PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Airplane safety

VOCABULARY
passenger

a person traveling on a plane or train

carry-on bag

a small bag that you take with you on the plane

overhead bin

a place above the seats on an airplane where you can put your
coat and bags

seat belt

a strap around your body that keeps you in your seat

tray table

a small table in front of passengers where they can put their food
and drinks

emergency exit

a door to get off the plane in an accident

fasten

to close something like a seat belt, so it is fixed

safe

not dangerous

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Welcome to Europa Airlines! This information will help passengers have a good flight.
• Your carry-on bag must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin.
If your bag is too big, the flight attendant may have to check your bag.
• Always keep your seat belt fastened when you are seated. Children should use seat
belts too. When the captain turns off the seat belt sign, you can walk around the
plane and use the toilet, but please put your seat belt on again when you sit down.
• This plane has four emergency exits. Two are in the front of the plane, and two are
in the back. If there is an emergency, use the exit closest to your seat. Leave all your
carry-on bags on the plane.
• There is a tray table on the back of the seat in front of you. You can use it during the
flight, but you must put it up when the plane is taking off and landing.
• Please be careful when you open the overhead bin at the end of the flight. The
bags inside the bin sometimes move during the flight.
Thank you for flying with us today!

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Answering the phone

VOCABULARY

the wrong
number

what you say when you dial the incorrect telephone number

speak to
someone

what you say when you telephone a company, for example, and
want to talk to someone in particular

call someone
back

what you do when you telephone someone again — if they are
busy for example

the line's busy

what you say when you telephone someone and the telephone
is engaged

leave a message

what you do when you cannot talk to the person you want, and
someone writes a message for you

voicemail

where you can leave a message if someone is not answering their

cell phone for example

be out

what you say about someone when he is 'not in' — not in the
office for example

take a message

what someone does when you cannot talk to the person you
want, and they write a message for you

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Answering the phone

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
To:
Cc:
Subject:


Hi!

Hi Mick,
How's it going? I tried to call you a minute ago, but couldn't get through. I guess
you're pretty busy.
I just wanted to say that I had a nice time on our date last Friday. Madame Butterfly is

my favorite opera. I was so happy. How did you know?
I called you Saturday and left a message with your daughter. Did you get it? She
sounded cute. She's just eight, right? And so polite on the phone!
Thanks for the message you left on my voicemail. I laughed when I heard what you
said about opera and Italian food.
I guess next time you should call me on my cell phone. I'm out of the office so much
on business. Don't worry about disturbing me in a meeting — I turn it off when I'm
with a client.
Or text me. It's cheap, and I always check my messages in the taxi between meetings.
That's the best way to contact me.
Well, if we can't touch base before Friday, I'll meet you at the restaurant like we
planned.
Have a good week.
Mandy

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Applying for a job

VOCABULARY
application form

a document you complete with personal details and work history
when you want a particular job

interview

a formal meeting where one or more people asks you questions

for a job in a company

interviewer

someone who interviews you

job advertisement

an announcement in a newspaper for a job

position

a job with a particular title — sales manager for example

offer

to ask someone formally if they want to accept a job

invite

to ask someone to come — to an interview for example

company

an organization that sells products or services

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH

READING: Applying for a job

READING PRACTICE: TEXT


PLASTICS 4U
1051–1053 Seventh Avenue
New York
NY 10002



November 7

Simon Green
58 Hill Avenue
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Mr. Green,
Thank you for your application form. We are pleased to invite you for an interview for
the position of Sales Manager with this company.
The interview will be on Thursday November 20 at 9:00 a.m. Your interviewer will be
Bill Robson, Sales Director. Before the interview, you will see our offices and meet
some of the staff.
Please call me to confirm that you can come at this time.
We look forward to seeing you on November 20.
Sincerely,
Hamira Hussain

© Reallyenglish 2013



PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Arranging meetings

VOCABULARY
audience

a group of people who listen and watch — they listen to
speeches at a convention for example

confirm

to make an arrangement definite

speaker

someone who gives a formal talk or presentation to a large group
of people

convention

a formal event where people with the same interests come
together to listen to speeches

give a talk

to speak about a particular subject — at a convention for example

reserve


to arrange something before you go — a hotel room for example

take place

to happen in a place or at a particular time

convention center

a place that has all the facilities and equipment for conventions

topic

a subject that someone speaks about — at a convention for
example

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Arranging meetings

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Institute of Management Studies
Evergreen University
Olympia, WA 20043
February 12
Martin Lewis
Faculty of Business Administration
University of South Carolina
SC 20598

