General Listening Quiz

Listen to the recording on game shows and read along with the conversation. Review the key vocabulary and the sample sentences.

Game Show Host: Thank you, Thank you and welcome to everyone’s favorite game show, Unbelievable Trivia. Today’s contestant, Julie Jones, has just entered our bonus round and is trying to win our grand prize, $30,000 in cash and an all-expense paid, six-day vacation to China.

Okay, Julie. In order to win the grand prize, you must answer all four of the bonus questions correctly. All of the questions are true or false. If false, you must make the statement true by giving the correct information. If not, you go home with our consolation prize: a fine set of encyclopedias on home repairs.

Julie: Oh!

Game Show Host: Remember. When the buzzer goes off, you must give your answer. Are you ready?

Julie: I’m ready.

Host: The first question: A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

Julie: Mmmm. True.

Host: You are correct! Question number two: A tuna is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

Julie: True, I mean, I mean, I mean false. A SHARK is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

Host: Correct. Only two more questions. Number three: An elephant has the largest eyes in the world.

Julie: I know that one. That’s false. The giant squid has the largest eyes.

Host: Super. This is the last question Julie. The national anthem of Greece has 134 verses.

Julie: False. The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses.

Host: You are right!

Julie: Did I win?

Host: Yes, Julie, pack your bags, and we’ll pack your wallet. [Alright!] You’re off to China. Well, that’s all for today’s show. See you next time

Julie: Thank you, Thank you.

• trivia (noun): detailed facts about a variety of subjects, which are sometimes unimportant 
  – Her brain is filled with a lot of trivia, and I bet she would do well on a game show.
• contestant (noun): someone who competes or participates in a game or contest
  – The other contestants were really sharp, and I just couldn’t answer the questions fast enough.
• grand (adjective): the best, biggest, or most impressive
  – Everyone was very impressed with the grand plan to build a modern library.
• consolation prize (noun): a prize given to those who do not win a contest
  – Although I didn’t win on the game show, I still received a nice set of golf clubs as consolation prize.
• blink (verb): open and close your eyes quickly
  – The bright lights on the game show made me blink a lot.
• anthem (noun): a song which holds special meaning to a particular group
  – All of the spectators stood to sing the national anthem before the beginning of the baseball game.
• you’re off: you’re leaving
  – We’re off as soon as everyone is seated on the bus.