Basic English Institute
There are some persons who put on their radio when they get up in the morning
and keep it turned on till they go to bed at night, whatever the program is.
What do they put on ?
They put on their radio.
When do they put on their radio ?
They put on their radio when they get up in the morning.
Till when and how do they keep it turned on.?
They kept it turned on till they go to bed at night, whatever the program is.
What sort are some persons ?
There are some persons who put on their radio when they get up in the morning
and keep it turned on till they go to bed at night, whatever the program is.
They give it so little attention that, if they were questioned later, they probably
wouldn't be able to say what they had been hearing, though they might have some
memory of the verses and music of the latest song.
How do they give it so little attention ?
They give it so little attention that they probably wouldn't be able to say what they had been hearing.
In what condition wouldn't they probably be able to say what they had been hearing ?
If they were questioned later, they probably wouldn't be able to say what they had been hearing.
In spite of what condition wouldn't they probably be able to say what they had been hearing ?
They probably wouldn't be able to say what they had been hearing,
though they might have some memory of the verses and music of the latest song.
They put on the radio because they are happiest when a noise of some sort is going on.
What do they put on ?
They put on the radio.
How are they ?
They are happiest.
What is going on ?
A noise of some sort is going on.
When are they happiest ?
They are happiest when a noise of some sort is going on.
Why do they put on the radio ?
Because they are happiest when a noise of some sort is going on.
The reason why noise gives them pleasure isn't clear.
What does noise give them ?
Noise gives them pleasure.
What reason isn't clear ?
The reason why noise gives them pleasure isn't clear.
Probably because it makes thought impossible.
How does it make thought ?
It makes thought impossible.
Why does noise give them pleasure ?
Probably because it makes thought impossible.
There is another group of persons who have nothing good to say about radio
and will not have it in the house.
What persons is there another group of ?
There is another group of persons who have nothing good to say about radio
and will not have it in the house.
Radio talks send them to sleep . . .
What send them to sleep ?
Radio talks send them to sleep.
. . . and radio news, in their opinion, is only propaganda.
What is radio news ?
It is only propaganda.
What is it only a propaganda in ?
It, in their opinion, is only a propaganda.
As for plays, they have no interest in them if they aren't able to see the actors on the stage.
What do they have no interest in them about ?
As for plays, they have no interest in them.
Who aren't they able to see ?
They aren't able to see the actors.
Where aren't they able to see them ?
They aren't able to see them on the stage.
In what condition do they have no interest in them ?
They have no interest in them if they aren't able to see the actors on the stage.
The bad music frequently played on the radio is not to their taste, . . .
What music is not to their taste ?
The bad music frequently played on the radio is not to their taste,
. . . and when good music is played, it gives them no pleasure because the quality of the
sound is not quite what their delicate ears are used to.
What is played ?
Good music is played.
What does it give them ?
It gives them no pleasure.
When does it give them no pleasure ?
When good music is played, it gives them no pleasure.
Why does it give them no pleasure ?
Because the quality of the sound is not quite what their delicate ears are used to.
Such persons are generally against all new inventions and all forms of change.
What are they generally against ?
They are generally against all new inventions and all forms of change.
Between these two groups are the persons like myself who get a great amount of pleasure
from the radio, but who only put it on when there is a program in which they are interested.
What are between those two groups ?
The persons like yourself are between those groups.
What do they get ?
They get a great amount of pleasure.
What do they get a great amount of pleasure from ?
They get a great amount of pleasure from the radio.
When do they put it on ?
They put it on only when there is a program in which they are interested.
What persons are between those two groups ?
Between those two groups are the persons like yourself who get a great amount of pleasure
from the radio, but who only put it on when there is a program in which they are interested.
But there is, in addition, a fourth group of persons whose viewpoint is quite different
to that of the other three.
What is there ?
There is a fourth group of persons.
How is there a fourth group of persons.
There is, in addition, a fourth group of persons.
How is the fourth group of persons ?
