Spotlight Audio

Das Hörmagazin für Englisch

LANGUAGE
Testing your
English
MYSTERY
Who killed
Mrs Sutton?

3/11 www.spotlight-online.de

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Spotlight Audio 3/2011
Introduction
[1] David: Welcome to the March 2011 edition
of Spotlight Audio. I’m David Creedon from
Britain...
Anne: ...and I’m Anne Alexander Sieder from
the United States. Join us now for a 60-minute
expedition around the English-speaking world
— with stories, language tips and exercises.
David: We’re talking about testing in our Lan-
guage Focus. You can test your knowledge of
English verb tenses and prepositions on tracks
8 and 9.
Anne: We have a mystery story for you, too.
What happened to Margaret Sutton? Find out in
“Missing in March”, on tracks 14 to 19.
David: You can read along with the texts and
interviews in your audio booklet, which now
contains the entire transcript. If you’ve
received Spotlight Audio as a download, you’ll
find the booklet as a PDF file which you can
either print or read on screen.
People
[2] Ozzy Osbourne
Anne: Ozzy Osbourne is known for his strange
and shocking behaviour. The 62-year-old
British rocker was recently in the news for
something else, though: making a contribution
to science. David will tell us more, as he reads a
short text from Spotlight’s People section.
Scientific American reports that rock star Ozzy
Osbourne has had his genome sequenced.
Ozzy said he wanted to know why he is still
alive and healthy despite all the drink and
drugs. Knome, the company that analysed his
DNA, found an unusual gene variant affecting
alcohol consumption. They also discovered a
segment of Osbourne’s chromosome that may
indicate a Neanderthal ancestor.
Source: Spotlight 3/2011, page 6
affect betreffen
ancestor Vorfahr(in)
genome: have one’s sein Erbgut entschlüsseln
~ sequenced lassen
make a contribution einen Beitrag leisten
mystery story Kriminalgeschichte
3
A Day in My Life
[3] Businessman Neeraj Kanwar
David: Our A Day in My Life section takes us to
India this month. Correspondent Douglas
Bolduc spoke with Neeraj Kanwar, who is the
managing director of a tyre manufacturing
company in New Delhi. In our excerpt from the
interview, Kanwar talks about his business phi-
losophy and the kind of working environment
he tries to create.
Neeraj Kanwar:
We say that we are one family. We all are in it
together, and success will be first shared inter-
nally and then externally. We’ve done that a
number of times, and we’ve run it by example.
I think communication between two individu-
als becomes very important: open communica-
tion in the open environment.
If I create an environment where it’s a very cold
environment, then the guy comes to work at
9.30, he leaves at 5.30, and he has no emotion-
al bond with the brand or with the company.
You know, he... It’s his duty, because he needs
to make money for his family. He needs [his]
daily bread and butter, so he comes in, he
punches his card, does his work; out he goes.
I don’t want that. I want people emotionally
encouraged to come to work, to say that “No,
4 5
I’m going to fight it out and I’m going to get We’ve bought a new telephone. It was time for choice of voices, with a list of options like the
this company to where it is.” an upgrade. If we had a better phone, we ones you get when you ring up the bank.
When I went to South Africa when we took over thought, we might get better phone calls. You can imagine the sort of thing: “To help us
their company, I saw a very cold environment: The phone we chose was German, which is no improve our service, please listen carefully to
various walls between different cultures and doubt why there’s something about “Reiner the following options. If you want to pretend to
different colours of skin. To me that was, in liv- Sprachklang” written on the box it came in. buy double glazing from George Clooney, press
ing in the 21st century, just a do-or-die kind of a He’s a famous German actor, I believe; I’m sure 1. For Audrey Hepburn, press 2. To hear some-
situation — that these walls had to be broken. I’ve seen him in various old Bond movies. Does one with a really funny voice, continue to hold.
And literally we went on the shop floor. We pat- that mean we now get a real live film star ring- David Beckham will be with you shortly.”
ted people on the back. We started speaking to ing us up? None of this would really be an improvement,
workmen — to blue-collar, to white-collar — More realistically, it’s probably one of those of course. When you’re on the phone, you just
and there were walls that we broke. voices that make your satnav sound like some- want to talk to a human being. A list of mecha-
See: Spotlight 3/2011, pages 8–9 body famous. Drivers like to hear Marilyn Mon- nized options is the last thing you need.
roe or Margaret Thatcher telling them which
David: A white-collar worker is one who works in way to turn. From there, it’s a small step to bond Bindung
an office. Blue-collar workers, on the other answering the phone to Angelina Jolie or brand Marke(nname)
hand, do physical labour — perhaps in a factory. Angela Merkel. bread and butter Brotverdienst
do-or-die alles oder nichts
If you think this all sounds desperate, you’re double glazing UK Isolierverglasung
right. Our old telephone had become such a fight it out sich durchbeißen
Britain Today nuisance that we’re relying on help from the hold
literally
dranbleiben
im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes
latest German technology.
managing director Geschäftsführer(in)
[4] Famous phone friends All the calls we get are from people trying to nuisance Ärgernis, Störung
sell us things. In fact, most of them are lying to pat sb. on the back jmdm. auf die Schulter
Anne: There are so many ways to communicate sell us things. They tell us we filled in one of klopfen
punch one’s card seine Lochkarte einlesen
today: e-mail, chat, text messaging, or social their surveys or asked them for a quotation — quotation Kostenvoranschlag
networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Is all completely untrue. Since they seem to ring (up) UK anrufen
there any reason to use a telephone any more? behave like Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter run sth. by example etw. beispielhaft vormachen
Our British columnist, Colin Beaven, has some movies, they might at least sound like him. satnav Navi(gationsgerät)
script Drehbuch, Manuskript
ideas that could make telephoning more fun. With Ralph Fiennes on the phone, we might shop floor Fabrikhalle
actually listen. shortly in Kürze
Actually, since all the people who ring us are text messaging SMS
upgrade Aufrüstung, Verbesserung
clearly reading a script, they could easily offer a
But when you’re the one who’s making the call,
that’s exactly what you get. Whether it’s the
bank or the credit-card company, you just have
to be very, very patient, in the hope that you’ll
eventually get through to a real human being.
Three cheers for people who work in call
centres!
