Listening exercise
NPR: A Nation in Debt
Access audio file from this page:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=947915
Start from the 0:50 minute point and listen to the 6:00 minute point

Vocabulary:

NPR's Scott Horsley
Anne Dixon
used to
to dread
payday
to see s.t. disappearing
payment
credit card bills
to breathe a sigh of relief
to manage to make
minimum payments
for a cycle to begin all over again
there's no way...
to charge
they're (like) laughing
you cannot believe
travel agent
navy
after taxes
modest
two-bedroom
suburb
San Diego
to shop
to decorate
lunch hour
Target
to walk the aisles
home furnishings
to fill one's cart
window treatments
table linens
color-coordinated
towels
Walmart
first name
way too many times
discount store
to run up debts
little by little
for bills to mount
department store
Visa
American Express
bartenders
to serve
drinker
creditors
to be happy to V
to bankroll
they never said no
shopping habit
to convince oneself
Nordstrom
J. C. Penny
just for emergencies
groceries
by the time you know it
outrageous
to be determined to
to file for bankruptcy
credit counseling agency
balances
to total
average
couple
unique
widespread
availability
to borrow

financial consultant
it turns out...
closer to
professionals
to make a good income
to face up (to) + N
consumer
same fraction of their income
payments
to dig oneself into a debt hole
personal bankruptcy
to jump
to a record
filings
rarely
purchases
to get s.o. in trouble
to tend to V
rather
accumulation
casual
client
latte
typically
indulgence
to deserve s.t.
to add up to
can afford to V
somewhat more
to counsel
rich clients
to spend beyond their means
a lot of income
to feel entitled to
to get to the point where
to start realizing
for debt to mount
to lose sleep, hair
a night out
a nailbiting ordeal
maxed-out
to cover
restaurant meal
who wants to live like that
stress enough
supposed to
to have a good time
which you really don't
you're praying that
slip of paper
to sign
embarrassing
to not have enough funds
to cut up
with the help of
counselor
to negotiate a plan
to repay
to owe
to take (time)
debit card
to sleep better
a whole lot better
to make (money)
as soon as s.t. comes in
marriage
savings
to worry about
nephew

Listening comprehension questions:
1. a. What would be reason for Anne Dixon to breathe a sigh of relief each month? b. Why did the sense of relief not last very long?
2. How did the Dixons get into debt?
3. How did Anne Dixon rationalize applying for a new credit card?
4. What's the average US couple's credit card debt, according to this report?
5. What kind of purchases tend to get people into debt?
6. Why may wealthy people get into debt?
7. What effect did their mushrooming debt have on the Dixons?
8. How did the Dixons finally deal with their debt, and how long did it take to get out of debt?
9. a. How do the Dixons now handle their monthly finances? b. What does this suggest about how they managed their money previously?
10. Share a story you know of regarding a debt problem.

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