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Listen to part of a radio programme about spending and saving money. Answer the questions.
1 What point does the example of the coffee illustrate?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 What broader point is the speaker making?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3 Who do you agree with, the self-help experts or the writer?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Now listen to a psychologist on the programme. She divides people who are spenders into three groups;
1 sleepwalkers 2 status seekers 3 scrimpers
Listen and decide which type of spender would make each of the comments (A-F).
A I couldn't tell you how much I spent today. ………………………………………
 I know that jewellery keeps its value, but it's hard to spend so much at once. ………………………………………
Ñ Basically, I just buy whatever I want. I never look at the price tag. ………………………………………
D There are certain things which everybody has, so you have to buy them. ………………………………………
E I'd hate anyone to think that I couldn't afford the latest fashions. ………………………………………
F I'm good at saving, but I do like to go on the occasional shopping spree. ………………………………………
3. Now listen to a continuation of the same programme. What advice does the speaker give for people in each of the three groups in Exercise 3?
1 sleepwalkers
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 status seekers
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3 scrimpers
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Look at the words and phrases in the box that come from the recordings. Which are associated with a) saving or b) spending? Listen again to check.
interest
conspicuous consumption
go on a spree
set a budget
run out of cash
a sound investment
a nest egg
a treat
to economise
in the red
shopaholic
get through money like water
on impulse
put it away for a rainy day
a 'must-have' item
Listening 2
You will hear part of a radio programme in which a sociologist, Graham Styles, and a journalist, Sally Greengrass, are discussing the effects of consumerism in society. Choose the answer (À, Â, Ñ or D) which fits best according to what you hear.
1 In relation to the research he describes, Graham feels
A unsure what conclusions to draw from it.
 disappointed at how ungrateful people seemed to be.
Ñ concerned about how people interpreted the questions.
D unconvinced that increased income leads to contentment.
2 Graham gives the example of a fridge to show how
A consumer goods have gone up in price.
 people have unreal expectations of consumer goods.
Ñ people are influenced by the conspicuous consumption of others.
D consumer goods that were once luxuries have now become essentials.
3 Sally feels that the desire to own luxury goods is
A not necessarily related to status.
 not as unusual as Graham thinks it is.
Ñ not actually related to personal happiness.
Dnot growing as much as Graham suggests.
4 According to Graham, what is the main problem that consumerism brings?
A people becoming more selfish
 natural resources being wasted
Ñ environmental problems getting worse
D people getting into financial difficulties
5 What point does Sally make about the production of luxury goods?
A It is good for the economy.
 It has seen a decline in quality.
Ñ It has changed a lot since the 1950s.
D It is not doing as well as it once was.
6 Graham feels that family life is suffering as a result of
A the demands of employers.
 the effects of the media.
Ñ the attitude of children.
D the cost of basic items.
Vocabulary: Compound adjectives
Date: 2015-12-17; view: 3027