Part I  Listening Task

Listening Practice

Script for the recording:

Commentator: Two years ago, Nancy McPhee had to explain to her young son that not only were there homeless people but there were children who also suffered the same situation. Boundless with energy and bright with passion, Stephen McPhee is now seven years old and has donated hundreds of backpacks stuffed with essentials and toys to needy children in Calgary. As his mother recalls:

Nancy: When he came up with the idea, he called them 'pack packs' and said, 'I want to have toys, crayons, candy and all those things for them!' We put together 15 backpacks and delivered them with Stephen to Calgary's homeless shelter. I didn't think any more of it until the middle of last year when Stephen asked, 'Mom, are there still kids on the street?' I told him there were, and he said, 'I have to make bigger back packs.' "

Commentator: With Stephen’s mind set on 150 packs, Nancy wondered out loud whether the goal was setting up her son for disappointment.

Nancy: He looked at me and said, 'Mommy, you have to dream out loud.'  

Commentator: ‘You have to dream out loud’ has become a phrase that the McPhees, communities and local businesses have rallied around. To everyone's surprise but Stephen's, 265 backpacks were delivered last Christmas.

Nancy: He's so right. I think one of the things I like most is that I hear stories of someone's daughter or son ask what they can do as well. There's nothing more exciting than teaching kids to give.

Commentator: Stephen’s biggest and long-term goal is to get homeless children a house. Instead of expressing doubt, Nancy now happily dreams out loud with her son.

After Listening

1. toys, crayons, candy

2. hundreds of backpacks; house

3. give

4. other children