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Listening for IELTS
115
deposit account and to withdraw money you should give the bank seven days notice or you'll lose seven
days' interest.
When you have established yourself as a satisfactory customer with the bank, they can issue you a
check card. This is really an identity card which guarantees that correctly written checks up to the value
of £50 will be honored by the bank. A check card can be very useful, as many shops and enterprises
particularly in London and the cities, will not accept a check unless a check guarantee card hacks it. You
can also use it with your checkbook to draw up to £50 cash from almost any bank in Britain. If you also
ask for a Eurocheque card, this can be used in the same way to draw cash from most banks in Europe.
Many banks provide dispensing machines, generally set in the wall of the bank outside, where you
can draw cash when the bank is crowded or closed. Provided you are a satisfactory customer, the bank
can issue you a cash card which allows you to draw up to £100 a day.
Unit 6
: Listening Activity No. 7
Good morning. My name is Marcia Smith, a counselor here at the Student Service Section of the
university and this morning I'd like to talk to you about visiting a British home. This may help you to cope
well with your study and social life in Britain.
There is a commonly quoted saying in Britain, "An Englishman's home is his castle", which sums up
the importance we give to our own bit of private territory. If you are living in a British home or are
invited to visit or stay with someone, it is important to act thoughtfully. For example, be punctual for
meals and, if you know you have to miss one, let your host know as soon as possible. Check whether it is
convenient for the others in the house when you wish to take a bath or wash and dry laundry. And
unless your host employs someone to do housework, you are expected to make your own bed and keep
your room clean and tidy yourself. If you don't have a door key, remember to make arrangements if you
intend to go out late and keep your hosts informed of your whereabouts so they don't worry. These
suggestions apply whether you are a guest or a lodger and will help the household to run smoothly.
If you're staying as the guest of a British family or even visiting for one meal, it is customary to make a
small gift of flowers, chocolates or something to drink. Don't spend too much as this could embarrass
your hosts. If you're staying for several days as a guest, it is usual to give a small present when you
leave.
Usually you will get on to first name terms with people you meet quite naturally and quickly. If you're
unsure, continue to use their family name (surname) and title until they ask you to use their full name.
Older people and those with whom you have a more formal relationship may prefer to stick to surnames
(for example, Dr. Smith or Mrs. Smith).
If you're going to eat with British people or to stay with a British family, you may want to know if
there are things that they normally do (or don't do) at the table. Rather than worry too much about
rules, you may like to watch other people and copy what they do. It also helps to understand a few
customs first. Both at home and in restaurants people normally wail until everyone has got their food
before they start eating. However, they will start before this if someone says, "Please don't wait" or...
"Don't let it get cold". When people have started they keep their cutlery (knives, forks and spoons) on
the plate when they are not using them and leave them on the plate when they've finished the course.
For each course different cutlery is used. You may also notice that people don't usually spend much time
at the table talking, drinking and smoking. In fact, after dinner at home, it's fairly common for everyone
to leave the table together and have coffee in the living room.
If you are slaying with a family or visiting informally, it's usual to offer to help with household chores,
for example clearing the table and washing up the dishes after a meal. Even men are expected to offer,
though you may not be accepted. At a more formal meal, however, the host won't normally expect
guests to help.
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