Listening exercise
A Moment of Science IV


1. The Science of Suicide

Listen to the audio file.
Vocabulary:

to attempt suicide
to compel
prematurely
countless
elements
to factor into
fatal
to lead to
underlying
biological
conclusive
compelling evidence
to point to
irregularities
chemical
neurotransmitter
to relay
to release
neuron
synapse
to reabsorb
messenger
to soothe
antidepressant
Prozac
to link to
low levels of
to determine
victims
to hoard
to play an important role
lithium
in pill form
deterrent
to shun
hand tremors
weight gain
underwriting
chancellor
weavers
throws
pillows
accessories


Listening comprehension questions:
1. About how many people kill themselves per year in the US?
2. What is the name of the neurotransmitter referred to in the broadcast? How can you find it if you don't hear it clearly?
3. What does a neurotransmitter do?
4. What is a synapse?
5. How does Prozac work?
6. What was found in the brains of some suicide victims?
7. What are some of the drawbacks of using lithium as an antidepressant?

2. The Sexiest Frog in Borneo
Listen to the audio file.
Vocabulary:

pond
ree-deep
relaxing
downright
chirp
male
Romeo
voice
isn't quite up to volume
tree-hole
amplifier
finding
team
researchers
led by
Bjorn Lardner
Sweden
University of Lund
hollow
partially filled with
rain water
pitch
to strike
to resonate
confusing
shower
to run across
effect
to vibrate
resonance effect
to shake
to reinforce
tree-deep
competitor
species
cricket
to dig
burrows
the right shape
to amplify


Listening comprehension questions:

1. What is meant by 'ree-deep'? How about 'tree-deep'?
2. Why does a male Borneo tree-hole frog want to have a loud call?
3. What does an amplifier do?
4. How does the tree-hole frog maximize the sound of his call?
5. What in our own daily experience does the narrator compare this strategy of the tree-hole frog to?
6. What do some crickets do to achieve a similar effect?


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