Practising English

M. A. Bilbrough
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Language Learning
  • Updated Semiweekly

Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today! 

  1. 22h ago

    326. Dracula (extract 2) B2 story

    The B2 phrases we'll be studying are: Transcript available at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-326.htm 1. Bizarre situation Definition: A very strange or unusual situation that is difficult to understand or explain.   When I arrived at work, everyone was wearing costumes, and I had no idea what was happening. It was a bizarre situation.   We were having dinner when a man suddenly walked into the restaurant with a chicken under his arm. It was a bizarre situation.   I lost my phone on the train, and then a stranger called me to say he had found it in his garden. It was a bizarre situation.  2. Fierce Definition: Very strong, violent, or determined.  The two players had a fierce argument after one of them accused the other of cheating. There is fierce competition for jobs in the city, so you need good qualifications to get one. The dog gave me a fierce look when I tried to take its food away. 3. Uneasy Definition: Worried or uncomfortable because you feel that something is not right.  I felt uneasy walking home alone as a girl had been attacked in that area only last week. I started to feel uneasy when my friend didn't answer his phone and hadn't come home by midnight. She felt uneasy about leaving her children with the new babysitter because she didn't know him very well. 4. Desperate Definition: Having a very strong need or desire for something, especially because you are in a difficult situation.  After walking for three hours in the hot sun without any water, we were desperate for a drink. He was desperate to find a job because he had been unemployed for almost six months. I was desperate to get some sleep after working all night and then looking after the children all morning. 5. Unbearable Definition: So unpleasant or difficult that you cannot accept or deal with it.  The heat in the office became unbearable because the air conditioning had stopped working. The noise from our neighbours was unbearable, so we decided to ask them to turn the music down. After several hours of waiting in the hospital, the pain became unbearable, and I asked the nurse for help. 6. Rage Definition: A very strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control.  He was shaking with rage after discovering that someone had damaged his car and driven away. She screamed in rage when she found out that her colleague had taken credit for her work. He couldn't control his rage when the referee gave the other team a penalty in the final minutes of the match. 7. Deal with somebody Definition: To take action to solve a problem with someone or manage someone who is causing difficulties.  I don't know how to deal with my neighbour because he keeps playing loud music late at night. As a manager, she has to deal with difficult customers who sometimes become angry about small problems. If your brother keeps causing problems at school, you'll have to deal with him before it gets worse. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  2. 6d ago

    325. Treasure Island (chapter 16) B1 Story

    I'm back from my holiday. It's a new season! My sixth year with Practising English Podcasts. There'll be new things this season, which I'll let you know about soon. Firstly, here is the continuation of Treasure Island with interesting B1 language for you. To sea the transcript with B1 words highlighted, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-325.htm  1) remain calm Definition:  To stay relaxed and not become worried, angry, or frightened in a difficult situation.  Example sentences: The teacher told everyone to remain calm during the fire drill. You should remain calm if you have a problem in the exam. She remained calm even when she missed her bus.  2) to be honest Definition:  A phrase used when you want to say what you really think or feel.  Example sentences: To be honest, I didn't enjoy the film very much. To be honest, I forgot about our meeting. To be honest, I think this is the best choice.  3) achieve Definition:  To succeed in doing something that needs effort or hard work.  Example sentences: She worked hard to achieve her goal. We hope to achieve better results this year. He achieved his dream of becoming a doctor.  4) decision Definition:  A choice that you make after thinking about something.  Example sentences: It was a difficult decision to leave my job. She made the right decision in the end. We need to make a decision before Friday.  5) possibly Definition:  Maybe; it is possible that something is true or will happen.  Example sentences: We will possibly go to the beach tomorrow. This answer could possibly be correct. He is possibly the fastest runner in the class.  6) expect Definition:  To think that something will probably happen or that someone will do something.  Example sentences: I expect the train to arrive on time. They expect good weather this weekend. My parents expect me to finish my homework before dinner.  7) admit Definition:  To say that something is true, especially when it is difficult or embarrassing to say.  Example sentences: He admitted that he had made a mistake. She didn't want to admit she was wrong. I must admit that the food was very good. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  3. Aug 25

