6 Minute English / Birthday cakes

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I m Neil.

And I m Beth. [Singing] Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday dear Neil Happy birthday to you!

Erm thank you, Beth but it s not my birthday.

I know, but this programme is all about birthdays or birthday cakes to be precise.

Ah yes, the highlight of any birthday party is the birthday cake, blowing out the candles and making a wish.

Right. But things have changed a lot from the days when most birthday cakes were homemade made at home and not bought from a shop. Nowadays many birthday cakes are works of art extravagant, edible creations designed and decorated to represent the person celebrating their birthday.

In this programme we ll be hearing from two bakers a famous TV chef who bakes simple but tasty cakes, and another who s designed personalised birthday cakes for celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. And, as usual, we ll be learning some useful new vocabulary as well.

Sounds good. But first I have a question for you, Neil. Everyone looks forward to their birthday, especially if there s cake, but according to the UK s Office for National Statistics, which is the most common month to be born? Is it:

a) March?b) July? or,c) September?