General Listening Quiz
“Alcoholics Anonymous”
| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| difficult | drinking | man and woman | 2:23 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
What are the causes and effects of alcoholism on families and society as a whole?
Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
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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? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
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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. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
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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. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.
- 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 with intoxicated? Use the Internet to identify resources that can assist family and friends in fighting this addiction.