Listening 2

Lead-in
1 Work in pairs and discuss the questions.
1 What can you see in the photo? Is giving gifts important in your culture? Why?
2 Are there any typical or traditional gifts in your culture? If so, when would you give them?
3 Are there any gifts which you should avoid giving in your culture? When/Why?
4 Have you ever given or received an unusual gift? What was it?

Test training: Introducing new and contrasting ideas

2 Put the words or phrases in the box in the correct column.
another point another thing to focus on but firstly however instead of lastly next on the other hand whereas

Introducing a new point Contrasting two ideas

3 Choose the correct words or phrases to complete the paragraph.

1 Firstly / Next, it’s important to say that I think giving gifts is as important as receiving them.
2 However / Whereas, I do realise that it can be difficult to buy gifts for other people, especially if you don’t know
them very well. 3 On the other hand / Another point to make is that it’s not how much a gift costs, 4 but / instead of
the thought that counts.

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 Listening 2

Test practice: Form and sentence Vocabulary

completion 6 2.1 Complete the sentences by replacing
4 Look at Questions 1–10 in Activity 5 and discuss the underlined words with the words in the box.
possible answers with your partner. What ‘clues’ Then listen to the recording again to check your
are there in the questions? answers.
5 2.1 Complete Questions 1–10. contribute demonstrates high-value opt for source
thorny token vital
Questions 1–4
1 So, Belinda thank you for coming on today’s show
Complete the table below. to talk to us about the difficult issue of buying gifts
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A for people that we work with here in the USA.
NUMBER for each answer.
2 Firstly, it’s important not to spend too much.
Buying gifts for work colleagues  
3 Purchasing expensive gifts may sound like a good
Suggestion Possible outcome idea to impress someone and this may happen.
Cost Make sure it is not Upsets       
too expensive 1 4 There’s nothing wrong with paying a reasonable
amount of money since this shows that you’ve put
Spend a Shows respect and some thought into the gift.
2 thoughtfulness 5 Instead of focusing on what you think the tastes of
amount of money the person might be, choose something which is
Style Buy something Reduces risk of classic.
classic 3 6 Now in some cultures, new employees are
given a gift when they join a company. This is
Do not be overly Can be considered
not true for everywhere and usually it is more
4 boring
of a sign of acceptance than a meaningful gift.

7 A longer time period is usually reflected by

Questions 5–10
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.
Gifts for stages of employment
Welcome – used to signify 5
a new organisation
Anniversary markers – 6
corresponds to the length of time working
Additional function – gives employees a(n)
7 to remain at the same
company
Leaving – co-workers 8
gift for the leaver
9 – similar to leaving party
Main difference is higher value of gift
Importance indicated by 10
from senior employee.
a higher value gift, so it’s important to bear
that in mind if you have to find such a gift.
8 Leaving do’s are very common nowadays and
usually involve a party and a gift which other
employees give money to.
into
Follow-up
7 Work in pairs and discuss the questions.
1 Which question type (table- or notes-completion)
were you able to answer more easily? Why?
2 What did you use to help you in the table-
to buy a completion questions?
3 Were there any ‘clues’ to help you predict the
listening content in the notes-completion
questions?
4 Did you hear the linking phrases? Which ones can
you remember?
5 How did the linking phrases help you to answer
the questions?
8 Work in groups and discuss these questions.
1 What kinds of gifts do you like to receive?
2 Would you say it is better to give or to receive a
gift? Why?
3 Is it usual to give gifts to work colleagues in your
country?

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