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English by Accident — Meet the Characters
Audio Introduction · 2 of 3

Meet Nadia

Who is she?
Nadia
International student · Economics · Lives two doors from Atti

Nadia is an international student studying economics at the same university as Atti. She lives two doors down from him in the student residence, which she considers either convenient or unfortunate depending on the day. She is dry, precise, and does not suffer fools — though she makes occasional exceptions. When Atti asked her to record a bio for his class project, she said fine. He owed her a favour anyway. She recorded it in one take.

1
Listen: Nadia’s Introduction
Listen first, then read the transcript. Notice how Nadia’s style is different from both Atti and Ellie.
Gap-fill: Five words have been removed from Nadia’s bio. Choose the correct word for each gap as you read.
tend to selective exception genuinely accurate

“Attila asked me to record this. So. Here I am.”

“My name is Nadia. I am not going to tell you my surname — this is the internet, and I have principles. I am an international student, same as Attila, and I live in the same student residence. This is either good luck or bad luck, depending on the day.”

“I keep to myself. I don’t mean that in an unfriendly way — I just find that most social situations require more energy than they give back, and I prefer to be about where I put that energy. Attila is an . He is exhausting, but he is also kind, which is a rare combination.”

“I am studying economics. I chose it because it is useful and because I am good at it. I know that is not a very romantic reason. I don’t have a romantic reason. I find that people who study things for romantic reasons often struggle when the reality doesn’t match the idea they had. I prefer to go in with expectations.”

“If you are listening to this for a class project — hello. I hope the project goes well. Attila, if you are listening — you’re welcome.”

📖 Language Note: Nadia’s English

Nadia’s style is dry and economical — she uses short sentences, precise word choices, and no unnecessary words. Notice how she says “So. Here I am.” — two very short sentences that do a lot of work. This kind of controlled understatement is common in formal written English and in British deadpan humour.

Atti has questions about some of her words too. As always. See the activity below — but be warned: Nadia doesn’t just give answers.

2
Help Atti
He has questions. Nadia has conditions.

Atti texts Nadia about her bio. He has questions about some of her words. Nadia answers — but she doesn’t just give him the answers. She makes him think first. Choose the best response as Atti for each exchange.

💬 Word 1 of 2 — “tend to”
Nadia WhatsApp
Atti
Hey — “I tend to keep to myself.” What is tend to? Is it like… a habit?
8:03 PM
Nadia
Close. But I’m not going to just tell you. Give me a sentence using “tend to” and I’ll tell you if you’re right.
8:04 PM
A I tend to forget my umbrella and then it rains.
B Yesterday I tend to stay up too late.
C I am tending to like coffee in the morning.
Atti
I tend to forget my umbrella and then it rains.
8:06 PM
Nadia
Correct. See — you didn’t need me to explain it.
8:07 PM
tend to (verb phrase) — to do something regularly or as a habit, often without planning to. “She tends to arrive early.” · “I tend to overthink things.”

💬 Word 2 of 2 — “selective”
Nadia WhatsApp
Atti
And selective? You said you are selective about energy. Is this like… you choose carefully?
8:09 PM
Nadia
Yes. And what’s the noun?
8:10 PM
A Select?
B Selection.
C Selectiveness?
Atti
Selection.
8:12 PM
Nadia
Selection. Good. Now use “selective” in a sentence about yourself.
8:12 PM
Atti
I am selective about… which lectures I go to? 😬
8:14 PM
Nadia
Honest, at least.
8:14 PM
selective (adjective) — careful about what you choose; not accepting everything. The noun is selection. “She is very selective about the films she watches.”

Up next: Ellie Marsh. Attila asked Ellie the same day he asked me. He asked me first. I mention this only as a fact.