Gold First Coursebook Audio Script

Unit 2 Use of English focus Activity 6

Speaker 1: sociable
comfortable
lovable
predictable
reliable
adventurous
cautious
generous
realistic
dramatic
pessimistic
sympathetic
practical
emotional
personal
thoughtful
harmful
hopeful
meaningful

Unit 2 Listening focus Activity 3

Presenter: As the youngest of four children, I know my older brothers and sisters always
thought I had a much easier time. I didn’t use to do as many jobs around the
house and my parents were more relaxed about letting me do things as I got
older. But has this affected my personality in any way? Our reporter, Max Berry,
has been listening to psychologists at Southfield University who are doing some
research into what’s known as ‘the birth order effect’ – how your position in a
family can affect your life. They’ve been asking people whether they believe
there’s any truth in this. Max, what can you tell us?

Max: Well Esther, it seems that the vast majority of people believe that the oldest
child’s always the most successful in later life. But apparently, there’s a lot of
evidence to show that it’s actually middle children who have the best chance of
leading happy, as well as successful, lives. People also believe that the youngest
child always has a problem learning to be responsible and independent, which
again isn’t supported by any real facts.
Unit 2, Listening focus Activity 4
Track 1.09

Presenter: So, is it true, for example, that oldest children perform best in intelligence tests?

Max: Well, yes. There are lots of studies which prove this to be the case. One
explanation for this might be that parents often encourage the oldest child to
help their younger brothers and sisters to learn new skills, especially learning to
read, and this actually helps the older child become more confident and
independent.

Presenter: Interesting. So what other characteristics do oldest children have?

Max: Some psychologists believe that first-borns like me often take life too seriously
and worry too much. They may feel under pressure to be the best all the time,
though I must say that isn’t something that’s ever been a problem for me. But
as a young child, I do remember hating my younger brother and thinking that he
was my parents’ favourite, and this is something that’s quite common in oldest
children.

Presenter: What about youngest children, like me?

Max: Well, in families where there are three or more children, the baby of the family’s
often treated as just that – a baby. They’re allowed to grow up more slowly. But
their good points are that they’re likely to question everything and to be
imaginative and artistic. Just like you, Esther.

Presenter: Are there any factors which increase the ‘birth order effect’ in some families?

Max: According to some psychologists, it seems that in families where there are either
two boys, or two girls, the birth order effect is stronger. But it can have hardly
any impact on large families, or where siblings aren’t close in age. Although
some people believe the birth order effect is so important that it should influence
really important decisions such as our choice of marriage partner.

Presenter: So, if you’re the oldest, should you marry someone who’s also the oldest in their
family?

Max: Well, it’s been suggested that two first-born children will have to work very hard
to make a marriage a success, but that it’d be much easier for two third-born
children because they’re likely to be more relaxed. And two middle children will
probably want to compete with each other, so it could be difficult for them to get
on well.

Presenter: That does make things complicated! But surely birth order isn’t the most
important thing which affects people’s personalities?

Max: Absolutely not. Before you start to examine every aspect of your life in relation
to whether you were born first, middle or last, a word of caution. The influence
this can have when we are children doesn’t necessarily last as we become
adults. Our relationships outside our family can have just as much influence on
the development of our personalities.

Presenter: Right. So it might be wise to resist blaming your brothers and sisters for
everything that’s gone wrong in your life! Thanks very much…
Unit 2, Grammar Focus Activity 1
Track 1.10

Narrator: Speaker 1
Speaker 1: I’ve always found my nephew really cute, but it took me ages to have the
confidence to be on my own with him without feeling nervous. I hadn’t been
around babies before so I found it a bit scary, but it’s fine now.

Narrator: Speaker 2
Speaker 2: I get on well with most of the family but one of my cousins is a bit weird. He’s so
argumentative . It’s not worth talking to him really because he just disagrees
with whatever anybody says. It’s a good thing he doesn’t live that near.

Narrator: Speaker 3
Speaker 3: My mum got married again a few years ago and my step-father has a daughter.
Luckily, she’s about the same age as me and we both love riding, so it’s great to
have something in common.

Narrator: Speaker 4
Speaker 4: I don’t see my grandad that much as he lives hundreds of miles away. We’d like
him to come and live nearer. He’s quite old now but when I was younger we
used to support the same football team so we always had loads to talk about on
the phone.

Narrator: Speaker 5
Speaker 5: I was quite surprised when my sister married Charlie, because he’s very different
from her other boyfriends. But actually he’s a really nice guy to have as a
brother-in-law and I’ve promised to give him tennis lessons.

Unit 2, Speaking focus Activity 2

Alana: I think the relationship with a twin sister would be very important because you
would probably be very close and tell her stuff you wouldn’t tell other people.
Federico: Yes, that’s very true. Even if I argue with my brother, we’re still very close. But
don’t you think grandparents have a big influence on your life, too, because…
Alana: I suppose so, but it depends how often do you see them. I didn’t see mine very
often but I did learn a lot from them and they were very patient and kind to me.
Federico: So were mine, even if there was a generation gap. What’s your view on the
father-son relationship?
Alana: I’m not sure, but I imagine perhaps they would share hobbies together, like, er,
well, learning to drive or playing football together.
Federico: I suppose so. My father was much older than most fathers but I suppose it
depends on your personality too, and if you have things in common.
Alana: I see what you mean. If you get an inspirational teacher, they have a huge effect
on your life, too. I know somebody who took up, er, drama and became an actor
because of the encouragement a teacher gave them.
Federico: Then there’s…