Elderly couple wins big and the reaction is priceless
This is the «million dollar question»… and it’s great for level testing in English, so, I’ve heard quite a few responses. MUCH to my surprise… when I interview a group of people who happen to work in a bank… well, what do you think, are their responses similar? AS a matter of fact, they are. And I must say, quite similar to what this elderly couple has done, with a few differences.
When I use this for level testing – I’m looking for your use of the conditional. This is the classic 2nd condition, which seems to be so difficult for most. The use of the past to speak about something hypothetical. hmmm.
Try using this model, and let’s see your responses. I’m not looking for honesty, I’m looking for a good laugh, or creativity, or just a good conversation.
What would you do if you won two million Euros?
If I won (past simple) to million Euros, I would go (would + infinitive without to) on a trip around the world.
NOW I’VE USED THAT ANSWER – so you can’t! Please… try and not repeat previous answers 🙂
Suggestions for more comment: comment on the Banfield’s reaction to their win. The vocab is actually quite good for practice!
Link to original article in the Mirror: Britain’s oldest lottery winners are staying put in house they bought for £2,000
Text for original article:
EXCLUSIVE Dennis Banfield, 87, and wife Shirley, 83, who scooped an £18million jackpot, have been married for 60 years and lived in the same house in Winterbourne, Glos, for most of them.
They could have bought a mansion, but Britain’s oldest lottery winners are returning to their modest home of 57 years – after spending four months living in a budget hotel.
Dennis Banfield, 87, and wife Shirley, 83, have been married for 60 years and lived in the same house for most of them.
They scooped an £18million jackpot in February, but rather than move into a plush new pad, the couple have opted to renovate their family home.
They brought up their two daughters there after buying the property in 1961 – when the average house in Winterbourne, Glos, cost just £2,000.
Speaking outside the hotel yesterday, the couple said they are looking forward to moving back into their home before Christmas.
Shirley said: “We decided to stay in the house and just have the whole of the inside of it completely redone.
“We’ve been there for 57 years now. We know the area, the house is not overlooked, it’s got a lovely big driveway.
“We’ve gone back to see it as it’s been done up.
“There’s still a bit of a way to go on it, but we’re hoping to move back in within the next fortnight – we’ll definitely be back in in time for Christmas.”
The three-bed property has a current estimated market value of £316,000.
The front garden is still full of fittings that have been torn out for the renovations and a large skip in the front garden is full of plasterboard – with a decorator’s van and a skip parked outside.
But the generous couple, who have given away a lot of their winnings to charity, revealed they are simply looking forward to moving back and spending a quiet Christmas at home with family.
That includes their daughters – with whom they split their lottery winnings.
The elderly couple also revealed they had told Tina, 55, and Karen, 52, that they always played for them, to secure their future.
The Banfields split the money three ways, Tina and Karen getting just over £6million each, with Dennis and Shirley keeping the remaining third for themselves.
Shirley said: “They have both bought new houses with their share of the money. It means a lot to us to know they are looked after.”
As to their own share, Shirley explained: “We’ve given a lot of it away in lump sums.
“We’ve been able to give to the cancer units, to the children’s hospital, as well as helping out our community in Winterbourne – and giving to the chapel and the community association.
“I wouldn’t say the money has changed us – it’s only prompted us to better other people.
“We can’t exactly go jetting off on a round-the-world adventure at our age.”
However, when the couple won the £18,139,352 jackpot in February, Dennis had to wipe away tears of joy as his family revealed it was he who had bought the ticket form his local shop.
Dennis, who worked for 40 years at South Western Electricity Board, said at the time: “All that has ever mattered to Shirley and I is that the girls are OK. To know they are, is a wonderful feeling.”
He added: “While I didn’t think I would be interested in a new car, it is rather tempting.
“Although, with my dodgy knee, I might need to get a chauffeur to go with the car.”
Meanwhile, the search for the winner of a £76million lotto prize is intensifying, with just days to go till the 5pm Sunday deadline.
The winning ticket was bought in the Boston and Skegness region of Lincolnshire for the November 2 draw.