03

1 Choose the correct answers.

SPEAK OUT
Giving and
justifying opinions
1 The first woman that the reporter speaks to
a agrees that there is a problem with hooligans.
b believes that the estate was a worse place to live twenty years ago.
c says she used to break the law when she was a teenager.
2 The second woman
a says that Ravenswood is a friendly place to live.
b has lived on the estate all her life.
c agrees that the estate is dangerous.
3 She also thinks that
a life in Ravenswood is exciting.
b young people often behave badly.
c people from the media are exaggerating the problems.

2 Complete the conversation with a the word or phrase the speakers use.

Personally As far as I’m concerned It seems to me I mean Frankly To be honest

If you ask me

1
Sean: Could you tell me about some of the terrible problems caused by young hooligans on the estate?
Mary: Problems? I’m not sure I know what you mean.
Sean: Yes, apparently some people in the area are terrified to leave their homes because of the crime.
Mary: Well 1 , I don’t know what you’re talking about. 2 , we
don’t have any problems with the young people round here at all. In fact, 3 ,
things were much worse here 20 years ago when I was a teenager!

2
Sean: Would you agree that the Ravenswood is a dangerous place to live?
Tamsin: No, not at all. 4 , I think it’s one of the safest parts of Luton to live in.
5
, I’ve lived in a lot of different places in my life and I’d say that Ravenswood
is one of the nicest and friendliest places I’ve ever lived.
Sean: Oh, really? Well what about the shocking reports of teenagers terrorising local people?
Tamsin: Well, 6 , it’s nonsense. In fact, it’s so quiet here, it’s a bit boring really. You
know, sometimes 7 that it’s the media inventing these problems just so they
have something to talk about.

© Pearson Education Limited 2012 N e w S u c c ess I n t e r m e di at e PHOTOCOPIABLE

TAPESCRIPT
Sally (presenter): Let’s go over to our crime reporter, Sean Taylor.
Sean: Thanks, Sally. Yes, I’m on the Ravenswood Estate, one of the worst parts of town for
antisocial behaviour. I’m here to ask some local people for their views. Could you tell me
about some of the terrible problems caused by young hooligans on the estate?
Mary: Problems? I’m not sure I know what you mean.
Sean: Yes, apparently some people in the area are terrified to leave their homes because of the
crime.
Mary: Well frankly, I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you ask me, we don’t have any
problems with the young people round here at all. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, things
were much worse here 20 years ago when I was a teenager!

Sean: Thank you! Excuse me? Would you agree that the Ravenswood is a dangerous place to
live?
Tamsin: No, not at all. Personally, I think it’s one of the safest parts of Luton to live in. I mean, I’ve
lived in a lot of different places in my life and I’d say that Ravenswood is one of the nicest
and friendliest places I’ve ever lived.
Sean: Oh, really? Well what about the shocking reports of teenagers terrorising local people?
Tamsin: Well, to be honest, it’s nonsense. In fact, it’s so quiet here, it’s a bit boring really. You
know, sometimes it seems to me that it’s the media inventing these problems just so they
have something to talk about.
Sean: And I do believe that’s all we have time for - so back to the studio.

KEY
1
1b 2a 3c

2
1 frankly 2 If you ask me 3 as far as I’m concerned 4 personally 5 I mean 6 to be honest
7 it seems to me

© Pearson Education Limited 2012 N e w S u c c ess I n t e r m e di at e PHOTOCOPIABLE