They’re often criticized, but why? They general-
ly do their best to help, and you speak to a dif-
ferent person every time you ring up, so it can
be a wonderful way to make friends from all
over the world. You often get a Scots or an Asian
accent — in fact, I recently found myself listen-
ing to a lovely American accent. None of these
people were able to do anything to help, but
they were all perfectly charming, and it’s nice to
feel part of the global English community.
So, the best way to reduce the stress of owning
a telephone might be to spend all day ringing
up different call centres. It’s a great idea. I’ll get
on the phone quick before someone else calls
to try and sell me something. Oh, too late.
“Hello, Herr Sprachklang! Listen! I loved your
last film. I’m really sorry, but we don’t need any
double glazing. Marlene Dietrich called us yes-
terday, and we bought from her. We shouldn’t
have, but when Marlene wants me to do some-
thing, what am I to do? I can’t help myself.”
Source: Spotlight 3/2011, page 13
6 7
Debate think. Freedom involves all sorts of things, and in prison for four years or less will be able to
if you’re takin’ away their freedom, you’re vote in future elections.
[5] Should prisoners be able to vote? takin’ away their freedom to go where they
want and do what they want. And one of the
David: Should murderers be allowed to vote? things that you should take away is their free-
What about people who have committed lesser dom to vote, I think. Focus: Test-taking
crimes, like stealing or using drugs? In Britain, [6] Testing, testing
it doesn’t matter what you’ve done: if you are ● Emily Jenkins:
in prison, you are not allowed to vote. A man I don’t think so, no — because they’ve given Anne: How do you feel about tests? It seems
named John Hirst recently brought a case to up their right. They’ve committed a crime and that some people are natural-born test-takers,
the European Court of Human Rights. He had they’ve been imprisoned for it, so perhaps while others get so nervous they can barely
killed a woman with an axe 25 years earlier, but they shouldn’t be involved in the changes in think.
he argued that he should still be allowed to par- society. David: I remember I was relieved to be done
ticipate in Britain’s political process. with exams when I finished school.
Anne: For our Debate section, correspondent ● Matt Sayles: Anne: Me, too. But are you ever really com-
Julian Earwaker asked people on the streets of They’re part of the country, regardless of pletely done with exams? There are lots of
Ipswich, England, if they believe that prisoners whether they’re in prison or not. I’m presuming situations where an adult might need to take a
should have the right to vote. Here’s what four that someday they will be out of prison. And if test.
of the respondents had to say. they’re out of prison next year and they’re vot-
ing in the government for next year, then per-
● Cheryl Wilkinson: haps they should have a right. Mind you, if axe Axt
barely kaum
I think they should, yes. They’re in prison and they’re inside, then their terms in prison are commit begehen
they’re serving their time, so to speak, for the determined by who the government is. So, determine bestimmen
crime they’ve committed. But they’re still [citi- yeah, either way, I think they should probably eventually irgendwann, schließlich
forfeit verlieren, verwirken
zens], so I think they should have citizens’ have the right to vote. mind you also, wohlgemerkt
rights. If they feel excluded when they’re See: Spotlight 3/2011, pages 36–37 presume annehmen
inside, they’re not going to probably feel very regardless of unabhängig davon
good when they come out. David: Remember the axe murderer John relieved erleichtert
respondent Befragte(r)
Hirst? The European Court of Human Rights serve one’s time eine Haftstrafe absitzen
● Dick Underwood: agreed with him, saying that Britain must allow term Haftzeit
I think they forfeit that right when they go into at least some prisoners to vote. The govern- three cheers for ... ein dreifaches Hurra auf ...
What am I to do? Was soll ich tun?
prison. It should be part of the punishment, I ment has now announced that people who are
David: That’s true — especially when learning a
language. You take a placement test before
starting a new language course, to find out
what level to start at. And having an official
language qualification can help when you’re
looking for a new job.
Anne: Testing is the topic of our Language
Focus. In the March issue of Spotlight maga-
zine, you’ll find sections of a real test from the
not-for-profit testing organization telc, which
stands for “The European Language Certifi-
cates”. telc offers more than 50 different exam-
inations in nine European languages.
David: Here are a few tips to help you do well
on language tests. First, prepare as much as
you can for the specific test you’ll be taking.
Look for books and online materials, and con-
sider taking a course.
Anne: Be familiar with the format of the test
beforehand, so you don’t have to use valuable
time trying to figure out how it works. But do
take time to read the instructions!
David: If you don’t know an answer, don’t
waste time on it. Move on to another question
and then come back later.
Anne: And if you still don’t know the answer,
making a guess is better than leaving a ques-
tion blank.
8 9
[7] Interview with Lynn Brincks
David: We’ll hear from a specialist on testing
now. Lynn Brincks, from the state of Iowa in the
US, is a test developer with telc. She talks here
about the importance and benefits of testing.
Lynn Brincks:
I think language qualifications are really impor-
tant. You could probably say that maybe every-
one needs one, especially in Europe, because
there’s such an emphasis on being able to use
different languages, et cetera. I think adults
definitely can take advantage of language
tests, especially if they haven’t used different
language skills for some time. They can show
that their foreign-language skills are what they
need for their job; they can show that they
have specific language skills. So I think testing
in general is very helpful, because it shows in
an objective way that you do have the skills or
the language that you need to be able to do
what it is that you want or need to do.
I used to work as a teacher, and so — actually,
yeah — I met quite a few people who were
interested in taking language tests. Many of
them wanted to prove that they were able to
do certain things — maybe to show that they
had the language skills to apply for a certain
job, maybe to show either themselves or their
employer that they were able to meet the
requirements that are needed. [Some were]
students who wanted to show, oh, maybe they David: 2. Frank was very ill last week, but he is
didn’t do as well in school as they had liked, getting better now. ...
and they’d like to show that, yeah, they actual- Anne: Right! “Is getting better” is in the present
ly can use the language. continuous form, which you use when talking
So I think there are different motivating factors about things that are happening at the
for people in that regard. Yeah. Maybe it’s just moment — and for things which are changing
what they need to help them get past their fear and developing, like Frank’s health.
of speaking a language, or their fear of using a
language, or, yeah, to prove to themselves that David: 3. Diane has learned to speak Spanish. ...
“Hey, maybe I can do this! This maybe isn’t Anne: Right! The present perfect is correct
quite as bad as I thought it might be.” here, because Diane learned to speak Spanish
It’s very gratifying to know that you have suc- in the past and can still speak it today.
cessfully completed a test after having worked
towards it for some time. David: 4. Lori is my oldest friend. I knew her all
my life. ...
