Practising English - M. A. Bilbrough

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263. If Only We Could Go Back (B2 story)

Season 5 · Episode 263

Thursday, October 2, 2025 • Duration 18:56

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The audioscript for today's B2 story:

If only we could go back

On Tuesday morning, Alice decided to call in sick, not because she was ill, but because the clouds outside looked like elephants marching across the sky. Today she felt like the little girl that she used to be many years before. She simply couldn’t be bothered to sit at her office desk when such wonders were happening around her.

She set off to the fields near her country home, carrying a picnic basket. A rabbit wearing a red jacket ran beside her and said, “You’ve picked a magical day for an adventure.” Alice asked the rabbit how it could talk, to which it didn’t reply, so instead she chose to change the subject and offered the rabbit a sandwich.

As they walked together, a clumsy, rather overweight fairy flew past, dropping fairy dust everywhere. She apologized for her carelessness, then laughed and raced through the air. Alice, trying to be cautious, didn’t touch the fairy dust, unsure what it might do.

“Don’t be so suspicious,” the rabbit said in a cheeky voice. “Magic works best when you trust it.”

Under normal circumstances, Alice might have turned back, but today she followed them, just as a little child follows that which is innocent and wonderful. And when they came to a golden door that appeared among the trees – inviting them to go in, Alice couldn’t face doing the safe thing anymore. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open, ready for whatever lay beyond.

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

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

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262. The Missing Actor (B1 Story)

Season 5 · Episode 262

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • Duration 21:06

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The story audioscript for the story. The B1 words are shown in black.

The missing actor

Detective Anna Jones had a long career solving strange crimes. One rainy night, the police had called her to a dark hotel outside the village to help them. A film actor and celebrity, John Kelly, had disappeared from his locked room. The manager had knocked on the door, to bring his dinner, but there had been no reply.

Unfortunately, the local police had been careless, and Anna realised they had touched and moved objects in the room. Anna couldn’t stand this lack of professional behaviour. It made her job even more complicated.

However, she couldn’t help feeling that probably there was a simple explanation to this mystery – despite the locked door. There usually was.

Although the window had been pushed shut, it wasn’t, in fact, locked. The actor had left by the window. The room was only on the first floor. But why?

‘Search the gardens around the hotel,’ she ordered. ‘He can’t have gone far.’

Walking through the rain, Anna went in a different direction from the police.
She came to a part of the huge gardens where there was a single lamppost, and in its light, a young man was dancing and singing holding an umbrella.

‘He’s mad!’ thought Anna.

John Kelly then saw Anna. ‘Hello,’ he said.

‘Good evening, Mr Kelly. I’m Detective Jones. We’ve been looking for you. Are you all right?’

John Kelly laughed. ‘Yes, thank you! Please don’t tell anybody. They’ll think I’m crazy. But I’m practising for a play in the West end – Singing in the Rain. I saw this lovely lamppost in the hotel garden, and it was raining. I thought what a wonderful opportunity!’

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):

261. The Crown Thief (B2 Story)

Season 5 · Episode 261

Thursday, September 25, 2025 • Duration 19:43

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B2 story and vocabulary today. Here is the audioscript of the story and the B2 words in bold.

The Crown Thief

Detective Harris was on the point of leaving the police station when the phone rang. A robbery had taken place at the old museum. He grabbed his coat and hurried out.

At the scene, the guard looked bad-tempered. “This is a disgrace!” he shouted. “The thief just walked in and out. Nobody stopped him. There are three of us, but the robbery happened the other side of the museum. My colleague should have stopped the thief, but he did nothing it seems. I don’t understand why.”

Harris tried to stay calm. “Don’t be ashamed,” he said. “I’m sure you did your best. Now, tell me what happened.”

The guard explained that the lights suddenly went off in the entire museum. “Basically, I heard footsteps, then silence. But I thought it was my colleague checking on the situation. When the lights came back on, the gold crown in the medieval room was gone. With the lights out, it must have been a piece of cake to steal the crown.”

