Session 5

Welcome back to the kitchen of The White Elephant restaurant. Gordon is unusually happy. What's making him so cheerful - and how long will it last? Watch and learn some useful everyday phrases related to being happy

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    Activity 1

Activity 1

Drama: The White Elephant

Episode 5: Happy

Gordon the chef has had some good news which has made him unusually happy. Everyone is concerned about his cheerful mood but it's not long before he's back to his usual self. Watch this episode to find out what made him happy and what's made his cheerfulness so short-lived.

Watch the video and complete the activity

Show transcript Hide transcript

Ceilia
You seem... full of the joys of spring. Are you feeling OK Gordon?

Gordon
You mean happy? There is nothing wrong with being happy... now, where did I put the onions?

Ceilia
Do you think there is something a bit odd about Gordon today?

Mary
He's cheerful. He seems to be on cloud 9.

Ceilia
I wish he was on cloud 9!

Mary
Hi Gordon. Ceilia's worried about you... has something happened? You just seem very... happy.

Gordon
I am on top of the world actually... don't tell Ceilia but I might have a new job! I had an interview yesterday. 

Mary
Wow! I bet you're thrilled to bits.

Gordon
I am Mary - oh the idea of working in a proper restaurant, with customers who appreciate my food, and the pay's better too. Ah, that bit was music to my ears.

Peter
... music in your ears?

Gordon
Oh never mind. What do you want?

Peter
Customer on table 6 wants the raspberry Pavlova for dessert. (The office phone rings) I'll get that shall I? It's the Poison Ivy restaurant! ....aha... aha... ok... bye. They said, 'Sorry you haven't got the job - they've chosen someone better'.

Ceilia
Oh, let's all jump for joy shall we! Gordon is going to be with us a little bit longer.

Mary
Raspberry, Gordon?

Download

You can download the drama from our Unit 5 downloads page.

Vocabulary

full of the joys of spring
very happy / cheerful

on cloud 9
very happy

on top of the world
feeling happy because things are going well for you

thrilled to bits
excited and pleased

music to my ears
information that makes you happy / pleased

jump for joy
show great excitement / happiness

To do

See how much you understood from the story by answering these questions...

White Elephant quiz

3 Questions

How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 5?

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Credits

Gordon Grater: Neil Frost

Ceilia Spatula: Amina Zia

Peter Peppermill: Darren Benedict

Marigold Marcelo (Mary for short): Stacha Hicks

Written, produced and directed by: Rob Carter

More

You can find our other BBC Learning English dramas on our Drama page.

End of Session 5

Next time at The White Elephant restaurant, someone gets a nice surprise, which makes someone else a bit jealous - I wonder who that could be?

Session Vocabulary

  • full of the joys of spring
    very happy / cheerful

    on cloud 9
    very happy

    on top of the world
    feeling happy because things are going well for you

    thrilled to bits
    excited and pleased

    music to my ears
    information that makes you happy / pleased

    jump for joy
    show great excitement / happiness