KEY TO LISTENING UNIT 5

1. b

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. c

SCRIPT OF THE LISTENING

Presenter: I’d like to welcome Charisa Bernhard on the programme today. She’s a Feng Shui consultant and
author of a new book on the subject: Feng Shui and Your home.

Charisa: Good morning.

Presenter: So, tell us how you first get involved with Feng Shui, Charisa.

Charisa: Well, amazingly, it all started when I was a kid and used to enjoy rearranging the furniture in my
bedroom. I think I had an intuitive feel for the energy in the room and how it changed with the repositioning of
certain objects. Later, when I was 10, I happened to pick up a book in a store one day and started learning about
Feng Shui. 

Presenter: That’s interesting! And, where does Feng Shui originally come from?

Charisa: Feng Shui is an ancient practice that originated in China. It literally means “wind” and “water” and it´s
all about energy or “chi”. Wind refers to the energies we can´t see in our environment and water represents the
ones we do see. 

Presenter: Right, and how did it all begin?

Charisa:It began with farmers looking at the location of crops and buildings, and how they affected work and life.
For example, carefully thinking about the position of mountains, rivers and light facilitated the growth of crops but
also helped provide protection from bad weather and invaders. In Chinese culture, wind and water are
associated with good health, and so good Feng Shui came to mean good fortune, while bad Feng Shui means
bad luck. 

Presenter: So, what´s the purpose of Feng Shui today?

Charisa: Nowadays, Feng Shui is like physiotherapy for your home. Through the help of a professional that
makes adjustments to restore the balance. To control levels of energy, Feng Shui manipulates sound, light,
colour and water and recognizes the significance of materials and plants.

Presenter: I see. And is there just one type of Feng Shui?

Charisa: No, not at all. There are many schools but they all agree on the importance of the 5 elements: wood,
time, earth, metal and water.
Presenter: Ok. Let me ask you. Why is colour so important in Feng Shui.

Charisa: It’s about bringing the beautiful colours of nature into your home. Lack of colour can make us feel low
or anxious and so, for example, in a beige office, energy moves around without purpose whereas in a colourful
room positive emotions are found.

Presenter: How interesting! Could you give another example of how Feng Shui can benefit us?

Charisa: With Feng Shui, our environment is a reflection of our inner space. If we live with a lot of chaos and
clutter, our lives may lack clarity. On the other hand, bare walls may leave us feeling empty. What we need to do
is achieve a balance. If we care for our homes, we can feel happier inside.
Presenter: Thanks Charisa. For more practical tips, check out Charisa’s new book - Feng Shui and Your
home…