[8] Test on verb tenses Anne: Wrong! Since you’re still alive, and Lori is
still your friend, you should use the present
Anne: Now try a test on some important areas perfect here, too: “Lori is my oldest friend. I
of grammar which you might find on a stan- have known her all my life.”
dardized language test. We’ll start with verb
tenses. You’ll hear four sentences. After the
tone, decide if the sentence was correct or
incorrect. Then I’ll tell you the answer and
explain why it’s right or wrong.
beforehand im Voraus
benefit Vorteil, Vorzug
David: 1. I have enjoyed the movie last night. ... blank leer; hier: unbeantwortet
Anne: That’s wrong! You watched the movie in figure out herausfinden
the past, and this event is over, so you use the format Aufmachung, Ausführung
get past überwinden
past simple to talk about it: “I enjoyed the gratifying befriedigend, erfreulich
movie last night.” not-for-profit gemeinnützig
placement test Einstufungstest
regard Hinsicht
[9] Test on prepositions
David: Now try a test on prepositions. You’ll
hear five pairs of sentences. Which is correct, a)
or b)?
Anne: a) I’ve been with the company since
three years. b) I’ve been with the company for
three years. ...
David: b) was the correct sentence: “I’ve been
with the company for three years.” The prepo-
sition “for” is used when you talk about a spe-
cific period of time, like three years. “Since” is
correct when you mention a starting point:
“I’ve been with the company since 2008.”
Anne: a) I’m reading a book by Nora Ephron.
b) I’m reading a book from Nora Ephron. ...
David: a) is correct: “I’m reading a book by Nora
Ephron.” The preposition “by” is also used
when talking about composers and film direc-
tors: a concerto by Beethoven or a movie by
Steven Spielberg, for example.
Anne: a) This song always reminds me of my
childhood. b) This song always reminds me
about my childhood. ...
David: The correct answer is a): This song
always reminds me of my childhood.
Anne: a) Did he do that on purpose? b) Did he
do that with purpose? ...
David: Again, the answer is a): Did he do that on
purpose?
Anne: a) We finally arrived to London. b) We
finally arrived in London. ...
10
David: b) is correct: “We finally arrived in Lon-
don.” If you were talking about a small place,
though, “arrive at” would be correct: “He
arrived at the train station yesterday.”
For more on testing your English, see
Spotlight 3/2011, pages 14–19
American Life
[10] When in doubt, read your almanac
Anne: Do you ever wish life came with an
instruction manual? In this month’s American
Life column, Ginger Kuenzel tells us about a
book people have been turning to for advice
for more than 200 years: The Old Farmer’s
Almanac.
Who doesn’t love to complain about the TV
weather forecast? It never seems to get things
right. Leave home with an umbrella, and you
can guarantee it will be sunny. But leave home
without one, and it’s sure to rain.
For most of us, this is just a bad day. But for
farmers, weather predictions can be critical;
for example, in deciding when to plant and har-
vest crops. Before the days of radio, television,
and the internet, farmers relied on almanacs
for weather forecasts. What’s an almanac?
According to Merriam-Webster, it is “a publica-
tion containing astronomical and meteorologi-
cal data for a given year” and a variety of other people are jogging in their bare feet to avoid
information. joint stress), and food fads (breakfast cereals
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is the American stan- are now being added to ice cream). Some of the
dard for this kind of publication. The book first information, of course, we would probably
appeared in 1792, and it hasn’t changed much know without the almanac’s help: for example,
since. It still sees itself as being “useful with a that “people who are outgoing, active, and less
pleasant degree of humor.” It still lists sunrise neurotic are most likely to live beyond the age
times, weather forecasts, and astronomical cal- of 100.”
culations. But it also includes household tips, While much has remained the same about The
some of which are clearly more at the “humor” Old Farmer’s Almanac, some things have
end of the spectrum. For example, I now know changed. The website www.almanac.com is a
how to stop a headache: by rubbing a certain fine addition, with videos that explain, for
number of mashed worms onto my forehead. example, how to grow potatoes in a trash can.
According to the editor, Janice Stillman, The Old Daily podcasts report on historical events,
Farmer’s Almanac looks forward, by predicting upcoming holidays, and important birthdays.
the weather, but it also looks back to the past. The website also provides “best days” for a
In the 1850s, before he was president, Abra-
ham Lincoln used the almanac to defend a man
accused of murder. Someone is said to have accused angeklagt; Angeklagte(r)
seen the accused commit the crime by moon- appreciate zu schätzen wissen
light. However, Lincoln, a clever lawyer, beyond sth. über etw. hinaus
commit begehen
checked The Old Farmer’s Almanac. He discov- crop Feldfrucht
ered that the moon wasn’t out at that time, and degree Grad; gewisses Ausmaß an
his client was found not guilty. fad ifml. Modeerscheinung, Trend
forehead Stirn
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, in its own words,
instruction manual Gebrauchsanweisung
tries to give enough information about a par- joint stress Überbeanspruchung der
ticular year, “so that readers looking back in Gelenke
two, 20, or 200 years will understand and likely: be ~ to do sth. etw. wahrscheinlich tun
mashed zerdrückt
appreciate what life was like.” In the 2011 issue, outgoing aufgeschlossen, kontakt-
for example, readers learn about the new styles freudig
and colors in fashion (plaids for women; red, plaid Karomuster
prediction Vorhersage
pink, and yellow for men), health trends (more
11
variety of important events, such as getting
married or castrating your bull. I found some
great news using the almanac online: the best
day for me to start a diet doesn’t arrive for
another two weeks!
Source: Spotlight 3/2011, page 65
Replay
[11] A look at recent news events
David: Listening to the news in English is an
excellent way to improve your language skills.
Each month our Replay section takes a look at
current events, with explanations of difficult
and idiomatic language.
Inez Sharp: Welcome to Replay, the listening
exercise with the voices of people who’ve been
in the news. I’m Inez Sharp. In this edition:
● the United States is shocked at the shooting
of a congresswoman;
● and the Australian state of Queensland fights
high water levels.
Remember, if you don’t understand some-
thing, you can always go back and listen to it
again.
