Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

UNIT 3
Unit 3, Psychology, The Q Classroom
Page 52

Teacher: The Unit 3 question is “Is change good or bad?”

So what are some of the big changes you’ve made in your life
recently? Marcus?
Marcus: Uh, I moved here and started college.
Teacher: Has that been a good change or a bad change for
you?
Marcus: A good change. I’m more independent now.
Teacher: What about change in general? Have the changes in
your life been good for you or bad for you? Yuna?
Yuna: Good. I lost my job and was very sad. But now I am
here, going to school full time, and happy.
Teacher: So sometimes a change that seems bad at first turns
out to be a good thing. Do you agree, Sophy? Is change usually
a good thing?
Sophy: Well, changes in my life have usually been good, like
moving or starting a new school, but sometimes changes in
society aren’t good, like when the crime rate goes up or the
environment becomes polluted.
Teacher: OK, let’s talk about changes in society. The world
has changed a lot since your parents were your age. Have most
of those changes been good or bad? What does that say about
change in general? Felix?
Felix: I think most changes have a good side and a bad side.
My mom would say that people today spend too much time
sitting at the computer and not enough time talking face-to face
or getting out. But it’s also true that I can stay in touch
with my friends all over the world in a way she never could. So
there are really two ways to look at most changes.

Unit 3, Listening 1, Activity A

Page 57

Gary McBride: Hello everyone. My name’s Gary McBride,

and I’m here to talk to you today about the benefits of
downshifting. By “downshifting” I mean getting out of the
rat race and living a simpler life, one with less power and
responsibility—and, of course, less money—but with more free
time and opportunity to enjoy life. It’s something we probably
all think about from time to time, but I’ve actually done it…so
thank you for giving me this opportunity to tell you about my

© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 1 of 8

Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

experience.

A few years ago I worked on Wall Street for a big bank. I was a
typical city trader, buying and selling stocks day after day…and
it was very well-paid. I mean, I earned hundreds of thousands
of dollars. I wore designer clothes, drove a luxury sports car,
lived in a huge apartment downtown. I felt like I was king of
the world. But there was a price to pay. I couldn’t really handle
all the stress. I had headaches and stomach problems the whole
time. My personal life also suffered, as I was never home to
build a steady relationship…and then the financial crisis came
along. You remember that, right? Like many others, I lost
my job. But instead of looking for work in other companies,
retraining, or starting my own business, I felt I needed to do
something different. I was curious about the world out there
and I needed to justify my place in it. I needed a change.

Unit 3, Listening 1, Activity B

Page 57

Gary McBride: So…for six months, I traveled around Mexico, then South
America, and over to Europe. It gave me the time and space
I needed to think about what I wanted to do…and when I
got back…I decided to leave Wall Street. I sold my car, and
my apartment, and went to live in a small town in Iowa, to be
near my parents. After a couple of months, I started looking
for work. I earned a lot as a city trader, but I also spent a lot…
so I didn’t have any savings. I wanted to try something new,
something different. The first position I was offered was a
home-care assistant in the local hospital. It seemed a friendly
place, so I took it!
These days I’m still a home-care assistant. I go to the homes of
sick or elderly people who need help, and I help them wash,
I do their housekeeping, prepare their meals. I talk to them.
Being a home-care assistant is a very different job from what
I was doing before. Of course, the salary is considerably lower,
so I don’t eat out often, I can’t buy a new car, and I certainly
can’t afford an overseas vacation anymore…but you know
what? I’ve adapted, and now I’m very fulfilled. Living life at
a slower speed means I have time to make friends…real
friends! I have a better relationship with my family, and I feel
healthier too!
As a city trader, I was always busy. I only thought about myself.
But now, my job is to care for other people, and helping other
people has helped me to be a better person. I’ve achieved the

© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 2 of 8

Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

goal I set for myself when I came back from traveling—I finally
know what it is to be happy…Now, are there any questions?

