Develop your listening

Look at the people in the photos and makes guesses about their lives.

1. What are their jobs?

2. What do they do every day?

3. What do they do in their free time?

   Example: I think Dorothy usually stays in and spends time with her family. I think Simon studies a lot. He rarely goes out.

   

Listen to one of the people talking about his/ her life. Which person is it? Are your ideas about his/ her life correct?

Understanding key words

When we speak, we usually stress words which give the most important information. These words are usually nouns (like man or dog), verbs (like eat or run) or adjectives (like good or hot).

People often think that at my age we stay home every night and relax with a book or something, but for me that's not true.

Negatives are also stressed because they give important information.

I don't like this film. She hasn't got a sister.

When you listen, you don't always need to understand every word. Listen to the stressed words to get the general idea.

Listen to Rana and Simon and answer the questions.

1. Who talks about meeting new people everywhere?

2. Who talks about chatting online?

3. Where does Rana never go?

4. How many books does she read a week?

5. Who does she talk to about books?

6. Who does Simon often go out with?

7. What three places does he meet people?

8. What two words does he use to describe people?