You have been asked to plan a programme for the visit.Discuss the situation together, and decide:●What kinds of activities would be suitable for the visit●What information it would be useful to know about the clients before finalizing theprogrammeInterlocutor: [Select one or more of the following questions as appropriate, to redress any imbalance or to broaden the discussion.]●What kinds of arrangements need to be made before foreign visitors arrive? (Why?)●Are there any disadvantages for a company in having a visit from foreign clients? (Why /Why not?)●Where would you take foreign visitors in your home town? (Why?)●Would you enjoy looking after business visitors for a few days? (Why / Why not?)●What problem might there be when socializing with foreign business people? (Why?)●What are the long-term benefits of establishing personal contacts with foreign clients? Thank you. That is the end of the speaking test.DiscussionCandidate A: It is the first time for our company to attend a trade fair in Paris. So we have to do a lot of preparations before we set off. Do you think so?Candidate B: I’m of exactly the same idea. Firstly, I think we must arrange an appropriate schedule. For example, we should arrive a day earlier to give us time to adjust and acclimatize适应环境、水土.Candidate A: I agree entirely. As we know, travel fatigue, climatic changes, jet lag时差, foreign food, etc. will all have great effect on us.Candidate B: Yes. And then we should book air tickets and reserve accommodations in advance. Candidate A: Yes. I think we should contact the travel agent because it can offer variety of choices and discount.Candidate B: That’s just what I was thinking. Then, we must remind every participant that cultural differences can cause a lot of misunderstandings and even break a deal. So they should learn more about French culture.Candidate A: Can you put things into the perspective?Candidate B: For instance, shaking hands with everyone present, inviting your customers to lunch rather than dinner, avoiding talking business over the main course, etc. are all basic business customs that our participants should bear in mind.Candidate A: I go along with you about that. I think we can invite French people to give every participant lecture to help them familiarize with French culture.Candidate B: Ok, that’s agreed. I’ll present our ideas to the board of directors. Nice talking with you.Candidate A: Our company is organizing a press conference to launch our latest model. We must make careful planning and considerate arrangements to ensure the most satisfying outcome. Candidate B: True enough. I think the first thing we should take into consideration is the people we shall invite to the press conference. What are your views on this?Candidate A: As I see it, we should target most important motoring magazines, national papers, major regional papers and freelance journalists, etc.Candidate B: That’s a good point. When the public reads positive things in their favorite magazine or newspaper, they are the journalists’own comments and therefore much more powerful than advertising because they aren’t influenced by the organization.Candidate A: Yes. So, our goal is to communicate the quality and image of our cars to the motoring press.Candidate B: Then, how about the information needed in the press conference. Would you comment on this point?Candidate A: I think we should make sure that press information packs are accessible to everyone present.Candidate B: I wonder if you could explain it in more detail.Candidate A: sure. The information packs include, for example, brochures about specifications of our advanced cars, the most attractive pictures reflecting the modern image of our cars, etc. Candidate B: I agree entirely. What’s more, I think welcome information and itineraries for guests should also be prepared in advance.Candidate A: Oh, exactly.