Wedding Anniversary | Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level:	Topic:	Speakers:	Length:
advanced	anniversaries	man - woman	01:46

Pre-Listening Exercise

What are some common ways to celebrate your anniversary? What do people do, where do they go, and what gifts do they buy for their spouses?

Idioms

"once in a blue moon" = very rarely
"We go on vacation once in a blue moon."

"grab a bite (to eat)" = have a light meal
"I grabbed a bite before I got to work."

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

The man _______.

forgot to buy his wife's favorite flowers

didn't take his wife out last week

didn't remember their anniversary

Husband: Happy Anniversary! Wife: Oh, thank you. They're beautiful. You shouldn't have . . . especially since our anniversary was last week. Husband: What? Oh, I completely forgot . . .

The woman's ideal vacation is ______.

a cruise to faraway exotic places

a week alone at a hot springs resort

a comfortable trip at high-class accommodations

Wife: No! To Europe. I want to fly first class and stay at 5-star hotels. And no more places with broken heaters, leaky showers, and dirty bedding.

The woman wants a new kitchen range because _____.

her range is too small for the family

the current stove burns the woman's meals

her current stove isn't working properly

Woman: And, oh yeah. Next, I want to get a new kitchen stove. The old one took its last breath weeks ago.

The woman wants more clothing because _____.

she needs smaller sizes

she is tired of wearing old, used clothing

she needs more comfortable clothing

Wife: And, NO, I'm not going to wear your grandmother's old secondhand pants again.

The woman suggests _____ before they plan their trip.

having a light lunch

talking with friends

buying some travel books

Wife: Uh, hmm, for now. So, why don't we grab a bite to eat before we start planning the entire adventure.

Post-Listening Exercise

There are many different customs and traditions for celebrating (or not) wedding anniversaries around the world. Explain one or two ways in which couples celebrate their wedding anniversary, whether it be the first, tenth, or fiftieth. What do people do? Where do they go? Are their special foods or events that people organize or attend?

Online Investigation

Imagine that you have been married exactly one year. Plan the ideal date to celebrate your wedding anniversary. Use the Internet to find the perfect gift and an expensive restaurant in your area. What if your partner forgot your wedding anniversary, how would you react? Discuss your findings with a partner.

See Listening Script

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