Listening Basics PartIII

5.a. The man is eating too much.

b. She forgot the man‘s

birthday.

c.The food is too expensive.

d.The man is going to die.

Part IV. Expanding the Topic

1. Super-Size USA

A. Listen to a short take that reveals the basics of an experiment conducted by Morgan Spurlock. Answer the questions.

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1.What was the goal of Spurlock‘s experiment?

2.How often did he plan to eat at McDonald‘s?

3.For how long?

4.What were the three rules he planned to follow?

B. Now that you know about Spurlock‘s plan, you can predict the

results. Work in pairs or small groups. Compare and discuss:

1.Do you think anything happened to Spurlock physically? What? Explain some of the possible results.

2.Spurlock made a film about his experiment. What do you think the reaction from McDonald‘s was? Consider the several approaches the public relations section at the McDonald‘s corporation could take. What are they?

C. Listen to the rest of the text and fill in the gaps.

On our show this week: Summer camps for adults, and a question about the musical life of Leonard Bernstein. But first, we have the story of a man who (1) __________ no one should (2) __________.

HOST: What would it be like to eat fast food for every meal? A young filmmaker decided to find out. His new movie is called ―Super Size Me.‖ Shep O‘Neal tells us about it.

ANNCR: Health experts are concerned that two out of three American adults are (3) __________. There has been an increase in

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diseases linked to (4) __________. Many Americans eat foods that have too much fat and sugar. And they do not exercise enough. Reports say that at least (5)________________ of American adults eat fast food every day. And McDonald‘s is the largest fast food company in the world.

So filmmaker Morgan Spurlock wanted to find out the effects of eating nothing but fast food at McDonald‘s three times a day for a month. He followed (6)_______________. He could only eat what was sold at McDonald‘s. He had to eat every food at least once. And he would order the largest size French fries and soft drink only if the server offered.

McDonald‘s called these foods ―supersize.‖ That is why Mister Spurlock named the movie ―Super Size Me.‖

Three doctors and a (7) __________ expert examined Mister Spurlock before, during and after his eating experiment. They did many tests of his blood and the workings of his major (8)

__________. At the beginning, he was in excellent physical condition. He traveled to several American cities and many McDonald‘s restaurants. He ate Egg McMuffins, Big Mac hamburger sandwiches, Chicken McNuggets, French fries, (9) __________ and other foods every day. And he did not exercise.

The doctors became very concerned about Mister Spurlock‘s health.

At the end of the month, he had (10) __________ more than eleven kilograms. His blood pressure increased. The cholesterol in his blood was too high. And his liver was (11) __________ from eating too many fatty foods.

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Mister Spurlock‘s film also appears to have had an effect on

McDonald‘s. The movie won an award for directing at the Sundance

Film Festival in January.

Less than two months later, McDonald‘s said it would stop selling supersize meals. Recently, it started selling special Happy Meals for adults. These include a salad, bottled water and a (12) __________

for measuring how far a person walks.

McDonald‘s also issued a statement about ―Super Size Me.‖ It said the movie is about one person‘s decision to act (13) __________ by eating too many calories a day and limiting physical activity. It said

McDonald‘s offers many kinds of high-quality food choices. It also said McDonald‘s is working with experts on nutrition and (14)

__________.

2. Stress: What It Can Do to Us, What We Can Do About It

A. Discuss the following questions in small groups for five minutes,

then report the most interesting of your answers to the class.

1.What things make you stressed?

2.Why is stress bad? Or is it sometimes useful? How?

3.What do you do to allay stress?

4.So what should you do to relieve stress that you don‘t do?

5.How about watching the news on television? Do you think that can cause stress in people. Why or why not?

6.What do you suppose chronic stress is?

7.Can you name some of the health problems related to high stress?

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B. Listen to the text and try to find the answers to the questions above. Were your predictions correct?

C. We‘ve learned about type A and B personality types. Type A‘s are in a hurry, high-strung, wound-up. Type B‘s tend to be laid-back, more relaxed about things. Which type are you? Or are you somewhere in between. Give examples of how you behave in certain situations.

D. It‘s useful to practice speaking English with emotions. Normally, in class we use one register—polite, academic language or the language of our textbooks. But in real life, we use angry language, tender language, frustrated language, and so on.

Here are some role play scenarios for three people. In each, you will find a Type A character and a Type B character. Feel free to add a fourth character to the scenario.

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1.______________________________________________

2.______________________________________________

3.______________________________________________

4.______________________________________________

4.Stress

Listen to Dr. Todd Chiver, faculty member of the department of psychiatry of the UK College of Medicine, talking about stress. What facts that he gives are well-known? Surprising? Complete the two columns.

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5. Pet’s Stress

A. Think about your pet. Has it ever been stressed? What signs did it show? What could be the reasons for this state?

B. Listen to a reporter speaking of pets and their stress during Christmas season. Complete the chart.

C. The last column of the chart is left for you to express your own ideas on the proposed measures. Do you think they are reasonable? Helpful? Would you like to follow the advice? Why or why not?

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6. Learning to Complain

A. What is better: to smile and try to look on the bright side of things or to be free to express your negative emotions? What is the general behavior pattern in the USA? In Russia? What might be the benefits and shortcomings of these types of behavior?

B. Listen to Dr. Barbara Held, professor of psychology, talking about the positive attitude in the USA. Answer the following questions:

-What problem is the professor talking about? Do you think it‘s serious? Why or why not?

-What way out does Dr. Held suggest?

-Is she experienced enough to give that kind of advice?

C. Try to role-play the following problematic situations. Pay

attention that some of you have undergone Dr. Held‘s therapy and now are free to express your true selves while others remain typically cheerful Americans looking on the bright side in any situation.

1. You have just had your bag snatched. It contained your documents, keys, money, and a flash card with your latest project. You meet your friend just a few minutes after the accident and tell him/her what‘s happened. S/he tries to sooth you and suggests further actions.

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2.You favorite pet (dog, cat, fish, parrot, etc) died yesterday. It had been living with you for 11 years as a family member. Now you are extremely sad and depressed. At the University you meet your best friend and tell him/her about your grief.

3.You were learning this terrible subject for the whole week, missed several parties and now you learn that your test grade is bad with minus. You are devastated. Discuss the matter with your mom or dad.

4.Your beloved one has left you for someone else.

Unexpectedly, suddenly, without explaining anything. You are at a loss and don‘t know what to do, how you will live without that person. Share your fears and hopes with your friend.

7. New Yellow Corn

Listen to the report about the new variety of corn and put the events into the right chronological order.

____ A Mexican scientist came to the University of Illinois to take some vitamin A corn.

____ Africans don‘t like yellow corn.

____ An experiment with orange corn was held in Mozambique.

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