Unit 1 - Task 10 - the one about designing a listening task

Pre-listening:

In small groups, discuss and try to answer the questions below:

We are about to watch a video titled 'Is Having a Stiff Upper Lip Outdated?'.

What do you think it is going to be about?

Discuss the meaning of the idiom “stiff upper lip”

Do you think it is a positive trait? Is it a positive trait in your own culture?

 

Video:

Good Morning Britain: Is Having a StiffUpper Lip Outdated?

 

First listening, listening for gist:

Watch and listen to the video. Take notes of some of the ideas and concepts that are debated in the video.

In groups, compare notes, and together elaborate a brief summary of the video's content.

 

Second listening, listening for detail:

Now, listen to the video again (first six minutes only) and try to note down the answers to the following questions:

1. What does the male presenter (Piers Morgan) say that Prince William seems to suggest?

2. What is the world’s most offensive phrase according to the Piers Morgan?

3. What does the first debater (Toby Young) say that research indicates about men that display a stiff upper lip?

4. What does the female presenter (Susanna Reid) think is dangerous?

5. Why would the second debater (Peter Bleksley) not use the word weak?

6. What does Peter Bleksley say was part of his problem?

7. What is Piers Morgan maybe lucky about?

8. What does Toby Young believe that ‘encouraging children to talk about their feelings’ is a part of?

9. What did Susanna Reid do ‘yesterday’ that completely lowered her mood?

10. What does Peter Bleksley think teenagers spend too much time on?


Post-listening, mine the transcript:

Take a look at the video again. Make notes about all the vocabulary that is new to you, you don’t quite understand or simply you find interesting. Try to guess their meanings and then contrast your guesses with your classmates.

 

Post-listening, production – discussion:

What did you think about the short tv debate?

Would you call it a debate?



Answers


1. What does the male presenter (Piers Morgan) say that Prince William seems to suggest?

A: that everything about a stiff upper lip is wrong and harmful


2. What is the world’s most offensive phrase according to the Piers Morgan?

A: to 'man-up'


3. What does the first debater (Toby Young) say that research indicates about men that display a stiff upper lip?

A: have much better mental health ...


4. What does the female presenter (Susanna Reid) think is dangerous?

A: when the stiff upper lip becomes a 'prison'


5. Why would the second debater (Peter Bleksley) not use the word weak?

A: because showing your emotions is actually a sign of strength


6. What does Peter Bleksley say was part of his problem?

A: that he bottled everything up inside


7. What is Piers Morgan maybe lucky about?

A: that he is 'mentally strong enough'


8. What does Toby Young believe that ‘encouraging children to talk about their feelings’ is a part of?

A: a larger demonisation of masculinity


9. What did Susanna Reid do ‘yesterday’ that completely lowered her mood?

A: she searched certain hashtags and saw material online


10. What does Peter Bleksley think teenagers spend too much time on?

A: on their screens

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