12
[12] Shooting in Arizona
The United States was shaken when a gunman
shot 18 people outside a supermarket in
Tucson, Arizona. They had gathered to listen to
their congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. Six
died in the shooting. Giffords herself was shot
in the head, but survived.
Clarence Dupnik, the local sheriff, blamed the
anger many Americans have towards their
politicians.
Clarence Dupnik, Pima County sheriff:
“The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes
on in this country is getting to be outrageous.
And unfortunately, Arizona, I think, has
become sort of the capital.”
Source: BBC
Dupnik used the word “bigotry”. This describes
the intolerance that some people have towards
others who hold different opinions.
At a memorial service for the victims, President
Barack Obama said that the current climate of
discourse, or political rhetoric, in the United
States has to change. He said Americans need
to come together.
Barack Obama, US president:
“At a time when our discourse has become so
sharply polarized — at a time when we are far
too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the
world at the feet of those who happen to think [13] Floods in Queensland
differently than we do — it’s important for us
to pause for a moment and make sure that The Australian state of Queensland was suffer-
we’re talking with each other in a way that ing from a tragedy of its own. Weeks of heavy
heals, not in a way that wounds.” rain had caused the Brisbane River to flood,
Source: The White House putting large parts of the state underwater.
Australia’s prime minister, Julia Gillard, said
“All that ails the world” is another way of saying that her government was helping the state
“all that is wrong with the world”. The gunman,
22-year-old Jared Loughner, refused to tell the
wherever it could.
police the reason for the shooting — but he Julia Gillard, Australian prime minister:
had written diaries. Psychologist Alan Lipman, “As we speak, we have helicopters — Black
founder of the Center for the Study of Violence Hawks and Sea Kings — in the air, working hand
in Washington, DC, said that these show Lough- in glove with the Queensland emergency per-
ner is a very sick man. sonnel on search-and-rescue efforts.”
Source: Prime Minister’s Office
Alan Lipman, psychologist:
“If you look at his writings — which, as we’ve Two things cannot fit together better than a
seen in Secret Service reports about such hand and a glove. So if you’re working hand in
shootings, writings are very valuable indicators glove, you are coordinating all the details of
of state of mind — Loughner stated that he what you’re doing.
believed that his mind was being controlled. He
stated that he’d believed that the government
was listening in on him.”
Source: CNN ail Leiden
eager bereitwillig, verbissen
lay the blame at jmdm. die Schuld
The Secret Service is a government organiza- sb.’s feet zuweisen
tion that provides the president’s bodyguards. memorial service Gedenkgottesdienst
outrageous ungeheuerlich
shaken erschüttert
sort of irgendwie
state of mind Gemütsverfassung, Seelen-
zustand
13
Reporters kept finding people who had stayed
behind in the flooded areas to protect their
homes. This man in Rockhampton was afraid
that someone would pinch, or steal, things he
owns.
Rockhampton resident:
“I’m scared someone’s going to come along
and break into our house and pinch stuff [that]
I’ve got. I’m only a single dad with two kids. It’s
everything I’ve got.”
Source: BBC
Queensland premier Anna Bligh told the people
of her state to be brave.
Anna Bligh, Queensland premier:
“I want us to remember who we are: we are
Queenslanders. We’re the people that they
breed tough north of the border. We’re the
ones that they knock down, and we get up
again. I said earlier this week that this weather
may break our hearts, and it is doing that. But it
will not break our will. And in the coming weeks
and the coming months, we are going to prove
that beyond any doubt. Together we can pull
through this, and that’s what I’m determined
to do. With your help, we can achieve it.”
Source: Queensland Police
14
To pull through something is to hold on long
enough until something ends, and to get out of
a difficult situation without being harmed.
That’s all for Replay this time. We hope our
explanations were useful and that you’ll listen
again.
Short Story:
Missing in March
[14] Chapter 1
Anne: We have something special for you this
month: a crime story by author Vanessa Clark.
What happened to Margaret Sutton? Follow the
police force over the next six tracks, as they
search for clues to find out. Brian McCredie
from Britain will read the story. Can you solve
the mystery before the police do?
Sergeant Pearce took out his notebook and
pen and looked at the anxious woman on the
settee.
“So, you say your mother, a Mrs Margaret Sut-
ton, is missing. When did you last see her?”
“Well, we haven’t seen her since Friday, have
we, Dad?” The woman looked across at her
father, sitting quietly in an armchair. “That was
four days ago,” she added.
“That’s right,” agreed her father. “She went to “Yes, in a flat at Oak Court, the retirement com-
stay with a friend for the weekend, and she plex. Do you know it? They sold our family
hasn’t come back.” home a few months ago and moved in there.
“Does this friend have a name and address, Our old house was much too big for the two of
sir?” asked the police officer. them. Mum said she didn’t want to spend the
“No. I mean, well, that’s the stupid thing. I can’t rest of her life cleaning empty rooms, and she
remember. Jean or Joan or Jane — I don’t thought that the garden was getting to be too
know. My wife has a lot of friends,” stammered much for Dad. But Oak Court is lovely: nice,
the man. “Really. A lot of friends.” modern apartments with a swimming pool, a
When 27-year-old Will Pearce had been pro- gym and all sorts of facilities on their doorstep.
moted to the rank of sergeant a few months Lots of interesting new friends. It was the start
earlier, he had hoped that his working life of a new life for them. I’ve never seen Mum so
would be a little more glamorous than this. A happy.”
respectable woman who was late coming “And your father?”
home from a weekend away — it was hardly “Well, fathers don’t say much, do they? You
the stuff of TV dramas. She was probably can’t tell if they’re happy or not.”
enjoying an extra day away from her boring
husband. But he must try not to jump to con-
clusions and to keep an open mind. That’s what
his boss, Inspector Davies, always said.
“Would you like a photo of my wife?” offered
Mr Sutton. “There must be a few recent pic-
tures on my daughter’s computer. I can print armchair Sessel
one out for you.” breed großziehen, erziehen
Before the officer had a chance to answer, clue Anhaltspunkt, Indiz, Hinweis
facilities Infrastruktur; Einrichtungen
Mr Sutton was already out of the room. gym Fitnessstudio
With the older man gone, Sergeant Pearce was jump to conclusions voreilige Schlüsse ziehen
able to ask the daughter for some background keep an open mind aufgeschlossen bleiben
knock down niederschlagen; hier: in die
information. Knie zwingen
“Mum and Dad have always been very happy.” police force Polizei
“Do they live near here?” promote befördern
settee UK Sofa
15
[15] Chapter 2
Mr Sutton came back into the room with a
photo he had just printed out. It showed a
vibrant woman of about 70, holding a glass of
wine in her hand. She was standing in the mid-
dle of a small group of people, evidently at a
party. Mr Sutton was in the photo, too, at the
edge of the group, but it was his wife who was
the centre of attention.