Unit 3, Listening 1, Activity C; Unit 3, Listening Skill, Activity A

Page 57, 60

Gary McBride: Hello everyone. My name’s Gary McBride,

and I’m here to talk to you today about the benefits of
downshifting. By “downshifting” I mean getting out of the
rat race and living a simpler life, one with less power and
responsibility—and, of course, less money—but with more free
time and opportunity to enjoy life. It’s something we probably
all think about from time to time, but I’ve actually done it…so
thank you for giving me this opportunity to tell you about my
experience.
A few years ago I worked on Wall Street for a big bank. I was a
typical city trader, buying and selling stocks day after day…and
it was very well-paid. I mean, I earned hundreds of thousands
of dollars. I wore designer clothes, drove a luxury sports car,
lived in a huge apartment downtown. I felt like I was king of
the world. But there was a price to pay. I couldn’t really handle
all the stress. I had headaches and stomach problems the whole
time. My personal life also suffered, as I was never home to
build a steady relationship…and then the financial crisis came
along. You remember that, right? Like many others, I lost
my job. But instead of looking for work in other companies,
retraining, or starting my own business, I felt I needed to do
something different. I was curious about the world out there
and I needed to justify my place in it. I needed a change.
So…for six months, I traveled around Mexico, then South
America, and over to Europe. It gave me the time and space
I needed to think about what I wanted to do…and when I
got back…I decided to leave Wall Street. I sold my car, and
my apartment, and went to live in a small town in Iowa, to be
near my parents. After a couple of months, I started looking
for work. I earned a lot as a city trader, but I also spent a lot…
so I didn’t have any savings. I wanted to try something new,
something different. The first position I was offered was a
home-care assistant in the local hospital. It seemed a friendly
place, so I took it!
These days I’m still a home-care assistant. I go to the homes of
sick or elderly people who need help, and I help them wash,
I do their housekeeping, prepare their meals. I talk to them.
Being a home-care assistant is a very different job from what
I was doing before. Of course, the salary is considerably lower,
so I don’t eat out often, I can’t buy a new car, and I certainly
© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 3 of 8
Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

can’t afford an overseas vacation anymore…but you know

what? I’ve adapted, and now I’m very fulfilled. Living life at
a slower speed means I have time to make friends…real
friends! I have a better relationship with my family, and I feel
healthier too!
As a city trader, I was always busy. I only thought about myself.
But now, my job is to care for other people, and helping other
people has helped me to be a better person. I’ve achieved the
goal I set for myself when I came back from traveling—I finally
know what it is to be happy…Now, are there any questions?

Unit 3, Listening 2, Activity A

Page 61

Interviewer: So, Barbara. Welcome to Life and Times. It’s great

to have you here.
Barbara Ehrenreich: Great to be here, Jack. Thanks for
inviting me.
Interviewer: Now, you’re famous as a journalist, and of
course, you’ve written several books based on your research.
We’ll get to those in a minute, but could you start by telling our
listeners some of the reasons why you go “undercover” for your
research?
BE: Sure. Well, interviews are fine, but sometimes you need
to experience something firsthand to understand it. So I guess
what I’m saying is that being an undercover reporter is a good
way to find out what’s really going on. By putting yourself in
the situation you’re investigating…you can then write about
your experience from a more informed point of view.

Unit 3, Listening 2, Activity B

Page 61

Interviewer: I see. So, for Nickel and Dimed, where did you go
undercover?
BE: Well, the aim was to see if I could support myself in
low-paid jobs, so I worked as a waitress, a hotel housekeeper,
a maid, a nursing home assistant, and a supermarket clerk.
I spent a month in each job, working in Florida, Maine, and
Minnesota.
Interviewer: Wow. That’s a lot of different jobs, and places! I
guess your life changed completely during that period, right?
BE: It sure did…and boy, I learned a lot! It was amazing.
Interviewer: Really? What exactly did you find out?
BE: Well, first, that it was very difficult indeed to cope, you
know, financially, on such low wages. The rents were very
© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 4 of 8
Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

