Listening Exercise: Ask Dr. Laura
Dr. Laura Schlessinger Radio Call-In (4)
Elizabeth and Julie

Caller #1: Elizabeth
Vocabulary:

stepdad
to get along
advice
stuff (uncountable)
to handle
to betray
to be married to
objectively
to force oneself to
maturity level
to talk to s.o.'real straight'
no fault of your own
to put s.o. in a terrible position
to lose s.o.
miserable
hurt
jealous
frustrated
basically
a living hell		 to let down
exactly
temper tantrum
inherently
perfect
psyche
emotions
misbehavior
to let s.t. guide what you do
limitations
unkind
to live a lie
to interfere
to let s.o. be mad
unpleasant
to get busted for s.t.
to defend oneself
to go ballistic
to yell and scream
to bust s.o.		 to cross s.o. (to upset s.o.)
to take a stand
somewhat of a
lovable point
selfish
hurtful
weakness
to the point that
for a while
to miss s.o.
seemingly
honest
rather
truthfully
falsely
to have a fit
to lick s.o.'s shoes
there isn't much point to s.t.
to watch your diet
sugar-coated

Listening comprehension questions:
1. What is Elizabeth's conflict?
2. What kind of relationship does Elizabeth have with her stepdad?
3. Why does Dr. Laura say she'll talk to Elizabeth 'real straight'?
4. What kinds of things does Dr. Laura think the biological father is feeling?
5. What does this mean: 'She can never let down'? How about 'go ballistic'? 'You busted him'?
6. What does Dr. Laura suggest Elizabeth do?
7. How, does Dr. Laura say, should Elizabeth avoid being influenced by her biological father?
8. Dr. Laura is concerned that what may happen if Elizabeth fails to stand up to her biological father?
9. Elizabeth is worried that her father may react how if she follows Dr. Laura's advice?
10. Do you think Elizabeth will follow Dr. Laura's advice?

Caller #2: Julie
Vocabulary:

ill
to remarry
to be divorced
to lose weight
grandfather
to be widowed
aunt
to be disabled
all that he's got
stepmother
outcome 		blood
to flip the coin
decision
to disappoint s.o.
simply
cancer specialist
to decide
to point to
to have tests done
in and out of the hospital
as a matter of fact
to send s.o. to
Mayo Clinic
to abdicate
outside person
frankly
to clone oneself
physiologically
shell
so much for
brilliant ideas

Listening comprehension questions:
1. What is Dr. Laura's call-in number in Arabic numerals?
2. How far does Julie's paternal grandfather live from where Julie lives?
3. What's wrong with Julie's father's health?
4. What is Julie's father's family situation?
5. What is Julie's dilemma and what decision had she already made before calling Dr. Laura?
6. What is Dr. Laura's opinion on what Julie has decided?
7. Where and what is the Mayo Clinic?
8. What does Dr. Laura say about 'cloning'?

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