The fourth group of persons has a viewpoint is quite different
to that of the other three.
They are not interested in the sounds produced but only in the instrument producing them.
What are they not interested in ?
They are not interested in the sounds produced but only in the instrument producing them.
They have the details of all the different stations by heart, . . .
What do they have by heart ?
They have the details of all the different stations by heart,
. . . and they keep turning from one to another, testing the range and power of
the latest radio they have made.
How do they keep turning ?
They keep turning from one to another.
What do they keep turning from one to another, doing ?
They keep turning from one to another, testing the range and power of the latest radio they have made.
No one has any peace when a person of this sort is about.
What does no one have ?
No one has any peace.
When does no one have any peace ?
No one has any peace when a person of that sort is about.
I say this as one who has had experience, because I have some friends whose son is a radio expert.
What has one had ?
One has had experience.
What persons do I have ?
You have some friends whose son is a radio expert.
What one do I say that as ?
I say that as one who has had experience.
Why do I say that as one who has had experience ?
Because you have some friend whose son is a radio expert.
He is the secretary of the London branch of an international radio organization.
What is he ?
He is the secretary of the London branch of an international radio organization.
One night last week I went to see these friends at about half past eight, hoping for a quiet talk.
What did I go to do ?
You went to see those friends.
When did I go to see those friends.
One night last week you went to see those friends at about half past eight.
Unhappily, from my point of view, Bob, the son, was there.
Where was he ?
He was there.
How was he there ?
Unhappily, from your point of view, he was there.
When I went into the room, he was bent over the radio, from which a loud whistle was coming.
What did I go into ?
You went into the room.
What was he bent over ?
He was bent over the radio.
When was he bent over the radio ?
When I went into the room, he was bent over the radio.
What radio was he bent over ?
He was bent over the radio, from which a loud whistle was coming.
He did something to it . . .
What did he do ?
He did something.
What did he do something to ?
He did something to the radio.
. . . and there was a crack, . . .
What was there ?
There was a crack.
. . . then a sudden burst of music, . . .
What was there ?
There was a sudden burst of music.
. . . and then some more cracks.
What were there ?
There were more cracks.
"Put that thing off, Bob," said Mr. Jones. "This noise is driving me off my head."
What did he say ?
He said, "Put that thing off, Bob. This noise is driving me off my head."
Bob said he wouldn't make any more noise for quite a long time.
What wouldn't he make ?
He wouldn't make any more noise.
How long wouldn't he make any more noise ?
He wouldn't make any more noise for quite a long time.
What did he say ?
He said he wouldn't make any more noise for quite a long time.
He wasn't pleased with the way the radio was working . . .
What way wasn't he pleased with ?
He wasn't pleased with the way the radio was working.
. . . and he'd have to see what was wrong with it.
What would he have to see ?
He'd have to see what was wrong with it.
After some minutes, when his father and I were in the middle of a political
discussion, Bob said he was ready to make a test.
How were they ?
They were in the middle of a political discussion.
What was he ready to do ?
He was ready to make a test.
What did he say ?
He said he was ready to make a test.
When did he say he was ready to make a test ?
He said he was read to make a test after some minutes, when his father and I
were in the middle of a political discussion.
Again, strange sounds came from the instrument, . . .
What did they came from ?
They came from the instrument.
How did they come from the instrument.
Again, they came from the instrument.
. . . but before we had time to make a protest he put off the current.
What did we have time to do ?
You had time to make a protest.
What did he put off ?
He put off the current.
When did he put off the current ?
Before you had time to make a protest he put off the current.
When I had a look a little later, all the parts of the radio seemed to be on the floor.
When did I have a look ?
You had a look a little later.
What seemed to be on the floor ?
All the parts of the radio seemed to be on the floor.
"Now we'll have peace," said Mr. Jones. " Bob is never happy till the thing is in bits."
What did he say ?
"Now we'll have peace," he said " Bob is never happy till the thing is in bits."
