Extra Listening intermediate

Upper-intermediate extra listening practice

New Headway intermediate

1

Rocket man A) Read about Steve Bennet. Who is he? What was his dream? How is it coming true? What do you

understand by space tourism? (t 5.7)

What to expect

when youre

expecting



2

B) Steve was interviewed for a BBC Radio Programme called Saturday Live. Close your books.

Listen to the interview.

Whats your impression of Steve? Would you describe him as a realist or a dreamer? Professional

or amateur?

Would you like to travel with him into space?

C) Work with your partner and as you listen, answer some of the questions each.

1. Why is Steve so sure space tourism will happen? Why are Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos called big names?

2. In what way does he compare space travel with the Internet?

3. How will the passengers be like the early American astronauts? What are they not going to do?

4. What influenced Steve as a small child? Why is his rocket called Thunderstar? What was he not allowed to watch?

5. What was his parents attitude to space travel? 6. Why does he think it is necessary for humans to

be in space? 7. Why is skydiving good training for space

tourists? How much have the couple paid? 8. What does Steve think about every day?

My closest relative

A) Listen to five people talking about who they feel the closest to in their family. Complete the

chart. (t 6.8)

Ellie Simon Julia Tessa Chris

I feel closest to...

my mum

he/she is easy to

talk to

we do things

together

we have a similar

character

I like the way



3

he/she thinks

We are different

Fears and phobias Some people have strange phobias. Listen to Jodie, Gavin and Melissa talking about theirs. After each

one, discuss these questions. (t 8.5)

Which part of the cartoon would make them panic?

How did their phobia start?

How does it affect their lives?

What caused their panic attack?

Have they tried to cure their phobia?

What do you do on the net?

Listen to five people talking about what they do on the net. Underline what they say the y do. (t 10.4)



4

What the papers say

Listen to the interview with the singer Jamie Seabrook.

Answer the questions after each part. (t 12.9)

Part 1

1. What are some of the highs and lows of Jamies

career?

2. What was he doing in Texas?

3. What does he like about all the press attention? What

doesnt he like about it?

4. What does he think of reporters?

Part 2

5. Complete the chart.

What did they say about him? What did he say?

reporters

ex-friends

people in clubs

police officers

Barbara James

6. Why did he go into the clinic?

Part 3



5

7. How has Jamies life changed?

8. What has he changed his attitude to life?

9. What did the news presenter refuse to do? Why?

10. How does he reply? What does he say about himself?

Documents

Extra Listening intermediate