Best M. A. Bilbrough Podcasts (2024)

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Podcast 201 The Spaceman (complete B1 story) 27:54

16h ago27:54

27:54

Send me a text. This is the complete B1-level story of The Spaceman (first published in 2022) Comprehension questions for story 1) Why was Max Headroom angry at the beginning of the story? 2) What were the space-time doors? 3) Who was the old man in Max's bedroom? 4) Why did Max and his wife, Sheena, separate? 5) Do you think Max and Sheena got bac…

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Podcast 200 Tsunami (full version B1 level) 36:05

8d ago36:05

36:05

Send me a text. Today I'm giving you the full version of my B1-level story (with some B2 English) Tsunami! Here are 4 comprehension questions for part TWO of the story, which starts after the written transcript has finished. 1) What did Yannick think Melville's name was? Mr Tsunami 2) Which was the last accident that stopped Melville and the French…

1
Podcast 199 Stories from our listeners (B1 level) 14:41

15d ago14:41

14:41

Send me a text. These are the two stories I chose for the story task I gave you at podcast 197. Story 1 Mrs Jones was 82. Her husband had died many years ago, so she lived alone with her cat. She had a large vegetable garden, and she kept fit by working there every day. But she was often unhappy, because she remembered she had lost her wedding ring…

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Podcast 198 Dad (full version) B1 story 31:12

22d ago31:12

31:12

Send me a text. There are 4 questions for you to answer while you listen to the story: The questions are: 1) What did uncle Tom make so he didn't have to get up early? 2) When they were on the boat, where did Stephen Liddel put the box of beer? 3) What did William's Dad do wrong that made him lose the fish? 4) Why did Uncle Tom fall into the sea? A…

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Podcast 197 Story telling from my listeners (B1, B2) 24:23

29d ago24:23

24:23

Send me a text. Here are the rules for the story-writing activity. - The story must include at least one of the phrases 1 to 8 shown below. - The subject of the story can be anything you like. - The story should not be longer than 80 words. - The story can only be sent from the link on mobile phones "send me a text" at the top of this page in your …

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Podcast 196 Intonation in a Story 31:49

1M ago31:49

31:49

Send me a text. Today I have joined the two halves of The Quiet Man together so you can enjoy this story in one complete story. I briefly discuss intonation and give you a task to listen to while enjoying the story. For more podcasts on intonation at Practising English, go to podcasts: 126, 109, 43, 103. See the podcast numbers at my website... htt…

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Podcast 195 Uses of SO and REALLY (B1 level) 21:04

1M ago21:04

21:04

Send me a text. Extracts from my stories with examples of SO and REALLY Here are the 4 extracts from my stories I use in this podcast to give examples of the use of SO and REALLY as intensifiers. Extract 1: 'The fishmonger,' corrected Vanessa again. 'The person who sells fish is called a fishmonger.' 'The fishmonger was REALLY big and fat,' added J…

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Podcast 194 PET exam writing the article B1 23:52

2M ago23:52

23:52

Send me a text. Writing the B1 article. (If you are interested in my podcast about writing the B1 story... https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-128.htm ) These are some general, very important words I recommend you learn for writing in any part of the PET exam. You won't be able to use all of them, but try to use some at least: unless, availab…

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Podcast 193 FCE writing the essay B2 20:49

2M ago20:49

20:49

Send me a text. Expressions to memorize 1) There is a decline in the numbers of lynxes. (usually negative) The decline in the number of tourists. 2) It is extremely important that we finish this project on time. It is crucial that we finish this project on time. 3) Tigers are an endangered species. Tigers are a threatened species. Bees are becoming…

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Podcast 192 The Breath of the Mosquito (Part 2) B1 story 31:32

2M ago31:32

31:32

Send me a text. Introduction to part 2 of The Breath of the Mosquito Emil Zimmermann, professor of astrophysics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University sat back in his leather chair and studied the colourful feather, he was holding in his hand, through his thick glasses. ‘Incredible!’ he said. ‘You say it comes from an extinct* type of bird, d…

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Podcast 191 The Breath of the Mosquito (Part 1) B1 story 26:19

3M ago26:19

26:19

Send me a text. This is a B1-level short story in two parts. Professor Mathew Pearson, a paleontologist and professor at Oxford University, made an incredible discovery when he found a skull. Tests are done and the results are extremely surprising... Technical vocabulary in the story Prehistory / A prehistoric scene paleontology fossils The Jurassi…

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Podcast 190 The Harmonica Players (Part 3) B1, B2 story 28:48

