Master Lesson 21: " Mad or Not? New Concept English If you are following the classic L.G. Alexander series, you know that New Concept English: Practice and Progress
(Book 2) is a cornerstone for moving from basic phrases to fluent storytelling. Lesson 21, titled "Mad or Not?"
, is a fan favorite for its humorous look at modern life and its focus on the passive voice
At this stage in the curriculum, students move beyond simple sentence patterns. Lesson 21 introduces more complex structures that help you sound more like a native speaker. Grammar Focus: The lesson heavily features the passive voice
(e.g., "the airport was built"). Mastery of this allows you to describe events where the action is more important than the person doing it. The Story:
It tells the tale of a quiet village transformed by the construction of a nearby airport. It’s a perfect example of the "incidents and encounters" themes that define the series. How to Use the Audio for Practice
Listening is the "secret sauce" to progressing with this book. Here is a step-by-step guide to practicing with the Audio 21 track: Listen for Gist:
Play the audio without looking at the text. Try to identify the main problem the villagers face. Focus on Pronunciation:
Use the audio to mimic the British or American accents provided in various editions. Pay close attention to how the speaker connects words (liaison). Dictation:
Pause after each sentence and try to write it down. This forces your brain to process every word, not just the general meaning. Shadowing:
Speak along with the recording. Try to match the speed and intonation exactly. Where to Find Resources You can find complete audio playlists for Practice and Progress on platforms like and dedicated learning sites like
By spending just 20 minutes a day on a single lesson like this, you’ll find that "steady progress" is much more effective than occasional cramming. Are you finding the passive voice in this lesson tricky? Let me know if you'd like a breakdown of the grammar exercises or a summary of the vocabulary used in "Mad or Not?" NEW ENGLISH CONCEPT 2 - PRACTICE AND PROGRESS
NEW CONCEPT ENGLISH LESSON 1 UP TO 40. LEARN THROUGH STORY. 2:23:00. NEW CONCEPT ENGLISH 2 COMPLETE AUDIO - PRACTICE AND PROGRESS. LEARN THROUGH STORY
"Practice and Progress" is one of the books in the series, designed to help learners consolidate and improve their English skills through practice exercises. If you're looking for audio materials specifically for "Practice and Progress" or any other book in the New Concept English series, these are typically available to complement the textbooks.
Here are some general steps you can take to find or access the audio for "New Concept English Practice And Progress" or similar materials:
Official Website or Publisher: Sometimes, the publisher's website or the official New Concept English website may have resources available for download, including audio files.
Online Marketplaces: You can search for the specific audiobook or audio materials on online marketplaces or bookstores like Amazon, Google Books, or Apple Books.
Language Learning Platforms: Websites and apps dedicated to language learning, such as Duolingo, BBC Learning English, or English Central, might offer similar resources, though not specifically for New Concept English.
YouTube and Internet Archives: You can search for YouTube channels or Internet Archive (archive.org) which sometimes host audiobooks and educational materials, including language learning resources. New Concept English Practice And Progress Audio 21
Local Libraries: Many public libraries offer free access to e-books and audiobooks, including language learning materials. You can check their digital collections.
Language Exchange Websites: Websites like italki or Conversation Exchange might not have the exact materials but can connect you with tutors or language exchange partners.
If you're specifically looking for "Audio 21" from "New Concept English Practice And Progress", ensure you have the correct title and number, as this will help narrow down your search.
, which famously tells the story of an Italian traveler who finds out that "The English" don't always speak the English he learned.
Do the English Speak English? A Lesson from New Concept Lesson 21
Have you ever spent years studying a language, only to arrive in a new country and realize you can barely understand the locals? That is exactly what happens in of L.G. Alexander’s Practice and Progress The Story: Lost in Translation
In this lesson, we follow an Italian man who has studied English for years. Confident in his skills, he travels to England. However, upon arrival at a railway station, he finds that he cannot understand the porter, and the porter cannot understand him!
The humor (and the lesson) comes when he finally meets a friend who explains the reality of "real-world" English. It turns out that textbooks often teach a very formal version of the language that differs from the fast, idiomatic way native speakers actually talk. Why This Lesson Matters
Lesson 21 is a favorite for many students because it touches on a universal truth: language is more than just grammar rules. Formal vs. Informal:
The lesson highlights the gap between "classroom English" and the spoken language used in daily life. Listening Practice:
Using the audio for this lesson is critical. It helps you get used to different accents and the natural rhythm of English that might not be obvious on the page. Building Confidence:
Like the traveler in the story, you might feel discouraged when you don't understand everything. But this lesson teaches us that persistence is key—eventually, your ears will adjust! Study Tips for Practice and Progress
To get the most out of your audio practice for Lesson 21, try these steps: Listen without looking:
Play the audio first to see how much you can catch without reading the text. Focus on Intonation:
Pay attention to how the porter and the traveler speak. Where do they place the emphasis? Shadowing:
Try to repeat the sentences immediately after hearing them to improve your fluency.
Whether you're just starting Book 2 or you're a long-time fan of the New Concept English
series, Lesson 21 remains a classic reminder that the best way to learn English is to actually go out and hear it spoken! Master Lesson 21: " Mad or Not
Are you finding it difficult to understand native speakers too?