    324. Drawing Conclusions (B2 story) summer repeat

    Drawing Conclusions is a mystery story about a woman who witnesses some strange things happening at the house next door. The B2 phrases analysed before the story can be found at the show notes of your podcast app and at Practising English dot com, podcast 184. See phrases at my website: Practising English... 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 - was very absorbed in everything - as far as she knew, - ideas had crossed Mrs Robinson’s mind - gossip - the trouble with - was on the point of - it’s common knowledge - sooner or later Important words: - greenhouse (a glass house in a garden, where you keep flowers) - boot (the back of a car, where you put suitcases etc.) - to split up (to separate from your partner, husband or wife) Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  4. Aug 18

    323. Coming Home (complete version) B1 - B2 Story

    This story is the complete version of the B1, B2-level, Coming Home, first published here in 2024. Now you can enjoy the full story with vocabulary exercises below and at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-323.htm Words to explain: to strengthen = to make stronger a property = a house (usually for sale) keep clear = stay away, do not come near B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly 2, obliged to = you have to 3, not have the slightest intention = (used in the neagative) not want or will not do something 4, neither (inversion = e.g. neither do I like...) / neither... nor... e.g. I don't want to do neither one thing or the other 5, drop in = an informal visit 6) turn up = arrive without an appointment The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold. B1-level 1) ow - when you must pay somebody money because it is theirs 2) unbl - you cannot do it 3) brng up - the care and protection that parents give their children until they are adults 4) sgntr - your written name 5) lttry - tickets you buy to try to win a money prize B2-level 1) dbt - the money you owe to somebody 2) dstrb - by making noise etc. other people get annoyed 3) incm - the money you earn in your job 4) py off - pay the money that you have borrowed 5) shbby - untidy clothes Answers to listening to the context of the B2 phrases: 1, more or less (finished etc.) What amazed Jonathon was that his house was more or less standing. For most, it would have proved to be a painful experience. His charming two-storey country house was in ruins.  2, obliged to Jonathon had been unable to pay the debts he owed on it in the taxes that he was obliged to pay after the house had been left to him on his mother’s death. 3, the slightest intention For some unexplained reason, nobody in his family had had the slightest intention of strengthening the bottom floor, and neither did Jonathon do anything about it after his mother passed away.  4, a) neither... nor... / b) neither (inversion) a) However, the fact that it had been abandoned, and had neither been rebuilt nor pulled down completely, gave Jonathon a certain sense of satisfaction. b) For some unexplained reason, nobody in his family had had the slightest intention of strengthening the bottom floor, and neither did Jonathon do anything about it after his mother passed away.  5, drop in To claim your prize, please drop in at any local branch of your bank. 6) turn up Jonathon felt he could not turn up at the bank looking like a vagabond.  Answers to vocabulary test. B1-level 1) owe 2) unable 3) bring up 4) signature 5) lottery B2-level 1) debt 2) disturb 3) income 4) pay off 5) shabby Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  5. Aug 11

