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Unit 9: The zero article - in 90 seconds
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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'
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  6. 6 Passive voice
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  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

Visit the White Elephant restaurant where Ceilia has a secret she can't keep to herself. What happens when she tells someone in confidence? Watch and learn some useful everyday phrases related to keeping a secret.

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Drama: The White Elephant

Episode 9: Secrets

Ceilia, the boss, has some news she can't keep to herself but as soon as she tells someone the news spreads. However, as the secret gets passed on, the information becomes less reliable. Find out what the secret is in today's episode.

Watch the video and complete the activity

Show transcript Hide transcript

Ceilia
Hi Peter - how's everything? Still enjoying working here?

Peter
Oh yes. It's a great restaurant. I love it here.

Ceilia
Good, good... do you want to know a secret?

Peter
Oh... go on then.

Ceilia
I can't tell anyone... but I've just entered us into the Restaurant of the Year awards - in the best newcomer category - hopefully, we'll be nominated!

Peter
Oh that's great news... well done!

Ceilia
Mum's the word - I can't tell anyone until it's officially announced.

Peter
My lips are sealed.

Gordon
See you Ceilia... What are you smirking at?

Peter
Nothing... Oh go on then. Ceilia's just told me a big secret...

Gordon
What?

Peter
We've been nominated for Restaurant of the Year award! But keep it under wraps hey?

Gordon
No way! Gosh, Restaurant of the Year... me, a winner!

Mary
Have you won something Gordon?

Gordon
No, no... you'll probably find out anyway... a little dickie bird just told me that I've won the Restaurant of the Year award! But ssshhh, keep it to yourself.

Mary
OK, I won't let the cat out of the bag... except there's no cat to let out. The awards aren't for another six months - we can't have won.

Ceilia
She's right Gordon. I've only just put the entry form in... What's up? Cat got your tongue?!

Download

You can download the drama from our Unit 9 downloads page.

Vocabulary

mum's the word
keep it a secret

my lips are sealed
I won't tell anybody

keep it under wraps
keep it a secret

a little dickie bird has told me
somebody has told me something in private

keep it to yourself
don't tell anybody / keep it a secret

to let the cat out of the bag
tell somebody something that was supposed to be a secret

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 9?

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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 at The White Elephant restaurant, something is making Gordon angrier than usual. What is it that's driving him up the wall?

Session Grammar

View full grammar reference

Session Vocabulary

  • mum's the word
    keep it a secret

    my lips are sealed
    I won't tell anybody

    keep it under wraps 
    keep it a secret

    a little dickie bird has told me
    somebody has told me something in private

    keep it to yourself
    don't tell anybody / keep it a secret

    to let the cat out of the bag
    tell somebody something that was supposed to be a secret

View full vocabulary reference

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