Listening practice

Teacher: Leidy Gómez

Good luck! Course: 5 Schedule: Saturday

Name: ________________________________________________________ Date: _____/_____/2020

Directions: The next listening practice will help you to improve your listening skills.

Listening 1. Groundhog Day

According to the article, when is Groundhog Day?

a) February 1
b) February 2
c) February 3
d) February 4

According to the article, what will happen if a groundhog sees his shadow?
a) winter will come early
b) spring will end soon
c) there will be a festival
d) winter ends in six weeks

The word 'festivities' in paragraph 2 could best be replaced with:

a) parties
b) problems
c) visits
d) programs

According to the article, Punxsutawney:

a) is a large city
b) is in Canada
c) has too many groundhogs
d) is a small town

The word 'accurate' in paragraph 3 could best be replaced with:

a) funny
b) interesting
c) nice
d) correct

According to the article, Groundhog Day:

a) is a public holiday
b) is a serious event
c) is held only in Canada
d) is just a fun event
Listening 2. Mardi Gras

When is Mardi Gras celebrated?

a) Just before lent
b) Just after lent
c) Just after Easter

“Mardi Gras” is French for…?

a) Wobbly Wednesday
b) Fat Tuesday
c) Thin Thursday

Where is the city of New Orleans?

a) Arizona
b) Louisiana
c) Texas

True or false? The Mardi Gras festivities don’t begin until after fat Tuesday
a) We don’t now
b) False
c) True

How many people can the huge Mardi Gras floats carry?
a) Up to 50 people
b) Up to 250 people
c) It was not specified

What do people on the floats Throw at people who watch the parades?
a) Cups and saucers
b) Cups and necklaces
c) Beads and necklaces

What is hidden inside the King cake?

a) A plastic baby
b) It’s not mentioned
c) A plastic figure of Elvis

Listening 3. History of New Year’s Day

The 1st of January is the first day of the year in which calendars?
a) Gregorian & Julian calendars
b) Greek and Roman calendars
c) Mesopotamian and Julian calendars

How many months had the 1st Roman calendar?

a) 14
b) 12
c) 10

Why the Romans decided to change the New Year’s day from March to January?
a) Because on the 1st January was the day when the new consuls started their office
 b) Because it was a way to honor the God Janus
c) Because in March there were too many celebrations

Why the 1st month of the year is called January?

a) Because in pre-Christian Rome that day was dedicated to the God Janus
b) Because it was the coldest month in the year and in Latin Janus means cold
c) It was named in honor of a famous Roman king called Janus

On what day is the Odunde Festival celebrated?

a) On the 1st of January
b) On the 2nd Sunday of June
c) On the 1st day of July

What is the color that brings good luck according to the Chinese tradition?
a) Blue
b) Red
c) White

When do the muslims celebrate the new year’s day?

a) On the last day of the Ramadan
b) On the 1st day of Muharram
c) On the 2nd Friday after Muharram

In the countries that have their own calendar…

a) They use both the Gregorian and traditional calendar
b) They only use their traditional calendars
c) They no longer use their traditional calendars

Listening 4. Vacation Stress

Leroy’s vacations
Why is Leroy Describe the day in When he was in What Leroy is What is Leroy going
tired? Edinburgh. Paris? And what going to buy in to do when he
was his meal that Rome? And what arrived to Finland?
day? Why? is Elizabeth doing
in the train?
Listening 5. A student discussion

Complete de next conversation with the properly words.

Student 1: So, as far as I know, the ______ similarity between Mars and Earth is that they can _______ support
human life.

Student 2: Yeah, but do we know that's actually true? I mean, Mars is much _______ ________ Earth, isn't it?
It says here it's about minus 55 degrees most of the time, _________ on Earth only places like Antarctica get
that cold.

Student 1: True. Well then, I suppose you could say both planets are a similar _________ from the Sun?

Student 2: ____ ______! Mars is much further away! It says here it's about _______ ________ ___________,
while Earth is about ________ ___________.