Listening: A Conversation on Campus
epiphytes.
Track 1.19 Listening Skill: Listening
for Content Words Page 36
When I was a child, my father grew orchids at home. At first, I
loved them for their beauty. But over time, I noticed how amazing
they are.
Track 1.20 A. Page 36
Leo: Excuse me? Sorry to bother you, but do you know the way to
the conservatory greenhouse? This map isn’t helping me much.
Elena: Yeah, the map isn’t great and the campus does resemble a
maze, doesn’t it? Anyway, you’re in luck. I’m actually on my way to
the conservatory greenhouse right now. We can walk together.
Track 1.21 B. Listening for Main Ideas Page 37
Leo: Excuse me? Sorry to bother you, but do you know the way to
the conservatory greenhouse? This map isn’t helping me much.
Elena: Yeah, the map isn’t great and the campus does resemble a
maze, doesn’t it? Anyway, you’re in luck. I’m actually on my way to
the conservatory greenhouse right now. We can walk together.
Leo: Wow, that is lucky! I was worried I would be late for class.
Elena: Late? Are you in Professor Darrow’s class?
Leo: Yeah. I’m Leo, by the way.
Elena: And I’m Elena. Nice to meet you.
Leo: Nice to meet you, too. This is actually just my second day on
campus. I just transferred here.
Elena: Welcome. Where did you transfer from?
Leo: West Valley.
Elena: Oh, West Valley. Nice.
Leo: So, do you know what he’s going to cover today?
Elena: If I remember correctly, we’re going to discuss some of
the methods that organisms, especially plants, use to survive in
tropical areas.
Leo: That sounds interesting. He’ll probably talk about epiphytes.
I actually saw a great nature documentary about them just the
other day.
Elena: I’m sorry? Epi- what?
Leo: Epiphytes. They’re plants that get water from the air, so they
tend to live in places that have high humidity levels. You know, like
in the tropics. Hot, humid climates.
Elena: That sounds pretty cool.
Leo: It gets better: Most epiphytes grow on the branches of trees,
usually near the top where there’s plenty of sunlight. There’s not
much shelter up there, but there aren’t many animals that might
want to consume them.
Elena: So, epi—
Leo: Epiphytes.
Elena: So epiphytes grow on trees? How do they do that?
Leo: You know, I’m not really sure. Perhaps they manufacture
some kind of substance that helps them stay attached to the tree?
Maybe Professor Darrow will cover it in class today.
Elena: Maybe … but he specializes in orchids, so I imagine those
will be his primary focus.
Leo: Actually, I remember reading that a lot of orchids are
Elena: Oh, so orchids that grow in trees are epiphytes?
Leo: Yes, generally speaking. They are called epiphytic orchids.
Elena: Wow. You know a lot! I’ll bet Professor Darrow is going to be
happy you transferred into his class.
Leo: Well, I love orchids and have been studying them as a hobby.
Elena: Well, here we are: the conservatory greenhouse.
Leo: What a cool building!
Elena: Actually, it’s really warm in there. But yes, it’s a great place
for plants and plant lovers. Let’s go in. I’ll introduce you to some of
my friends.
Track 1.22 C. Listening for Details Page 37
Leo: So, do you know what he’s going to cover today?
Elena: If I remember correctly, we’re going to discuss some of
the methods that organisms, especially plants, use to survive in
tropical areas.
Leo: That sounds interesting. He’ll probably talk about epiphytes.
I actually saw a great nature documentary about them just the
other day.
Elena: I’m sorry? Epi what?
Leo: Epiphytes. They’re plants that get water from the air, so they
tend to live in places that have high humidity levels. You know, like
in the tropics. Hot, humid climates.
Elena: That sounds pretty cool.
Leo: It gets better: Most epiphytes grow on the branches of trees,
usually near the top where there’s plenty of sunlight. There’s not
much shelter up there, but there aren’t many animals that might
want to consume them.
Elena: So, epi—
Leo: Epiphytes.
Elena: So epiphytes grow on trees? How do they do that?
Leo: You know, I’m not really sure. Perhaps they manufacture
some kind of substance that helps them stay attached to the tree?
Maybe Professor Darrow will cover it in class today.
Elena: Maybe … but he specializes in orchids, so I imagine those
will be his primary focus.
Leo: Actually, I remember reading that a lot of orchids are
epiphytes.
Elena: Oh, so orchids that grow in trees are epiphytes?
Leo: Yes, generally speaking. They are called epiphytic orchids.
Elena: Wow. You know a lot! I’ll bet Professor Darrow is going to be
happy you transferred into his class.
Leo: Well, I love orchids and have been studying them as a hobby.
Elena: Well, here we are: the conservatory greenhouse.
Leo: What a cool building!
Elena: Actually, it’s really warm in there. But yes, it’s a great place
for plants and plant lovers. Let’s go in. I’ll introduce you to some of
my friends.