Copyright 1996

part of many cultures it can be difficult
you going to say
7
for some people to realize they're not
S
You're right There are problems

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Hcn\ e\ er. there are a couple of things that
cities are pretty safe compared with th>
amid be used in his favour One is his
counterparts in other parts of the world
]e\ el of English and the other is the
it is still important to be aware of the
question of w ho packed his case for him
safety precautions Australians would
A I'm surprised to hear that lack of English
never think of omitting If you are used
could be a defence I always thought that
a less urbanized lifestyle, there may be
not knowing the language of the country
some things that are taken for granted
made no difference in considering
here, but which might never have
whether a person had broken the law or
occurred to you.
not
For example, locking up — an essential
S Of course that's true, but in this case we
part of daily life' If you live in a Hall ol
will be trying to convince the magistrate
Residence, this will not be such a
that this student's inability to understand
problem You have only to ensure that
spoken English was the reason why he
your room is locked when you leave —
couldn't answer the customs officer's
and that you have the key on you If,
questions and we hope that he'll accept
however, you share a house or flat, thci
this defence
it's essential to check all the doors and
A But if he were going to study at
windows before you go out for the da)
University here, wouldn't his English
Statistics show that most burglaries
have to be pretty good'
happen during daylight hours, when th
S Apparently his written English wasn't
occupiers are out Even if you think yoi
too bad, but like most new arm als, he
house or flat is securely bolted and
couldn't understand the Australian
barred, don't leave a lot of money msid<
accent
The safest place for your cash is the ban
A I see, and what about the other point
Take out only enough for your immedi.i
about packing his luggage himself
needs and in that way you will avoid
S Well, of course, it's harder to make
disaster
someone responsible for the contents of
Furthermore, don't flourish large wads
their luggage if they didn't do their own
notes in public to impress your friends
packing and there are a number of
not everyone watching may be a friend
reasons w hy this student may not have
and while we're on the subject, keep
packed for himself
valuables-passport, jewellery under loc i
A Oh' What are they'
and key Better to be safe than sorry
1
S First of all, he told us he didn't get his
During the day, at school or college,
visa until after the course had started
never leave your handbag or wallet
This meant he had to get his bags packed
unattended, on a desk or in the library i
in a hurry and his mother helped him
classroom, say Most institutions will
She was most likely responsible for
warn you about this and although you
putting in the food items and in the rush
may think your fellow students are ver\
she may not have even got round to
honest people, there are always
telling him The food may have been
individuals you don't know about in
destined for relatives in Australia but
public places who may not be able to
some of it may also have been intended
resist temptation Likewise, always lock
for her son Remember, he was leaving
your car or bicycle and never leave any
home for the first time, travelling to a
valuables where they can be seen by
strange country and his mother probably
passers-by
imagined him feeling homesick and
Another important area where advice is
wanted to provide some comfort
often needed has to do with going out
A And she was probably worried about
alone at night Even in a comparatively
w hat on earth he would get to eat in a
safe city like Adelaide, there are places
foreign country'
where locals do not go unaccompanied .1
S 1 \.ictly
1
And this is the evidence I m
night They do not go into open parklam
using to build up some sort of defence
areas, for example, where lighting is
A Good luck
1
Let me know what happens
1
minimal and shadows deep Nor do the\
S OKI will
go down narrow streets or dark alleys
The most important rule here is to use
Section 4
commonsense Don't go anywhere that
Lecturer Although most Australian
could lead you into danger Keep to wid.

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well-lit streets where there are plenty of 
people And find out which areas of town
SPEAKING TEST 1 
STEVE AND MARIA
are no-go areas and avoid them
Phase 1
Wherever you go, don't take more money