2. Planning a family vacation

Objective

To improve listening comprehension skills by understanding a conversation about planning a family vacation and answering questions based on the discussion.

Part 1: Listening Audio (2 Minutes)

Part 2: Objective Questions

1. Where does Emma suggest the family should go for vacation?
   A) Florida
   B) Hawaii
   C) Local beach
   D) Disneyland
2. What does John think about Hawaii?
   A) He thinks it’s too expensive.
   B) He thinks it has beautiful beaches and good hiking.
   C) He prefers a colder destination.
   D) He has been there before and dislikes it.
3. What date does Emma propose for the vacation?
   A) July 1st
   B) July 15th
   C) June 15th
   D) August 1st
4. What activity does Emma suggest for the kids?
   A) Skiing
   B) Snorkeling
   C) Horseback riding
   D) Visiting a museum

Part 3: Strategy to Answer the Questions

1. Listen for Key Details:
   Pay attention to the specific locations, activities, and dates mentioned in the conversation. These are usually the answers to the questions.
2. Identify Speaker Opinions:
   Listen for each character’s opinion about the vacation destination and activities. This helps in distinguishing the correct answers.
3. Look for Numbers and Dates:
   When a date or time is mentioned, make a note of it, as it often appears in the questions.
4. Focus on the Main Ideas:
   Ensure you understand the main points of the conversation, such as the vacation destination, the timing, and the activities discussed.

Listening Passage (2 Minutes)

Characters:

• John (Father)
• Emma (Mother)

Script:

John:
“Alright, Emma, we need to start planning for our family vacation. Have you thought about where you’d like to go?”

Emma:
“I was thinking we could go to the beach this year. The kids would love that, and we could relax by the ocean. What do you think?”

John:
“That sounds great! The beach is always a good option. But, should we go to a local beach, or should we plan for something farther away?”

Emma:
“I think we should go somewhere a bit farther, like Hawaii or Florida. The kids have never been there, and it could be a fun adventure.”

John:
“Hawaii sounds amazing! It has beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for the kids. Plus, we could go hiking and explore some nature trails.”

Emma:
“Exactly. We could spend a few days relaxing on the beach and then a day or two exploring the island. What do you think about the week of July 15th?”

John:
“That week should be perfect! The weather will be great, and the kids will be out of school. Let me check if we can book flights and accommodation for that time.”

Emma:
“I’ll start looking into activities for the kids. Maybe we can take a boat tour or go snorkeling!”

John:
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll get on the flights now, and we can finalize everything soon.”

Part 4: Answers to the Objective Questions

1. Where does Emma suggest the family should go for vacation?
   Answer: B) Hawaii
2. What does John think about Hawaii?
   Answer: B) He thinks it has beautiful beaches and good hiking.
3. What date does Emma propose for the vacation?
   Answer: B) July 15th
4. What activity does Emma suggest for the kids?
   Answer: B) Snorkeling

Difficult Words:

1. Snorkeling
   • Meaning: Swimming near the surface of the water while using a snorkel to breathe.
   • Usage: “We could go snorkeling and explore the coral reefs while we’re in Hawaii.”
2. Accommodation
   • Meaning: A place where someone can stay during a trip, such as a hotel or a vacation rental.
   • Usage: “I’ll check to see if we can book accommodation for our vacation in Hawaii.”
3. Adventure
   • Meaning: An exciting or unusual experience, often involving risk or uncertainty.
   • Usage: “The kids would love the adventure of going to a new place like Hawaii.”