Dear Dr. Lewis,
Modern Management Convention
I am writing to confirm that I have booked your flights and hotel room for the
Modern Management Convention which takes place at our convention center on
March 15 and 16.
As you know, you will be the first speaker. We understand that you will give a talk on
Soft Management Skills. We expect an audience of about 200 people.
Please check the information on the flight and hotel reservation documents that
I've enclosed with this letter. If there are any problems, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
Best regards,
Peter Smith

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: At the airport

VOCABULARY
security

the place in an airport where officers check for dangerous things

baggage claim

the place in an airport where you get your suitcases after a flight

customs


the place in an airport where officers may look in your bags when
you arrive

immigration

the place in an airport where officers check your passport when
you arrive

boarding time

the time when you get on a plane

screen

an electronic sign that shows information

departure

going away from a place

arrival

coming to a place

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Welcome to the NEW Metro Airport! We've made everything better and more
convenient for your next trip.
The departure hall is all made of glass, and it has beautiful views of the mountains.
Big display screens tell you where to find your airline. The security area is now larger,
so you won't have to wait in long lines. If you have time before your flight, there are

three new restaurants where you can get a meal. We also have a shopping mall if you
want a book or magazine, or if you forgot to buy presents for your friends.
The arrival hall is new, too. While you wait to have your passport checked in the
immigration area, you can enjoy videos of the most beautiful places in our country.
The customs area has displays of art by some of our country's best artists. And our
new computer system means you will get your bags much faster in the baggage
claim area.
Choose the NEW Metro Airport for your next trip!

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: City and countryside

VOCABULARY
woods

an area of land that is covered in trees

village

a very small town, often with only one shop and a school

shopping mall

an area where there are many shops, usually indoors

housing
development


an area where a large number of similar houses are being built at
the same time

suburb

an area outside the center of a city or town where people live

business district

the area of a city where many businesses have their offices

neighborhood

the area of a town or city where you live

field

an area of land, usually used for growing crops or keeping animals

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Racing Forward?
The racecourse in Milton, New Hampshire, is one year old today, but local people are
very angry about it. Ever since the racecourse opened last year, the people who live
in Milton have been unhappy about the effect it is having on the countryside and
their small village.
The owners of the racecourse are now planning to build a shopping mall, a hotel,
and a nightclub near the racecourse. Mr. Denning, the President of the racecourse,
said yesterday, "We know that local people are unhappy about our plans, but we
believe this will be good for all businesses in the area and there will be jobs for young

people. Later, we will build new housing developments, and the village will grow."
Mr. Potter, who lives 2 miles from the racecourse, thinks differently. "This is about big
business. I moved to Milton from the suburbs because of the beautiful woods, the
open fields, and the fresh air. We don't want a city here. All those people and cars
and pollution — no thank you!"
Local people hope the plan will be rejected and Milton will remain a nice, quiet place
to live.

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Computer equipment

VOCABULARY
laptop

a small computer that you can carry around

speakers

parts of a computer system, TV, or radio through which you can
listen to sounds

screen

where you can see pictures or words on a computer system

plug


you use this to connect a machine to an electricity supply

mouse

what you use to move the cursor on a computer

keyboard

where you can type on a computer system

printer

a machine that prints documents

headset

you put this over your ears to listen to sounds on a computer

disk

you use this to store computer data

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
No Future for Pen and Paper?
David is a fifty-two-year-old manager of a travel company. When he has a problem
with his computer, he asks James for help. Who is James? His boss perhaps? Or
maybe his colleague? No, James is his eight-year-old son. David started using
computers when he was 49. James started when he was 4.
Today most children use computers at school. For many young children, a keyboard
is easier and quicker to use than a pen. They read from a screen, not from a book. In

art classes there is no paint on their hands or clothes because now they use a mouse
to paint on screen.
James uses technology in and out of school. After work his father goes to a bar with his
friends and plays cards. When James comes home from school, he turns on his laptop
and does his homework. Then he plays cards on the Internet and sends messages to
his friends on his cell phone. He doesn't write letters with a pen and paper.
Technology is changing the way we work and play. Is the life of the pen over?