“Is this OK? It’s only a few weeks old. That’s
Margaret in the middle. It was taken at a party
with our new neighbours at Oak Court. The
other couple there are James and Lillian from
next door. James used to be a professional
golfer. He and Margaret have played a few
rounds together, and she says it’s really helping
her swing.”
“I’ll bet it is!” thought the sergeant to himself.
“Thank you, sir,” he said aloud. “This will help
us to find your wife for you. And try not to
worry too much. Most people return safe and
well within the first few days.”
“But she’s been gone for four days,” protested
the man, “and her mobile’s not on. We’ve left
lots of messages, but she hasn’t called us
back.”
“That’s right,” confirmed his daughter. “We’ve
tried again and again, but there’s been no
reply.”
“Were you here with your daughter all week-
end, then, Mr Sutton?”
16
“Yes, I was.”
“Dad’s been staying with me for a few days,
you see, while Mum’s been away. We had a
quiet weekend. We went for a walk on Saturday.
It was such a lovely spring day, and the crocus-
es were beautiful. But the rain kept us indoors
yesterday. You spent most of your time on the
computer, didn’t you, Dad?”
“Oh? Doing some research, sir?”
“Holidays,” answered Mr Sutton. After a short
pause he added, “Cruises.”
“Dad’s booking a cruise, as a surprise for Mum
for their ruby wedding anniversary next year,
aren’t you, Dad? Which one did you choose in
the end?
“Oh, I haven’t chosen yet. It’ll be the Caribbean,
I expect.”
“She’ll be so pleased,” smiled the daughter.
“If she ever comes back,” muttered the man,
standing up. Then he suddenly blurted out,
“You don’t think she’s run away with one of her
new gentlemen friends at Oak Court, do you?”
That was when Sergeant Pearce’s mobile rang.
It was his boss, Inspector Davies, with the news
that the body of an older woman had been
found in the woods nearby. There were no
signs of violence, but she was definitely dead.
[16] Chapter 3 “This Jean or Jane or, more likely, James?”
“Ah, yes. That reminds me: the golfing neigh-
Back at the police station, Inspector Davies had bour was at home all weekend. His wife’s given
taken control of the investigation. Bob Davies him an alibi. So he wasn’t having a dirty week-
had 30 years’ service in the police force, and his end with Mrs S. Anyway, maybe she just paid
calm authority won the respect of both junior cash on her trip.”
and senior officers. “They prefer cash, these old folks. They don’t
“Have we found any clues at the Suttons’ flat or trust plastic,” said the sergeant.
in their car yet, Pearce?” he asked his sergeant. “Seventy isn’t that old, and Mrs Sutton didn’t
“No, sir. Nothing.” look much like a typical grandma in that party
“Anything from the daughter’s computer?” photo, did she?”
“Yes and no, sir. All very boring stuff. No porn “But what about the payments out of the bank
or violence. Just local news, eBay, holiday sites, account, sir? Don’t you think that they make up
that kind of thing. But interestingly, although a very typical picture of retired life? A small
the holiday sites were cruise companies, they amount spent at the supermarket, a subscrip-
were not Caribbean cruises. Sutton spent a lot tion to a birdwatching magazine, a little visit to
of time on the Tulip Tours site, a company that the garden centre, another trip to the super-
specializes in river trips in Belgium and the market...”
Netherlands.” The young sergeant’s thoughts on retirement
“And our Mr Sutton definitely said Caribbean were interrupted by a call from the pathologist
cruises?”
“Yes. But it isn’t a crime to pretend you’re going
to Antigua if you can only afford Antwerp, is it, anyway wie auch immer
sir?” blurt out mit etw. herausplatzen
“True,” agreed the inspector, thoughtfully, “but cruise Kreuzfahrt
edge Rand, Seite
why say it at all? What about the bank account?” folks ifml. Leute
“Not much there, either, sir.” likely wahrscheinlich
“And the wife’s bank card?” mutter murmeln
pathologist Laborarzt, -ärztin
“Nothing for a week, sir.” ruby Rubin(-)
“Maybe she was already dead before the week- subscription Abo(nnement)
end, or maybe this mysterious friend paid for swing Schlag
everything,” suggested the inspector. vibrant lebhaft, dynamisch
17
to say that the initial results of Mrs Margaret
Sutton’s autopsy were ready.
[17] Chapter 4
The inspector leafed through the document
and read out the key points to his sergeant as
they sat on either side of the inspector’s desk.
The cause of death was poisoning; there was a
large dose of lycorine in her blood. There was
one other odd thing: the report noted the pres-
ence of some dead flies and ants on the body.
“Dead ants?” echoed Pearce. “Well, she was
found in woodland. She probably squashed
them when she fell.”
“No. They were on top of the body, not under it.”
“Poisonous ants? Do you mean killer ants?”
asked the sergeant, hopefully.
“No, just normal everyday ants, it seems. But
that’s not important. What’s interesting is the
lycorine.”
“And what is lycorine, sir?” asked Sergeant
Pearce.
“Don’t they teach you anything in basic training
these days? It’s quite a common cause of acci-
dental poisoning. It’s found in some plants,
including daffodils.”
“But who eats daffodils?”
“Well, the bulbs look rather like onions, so peo-
ple have cooked them by mistake and been
very ill as a result. There was a case at a primary
18
school a couple of years ago. A whole class was “That doesn’t concern you,” answered Ser- “No. Modern insecticides aren’t that danger-
taken ill after a daffodil bulb found its way into geant Pearce, who disliked the boy’s manner ous. They won’t kill you in small amounts, not
the ingredients for their cookery lesson.” (and he really was only a boy in the sergeant’s the sort that’s available to the public, anyway.
“So maybe that’s what happened. She cooked a eyes, although he was probably only a few But they do kill flies and ants. Come on!
meal and poisoned herself.” years younger than himself). “We want to know Let’s go!”
