Unit 11: The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
The definite article
Select a unit
- 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
- 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
- 3 If or whether?
- 4 5 ways to use 'would'
- 5 Let and allow
- 6 Passive voice
- 7 Unless
- 8 Mixed conditionals
- 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
- 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
- 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
- 12 The continuous passive
- 13 Future perfect
- 14 Need + verb-ing
- 15 Have something done
- 16 Wish
- 17 Word stress
- 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
- 19 Passive reporting structures
- 20 The subjunctive
- 21 When and if
- 22 Inversion
- 23 Phrasal verbs
- 24 The future
- 25 Modals in the past
- 26 Narrative tenses
- 27 Phrasal verb myths
- 28 Conditionals review
- 29 Used to - review
- 30 Linking words of contrast
Session 5
Everyone celebrates Mary's success except Gordon who thinks nobody is more successful than he is. Find out his reasons in this episode. Watch and learn some useful everyday phrases related to success.
Activity 1
Drama: The White Elephant
Episode 11: Success
What is the secret of Gordon's success? Even when Mary gets an important qualification, he claims his experience is much more important. However, something happens which proves who has the most experience. Who will succeed?
Watch the video and complete the activity
Peter
Table two weren't too keen on the soup. Ooh, what's that? A letter from a secret admirer?
Mary
no. Nothing like that – it's my exam results…
Peter
Exam results? I didn't know you'd been studying.
Mary
Yes – I've been studying for a PhD – and it says here, I'm a doctor!
Peter
Oh well done Mary – Doctor Marigold - another feather in your cap. You're so clever.
Gordon
What's that? You've qualified to be a 'doctor'. Well done… although personally I think the world needs more chefs than doctors – everybody needs to eat. But well done… you've had a lucky break.
Peter
Yes, you're going to be a real success, maybe you'll be my doctor…
Gordon
Of course, I know all about success. I've got a track record for creating world-class food and winning numerous awards – just ask Ceilia.
Mary
So what's the secret to your success Gordon?
Gordon
Well… errr… an appreciation for food… an eye for detail… and an excellent relationship with the customers.
Peter
Are you sure?
Gordon
Yes! Now I want you to take this to table two… it's one of my best recipes… it's always a roaring success.
Mary
Hmm… don't count your chickens before they've hatched.
Gordon
Don't worry Mary. I can taste success. You wouldn't find a doctor making something like this.
Peter
Well, they're certainly eating it.
Gordon
There you see… that's why I'm top dog in this kitchen.
[CUSTOMER CALLS FROM RESTAURANT: Waiter! Waiter! Come quickly!]
Peter
Oh no! One of the customers is lying on the floor being sick. I think he's got food poisoning!
Gordon
Oh typical! Well come on then, you're a doctor.
Mary
A Doctor of Philosophy, Gordon. But I'll see what I can do as per usual.
Download
You can download the drama from our Unit 11 downloads page.
Vocabulary
feather in your cap
an achievement to feel pleased about
a lucky break
a piece of good luck / a good opportunity
a real success
very successful
a track record
a reputation based on performance or experience
the secret to your success
the main thing that lead to your success, that others don't know about
a roaring success
very successful
don't count your chickens before they've hatched
don't make plans based on something being succesful until it actually proves to be a success
taste success
get a feeling of what success is like
top dog
best or most important person in a group
To do
How much did you understand? Let's hope you can taste success with this quiz!
White Elephant quiz
3 Questions
How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 11?
Help
Activity
How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 11?
Hint
She has got a PhD!Question 1 of 3
Help
Activity
How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 11?
Hint
It something he doesn't actually own.Question 2 of 3
Help
Activity
How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 11?
Hint
Look at the vocabulary reference.Question 3 of 3
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
Credits
Gordon Grater: Neil Frost
Ceilia Spatula: Amina Zia
Peter Peppermill: Darren Benedict
Marigold Marcelo (Mary for short): Stacha Hicks
Written, produced and directed by: Rob Carter
More
You can find our other BBC Learning English dramas on our Drama page.
End of Session 5
Next time, Gordon gives Mary and Ceilia a shock, but their shock turns to amusement when they find out why he's been sleeping in the kitchen. Find out the reason for Mr Grater's unusual sleeping arrangements in the next episode!
Session Vocabulary
feather in your cap
an achievement to feel pleased abouta lucky break
a piece of good luck / a good opportunitya real success
very successfula track record
a reputation based on performance or experiencethe secret to your success
the main thing that lead to your success, that others don't know abouta roaring success
very successfuldon't count your chickens before they've hatched
don't make plans based on something being succesful until it actually proves to be a successtaste success
get a feeling of what success is liketop dog
best or most important person in a group