3M ago28:48

28:48

Send me a text. This is the third and final part of the story 'The Harmonica Players'. Here are the B2 phrases I discuss in the podcast. 1) This was not the familiar peaceful atmosphere of Oxted. 2) He found London rather threatening. 3) An awful lot of unfamiliar people who packed the streets. 4) You were swept along by dense, hostile crowds of to…

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Podcast 189 The Harmonica Players (Part 2) B1, B2 story 22:41

3M ago22:41

22:41

Send me a text. In Part 2 of my story, The Harmonica Players, I’ll be talking about racial prejudice. That means the irrational distrust and dislike of people from other countries. My motive for bringing up this topic and creating Jeffrey, a man who is very prejudiced against foreigners, has been from the unfortunate policy by the current Conservat…

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Podcast 188 The Harmonica Players (Part 1) B1, B2 story 24:58

4M ago24:58

24:58

Send me a text. The Harmonica Players. The story of two people who are very different from each other, yet there is something that unites them. Words and expressions discussed in the podcast: bedsit - accommodation, which is very basic, and is usually just one room. meter - a machine you put money into which controls the amount of electricity is co…

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Podcast 187 The River (B1, B2 story) 21:26

4M ago21:26

21:26

Send me a text. This is a B1 and B2 level podcast with a new story about the ages of Man. (See link to audioscript of story below.) B1 words discussed: sunrise landscape valleys scenery waterfall cave the cool shade setting sun (sunset) B2 words discussed youth bounced along life was a gift, which he would grab for himself make the most of the line…

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Podcast 186 Cambridge Preliminary Speaking Test B1 (part 3) 23:54

4M ago23:54

23:54

Send me a text. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. This is a B1-level story. Below, are the phrases I explain from the story. Vocabulary expressions for the story Today's story is B1 level. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. The point of this podcast is to explain that the language you use in your speaking exam…

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Podcast 185 On The Edge (B1 Story) 27:25

5M ago27:25

27:25

Send me a text. In Telmah's life, very little happens. His garden is really the only thing he seems to care about. But one day, a neighbour loses her dog, and Telmah's life suddenly becomes much more complicated than he would like. These are the B1 expressions I explain from the story: be just about to do sth believe it or not feel sorry for a sens…

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Podcast 184 Drawing Conclusions (B2 Story) 26:41

5M ago26:41

26:41

Send me a text. This is a B2 story in the genre of mystery or thriller. It's called Drawing Conclusions, which is one of the expressions I explain before I start the story. B2 phrases: - drawing conclusions - Mrs Robinson had neither seen nor heard Lorna since - take great pride in sth - to go into more detail - he couldn’t look her in the eye - wa…

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Podcast 183 Doghouse Reilly Part 2 (B1 B2 Story) 23:46

5M ago23:46

23:46

Send me a text. These are the dog expressions I mention today: Dog Eat Dog Raining cats and dogs Teach an old dog new tricks And these are the B1 and B2 expressions I explain, and that you will hear in the story: B1 It didn’t look like they were expecting me. They were definitely up to something. He walked in and I went after him. I glanced around.…

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Podcast 182 Doghouse Reilly Part 1 (B1 B2 Story) 22:06

6M ago22:06

22:06

Send me a text. Today's story is B1 level with lots of B2 phrases added. This let's you improve little by little without getting lost because the text is too difficult to understand. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. I also talk about ellipsis, which is where you omit words from a sentence in an "economy of words". We still unde…

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Podcast 181 The Octopus's Garden B1 B2 (Complete Story) 30:40

6M ago30:40

30:40

Send me a text. This is a special edition podcast. Today I’m publishing The Octopus’s Garden as one complete story. If you have listened to this story in the two parts I published two weeks ago (podcasts 179 and 180), you’ll remember that I have dedicated this story firstly, to the children of Gaza, who are suffering so terribly during this horrifi…

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Podcast 180 The Octopus's Garden B1 B2 (Part 2) 25:07

6M ago25:07

25:07

Send me a text. Hello, dear listeners! This is part 2 of my story, The Octopus's Garden, which I'm dedicating to the children of Gaza and my brother's HandsUp Project team that has been working with Palestinian children to help them have a voice in the world by producing plays in English online. You can find out more about the HandsUp Project here.…

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Podcast 179 The Octopus's Garden B1 B2 (Part 1) 24:02

7M ago24:02

24:02

Send me a text. Dunya Yousef Hussan AL-BARGHOUTI sat on the white sand and looked out across the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Somehow, at last, she had found comfort here... This is a B1 to B2-level English podcast about my story dedicated to the children of Gaza. I will introduce a lot of new B2 words for you to listen for during the story.…

