English For Today chapter 9: Get Ready to Listen

Get Ready to Listen

1.1 Look at the pictures. Ask and answer the following questions in pairs.

Figure

Description: A long green-and-orange train stands alongside a platform, with rows of windows along its side. Passengers walk along the platform, including a woman in a red shawl with a young boy beside her and men in white and light-blue clothes.

Figure

Labels: ARRIVAL

Description: A railway platform hall with large blue information boards hanging from the ceiling and an "ARRIVAL" sign on a stand. People walk and stand across the platform; a man in a white coat and another man in dark clothes stand near the right.

a) Have you ever listened to any announcements at these places? b) What are the announcements about? Please, share with your class.

1.2 Read and listen.

Today is the annual sports day at Sumon's school. The school field is decorated with colourful flags. Sumon and his friends are waiting at the corner of the field. They are happy and excited to attend the events. Suddenly, the voice in the loudspeaker drew their attention and they are all ears.

Figure

Description: A school sports field decorated with rows of pink, yellow, green and white flags on poles around the edge, with strings of bunting across the field. A blue loudspeaker horn is mounted on a tall wooden pole in the right foreground. Students stand and walk on the grass near the centre, and two boys stand in the lower right.

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Attention please!

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our Annual Sports Day! I have an important announcement for you. Please listen carefully and follow the instructions.

First, there will be a 100-meter race.

Girls participating in 100-meter race, please go to the green flag area. The flag is on the west side of the field. Your race will start at half past nine (9:30 a.m.). That's in about 15 minutes. So, get ready!

Boys, your 100-meter race will be starting from quarter to ten (9:45 a.m.). Please go to the east side of the field marked with a red flag.

Next, the event will be a tennis ball throw.

All the boys participating in the tennis ball throw, please go to the blue flag area. The flag is on the south side of the field. Your event will begin at quarter past ten (10:15 am).

Girls, your tennis ball throw will take place at the yellow flag marked north side of the field at half past ten (10:30 a.m.).

The cub-scout volunteers are there to help you. Let's have a fantastic sports day!’

After listening to the announcement, Sumon and his friends know exactly what to do now. They look at each other with big smiles. Sumon shouts, ‘Let's go, friends! Time for the 100-meter race!’ They are very excited to run and play on the sports day.

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2.1 Now, ask and answer the following questions in pairs.

a) What is the announcement about? b) When do the girls have their 100-meter race? c) Where should the boys go for the 100-meter race? d) What colour flag is marked for boys' tennis ball throw? e) Where should the girls go for the tennis ball throw? f) What are the main events announced for the annual sports day?

3.1 Listen to the announcement at a railway station.

Nishat is travelling from Rangpur to Dhaka by train. At the railway station, she listened to the following announcement.

Attention, please.

This is an important announcement for the passengers travelling on the Rangpur Express. The Rangpur Express, bound for Dhaka, is now ready for boarding on Platform Number 2. All the passengers of this train are requested to make your way to Platform Number 2. The Rangpur Express is scheduled to depart in 15 minutes. We wish you all a pleasant journey.

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3.1.1 Now, ask and answer the following questions in pairs.

a) What is the name of the train Nishat is taking? b) Where is the train going? c) Which platform should Nishat go for her train? d) How much time is left before the train leaves?

3.2 Listen to the announcement at a metro train station.

Rahat is going to visit his relatives in Uttara with his parents. They are going to Uttara by metro train. At the Motijheel station, Rahat listened to the following announcement while on the train.

Please, stand clear of the doors. This train is bound for Uttara North. Next station is Bangladesh Secretariat. Doors will open on the left. Please, mind the gap. Don't forget to take your belongings with you.

3.2.1 Now, ask and answer the following questions in pairs.

a) Where is this metro train going? b) What is the next station? c) Which side will the doors open? d) What important thing should Rahat do before getting off the train?

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4.1 Work in groups. Suppose, your class is going to prepare a wall magazine. Now, write a notice for the students inviting them to submit their writings for the wall magazine.

Use the following clues to write the notice.

• What to write— stories, rhymes, poems, jokes
• Number of words
• Submission date

After writing, one person from your group read it aloud to the class. Ask your classmates to listen carefully.