1
Listening Comprehension Exercises
Pre-Listening Exercises:
Role plays
1.
Imagine that you are a teacher in an English Language Program, and you will have a new
group of Austrian students arriving next week for an orientation meeting. Brainstorm in a
group of three or four things that are special about Austrian students and what points the
teacher should make at the orientation meeting to address those items you designate as
special about Austrian students. Role play the orientation meeting.
2.
In pairs think of five questions you would ask if you called a language program overseas to
find out more about it and rank those questions in order of importance. Then role play
with the other student the telephone conversation between yourself and the representative
of the language program. Following the listening comprehension exercise, you can then
discuss in what ways what was said about John Abbott College did or didn’t fulfill your
needs.
3.
Discuss with a partner five ways to learn a foreign language and then rank them from most
to least helpful. Explain why the most helpful approach helped you the most. Role play
your discussion. Discuss items you agree and disagree with.
Multiple choice listening comprehension exercise
Listen to Landeskunde Kanada: John Abbott College: A School in Montreal, Quebec,
Canada. Choose the best answer for each of the following:
1.
In the recent Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) exam,
a. Canada ranked first in the world in language skills
b. Canada ranked second in the world in math skills
c. Canada ranked third in the world in science skills
2
2.
Canada is the second largest country in the world.
a. 55 Austrias would fit inside Canada
b. 110 Austrias would fit inside Canada
c. 220 Austrias would fit inside Canada
3.
As far as population is concerned:
a. Montreal has one-third the population of Quebec
b. Montreal has one-half the population of Quebec
c. Montreal has two-thirds the population of Quebec
4. Which are the two most beautiful cities in North America?
a. Montreal and Vancouver
b. Montreal and New York
c. Montreal and San Francisco
5.
What is the movie where Michael Moore said that Canadian cities are safer than
American cities?
a. Roger & Me
b. Capitalism: A Love Story
c. Bowling for Columbine
6. Sainte Anne de Bellevue is a popular tourist destination in the summer time because
of its:
a. locks
b. mountain
c. beautiful old homes
7. In the winter time at John Abbott College the weather is generally:
a. cold with lots of snow
b. slightly above freezing with lots of rain
c. cold, but very little snow
8.
The one sports facility John Abbott College doesn’t have:
a. a swimming pool
b. an ice hockey arena
c. track and field facilities
3
9. Which is the one sports facility that is available to students every day from 8:30 in the
morning until 5:30 in the afternoon?
a. the squash courts
b. the rock climbing wall
c. the fitness studio
10. Which is the most important question?
a. Are you going to have the skills you need to pass on to grade 8 and not to have
to repeat grade 6 or 7?
b. Are your fellow students in the classroom with you because they have to be
there or they want to be there?
c. Does John Abbott College offer sports courses and clubs that are not available
in Austria?
11. How does school education in Quebec differ from school education anywhere else in
North America and Europe?
a. German is not offered as a foreign language in school
b. Radio and television are required subjects in school
c. School ends after 11 years of school
12. How many hours are math and science courses at John Abbott College?
a. 3 hours per week
b. 5 hours per week
c. 7 hours per week
13. An hour is equivalent to how many minutes at John Abbott College?
a. 40 minutes
b. 50 minutes
c. 60 minutes
14. What is the math course offered at John Abbott College that you need when you
return to Austria?
a. Algebra and trigonometry
b. Calculus 1
c. Calculus 2
4
15. Because he took the chemistry of winemaking and beer brewing course, Konstantin
Pechtl decided to make wine production his profession. What is the name of the wine
he discovered and what season is it associated with?
a. Tango, a summer wine
b. Hip hop, a fall wine
c. Jazz, a spring wine
16. Who does the set up for the chemistry lab at John Abbott College?
a. technicians
b. students
c. teachers
17. How many computers are there in the chemistry lab in relationship to the number of
students?
a. one computer for every student
b. one computer for every two students
c. one computer for every three students
18. In the human anatomy and physiology course lab, what animal do students dissect that
is closest to the human body?
a. a monkey
b. a sheep
c. a pig
19. Which is the appropriate English course for French students from outlying areas of
Quebec where English is hardly spoken?
A. Composition and Literature
B. Preparation for College English
C. Introduction to College English
20. The sound in the language lab at John Abbott College is as good as
a. an IMAX theatre
b. a recording studio
c. a TV studio
21. How many office hours are science teachers like Bruce Stacey required to keep?
a. 4 ½ hours per week
b. 6 ½ hours per week
c. 8 ½ hours per week
5
22. Besides learning English and French, what is the most important thing you learn at
John Abbott College?
a. Calculus 1
b. How to manage your life
c. How to make friends
23. If in your math course, the teacher starts to talk and you understand very little, what
should you do?
a. Phone your mom and tell her you want to come home
b. Spend 4 hours per week at home doing math homework
c. Remember, listening comprehension comes soon enough. Go to the math
learning centre and get help with your math problems
24. Which sports course is found at John Abbott College but not in Austrian schools?
a. kayak
b. soccer
c. volleyball
25. A student in the engineering program at John Abbott College is allowed to take
courses in the theatre program.