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Podcast 178 Lunch of the Boat Party (B1 English) 22:57

7M ago22:57

22:57

Send me a text. A painting by Renoir inspired today's story. The painting is famous, and is called "The Luncheon of the Boat Party" (I have used the simpler word "Lunch"). These are the adjectives to talk about people's personality that I mention at the beginning: miserable lively keen lonely exhausted embarrassed easygoing reliable charming sensib…

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Podcast 177 Never Go Back (Part 2) B1 level 23:36

7M ago23:36

23:36

Send me a text. Part 2 of my short story for B1 learners of English - Never Go Back. I'll look at the vocabulary I used, related to suspense. Here are the words I explain for you to listen for: Benjamin looked up, shocked at this unexpected and rude behaviour. Why all this unfriendly behaviour, when this morning the hotel staff he had met had been …

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Podcast 176 A Christmas Carol (B1) 17:16

8M ago17:16

17:16

Send me a text. In this podcast I thank my listeners for all the times you have downloaded Practising English Podcasts in 2023. I'll talk a little about an English Christmas and read my B1 version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. You can read the entire transcript at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-176.htm At https://w…

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Podcast 175 Never Go Back (Part 1) B1 level 22:19

8M ago22:19

22:19

Send me a text. Today is part 1 of my new story Never Go Back. It's in the thiller, suspense or even horror genre. I mention some useful B1 adjectives and other B2-level words and one swear word in English. I will release Part 2 of this story at the beginning of January. Here we go... At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of interm…

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Podcast 174 Somebody for Jenny (B1 story) 16:16

8M ago16:16

16:16

Send me a text. Jenny is looking for a relationship. Will she ever find somebody suitable? Today's B1 story comes with a test. The story contains around 60 B1 words, which are useful for B1-level English study, and some of them are not easy to learn as they are not very intuitive (false friends). I include below a list of thes B1 words in the order…

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Podcast 173 Tsunami (B1 Story Part 2) 22:53

9M ago22:53

22:53

Send me a text. The second part of Tsunami (See Podcast 172 for Part 1). Story for B1 and B2 learners of English. The words and expressions I describe today are: frightening strike fear into human hearts the heart beats faster mysterious giant horse screaming with/in fear, happiness be in shock a totally hopeless situation The three questions for t…

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Podcast 172 Tsunami (B1 story Part 1) 20:41

9M ago20:41

20:41

Send me a text. B1-level story with questions and a grammar point. For the audioscript, please go to my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-172.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ My la…

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Podcast 171 The Picnic (short story) 21:26

10M ago21:26

21:26

Send me a text. I discuss some important language for part 1 of the reading paper of the Cambridge Preliminary B1-level exam and include those words in a story called The Picnic. The formal phrases for you to change to a more informal version are the following: 1) ‘I’ll make the arrangements,’ Marvin had then said. 2) I’m sure I have a few eggs ava…

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Podcast 170 Bigfoot (B1 Short story) 21:33

10M ago21:33

21:33

Send me a text. Advice for story-writing at B1 and B2 levels for Cambridge exams, and my short story Bigfoot for you to enjoy. You can follow the story this week on the transcript I include here and on at my website. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-170.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level Englis…

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Podcast 169 Three Hours between Flights Part 2 (B1 short story) 18:07

11M ago18:07

18:07

Send me a text. The second part of my adaptation to B1-level English of the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald "Three Hours between Flights". You can find the transcript of the story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-169.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises …

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Podcast 168 Three Hours between Flights Part 1 (B1 short story) 17:46

11M ago17:46

17:46

Send me a text. A B1-level version of a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I talk about aeroplane and airport language before starting this romantic story of two people, who haven't seen each other since they were at school, meet again when adults. You can find the transcript of the story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-168.htm At ht…

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Podcast 167 "Dad" part 2 (B1 short story) 21:46

11M ago21:46

21:46

Send me a text. This is the second part of the story "Dad" by M.A. Bilbrough. A story written for B1-level students of English. The verbs we are studying today are: realize drop call out weigh admire encourage dive appear breathe hug At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and…

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Podcast 166 "Dad" part 1 (B1 short story) 19:34

12M ago19:34

19:34

Send me a text. This is part 1 of a B1-level story for learners of English, especially Cambridge English. The story is called Dad. It's about a family fishing trip in Spain. Vocabulary about the sea, boats and fishing equipment... At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and ot…

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Podcast 165 The verb 'to turn' B1 level 17:17

