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2x Mini-lecture Practice 1

Task 6

Listen to a two-minute mini lecture on how guide dogs are trained. Check the vocabulary before you listen. Listen as many times as you want and take notes using the note-taking methods. If you’d like more guidance, then use the note-taking framework in the drop-down menu.

Listen and take notes in your notebook using a flow chart or download the note-taking framework below.












Vocabulary: reinforcement / rewarded / to obey /to command / to familiarise / a harness / a residential area / obedience / distraction / obstacles / navigating / an escalator / a challenging environment / crowded places / partnered / a visually impaired person

Guide dogs

TRANSCRIPT: Hello, today’s talk is all about how guide dogs are trained. According to Guide Dogs for the Blind, there are 7 phases in total, which can take up to a total of 5 months. The first step is the beginning of positive reinforcement training, in which the dog is rewarded, usually with food, for obeying some simple commands. Next, the focus is on familiarising the dog with its harness and being outside in a residential area. Phrase 3 centres around obedience and distraction training, whereas in step 4, dogs are presented with obstacles they must clear. In phases 5 and 6, the dogs are exposed to more challenging environments, such as navigating an escalator or a street without a pavement. In the final stage, the dogs are introduced to more crowded places, such as a busy town centre or public transport, and other animals which may distract them. After these 7 steps, the dog will then be tested before being partnered with a client. Together they will spend 2 weeks in class training. Following this, the dog will be able to work as a guide dog for a visually impaired person for up to 10 years.

Review

  1. Compare your notes with the model notes (ANSWERS).
  2. What could you do better?

Task 7

You are going to listen to a two-minute lecture on the popularity of streaming services. Check the vocabulary before you listen. Listen as many times as you want and take notes using the note-taking methods. If you’d like more guidance, then use the note-taking framework in the drop-down menu.

Listen and take notes in your notebook using a spider gram or download the note-taking framework below.












Vocabulary: Netflix / Amazon Prime / on-demand / a survey / respondents / a contributor / highly rated / foreign language films / latest releases / to excel / documentaries, / a series / a questionnaire / subscribers / millennials / zoomers / to appeal to… / terrestrial television

streaming services

TRANSCRIPT: Hello, today’s presentation is about the popularity of on-demand streaming services. A recent survey has revealed that Netflix and Amazon Prime continue to be the most popular streaming services worldwide. Respondents mentioned that although Prime has a larger collection of titles, Netflix’s own original content is a huge contributor to its popularity. Netflix also offers consumers a bigger choice of payment plans, unlike Prime, which has a set price. The biggest reason given for choosing Prime was its consistent offering of highly-rated movies, including foreign language films, and latest releases, something which Netflix lacks. However, Netflix excels in offering a wider range of series and documentaries, which could explain why it is currently more popular than Prime. What is clear from the questionnaire results is the fact that as both services allow subscribers to watch what they want, how they want and where they want, this appeals enormously to millennials and zoomers, which account for a significant proportion of the 300 million plus combined users around the globe. It is clear that on-demand streaming services continue to be more popular than terrestrial television, especially in a time when people are spending more time at home than ever before.

Review

  1. Compare your notes with the model notes (ANSWERS).
  2. What could you do better?

Listening Transcripts