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Enjoying yourself

VOCABULARY
enjoy

to get pleasure or fun from something

energy

the physical power to work, play, etc. without getting tired

spare time

time when you do not have to work, study, etc. and you can do
what you like

rest


to relax or sleep

indoors/outdoors

inside a building/outside, not in a building

go out

to leave your house and go somewhere for a short time, often for
pleasure

make friends

to become friends with people

join

to become a member of a club or organization

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Enjoying yourself

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
www.dvdmovies.com
Movies at home or at the movie theater?
A study of 13 countries has found that while North Americans and Asians prefer to
stay home and watch a new movie on DVD, Europeans prefer to go out and see it at

the movie theater.
Which do you prefer?
"When I get home from work, I don't have the energy to go out again. I just want to
stay home and rest, so I prefer DVDs. I can lie on the sofa, wear what I want, have it as
loud as I want, and drink beer!"
Posted by Brad Simmons
"I love the whole experience of going to a movie theater. I enjoy getting ready to
go out. I enjoy being in a crowd and seeing them all jump, laugh, or cry at the same
time. I enjoy talking about the movie with my friends afterward."
Posted by Wormwood
"At home, if the movie is bad, I can turn it off or go to sleep — at the movie theater, I
feel I have to watch all of it. My spare time is more important than that."
Posted by Richard Campea
"It's much cheaper to get a movie on DVD. I joined an Internet DVD Club and watch 4
or 5 movies a week, but I don't have enough money to go to a movie theater 5 times
a week!"
Posted by Crackerjack

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Extreme sports

VOCABULARY
activity

something that you do, like a sport, game, or hobby

climb


to use your hands and feet to go up something

practice

to do an activity often so that you become good at it

training

learning or practicing a physical activity, like a sport

fall

to drop down toward the ground

safety

a situation or way of behaving that is not dangerous

hold on

to put your hands around something to stop yourself from falling

hurt

to cause yourself or somebody else pain or injury

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Alain Robert is known all over the world as the "French Spiderman." Why? The fortytwo-year-old from the South of France likes to climb up the sides of tall buildings
using just his hands and feet to hold on. He uses no safety equipment at all. He has

climbed more than 70 of the world's tallest buildings, including the Eiffel Tower in
Paris, the Sydney Opera House, and the world's tallest building, Taipei 101 in Taiwan.
Robert started this dangerous activity at age 12 when he couldn't get into his
parents' apartment on the eighth floor one day. Instead of waiting for them to come
home, he decided to climb up the wall and through the window. "I knew from that
moment that I wanted to be a climber," he says.
Robert, who is married with 3 children, practices climbing on the ceiling at home.
He has never had any accidents when climbing a building, but he hurt himself very
badly when he fell 15 meters during training at age 20. Doctors said he would never
climb again, but 6 months later he was back.
"I face death every time I climb," he says, "But this is my way of life."

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Going out

VOCABULARY
art gallery

a building or room where you can go to look at paintings and
other types of art

theater

a building where you go to see shows, plays, etc.

concert


when a band, orchestra, or musician plays music and/or sings in
front of people

band

a group of musicians who play music and sing together

musical
instrument

something that is used for playing music, like a piano or a guitar

poem

a piece of writing in short lines that often uses words that rhyme

acting

the job or skill of pretending to be someone else in a movie, play,
or show

stage

a platform in a theater or other place that actors, musicians,
dancers, etc. are on

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH

READING: Going out

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Imagine a room full of noisy, excited people, shouting at somebody on the stage. It
makes you think of a concert with loud music, doesn't it? But on the stage, there's no
band and no musical instruments. There's just one person reading a poem! This is a
"poetry slam."
Poetry slams started in 1986 at a jazz club in Chicago, but now they happen in bars,
clubs, and theaters all over North America and Europe. Anyone can come and read a
poem about anything, and 5 people — from the crowd who have come to watch the
show — give each poet points between 0 and 10. The crowd makes a lot of noise to
show if they like you or not.
The only rules are:
1) You must write the poem yourself.
2) It can only be 3 minutes long.
3) You cannot use musical instruments, special clothes, or any other objects.
How you read the poem is as important as the poem itself, so you will do better if
you are good at acting. The best poet usually wins money.
"If poetry makes you think of somebody sitting quietly with a book, go to a poetry
slam," says poet Marc Langmack. "It'll change the way you think about poetry forever!"

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Good feelings

SECTION 1: STAGE 2: VOCABULARY 1
Study the key language in context.
1. Margaret was very happy because her new business was successful.

2. Larry is a very cheerful person. He's always smiling and he makes everyone feel good.
3. Rachel is very excited about the rock concert tonight.
4. Henry is interested in languages. He's taking a French class this semester.
5. Lisa is very sensitive. She can easily tell when people are upset.
6. Steve and Georgia went to a great party last night. All their friends were there and everyone
had fun.
7. Jill is a very patient teacher. She is glad to help her students when they need it.
8. Frank asked Kelly what was wrong. He wanted her to be open with him.
9. Lydia was very confident about her project. She thought it was her best work.
10. Our neighbor is a very kind person. She invites us to her home every weekend and always
makes us a nice meal.

