Listening Practice Through Dictation 3 Transcripts, Exercises of English Language

Download Listening Practice Through Dictation 3 Transcripts and more Exercises English Language in PDF only on Docsity! T r a n s c r ip t s 1 Transcripts Nature and the Environment Unit 1 A Big Responsibility B : Mom, can I get a puppy? W: No, Billy. Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility. B : I promise to take good care of him, and you won’t have to remind me to do things for him. W: A dog isn’t a toy that you play with for awhile. He will be part of our life for the next 10 or 20 years. He is a living creature. B : I understand that, Mom. I promise to feed him every morning and take him for walks every afternoon. W: That’s part of the responsibility, but there’s more. He needs a license and has to go to the vet to get shots. A dog also needs companionship. You can’t go off with your friends and leave him locked up in the house all day. B : I understand, Mom. I have almost $100 in the bank so I can pay for his license and shots now. W: There are other expenses, too. Dog food is rather expensive. B : Well, I have my job mowing lawns and I’ll get a newspaper route. W: I think we should discuss this with your father when he gets home. This is a family decision. B : OK, Mom. Thanks! Unit 2 Elephants Are Amazing M: Elephants are interesting. They are intelligent. They also have a great memory. You should always be kind to elephants. They remember everything. A woman from India told me a story. When she was a little girl, she knew of an evil elephant keeper. He often hit his elephant. He was very mean and cruel to the elephant. Then the evil keeper sold the elephant. The new keeper was a very kind man. Many years later, the evil keeper met the elephant again. The elephant remembered the evil man. He picked up a stone with his trunk and threw it at the evil man. The elephant still knew the man, even after so many years. Elephants help each other, too. Elephants use a special sound. The sound is so low that people cannot hear it. This sound travels really far. Groups of elephants can communicate with each other, even if they are far apart. This is very useful because it helps the elephants to find water and food. The elephants cooperate to help each other. Unit 3 Ants, Ants, Everywhere! G : Hello, Mrs. Wilson. How are you? W: I’m worried, Brianna. Thousands of ants are all over my patio! G : That’s quite a problem. W: What’s worse is that my daughter’s birthday party is in a few days and I wanted to have it on the patio. G : Why don’t you call an exterminator? W: I would, but I don’t want all those hazardous chemicals around my children. It’s harmful and unhealthy. I also don’t want dangerous substances to seep into the garden. G : I usually don’t have problems with ants, and I don’t use any chemicals. W: What’s your secret? G : Well, ants are difficult to control, so I planted a lot of mint plants near my deck. I also use cinnamon and cayenne pepper. I just sprinkle them around the places I don’t want ants. Some people have tried it and said it worked. Others said that they needed to try something else. W: I think it’s worth a try. I would rather use cinnamon and mint around my patio than some hazardous chemicals. Besides, I don’t mind having the ants in the yard. I simply don’t want them coming to the birthday party. Would you mind helping me? G : It would be a pleasure. I have a lot of cinnamon at home and I can run to the store to get the plants for you. W: Thank you, Brianna. You’re such a thoughtful person. Unit 4 The Oil Spill G : My best friend Katy lives near a beautiful white sand beach. Her parents take us there every summer. The water is clean and refreshing. We have a lot of fun in the waves. Last year, there was an oil spill at Katy’s beach. We volunteered at the 2 beach to clean up the oil and help the birds that were caught in the spill. When we arrived at the beach that day, the water was slick with oil and the white sand had turned black. It was an ugly sight. At first, the rescue workers would not let us on the beach. We had to watch from a distance. We watched as they put a huge float in the water, called a boom. This device kept the oil slick from spreading. Once they stopped the slick, we were allowed on the beach to help. Each of us was given a broom. We swept the oil into a pile. The workers took it away in big trucks. We all worked very hard that day to restore the beach. Once the oil was removed, the birds that had been caught in the oil had to be helped. The workers showed us how to remove the oil from their wings. Then the birds could fly away to safety. We were very proud of ourselves that day. We helped save our beautiful beach and the birds who visit it. Unit 5 The Amazing Amazon M: The Amazon is an amazing river. It is unique in many ways. It is the second longest river in the world. It is 6,500 kilometers long. It starts up in the Andes Mountains. Its drainage