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  • Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak,

  • with you Rob...

  • Rob: ...and you, Feifei.

  • Feifei: Hey Rob, how are you enjoying your new life

  • in the countryside?

  • Rob: It's great Feifei. When I get home at night,

  • I get to smell the fresh air and look out on green fields.

  • Yes, the country life is for me.

  • Feifei: But come on Rob, you must miss the bright lights

  • and the excitement of living in the city?

  • Rob: Well, I get that by coming to work right here

  • in the centre of London. I have a great night out

  • and then slip off to the peace and quiet of the country.

  • Perfect!

  • Feifei: Perfect? I don't think so -

  • the countryside is too quiet.

  • The city is the only place for me.

  • Rob: No way. I've got the best of both worlds -

  • excitement in the city, relaxation in the country.

  • Feifei: The best of the both worlds -

  • you think you get the advantages of two very different

  • things at the same time.

  • Rob: Yes that's right. Let's hear some examples

  • of the phrase 'the best of both worlds' in action...

  • Examples: Working part-time means I get the best of

  • both worlds: time with the kids and a steady income.

  • Our hotel is by the beach

  • and just a short train ride away from the city,

  • so we get the best of both worlds.

  • We get the best of both worlds with our new car:

  • excellent fuel efficiency

  • and great acceleration and speed.

  • Feifei: So the phrase 'the best of both worlds'

  • means you have the benefits of two different

  • things and none of the disadvantages.

  • But surely Rob there must be some negative things

  • about living in the country?

  • Rob: Such as?

  • Feifei: No shops, no pubs or clubs,

  • having a long commute to work every day.

  • Rob: I can cope - anyway, commuting by train is fine -

  • time to relax and shake off the stress of the city.

  • Feifei: Maybe not today Rob.

  • Rob: Why?

  • Feifei: My news feed says there's been a major signal

  • failure - all trains to your village are cancelled!

  • Rob: Cancelled? Grrr. So I can't get home!

  • Err, any chance I could sleep on your sofa tonight?

  • Feifei: Ha, so maybe it's not always possible

  • to have the best of BOTH worlds Rob?

  • Rob: Maybe!

  • Feifei: Bye.

  • Rob: Bye.

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak,

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