Listening Exercise: Ask Dr. Laura
Dr. Laura Schlessinger Radio Call-In (2)

Vocabulary:

Caller #3 Michael	Caller #4 Karen
kinda = kind of = somewhat; very informal; don't use in writing	college
to whisper	to change around
to pull in	prescription
to adopt	abortion
to gamble (and) drink	medication
essentially	prescription sheet
to enable = to make it possible for someone else to maintain hurtful habits, behavior	diagnosis
in a way	bottle
employee	to deluge
to be out carousing	the universe
to stand s.t.	committed to
to be an indentured servant	term paper
miserable	100% clear
to take a step	to be close to s.o.
organization	conversation
relation	to bring s.t. up
to build up	to have a concern
backbone	emotional, physical well-being
to take a stand	to have a sense (an intuition) about s.t.
and/or	pregnancy
to walk out	termination
group	memories
actions	relief
Gamblers Anonymous (organization for helping people addicted to gambling; also their family members)	Angst = a feeling of gloom, anxiety, depression, fear, distress
such	guilt
to own	fears
to give birth to	regrets
obligation	or what have you = or other various things
morally obligated	Mommies
direct	to impose s.t. on s.o.
weak	that's where I am
Take care.	I'm with that

 

Listening comprehension questions:

Caller #3 Michael
1.  How old is Michael?
2.  When did he get married?
3.  Who does he work for?
4.  Why is Michael whispering?
5.  Is Michael's father his biological father?
6.  What other family members does Michael mention besides his father?
7.  What complaint does Michael have regarding his father?
8.  Does Dr. Laura agree that Michael is 'enabling' his father?
9.  What, does Dr. Laura say, does not make Michael 'an indentured servant'?
10. What does Dr. Laura suggest for Michael's mother?
11. What kind of family did Michael's mother grow up in?
12. What doesn't Dr. Laura accept this an an 'excuse'?
13. What, according to Dr. Laura, is Michael's current first obligation?
14. What is part of the problem in the family?

Caller #4 Karen
1. How old is Karen's daughter?
2.  What was Karen doing when she discovered something about her daughter?
3.  What two things did Karen find?
4.  What does Dr. Laura try to clarify?
5.  Based on what she says in this recording, how do you think Dr. Laura feels about abortion?
6.  What might be another explanation for what Karen found?
7.  What does Dr. Laura suggest Karen do?
8.  Why has Karen hesitated to do this?
9.  What relationship to Karen is the baby whose voice we hear in the recording?
10. What problems might the daughter still be having if Karen's guess is right?

 

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