basin (the area of land that collects water) covers 40 percent of South America. The Amazon River has many small rivers that supply it with water. It is the widest river in the world. The river rises more than nine meters during the rainy season. It overflows its banks. It floods large areas of the rainforest. During that time, in some parts, it has a width of up to 40 kilometers. The Amazon River is over 325 kilometers wide at its mouth. It has more water than any other river in the world. The Amazon River is also home to many animals. Over 2,000 types of fish live in the Amazon River. One kind of fish is the piranha. The piranha is a terrifying fish. A piranha grows up to 60 centimeters long. It hunts in a group. A group of piranha can kill and eat cattle in a matter of minutes. They are so efficient that only the bones are left. This fish is one of the most dangerous creatures in the Amazon River. Science and Technology Unit 6 Research W: What are you doing, Billy? B : I’m doing research. I found a lot of great websites. W: You know, I think you might want to go to the library and look at some books. B : I don’t want to. It takes too much time, and besides, this is fast, easy, and fun. This paper will be done in no time. W: The Internet is great for finding information. But it is also full of misinformation and lies. You don’t really know what you are looking at unless you are at a reliable site. It’s safer to get some books first and then search for more information. B : Grandma, I love you, but I think you are a little old-fashioned. Look at all this great information! My report is on Albert Einstein. Now, according to this site, he was born in 1979, came up with the theory of relatives, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922. W: Your information is wrong. Albert Einstein was born in 1879 and developed the theory of general relativity. He won the Nobel Prize in 1921. B : Wow! That means all this stuff is inaccurate. How did you know all that? W: Come with me to the library and I’ll help you find the books with those facts. B : Thank you, Grandma. You’re a real life-saver! Unit 7 A New Calculator W: Hi. I’d like to see your calculators. M: Did you have a certain model in mind, ma’am? W: I’m not thinking of any specific model. I want something simple for basic math. M: Is it for personal use? W: Yes. I just need it for shopping and keeping track of my bills. M: Well, the great thing is that these simple calculators are very inexpensive and small. Here is a solar model that never needs batteries. It is thin, too. W: It’s too small. I can’t read the numbers very easily. M: How about this one? It is a pocket calculator. It’s a bit bigger. The display is easier to read. W: Yes, I can see the numbers better. It is easier to hold, too. Is it also solar? 5 T r a n s c r ip t s likely that a foreigner will say or do something inappropriate. This is called a faux pas. In one culture, it is fine to do something one way. In another culture, it is rude. For example, my friend visited a relative in Israel. She offered to wash the dishes. She did not know that it was important to wash the meat dishes with a special sponge. She used the wrong sponge. Her friend’s father was very upset. In Canada, it is fine to use the same sponge to wash all of the dishes, but not in Israel. Something similar happened to me when I visited a temple in India. I was surprised when two officials stopped me and told me to take off my shoes. It was only then that I realized that people are not allowed to enter a temple with their shoes on. I was very embarrassed. Of course, I apologized for my mistake. A faux pas is embarrassing. No one wants to be rude. No one wants to cause problems. However, when two cultures meet, there can be misunderstandings. The next time someone is rude, be patient and understanding. He may think he is acting politely. Unit 15 The List G : Thanks for coming, Dad. I can’t believe my first day of school is just next week! M: Your mother and I are proud of you. Greer is a very prestigious art school. G : There is an enormous list of art supplies. They are mostly items I don’t recognize. M: Let’s look for the supplies that you recognize, Megan, and then we can get help with the rest. G : I need a large drawing board. I also need a drawing pad one meter by half a meter in size, newsprint paper, and a set of artist’s drawing pencils. M: Here is the drawing board, and I noticed the pencils over there. What’s next? G : I need watercolor paint, various brushes, India ink, and a fountain pen. M: They are on the wall display. G : Now we need to locate the vine charcoal. M: Excuse me, miss. W: Yes, sir? How can I help you? M: We’re trying to find vine charcoal. Do you know what that is, and where we can find it? W: Vine charcoal is specially-burned wood. Burning it makes it like a black chalk. It is commonly used for drawing. Vine charcoal is very easy to erase, so we keep it next to the erasers. G : That’s everything, Dad! M: Great! Let’s pay for all these supplies. Leisure and Entertainment Unit 16 Family Camping B : There are many popular leisure time activities, but one of the most enjoyable is family time. Most people enjoy being with their families. There are many things to do with your family, too. Families can go to the movies, travel, visit museums, and play sports together. The most common family activity is probably camping. Many families like camping. It is a chance for the whole family to work together. They can stay in the wild. Children gather dry wood for the fire. Their parents set up the tents. Then the whole family gathers around the fire. They enjoy a special meal together. Then, they set off into the woods with a compass and a map. After hiking the trails, everyone gets a fishing pole. Each person casts the fishing line out into the river. Who gets the biggest fish? It’s a great contest. Later, the children clean the fish by the river. They take the scales off the fish. Mom fries the fish over the campfire. Dad cleans up when everyone is finished. You don’t want wild animals coming to eat your leftovers! Then everyone goes into their tents for a restful night. While there are many things that families can do together, camping is probably the most exciting. Unit 17 The Amusement Park M: I love this amusement park, Fran! Thanks for suggesting it. I am having a fantastic time. There’s that new ride! It’s called, “The Volcano,” and it’s supposed to be amazing. W: That looks awfully high. Do you really want to try it? We’ve experienced “The Rocket,” the 6 giant Ferris Wheel, and those bumper boats. Don’t you think that’s enough? Besides, I am absolutely starving. M: If you come on “The Volcano” with me, I’ll buy you a pizza with whatever toppings you want. W: Do you really mean any topping, even mushrooms, which you don’t like? M: Yes, I will even order a pizza with mushrooms! W: OK, Michael. I will try this last ride. M: Great, Fran! I know you will enjoy this. Did you know that when the volcano erupts, our seats shake? I heard it is quite an experience. W: I am not sure that I want to get on this ride anymore. M: Don’t worry, Fran. Look at the people getting off the ride. They look very satisfied. W: I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do this, even for pizza. How would you feel if I bought lunch instead? M: I don’t want to force you to do something you really don’t want to do. And I am hungry. Sure, let’s get some lunch. W: I want to try this new restaurant called Skylight. The top of the restaurant spins while you eat! M: Oh, wow! Let’s go! Unit 18 Fresh Lemonade B : How can I earn some extra money this summer? G : Why don’t we start a lemonade stand, Will? B : That’s a great idea, Mary, but do you think we will make any money? G : If we set up in an area with a lot of traffic on a hot day, we will get plenty of customers. We can charge $1.50 per cup. B : That sounds a little expensive. G : But we need to charge that much to cover our expenses. By charging $1.50 per cup, we can make good money with our lemonade stand. B : OK. What do we need to get started? G : We need the ingredients to make lemonade, so we need lemons, sugar, and water. We need something to keep our money in, a sign to advertise the lemonade, paper cups, and a cardboard box to use as a stand. B : Should we sell food to go with the lemonade? G : I think that would be too complicated. We would need a permit and either a cooler or stove. We should stick to just selling lemonade. B : You’re right, let’s just keep it simple. G : OK, let’s get set up and think of a plan to get some customers and make some sales! B : Why don’t I attract the customers and you serve the lemonade? G : Sounds good to me. Unit 19 At the Movies M: Ticket prices have certainly gone up! W: Yes, but I really needed a break, so if the price is a bit higher, it doesn’t matter. Besides, I really want to see this movie on the big screen. M: Would you like something to snack on while we watch the movie? W: Sure. What do they have? M: It looks like the standard popcorn and soda. But there’s also ice cream, hot dogs, and coffee. W: I have a craving for chocolate, but I should attempt to eat something healthy. I want to avoid getting sick this year. I am trying to change my diet. M: I’m afraid the healthiest item may be the coffee. W: Do they have any muffins? M: No, but they do have brownies. W: I haven’t had a brownie in a long time. Please get me a brownie and a coffee. What are you getting? M: I’m getting the large popcorn and a cola. W: Here is some money. M: It’s on me. W: No, please. The tickets were extremely expensive. I know you are on a restricted budget. M: I insist. Did you want cream and sugar in your coffee? W: Well, thank you very much. No cream in the coffee, please. M: So, you probably don’t want sugar, either? W: No, I think there is enough sugar in the brownies. I’ll find us some seats near the aisle. Unit 20 Hobbies G : When someone does an activity that is not a part of his or her job and is done for fun, it is called a hobby. Most people enjoy hobbies during their free time. Some people spend a lot of time on their hobbies. There are nearly as many kinds of hobbies, as there are people. A hobby can be about making or collecting things, or enjoying an experience. 