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LANGUAGE AND SKILLS TEST 5 (UNITS 9-10)

Tapescript CD Track 4
Ian: What are you reading, Phil? Another football book?
Philip: Not just football, Ian, this is a bit different. It’s about curses on teams and stadiums.
Ian: Curses? Do you believe in them?
Philip: Oh yes. You can’t explain away these things logically. Listen to this. In 1895, a new football
ground was built in Derby, but it was built on the site of an old Gypsy camping ground. Oh, hi Fiona.
Fiona: Hi. Hey, you’ve got exams coming up remember?
Ian: Just a minute, Fee. Philip’s telling me about a Gypsy curse.
Fiona: Gypsy curse? What a load of rubbish.
Philip: You haven’t heard what my book says. Shall I continue, Ian?
Ian: Yeah, go on.
Philip: So, the Gypsies put a curse on the ground and said that the team would never win anything.
They were a top club and got to the Cup Final in 1898, 1899 and 1903 but lost each time. They never
won anything, right up to the Second World War.
Fiona: That doesn’t mean anything. Loads of clubs never win anything. How many cups have
Stockport won, eh?
Ian: Yes, Fiona’s right, Phil. The story doesn’t prove anything.
Philip: Will you two wait a moment? I haven’t finished. Now, in 1946, Derby got to the final again so
some players went to Gypsies in the area and asked them to lift the curse.
Ian: And did they agree?
Philip: Yes, and they won. First time ever.
Ian: Wow. What do you say about that, Fee? It must have been the curse.
Fiona: Oh come on. It could have been a coincidence or psychological.
Ian: What do you mean?
Fiona: I mean, Ian, the players thought the curse had been lifted and so they felt more relaxed and
confident and played better.
Ian: I see. That’s a good point. Don’t you think so, Phil?
Philip: No, I mean maybe. If that was the only story in the book but it’s not. There are loads of them.
Ian: Can I have a look? Thanks. OK, Fee, Give me a page number.
Fiona: Page 53… of your Physics textbook.
Ian: Just one more and I promise, OK?
Fiona: Ok, page 53 then.
Ian: 53, let’s have a look then. OK Listen to this. The Curse of William Penn.
Philip: What, the Philadelphia guy?
Ian: That’s the one. How do you know about him, Phil?
Philip: History revision. You see, Fee, I do do some work. Carry on Ian.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2007 Pearson Longman ELT 1

Ian: Well, in the last century a statue of the man was put on top of a high building and everyone
agreed never to build anything that would look down on him.
Fiona: Hurry up, Ian.
Ian: Ok, in 1984, that agreement was broken and a new skyscraper was built, over 100 metres higher.
Now, before this, Philadelphia’s sport’s teams had been very successful. Two Stanley Cups. What’s
that?
Philip: Ice Hockey?
Ian: Right. Two Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, an NBA title in 1983, World Series baseball in
1980.
Fiona: Well, it’s a big city. You’d expect that.
Ian: Ok, but how many titles have any of the teams won since 1984?
Philip: Don’t tell me – none.
Ian: Right first time. A longer time without a win than any other city with four professional teams.
Philip: That’s amazing.
Fiona: Well, if you don’t want your exam results to be cursed, you’d better get on with your studies.
Where are you going, Phil?
Philip: Can I just get myself a cup of coffee before I start?
Fiona: No, you get your books out. I’ll make the coffee.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2007 Pearson Longman ELT 2