Listening blinks rapidly to signal its mates. An intruder threatens. The fish can startle it by shining its light. It can flash its light and abruptly change directions. Its predators are confused, and the flashlight fish makes its escape. Bioluminescence has many advantages for the flashlight fish. Now read the same passage with transition words, which are underlined. The bioluminescent flashlight fish does not actually light up. Instead, it has a saclike organ under each eye that contains luminous bacteria. Although the bacteria glow constantly, the fish can control the light by eye movements. The flashlight fish uses its lights to search for food in the dark depths. Once the fish finds food, it blinks rapidly to signal its mates. If an intruder threatens, the fish can startle it by shining its light. It can also flash its light and then abruptly change directions. As a result, its predators are confused, and the flashlight fish makes its escape. In short, bioluminescence has many advantages for the flashlight fish. ‘The connecting words and phrases above help lead the listener by signaling contrasts (instead, although], sequences (once, then}, conditions (if, additions (also), results (as a result), and a summary (in short]. (For more information and practice, see Practice with Understanding the Connection of Ideas, p. 164; and Exercises R4-R8 and Reading Mini-test 2, pp. 167-177,) Exercises L4-L8 use Listening Exercises L4-L8 to develop your skills in understanding connections. EXERCISE L4 Identifying referents The referents in each sentence are underlined. If the reference word or phrase refers back to information already given in the sentence, draw a backwards arrow (<—] and ‘write the information that it refers to to the left of the arrow. If the reference word or phrase anticipates information, draw a forward arrow (—>] and write the information that it refers to to the right of the arrow. While tide pools can survive natural assaults, they are defenseless against humans. tide pools <— they ‘The pronoun referent they refers back to tide pools. Because of their vitality and pervasiveness, Greek myths and legends should be studied for a full appreciation of European culture. their —> Greek myths and legends ‘The possessive adjective their anticipates Greek myths and legends. 1. People once thought the word abracadabra had mystical powers, so they wore this word inscribed on amulets as a good-luck charm, $A te this word 259Part 2 Building Skills 2. For the subject matter of her novels, Willa Cather used the frontier life of the Nebraska prairie of her youth, subject matter her her 3, During a drying time of six to eight weeks, the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat until the kernels rattle in their shell when shaken. a drying time its their 4, To pass his time away in jail, Charles duc d’Orléans smuggled out rhyming love letters to his wife, and this may have been the beginning of the custom of sending ‘Valentine cards to loved ones. his his this EXERCISE L5 @9 Identifying referents in conversation Listen to part of a conversation. Then write the word or phrase that each referent refers to. After you have completed all the items, listen again and check your answers. (For additional practice, see Exercises G17, p. 112, and GI9, p. 115; Exercises R4-R8 and Reading Mini-test 2, pp. 167-177; Exercise SI1, p. 321; and Exercise W4, p. 382.) You hear: (man| I've never been to Scandinavia, so I've decided I'm gonna spend the summer there, (woman) ‘That'll be expensive, won't itt (man} Hmmm, not really. My grandfather is from a small Swedish town neat the Norwegian border. He has a sis... H-His sister still lives there. In Sweden. (woman) Will you stay with her? (man) For some of the time. The expensive part will be my stay in Denmark. I don’t know anyone there. there Scandinavia ‘That __spending the summer in Scandinavia Ee EarEHies rics GrarigidL/1er Ma easement ene ES ENODONEIEE His_the man's grandfather there __in a small Swedish town her_the grandfather’ sister the time _ the summer in Scandinavia there _Denmark HAs Pon Bp 260Listening START > 1. A. the one who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin he. her er the little lady who started the Civil War when he SoS it the idea that one thing. its something —— they rs it These one that POPP MUOP PMO e > mOO ep STOP EXERCISE L6 $3 /dentifying referents in a lecture Listen to part of a lecture, Write the word or phrase that cach referent refers to. After you have completed all the items, listen again and check your answers. You hear: ‘A mushroom recently found in New Jersey is more than three times as old as any previously discovered. As you know, mushrooms are rather fragile, so Fragile that they are seldom preserved for Tong. So we don’t have many specimens. However, this particular mushroom .... that was found, ... uh 90 miltion years ago ihis mushroom was surrounded by tree resin, which then solidified into amber. Bark fibers and leaves were found in other pieces of amber in close vicinity of the mushroom. This sug... suggests that the mushroom was growing on the rotting remains of a cedar tree. The New Jersey mushroom - tiny, only a few millimeters across - the New Jersey mushroom Jooks very similar to those belonging to the group of fungi, uh, those that make up “fairy