7 T r a n s c r ip t s Creative hobbies are popular. Some creative hobbies are writing, drawing, and making pottery. A lot of people like making jewelry or clothes. People who do these kinds of hobbies sometimes become writers or artists when they retire. Collecting is also popular. Most collectors used to buy coins, stamps, or baseball cards. Today, toys, games, and model cars are trendy. Collectors buy and sell things on the Internet. They also shop online in stores all around the world. Enjoying an experience is a hobby, too. Some people listen to music. Others watch movies or read books. Many people travel or play sports. Helping people is a hobby. There are places you can help build houses for poor families. You can help feed the homeless at soup kitchens. You can also tutor children or help the elderly. A hobby is something that is done for fun. With so many choices, there is no reason not to enjoy a hobby. School and Family Unit 21 Defense! M: Stay low and bend your knees! Come over here. B : Yes, Coach? M: Jackson, when you’re playing defense, keep your knees bent and your body low. It helps you keep your balance. And it allows you to move more quickly in every direction. B : Like this? M: That’s right. You should attempt to stay on the balls of your feet. It’s like you are getting ready to pounce. Athletes never rest on their heels. B : Should I stand with my legs close together or far apart? M: It is best to keep them about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Spread your arms straight out at your sides. B : This seems almost like I’m getting ready to attack the ball. M: It is a little bit like that. Your stance looks much better than before. B : Coach, how do I move forward and backward on defense? I feel like my stance is fine, but when I try to dart toward my opponent, I keep tripping over my feet. M: When you move forward, put your right foot in front of you, with your toes pointing in the direction you want to go. When you move backward, just reverse it: follow the direction of your left foot. How are you feeling? B : My legs are tired and my back aches. M: Playing defense is hard work. Take a break, then we’ll try it again. Unit 22 The Importance of Writing B : This is terrible! I hate this assignment. W: What’s wrong, Timmy? B : I am frustrated because I need to write a book report, and I can’t get started. W: May I see your paper? There’s nothing here! B : I can’t think of anything to write, and it’s due tomorrow. To make matters worse, we have to perform an oral presentation in front of the entire class. I don’t see the purpose of writing a book report, anyway. W: Writing is a necessary skill that you’ll use for the rest of your life. This book report is just one way to begin learning that skill. It’s another form of communication and a means of expressing your thoughts. It allows others to understand what is in your heart and mind. B : I’ve never had to write before. Why should I start now? W: Now is the best time to begin. The best writers read a lot, and practice writing. Anyone can learn to write well. I know you can do it. B : OK, Mom. When you put it that way, I think I can do it. W: That’s the right attitude. Let’s try to organize some of your thoughts by brainstorming. What can you tell me about the book? B : The book? I’ve only watched the movie! Does that count? W: Oh, goodness! What kind of child am I raising? B : One that probably won’t be a famous writer! Unit 23 The Course Schedule W: It’s so difficult to choose what courses to take this semester. Henry, have you chosen all of your courses yet? 10 M: She plays the oboe? OK. Let me know when and where to meet her. Unit 29 Crime Does Not Pay B : Have you ever thought about committing a crime? Have you ever dreamed about holding up a bank and driving away in a fast car? Or, have you ever thought about taking a famous painting from a big museum? There are many stories in movies and on TV of criminals who make a lot of money. They go on to live a life of luxury. However, for every successful criminal, there are many, many more who fail. These crooks soon regret their crimes. Take the example of a man in Winnipeg who tried to break into cars in a police academy parking lot. The man was found by the police in the parking lot. They saw him trying to open the doors of all the cars. The man was hoping to find some loose change, or maybe take some good car stereos. However, he did not know that he was being watched by police officers. He chose the parking lot because it was in a very quiet area. He thought that no one would see