But Mrs. Jones wasn't at all pleased, because it was almost nine, which is the time
for the news, and she had been waiting for it.
How pleased wasn't she ?
She wasn't at all pleased.
What time was it ?
It was almost nine, which is the time for the news.
What had she been waiting for ?
She had been waiting for the news.
Why wasn't she at all pleased ?
Because it was almost nine, which is the time for the news, and she had been waiting for it.
Bob put the radio together again as quickly as possible, . . .
What did he put together ?
He put the radio together.
How did he put the radio together ?
He put the radio together again as quickly as possible.
. . . and at ten minutes past nine he got it turned on.
What did he get tuned on ?
He got it turned on.
When did he get it turned on ?
At ten minutes past nine he got it turned on. (9.10)
The voice of the news reader was saying . . .
What was saying ?
The voice of the news reader was saying.
. . . " His point was that the agreement had been broken by this new political move. …
What had it been broken by ?
It had been broken by this new political move.
What was his point ?
It was that the agreement had been broken by this new political move.
. . . There have been further developments today . . .
What have there been ?
There have been further developments.
When have there been further developments ?
There have been further developments today.
. . . and the position is now very serious."
How serious is it ?
It is very serious.
When is it very serious ?
It is now very serious.
Naturally, we hadn't any idea what the man was talking about.
What hadn't we ?
You hadn't any idea what the man was talking about.
How hadn't we any idea what the man was talking about ?
Naturally, you hadn't any idea what the man was talking about.
" There was a fire this morning," the voice went on, " in a building at Watford
which had a store of grain in it.
What went on ?
The voice went on.
What was there ?
There was a fire.
When was there a fire ?
There was a fire this morning.
What building was there a fire this morning ?
There was a fire this morning in a building at Watford which had a store of grain in it.
The building was near a railway line . . .
Where was it ?
It was near a railway line.
. . . and the trains had to be stopped from 11.30 till 12.45 because firemen were working on the line.
From what time to what time did they have to be stopped ?
They had to be stopped from 11.30 to 12.45.
Where were firemen working ?
They were working on the line.
Why did they have to be stopped 11.30 to 12.45 ?
Because firemen were working on the line.
The firemen got the flames under control . . .
What did they get under control ?
They got the flames under control.
. . . and there was no damage to any other buildings.
What was there ?
There was no damage.
What was there no damage to ?
There was no damage to any other buildings.
In Paris yesterday, a man was put to death for ---."
Who was put to death for --- ?
A man was put to death for ---.
Where and when was he put to death for --- ?
In Paris yesterday he was put to death for ---.
We had no chance of hearing why the man was put to death, because at that point Bob
got a station in Holland in the belief that it would be giving the news in English at this time.
What were we hearing ?
You were hearing why the man was put to death.
What did we have no chance of ?
You had no chance of hearing why the man was put to death.
What did Bob get ?
He got a station in Holland.
What belief did he get a station in Holland in ?
He got a station in Holland in the belief that it would be giving the news in English at that time.
Why did we have no chance of hearing why the man was put to death.
Because at that point Bob got a station in Holland in the belief that it would be giving
the news in English at this time.
But he was wrong.
How was he ?
He was wrong.
It was a program in Dutch
What was it ?
It was a program in Dutch
and we weren't able to make out a word of it.
What weren't we able to make out ?
You weren't able to make out a word of it.
Turning the button again, he got Moscow.
What was he turning ?
He was turning the button.
How was he turning the button ?
He was turning the button again.
What did he get ?
He got Moscow.
How did he get Moscow ?
Turning the button again, he got Moscow.
A Russian voice was saying,
What was saying ?
A Russian voice was saying,
"That is the end of our news in English."
What is it ?
It is the end of their news in English."
This would have made anyone but Bob give up the attempt, . . .
What would that have made anyone but Bob do ?
That would have made anyone but Bob give up the attempt.
. . . but he went on turning the button till he had got three more stations.
What did he go on doing ?
He went on turning the button.
What had he got ?