“Pearce, I doubt if an experienced cook like Mrs if you saw him last week.”
Sutton would have mistaken a flower bulb for “I might have,” answered the boy, and started
an onion. She’d been cooking family meals all watering again. The spray went over the [19] Chapter 6
her life. We’ll have to assume she was poisoned sergeant’s trousers and shoes.
by someone else.” Sergeant Pearce was not happy. Mr Sutton seemed almost relieved when they
“Or maybe she wanted to kill herself?” “We know he was here, so just tell us what you arrested him.
“I don’t know about that,” said the inspector, remember,” he said firmly, looking angrily at “It was Margaret who wanted to move to the
“but I do know that her husband spent money the boy. “He bought daffodil bulbs, didn’t he?” retirement place,” he explained. “I didn’t want
at the garden centre last week, although he “What?” The boy laughed. “Daffodil bulbs in to leave my garden, but she insisted. In that
doesn’t have a garden any more. I think we March? What planet do you live on, mate? You small flat, we got on each other’s nerves, and
need to talk to him again. But let’s call in at the buy bulbs in the autumn and plant them so I couldn’t escape outside so easily without a
garden centre on the way, and you can practise that the flowers come up in the spring. That old
your interview technique.” bloke, he knew his plants. He wouldn’t have
ant Ameise
tried to buy daffodil bulbs in March.” assume annehmen
“You must forgive my sergeant,” interrupted bloke UK ifml. Typ, Bursche
[18] Chapter 5 the inspector. “He doesn’t have your expert bulb Blumenzwiebel
concern angehen
knowledge. But if you could remember what daffodil Narzisse, Osterglocke
As the two officers entered the garden centre, the customer did buy, it would be very helpful.” engine Motor
they found a young man watering the plants “Well, yeah, I do remember, actually. If you real- firmly streng
with a garden hose. He stopped spraying to ly want to know, it was a big bottle of insecti- hose Schlauch
ingredient Zutat
look at the photo of Mr Sutton that Sergeant cide spray.” initial erste(r), anfänglich
Pearce stuck under his nose. The inspector hurried back to the car. mate UK ifml. Kumpel, hier: Mann
“Oh, yeah, I know him. He used to come in a lot. “Come on, Pearce! You know what we have mistake sth. for sth. etw. mit etw. verwechseln
odd seltsam, merkwürdig
He used to buy a lot of stuff. Good customer. to do.” poisoning Vergiftung
He doesn’t come in much these days, though. “But, sir, I don’t understand,” said the sergeant primary school Grundschule
Why? What’s he done?” as he started the engine. “Is there lycorine in relieved erleichtert
insecticide? Did he poison her with it?” squash zerquetschen
19
garden. And all the new friends! I’m not a socia- your job more difficult.” Mr Sutton shrugged market and are talking about the things they Emma: We’ve got too much stuff, Alec. Let’s
ble man by nature. I could see the long years his shoulders. “But it didn’t work.” need to buy. just go to the normal checkout.
ahead of us. Then, last week I found an old bag “No, indeed,” agreed the inspector. “In fact, if (Alec starts to put the groceries on the conveyor belt.)
of daffodil bulbs in the boot of my car, and I you hadn’t used the insecticide, there wouldn’t Alec: It’s quite busy, isn’t it? I thought it would Emma: Hang on! This is the express checkout.
realized I would never have the chance to plant have been any evidence against you. That’s be empty on a Sunday evening. Look! There’s no one at the checkout down
them or grow my own spring flowers again. really the only proof we have to connect you Emma: I think a lot of people do their grocery there. Let’s go to that one.
Margaret had taken that away from me. with the crime.” shopping on Sunday now, before they go back Cashier: Hello! Do you have a loyalty card?
“Then something snapped in me. I knew the “And tell me,” added the sergeant, “about the to work after the weekend. Emma: Yes. Here it is.
bulbs were poisonous. Most gardeners know river cruise you were interested in.” Alec: Yes. It is handy. Right. Milk. Can you see
that. So I cut them up and cooked them in “Oh, you know about that, do you? I wanted to the organic milk anywhere? I can’t.
some vegetable soup. I’d been doing a lot of see the fields of flowers in the Netherlands. If I Emma: There it is. But there’s just full-fat left. aisle Gang
boot UK Kofferraum
the cooking lately, as she was out so much, couldn’t have my own spring flowers, I thought Alec: Well, let’s just take a litre of the normal cashier Kassierer(in)
having fun with the neighbours, so it was nor- at least I could enjoy those instead.” semi-skimmed as well, then. conveyor belt Band
mal for me to make lunch. She ate it all. When “Well, it’s lucky you didn’t book it,” said the Emma: Shall we do the deli and cheese counter counter Theke
date hier: (zeitlich) festlegen
she started feeling ill, I suggested a walk in the inspector, “as you won’t be going on any holi- next? I don’t like buying pre-packed stuff, and deli(catessen) Feinkost-
fresh air. We went to the woods. She was in a days for a while.” I’ll get some olives or something for tonight. diced gewürfelt
terrible state by then. She just collapsed on the Source: Spotlight 3/2011, “Missing in March” booklet Alec: You do that, and I’ll go and get the tea express checkout Schnellkasse
ground and died. I hid her in a thicket and bags. full-fat (milk) UK Vollmilch
grocery Lebensmittel-
hoped you wouldn’t find her for a long time.” Emma: Can you get a box of matches, too? handy praktisch, bequem
“But what was the insecticide for?” asked Everyday English Alec: OK. Hang on!
loyalty card UK
Moment! Warte mal!