him. He was soon arrested by the police. A foolish criminal like this man shows us that crime does not pay. Unit 30 A Job Interview M: Hello, Ms. Jones? Please, come in and sit down. W: Thank you. M: So, you’re applying for the position of computer technician. W: Yes, that’s right. M: My name is Mr. Smith, and I will be interviewing you today. W: Nice to meet you. M: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? W: As my résumé shows, I graduated from Leeds University with a Computer Science degree. During my junior and senior years, I worked part- time as a computer lab monitor in the university. As part of that job, I helped students with PC and desktop application problems and did hardware and software maintenance. I also taught a weekly one-hour class on how to use Microsoft Office applications. M: How would you describe yourself? W: I really enjoy problem solving, and I’m hardworking. I’m also very organized, so when I have a lot of problems to deal with, I make a list and work through it from the most to the least urgent. That way, I can get everything done within the set deadlines. M: That’s a good way to manage your time. Just one more question. Why do you want to work for us? W: Your company is well-known, and is respected in the computer industry. I would really like a chance to be part of your company. M: OK. Thank you for coming in. I’ll be in touch. W: Thank you. Goodbye. Sports and Health Unit 31 An Ounce of Prevention M: Hi, Sandy. I have a question for you. W: Sure, Joe. M: I need to have a physical examination, and there is a new clinic on Elm Street. Have you heard anything about it? W: One of my friends went there recently. She said it was very hygienic and well-run. It is great to have a new clinic close by, since there is a shortage of doctors around here. Why are you going? M: I’ve just joined a gym. I want to get more exercise, and they require a medical exam before I can start. W: What kind of tests do they want you to have? M: They want to know my blood pressure, how much I weigh, and results from a blood test to check for any possible diseases. I feel terrific, so I’m not worried. W: I had a routine check-up last month, and the doctor discovered that my blood pressure is a little high. It’s not serious, but I am glad that I found out about it. I am walking every day, and I have cut down on my salt intake. I would rather not take medication if I don’t have to. The change in diet has really made me feel better. You know the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 11 T r a n s c r ip t s M: I think you are right. Prevention is very important. I’m going to call right now and set up an appointment. Unit 32 Herbal Medicine G : Everyone wants to be healthy. People see doctors. They take pills to stay healthy. However, plants have been used to heal for thousands of years. More and more people are trying herbs to stay healthy. Plants used to heal are called “herbal medicine.” There are many plants used in herbal medicine. Each plant is used in a certain way. Herbal medicine works more slowly than most pills. Many people think plants are gentle on the body. There are a lot of examples of helpful plants. Ginger can help your body. Eating ginger often may help you stay healthy. Another helpful plant is parsley. It can stop bad breath. Herbs may be gentler than some pills. However, this does not mean that anyone can take them in any way. You should always be careful. Some herbs can be harmful, too. Too much rosemary can be very bad for your stomach. It can make you sick. Foxglove is a very pretty flower. It also has poison in it. Nevertheless, if you are afraid of using herbs, you may be surprised. You have probably already used some kind of herbal medicine. Coffee, garlic, ginseng, and peppermint are all used in herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is becoming popular again, as people become more interested in their health. Unit 33 Home Remedies W: Everyone gets a cold now and then. Doctors cannot cure colds. Sleep and rest are good for taking care of a cold. However, in almost every culture, most families have a home remedy for colds. These remedies are passed down from parents to children. They have changed very little over time. Different cultures use different ingredients. In Mexico, cinnamon, raisins, oregano, and hot water are used to make a special tea. Honey is sometimes added. A fruit called genipap is used as a cold remedy in Puerto Rico. The fruit is cut up. It is then soaked in water. Sugar can be added to make it sweet. Chicken soup is popular in America. A large chicken is boiled in a pot. Carrots, onions, garlic, and other vegetables are usually added. Ginger tea is used to help a cold in China. A ginger root is peeled. It is then crushed. The ginger is boiled for about thirty minutes. Some honey can be added after it is done. Each family usually has a home remedy for a cold. Some remedies work. Some do not. Some taste