“Well. We should be checking on what your colleague has to say. Will he back up your story?” asked the detective.

“I can’t seem to find him,” said the guard. “That guy is a real pain. He’s never where he should be. He’s new, you see.”

Suddenly, they heard a noise behind a curtain. Harris pulled it back, and there stood a man with the missing gold crown in his hand.

“You again,” Harris muttered.

“You know him, sir?” asked the guard, amazed. “But that’s my colleague, George Rigby – he works as here a guard. He’s been working here for 3 months now.”

The thief tried to run, but the guard stopped him easily. Harris sighed with relief.

“Good work,” Harris said. “His real name is Jack Smith. He’s a well-known jewel thief. We’ve been chasing him for months. Well, finally I’ve caught him. Case closed.”

260. A Frightening Experience at the Airport (B1 Story)

Season 5 · Episode 260

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 • Duration 20:47

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A B1-level podcast today with a story and a test on the B1 words and expressions:

A frightening experience at the airport

Read the audioscript of the story at:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-260.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

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

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259. The Fresh-food Market (B2 story)

Season 5 · Episode 259

Thursday, September 18, 2025 • Duration 18:32

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This is the B2 podcast for this week.

Aidioscript:

The Fresh-food Market

See audioscript with B1 words highlighted at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-259.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

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

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258. The Climbing Accident (B1 Story)

Season 5 · Episode 258

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 • Duration 23:06

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I'm back from my holidays!

Today I'm publishing the first B1 podcast of season 5 - five years helping intermediate students pass Cambridge exams.

I also have news of my new book just published on Amazon "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases
Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam.

Hear more on the podcast!

See audioscript with B1 words highlighted at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-258.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

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

Be back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

257. The Fool on the Hill (B1 story) (last of the summer repeats)

Season 4 · Episode 257

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 • Duration 26:32

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This favourite story for learners of B1 will be the last of the summer episodes before my return for season 5 next week. Enjoy the story!

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

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

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256. The Cucumber (B1) (summer repeat)

Season 4 · Episode 256

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 • Duration 16:57

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Here are some words that are not B1 and you'll need to understand the story.

Words which are outside the A1 to B1 levels

*Greenhouse - a building with glass sides and roof for growing plants in.

*Skin - the outside of some types of vegetable and fruit.

*String - a long piece of material used for tying things together.

*Ultraviolet (light) - a blue light with wavelengths shorter than violet light.

*Allotment - an area of land in a town which a person can rent or buy in order to grow vegetables on it.

*Gardener - somebody who works in a garden as a profession or for pleasure.

*Waiting list - a list of people waiting.

*Chimney - structure often made of stone that carries away the smoke of a fire through the roof.

*Fireplace - where a fire is made in a house to keep the house warm.

*Botanist - a scientist who studies flowers.

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:

255. The Green Door (summer repeat) B2 level

Season 4 · Episode 255

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 • Duration 19:28

Ask me a question for the podcast?

This lovely story from the the American writer O'Henry, I completely re-wrote for B2 level.

Here is the vocabulary discussed:

Just around the corner. The means a place further on where we cannot see but is very close.

English proverb: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. This means that life is better any place but where you are now.

hesitation - worried about doing something because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do.

impersonal - without friendly human feelings or atmosphere.

uncaring - not sympathetic about the problems or suffering of others.

loneliness - unhappiness because you have no friends or people to talk to.

vibrant and bustling - full of people moving about in a busy way.

optimism - a feeling that good things will happen.

look at someone in the eye - look directly into someone's face.

passers-by - people walking past in the street.

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:

254. Tsunami (summer repeat) B1 level story (part 2)

Season 4 · Episode 254

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 • Duration 22:53

Ask me a question for the podcast?

Here is Part two of my popular story, Tsunami for learners of B1 English

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

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Read moreCollapse

Practising English – Details, episodes & analysis

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Practising English – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Amazon6

Other99+

Buzzsprout1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Amazon6

Other99+

Buzzsprout1