Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie discuss how the city of Paris is getting ready to host the Olympic Games. There is the vexing problem of getting the Seine cleaned up in time for the swimming events. Patrice has some interesting tongue-in-cheek solutions for the athletes...
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie discuss the recent government decision to ban students from wearing abayas in schools, since they're considered a religious symbol.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie discuss the latest scourge that threatens to affect the Olympic Games in Paris, among other things: bedbugs! This current threat has Sophie paranoid and Patrice cracking a few jokes.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie discuss the 2023 Rugby World Cup finals held at the Stade de France. Despite hosting the games, France didn't win—which to Sophie suggests that the organizers didn't manage to pay off the referees!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie gripe about the Paris metro price hike, which they agree is a very bad move. Unfortunately, Patrice has a metro train to catch!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice tells Sophie about the "noble art" of boxing and why it received that name. Then Sophie shares her opinions about the sport.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie has just bought a deck of Marseille tarot cards, which she's very excited about. However, Patrice is a little skeptical, since Marseille is "renowned for its lies." He references the expression C'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille (The sardine blocked the port of Marseille), referring to its inhabitants' supposed tendency to exaggerate.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie discuss Anne Hidalgo's contribution to the city of Paris. As mayor, she is a controversial figure best known for banning cars from the banks of the Seine. Many Parisians either love her or hate her.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Like many French people, Sophie and Alexandre are totally sick of the rain. Besides, Sophie always ends up with wet shoes and frizzy hair. Alexandre has some good tips for her.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
September is a special time in France called la rentrée, when students and workers get back into the swing of things and possibly the dreariness of the work and study routine. Alexandre dreads this time of year while Sophie embraces it as an opportunity for starting afresh.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie and Alexandre talk about the French overseas territories (les outres-mers). Their idyllic settings belie a host of problems such as radioactivity left from nuclear tests in the Pacific, and income disparity between French settlers and indigenous people.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie and Alexandre admit to having read their horoscopes in magazines from time to time but they don't take it too seriously. And yet... they both agree that the planets influence our destinies.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie and Alexandre talk about their lives as actors, which is not as easy or glamorous as one might think. In order to receive benefits, casual workers in the entertainment industry have to work a total of 507 hours over a year, which is difficult when there isn't steady work.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie and Alexandre are wondering whether they should drink bottled water or tap water. Which one is healthier and which one is better for the environment?
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie and Alexandre are talking about the French tradition of the galette des rois (kings' cake). Will Sophie get the trinket this time?
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