He had got three more stations.
Till when did he go on turning the button ?
He went on turning the button till he had got three more stations.
From one of them they were playing phonograph records, . . .
What were they playing ?
They were playing phonograph records.
What were they playing phonograph records from ?
From one of them they were playing phonograph records.
. . . from another they were giving weather details to ships, . . .
What were they giving ?
They were giving weather details to ships.
What were they giving weather details to ships from ?
From another they were giving weather details to ships.
. . . and from the third a woman was saying " Good night, little ones " in that oversweet voice
used by some persons when they are talking to the very young.
What was she saying ?
She was saying "Good Night, little ones."
What was she saying, "Good night, little ones." from ?
She was saying " Good night, little ones. " from the third station.
What voice was she saying "Good Night, little ones." in ?
She was saying "Good night, little ones" in that oversweet voice used by
some persons when they are talking to the very young.
It was now clear that we were not going to get any news, . . .
What were we not going to get ?
You were not going to get any news.
What was now clear ?
It was now clear that you were not going to get any news.
. . . so we went on with our discussion, hoping that Bob was as tired of the radio as we were.
What did we go on with ?
You went on with their discussion.
How tired was Bob ?
He was as tired as you were.
Of what was he as tired as we were ?
He was as tired of the radio as you were.
What did they go on with their discussion, hoping ?
They went on with their discussion, hoping that Bob was as tired of the radio as you were.
But Bob is never tired of playing with his radio.
What is he never tired of doing ?
He is never tired of playing with his radio.
He now had it turned on to short wave, which is used for long distances, . . .
What wave did he now have it turned on to ?
He now had it turned on to short wave, which is used for long distances.
. . . and the noises it made put me in mind of the sea in a wind.
What did the noises it made put me in mind of ?
The noises it made put you in mind of the sea in a wind.
We had trouble in hearing one another . . .
What did they have ?
They had trouble.
What did they have trouble in doing ?
They had trouble in hearing one another.
. . . and our voices became louder and louder, till Mr. Jones made another feeble protest . . .
How did they become ?
They became louder and louder.
What protest did Mr. Jones make ?
He made another feeble protest.
Till when did they became louder and louder ?
They became louder and louder till Mr. Jones made another feeble protest.
. . . and Mrs. Jones put her hands to her ears.
What did she put her hands to ?
She put her hands to her years.
" Give me another minute," said Bob, "I'm getting America. Conditions aren't good tonight.
Ah ! That's New York."
What did he say ?
He said, " Give me another minute, I'm getting America. Conditions aren't good tonight. Ah ! That's
New York."
Through what seemed like the noise of wind and waves came the sound of a band playing dance music.
What sound came ?
The sound of a band playing dance music came.
What did it come though ?
It came through what seemed like the noise of wind and waves.
Taking into account the fact that we were in the middle of London, with electric apparatus
in operation all round, the music was coming through quite well,
Where were we ?
You were in the middle of London.
What were we in the middle of London with ?
You were in the middle of London with electric apparatus in operation all round.
How was the music coming ?
It was coming through quite well.
How was it coming through quite well.?
Taking into account the fact that you were in the middle of London, with electric apparatus
in operation all round, it was coming through quite well.
but we were certainly getting no pleasure out of it.
What were we getting ?
You were getting no pleasure.
What were we getting no pleasure ?
You were getting no pleasure out of it.
How were we getting no pleasure out of it ?
You were certainly getting no pleasure out of it.
Bob, who was feeling very pleased with himself was dancing to the music.
How was Bob feeling ?
He was feeling very pleased with himself.
What was he, who was feeling very pleased with himself, dancing to ?
He, who was feeling very pleased with himself, was dancing to the music.
He was quite pained by his mother's request to put it off quickly because the noise was getting on her nerves.
What was he pained by ?
He was pained by his mother's request.
How was he pained by his mother's request ?
He was quite pained by his mother's request.
What was he quite pained by ?
