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  • Feifei: Hello, I'm Feifei, and this is The English We Speak

  • I'm with Rob. Hi Rob, how are you?

  • Rob: Hi Feifei... I'm fine but I just can't understand

  • why you've brought me to a railway station.

  • Feifei: Isn't that obvious?

  • Rob: No. And what's that piece of paper

  • you're waving in your hand?

  • Feifei: Oh this? This is a ticket.

  • Rob: A ticket. Why would you bring me to

  • a railway station and show me a ticket?

  • It's cold and we could be in a warm studio presenting

  • this programme. And anyway, don't you know

  • it's my birthday

  • and we're supposed to be going out to celebrate later?

  • Feifei: I know it's your birthday,

  • you told me last week and you said something about

  • wanting a present that was 'just the ticket'.

  • So here it is.

  • Rob: Oh Feifei - I didn't want a ticket -

  • when I said 'just the ticket' I meant I wanted

  • something that was exactly what I wanted or needed:

  • You know... A camera, a computer game or maybe

  • a nice bottle of whisky.

  • Feifei: Oh right, I see.

  • Rob: Oh dear, what a wasted trip Feifei.

  • But now we're here, let's hear some more examples

  • of the phrase 'just the ticket'...

  • Examples: Oh I feel terrible: I've got a cold

  • and my nose it blocked but a drink of hot honey

  • and lemon would be just the ticket

  • to make me feel better.

  • I think a new art gallery will be just the ticket

  • for improving the image of the town

  • and encouraging more people to visit.

  • Our car has got seven seats, so it's just the ticket

  • for taking all the kids to football practice every week.

  • Feifei: So that's 'just the ticket' -

  • which describes something that exactly

  • what is wanted or needed.

  • OK Rob, so you wanted something for your birthday

  • that was 'just the ticket' - well you're looking at it.

  • Rob: You Feifei?

  • Feifei: No Rob. This ticket in my hand.

  • Have you actually looked at it?

  • Rob: OK let me see...

  • Wow! A train ticket to Paris,

  • for me? That's really generous of you.

  • Thanks Feifei! When do we go?

  • Feifei: We? No, it's just one ticket -

  • I couldn't afford two. Now look, the train's about

  • to leave so you had better go. Have a good trip!

  • Rob: Oh right. I'll be off then. Bye.

  • Feifei: Bye Rob.

  • Phew, two days in the office without Rob -

  • that is 'just the ticket' for me!

Feifei: Hello, I'm Feifei, and this is The English We Speak

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