high and the wages were so low. You know, these people really
struggle. Also, you have to be a hard worker! I mean, some
of the jobs I was doing left me feeling physically exhausted—
especially when I had to work two jobs in a day. Interviewing
people is one thing, but actually doing the job day to day shows
you exactly how hard these people’s lives are.
Interviewer: Hmm. And of course, Nickel and Dimed went on
to be a very popular book. It was a New York Times best seller.
BE: Yes. I was really surprised at all the interest. I think it
really opened people’s eyes, a firsthand account like that. You
know, people in low-paid jobs like those aren’t lazy. They work
long, hard hours, just to survive.
Interviewer: Did you change your name when you went
undercover?
BE: For Nickel and Dimed I didn’t change my name, but I
did for my next project, Bait and Switch. I wanted to see how
easy it was for people with pretty good jobs—who became
unemployed—to find another job at the same level. So, I
went undercover as a white-collar public relations executive
looking for work. I tried really hard, with a great resume that
told everyone that I had lots of experience and all that, but I
couldn’t find any work.
It really highlighted to me how hard life can be for people at
all levels…from unskilled manual workers to white-collar
management.
Interviewer: Hmm. So, I guess in both cases, for Nickel and
Dimed and Bait and Switch, you were pleased that the changes
you made weren’t permanent? I mean, you didn’t ever want to
carry on in one of those jobs.
BE: No way. I just got a brief look at people’s lives there, and by
the time I finished, I realized how lucky I was. I was so relieved
not to be in that kind of situation long term.
Interviewer: Hmm. Well, listeners, we’re going to take a short
break, but if you have a question for Barbara, now’s the time, so
get on the phone and call…

Unit 3, Listening 2, Activity C

Page 62

Interviewer: So, Barbara. Welcome to Life and Times. It’s great

to have you here.
Barbara Ehrenreich: Great to be here, Jack. Thanks for
inviting me.
Interviewer: Now, you’re famous as a journalist, and of
course, you’ve written several books based on your research.
We’ll get to those in a minute, but could you start by telling our
© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 5 of 8
Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

listeners some of the reasons why you go “undercover” for your

research?
BE: Sure. Well, interviews are fine, but sometimes you need
to experience something firsthand to understand it. So I guess
what I’m saying is that being an undercover reporter is a good
way to find out what’s really going on. By putting yourself in
the situation you’re investigating…you can then write about
your experience from a more informed point of view.
Interviewer: I see. So, for Nickel and Dimed, where did you go
undercover?
BE: Well, the aim was to see if I could support myself in
low-paid jobs, so I worked as a waitress, a hotel housekeeper,
a maid, a nursing home assistant, and a supermarket clerk.
I spent a month in each job, working in Florida, Maine, and
Minnesota.
Interviewer: Wow. That’s a lot of different jobs, and places! I
guess your life changed completely during that period, right?
BE: It sure did…and boy, I learned a lot! It was amazing.
Interviewer: Really? What exactly did you find out?
BE: Well, first, that it was very difficult indeed to cope, you
know, financially, on such low wages. The rents were very
high and the wages were so low. You know, these people really
struggle. Also, you have to be a hard worker! I mean, some
of the jobs I was doing left me feeling physically exhausted—
especially when I had to work two jobs in a day. Interviewing
people is one thing, but actually doing the job day to day shows
you exactly how hard these people’s lives are.
Interviewer: Hmm. And of course, Nickel and Dimed went on
to be a very popular book. It was a New York Times best seller.
BE: Yes. I was really surprised at all the interest. I think it
really opened people’s eyes, a firsthand account like that. You
know, people in low-paid jobs like those aren’t lazy. They work
long, hard hours, just to survive.
Interviewer: Did you change your name when you went
undercover?
BE: For Nickel and Dimed I didn’t change my name, but I
did for my next project, Bait and Switch. I wanted to see how
easy it was for people with pretty good jobs—who became
unemployed—to find another job at the same level. So, I
went undercover as a white-collar public relations executive
looking for work. I tried really hard, with a great resume that
told everyone that I had lots of experience and all that, but I
couldn’t find any work.
It really highlighted to me how hard life can be for people at
all levels…from unskilled manual workers to white-collar
management.
© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 6 of 8
Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

