Tapescript: U1-12
Listen to Paul and Andrea talking about their family life. What are two things that are different about Paul’s and Andrea’s families?
P – So, Andrea, you’re going home for the holiday?
A – I am sure. I’ve booked a flight for tomorrow afternoon and I can’t wait.
P – That sounds great.
A – What about you? Going home too?
P – I haven’t decided yet. I’m still considering…
A – Haven’t decided yet? Oh, you are never going to get a flight out of here. All the seats
have been
reserved by now I’m sure. It’s the holiday season, after all.
P – Well, it’s not important for me. My family lives about 180 kilometres from here.
I usually take the train or the coach.
A – You don’t sound excited about it.
P – Well, we are not really a very close-knit family. I have three brothers, and they’ve
spread out all over the place. We rarely get together as a family any more.
A – Well, I try to get home sa soon as possible. We’re a big family – there are six of
us – children – so it’s always a lot of fun.
P – Six kids?
A – Yes, and we’re all really close. My brothers are married, so it makes for a very
crowded home over the holiday. And there are too many people to cook for, so we end
up going out to dinner a lot. That’s also fun.
P – Well, at my home, my mother loves to cook, so when we get home she often cooks
big meals.We have leftovers for days.


Tapescript: U1-12
Listen to Paul and Andrea talking about their family life. What are two things that are different about Paul’s and Andrea’s families?
P – So, Andrea, you’re going home for the holiday?
A – I am sure. I’ve booked a flight for tomorrow afternoon and I can’t wait.
P – That sounds great.
A – What about you? Going home too?
P – I haven’t decided yet. I’m still considering…
A – Haven’t decided yet? Oh, you are never going to get a flight out of here. All the seats
have been
reserved by now I’m sure. It’s the holiday season, after all.
P – Well, it’s not important for me. My family lives about 180 kilometres from here.
I usually take the train or the coach.
A – You don’t sound excited about it.
P – Well, we are not really a very close-knit family. I have three brothers, and they’ve
spread out all over the place. We rarely get together as a family any more.
A – Well, I try to get home sa soon as possible. We’re a big family – there are six of
us – children – so it’s always a lot of fun.
P – Six kids?
A – Yes, and we’re all really close. My brothers are married, so it makes for a very
crowded home over the holiday. And there are too many people to cook for, so we end
up going out to dinner a lot. That’s also fun.
P – Well, at my home, my mother loves to cook, so when we get home she often cooks
big meals.We have leftovers for days.
Tapescript: U2-12
Wedding in VietNam
Tourist: Can you tell me something about wedding ceremonies in Vietnam?
Tourist guide: Well, wedding is very important to the Vietnamese, not only to the
couple involved, but also for both families. The wedding day is usually
chosen carefully by the groom’s parents.
Tourist: What does t6he groom’s family usually do on the wedding day?
Tourist guide: On the wedding day, the groom’s family and relatives go to the bride’s
house bringing gifts wrapped in red paper. The people who hold the trays of
gifts are also carefully chosen.
Tourist: Do you have someone in charge of the ceremony? And what does he do during the
wedding ceremoniey?
Tourist guide: Yes, we have a Master of ceremonies who introduces the groom, the bride,
the parents, the relatives and guests of the two families. The wedding
ceremony starts in front of the altar. The bride and the groom would pray,
asking their ancestors’ permission to get married. The Master of
ceremonies gives the wedding couple advice on starting a new family. The
groom and the bride then exchange their wedding rings.
Tourist: Where is the wedding banquet held?
Tourist guide: Well, it depends. Often the wedding banquet is held at the groom and
bride’s home or at a hotel or a restaurant and all close