SECTION 1: STAGE 3: VOCABULARY 2
Match the word to the definition.
A. describes someone who is happy and friendly

1. happy           

B. describes how you feel when you want to know about or
do something

2. cheerful           

C. describes how you feel when you believe you can do things well

4. interested           

D. wonderful, fantastic
E. describes someone who quickly reacts to emotions
(his/her own or someone else's)

F. describes how you feel when you can't relax because
something good is going to happen
G. describes how you behave when you are friendly and do nice
things for people
H. describes how you behave when you are calm and don't get
angry or upset easily
I. describes how you feel when things in your life are going well
J. describes someone who shares his or her feelings with other
people easily

© Reallyenglish 2013

3. excited           
5. sensitive           
6. great           
7. patient           
8. open           
9. confident           
10. kind           


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Good feelings

SECTION 1: STAGE 4: VOCABULARY PRACTICE
Listen and write the words you hear.
Dina: Hi, Doug. How's it going?
Doug: Very well, Dina. I'm (1)           because I just spoke with my friend Michael about going
on vacation.
Dina: Oh really? That's (2)           ! I love vacations.

Doug: Yeah, I'm very (3)           about it. Michael is a lot of fun. He's always (4)          
and makes everyone around him feel good.
Dina: He sounds like a good friend.
Doug: Yes, he is. How about you? Do you have a close friend?
Dina: Yes, my friend Melissa. We have a good time together. She's very (5)           about her
feelings, so I always know what she's thinking. She's also very (6)           , and I don't
have to tell her when I feel sad or upset — she knows right away.
Doug: She sounds like a (7)           person.
Dina: Yes, she is — I'm lucky to have her as a friend. Now, what were we talking about? Oh yes,
your vacation! I'm very (8)           in hearing about it. When are you going?
Doug: I'm not sure yet. I have to be (9)           and wait for the details. Michael is taking care
of it, so I'll tell you when I know. He's (10)           that we'll love our trip.

SECTION 2: STAGE 2: PRE-READING
You are going to read an email about someone who is happy about getting a job. What things
about a job are important to you?
Making a lot of money
Helping people
Working in a nice place
Working with friendly people
Not working late
Telling other people what to do
Enjoying the work you do
Learning new things

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Good feelings


SECTION 2: STAGE 3: READING PRACTICE
Read the email. Decide if the statements are true or false.
Hi Jake,
How are you? I'm writing to tell you some good news.
I got a job as a receptionist in a hotel. I'm very excited about it. It's a small hotel, and
the hotel manager seems like a very kind person. She bought me a coffee after the
interview and showed me the hotel. It's a great place, and it's very beautiful.
I'm happy that I applied for the job. The hotel was looking for someone who's
cheerful when they greet people. They also wanted someone who's confident, so
I did my best to show that I can do the job well. Are you interested in seeing the
hotel? I can show it to you.
What's going on with you these days?
Talk soon,
Joy

1. Joy is asking Jake about a job.

True

False

2. Joy is excited about her job as a hotel manager.

True

False

3. Joy says the hotel is small and she thinks it's very nice.


True

False

4. Joy says the hotel wanted to hire someone who's beautiful.

True

False

5. Joy wants Jake to come to the hotel.

True

False

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Good food

VOCABULARY
delicious

having a very good taste

fresh

made or picked a short time ago


healthy

good for your body

fried

cooked in hot fat or oil

boiled

cooked in very hot water (100 °C)

plate

a flat dish that you eat food from

taste

the flavor that a food or drink creates in your mouth / to
experience the flavor of a food or drink in your mouth

fast food

food from restaurants that is prepared and served quickly

microwave meal

a meal that is cooked in a microwave oven that cooks food very
quickly


drink

a liquid like water, milk, etc.

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Good food

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
When you eat, how important is it to see the food on your plate? If you want to find
out, then go for a meal at the Unsicht Bar in Berlin, Germany. At this restaurant, you
can't see anything — not the waiter, not your food, not even your own hands — it is
completely dark.
The idea is that eating in the dark makes everything taste better, and because there
is nothing to look at, you can think about and enjoy your food more. So the chef
(who works in the light!) only cooks fresh, simple foods, and there is no menu — you
are only asked if you would like to eat meat, fish, or vegetables. Then you have to try
to guess what the meal is.
All the waiters are blind because it is easier for them to move around carrying food
and drink in the dark. When they bring your food, they tell you where your food is on
the plate — for example, chicken at 12 o' clock, rice at 3 o' clock. There are knives and
forks, but you are welcome to eat with your hands — after all, no one can see you!
"Everything tasted delicious," said one customer. "In the dark, even everyday foods
like boiled potatoes taste interesting!"

