1 Well, as you all know, • • students do not have to wear uniforms ... .

2 I’d like to talk about • • students at our school have to wear uniforms.

3 For example, in the United States, • • what students in other parts of the world wear at school.

How do you think your school is different from schools in other countries? Discuss your answers.

Listen to the lecture and match the two parts of the statements.2

Finding the main ideas (1)Main ideas are the biggest and most important ideas. In a longer, formal talk, you can find the main ideas by listening for phrases speakers usually use to introduce them. Such phrases include The main point is … , I’d like to talk about … and The important thing is … .

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Schools Around the World

Write the names of the different grade levels in your school and the age at which students begin each level.

Listen to the lecture and take notes.

3 Part B

• Phrase:

• Main Idea:

Part A

• Phrase:

• Main Idea:

The point I want to make today

is that

Grade Level Age

Take notes effectively by abbreviating words or using symbols.For a list of common note-taking shortcuts, go to pages 70–72.

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3 Circle the correct answers, using your notes to guide you. Then listen again to the lecture to check your answers.

Speakers often say two words closely together, making them sound like one word. For example: he + is = he’s.

1 No, they are not. They are six years old this year.

2 He is excited, especially because he will be going to Rivertown School.

3 Sorry, we are leaving for New York tomorrow and I have to finish packing.

4 Well, it is boring to live in this town. I think I will have more fun in the city.

Contracted words

They’re called primary school and secondary school. Listen.

Listen to the dialogues and underline the two words that are contracted.

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Don’t mistake the details for the main ideas. Details are smaller bits of information that support the main ideas.

1 What are the two main ideas of the lecture?

a school levels in Australia

b different school systems between countries

c different school ages around the world

d elementary school entry age in the United States

2 Which two phrases introduce each of the main ideas?

a The point I want to make today is that

b For example, did you know that

c In Australia kids can start

d My main point here is

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1 Who is the speaker?

2 What phrase introduces the main idea?

3 What is the main idea?

Ask a classmate and write what he/she usually has for lunch at school.

Tell the class about your classmate’s school lunches.

Listen to the class report and take notes on a separate piece of paper. Then write the answers.

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Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Name: Grade:

Ask a classmate and write what he/she usually has for lunch at school.

Listen to the class report and take notes on a separate piece of paper. Then write the answers.

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