Interviewer: Hmm. So, I guess in both cases, for Nickel and

Dimed and Bait and Switch, you were pleased that the changes
you made weren’t permanent? I mean, you didn’t ever want to
carry on in one of those jobs.
BE: No way. I just got a brief look at people’s lives there, and by
the time I finished, I realized how lucky I was. I was so relieved
not to be in that kind of situation long term.
Interviewer: Hmm. Well, listeners, we’re going to take a short
break, but if you have a question for Barbara, now’s the time, so
get on the phone and call…

Unit 3, Pronunciation, Examples

Page 70

A: Carol’s never worked abroad, has she? {falling on tag]

B: You can scuba dive, can’t you? {falling on tag}
A: Carol’s never worked abroad, has she? {rising on tag}
B: You can scuba dive, can’t you? {rising on tag}

Unit 3, Pronunciation, Activity A

Page 70

1. You’ve never been to Europe, have you? {rising on tag}

2. Julie and Frank just had a baby, didn’t they? {falling on tag}

3. You’re not looking for a new job, are you? {rising on tag}

4. James is retiring next year, isn’t he? {falling on tag}

5. Kieron moved to New York last year, didn’t he? {rising on tag}

6. The new housing project was approved, wasn’t it? {falling on tag}

Unit 3, Pronunciation, Activity B

Page 70

1. You’ve tried horseback riding, haven’t you? {rising on tag}

2. Adapting to a new job can be hard, can’t it? {rising on tag}

3. You wouldn’t like to live in New York, would you? {falling on tag}

4. You’re not afraid of change, are you? {rising on tag}

5. Travel is exciting, isn’t it? {falling on tag}

© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 7 of 8
Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

6. You don’t want to work for yourself, do you? {falling on tag}

Unit 3, Pronunciation, Activity C

Page 70

1. You’ve never been to Europe, have you? {rising on tag}

2. Julie and Frank just had a baby, didn’t they? {falling on tag}
3. You’re not looking for a new job, are you? {rising on tag}
4. James is retiring next year, isn’t he? {falling on tag}
5. Kieron moved to New York last year, didn’t he? {rising on tag}
6. The new housing project was approved, wasn’t it? {falling on tag}
7. You’ve tried horseback riding, haven’t you? {rising on tag}
8. Adapting to a new job can be hard, can’t it? {rising on tag}
9. You wouldn’t like to live in New York, would you? {falling on tag}
10.You’re not afraid of change, are you? {rising on tag}
11. Travel is exciting, isn’t it? {falling on tag}
12. You don’t want to work for yourself, do you? {falling on tag}

Unit 3, Speaking Skill, Examples

Page 71

Man: You know, I really don’t think fishing is for me.

Woman: Oh yeah? Why do you say that?
Man: Well, first of all, it’s boring! Also, it’s expensive to buy all
the equipment, and another thing I hate, is the smell of fish!

Unit 3, Speaking Skill, Activity A

Page 71

Jez: I haven’t seen you for ages. How was your vacation in
Spain?
Tom: It was great! I tried lots of new things—horseback
riding, scuba diving…I even went to a bullfight in Madrid.
Jez: What? You went to a bullfight? I’m surprised.
Tom: Really? Why do you say that?
Jez: Because it’s cruel, isn’t it? Why would you want to
watch that?
Tom: Well, first of all, it’s an important part of the culture…
you know? Another reason is it’s really popular. Lots of tourists
were there. It’s also good to experience something different for
a change…I think.

© Copyright Oxford University Press Page 8 of 8