good. Others do not. No matter what, home remedies are sure to be around for a long time. Unit 34 Too Much of a Good Thing? M: Hi, Jenny. Are you drinking coffee again? W: Hi, Sam. This is my third cup. M: Are you sure it’s all right to drink so much? Don’t you think all that caffeine is bad for you? W: No, that’s a misconception. Everyone thinks coffee is bad for you, but it’s not. M: Really? W: According to an article I read, coffee can be beneficial to your health. M: That’s interesting. But you should remember that one study does not prove much. There are a lot of other studies out there, too. W: This doctor in Italy found a lot of benefits. M: Such as? W: She says the chemicals in coffee can be good for your heart and may relieve headaches, too. M: I know that some coffee can be good sometimes, but drinking too much is not beneficial. Coffee has a lot of caffeine, which is addictive. It affects your blood circulation and removes calcium from your bones. W: The doctor did admit that it is not for everyone, and that you shouldn’t drink more than three cups a day. M: You seem nervous when you drink a lot. And remember when you told me that you are not sleeping well? Do you think that maybe you should cut back? W: I appreciate your concern. I was thinking of cutting back. Would you like a cup of green tea? 12 Unit 35 Soccer Rules B : Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. Although the main idea of the game is easy to understand, there are many rules to be followed. A player gets a yellow card for not following the rules. A yellow card is a warning. If a player keeps breaking the rules, he gets a red card. When this happens, he cannot play anymore. He is ejected from the game. Another rule is about “handling.” “Handling” is when another player touches the ball with his hands on purpose. Players cannot handle the ball. A player may not do anything that is dangerous to another player. He cannot kick an opponent’s legs to get the ball. There are also some lesser-known rules. A player is not allowed to impede an opponent. This means that a player cannot purposely slow down another player on the field. A penalty can be called if this occurs. There is a rule about blocking a goalkeeper, too. A yellow card or an indirect kick can be given to the opponent’s team if a player tries this. Yes, soccer is full of rules! Travel and Transport Unit 36 Visit Frisco City! M: Frisco City is the place for your next vacation. The city has lots of shopping, food, and fun. There are so many things to do! The River Walk is a must-see. Take a city bus to any of the three downtown stops. There, you will find stairs. The stairs go down to the riverside. There are about five kilometers of sidewalk on either side of the river. Palm trees and cypress trees decorate the area. There are also tropical plants. You will see many unique shops, casual cafés, and upscale restaurants. Every shop is different. You can ride one of the riverboats and hear a guide talk about the history of the River Walk. However, the River Walk is only one of the attractions of Frisco City. There are also two amusement parks just outside Frisco City. You can enjoy a day of fun in the sun at Water World Park. You can also spend the day enjoying the roller coasters and other rides at Sun Land. Visit Frisco City! You will have a great time. Unit 37 Asking for Directions W: Asking for directions can be risky. I realized exactly how risky it could be when I needed to meet one of my friends one day. A while ago, I arranged to meet my friend at a new mall. My friend had been there before and indicated that we should shop there together. We planned to meet at 3:00 p.m. at Burger Palace in the mall. When I arrived at the mall, I realized I did not know where Burger Palace was, so I asked a woman for directions. She advised me to go straight past the bank, and turn right before the food court. She mentioned that I would walk for a few minutes, passing a shoe store until I reached Burger Palace, which was next to the bookstore. I followed her directions and arrived just in time. Twenty minutes later, I was beginning to wonder where my friend was. Thirty minutes later, I was worried. I did not know what to do, so I just kept waiting. At around 3:40 p.m., I saw my friend walking quickly toward me. I rushed to him and demanded to know what happened. “I was at the other Burger Palace!” he cried. We had not realized there were two Burger Palaces in the mall. Since then, I have made sure that I get the directions from my friends before I go to meet them. It saves me a lot of trouble! Unit 38 Fixing a Flat M: When your car gets a flat tire, do not panic. First, apply your brakes and pull over. Inside the trunk, you will find a spare tire and a toolbox. One of these tools is a jack, which is a tool you use to raise the car. This makes the tire easy to remove. Position the jack beneath the car, behind the tire that is flat. Insert the jack handle and turn