Share your funniest "lost in translation" stories in the comments below!
New Concept English 2 Complete Audio - Practice and Progress
I notice you're asking about "New Concept English Practice And Progress Audio 21" — specifically its content.
"New Concept English: Practice & Progress" is Book 2 of this classic English learning series (L. G. Alexander). "Lesson 21" (or audio track 21) typically corresponds to Lesson 21: "Mad or Not?" (depending on edition/ordering).
Here is the content summary of Lesson 21 ("Mad or Not?"):
Story summary:
The author describes a man who lives in a small house beside a river. Every night, the man goes out in his boat and drills holes in his boat — causing it to sink. The next morning, he pulls the boat out of the water, repairs the holes, and then drills them again that night. Neighbors think he's mad, but the author says no: the man is not mad — he's just building a boat in a very strange way (actually, he's trying to get a new boat from his insurance company because the old one keeps sinking).
Key vocabulary:
mad, drill, hole, sink, repair, insurance, strange behavior
Grammar focus:
Using "mad" vs. "crazy" (British vs. American English), present simple vs. present continuous for habitual actions, and sentence connectors like but, so, because.
Audio content (track 21):
If you need the exact transcript of the audio, I can provide that too. Just let me know.
Mastering English with New Concept English: Practice and Progress Audio 21
Practice and Progress, the second book in L.G. Alexander’s renowned New Concept English series, is a cornerstone for pre-intermediate learners looking to bridge the gap between basic sentence structures and fluent communication. Within this volume, Lesson 21, titled "Mad or Not?", serves as a critical point for mastering narrative storytelling and the nuances of the passive voice.
The accompanying audio for Lesson 21 is not just a supplement; it is an essential tool for developing the "aural/oral" skills required to progress to more advanced levels. The Core Narrative: "Mad or Not?"
Lesson 21 tells the story of a man living near a newly opened airport. The passage explores themes of modernization, personal property, and the clash between individual rights and public utility.
The Conflict: The narrator lives in a house near an airport that was built during the war but only recently came into use.
The Struggle: The noise from passing planes is so intense that over a hundred neighbors have moved away. The narrator, however, refuses to leave despite being offered a large sum of money.
The Climax: Neighbors and friends believe the narrator is "mad" for staying, while he remains determined to keep his home. Why the Audio 21 is Critical for Learners Official Website or Publisher : Sometimes, the publisher's
Listening to the audio version of Practice and Progress Lesson 21 provides several pedagogical benefits that go beyond simple reading. 1. Mastering the Passive Voice
Lesson 21 heavily utilizes the passive voice to describe the impact of the airport on the narrator’s life.
Examples: "passing planes can be heard," "it could not be used then," "over a hundred people must have been driven away," and "this house will be knocked down".
Audio Benefit: Hearing these structures spoken by native speakers helps learners internalize the natural rhythm and stress of passive constructions, which can often feel "clunky" when only read on the page. 2. Pronunciation and Intonation
The audio allows students to hear the correct pronunciation of key vocabulary such as determined, airport, sum, and mad. More importantly, it demonstrates the intonation of storytelling—how a narrator uses pauses and pitch to convey frustration or resolve. 3. Transition from Controlled to Natural Speed
As a pre-intermediate course, the audio for Lesson 21 is typically recorded at a speed that is clear but approximates natural speech. This helps train the ear to catch "liaison" (linking words together) and "assimilation" (how sounds change in connected speech). Practical Exercises for Lesson 21
To get the most out of the "Practice and Progress Audio 21," learners should engage in the following active listening strategies: How to improve your spoken English: 8 tips ‹ EF GO Blog
Write down the entire text of Lesson 21 by hand while listening to the audio at 0.75x speed. Check your punctuation. Where does the narrator use a full stop vs. an ellipsis? Punctuation in audio reveals breathing patterns.
Track numbering and content can differ between printings and publishers; always match the audio to the specific Practice and Progress edition you’re using to ensure alignment with textbook exercises.
Related search suggestions provided.
In the sentence, "Dead men do bleed," the auxiliary verb "do" is usually weak (schwa sound). However, in the punchline, the narrator stresses "do" heavily (rising pitch). The audio forces you to hear the difference between declarative ("They bleed") and contradictory ("They do bleed").
Once you have mastered the standard use of Audio 21, challenge yourself further.
Disclaimer: Always respect copyright laws. The official publisher is Longman (Pearson Education).
Option 1: Official Apps (Recommended) Pearson has digitized the New Concept English series. Search for "New Concept English App" on iOS or Android. Lesson 21 is typically free to preview, or you can purchase the full Practice and Progress audio pack for ~$15.
Option 2: YouTube (Free but fragmented)
Many ESL teachers have uploaded the raw audio. Search the exact string New Concept English Lesson 21 audio on YouTube. Look for channels with high subscriber counts to ensure the recording is the authentic British English version (Martin Jarvis or similar narrators).
Option 3: Audiobook Platforms Audible and Google Play Books often sell the entire Practice and Progress audiobook bundle. Search ISBN: 978-0582520460 (for the classic edition).
Close the book. Listen to Audio 21 three times.
If you are going to use a passage of embarrassing hidden in the middle of text