ⅢExamination Strategies1）看清问题、紧扣主题、合理分配时间2）和搭档注意配合，切忌一边倒3）如何合理的利用准备时间Discussion Functional Sentences（一）开始某个话题Let’s start with …Shall we begin with …So, the first item on the agenda is …Linda, would you like to kick off?（二）结束某个话题Right, I think that covers the first item.Shall we leave that item?If you don’t have anything else to add, …（三）转移话题Let’s move on to the next item …The next question on the agenda is …Now let’s come to the question of …（四）打断对方Excuse me, may I interrupt?Just a moment, but …Can I say something here?Mark, sorry, …Sorry to interrupt, but …（五）评价1．同意That’s a good point.I agree with you. I can’t agree with you more.I see what you mean.Yes, …That’s quite a good idea.That’s absolutely true.I'd go along with you on that.I suppose so.That’s marvelous.That’s great.That’s fine.I see your point.2．反对I don’t think so.Do you really think so?I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.I see what you mean. But in my opinion…I don’t entirely agree with you.That’s one way of looking at it, but we have other ways, too.（六）询问对方意见What do you think about this?What’s your opinion of…?Have you considered …I haven’t heard your opinion about …How do you feel about…?（七）表达自己观点I think/feel/believe that …You mentioned that …, but, in my view …In my opinion, we should …I’d like to point out …Let me emphasize …My view is that …Just let me finish.（八）评论That’s a good idea/an excellent idea.That’s very interesting.I’m sure we’d all agree with that.That’s a very good point/an important point.（九）要求对方澄清观点I don’t see what you’re getting at.I’m not sure what you mean.I’m not sure what you are saying.It’s not clear what you mean.（十）避免跑题We’re missing the point.We’re getting off the point.Let’s get back to the main point.It’s not on the agenda, but …（十一）请求重复和解释没听清时I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch you. Could you repeat that?//Would you mind saying that again?没听懂时I’m sorry. I don’t quite understand what you mean (by…).Would you please explain it?(十二) 纠正或解释自己的观点Sorry, let me explain…//let me put it this wayWell, what I’m trying to say is that…Well, the point I’m trying to make is that…更多口语化表达方式1.简单同意a.Yeah!b.How true!c.Exactly!d.Absolutely!e.Well said!f.You got it!g.You bet!h.That’s for sure.i.My opinion exactly!2. 表同意a.I share your view on that!b.Oh, yes, I couldn’t agree with you more, you are genient!c.I don’t think anyone would disagree.d.I have no problem with that.e.I couldn’t have said it better.f.I wish I had said that.g.I am with you there.3. 部分同意a.Could be!b.Yes, you’ve point there.c.So it seems! （似乎有点道理）d.So to speak!e.In the manner of speaking.f.I agree with much of what you said.g.That’s one way of looking at it, I admit.4. 口语化表达不同意a.Not really.b.Not at all.c.Of course not.d.No way.e.Not a chance.5. 不同意a.I am not convinced.b.Don’t speak too soon.c.I will believe it when I see it.d.I’m afraid we don’t see eye to eye on this.e.That was not the case.6. 强不同意（尽量避免）a.No, I don’t agree. Don’t waste your breath.b.You must be joking. / kiddingc.You can’t be serious.d.You are way off base. (棒不在垒上)e.You don’t know up from down.f.Over my dead body.g.I wasn’t born yesterday.h.That’s ridiculous.i.It’s pure fiction.j.Non-sense!k.That’s out of the question!。