He was quite pained by his mother's request to put it off quickly.
Why did his mother request to him to put it off quickly ?
She was quite pained because the noise was getting on her nerves.
However, he put the radio off straight away
What did he put off ?
He put the radio off.
How did he put the radio off ?
He put the radio off straight away.
and took up a newspaper to have a look at the radio news.
What did he take up ?
He took up a newspaper.
What did he take up a newspaper to do ?
He took up a newspaper to have a look at the radio news.
Mr. Jones gave me a drink and took one himself.
What did he give me ?
He gave you a drink.
What did he do ?
He took one himself.
"As I have said," he was starting, going back to his argument against making two separate
authorities responsible for building new houses, ' this division of power ------- ".
How was he starting ?
"As I have said," he was starting.
What was he starting, doing ?
He was starting, going back to his argument.
What argument was he starting, going back to ?
He was starting, going back to his argument against making two separate authorities responsible for
building new houses.
But he got no further, because Bob got up from his seat, saying " Oh, they're doing
it tonight.'
What did he do ?
He got no further.
Why did he get no further ?
Because Bob got up from his seat, saying, "Oh, they're doing it tonight."
" Doing what ? " was our natural question.
What was our natural question ?
Your natural question was, " Doing what ? "
"The first act of ' The Hand of Death,' that crime play we were talking about yesterday,"
Bob said, pointing at the radio program.
What did he say ?
Bob said, "The first act of ' The Hand of Death,' that crime play we were talking about yesterday."
How did he say it ?
He said it, pointing at the radio program.
"They did it some weeks back . . .
When did they do it ?
They did it some weeks back.
. . . and it was said that the acting was very good.
What was very good ?
The acting was very good.
What was it said ?
It was said that the acting was very good.
The start was at a quarter to ten . . .
When was the start ?
The start was at a quarter to ten. (9:45)
. . . but we'll get most of it if I put the radio on now."
What will we get ?
You will get most of it.
In what condition will we get most of it ?
You'll get most of it if he puts the radio on now.
"Put it on for a minute," said Mrs. Jones, who generally lets her son have his way, " and we'll see what it's like.
What did she say ?
"Put it on for a minute," she said , who generally lets her son have his way," and we'll see what it's like.
If it's as gripping as the play they did the night before last, we'll keep it on. Is that all right, Fred? "
Mr. Jones made a sound which was taken as a sign of agreement . . .
What did he make ?
He made a sound.
What was taken as ?
A sound was taken as a sign of agreement.
What sound did he make ?
He made a sound which was taken as a sign of agreement.
. . . and the radio went on.
What went on ?
The radio went on.
A man was crying out " Let me in ! Let me in ! " . . .
What was he crying out ?
He was crying out "Let me ! Let me in !".
. . . and hammering with his hands on a door.
What was he hammering with ?
He was hammering with his hands.
What was he hammering with his hands on ?
He was hammering with his hands on a door.
Then a woman, in a voice full of fear, said " D-don't, oh,
please don't do that ! I haven't done anything wrong. I didn't take the
jewels, truly I didn't. They were taken by ---- ".
What did she say ?
She said, "D-don't, oh, please don't do that ! I haven't done anything wrong. I didn't take the
jewels, truly I didn't. They were taken by ---- ."
How did she say it?
She said in a voice full of fear.
There was a sudden loud bang, which made us all give a jump, . . .
What was there ?
There was a sudden loud bang.
What sudden loud bang was there ?
There was a sudden loud bang, which made us all give a jump.
. . . and the sound of a body going down on the floor.
What was there ?
There was the sound of a body.
What body was there the sound of ?
There was the sound of a body going down on the floor.
At the same time, the woman gave a cry which made one's blood go cold.
What did she give ?
She gave a cry.
What did a cry make go cold ?
A cry made one's blood go cold.
What cry did she give ?
She gave a cry which made one's blood go cold.
" Has the radio gone wrong again, dear ? " said Mrs. Jones, looking at Bob over her glasses.
