SLP Listening

Level 2

Questions

The Africa Mercy

Question 1 Why do the people with diseases believe they are ill?
a) Because of the western world
b) Due to bad sanitation
c) Because of evil politicians
d) On account of supernatural spirits and spells

Jane Austin Celebrated

Question 2 What did the speaker ask for as a school prize?

a) The Pride and Prejudice book
b) A compilation of all Jane Austin's work
c) The book Emma
d) To meet Jane Austin

Tax Havens

Question 3 How much is held in offshore accounts?

a) $80 trillion
b) $21 trillion
c) $32 trillion
d) The exact amount is not known, estimates differ

Short-Sightedness

Question 4 What is shortsightedness?

a) When you damage your eye
b) When you can't see things that are close without glasses
c) When you can't see things that are far away without glasses
d) When you are partially blind

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Question 5 Why did Connor sleep on his tummy?

a) Because he was used to to it
b) Because of back problems
c) Due to tummy problems
d) On account of a problem with his birth
Transcripts

The Africa Mercy Source: CBS

Around the world countless millions suffer with diseases that could be easily cured, if those
patients could only reach modern medical care. For a fortunate few, there is a lifeline
called 'Africa Mercy'. She is the largest civilian hospital ship on the seas, but she is also
the closest thing to a time machine you're ever likely to see.

Her largely American crew brings 21st century medicine to people who believe that
illnesses are caused by evil spirits. The patients' beliefs may seem archaic, but their
courage is to be admired. They suffer from diseases unseen in America, illnesses that can
make you believe in curses. Spend a few days, as we did, aboard the 'Africa Mercy', and
you will see how two worlds meet at the intersection of courage, and compassion.

Jane Austin Celebrated Source: BBC

It seems that we are in the midst of another round of what might be termed "Jane Austin
worship", and once again it's to do with her most celebrated novel 'Pride and Prejudice'.
But rather because it's the 200th anniversary of the first publication of the novel, in
February 1813.

To mark this occasion, a slew of new books are appearing about Jane Austin's life, and
work, and world, and later this month the Royal Mail will issue a series of 6
commemorative stamps, celebrating all her great novels.

I first became an admirer of Jane Austin when I studied 'Emma' for A-Level English
Literature, and I was so captivated by its whit and warmth, its delicious irony and
irrepressible high spirits, that I asked for a single-volume edition of her collected works as
a school prize.

Tax Havens Source: The Economist

Well, there's generally agreed to be about, sort of, between fifty or sixty tax havens out
there, or offshore financial centres as some people call them, but it depends on how you
define it.

In terms of the amounts out there, there are various estimates. For instance, the Boston
Consulting Group, which is one of the world's biggest consultancies, their estimate for
private financial wealth (held offshore) is around $8 trillion, but that doesn't include fixed
assets for instance - like yachts, and real-estate and so on.

You have other estimates, for instance from some of the tax campaigning groups - the Tax
Justice Network - they came out with a very thorough report last year that put the total
(again, private wealth held offshore) at at least $21 trillion, and perhaps as much as $32
trillion.
Shortsightedness Source: BBC

Why do people become short-sighted? Was all that childhood nagging from your parents
about television damaging your eyesight really justified or is it simply something that is all
in our genes?

Shortsightedness, or more formally myopia, is one of the commonest disorders of the eye.
It happens because the eyeball grows too long, which means light then focusses in front of
the retina, rather than onto it, leaving distant objects appearing blurred.

Until recently, scientists had only been aware of two genes that contribute to this condition,
but a Nature genetics study, published this week by Professor Chris Hammond's group at
King's College London, spanning 45,000 people and the continents of Asia, Europe,
Australasia and America, has unearthed another 24 genes important in the development of
shortsightedness.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Source: ABC

Let me tell you the story of Connor. Like thousands of babies each year, Connor was born
early after just 30 weeks of gestation. Connor's stay in hospital was lengthy, but he was
finally discharged home as an apparently healthy, growing, ex-preterm baby. At home his
mum had difficulty getting him to sleep on his back because he had become accustomed
to sleeping on his tummy whilst in hospital. After much frustration she decided to let him
asleep on his tummy in the prone sleep position, thinking that if they did it in hospital it
must be safe.

One night Connor's Mum put him down to sleep on his tummy, as usual. Tragically, in the
morning Connor was found lifeless and could not be resuscitating. His death was later
attributed to the sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. This is the story of another
devastating SIDS death, of which Australia continues to see more than 80 cases every
year.
Answers
1. D
2. B
3. D
4. C
5. A