Do the Preparation task first. Then listen to the audio. Next go to each Task and do the activity. If you need help, you can read the Transcript at any time.
Preparation
Transcript
Magda: Hi there Harry!
Olivia: Hi Magda!
Harry: Hello Olivia. How’s it going?
Olivia: Not bad...what are you reading?
Harry: Just checking the jobs page of the local newspaper...
Olivia: More? I thought you already had too many job offers to choose from...
Harry: Well, I have...but there’s no harm in looking, is there?
Olivia: Suppose not.
Harry: You’ve got to know what’s going on...
Magda: Keep ahead of the game!
Harry: Exactly!
Magda: I think the internet is a better place to look for jobs, though...
Harry: You’re probably right, but I spend all day sitting in front of computers. It’s nice to have a change every now and then. So, Olivia, any more thoughts on what we talked about... your website?
Olivia: Yeah...well...like I said, I’d love you to do it!
Harry: Great – I’d love to do it. Now then, normally, for a job like that, I’d ask about a grand...
Olivia: A grand!
Magda: What’s a “grand”??
Olivia: A thousand pounds.
Magda: Phew! That sounds like a lot...
Olivia: It is!
Harry: It isn’t really...that’s what these things cost now...if you take into account the work I’ll have to put into it, and all my time...
Olivia: Maybe...
Harry: But anyway, because we’re friends, I’ll do it for, say, seven fifty...?
Olivia: Seven hundred and fifty...hmm...well...can you let me think about that? I’ll get back to you in a day or two.
Harry: Sure! No probs!
Fadi: Hi
All: Hi there!
Fadi: Hang on, I’ll just get a coffee and then I’ll be with you......ok, cheers! So, how’s it going?
All: Good...fine...not bad!
Fadi: Harry – thought any more about that offer?
Harry: Sure, yeah... I’m up for it! I’ll do it, no problems.
Fadi: Great, we really need it. What kind of costs are we looking at?
Harry: Well, the basic package will be fifteen hundred...
Fadi: Hmmmm....
Harry: Then for upgrades and maintenance, well, up to two five...
Fadi: Two thousand five hundred quid?
Magda: Quid?
Olivia: Pounds.
Fadi: You don’t come cheap, do you Harry?
Harry: I’m good at my job.
Fadi: I’ll have to have a word with my uncle...see if I can clear it with him. I’ll get back to you.
All: Hi there!
Olivia: What’s up Sarah?
Sarah: Just had some bad news...
Magda: Oh no! What’s the matter?
Sarah: I’ve just been kicked out of my flat!
All: Oh no!
Magda: Kicked out?
Olivia: She has to leave...find another place to live...
Hello Elena,
Thank you for your lovely comment! These are difficult times for everyone, whichever country we are in, but I'm glad to hear that in some small way we're helping.
Here's a newspaper article I read a few days ago which made me feel a little better. Perhaps it will be nice for you too:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-us-uplifting-stories-singing-proposal-care-home-family-a9407866.html
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi blueoceanEnglish,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello fidaasiddig,
How much will it cost? is a general phrase which we can use in many contexts: about business, in a shop and when we are negotiating a price for something.
What kind of costs are we looking at? is more specific and used when we are talking about a project of some kind, especially in business – costs is a word which relates specifically to business and economics.
When we buy something (goods or services), we often have a starting price and then extra things that we can also have for more money. For example, if we buy a car then we may have options like satellite navigation or heated seats. The basic package is the car without any of these.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team