Fireworks

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. You are Rob…

Rob And you are Feifei. Hello!

Feifei So, another year over, Rob.

Rob Yes and what a year it’s been - and there’s just one more thing to do before the next year begins. Party!

Feifei Yes, New Year means party season - so are you going to a party, Rob?

Rob Yeah, Richard’s invited me to his New Year bash at his house. Everyone’s going - apart from you of course. And I’ve even invited Zhong.

Feifei Oh dear.

Rob Why do you say that?

Feifei Well, if she goes, there will be fireworks.

Rob Fireworks! Great!

Feifei Not great, Rob. When we say there will be ‘fireworks’ we don’t always mean the colourful exploding things we see in the sky. Sometimes ‘fireworks’ describes a lot of angry shouting. So if Zhong turned up at the party, there’s bound to be some shouting and arguing.

Here are some more examples of fireworks…

Examples The fireworks started when I told her what I really thought about her boyfriend!

Argh! I’m going to be late again. The boss is going to be furious when I get to work. There’s going to be fireworks!

There’s a public meeting about the new building plans tonight - and there’s bound to be fireworks!

Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And I’m with Rob, who’s off to a party where there might be fireworks… that’s a lot of angry shouting. Enjoy the party, Rob!

Rob Thanks. So why might there be lots of shouting?

Feifei Well, Zhong is Richard’s ex-girlfriend. Their relationship didn’t end well.

Rob Oh dear. The situation sounds a bit ‘explosive’. Maybe it won’t be such a happy New Year. Errr, what are your plans, Feifei?

Feifei Me? Well I’m meeting my good friends by the river in London to watch the real fireworks - they’re always amazing.

Rob So, there’ll be no angry shouting?

Feifei Nope. Just cheering and laughter.

Rob Sounds great. Maybe I could join you?

Feifei Errr, go on then as it’s New Year’s Eve.

Rob Great - it looks like our New Year celebrations will go with a bang!