a. True
b. False
26. What happens at the end of the radio course?
a. There is a big class party
b. You produce a radio program which is sent out over internet so your parents can
listen to it as you’re speaking
c. You learn how to edit radio programs
27. Of the following, which is the only thing that takes place on Fridays?
a. rock concerts
b. comedians
c. feature films
28. What is the name of the event that takes place every Winter semester that celebrates
cultural diversity?
a. United Nations Week
b. Diversity Week
c. Multicultural Week
6
29. When is the one time in the year you are not able to do downhill skiing or
snowboarding?
a. During the Fall Term
b. Between the Fall Term and the Winter Term
c. During the Winter Term
30. When is the trip to the Caribbean organized?
a. During the Fall Term
b. Between the Fall Term and the Winter Term
c. During the Winter Term
31. The West Island where the college is located is:
a. One of the poorest areas of Canada
b. A largely working class area
c. One of the most prosperous areas of Canada
32. If you are unhappy about your living situation, you should:
a. Complain to your family about it
b. Do nothing
c. Go to the International Programs Office and discuss your problems
33. Which course is not offered in our summer program?
a. French
b. History
c. Mathematics
34. How old do you have to be to participate in our summer program?
a. 15
b. 16
c. There are no age restrictions
35. How did the voyageurs travel to the west of Canada to trade with the Indians for furs?
a. by foot
b. by canoe
c. by stagecoach
36. In the song Suzanne by Leonard Cohen, our lady of the harbour refers to the statue of
whom at the Bonsecours Chapel?
a. Athene
b. Queen Victoria
c. The Virgin Mary
7
37. There is no difference in price between the summer program, one semester, or two
semesters.
a. True
b. False
38. Alan Weiss’ email address is spelled:
a. alan.weiss@johnabbott.qc.ca
b. alanweiss@johnabbott.qc.ca
c. alanzweiss@johnabbott.qc.ca
39. The address of the Austrian homepage of John Abbott College is spelled:
a. http://www.johnabbott.qc.ca/international/austria
b. http://www.johnabbott.qc.ca/international/austrian
c. http://www.johnabbott.qc.ca/international/oesterreich
Key
1. C; 2. B; 3. B; 4. C; 5. C; 6. A; 7. A; 8. C; 9. C; 10. A; 11. C; 12. B; 13. C; 14. B; 15. C; 16.
A; 17. B; 18. C; 19. B; 20. A; 21; B; 22. B; 23. C; 24. A;,25. B; 26. B; 27. C; 28. C; 29. A;
30. B. 31 D; 32. C; 33. A; 34. C; 35. B; 36. C; 37. B; 38. C; 39. B
Mixed-up Sentence Exercise
1.
Of would territory Austrias the fit nineteen Quebec Inside
Key: Nineteen Austrias would fit inside the territory of Quebec.
2.
There students in one chemistry two the computer every lab is for
Key: In the chemistry lab there is one computer for every two students.
3.
Is life important what just John manage perhaps English you how as your learning
French as and Abbott to learn College at
Key: Perhaps just as important as English or French, what you learn at John Abbott
College is how to manage your life.
8
Sentence and Vocabulary Matching
1. Life has been very _________ these days. I’m attending classes at John Abbott
College every day. I use the math learning centre whenever I can. I’m a member of
the swim team and am helping Canadian students to learn German.
A. relaxing
B. boring
C. hectic
2. So what is your ______ at John Abbott College? Someone told me you were studying
computer science or something like that?
A. class
B. teacher
C. major
3. He didn’t receive any money from his parents, so he had to work himself _________
school.
A. by
B. on
C. through
4. She received a ___________ to pay for school expenses, so things should be easier
for her now. She doesn’t have to worry about paying back any money either.
A. loan
B. scholarship
C. major
5. After I graduate, I want to try to _________ a job in my hometown.
A. buy
B. hire
C. land
9
Short Answer Questions
subjects
absolute
French
appropriate
immigrant
John Abbott College
second
freedom
preparation
science
college
performance
four
placement
outlying
preparation
mother-tongue
English courses are taught at ______ different levels. What is important to know is that in
the Province of Quebec if you’re French or an immigrant you don’t have the right to go to
an English school. You have to attend a _______ school. The first level where there is
______ of choice and French and ________ students have the right to attend an English
school is at _______ level. Outside of Montreal, there are parts of Quebec where English
is hardly spoken at all. Nevertheless, young people from these _______ areas still have
the right to come to ______________. For them the college offers an English course
entitled ______ for College English. If you have a four in English or the English ____ test
indicates you need that course, you will be placed in it. If you’re stronger, you’ll be placed
in Composition and Literature, stronger still, in Introduction to College English, and
stronger still, in Literary Genres or Literary Themes. You will choose the _______ that
interest you, whether they be horror stories, _____ fiction, or drama. The level will be
10
decided by your ________ in the English Placement Test and your grades in English. As
for French, it is taught by __________ speakers. There are six levels of French:
________ beginner, bridging French, and levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. There is a French
placement test to place you at the most _________ level. If you prefer, you can take
Spanish or Italian instead of French or no ________ language course at all.
