General Listening Quiz

Did you receive an allowance from your parents when you were child? How about now? Did you have to do household chores to earn the money? How did you spend it?

1. 1. It’s important to save money for the future.
   2. You should always save a part of your allowance or income.
   3. Spending money on things you want is just as important as saving.
   4. It’s okay to spend money if it makes you happy.
   5. You should save money before you spend it on non-essential things.
   6. It’s better to spend money on experiences than on things.
   7. It’s important to make a budget to help you save and spend wisely.
   8. Saving money for emergencies is a good idea.
   9. You should try to avoid using credit cards for things you don’t need.
   10. It’s okay to treat yourself with some of the money you save.

“do the dishes” = wash dishes
“If you want to earn your allowance this week, you need to do the dishes every day.”

“drop in the bucket” = a very small amount
“I’ve been saving my allowance for two months, but it’s still only a drop in the bucket, and it’ll take me forever to save enough money for a new bike.”

Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)

Here are some words that appear in the recording:

• allowance (noun): a small amount of money often given to children
  – How much allowance did your parents give you when you were little?
• pile up (verb phrase): to add up over time
  – You haven’t done your chores for a week, and they are piling up.
• jar (noun): a glass container, often with a wide opening and a lid
  – This is some delicious grape juice in a jar in the refrigerator.
• rest (noun): the part left over; extra
  – So, how are you going to spend the rest of your vacation?

Some parents require their children to earn an allowance by doing work in and around the house? Other parents do not give allowance at all. Still others give money to their children without requiring any work from them. Which system do you agree with most? Explain why.