News in Slow English

2nd June 2025

Which idioms can you hear? Here are the meanings:

1. feeling ill - under the _____________
2a. told a secret  - spill the _________
2b. told a secret - let the cat ____ of the ______
3. to not believe someone - to pull someone's _______
4. to happen rarely - once in a blue _________
5. not take something seriously - take something with a pinch of ________
6. go to bed - hit the ______

Listening Skills

Idioms!

A cover letter from James Bond applying to be Special Agent 007.

James Bond
12 Adelaide Street
C/O Connections @ St. Martin’s
London WC2N 4HW
23rd October 2018
Dear Sir or Madam,
Please consider me for the position of Special Agent
007.
I was educated at Eton College, England and studied
Oriental languages at Cambridge University. As well
as Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese I speak
French, German and Italian fluently.
I believe the world is heading for disaster if we do
not act fast to save it. In my opinion, the most
important work of all is the safety and security of the world and especially the protection of
our children. However, although a pacifist at heart, I am able to assassinate quickly and
quietly, if needed.
I have served as a British Intelligence Officer since 1998 and have been living and working in
many dangerous environments around the world.
I trained with the Special Boat Service in the UK. As a commando I have served in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and Bosnia where I saved 100 men single-handedly. I also served with the
Special Forces in Indonesia, China and North Korea.
I am fully computer literate and can multi-task, completing many tasks simultaneously. I am
skilled with all types of weapons including machine guns, sub-machine guns, sniper rifles
and pistols. Furthermore, I am an expert in all kinds of martial arts including Judo, Jujitsu
and Kung Fu. In addition, I am a qualified pilot. I can also drive cars and motorbikes very
fast.
In my spare time I enjoy running, swimming, diving, sky diving, skiing, jet skiing and rock
climbing. I also enjoy playing poker.
I attach my C.V for your attention and look forward to hearing from you soon,
Yours sincerely,
James Bond