Key:
English courses are taught at four different levels. What is important to know is that in the
Province of Quebec if you’re French or an immigrant you don’t have the right to go to an
English school. You have to attend a French school. The first level where there is
freedom of choice and French and immigrant students have the right to attend an English
school is at college level. Outside of Montreal, there are parts of Quebec where English is
hardly spoken at all. Nevertheless, young people from these outlying areas still have the
right to come to John Abbott College. For them the college offers an English course
entitled Preparation for College English. If you have a 4 in English or the English
placement test indicates you need that course, you will be placed in it. If you’re stronger,
you’ll be placed in Composition and Literature, stronger still, in Introduction to College
English, and stronger still, in Literary Genres or Literary Themes. You will choose the
subjects that interest you, whether they be horror stories, science fiction, or drama. The
level will be decided by your performance in the English Placement Test and your grades
in English. As for French, it is taught by mother-tongue speakers. There are six levels of
French: absolute beginner, bridging French, and levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. There is a French
placement test to place you at the most appropriate level. If you prefer, you can take
Spanish or Italian instead of French or no second language course at all.
Write down what you see in the picture
Take individual pictures in the power point presentation and have students write down
what they see in the picture. Go over grammar, punctuation, and content.
11
Role Plays
I.
If you were a student at John Abbott College, which course would you want to choose as
your “wish” course? In choosing that “wish” course, what would be your strongest
motivations? Rank the following ideas in order of preference. Discuss your opinions with
a partner. Role play your discussion. Would you actually take that course? Discuss the
issue in class of whether students should be more practical and job-oriented or more
oriented towards the love of learning without ulterior motives in choosing a “wish” course.




I would choose a “wish” course to enhance my qualifications so that I would be able
to choose studies that are prestigious and/or a future job with a high earning
potential.
I would choose a “wish” course based on the requirements decided by my school in
Austria
I would choose a “wish” course that is completely fanciful entirely outside of my own
personal interests or experiences
I would choose a “wish” course that would deepen my personal interests
II.
Imagine that you are a student at John Abbott College. With another Austrian student at
John Abbott College, list three leisure-time or recreational activities you would consider
getting involved in. Discuss the reasons why you chose those activities and not others.
Role play your discussion.
III.
Students are in pairs. One person plays a John Abbott College student; the other an
Austrian student. Both the Austrian and John Abbott College student describe a normal
school day, including hours, class subjects, meals, rules, dress, and extra-curricular
activities. Compare the similarities and differences between the lives of Canadian and
Austrian students.
IV.
Interview another student who is role playing an international student at John Abbott
College about the topics below and report your findings to the class:
12





exams
classroom environment
teacher-student relationships
student housing
club activities
Prepare the following information as a transparency.
If I were to have a school year abroad, I would like to go to a school where:
1.
A. The other students are the same age as me.
B. The other students are slightly older than me.
2.
A. The school is a college.
B. The school is a high school.
3.
A. It is warm in the winter.
B. There is a real winter with lots of snow and cold weather.
4.
A. The school is located next to a large city.
B. The school is located in a rural area.
5.
A. Other students in the classroom are non-specialists and amateurs like me.
B. Other students in the classroom are already specializing in the area of study of
the classroom, i. e., students in a fine arts class want to become artists.
6.
A. Math courses are five hours per week.
B. Math courses are three hours per week.
7.
A. Science courses (physics, chemistry, biology) are three hours per week.
B. Science courses (physics, chemistry, biology) are five hours per week, including
three hours of lecture and two hours of lab.
13
8.
A. Within the framework of courses you need for grade 8 in Austria, you choose the
courses you’ll take.
B. There is a set list of courses that every student takes.
9.
A. There is a set student schedule. Every student has the same student schedule.
B. Every student schedule is individual and different.
10.
A. Most of the students have French or another language as their maternal
language.
B. Most of the students have English as their maternal language.
11.
A. There is a summer program with English conversation only.
B. There is a summer program where one learns English through the disciplines of
math, history, English, and biology.
12.
A. Classes go from 8:30 in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon, but there are
breaks where students can see their teachers, visit learning centres, use the sports
facilities, or attend rock concerts or other activities.
B. Classes go from 8:30 in the morning until 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
13.
A. Everything is already set out for you in advance which classes you’re going to
go to and how you’re going to spend your day.
B. There is great individual responsibility and freedom and you decide how you are
going to organize your day.
Score the answers. Give 10 points for each of the following answers:
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. B
14
8. A
9. B
10. A
11. B
12. A
13. B
If a student scores between 70 and 130, he or she is generally speaking more
independent, more mature and self-reliant and very interested in a school like John Abbott
College. If a student scores between 0 and 60, they are on the whole less independent,
less mature, and less self-reliant and uninterested in a school like John Abbott College.
Discuss the answers, especially those where there are strong differences of opinion.
Discussion question: Should schools start earlier or later in the process of having students
choose their specializations?