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Unit 13: Future perfect
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  1. 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
  2. 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
  3. 3 If or whether?
  4. 4 5 ways to use 'would'
  5. 5 Let and allow
  6. 6 Passive voice
  7. 7 Unless
  8. 8 Mixed conditionals
  9. 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
  10. 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
  11. 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
  12. 12 The continuous passive
  13. 13 Future perfect
  14. 14 Need + verb-ing
  15. 15 Have something done
  16. 16 Wish
  17. 17 Word stress
  18. 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
  19. 19 Passive reporting structures
  20. 20 The subjunctive
  21. 21 When and if
  22. 22 Inversion
  23. 23 Phrasal verbs
  24. 24 The future
  25. 25 Modals in the past
  26. 26 Narrative tenses
  27. 27 Phrasal verb myths
  28. 28 Conditionals review
  29. 29 Used to - review
  30. 30 Linking words of contrast

Session 5

Ceilia reveals some worrying financial news about the restaurant. She has a plan to save the business from closing but Gordon doesn't like what he hears. Learn some phrases related to resilience.

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Drama: The White Elephant

Episode 13: Resilience

The White Elephant restaurant has had so few customers it might have to close down. But most of the team aren't ready to give up yet. Ceilia comes up with an idea to attract more diners, but there's one person who's not convinced... Will Gordon the chef change his mind? Find out in this episode and listen out for the phrases related to resilience that are used.

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Ceilia
Oh dear, oh dear.

Mary
Problem Ceilia?

Ceilia
Well according to my calculations, in the past two months we've only had 22 customers. I'm not sure we can afford to stay in business.

Gordon
Well you gave it your best shot but maybe it's time to say enough is enough – and give up. No doubt I'll get a new job at some high-class restaurant.

Ceilia
Oh be quiet Gordon and let me think.

Gordon
I knew she couldn't cope. She calls herself a business woman but really I'm the brains behind this business.

Mary
Really?! Actually, I think she's a tough cookie – and she doesn't strike me as the sort of person to give up easily.

Gordon
Ha! Don't forget I used to be married to her. You might seem as tough as old boots but she wouldn't say boo to a goose. She's as soft as a little kitten…

Ceilia
Excuse me… you're the one who cried all the way through the royal wedding on TV! Believe me Gordon, I'm a game old bird and I've decided to make some changes.

Gordon
Oh… right Ceilia. Let's hear them then.

Ceilia
Right. Well firstly, I think we ought to extend the menu and offer more choices.

Gordon
That's impossible.

Ceilia
Well maybe for you… perhaps we ought to think about staffing then?

Gordon
You're relentless.

Mary
And what is the second point Ceilia?

Ceilia
Well secondly, I think we ought to open earlier and try to get more customers in for lunchtime.

Gordon
Working longer hours you mean!

Ceilia
Well tough luck Gordon. You might think that I'm as gentle as a kitten but I'm as hard as nails and believe me I'm not going to give up on this business yet. So go on, think of something new for the menu.

Mary
Aww, tough love Gordon! Do you want the recipe book?

Download

You can download the drama from our Unit 13 downloads page.

Vocabulary

a tough cookie
a person who is strong enough to deal with difficult situations

as tough as old boots
a person who is strong enough to deal with difficult situations

she wouldn't say boo to a goose
timid, quiet and shy

a game old bird
a tough and smart woman

relentless
continually severe or cruel

as hard as nails
(also) a person who is strong enough to deal with difficult situations

tough luck
without sympathy for your situation

tough love
sort your own problems out

To do

See how much you understood from the story by answering these questions...

White Elephant quiz

3 Questions

How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 13?

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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, Mary comes up with a clever idea to bring in more customers to the restaurant but Gordon isn't convinced. What can be done to change his mind? 

 

 

Session Grammar

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Session Vocabulary

  • a tough cookie
    a person who is strong enough to deal with difficult situations

    as tough as old boots
    a person who is strong enough to deal with difficult situations

    she wouldn't say boo to a goose
    timid, quiet and shy

    a game old bird
    a tough and smart woman

    relentless
    continually severe or cruel

    as hard as nails
    (also) a person who is strong enough to deal with difficult situations

    tough luck
    without sympathy for your situation

    tough love
    sort your own problems out

View full vocabulary reference

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