    322. The Harmonica Players (full version) B2 story

    This is the complete version of the B2-level story, The Harmonica Players. I include here for you a B2 vocabulary list of words and expressions to listen for in the story: Practising English podcast 322... B2 Words and expressions in the story 1. couldn't face Story sentence to listen for: Somehow, he couldn’t face starting his day without a hot shower.  Definition: To feel unable or unwilling to do something because you do not want to deal with it.  2. All of a sudden Story sentence to listen for: All of a sudden , the ceiling light, television, fridge and electric heater all came on at once.  Definition: Very quickly and unexpectedly.  3. get hold of Story sentence to listen for: Work as a musician had been difficult to get hold of .  Definition: To find or obtain something that you need or want.  4. From time to time Story sentence to listen for: From time to time , he gave harmonica lessons online…  Definition: Sometimes, but not regularly.  5. kept his eye out for Story sentence to listen for: Martin always kept his eye out for a job that he could do.  Definition: To watch carefully for something because you hope to find or see it.  6. Every once in a while Story sentence to listen for: Every once in a while , he’d found work doing what he really loved.  Definition: Sometimes, but not often.  7. a chance of a lifetime Story sentence to listen for: It was a chance of a lifetime .  Definition: A very special opportunity that is unlikely to happen again.  8. dropped out of Story sentence to listen for: He dropped out of college.  Definition: To leave a school, college or course before you have finished it.  9. make ends meet Story sentence to listen for: He was struggling to make ends meet .  Definition: To have just enough money to pay for the things you need.  10. had a strong dislike of Story sentence to listen for: Jeffrey had a strong dislike of mobile phones.  Definition: To strongly dislike someone or something.  11. behind bars Story sentence to listen for: They should be behind bars .  Definition: In prison.  12. gazed out of Story sentence to listen for: She gazed out of the window at the daffodils in the snow.  Definition: Looked at something for a long time, often without moving your eyes.  13. foreigners Story sentence to listen for: 'I don’t know what this country is coming to. More foreigners than native English .'  Definition: People who come from a different country.  14. native English Story sentence to listen for: 'I don’t know what this country is coming to. More foreigners than native English .'  Definition: Describes people who have English as their first language.  15. In contrast to Story sentence to listen for: In contrast to the London area, Oxted was primarily a small town of white people.  Definition: Used to show how one thing is different from another.  16. primarily Story sentence to listen for: In contrast to the London area, Oxted was primarily a small town of white people.  Definition: Mainly or mostly.  17. respectable Story sentence to listen for: 'All respectable , traditional people. Proper English people, Jeffrey would say.'  Definition: Considered to be good, honest and acceptable by most people.  18. upbringing Story sentence to listen for: 'His upbringing had always been in country areas, away from cosmopolitan cities.'  Definition: The way a person is treated and taught by their parents while they are growing up.  19. distrusted Story sentence to listen for: 'He distrusted foreigners in his country, in general.'  Definition: Did not trust someone because you believed they might not be honest or reliable.  20. take it for granted Story sentence to listen for: 'In England, you could take it for granted that you would find decency and fair play .'  Definition: To believe that something will always be there or happen, without thinking about it.  21. decency and fair play Story sentence to listen for: 'In England, you could take it for granted that you would find decency and fair play .'  Definition: Decency means behaving in a good and honest way. Fair play means treating people fairly and following accepted rules.  22. deceit and dishonesty Story sentence to listen for: 'Unfortunately, the deceit and dishonesty , which so many immigrants brought with them from elsewhere was giving this country a bad name.'  Definition: Deceit means trying to make someone believe something that is not true. Dishonesty means not being honest or truthful.  23. discourage Story sentence to listen for: 'The current government’s policy of sending them all to Rwanda was obviously a practical solution which would discourage others, tempted by England’s superior standard of living, from attempting the crossing of the English Channel.'  Definition: To make someone less willing to do something.  24. giving the country a bad name Story sentence to listen for: 'Immigrants giving the country a bad name .'  Definition: Making other people have a bad opinion of a country because of someone's actions.  Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  6. Aug 4

    321. The Visitors (full version) B2 story

    Comprension questions and vocabulary tasks At my website, you can also find B1 and B2 vocabulary tasks to do for this story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-321.htm Comprehension questions 1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why? 2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there? 3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it? 4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "M***e!" at the end of the story? Answers: 1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why? ‘Rescue mission!’ the admiral suddenly shouted and he looked irritated. ‘Who are they gonna rescue? I don’t need rescuing, thank you very much! I have a nice home and beautiful family right here on Honolulu Island.  2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there? They hurried along the deck and in through a door that led to the bridge* - the highest part of the ship and the best place to get an all-round view of the surrounding darkening sea and sky. 3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it? ‘Sonar?’ interrupted Pierre. ‘Do you mean it’s under the water?’ The captain ignored him. ‘Estimated time of arrival?’ ‘Four minutes, Captain! It’s incredible! There’s nothing that can travel that speed under water! I… I don’t get it!’ 4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "M***e!" at the end of the story? ‘M***e!’ said Pierre ('m***e' is a swaer word in French) to anyone who might be listening to him. ‘They want nothing to do with us!’ (The alien spaceship had come to rescue the dolphins and whales of the ocean, and was not interested in making contact with the humans!) Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  7. Jul 28

    320. Bully! (B1 short story)

    Hello, and welcome to Practising English! Mike Bilbrough is on his summer holiday, so we'd like to offer a B1 story recorded way back in 2022. It's called Bully, and it's taken from Mike Bilbrough's book for preparing for the Cambridge Preliminary exam: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder". This week we're going to offer you the complete transcript of the story with B1 words highlighted. Enjoy! https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-320.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

  8. Jul 21

    319. The Hole (complete story) B2 level

    Mike Bilbrough is taking his summer holiday at the moment. Meanwhile, we'd like to offer you a story recorded last year in two parts as one complete story for you to listen to, learn from and enjoy. You can follow the story transcript and see the B2 language in bold type at Mike's website at www.practisingenglish.com podcast-319.htm. Enjoy!  Here is the transcript with B2 vocabulary shown in biold type: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-319.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today! 

Information

  • Creator
    M. A. Bilbrough
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    326
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 M. A. Bilbrough
  • Show Website
    Practising English

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