When I left home to go to university, I rented a room in the house of a local family — the

Bridges. They had two kids: Robert, their fifteen year old son and Louise, their eleven year old

daughter. Mr Bridges is a successful chemical engineer and a really friendly guy. His big hobby

is restoring vintage motorbikes. Mrs Bridges works in the university library which was really

useful for me as she often gave me a ride to campus. I lived with them for a year and still see

them pretty often, even though I now have my own flat.

The Bridges are fantastic people and I was welcomed into their family almost as an elder son.

But looking back on it, the most memorable thing was watching the incredible transformation of

Robert — their talented son.

I love listening to music and I often go to listen to live music, but Robert is possibly one of

the most naturally gifted musicians I have ever come across. The amazing thing is that when I

first met him he’d never even touched a musical instrument. However, not long after I moved into

their spare room, an upright piano was installed in their lounge. It was actually an unwanted gift

from Mrs Bridges’ sister who secretly hoped that the children might want to learn how to play it.

I had a small part to play in what happened next. I was chatting to Robert when he told me

how much he loved the piano music sound track to Final Fantasy, one of his computer play

station games. I then found him a piece of film on the internet of someone playing the same

piece of music — but the film showed only the musicians hands on the keyboard. I joked to

Robert that he could teach himself to play by copying the hands on their own new piano.

That was two years ago. Robert has become an astonishingly good pianist in this time. He

learned that first piece in just 3 days. After a month he could play 10 or more complex pieces

although at that stage he couldn’t even read music. The Bridges then got him a piano teacher,

Luke, who turned out to be an inspiration. Luke liked the same kind of music as Robert and

always gave him exciting new pieces to learn whilst teaching him to read music and the

fundamentals of technique.

The most exciting thing of all started about a year ago when, with only a little guidance from

Luke, Robert began to compose music himself. Then, with help from some of Luke’s friends, he was

able to submit several pieces for publishing and for use as sound tracks for future computer games.

I now really enjoy listening to Robert’s music. Perhaps one day another youngster will see Robert’s

hands on the computer, filmed playing his own compositions — and the cycle might begin again.

You have 15 seconds to complete the task (Pause 15 seconds.)

Now you will hear the text again. (Repeat.)

This is the end of the task. You now have 15 seconds to check your answers.

computer. How about you?

Victor. Almost, but I don’t know who to take for history. I ’m thinking about Dr. Smith. I

hear he’s easy. Who’d you have for history?

course.

Victor. I hear she’s hard.

processes that shape human communities so we can understand how the world got to be the way

it is today.

Victor. Good Lord! What are her tests like?

review sheet with everything she might test on. She won’t ask any question on the test that’s

not covered on the review sheet.

Victor. Hey, piece of cake!

differed in any two of the following countries: England, the United States, Germany, Russia.”

Victor. I ’m not believing this! How’d she expect you to answer a question like that?

spent a week in class applying that to the process of industrialization in England. After that she

expected the class to take the initiative in analyzing the process in the other countries. By the

time we’d gone through that, we could have explained what the Fiji Islands had to do in order

to industrialize! And notice, Victor, whichever country we chose to write about on the exam, we

had to pick the important names and dates from that country’s history.

know something.

Victor. Were the tests objective or essay?

tested with objective questions, but every unit exam had an essay question.

I can’t stand restaurants where they play live music! I f I want live music I ’ ll go to a

concert: And when I do, I am ready to dance — not fill my face with food. Restaurants are for

food and conversation with friends. Why do they do it? How come they don’t understand this

simple thing? How can they possibly believe those bright “ ethnic” costumes, the frantic guitar

playing and maddening clapping can in any way improve your meal?

Helen is a banker. She power dresses, carries a full brief case and works in the city. She is

hard working, extremely knowledgeable and has a background in law as well as business. But

her greatest passion is preparing, cooking and serving curry for herself and her friends. She

chooses and buys all the specialist ingredients. She likes to dress in traditional Indian clothes

for her parties and encourages her guests to do the same.

The secret of good cooking is choosing top quality ingredients. Ideally they should be

absolutely fresh and when ever possible I buy organic meat and vegetables. It is not simply

about avoiding the additives and chemicals of intensive farming (although this is also important

to me): But it is also about rediscovering natural flavours — the true taste of vegetables that I

remember from childhood.

I eat out most days rather than stay in, at home. It costs a fair amount but just think what

I save. I don’t need to go to supermarkets to search for over priced single portion meals (I live

on my own). I don’t pay electricity for hours of cooking or running a dishwasher. I don’t

actually have any washing up, clearing up or wasted food. I don’ t need to prepare food, plan or

cook so I guess I actually save 2 hours a day.

In my opinion two things are essential in running a successful restaurant. First — reliable

food. The menu doesn’ t need to be exotic; just a good choice of well cooked meals, made by

experienced staff. Over cooked food or meals served partly frozen are the worst restaurant

“crimes” ! The second essential thing is good service. Poor waiters result in the restaurant never

getting regular, repeat business.

There are so many vegetarians these days and so many fresh recipes, exotic ingredients and

new cooking techniques. This is ignored by many traditional restaurants who offer plenty of

I can’t stand restaurants where they play live music! I f I want live music I ’ ll go to a

concert: And when I do, I am ready to dance — not fill my face with food. Restaurants are for

food and conversation with friends. Why do they do it? How come they don’t understand this

simple thing? How can they possibly believe those bright “ ethnic” costumes, the frantic guitar

playing and maddening clapping can in any way improve your meal?

Helen is a banker. She power dresses, carries a full brief case and works in the city. She is

hard working, extremely knowledgeable and has a background in law as well as business. But

her greatest passion is preparing, cooking and serving curry for herself and her friends. She

chooses and buys all the specialist ingredients. She likes to dress in traditional Indian clothes

for her parties and encourages her guests to do the same.

The secret of good cooking is choosing top quality ingredients. Ideally they should be

absolutely fresh and when ever possible I buy organic meat and vegetables. It is not simply

about avoiding the additives and chemicals of intensive farming (although this is also important

to me): But it is also about rediscovering natural flavours — the true taste of vegetables that I

remember from childhood.

I eat out most days rather than stay in, at home. It costs a fair amount but just think what

I save. I don’t need to go to supermarkets to search for over priced single portion meals (I live

on my own). I don’t pay electricity for hours of cooking or running a dishwasher. I don’t

actually have any washing up, clearing up or wasted food. I don’ t need to prepare food, plan or

cook so I guess I actually save 2 hours a day.

In my opinion two things are essential in running a successful restaurant. First — reliable

food. The menu doesn’ t need to be exotic; just a good choice of well cooked meals, made by

experienced staff. Over cooked food or meals served partly frozen are the worst restaurant

“crimes” ! The second essential thing is good service. Poor waiters result in the restaurant never

getting regular, repeat business.

There are so many vegetarians these days and so many fresh recipes, exotic ingredients and

new cooking techniques. This is ignored by many traditional restaurants who offer plenty of