General Listening Quiz
“Happy Birthday”
| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| easy | birthday party | man – boy | 01:07 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.
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- Everyone should celebrate their birthday.
- Big birthday parties are better than small ones.
- It’s okay to throw your own birthday party.
- Giving gifts is the best part of a birthday.
- Some people don’t like surprise parties—and that’s okay.
- Birthday traditions are different, but all are special.
- You should always have cake on your birthday.
- It’s more fun to celebrate with friends than with family.
- Birthdays are more important for children than adults.
- You don’t need a party to feel happy on your birthday.
Idioms
“turn” = become a year older
“Our youngest daughter is going to turn 16 this week, and we’re all excited to celebrate her special day.”
“mooch off of someone” = expect someone to pay your expenses
“Hey, now that you’ve turned 25, don’t you think it’s time to stop mooching off of mom and dad?“
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
Share a story about one of your favorite birthdays. How did you celebrate the day, and what made it special? Did you eat any special foods? What presents did you receive? Are there any unique birthday traditions and customs in your family or culture?
Online Investigation
Although everyone has a birthday once a year, the way that we celebrate this day is often different from person to person, from family to family, and from culture to culture. Use the Internet to learn about different birthday traditions from two cultures other than you own and report on how these customs are similar or different than your own