Elementary podcasts -> Podcast 09 Home -> Like to meet
This page has the online practice materials for:
LearnEnglish Elementary Podcast Magazine No. 09
Section 2 -I'd like to meet...
You can listen online or download the podcast at Podcast 09 Home
You can also get print versions of the practice materials below in our Podcast 09 Support Pack (pdf file - 351 KB)
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Section 2 is based on someone talking about somebody or something they like. It helps you to practise speaking for a little bit longer – for example, when you're explaining something, or telling people something about yourself.
Suggestion: The best way to practise is with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English. However, if you can't find someone, you can send us a paragraph in English.
You listened to Sean talking about about Matt Groening, the creator of the cartoon, 'The Simpsons'.
Do you have a favourite cartoon or animation that you can write about? It could be a TV series or a film. If you can think of one, make some notes to answer these questions:
• What's the cartoon called?
• Is it a TV programme or a film?
• What is / was it about?
• Is / was it funny? sad? exciting?
• Where do you / did you see it? When?
• Why do / did you like it?
• Who is / was your favourite character?
• What do you know about the person who created it?
Now put your notes together to write a paragraph about the cartoon or animation. Go to the bottom of the page to do this.
Transcript
Ravi: Anyway, it’s time now to move on. As usual we’re going to start with Would Like to Meet. In every podcast someone comes to the studio and tells us about a famous person – alive or dead - that they’d like to meet. We’ve got Sean here with us today […]
Tess: And who are you going to talk about today Sean. Who’s the famous person you’d like to meet?
Sean: Matt Groening.
Tess: The Simpsons guy?
Ravi: The Simpsons guy? I always thought it was pronounced ‘groaning’.
Sean: Well I did too, for a long time. But no it isn’t, it rhymes with ‘raining’ – Matt Groening.
Tess: OK, That’s the name sorted out. Tell us a bit about him Sean.
Sean: Well, as you know, he’s the guy who created the Simpsons which is probably the best show on TV anywhere in the world. Ever. And a great film too.
Tess: You’re a fan then.
Sean: Ever since I can remember. And I just think that the man who created something so brilliant must be a really funny guy. To be honest, I don’t know much about him as a person – I know he’s really old – he must be fifty or something – at least.
Tess: I’m not sure fifty is really old Sean. My mother wouldn’t be very happy to hear that.
Sean: Well you know, whatever. He’s older than my dad anyway. That’s why I’d like to meet him – he must be really funny and really smart, but he’s old. Um, what else do I know? Um - and I know he’s got kids – two kids called Abraham and Homer.
Tess: He called his son Homer! After Homer Simpson!
Sean.: Well maybe – maybe not. Homer was his dad’s name too – he got all the names from his own family. His mum and dad were Homer and Margaret – Marge for short. And his little sisters are Lisa and Maggie. Bart was going to be called Matt at first but then he changed his mind. But I read somewhere that the character of Bart Simpson was based on his older brother. I guess I’d like to meet him too.
Ravi: When did the show start?
Sean: In the 1980s – I’m not sure of the year. But it’s about twenty years old. But the characters never get any older - I like that. Oh, and another thing I’ve just remembered – “Doh!” – you know Homer Simpsons’ famous “Doh!” - is now in the Oxford English Dictionary. I think that’s pretty amazing. And I can’t remember anything else. Doh!
Ravi: Don’t worry about it – that was really interesting
Tess: Thanks Sean , another good one there. Ravi, I don’t why I haven’t asked you this before – who would you like to meet? Who would you talk about if you were our guest on the podcast?
Ravi: Oof. That’s a tough one. There’s so many. Matt Groening’s a good one – I’d love to meet him. Peter Jackson who directed the Lord of the Rings films – he’d be really interesting. Erm … J.K. Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter books. Yeah, maybe her – she seems quite an interesting character.
Tess: Yeah, I’d like to meet her too. And remember, listeners, that we’re always interested to hear about people that you’d like to meet. Or even cartoon characters!
Ravi: That’s a good one! Which cartoon character would you like to meet and why. Brilliant idea!
Tess: So send your thoughts to us at learnenglishpodcast@britishcouncil.org.
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At 15 Oct 2009 21:16 Daniel wrote:
Hello!! My first favorite cartoon is Tom and Jerry is amazing all time the cat followed the mouse and frecuently won the mouse I liked saw this program. Other cartoon I like to meet is A Pup Named Scooby-Doo is hilarious!!
At 14 Oct 2009 21:57 Hannah wrote:
What a rubbish website. This is no help for my homework >:(
At 16 Mar 2009 15:19 Antonella P, Italy wrote:
My favorite cartoon is Goofy. He is very, very, funny. i watched it a lot of times but i never bored to see it. He is always so improbable. He does everything in a strange, inpossible and very, very different way. I can remember very well the cartoon when Goofy was in mountain and he wanted to know to ski, I laughted all the time. And the other one when he was with Paperino [Donald duck] and Topolino [Mickey Mouse] and they were travelling with caper. Certainly Walt Disney was a great, fantastic....inventor or designer? I dont't know which is the exatly word to use. I never could to see someting better than those brilliant, funny and creative cartoons.
At 2 Mar 2009 14:25 Andrea wrote:
I would like to meet Gardfield. He`s a very funny cat. He´s always thinking about food, sleeping, bad jokes... I think he has a peculiar sense of humor. I like the relacionship between this cat and his owner, I can`t remember his name. And I also would like to meet Mafalda, she´s a very smart girl and we would have an interesting conversation about the world, her country, the politics, and everything you can imagine. And I love the way this comic is drawn.
At 1 Mar 2009 22:30 Sandra wrote:
I love Monsters Inc. I think every character is insteresting. The little girl is so lovely and attract the attention of everybody. The story is well developed and realized.
At 18 Feb 2009 22:47 Yazmin wrote:
Hello, my favorite cartoon character is Snoopy, i really love it, and I'd like to meet the person who was created and also maybe all the snoopy's gang like Charlie Brown, Lucy, linus and of course that litle bird called woodstock =)
At 7 Feb 2009 16:53 giusy wrote:
Star Trek the first Tv series about science fiction of the 60' created by Gene Roddenberry. the stories was always exciting and the connection with the space research and flight was very original. I've seen the series when I was only 13 (and now I'm 42) when I cameback from school in the afternoon. I liked it becouse you can think a different adeventure in the space and maybe could be true My favourite character was the science officer “Spock†About the Gene Rodenberry I know only he loved the space. He died on 1991 and his remains put in the capsule and sent into the space on 1997