Listening 2 — Gifts & holidays (three tracks)

Three parts — listen to all of them

This listening is divided into three tracks in your book. Listen to Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 (Track 4.6, Track 4.7, and Track 4.8) before you do the activities below.

Tracks 4.6 and 4.7 present the discussion in two sections. Track 4.8 is the full conversation from beginning to end — use it to review the whole dialogue in one recording. You should hear all three so you are ready for every question.

Before You Listen

Listen to all three tracks first, then continue

Listen to the audio in your Listening and Speaking book.

Unlock 3 – Unit 4 - Listening 2

Part 1 — Track 4.6: the assignment, Mother’s Day, shopping stress — and choosing the topic “holidays have become too commercial.”
Part 2 — Track 4.7: the debate — gifts vs time, obligation, thoughtful gifts, graduation, letters of advice.
Part 3 — Track 4.8: the complete discussion (same conversation as in 4.6 + 4.7, in one go).

Discussion Questions

Use all three tracks (4.6, 4.7, and 4.8) so you know the full discussion.

📝 The assignment & topic

•What are the students supposed to discuss (changing customs and modern lifestyles)?
•What topic does Gabriela suggest after they talk about Mother’s Day and shopping?

🎁 Gifts: yes or no?

•How do Yildiz’s views differ from David’s and Gabriela’s about gift giving?
•What does David say about “last minute” gifts and obligation?
•What kind of gift does Yildiz use as an example of something thoughtful?

🎓 Graduation

•What happened when David’s sister graduated? What alternative does he suggest instead of many gifts?
•Why does Yildiz want to keep graduation gifts?

💭 Your opinion

•Do you think holidays have become too commercial? Is spending time more important than buying gifts?

Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the best answer based on the listening (all tracks).

1. The students’ assignment is to discuss customs which have been changing recently — in other words, how ______ have changed people’s behaviour.

Modern lifestyles Ancient history only Traffic rules in one city Cooking butter at home

2. Gabriela suggests the group’s topic should be: how holidays have become ______.

Too commercial Illegal everywhere Only one day long Cancelled by the university

3. Mother’s Day is ______.

In two days (at the time they are speaking) In two months Already finished last year Not mentioned

4. Yildiz says she likes giving gifts because ______.

It shows that you were thinking of someone Shops always pay her to buy them She is required to by law She hates thoughtful presents

5. David says people usually buy gifts because it’s an ______, not because they really want to.

Obligation Adventure Accident Invitation

6. Yildiz gives an example of a thoughtful, personal gift: ______.

Maybe the new book by their favourite author A random stone from the street Nothing — she hates books Only chocolate every time

7. Gabriela is not convinced by expensive gifts because she thinks the money could be spent on more important things, and ______.

Shopping time could be spent with the person instead People should never buy food Books are always free Mother’s Day should be cancelled

8. David’s sister graduated from university last year and ______.

She got lots of gifts and money — the focus was on opening gifts She received no gifts at all She refused to graduate She only got letters of advice

9. David suggests that instead of many graduation gifts, people could ______.

Write letters of advice for the future Burn all books Never speak to graduates Only give chocolate

10. Yildiz thinks graduation gifts are ______ — young people need gifts and money for starting their new life.

Practical Useless Illegal Impossible to find

Quiz Results

Fill in the Blanks

Use words from the list (order shuffled on purpose).

Gabriela • obligation • graduation • Yildiz • restaurant
Mother's • advice • modern • personal • commercial

1. They must discuss how ______ lifestyles have changed people’s behaviour.

2. Gabriela’s topic is: how holidays have become too ______.

3. ______ Day is in two days and David hasn’t bought a gift yet.

4. David says people usually buy gifts because it’s an ______, not because they really want to.

5. David says mothers might be happy with lunch at a nice ______ instead of more gifts.

6. David talks about his sister’s ______ from university — lots of gifts and money.

7. He suggests writing letters of ______ for the future instead of many gifts.

8. ______ thinks graduation gifts are practical for starting a new life.

9. Yildiz says you should get something thoughtful and ______ — e.g. a book by their favourite author.

10. ______ says, “That’s it! There’s our topic!” — how holidays have become too commercial.

Results

True or False

Based on the listening (all tracks).

1. David says he is tired of shopping for gifts and doesn’t know why we have to get gifts for every little holiday.

True False

2. Gabriela and David have already bought Mother’s Day gifts when they speak.

True False

3. David says that when people receive more than a few gifts, they usually can’t remember who gave them which gift.

True False

4. Yildiz agrees that graduates would be happy if we replaced gifts with only letters of advice.

True False

5. The speaker lists chocolate, jewellery and a scarf as examples of last-minute gifts.

True False