,.
Unit 3 Life Is All About Change
Listening
Audio Track 3-3-1/ Audio Track 3-3-2
Lee: Hi, Ellie.
Ellie: Hi, Lee. How are you?
Lee: Good. Hey there, Brandon. He’s so cute. And you’re such a good mother.
Ellie: Thanks. Everyone says, “It’s not always easy with your first child.” You know, I agree with them!
Lee: How old is he now?
Ellie: He just turned two a month ago.
Lee: Oh, no. … “The terrible twos.” Right? Ellie: Yep. It’s so exhausting … for both of us!
Lee: Does he throw things around? And cry a lot more?
Ellie: Yes, exactly. Sometimes he hits me. I don’t know. He was so well-behaved before. Lee: It happens to most babies. They turn two and their personality changes. Ellie: It sounds like you have some experience with “the terrible twos.”
Lee: I certainly do. My children are five and eleven now. But I still remember when they were young.
Ellie: What can I do?
Lee: Well, remember that it will pass. … It won’t last forever. Try to be patient.
Audio Track 3-3-3/ Audio Track 3-3-4
Mandy: My homework assignment is too hard. Mom: What is it?
Mandy: I’m doing an oral report on an accomplished woman. I chose Sadako Ogata. I have to present it to the class tomorrow. Mom: Do you know the material? Mandy: I think so.
Mom: OK, let’s practice. I’ll ask you some questions. Mandy: OK.
Mom: All right then, just why is Sadako Ogata well known?
Mandy: She worked for the United Nations as the High Commissioner on Refugees. She worked in that job for ten years and supervised 2,200 people.
Mom: Hmmm … What are refugees? I don’t know that word. Mandy: Mom! Come on, you know that word!
Mom: Honey, we’re practicing remember? You have to really know this material.
,.
Mandy: All right. Refugees are people who leave their countries to escape war or other problems. Mom: Is the refugee issue a big problem?
Mandy: Yes. Worldwide there are now about 17 million refugees.
Mom: Wow! Last question. Why did you choose Ms. Ogata for your report?
Mandy: She’s an incredible woman. She moved to the United States and received a PhD from UC Berkeley. She also got married and had two children. She’s really intelligent and I respect her. Mom: I think you’re going to do a great job tomorrow. Good luck!
Audio Track 3-3-5
Next year, I’m going to study abroad. I want to study business economics. It will help me in my career. When I’m 23, I may come home to look for a job. Most probably in a bank or an accounting firm. After working for 4 to 5 years, I may have some savings to start a family. At the age of 30, I’d like to be a father. If everything goes smoothly, I’ll retire at the age of 50 and travel around the world.
Audio Track 3-3-6
Hi Jackie,
I’m so excited about visiting you! Here are the details. My plane arrives on Friday at 2 p.m. When I get to the airport, I’ll take a taxi, so I’ll arrive at your house at about 3:00. That evening, Jeff and Carol are taking us out for dinner at a nice restaurant. I really want to spend Saturday at the beach. I’m bringing my swimsuit and beach clothes. I looked at the weather forecast on the Internet. The weather is going to be sunny and beautiful. I’ll see you soon! Kaitlyn
Audio Track 3-3-7/ Audio Track 3-3-8
Celebrating life changes
In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, girls mark their fifteenth birthday with a celebration called the Quinceanera. In the morning, the birthday girl goes to church with her family and her best friends. She wears a beautiful (and sometimes very expensive!) dress. Later in the day, there is a huge party, with a big cake that matches the girl’s dress, and a night filled with music and dancing.
When older people in the United States retire, their friends and coworkers often give them a retirement party to celebrate this life change. On their last day of work, there is a big dinner, with entertainment afterward. People make speeches and tell jokes about the retiree. Guests like to give presents, such as an album of photos of the retiree’s coworkers, or a homemade video of the retiree’s friends.
Becoming an adult is a very important life change, and Japan has a special holiday to celebrate this. The second Sunday in January is Coming-of-Age Day. On that day, everyone who had their
,.
twentieth birthday in the last year goes to their town’s City Hall for a special ceremony. Everyone dresses up, and many women wear beautiful kimonos. The mayor makes a speech and gives presents to all the new adults.
Some kids are afraid to start school, but six-year-olds in Germany can’t wait. For them, Schulanfang is a big holiday. To celebrate a child’s first day of school, parents or friends give the child a Zuckertuete, a big colorful cardboard cone filled with candy and little presents. People take pictures of the kids holding their Zuckertuete, and there is a school party later for the parents, with cake and coffee.
Audio Track 3-3-9
Coping with life’s stressors
Let’s face it: Life is stressful. Stressful events in our lives are called “stressors.” Some of them are minor, such as uncomfortable air conditioning or a loudly ringing telephone. Others are more serious, such as the death of a spouse. That event tops the list as life’s most stressful event.
