23 Listening
Before You Listen
Complete these pre-listening activities to help you identify how people offer and expect to receive apologies.
Social Conventions Around Apologies and Excuses
“Sorry” has a wide range of meanings. The scale below gives some ways people use the word “sorry.”
Place the number of each sentence or question below along the scale to identify how the word “sorry” is being used.
- Sorry, could you hang on a second? Let me turn down the music.
- Sorry, but I won’t be able to come.
- I know what I did was totally out of line, and I’m sorry.
- You missed your anniversary dinner … I’m so sorry.
- I have to say I’m sorry for the campers and the bear.
- He is sorry about missing the deadline.
- I’m really sorry Dad. I hate to do this, but I’ve got to run. I’ve got work.
- I don’t think I’m ready to talk. Sorry
Vocabulary
In Chapter 1, there are some homographs, words that 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.
1. The word OFFENCE has several meanings. In each sentence below, indicate the word that could be replaced by OFFENCE.
a) Folk musician Del Jacobs once hurt a man with a knife, so he was charged with a weapons attack.
b) Nick didn’t consider Dan’s grandmother’s mistake with his name as an insult.
c) A camper left a fire unattended, but since it was his first violation, Claire just gave him a warning.
2. The word OFFEND has several meanings. In each sentence below, indicate the word or words that could be replaced by OFFEND.
a) If you answer a friend’s phone as Claire did with Gilles, you might hurt the feelings of your friend.
b) If Ivan is very direct with his opinions, he could upset some people.
c) When garbage isn’t removed regularly, does the smell really bother you?
Predictions
You will hear conversations in which Dev and Roshan offer apologies to other people.
Predict the answers to these questions before you listen:
- What “offences” do you predict Dev and Roshan will feel obligated to apologize for?
- Will the others agree that an “offence” has happened?
- Will the others accept Dev’s and Roshan’s apologies? Why or why not?
- Will Dev or Roshan apologize directly or indirectly, in person, or on the phone?
- What might happen if an apology is accepted or rejected?
Listening 1
Listen to a private telephone conversation between Roshan and Dev. Notice how the two characters use the word “sorry” and what saying sorry means to them.
After You Listen
Comprehension
Complete the activities below to check your listening comprehension. These strategies focus on ideas and paying attention to exact words.
Strategy 1: Recognizing Facts
Listen again.
Select True (T) or False (F) for each statement.
- How do you know it is true or false?
Be ready to discuss evidence to support your answers.
| T | F | 1. Roshan called Dev to thank him for the loan