教案第3课刷卡消费，享受生活本课补充材料：读一读，说一说走出透支困境随着信用卡越来越受欢迎，刷卡消费和透支消费已成为现代人的时尚生活方式。

不用当场点1现金，把卡一刷，商品到手了。

然而，信用卡消费在给人们带来便利的同时，也渐渐1点：动词，数（shǔ）。

培养了一批陷入透支困境2的“卡奴”。

我的第一张信用卡是3年前在工商银行办的，额度315000元。

卡拿到手时，家人都反对，因为在他们看来，借钱花是不安全的。

但当时我心里很清楚：我一定不会成为卡奴。

因此，家人的话我完全听不进去。

有了第一张卡以后，我花钱渐渐变得大手大脚。

我将每月的工资和打工赚的钱都存到卡里，外出逛街时，总是轻松刷卡，我的朋友们都很羡慕。

后来，老是觉得钱不够，于是就申请了第二张信用卡。

我透支了10000元，买了一台笔记本。

从此以后，我好像上了瘾，只要见到办信用卡的，肯定会办一张，办来办去，我手中已经有了8家银行的信用卡。

卡多了，花钱更没有限制。

刷卡让我忘记了额度，也没有心疼的感觉。

当不断有银行打来电话，我才意识到短短一年的时间里，我已经欠债50000元。

更不幸的是，今年3月，我被老板炒了鱿鱼。

银行的电话不断催我还款，我只好找各种理由，说自己暂时没钱。

我怎么才能走出目前的困境呢？一、请复述短文的大意。

二、请简单回答下面的问题。

1 “我”是怎么一步步变成“卡奴”的？2 请你帮“我”想个办法，走出困境。

三、2个人一组，说说如何才能避免成为“卡奴”。

2困境：名词difficult position; predicament; straits3额度：名词credit line; limit of credit。

bec中级口语第三部分流程BEC中级口语第三部分流程。

一、总体介绍。

BEC中级口语的第三部分呀，就像是一场有趣的小讨论呢。

这部分是两个人一组进行的哦。

一般会给你一个话题相关的题目或者情景描述，然后你和你的搭档就要根据这个展开讨论啦。

这个过程就像是两个人在聊天，但又有一定的任务在身哦。

二、话题到手。

当拿到话题的时候呢，可不要一下子就懵掉啦。

有时候话题可能是关于商务中的一些常见情况，比如说公司的发展方向呀，产品的推广策略之类的。

这个时候呀，你要迅速在脑子里过一下自己知道的相关知识和经验。

如果是没什么经验的同学呢，也别怕，就发挥你的想象力，想想在平时看到的商业故事或者新闻里是怎么处理类似情况的。

三、开始讨论。

1. 开场互动。

一上来呢，你和搭档之间得有个简单的互动，比如说互相打个招呼，笑一笑，让气氛轻松起来。

这就像是你和好朋友聊天之前的那种小预热。

然后呢，其中一个人可以先开个头，大概说说对这个话题的第一感觉，不需要太复杂，就是简单地把话题引入到讨论中来。

2. 观点阐述。

接着呢，你们就开始轮流说自己的观点啦。

这个时候呀，可不要害羞哦。

大胆地把自己的想法说出来。

比如说你觉得公司要拓展新市场，那就说“我觉得咱这个公司呀，就应该去开拓新的市场，像那些新兴的城市或者地区，那里的潜力可大啦。

”说的时候呢，还可以加上一些自己的小理由，“为啥这么说呢，你看现在那些老市场都已经竞争很激烈了，新市场就像一片还没怎么开垦的土地，机会多多呀。

”3. 互相交流。

在对方说观点的时候呢，要认真听哦。

不要光想着自己下一句要说什么。

当对方说完了，你可以适当地表示一下认同或者提出一点小疑问。

就像朋友之间聊天那样自然。

比如说“你这个想法挺不错的呢，不过我有点小疑问，就是咱们进入新市场的成本会不会很高呀？”然后你们就可以针对这个问题再深入讨论一下。

4. 拓展话题。

除了就着对方的观点讨论，你们还可以把话题往更宽的方向拓展。

比如说从产品推广谈到公司的品牌形象，再谈到整个行业的发展趋势。

汉语中级口语教程教案教案标题：汉语中级口语教程教案教学目标：1. 通过本课程的学习，学生将能够在日常生活和工作中流利地进行中级水平的口语交流。

2. 学生将能够运用所学的语言知识和技巧，表达自己的观点和意见，并能够理解他人的表达。

3. 学生将能够运用所学的语言知识和技巧，进行简单的辩论和演讲。

教学重点：1. 提高学生的口语表达能力，包括流利度、准确性和语感。

2. 培养学生的听力理解能力，能够理解不同语速和口音的汉语。

3. 培养学生的交际能力，能够在各种实际情境中进行有效的交流。

教学准备：1. 教材：《汉语中级口语教程》2. 多媒体设备：投影仪、音响设备3. 教学资源：录音资料、图片、视频素材等教学步骤：第一课时：1. 导入（5分钟）：- 通过播放一段有关日常生活的视频，引起学生对口语交流的兴趣。