rings”... you know... those kind of circles of mushrooms that you sometimes see on lawns. ‘A. any _previously discovered mushrooms B. specimens _preserved mushrooms . this particular mushroom _the mushroom found in New Jersey D. This suggests _bark fibers and leaves in pieces of amber found close by E. those kind of circles of mushrooms __fairy rings 261Part 2 Building Skills 262 START > 1. A. this happening these people. . these problems their ideas the dream this climb these are granted a few groups He did this a particular problem. such divisions D. which are divisible OPP ONe PDO STOP EXERCISE L7 $3 Following signals Listen to part of a lecture. Underline the transition word or phrase that the speaker uses to indicate the relationship of one idea to the next. Then in your own words, write the information that the speaker is emphasizing with the signal (transition word] used. There may be more than one signal in an item. ‘You read and hear: ‘The dramatic changes during an insects life cycle through metamorphosis are of utmost importance. This is what prevents competition for resources within the species itself You write: metamorphosis prevents a species from competing with itself You should underline the phrase utmost importance because this is the speaker's signal for the listener to pay particular attention to what is important. The speaker | is highlighting the importance of metamorphosis as the phenomenon that prevents a species from competing with itself, so you should write this inthe space. START > 1. Land reform can involve large estates being parceled out in smaller plots. In contrast, it can also involve small landholdings being consolidated into larger estates. 2. Using word connotations that have powerful associations for your reader or listener has the effect of making your facts or opinions appear more attractive or less attractive. Consequently, writers and speakers use connotations to persuade their audience. 3. Sea defenses are built to prevent beaches from being washed away. However, these defenses may be the cause of land erosion further along the coastline.Listening 4, After the beginning draft ofa paper is finished, first put away the paper and do something else and then go back to it later with a clear mind, 5. The decomposition in organic matter is important for the release and circulation of minerals into the environment. In particular, detritus feeders, like shrimp in the sea and earthworms on land, have a role in the breakdown of dead material. STOP EXERCISE L8 9 Using signals for understanding conversations and lectures Read the question, then listen to the conversation or lecture. Use the signals to help you answer the questions. You read: The speaker talks about the making of cloisonné in different time periods. ‘What is contrasted in the making of cloisonné? You hear: Cloisonné is a kind of fine pottery made from a particular kind of clay and fired in a kiln, It has... cloisonné has an enameled surface decorated with elaborate designs, the, wh, outlines are formed by small bands of metal. The, uh, Byzantines excelled in making this kind of pottery up until the 15th century. However, in the last hundred years, Japan and China have been the leaders in the... . in the production of cloisonné You write: the Byzantines making cloisonné in the 15th century, and Japan and China being the producers during the last century ‘The connecting word however signals that a contrast is being made. The Byzantines’ production of cloisonné until the 15th century is contrasted with production in Japan and China in the last century. START > 1. The professor tells the students that features of dinosaur tracks provide information. What are the features, and what information does each provide? 2, The professor talks about reactions of trees against pest attacks. What are the results of pest attacks? 263Part 2 Building Skills 3. The students review information about three kinds of tail fins. What are the kinds of fins, and what details are given about them? 4, The student gives an extended example as an explanation for concepts in physics. ‘What is the example, and what concepts does it explain? STOP PRACTICE WITH IDENTIFYING TOPICS Identifying the topic of a conversation or lecture immediately will help you anticipate the information you will hear and the details you will need to remember in order to answer the questions. The topic is what the conversation or lecture is mainly about. It is usually found at the beginning of the listening passage. Look at the following example: Arthritis is one of the oldest complaints that has tormented not only humans but animals as well. Even dinosaurs suffered from it millions of years ago. The earliest known example of one with arthritis is the platycarpus. So it is natural that you will also see arthritis in the animals that are brought into pet clinics. Today we will be comparing slides of the bone structure of healthy animals and arthritic animals to help you diagnose arthritis in the future, ‘The topic of arthritis is stated at the beginning of this lecture, Although the speaker discusses different aspects of the topic, arthritis remains the main topic of the lecture. Sometimes a broad topic is narrowed down to a specific topic. Other times, it appears that the speaker or speakers are going to discuss one topic, but then the topic is changed. Read the following example: {woman} Before we start today, I would like to remind you that the video conference will be shown in the Franklin auditorium ... ub, the debates between the candidates for the coming election. {man} Excuse me. Ub, will we be able to ask the speakers questions and uh, or take part in any of the deb-. . . wh, the discussions? {woman} No, we won't. Some of the larger state universities will be able to take part, but we only have the facilities to listen ... unfortunately. {man} Is the university doing anything toward improving our facilities? 