© Reallyenglish 2013



PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Homes

VOCABULARY
air conditioning

the system that keeps the air in a room or building cool

front door/back
door

the exterior door at the front of a house / the exterior door at the
back of a house

wall

one of the sides of a room or building

floor

the flat surface that you walk on indoors

upstairs

the floor above you in a building

downstairs

the floor below you in a building


living room

the room in a house where people sit, relax, talk, watch TV, etc.

garage

a building where you keep your car, usually near or connected to
your house

yard

the piece of land that your house is on, often with grass, plants, etc.

furniture

things like tables, chairs, beds, etc. that you put in a house

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Homes

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
While other Australians are enjoying barbecues in their yards or surfing on the
beach, the people in one Australian town choose instead to spend most of their time
underground.
In Coober Pedy in Southern Australia, 846 km from Adelaide, 80 percent of the
people live in underground homes. The temperatures here in the summer are as high

as 55ºC, but they drop to -10ºC in the winter. By building their homes underground,
where temperatures stay at 25ºC all year, people can live much more comfortably.
These special underground houses, called "dugouts," are quick and cheap to make.
They can be built in just 2 days using special machines — which also leave beautiful
marks on the walls and floors. They cost as little as $25,000 and save their owners
a lot of money on energy, too. A normal house in Coober Pedy needs a lot of air
conditioning, but these houses are cool all the time for free!
Many of the underground homes are very big and luxurious. Some even have
indoor swimming pools. Barry McCloud, who lives in a dugout with 2 living rooms,
5 bedrooms, and a double garage said, "It's the kind of place where if the wife wants
another room, you just dig her one!"

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: International business

VOCABULARY
do a course

to go to a series of lessons or training sessions on the same subject

do business

to buy or sell goods or services to make money

do research

to do a detailed and careful study of something to find out more

information about it

make a profit

to make money in business by selling goods or services for more
than they cost you

make a loss

to lose money in business because your costs were higher than
the money you made from selling your goods or services

make
improvements

to change something so that it is better

make an
arrangement

to make plans or preparations for something in the future

make an
announcement

to tell people about something formally

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
INTERCO ONE
Do you do business overseas? Too busy to make your own travel arrangements?

Interco One can help. Interco One is a dynamic international company, which
organizes everything for the busy business traveler.
We help individuals or groups. We can organize national and international travel by
air, train, and car. We can make arrangements for hotels, conference centers, and
even entertainment for you and your clients. Because we contact the airlines and
hotels directly, we can offer the best service at the best price.
Worried about languages? No problem. Interco One can also arrange for interpreters
to meet you at the airport. So there is no need to do a language course before you
do business overseas.
We make the arrangements, so you can do your job!

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Keeping fit by working out

VOCABULARY
go jogging

to run slowly for exercise

instructor

someone who teaches you a skill — driving or swimming for
example

out of shape

physically unfit because you do not exercise


equipment

things that you need and use to do something — a running
machine to exercise for example

warm up

to do some light exercise to prepare for some heavy exercise

go on a diet

to eat less food or particular food because you want to lose weight

lose weight

to make your body lighter and thinner

stay in shape

to exercise and eat correctly to keep your body fit and healthy

© Reallyenglish 2013


PRACTICAL ENGLISH
READING: Keeping fit by working out

READING PRACTICE: TEXT
Jogging for beginners

Are you feeling out of shape? Do you need to do some exercise or lose weight? Why
not start jogging? It's a great way to stay in shape — you don't need any equipment,
and you can do it anywhere.
It's important to start slowly, so start by walking. Try walking fast for 15 minutes
every 2 days, and make sure that you breathe evenly. Then you can start jogging for
a minute, then walking for a minute, then jogging for a minute. When you have no
problems, start jogging for 15 minutes, every 2 days. After 8 weeks, you should be
able to jog for 30 minutes every 2 days without stopping.
It's important to wear loose clothes and sneakers. And you should not eat for at least
2 hours before jogging to avoid getting a cramp. Before you go jogging, it's a good
idea to warm up by stretching. And after jogging, make sure you drink a lot of water.
Fitness Dos and Don'ts:
• Do wear loose clothing and sneakers
• Do start slowly
• Do warm up for at least 5 minutes before you start
• Don't eat before you jog
So if you want to get in shape, give jogging a try. You'll feel a lot better!

© Reallyenglish 2013