12M ago17:17

17:17

Send me a text. I'm still on holiday so I'm away from my recording studio and just making a quick podcast using my mobile phone while people watching. This week, I'm going to talk about the verb 'to turn' and use it in the context of the people I can see in a shopping centre by the sea. Here are examples of the uses of this verb: Turned on the radi…

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Podcast 164 People Watching (B2 level English) 19:23

1y ago19:23

19:23

Send me a text. An atypical podcast! I'm just sitting outside a cafeteria in Seville watching the world go by. I comment on them and talk a little about Spain, its customs, and what people do in summer here. I apologize for all the background noise and this recording was just spoken directly into the mobile phone. At https://www.practisingenglish.c…

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Podcast 163 Actually (meaning and uses) B1, B2 English 22:21

1y ago22:21

22:21

Send me a text. The word 'actually' is not an easy word to use in English for learners. In this podcast, I explain its meanings and uses and give lots of examples from my podcast stories. There's a full transcript with this episode, which you can read at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-163.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer…

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Podcast 162. Who's afraid of present perfect? (B1 English) 22:30

1y ago22:30

22:30

Send me a text. In today's podcast, I'm going to show you how to use present perfect, and that if you avoid present perfect, you may lose points in your Cambridge exam, especially at B1 level and above. I'm going to play some extracts from my stories here on Practising English as examples of present perfect use. I include the transcript so you can …

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Podcast 161 The Quiet Man (Part 2) 14:20

1y ago14:20

14:20

Send me a text. In this final part of the story (see part 1 at Podcast 160), Simon prepares for his part in the play, and life seems to be getting better for him - but will everything happen the way Simon imagined? Lots of B1 adjectives to listen for about personality: alike, uninterested, embarrassed, ashamed, uncomfortable, charmimg, shy, stresse…

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Podcast 160 The Quiet Man (Part 1) 20:12

1y ago20:12

20:12

Send me a text. Part 1 of this B1-level short story with vocabulary about the theatre. In this first part, Simon Willoughby is a very shy man but is attracted towards Phillipa, but Phillipa is also a member of the local amateur dramatics group... At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and …

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Podcast 159 The Fool on the Hill (B1 short story) 26:32

1y ago26:32

26:32

Send me a text. Short story called The Fool on the Hill for B1 learners of English. Useful personality adjectives and other vocabulary at B1 level. At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ My latest novel for …

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Podcast 158 Who was Sidney Peabody? (B1 short story - part 2) 26:17

1+ y ago26:17

26:17

Send me a text. The second and final part of the short story "Who was Sidney Peabody?". Listen for the adverbs I use in this story. The language is for B1-level students studying for Cambridge PET exam or similar. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-158.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, …

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Podcast 157 Who was Sidney Peabody? (B1 short story - part 1) 30:44

1+ y ago30:44

30:44

Send me a text. Part 1 of this story about someone who performed a miracle - or did he? B1 English study. Words for calculating: plus, minus, divide by, multiply by. Part 2 of this story on Sunday May 7th. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-157.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar …

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Podcast 156 The Great Dying (B1-level) 27:37

1+ y ago27:37

27:37

Send me a text. Vocabulary about climate change for B1-level students. The Great Dying refers to a time millions of years ago when the Earth warmed so much that most animal and plant life could no longer exist. I include a short story about the next Great Dying. Let's work together so this will never happen. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcas…

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Podcast 155 Marie Claire (B1 short story) 28:52

1+ y ago28:52

28:52

Send me a text. Use of adjectives and adverbs in your B1 stories. A short story about a an English boy and a French girl and what happened when they met. At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ My latest nove…

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Podcast 154 Hattie Weatherspoon (B1 short story) 16:52

1+ y ago16:52

16:52

Send me a text. A B1 short story about a walk on the white cliffs of Dover. Vocabulary to describe the countryside and the weather. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-154.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisin…

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Podcast 153 Friendship (B1 short story) 20:07

1+ y ago20:07

20:07

Send me a text. Today, I'm talking about useful cognates at B1 level. Useful, because they can be used in the Cambridge Preliminary or First exams instead of repeating words like 'fantastic' or 'great'. There's a story for the B1 writing at the end - even though it's longer than the usual 100 words! At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer lea…

1
Podcast 152 The Attic (B1-level short story) 23:53

1+ y ago23:53

23:53

Send me a text. This episode is for B1 students with lots of useful language to talk about describing a house. It's an extract from a short story by O. Henry set in New York at the beginning of the 20th century. I also give you some tips on how you can quickly increase your B1 word power by using vocabulary in the writing and speaking parts of the …

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M. A. Bilbrough Podcasts

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