Prova d’ascolto (B2) – Cosa faceva il senzatetto al McDonald’s? Ascoltate il testo e rispondete alle domande in inglese.
Audio PlayerThe homeless man at McDonald’s
- How did the man get the speaker’s attention?
- What did the speaker make him think twice?
- How did the man seem to him?
- What was his first thought about the man?
- What was the man doing in front of the restaurant?
- Why is the speaker sceptical of giving money?
- What did the speaker offer the man?
- When did the speaker smile?
- What did the man ask the assistant for?
- What do we hear about the man’s family?
- Where does he sleep?
- Why does the speaker want to post his photo?
- What are the people who know the speaker will be sure about?
- In which country did the story take place?
- What does the speaker hope?
source:Facebook/dailydoseofkindness
The homeless man at McDonald’s
This evening after work, I was approached by this guy in the car park of the shopping centre. As I sat in my car, he tapped on the window and said, excuse me sir but can you spare some change for a burger, I’m homeless! My first reaction was, “No mate I’m sorry I’ve no change.”
His polite reply was” No problem, sir and thanks very much, I apologise for asking you, have a great day” and it made me think twice as he walked off across the car park. I paused for a minute, then looked to see where he was walking too. He actually walked towards McDonald’s in the square. To me, this guy seemed genuine and hungry. My first thought, he’s maybe a junkie, a drug addict looking to score his next fix. I drove out of the shopping centre and across to McDonald’s after him, to witness him looking on the ground for any coins in front of the restaurant. I pulled up beside him and said, sorry mate but sometimes I’m sceptical of giving money to people who seem to be homeless and ask for spare change, my reason is, that I think people just use the money for their next dose of drugs or alcohol. I apologised and I asked him If it was OK, if I buy him a burger in McDonald’ and his reply was, “Thank you so much.” I parked up my car and walked into McDonald’s with this guy, who I now know as Nathan. I asked him his name and told him to order what you want off the menu. He ordered a Big Mac Meal, and the customer assistant asked, “Would you like to go large?”.
Nathan looked at me and I smiled, I said, “Go ahead mate, no problem.” He even had the manners to ask. Nathan couldn’t stop saying thanks and when receiving his €6.99 meal, he was so polite in asking the customer assistant for salt and ketchup. I asked Nathan if was it OK if I joined him, we sat down and chatted for a few minutes. Nathan told me he lost his brother two years ago and his sister took her own life a month ago. He is now sleeping rough at the back of a school or college, in a sleeping bag! My heart went out to this guy. I asked Nathan if it was OK to take his picture and post it up here to bring to the attention of the public that, not all homeless people are junkies, or thieves or beggars. Some are genuinely suffering and need support. Where’s he going to get his next meal from and what challenges does he continue to face daily? It only took 20 minutes of my time and a few euros to help this lad and actually sit and speak with him for a bit. When I got up to leave, he said, “Thanks so much and God Bless You!” Those few words meant a lot to me.
Now I know there will be a few trolls who will think, I’m trying to be a hero. Well, anyone who really knows me, will be sure I’m not. I’m just trying to give one of our own Irish citizens a dig-out. Who knows when your luck could change? Never judge a book by its cover! Maybe my encounter will give people a different view on life.
Key:
The homeless man at McDonald’s
- He tapped on the window of his car.
- The man’s polite reply/apology.
- Genuine and hungry.
- He’s a drug addict.
- Looking for coins on the ground.
- He thinks it will be used for drugs or alcohol.
- To buy him a burger.
- When the assistant asked if they wanted a large burger and the man looked at him.
- Salt and ketchup.
- He lost his brother two years ago, his sister took her own life a month ago.
- At the back of a school or college, in a sleeping bag.
- To tell the public that not all homeless people are junkies/thieves/beggars. OR: Some are (genuinely suffering) and need support.
- He’s not trying to be a hero.
- Ireland.
- His encounter/story will give people a different view on life.
