ACTIVITY 130: This listening activity puts the topic of changing neighbourhoods within the context of an excerpt from a soap opera. Listen to Brett, Sylvia and Klive. Then answer this question. What is happening? Choose the best alternative from the menu below. Then check the correct answer.

- Klive comes home. Their daughter comes back. Nancy is coming home.

ACTIVITY 131: Now, think about this question and try to find out: What could be the relationships between these people? Type your best alternatives inside the blank spaces. Then check the correct answers.

BRETT

SYLVIA

NANCY

Now listen again while you check the transcription of this funny soap opera excerpt.

BRETT:

Sylvia, please sit down. I can't read the newspaper with you walking up and down the room like that.

SYLVIA:

How can you read the paper at a time like this, Brett? Our only son is about to return to us after ten years!!

BRETT:

As I've waited ten years, I can wait another ten minutes without getting excited. I think there's someone knocking at the French windows.

SILVIA:

(sound of French windows being opened) Klive, my darling boy!! Come in, come in. Let me kiss you. How thin you've grown! How did you get that terrible scar?

KLIVE:

Hello, mother. Hello, father. You haven't changed a bit, mother. You still look just like a film star. I'm sorry I'm late. I thought I was lost. I didn't recognise the old neighbourhood.

BRETT:

Yes, there've been a few changes round here since you left home.

KLIVE:

Everywhere looks so prosperous.

BRETT:

It all started with the big fire nine years ago. I don't suppose you read about it where you were. It destroyed the old central business district, and when they rebuilt it, they decided to put it this side of the river, nearer us.

SYLVIA:

Tell us about yourself, my darling. What have you been doing?

KLIVE:

Have all the old neighbours left the area?

BRETT:

Most of them were evicted by their landlords. The price of property went up as the business district got nearer, and most of the landlords wanted to sell and make a quick profit.

SYLVIA:

Where have you left your suitcase, Klive? Let me help you unpack.

KLIVE:

In a minute, mother. But I couldn't recognise any of the old houses.

BRETT:

Well, you wouldn't. They all came down, but some very fine homes have been built in their place. And we are now the zone with the highest number private of swimming pools in the city. What do you think of that?

SYLVIA:

We've got a Jacuzzi as well as a swimming pool now. I'll show you after you've had something to eat. You must be hungry after your long journey.

KLIVE:

I've already eaten, thank you, mother. But there seems to be a huge guard dog in every garden, and iron bars at every window What are people frightened of?

BRETT:

This is a wealthy area now, my boy, and wealthy people have possessions to protect.

KLIVE:

That's all I could see: signs of wealth and ostentation!! Not a person anywhere!! Where have they all gone: the old ladies sitting knitting in their doorways, the old men playing dominoes at the bar that used to be on the corner, and the children playing football in the street?

SYLVIA:

I never liked you playing in the street - so dangerous. And I didn't like that rough little girl you used to play with. What was her name?

KLIVE:

Nancy!! I must find Nancy. Where has she moved to? Who can tell me? I must see her at once.

SYLVIA:

Klive, don't go. You've only just arrived ... (sound of Klive rushing out of the French windows)

BRETT:

Leave him alone, my dear. He's obviously as impetuous as ever. Please ask him to use the front door next time, not the French windows.