It’s World Cup fi nal day, but you have to fi nish your thesis. The TV is on behind you and you turn around every time you hear ‘Goal!’ so you can at least watch the action replay.

After dinner, the family passes round a box of assorted chocolates with a description of each variety on the lid. You’re looking for a dark and nutty one.

You’re browsing the UK tourist website for the place where you’ll be studying English for a month this summer, wondering how much you’ll enjoy the city.

You’re following a secret recipe for an amazing apple cake which is rather complicated, but hopefully worth the effort.

You’re driving your sister to her friend’s house in an unfamiliar part of town for a party. She’s lost the map her friend gave her, so you ask her to call for directions from your mobile phone as you turn off the motorway.

You hear a short radio report about local reactions to a new by-pass being built in your area. You believe the road will have a positive impact on your community and listen to confi rm your opinion.

You read a letter from a long-lost friend, telling you all about her life these days.

Your head teacher is explaining why you must teach class 2D again this term. You’d prefer a change, and are hanging on his every word, thinking up counter-arguments as he talks.

You listen to some pop music on the 50-minute commute to school, just staring out of the window, enjoying the tunes and the lyrics.

Your son tells you all about his day while you’re chopping vegetables. When he fi nishes, you say: ‘It sounds like you had a good day at school then. And I’m glad you had fun this afternoon, too.’

You spend a cosy afternoon on the sofa at home with your favourite magazine.

The message on your answer phone is from your boss, telling you he’s leaving the company unexpectedly. You need to know how to react to him when you see him the next day – whether to congratulate or commiserate.

You look for your friend’s email address in the address book of your computer.