Kundenkarte
Sergeant Pearce, puzzled. Emma: (to the assistant) Hello! Half a pound of
maggot Made
“You were trying to confuse us, weren’t you?” [20] At the supermarket diced, smoked pancetta, please. match Streichholz
asked Inspector Davies. organic Bio-
“Yes, that’s right. I once saw something on the Anne: It may sound silly, but I enjoy going to Anne: We meet Alec and Emma again when pancetta (ital.) durchwachsener
television about how you can date the time of the supermarket — or grocery store — when they’ve finished shopping and are ready to Bauchspeck
pre-packed abgepackt
death by looking at the insect life in a body. All I’m in a foreign country. I like to wander up and check out, or pay for their purchases. puzzled ratlos, verdutzt
those maggots and flies. So I went to the gar- down the aisles, seeing what’s the same as at self-service checkout Selbstbedienungskasse
den centre, and came back to spray the body. I home and what’s different. For our Everyday Alec: Have you ever tried that self-service semi-skimmed (milk) UK fettarme Milch
shrug one’s shoulders UK mit den Schultern zucken
hoped you wouldn’t find her for a few weeks English section, we’ll follow British couple Alec checkout? snap: sth. snaps in sb. austicken, durchdrehen
and the delay would make it more difficult to and Emma as they do their shopping. In the Emma: Yeah, once, and it wouldn’t accept my sociable gesellig
find clues. And if I sprayed her with insecticide, first dialogue, they’ve just arrived at the super- card, so I had to get the cashier to help me. thicket Dickicht, Gestrüpp
that would confuse the dates and just make Alec: Shall we try now? There’s no queue. wander schlendern

20 21
Cashier: Thanks, and would you like help pack-
ing?
Alec and Emma: Yes, please!
Anne: Do you know what the American word
for “queue” is? ... “Line.” Instead of waiting in a
queue, Americans stand in line.
Source: Spotlight 3/2011, pages 49–50
English at Work
[21] Dear Ken: How should I start a
conference call?
David: Each month, business communications
expert Ken Taylor joins us in the studio to give
Spotlight readers advice on things such as tele-
phoning, correspondence, numbers or busi-
ness vocabulary. This time, his topic is confer-
ence calls.
Ken: Hello. This is Ken Taylor from London.
Have you ever had the misfortune of taking
part in a telephone conference with a weak
conference leader? The conference goes on
way beyond its planned time. A few people
dominate the proceedings. You can hear peo-
ple tapping away on their laptops while other
people are talking. You’re not sure who else is
actually logged in, or even who is speaking. It’s
a boring waste of everyone’s time. If you have
22
to lead a telephone conference, you can partly 2. She talked about names and their use during Ken: Finally, remind them to keep their input as
prevent this from happening by kicking off the the conference. brief as possible. ...
telephone conference in the right way. Listen 3. She made a general statement of aims and Lauren: Let me remind you to keep your input
to how Lauren does this. motivated the participants. as brief as possible so that we can finish on
4. The next practical step was to review the time.
Lauren: OK. Let’s see if we’re all logged in. I’ll agenda.
call your names out and you just say “yes” if you 5. She also found out if anyone is logging out Ken: Well done. If you start the telephone
are present — a bit like being back at school. early and stressed the need for keeping input conference in an organized, efficient way, then
John French. (Yes.) brief. the rest of the conference call is more likely
Colin Young, the secretary for this meeting. to be effective. Good luck with your next in-
(Yes.) Ken: Now you try. You be Lauren. I’ll tell you ternational telephone conference. And re-
Karen Brown. (Yes.) ... what to say. You then speak in the pause. After- member that if you have a question about
Good. So we’re all logged in. wards you will hear Lauren again. OK? business English, you can e-mail it to me at
Is it OK if we use first names? And can you say Ask if everyone is logged in. ... language@spotlight-verlag.de
your name before you speak so that we know Lauren: OK. Let’s see if we’re all logged in. See Spotlight 3/2011, page 55
who’s talking?
You should all have the agenda in front of you, Ken: Ask if we can use first names. ...
and you can see that our main aim is to brain- Lauren: Is it OK if we use first names?
storm some great ideas for our product launch
in June. There are just the four points to cover, Ken: Tell them to say their names before they
so this should take about one hour. Does any- speak. ...
agenda Tagesordnung
one have to leave early? No? Good. Let me Lauren: And can you say your name before you brief kurz
remind you to keep your input as brief as pos- speak so that we know who’s talking? input Beitrag
sible so that we can finish on time. item Punkt
kick off anfangen
So let’s start with item 1: the product develop- Ken: Tell them that they should have an agenda launch Markteinführung
ment status report. Karen, over to you. in front of them. ... likely wahrscheinlich
Lauren: You should all have the agenda in front misfortune Pech
Ken: Lauren did five things to start the confer- of you. on time pünktlich
participant Teilnehmer(in)
ence in an efficient way: proceedings hier: Sitzung
1. She made a roll-call to check if everyone was Ken: Ask if anyone has to leave early. ... roll-call Anwesenheitskontrolle
logged in. Lauren: Does anyone have to leave early? tap away drauf lostippen
way beyond weit über ... hinaus
23
Peggy’s Place
[22] Bad news
Anne: Let’s pay a visit to the London pub
Peggy’s Place now. Before you listen to the con-
versation between Peggy, Phil, Dusty and
George, it may be helpful to know a few terms.
To “rubberneck” means to turn your head to
look at something interesting.
David: “Have a butcher’s” means have a look.
It’s short for the Cockney slang “a butcher’s
hook”, which rhymes with “look”. And a “knee-
jerk reaction” is an automatic reaction — some-
thing you do without thinking.
Phil: Laura’s on the phone for you, Peggy.
Peggy: Thanks. Can you take these salads to
table three?
Phil: Why are we numbering the tables?
Peggy: Because we are trying to run a profes-
sional establishment. Numbering the tables
helps.
Phil: It doesn’t help me.
Peggy: All right, then. Take these salads to the
table where the big, hairy man and the small,
sad woman are sitting.
Phil: Now, that’s information I can understand.
Peggy: Well? Get moving! (on the phone) Hello,
Laura! When are we meeting? I could come by
Tube. OK, fine. I’ll be ready in about ten min-
utes, then. Bye!
24
Dusty: Check this out, Peggy! Time Out has writ-
ten a review of our food. It’s really good.
George: No, but the traffic’s manic. I passed a Conclusion
really nasty accident on the way here — creat-
Peggy: Wonderful. I’ll take a look tomorrow. I’m ed complete gridlock, what with the police try- [23] Anne: Peggy’s Place ended on a very dra-
off to the cinema now with Laura. ing to get through and all the people rubber- matic note, didn’t it? We’ll have to wait until
Dusty: What are you going to see? necking. next month to find out more about Laura’s car
Peggy: It’s called Never Let Me Go. Laura says it’s Phil: Don’t tell me you didn’t have a butcher’s. accident.
about cloning. It got great reviews. George: No. I just tried to get out of the way. For information about subscribing to either our
Phil: Perhaps you could clone someone to help Dusty: I think it’s natural to look. It’s a knee-jerk CD or MP3 download, visit
at the bar. reaction. www.spotlight-online.de/hoeren
Dusty: So is Laura coming to pick you up? Peggy: Maybe Laura should drive straight to the David: Thanks for joining us for Spotlight Audio
Peggy: I told her I’d take the Tube, but she said cinema. I’ll try and call her. — and do come back for another 60 minutes
she’d come by, since it’s raining. Phil: I always think: what if the person in the with us next month, won’t you? Until then...
