Assignment 4: Randal's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

This time, I listen 4 clips from this site and choose different levels respectively and one more for medium level. After listening these clips, I really find out many words I don't really understand and it is certainly help me to practice my listening.


1. Clothing Stytle
   What I have learned from this clip is:

• on the spur of the moment(idiom): without planing or preparation

--> She always makes decisions on the spur of the moment, so you never know what she's planning.

• make sense(idiom): have a clear meaning or a sensible explanation

--> It makes sense to ask teachers to wear a nice shirt and tie to work.


2. College Majors: Getting a University Degree
   What I have learned from this clip is:

• bat around(idiom): consider different choices, including the positive and negative points of each option

--> My daughter batted around a few ideas on where to travel over the holidays until she settled on Hawaii.

• you can say that again (idiom): used when completely agreeing with someone

--> So, you think the teacher is too difficult? You can say that again.

• help out (phrasal verb): help someone who is in need, especially when they have problems

--> Because my parents are old, I try to help them out whenever I can.

• see the light at the end of the tunnel (idiom): something that gives you hope for the future after a period of difficult problems or challenges

--> College life was difficult, but by my last semester, I felt more relaxed because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel: graduation was just around the corner.

• line up (phrasal verb): arrange

--> I need to line up an appointment with my school advisor by the end of the week.

• sermon (noun): a talk with moral advice about life

--> The minister gave an interesting sermon at church this past week about serving others in need.

3. Leisure Activities
   What I have learned from this clip is:

• catch a movie (verb): watch

--> Let's catch a movie this afternoon after school is over.

• cram (verb): study hard

--> I had to cram all night for the final text in my biology class.

• blast (noun): fun time

--> Thanks for inviting me to the party yesterday. It was a real blast.

4. A University Degree
   What I have learned from this clip is:

• talk it over (phrasal verb): discuss a problem or situation before you make a decision

--> You really need to talk it over with your parents before you decide to transfer to another school.

• live out (phrasal verb): do something you have planned or hoped for

--> Although my grandfather was quite old, he was able to live out his dream of graduating from high school, something he wasn't able to do 60 years ago.

• be doomed (verb): certain to die or be destroyed

--> My sister's plan to go to college was doomed from the beginning because she had terrible grades in high school, and she hadn't saved any money for tuition.

• enroll in (verb): go to or attend

--> More and more students are enrolling in computer science because they see a future in that field.