LISTENING FOR NUMERICAL INFORMATION

Listening for numerical information is an important skill to practice because conversations, interviews, and lectures often include this type of information.

1 Before you listen to some information about trends in the American family, read the following questions and answers about current trends in family structure. Do you think the answers are true or false? For each answer, circle either T (true) or F (false). Compare your predictions with a partner.

Now listen to the information about trends in the family and check whether your predictions were correct. Cross out any false information in the "Answers" column and write in the correct information. Compare your answers with your

► PLAY

Q AMERICAN VOICES: Robert and Carlos

In this section you will hear Robert talk about growing up in an extended family. Then you will hear Carlos discuss how he was raised in a single-parent home.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEWS

PERSONALIZING THE TOPIC

Thinking about vour own experiences and ideas related to a topic can help you understand and remember the information that you hear.

1 Work with a partner and compare your family backgrounds. Use the chart below each question to make notes about your and your partner’s answers.

1 How many people were there in your household when you were a child? Who were they?

2 In what ways was your family typical of other families in your community? Tn what ways was it different?

3 What important lessons did you learn from your family? Can you describe one? For example, did anyone in your family ever explain to you why it was necessary to act a certain way?

Work with a different partner and compare the information you wrote down in your charts.

INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT: Growing up in an extended family

Here are some words and phrases from the interview with Robert printed in bold and given in the context in which you will hear them. They are followed by definitions.

Probably the most important influence in my life was my family: something that makes a strong impression on yon

not just my mother and father, but my extended family: a family that includes many relatives such as cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and several generations I grew up very close to my family: closely connected by love for each other and tune spent together

I never really sought people out besides mv family: looked for My grandfather wasn’t retired: was still working

He was more protective of us than my mother was: watched over us closely some of my best traits: characteristics

Families are not necessarily blood relations: genetically related; related by blood