16 Listening
Before You Listen
Complete these pre-listening activities to help you recognize how relationships and status affect how people talk about following rules.
Social Conventions Around Rules and Obligations
Some people care a lot about whether rules are flexible or not. These people might feel strongly that rules are not flexible and should never be changed. Read the six rules below. Which rules or obligations sound inflexible or unchangeable? Which rules sound more flexible?
Place the number of each sentence below along the scale to show how flexible or inflexible you think the rule is.
- You had better not keep secrets from your significant other.
- You should bring a small present when you visit someone’s house.
- You can put that bottle in the recycling bin.
- You have to put that bottle in the recycling bin.
- You can’t use her cellphone unless you ask.
- You cannot use her cellphone unless you ask.
Vocabulary
In Chapter 1, there are some homographs, words that sound and are spelled the same although the meanings are different. In this chapter, some words also have multiple meanings. The pronunciation and spelling are the same, but the meanings may be slightly different or not at all the same.
The word DELICATE has several meanings. In each sentence below indicate the word that could be replaced by DELICATE
- Leela has a very refined sense of taste and smell.
- This dish requires a very careful balance between many spices.
- The flavour of saffron is so light that Leela almost didn’t notice it at first.
- The relationship between Claire and her new neighbours is very fragile; one misunderstanding could ruin it.
- Claire is involved in very careful conversations with her neighbour, Ivan, about the electric poles.
- When made correctly, Leela’s sauce is a very light yellow colour.
Predictions
In the next activity, you will hear Roshan and Leela talking about family rules and obligations and cultural rules.
Predict the answers to these questions before you listen.
- Roshan’s sister, Priya, doesn’t want to follow a family or cultural custom. What do you think their mother, Leela, will say to encourage Priya to follow the rule? Will Leela be direct or soft?
- Roshan will ask his mother to keep a secret from his father. Do you think Leela will agree to keep the secret? Why or why not?
- If Leela does not agree to keep Roshan’s secret, how will she tell Roshan? Will she be direct or soft?
- Roshan is considering borrowing money to replace his stolen tools and pay for his boss’s tires. Do you think he will ask his mother, father, sister, friend, or a bank to loan him money? Explain your reasons.
Listening 1
Listen in on a private conversation. Notice how family members talk about keeping or breaking rules.
After You Listen
Comprehension
Complete the activity below to check your listening comprehension.
Strategy: Recognizing Facts
Listen again.
Choose True (T) or False (F) for each statement.
- How do you know it is true or false?
Be ready t