What did she say ?
She said, " Has the radio gone wrong again, dear ? "
How did say ?
She said, looking at Bob over her glasses.
Bob gave a laugh.
What did he give ?
He gave a laugh.
"No, mother, that is the play. Someone let off a gun."
What did he say ?
He said, "No, mother, that is the play. Someone let off a gun."
" Whatever it is, it's a disgusting noise and we'll have no more of it," said his father.
What did he say ?
" Whatever it is, it's a disgusting noise and we'll have no more of it," he said.
"Then let me put on some soft music before we go to bed," said Bob, who, as you have
seen, is a young man with only one idea.
What did he say ?
He said, "Then let me put on some soft music before we go to bed," As you have seen,
he is a young man with only one idea.
But Mr. Jones made it clear that he had put up with enough for one night.
What had he put up with ?
He had put up with enough for one night.
What did he make clear ?
He made it clear that he had put up with enough for one night.
And so had I.
What did he say ?
"And so had I," he said,
Though it was only five minutes past ten, I got up, saying that it was late and I had a long distance to go.
What time was it ?
It was only five minutes past ten.
What did he do ?
He got up.
How did he get up ?
He got up, saying that it was late and he had a long distance to go.
There were protests from all the family.
What were there ?
There were protests from all the family.
" But it is quite early! "
How early is it ?
It is quite early.
You don't seem to have been here anytime at all."
Where and how long doesn't he seem to have been ?
He doesn't seem to have been there anytime at all.
"We see so little of you."
What do they see ?
They see so little of him.
"I still have so much to say to you."
What does he still have so much to do ?
He still has so much to say to him.
But I saw Bob's fingers playing lovingly with the controls of the radio . . .
What did he see playing ?
He saw Bob's fingers playing.
How did he see Bob's fingers playing ?
He saw Bob's fingers playing lovingly.
What did he see Bob's fingers playing lovingly with ?
He saw Bob's fingers playing lovingly playing with the controls of the radio.
. . . and I would not let them keep me.
What would he not let them do ?
He would not let them keep him.
It was hard on Mr. Jones, who had been looking forward to a good argument.
What had Mr. Jones been looking forward to ?
He had been looking forward to a good argument.
Who was it hard on ?
It was hard on Mr. Jones who had been looking forward to a good argument.
" We'll go on with our discussion another time," I said, feeling I had been a little unkind.
What did he say ?
" We'll go on with our discussion another time," he said.
What was he feeling ?
He was feeling he had been a little unkind.
How did he say ?
He said, feeling he had been a little unkind.
His face became brighter.
How did it become ?
It became brighter.
He gave a quick look in Bob's direction, . . .
What look did he give?
He gave a quick look.
Which direction did he give a quick look in ?
He gave a quick look in Bob's direction.
. . . and then, with the air of letting me into a secret, made the suggestion that
he might come to my- place for a change.
Where may he come ?
He may come to your place.
What may he come to my place for ?
He may come to your place for a change.
What suggestion did he make ?
He made the suggestion that he might come to your place for a change.
"Yes, certainly," said I.
What did I say ?
"You said, "Yes, certainly."
"It'll be very quiet.
How quiet will it be ?
It'll be very quiet.
I've no radio or phonograph to put on for your amusement.
What does he have ?
He has no radio or phonograph.
What did he have no radio or phonograph to do ?
He has no radio or phonograph to put on for his amusement.
But I'll be very pleased to see you.
How will I be pleased ?
You'll be very pleased.
What will I be very pleased to do ?
You'll be very pleased to see him.
When will you come?
What did I say ?
You said, "When will you come ?"
I'll come tomorrow, if I may," he said, . . .
What did he say ?
He said, "I'll come tomorrow, if I may,".
. . . so readily that I was unable to keep back a smile.
What was I unable to keep back ?
You were unable to keep back a smile.
How readily did he say ?
He said so readily that you were unable to keep back a smile.
Saburo Terada
Saitama Prefecture