Listening Basics part 2 (2) / New Listening Basics part 2

5. Hobby or Obsession?

A. Words an obsession

to be obsessed awesome

a workout an ancestor a B movie

B. You are going to hear Dave, Jane, Sarah, and Tim talking about their hobbies. Listen to a section of each of the four interviews and try to guess what their hobbies are.

Dave - _________________________

Jane - __________________________

Sarah - _________________________

Tim - __________________________

C. Listen to all of each interview. Did you guess the hobbies correctly? Make notes about their hobbies and how long they have been doing them.

D. Discuss whether Dave, Jane, Sarah, and Tim are describing hobbies or

obsessions.

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E. Here are some of the things that the speakers‘ friends and families have said about their hobbies. Put the name of the speaker referred to next to each comment.

1.―If only she‘d do something different too – at least on the weekend!‖ - ___________________

2.―He‘s always watching them. If only he were interested in something more normal.‖ - ___________________

3.―It‘s definitely an obsession. You know he even watches it on

TV when he‘s seen it live!‖ - ___________________

4.―It can‘t be good for you to do it so often.‖ -

___________________

5.―It‘s boring. All they do is throw a ball around. I wish he spent more time with me.‖ - ___________________

6.―I wish it were more exciting. I just can‘t see the point of digging up the past.‖ - ___________________

7.―She looks terrific! I just wish I could be that disciplined.‖ -

___________________

8.―He‘s absolutely right. They are the best things on TV.‖ -

___________________

F. Now listen to the recording and check your answers.

G. What would you do if you had such relatives or friends?

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6. Having a Dog as a Gift

A. Would you be happy to have a pet as a holiday gift? What would you do seeing such a ―cute‖ surprise?

B. Listen to the following information and fill in the table below.

Challenges of having a dog as a holiday gift

Advantages of having such a gift

Disadvantages of such a gift

The best way-out

7. Favorite Gripes

Listen to two people discussing these topics. Complete the chart.

1.Taxi drivers

2.People with dogs

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3.TV commercials

4.Store clerks

8. It Really Bugs Me!

A. Words

Make sure you know the following words from the dialog: to ban

to make a fuss ridiculous cruel

to get promoted

B. Listen to people giving their opinions about current issues in the news. What issues are they talking about? Then listen again. What opinions do you hear for and against each issue?

Part V. Speaking

1. On the Spot!

A. The following chart lists behaviors and fashions that are popular among some young people in some cultures. In the You column, write "+" if you approve of these things and "-" if you disapprove. Do the same thing in the column marked Your parents.

B. Discuss your choices with your classmates.

1.Why do you approve or disapprove of an item?

2.In which cases do you agree with your parents? Disagree?

3.Are there items where your opinion is different for males and females?

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2. Role-play

In groups of two or more, act out the following situations. Each skit should

end with a resolution of the problem.

a.A man can‘t choose between two girlfriends (or a woman between two boyfriends). S/he goes to a psychologist and lists the positive and negative qualities of both. The psychologist helps him/her decide.

b.A husband and a wife are shopping for a car. He wants one type (for example, a sports model), she wants another (for example, a truck). They both make a case for the one they want, based on logic and their preferences. Finally, they make a decision.

c.You have arranged to go on holiday with a friend. A friend is keen on a beach holiday, but you prefer to go walking in the mountains. Ask your friend about his/her reasons for wanting to go to the beach. Persuade him/her to go on the mountain holiday instead and justify your reasons for suggesting this.

d.You are at a disco with a friend and you are not enjoying it. It's too crowded and the music isn't very good. You want to go home, but your friend wants to stay because she/he has seen someone she/he likes. You don't want to leave her/him on her/his own, and you only have half of the taxi fare home. Explain why you want to leave and try to persuade her/him to come. Suggest a solution to the problem.

e.You have just passed your driving test and your parents have offered to buy you a small car. You tell them you really want a motorbike, but they don't think it's safe enough. Try and persuade

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them to buy you a motorbike. Explain why you feel a motorbike

would be better for your needs.

3. Expressing Preferences

A.What things do you like to do on holiday? Put the list of activities in order of preference.

a.lie on the beach and get a good suntan

b.do lots of water sports

c.explore the region on your own

d.visit historical places

e.go shopping

f.eat at exotic restaurants

g.go diving

h.go on organized excursions

B.Now compare your list with another student's. Imagine you are going on holiday together. Try to come to an agreement about the four things you most want to do.

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4. Planning a Meal

A. Words

Make sure you know the following words: appetizers

aperitifs salad soup

side dishes dessert beverages garnishes main dishes second course first course

cordials (after-dinner drinks)

B. In groups, you will plan a meal. The meal should be for a special foreign visitor to your country. Maybe the visitor is just a friend, maybe a business partner, maybe a dignitary. Your group will decide.

You‘ll want to put together a meal that will be delicious and representative of the culture and tradition of your country.

You‘ll also want to be sensitive. If your visitor is Hindu, you don‘t want to serve beef. If your visitor is Muslim or Jewish, you don‘t want to serve pork. And perhaps your visitor is vegetarian. About 4.6 million Americans are vegetarian.

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What if the visitor is allergic to some ingredient? What if the person is a diabetic? It‘s important to take such contingencies into account and have a back-up plan.

Some things you might want to consider: Who will be there? Where will your meal be? Indoors? Outdoors? How will the table be set? What special decoration will you have? What time will you eat? Morning? Evening? Afternoon? Night? How long will the meal last?

C. As a group, plan your menu, and describe how and when dishes will be served. You‘ll give this presentation to the rest of the class. Visual aids are welcome.

5. Eat to Live or Live to Eat?

Read the questionnaire on your eating habits. Answer the questions honestly without much thinking. The teacher will later comment on the results.

1. When you buy food, which is most important?

a. appearance b. price c. quality

3. When you have a meal, what do you enjoy it most for?

a. the food b. the company c. the relaxation d. the TV

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4. If you were stranded on a desert island, which food would you miss

5. If a waiter suggests water, which do you ask for?

a. bottled b. tap

6. When you look at the menu in a restaurant, what do you usually choose?

7. If you‘re having dinner in a restaurant, will you always have a desert?

8. If someone offered the following unusual food, which would you

9. If someone suggested a quick meal, what would you choose?

a. fast food b. a sandwich c. a picnic d. something more substantial

10. What would you be happiest to leave out of your present diet?