- 提问学生他们对口语交流的重要性和困难的看法。

2. 教学新知（20分钟）：- 分发教材，并介绍本课程的教学目标和重点。

- 通过示范和练习，教授一些常用口语表达，如问候、介绍自己等。

- 引导学生进行角色扮演练习，加强口语表达能力。

3. 拓展活动（15分钟）：- 分组进行小组讨论，让学生讨论一个有争议的话题，并展示自己的观点。

- 鼓励学生使用所学的语言知识和技巧，进行简单的辩论。

4. 总结与作业布置（5分钟）：- 总结本节课的教学内容和重点。

- 布置作业：要求学生准备一个简短的演讲稿，下节课进行演讲。

第二课时：1. 复习与导入（10分钟）：- 学生进行演讲，展示他们准备的演讲稿。

- 提供反馈和建议，帮助学生改进口语表达能力。

2. 教学新知（20分钟）：- 通过示范和练习，教授一些关于日常生活和工作的口语表达，如购物、旅行、工作等。

- 引导学生进行角色扮演练习，加强口语表达能力。

3. 拓展活动（15分钟）：- 分组进行小组讨论，让学生讨论一个与他们感兴趣的话题，并展示自己的观点。

- 鼓励学生使用所学的语言知识和技巧，进行辩论或演讲。

Lesson 1 T oo Clever Text AA farmer who lived in a small village suffered from a severe pain in the chest. This never seemed to get any better. The farmer eventually decided that he would consult a doctor in the nearest town. But as he was a miserly perso n he thought he would find out what he would have to pay this doctor. He was told that a patient had to pay three pounds for the first visit and one pound for the second' visit. The farmer thought about this for a long time, and then he decided to go and consult the doctor in the town.As he came into the doctor's consulting room, he said causally,´ Good morning, doctor. Here I am again.' The doctor was a little surprised. He asked him a few questions, examined his chest and then took the pound which the farmer insisted on giving him. Then the doctor said with a smile , Well , sir. There's nothing new. Please continue to take the same medicine I gave you the first time you came to see me.'Text BA man went to see his doctor one day because he was suffering from pains in his stomach. After the doctor had examined him carefully, he said to him, `Well, there's nothing reallywrong with you, I'm glad to say. Your only trouble is that you worry too much. Do you know, I had a man with the same trouble as you in here a few weeks ago, and I gave him the same advice as I'm going to give you. He was worried because he couldn't pay his tailor's bills. I told him not to worry his head about the bills any more. He followed my advice, and when he came to see me again two days ago, he told me that he now feels quite all right again. '`Yes, I know all about that,' answered the patient sadly.`You see , I'm that man's tailor.'Additional InformationDoctor: Good morning. How are you?Patient: I'm very worried; doctor.Doctor: Oh? What are you worried about?Patient: I'm afraid that I'm very ill.Doctor: I'm sorry to hear that. Why do you think so?Patient: Because I feel tired all the time, even when I wake up in the morning.I findit very difficult to do any work. 1 have no appetite. My wife cooks me delicious meals but I can only eat a little.Doctor: How do you sleep?Patient: Very badly, doctor.Doctor: Do you find it difficult to get to sleep, or do you wake up early? Fatient: Both, doctor. I never get to sleep until 2 o'clock and I always wake at 5. Doctor: Are you worried about anything?Patient: Well , yes , I am. I'm worried about my work. I've just taken a new job.I earn a lot of money but it's difficult work. I'm always afraid of makinga mistake.Doctor: I see. Please take off your shirt and lie down on the couch.Patient: Yes , doctor.(The Doctor examines the patient )Doctor: Well , there's nothing very much wrong with you , I'm glad to say. You're working too hard and worrying too much. Do you take much exercise? Patient: No, doctor. I never have enough time for exercise. I start work very early inthe morning and finish late in the evening. Then I can't get to sleep.Canyou give me some medicine to help me to sleep?Doctor: I can, but I'm not going to. You don't need medicine. You need advice. Don't work so hard. Too much work is bad. for you. Don't worry about your work. It's silly to worry. Take regular exercise.Patient: But I may lose my job , doctor ! It's hard to get a job like mine. Doctor: Then get an easier one , even if you earn less money.Which would you rather have, health or wealth?Patient: You' re right , doctor. It's more important to be healthy than wealthy. I'll change my job. I'm grateful for your advice.Doctor: Come and see me again in a month's time. I think you'll be a different manLesson 2 Au Pair Girl Text A Gretel comes from Austria. She is eighteen years old. She is going to stay with the Clark family for a year. Gretel has come to England because she wants to improve her English. She works as an au pair girl. She