You might be surprised to learn about the top 20 life stressors. Getting a divorce, for example, is number 2 on the list. And not all stressors are unhappy events. Pregnancy is a happy time for most families. It may also cause stress. Pregnancy is right below retirement on the list of life’s major stressors. We can’t avoid stress, but we can do something about it. Listen to three people talking about their responses to stress in their lives. Tina Vega, 16
Last year was horrible! My family moved to another town. I had to change schools and say good-bye to all my friends. It was really tough. I felt so lonely in my new school. But then one day I decided to enjoy my life: I smiled at everyone and I joined the soccer club at school. Now I have new friends. I like my new school. Frederick Cho, 42
Life is unpredictable. Three weeks ago I lost my job. I was upset for the first week. I couldn’t do anything. Now I’m looking for a new job. It’s not good to sit around the house. I exercise every day and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years. Hazel Greene, 80
My husband and I got married in 1950. He died five years ago. For the first two years I was depressed. I missed him so much because we did everything together. But now I’m feeling better. I think it’s important to stay active and positive. I read a lot and do volunteer work.
Audio Track 3-3-10
Coping with life’s stressors
Let’s face it: Life is stressful. Stressful events in our lives are called “stressors.” Some of them are minor, such as uncomfortable air conditioning or a loudly ringing telephone. Others are more serious, such as the death of a spouse. That event tops the list as life’s most stressful event.
You might be surprised to learn about the top 20 life stressors. Getting a divorce, for example, is number 2 on the list. And not all stressors are unhappy events. Pregnancy is a happy time for most
,.
families. It may also cause stress. Pregnancy is right below retirement on the list of life’s major stressors. We can’t avoid stress, but we can do something about it. Listen to three people talking about their responses to stress in their lives.
Audio Track 3-3-11
Tina Vega, 16
Last year was horrible! My family moved to another town. I had to change schools and say good-bye to all my friends. It was really tough. I felt so lonely in my new school. But then one day I decided to enjoy my life: I smiled at everyone and I joined the soccer club at school. Now I have new friends. I like my new school. Frederick Cho, 42
Life is unpredictable. Three weeks ago I lost my job. I was upset for the first week. I couldn’t do anything. Now I’m looking for a new job. It’s not good to sit around the house. I exercise every day and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years. Hazel Greene, 80
My husband and I got married in 1950. He died five years ago. For the first two years I was depressed. I missed him so much because we did everything together. But now I’m feeling better. I think it’s important to stay active and positive. I read a lot and do volunteer work.
Audio Track 3-3-12
1. She’s spending the weekend in the city. 2. Our class begins next Monday.
3. I’m going to work hard and save my money. 4. We’re buying a new car tomorrow.
5. When I’m forty, I’ll live in a house with a big yard.
Speaking & Communication
Audio Track 3-3-13/ Audio Track 3-3-14
Sam: What are you doing?
Peter: I’m applying for a driver’s license.
Sam: Congratulations! What are you planning to do when you get it? Peter: Well, first, I’m going to take a trip. Sam: Really? Where?
Peter: I’m going to visit my cousins in England. Sam: Sounds like fun!
Peter: Yeah, and I’m planning to rent a car so I can get around.
,.
Sam: That sounds great. Just be careful. They drive on the opposite side of the road there.
Audio Track 3-3-15
Conversation 1
A: Why are you planning to move to a new town in the future? Don’t you like this city? B: I do like this city, but I think I’d like to experience\\ something different. A: Like what? City life is the same everywhere.
B: Who knows? I’ve never been to any other cities. Do you have any plans to go somewhere else in the future?
A: Sure. I’m going to take a trip to Canada this summer. B: Cool. That sounds like fun. Conversation 2
A: Are you going to get a driver’s license?
B: Yes, with a driver’s license, I’ll be able to drive wherever I want. I like traveling and sight-seeing, you know.
A: But you don’t have a car, yet. B: That’s true, but I will buy one. A: It’s very expensive, though.
B: Not necessarily. I’m not planning to buy an expensive car. I’ll probably just get a secondhand one.
Audio Track 3-3-16
A: The Magic Answer Bag’s answer to the question of “Will I find a well-paid job upon graduation?” is “Who knows?”
B: I think that answer is accurate. You just can’t be sure about that.
C: Well, the Bag’s answer to the next question “Will I marry my true love?” is “Absolutely.”
D: I don’t know about that. It seems that answer is too absolute. There’s no guarantee that everyone will find love.
A: What is the answer to the next question, “Will I win the lottery?” B: “Not a chance!”
C: I think that answer is accurate.
D: I agree. There is very little chance of winning the lottery.
Video Course
Video Track 3-3-1
Kevin: When I was a child my family and I moved to a new town where I had to make new