Phil: That’s just because Laura wants a reason accident was me? Would I want a lot of Anne: Goodbye!
to drive. I never knew anyone so attached to strangers gawping at me?
her wheels. Perhaps it’s because she’s Ameri- Peggy: She’s not answering. I’ll go and wait
can. outside.
Dusty: That’s probably part of it. I found it hard Phil: You’re better off in here. It’s really tipping
adjust sich an etw. gewöhnen
to adjust at the beginning. down.
attached to one’s wheels aufs Auto(fahren) fixiert
Phil: But you haven’t got a car. Peggy: Oh, this is her calling. Hi, Laura! ... Hello? better off: be ~ besser dran sein
Dusty: My first year in London, I drove every- Yes, I’m a friend... Peggy’s Place, 12 Chiltern bullshit vulg. Mist, Schwachsinn
where and kept telling myself it was faster than Lane. end on a dramatic note dramatisch enden
establishment Geschäft, Lokal
the Tube or the bus. Then I realized it’s bullshit, Phil: What’s the matter, love? gawp at angaffen
if you’ll excuse the expression. It’s cheaper and Peggy: Laura’s been in a car crash. The police Get moving! ifml. Beeilung!, Gib Gas!
faster to use public transportation. are trying to contact her family using her gridlock Verkehrsstillstand
manic verrückt, Wahnsinn
Phil: Well, there’s no romance in driving any phone.
nasty schlimm
more, anyway. Dusty: How bad is it? off: be ~ gehen, auf dem Weg sein
Peggy: Sorry to break up the fun. Big, hairy Peggy: They didn’t say, but someone’s coming pay a visit einen Besuch abstatten
man is asking for some salad dressing. round. peaky UK angeschlagen
pick sb. up jmdn. abholen
Dusty: Table three, is it, Peggy? I’ll get it. Phil: That’s probably not a good sign. run betreiben
Peggy: Thanks. Look! Here comes George. Source: Spotlight 3/2011, page 54 tip down UK schütten
George: Evening, everyone! Tube ifml. Londoner U-Bahn
what with ifml. wegen, aufgrund von
Phil: You’re looking a bit peaky. Hard day?
25
 Impressum
Herausgeber: Dr. Wolfgang Stock
Chefredakteurin: Inez Sharp
Stellvertretende Chefredakteurin:
Claudine Weber-Hof
Chefin vom Dienst: Susanne Pfeifer
Audioredaktion: Rita Forbes (Anmoderation),
Michael Pilewski (Replay)
Sprachredaktion: Elisabeth Erpf,
Timea Thomas
Produktion und Ton: Charly Braun
Regie: Rita Forbes
Gestaltung: Christian Neubauer
Online-Redakteur: Michael Pilewski
Produktionsleitung: Ingrid Sturm
Vertriebsleitung: Monika Wohlgemuth
Anzeigenleitung: Axel Zettler
Litho: HWM, 82152 Planegg
Druck und Vervielfältigung: Adcom
Production AG, CH-5432 Neuenhof
Sprecher:
David Creedon (Anmoderation, People, Every-
day English, Peggy’s Place)
Jenny Evans (Everyday English, Peggy’s Place)
Steven Humes (Peggy’s Place)
Nick Lloyd (Britain Today, Peggy’s Place)
Brian McCredie (Short Story, Everyday English)
Erin Perry (American Life, English at Work)
Inez Sharp (Replay)
Anne Alexander Sieder (Anmoderation)
Ken Taylor (English at Work)
Interviews:
Douglas A. Bolduc (A Day in My Life)
Julian Earwaker (Debate)
Rita Forbes (Language)
Tonstudio: Artist Studio, Munich
Replay was recorded at Cebra Studio, Munich.
Titel: iStockphoto

Ordering information: www.spotlight-online.de/hoeren

Spotlight Verlag GmbH, Fraunhoferstraße 22, 82152 Planegg, Deutschland

Tel. +49 (0)89/8 56 81-0, Fax +49 (0)89/8 56 81-105
E-Mail Kundenservice: abo@spotlight-verlag.de; E-Mail Redaktion: spotlight@spotlight-verlag.de
Internet: www.spotlight-online.de
Amtsgericht München HRB 179611; Umsatzsteueridentifikationsnummer: DE 265 973 410
Geschäftsführer: Dr. Wolfgang Stock, Dr. Michael Brockhaus
26 27
Spotlight Audio · Contents 3/11
1. Introduction 1:27 12. Shooting in Arizona 2:22
13. Floods in Queensland 2:15
PEOPLE
2. Ozzy Osbourne 0:58 SHORT STORY:
MISSING IN MARCH
A DAY IN MY LIFE
14. Chapter 1 3:16
3. Businessman Neeraj Kanwar 2:06
15. Chapter 2 2:49
BRITAIN TODAY 16. Chapter 3 2:37
4. Famous phone friends 4:56 17. Chapter 4 2:18
DEBATE 18. Chapter 5 2:22
5. Should prisoners have the 19. Chapter 6 3:02
right to vote? 2:18 EVERYDAY ENGLISH
FOCUS: TEST-TAKING 20. At the supermarket 2:23
6. Testing, testing 1:43
ENGLISH AT WORK
7. Interview with Lynn Brincks 2:07
21. Dear Ken: How should I start
8. Test on verb tenses 1:54
a conference call? 5:13
9. Test on prepositions 2:32
PEGGY’S PLACE
AMERICAN LIFE
22. Bad news 4:18
10. When in doubt, read
your almanac 4:17
23. Conclusion 0:50
REPLAY:
Recent news events
11. Introduction 1:03 Total playing time 59:20

Alle Urheber- und Leistungsschutzrechte vorbehalten. Keine unerlaubte Vervielfältigung, Vermietung, Aufführung, Sendung!
P & © Spotlight Verlag 2011 Cover: iStockphoto