helps Mrs Clark in the house and attends English classes regularly in her spare time. Gretel hasn' t been in England long and everything is strange to her. She often compares life in London with life in Vienna. Some things are nicer in London; other things are not so nice. For instance, the shops are bigger in London than in Vienna and there is greater variety. But it's more expensive to enjoy yourself in London. It's expensive to have a meal at a restaurant or to go to a theatre.Gretel has got used to many things already, but she can't get used to breakfast in England. You English eat so much in the morning, she often says. Fruit juice, porridge, bacon and egg, tea, toast and marmalade! How can you face all that food so early in the day?Text B Maria had decided that as soon as she had finished school she would become an au pair girl in London. Two of her friends had already spent a year with a family in Kensington, and told her they had had an interesting time and had managed to learn a lot of English. She was advised by her Head Teacher to get her parents' consent and to make all the necessary arrangements prior to her departure: have enough money for her return fare, know exactly what kind of a family she was going to live with and what they expected of her.Shortly after her eighteenth birthday Maria received a letter from Mrs Hutchinson, the wife of an advertising executive, stating the terms on which she would be employed. The Hutchinsons lived in a house in Chelsea. They had three children; two boys, aged fourteen and ten, both at boarding schools, the elder at a Public School in the Midlands and the younger at a Preparatory School in Surrey; the youngest child was a girl aged eight, and she went to the French Lycee in South Kensington. During term time Maria would have to take the girl to school in the morning and fetch her in the afternoon. She would have to help Mrs Hutchinson in the house - washing up, making the beds, laying the table, dusting the rooms, answering the door, taking telephone messages, shopping and running errands. She would be guaranteed three evenings a week free and could attend English classes either from eleven till one in the morning or from half past one till four in the afternoon. She would receive 3 a week pocket money. Maria was delighted with the conditions and thought that they were fair. She also liked the look of the family, as Mrs Hutchinson had thoughtfully enclosed a photograph with her letter.Additional Information It was nothing for a girl t.o be sent away to service when she was eleven years old. That meant leaving the family as she had never been parted from for a day in her life before, and going to some place miles away to be treated like a dog. I've got nothing against girls going into good service. In my opinion, good service in a properly run big house was a wonderful training for a lot of girls who never would have seen anything different all the days of their lives if they hadn't gone. It was better than working on the land, then, and if it still existed now, I reckon I'd rather see any of my daughters be a goodhousemaid or a well-trained parlour maid than a dolled-up shop-assistant or a factory worker. But folks are too proud to work for other folks, now. even if it's to their own advantage, though as far as I can see you are still working for other folks , whatever you're doing. Big houses didn't want littlegirls of eleven, even as kitchen maids, so the first few ycars had to be put in somewhere else, before you got even that amount of promotion. Big houses expected good service, but you got good treatment in return. It . wasn't like that at the sort of place my friends had to go. Mostly they went to the farmers' houses within ten or twenty miles from where they'd been born. These farmers were a jumped Up, proud lot who didn't know how to treat the people who worked for them. They took advantage of the poor people's need to get their girls off their hands to get little slaves for nearly nothing. The conditions were terrible.Lesson 3 Who Took the Money?Text A Mr Smith gave his wife ten pounds for her birthday-ten pretty pound notes. So the day after her birthday, Mrs Smith went shopping. She queued for a bus, got on and sat down next to an old lady. After a while, she noticed that the old lady's handbag