Now listen
again while you
check the audio transcription.
Then check
the answers
below.
SPEAKER 1:
I'd often
thought
about living
here, but my
husband's
work as Head
of Personnel
for an
engineering
firm tied
him to the
UK and I
worked in a
hospital. Of
course, we
came here on
holiday and
got to know
the place.
Now we've
retired here,
we don't
have to go
home at the
end of the
summer
and face the
harsh
English
winter, and
that's the
greatest
bonus
without a
doubt.
We're
getting used
to the local
people. They
try to help
us, though
we're not
proficient
in the
language yet.
It's not
hard picking
it up in
shops and
cafes, and
of course
there's TV
too.
SPEAKER 2.
I was posted
here three
years ago.
At first, I
wasn't very
keen on the
idea of
coming. It's
hardly a
very
cultural
place, is it?
But frankly
it's grown
on me.
I'm quite an
outdoor
person too
and what I
really
appreciate
are the many
leisure
opportunities
and people
with time on
their hands
to share
them with.
Obviously,
the weather
helps,
although
it's
unbearably
hot in July.
The embassy
pool and
squash
courts are
quite
reasonable
and we have
access to
other
facilities
locally.
There are a
few
tournaments
during the
year – not
very high
standard but
quite fun.
I've also
taken up a
new interest
– old
buildings.
The local
architecture's
fascinating!
SPEAKER 3:
I'd always
intended to
travel, do a
few short
contracts in
faraway
places and
then go home
to study to
be a
specialist.
So I came
here 20
years ago
and ... sort
of stayed.
Initially,
the work was
quite
different
from what I
dealt with
in my
surgery in
London,
although if
s routine
now. It's
certainly a
good
lifestyle, I
have to
admit,
very
reasonable
remuneration
for the
hours I have
to put in,
and that's
the key. It
allows me to
put
something by
for my
retirement
and indulge
my hobbies.
It's a good
place to
grow old –
sports,
great golf
courses for
example, if
you're
interested,
which I'm
not really!
SPEAKER 4:
I started
work near
London,
doing a very
routine job,
maintaining
equipment in
a water
purification
plant.
Then I was
asked to
come out
here. I
wasn't keen
at first as
it involved
working in
the
mountains on
a new dam. I
decided to
try it for a
year because
the salary
was
acceptable
and I
thought the
experience
would be
useful.
But I stayed
on because
the job
provides so
much variety.
I head a
team of
workers now
on a new
project,
things I
wouldn't
normally get
to do at my
age.
I live in a
basic
bungalow
with amazing
views over
the
plantations
and rice
fields. It's
great!
SPEAKER 5:
It all
started when
I came here
on holiday.
I was
wandering
around the
market,
looking for
souvenirs
and the
craftsmanship
impressed
me. They're
great at
carving wood
or weaving
fabrics. I'd
been
thinking of
taking early
retirement,
then it
struck me.
Why not set
up something
of my own
here? So I
began in a
small way,
sending
local
handicrafts
and produce
back to
small
specialist
shops.
It took off
and now I
supply large
department
stores. It's
hard,
working for
yourself,
but I love
being here
because
the locals
are so easy
to get on
with.
They'll
always give
you a
helping hand
and I feel
part of
things,
which is
great...
FOR
QUESTIONS 1-5
choose from the list
each speaker's present occupation.
1.
SPEAKER 1:
2.
SPEAKER 2:
3.
SPEAKER 3:
4.
SPEAKER 4:
5.
SPEAKER 5:
FOR
QUESTIONS 6-10
choose from the list
the main advantage
each speaker mentions about living where they do.
