Unit 20 This just in…
Vocabulary Task
Answers
1. Teen pregnancy is causing concern among doctors.
2. the mayor will promote stricter gun laws to reduce crime.
3. Many modern families are single-parent households.
4. Experts say that crime among young people is caused by violence in movies.
5. Teachers say more money is needed for education.
6. A famous rock star is being treated for drug addiction.
7. Children are under pressure to succeed at a young age.
8. The police are against lowering the drinking age.
Listening Task
1 First Listening
Answers
1. gun laws 3. drinking age
2. modern families 4. drug addiction
2 Second Listening
Answers
1. banning guns
2. having children without being married
3. the cause for lower numbers of drunk driving accidents
4. how to deal with drug addicts
Script
1. A: Oh, no, not again! Another high school shooting.
B: You’ve got to be kidding!
A: Nope. According to this article in the newspaper, five people were hurt. I think it’s about time we banned guns, don’t you?
B: Well, I’m for stricter laws, but if you ban guns, only criminals will have guns. Besides, the Constitution gives us the right to own them.
A: Yeah, but how many lives do we have to lose before we realize it’s not a good law?
2. A: Oh, my gosh, that Medusa is having another baby and she’s not even married.
B: Oh, grandma, you’re still living in the dark ages. What’s wrong with that? Lots of people are having kids without getting married.
A: Yes, well, it’s people like her that cause it. They make terrible role models for the younger generations.
B: I suppose you don’t agree with people living together before marriage, either!
A: I certainly don’t. people just don’t seem to have the family values they did when I was young.
3. A: This is good news. It says that the number of drunk driving accidents has gone down.
B: Good! Maybe they’ll lower the drinking age now.
A: You’re not serious, are you? I think the reason accidents have decreased is that they’ve raised the age limit.
B: Uuh-uh, no. I think it’s because of taxes on alcohol. It’s gotten so expensive. No one can afford to drink anymore.
A: Yeah, that’s it.
4. A: My gosh! They want to spend my tax dollars on another drug treatment center!
B: I think that’s great! Our town really needs that.
A: What do you mean? If these people had jobs they wouldn’t be doing drugs.
B: Most of these people do have jobs, and good ones. Addiction is a disease that needs to be treated by professionals.
A: Whatever! I still think they should get a job!
Real World Listening
1 Predict
Answers
1. Parents are hurting their children by pushing them before they are ready.
2. Kids will not work hard without a little pressure (they will watch TV and play games if left alone).
3. Kids who can do what they want may develop abilities in that area.
2 Get the main ideas
Answers
Christina: Parents should not pressure their kids.
Eric: Kids need a little pressure to succeed.
Julia: Parents should encourage children to excel at something the children like.
Script
Teacher: So, what do you think about parents putting too much pressure on their kids? Should they pressure them? Let’s hear some of your opinions. Anybody? Christina?
Christina: I see lots of parents trying to teach their kids to read before they go to school. They should just let their kids play and have fun before they start school. If the kids don’t start reading or whatever early, they’ll feel bad, like they let down their parents. They’re only hurting their children by pushing them to learn before they’re ready.
Teacher: Good idea. Eric, how about you?
Eric: You know, parents want what’s best for their children. I mean, kids need their parents to make decisions for them at such a young age. Without a little push from their parents, kids just sit in front of their Tv sets or their computer games all day. So I think parents should pressure their kids a little, but be sensitive to their needs, too. I mean, they should let them play some of the time!
Teacher: Great idea. How about you, Julia?
Julia: Maybe If they just let the kids do some of what they want and then encourage them to get better at it…and excel at the things they like.
Teacher: All great ideas. Now let’s get into our groups and discuss this.
Her voice is very pleasing
It was difficult for her to accept the truth.
We had to pay a big proportion of our wages in tax. |