A) Find Russian equivalents before listening to the tape.

First Part

• call something an ACA – arrears advice note • revolve round •have a call round with the bailiff

Second part

• we call it a cash IP • use a trace procedure • let off with it • plead guilty to a charge • adjourn the case

Third part

• come up on the voters’ roll • do a household check

• a sound sort of contract

b) Listen to the first part of the tape and write down your answer to the questions as a number/numbers (e.g. two) or a number/ numbers and one other word. (e.g. two weeks).

1. How long can people be in arrears before the accounts representative calls?

2. How long do people take to pay arrears?

3. How many customers does the company have?

4. How many are in arrears?

5. What is the maximum and minimum percentage of people likely to be in arrears?

6. How many reminders are usually sent?

7. How long can customers be in arrears before the company starts legal proceedings?

8. How long do customers have to respond to a letter demanding payment?

9. How long does it take to recover the equipment after the default notice served?

C) Now listen to the second part of the tape, which tells the story of one particular customer who got into arrears. Make notes on the following points and re-tell the story.

For Richer, for Poorer

A) Find the meanings of the following word-combinations. Listen to the tape.

• affect relationship • handle joint finance • deep-seated grievances • greed • hypocrisy • badly drafted will

• to be involved with skinflints or compulsive spender

• exchange vows • to get by • worker with precarious tenure • to tie in with something • single out common villains of financial dramas • be carelessly debonair about

• be flabbergasted • when you’re courting somebody

• indulgence • have a toytown attitude to money

• to splash out • a tangible token

B) And answer the questions.

1. What is the topic of the programme?

2. What questions does the presenter pose at the beginning of the interview?

3. What did Terry Allison's research reveal?

4. What is Hannah's story?

5. What messages does money carry according to Terry Allison?

6. What types of misunderstanding does money cause?

7. Why is Ruth an example of a confused agreement case?

8. What arguments does James provide to explain his position in the matter?

9. What does Anna's case illustrate?

10. What family problems is money the focus for?

11. What main characteristic of couples with different approaches to money does Terry Allison give?

C) Now listen to the tape again and find of what words or phrases are used for the following.

1 any subject that polite people do not refer to

2 the major earner in the family

3 the legal document indicating how a person wants things disposed of on death

4 people who are extremely mean with money

5 managed

6 would not even consider

7 a person who is seen merely as a provider of the basic necessities and is not appreciated for it

8 what you earn from work

9 to spend extravagantly

10 to control the money

UNIT FOUR

Living in Portugal

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 746