264Listening {woman} Well, yes, in fact, they are. They are budgeting a large sum of money, so, uh, in order to build a conference center, here on this, the main, campus. This center is supposed to include all the facilities needed, (man) When will that bet I mean, is there a proposed date for these facilities to be ready? (woman) Uh-huh, but I'm aftaid they will probably be, wh, the center will be open after you have graduated. You know, because the building will take at Jeast a year to complete and it’s still only in the planning stage. ‘Although the first speaker introduces the first topic of the discussion ~ a video conference of debates between candidates for an election ~ the topic changes to the facilities for video conferencing at the speakers’ university. The remainder of the conversation concerns the university's plans for improving its facilities. Exercises L9-L12 Use Listening Exercises L9-12 to develop your skills in identifying topics. EXERCISE L9 @ Predicting the topic Listen to the statement. Predict the topic to be discussed, and write your prediction in the space. You hear: The molecular structure of synthetic vitamins is the same as that of natural vitamins. ‘You write: vitamins ‘The lecture will probably continue with more information about vitamins. START > 1 sawp STOP 265Part 2 Building Skills EXERCISE L10 §3 Identifying the topic from the first statement Listen to the first statement of a conversation or lecture. Choose the answer that states the topic. You hear: Of all nonprofessional architects, Michelangelo was the most adventurous. ® professional architects adventurous architects ® Michelangelo's architecture D Michelangelo's adventures You should choose C because the speaker will probably continue the talk by explaining in what ways Michelangelo's architecture was adventurous. START > 1, @ uses of acupuncture in the West China in recent years ® the practice of acupuncture ® ancient cures for arthritis 2. B fabric muscles @® millimeters ® lengths 3. @© communications technology challenges in communications ® educational satellites ® educational possibilities 4, BD the Spanish literature seminars ® the Spanish courses offered ©® the history of Spain ®D the Golden Age of Spanish literature 5, @ the signs and symptoms of influenza the signs and symptoms of the common cold © similarities between the common cold and influenza ® highly contagious diseases 6.@® the lack of human protein in diets causes of malnutrition in the world © serious world problems ® deficiency of animal protein in the human diet sTOP 266Listening EXERCISE L11 §} Determining if the topic is stated in the first sentence Listen to the conversation or talk. Write Yes in the blank if the topic can be identified in the first sentence. Write No if it is not stated immediately. ‘You hear: When a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood strikes, time is often a critical factor in providing needed shelter for people who are suddenly homeless and exposed to the elements. Ideally, the erection of a shelter should take a short time. The emergeney use of tents has been the conventional answer to these situations. However, in many cases, those left homeless are in need of shelter for an extensive period of time. The temporary and insufficient nature of tent housing does not meet these longer-term requirements. You write: Yes ‘The talk is mainly about shelters for people left suddenly homeless. This is mentioned in the first sentence of the talk, and the speaker does not change toa different topic. ‘You hear: By nine o'clock in the morning, the streets were lined with people. Somewhere in the distance a band was heard playing a marching song. Shopkeepers were locking their doors and joining the crowds. Everyone was craning their necks to see how long it would be before the first float in the parade reached them. You write: No ‘The talk is mainly a description of the start of a parade. The topic is not stated until the end of the passage. START > 2 aeRe STOP 267Part 2 Building Skills EXERCISE L12 ©} Identifying a change in topic Listen to the passage. Write the topic in the space. You hear: Hygiene was almost unheard of in Europe during the Middle Ages. Consequently, millions of people died during various epidemics that raged throughout Europe, The worst outbreak of plague, called the Black Death, struck between the years 1347 and 1851. The populations of thousands of villages were wiped out. In fact, it is thought that about one-third of all the people in Europe perished during the Black Death. | You write: the Black Death Although the speaker begins by discussing hygiene, the talk is mainly about the epidemic of plague called the Black Death. START > L 2. 3. 4, STOP 268