General Listening Quiz
“Alcoholics Anonymous”
| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficult | Drinking | Man – Woman | 02:23 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
What are the causes and effects of alcoholism on families and society as a whole?
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, exploring ideas, and sharing opinions.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way?
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms.
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate.
- Drinking alcohol is acceptable in moderation.
- Substance abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a crime.
- Young people should learn about alcohol and drugs in school.
- Peer pressure is a major reason why people start using harmful substances.
- It’s okay to drink alcohol at family gatherings or celebrations.
- People who struggle with addiction should not be judged.
- Advertising for alcohol should be banned.
- Some people can drink responsibly, while others cannot.
- Recovering from substance abuse requires more than just willpower.
- Social media makes drinking and drug use seem more normal than it really is.
Idioms
“go cold turkey” = suddenly stop doing something that is usually a bad habit.
“Phil tried to go cold turkey on his drinking addiction, but he couldn’t stay away from stuff.”
“drink like a fish” = drink alcohol excessively
“She tends to drink like a fish when she gets together with her friends.”
“drown one’s sorrows” = drink to stop your unhappiness
“Trying to drown your sorrows in a bottle of whiskey won’t solve your financial problems.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
How would you describe Dave’s perception of his own drinking habits in the conversation? What kinds of negative effects might continue to happen if he doesn’t alter his current course of behavior? Have you ever known anyone like Dave? How did things turn out for this individual?
Online Investigation
If people struggle with alcohol addiction in your community, what resources are available to provide emotional support and effective treatment to this problem? What are the legal penalties for driving while intoxicated? Use the internet to identify resources that can assist family and friends in fighting this addiction.