was open. Inside it, she saw a wad of pound notes exactly like the one her husband had given her. So she quickly looked into her own bag- the notes had gone!Mrs Smith was sure that the old lady who was sitting next to her had stolen them. She thought she would have to call the police; but, as she disliked making a fuss and getting people into trouble, she decided to take back the money from the old lady's handbag and say nothing more about it. She looked round the bus to make sure nobody was watching, then she carefully put her hand into the old lady's bag , took the notes and put them in her own bag.When she got home that evening, she showed her husband the beautiful hat she had bought.´How did you pay for it?' he asked.´With the money you gave me for my birthday, of course,' she replied.´Oh? What's that, then?' he asked, as he pointed to a wad of ten pound notes on the table.Text B 'Goodbye, darling,' said Mr Mackin. 'I'll be late tonight.' Poor George, she thought. He was always in a hurry in the morning, and it wasn't unusual for him to come home late at night. He worked for a shoe company in Lceds. and therc was such a lot of work that he normally staycd in the office till seven or cight. When George had left the house Mrs Mackin sat down. in an armchair and turned on the radio. It was a few minutes past eight , and she heard the last words of the news :'...wman who escaped from I.ceds prison yesterday is still free. The police warn you not to open your door to strangers. 'She turned off the radio. The housework was waiting for her. Shc made the beds and washed the dishes. There wasn't auy shopping to do. and so she thought for a moment of all the Work in the garden.The Mackins lived in a house with a large garden in a suburb of Leeds. Behind the garden there were some trees. and then the cpen fields.Suddenly Mrs Mackin remembered the news. She laughed uneasily. That prison is only 15 miles away, she thought. She didn't work in the garden, she mended her husband 's shirts instead And she care.fully lockcd the front door and closed all the windows.It was getting dark. She turned on the lights in the livingroom.Thcn she noticedthat she had turned on the lights in most of the roonss in the house.'How silly I am!' she said nervously and went into the other rooms and turned the leghts on.The person at the door said something loudly. but she was so frightened that she dien't understand a word. Additional Information Do you believe in ghosts?I don't, eitlter-or at least I didn't until I heard a strange story the other day from Mr Mike Paton, of 19 Marlborough llill.It all began on November 28, whcn Mr Paton's eight-ycar-old son, Bob , was playing in the big back garden of his parents' house. He met an old man with a long white beard. The old man told Bob he was builcling the underground railway there, but Bob didn't believe him. Bob told me afterwards that he knew the underground ran under Marlborough Hill itself. The old man said there had been an accident the day before. Then he went away.At first the Patons didn't believe Bob's story. Mrs Paton told me that Bob often made up stories about ghosts and monsters, like other children of his age. But Mr Paton was curious and decided that he would go to the library to check up on the facts.He found that the railway compapy had started to build the line to the west of Marlborough Hill in 1881. but they had run into an underground river. Ten workmen had died in an accident and the Company had changed the direction of the line and built the present tunnel under Marlborough Hill. At first I didn't believe Mr Paton's storv either, so I did some research myself.Inspector Bright of the Metropolitan Police said it was natural to find tramps in the district in winter, but no one had reported one answering the description I had given him since last August.Mr Joseph Griffiths of London Transport checked the files on the accident for me. He told me that the accident had apparently taken place on or very near the junction of Marlborough Hill and Woodstock Avenue on 27 November 1881. Mr Paton's house stands on the corner!The source of this extraordinary story was not affected by the news. 'I told Mummy it was true,' young Bob Paton told me yesterday. When I left the house he was playing happily with his toy cars-in the garden!。