Listen 5.2. TV Series: (Dr.) House Histories (first session, episode n. 10)

Listen 5. TV Series: (Dr.) House (FOX)     

Listen 5.1.   Histories  (first session, episode n. 10)              3-4  level        15-20 minutes

GOAL.  To get a closer look at  this popular American TV series. Based on a peculiar character and a choral performance.

Materials: you need the DVD from the series from the first session (episode n. 10: Histories).  Ask your friends or local library.

Procedure. You will squeeze the passage in three consecutive times. Each one getting more information from the passage. The transcript is given at the end of this worksheet.

1. The first time, warm up so you can get the gist of the character and her medical problems (two passages)  (listen to it without stopping).

2. The second time. there are more detailed questions to skim the content. (you may use the pause button, but do not press the reward button to anwer the questions in this section).

WARMING UP.  The series starts with a troublesome situation that ends in someone’s hospitalization.

TASK 1. Answer these questions to get the gist of the current episode.

Passage one (running time 0:00 > 0:56) Jane walks up to a house in a run-down looking neighborhood. Music is playing inside and she wants to come in.

Q1.  How much is the fee for the party?  ...............  .

Q2. Who can provide her with the money? ...................................................

Q3.  What is he like?  ...................................................

TASK 2. Passage two.  Go to the end of credits (3:13 > 4:37).  Dr Wilson and Dr Foreman are talking in he hospital hall  

Q1.  Wilson’s report said: ‘admitted with a suspected drug overdose’. What are the results of the toxicity test?  …………………..............  .

Q2. Why was she interned in the hospital being homeless? ...................................................

Q3.  Why was Dr Wilson involved in her case?  ...................................................

Q4. Dr Foreman twitches her wrist and asks how she is feeling. What is her answer?  ....................

LANGUAGE PRACTICE. 

TASK 3. Answer these questions to get the gist of the article at the first listening action with passage two. Do not press the reward button to anwer the questions in this task.

Passage two (3:13>4:37).  Dr Foreman’s reactions to her are detached or negative. Have a look at  his comments and fill in the blanks: 

Q1.  Dr Foreman dismisses her as ‘homeless’ which means ..................... & .......................

Q2.  He explores her weak wrist asking her to perform two motions:

 ......................................................... &  ..............................................

Q3. When Wilson shouts ‘she is seizing’ (=convulsing), how does Dr Foreman react?

................................................................................

Q4. When Dr Foreman explains her reasons to stay the main one he proposes is ...............................

Q5. When he looks inside Jane’s bag, what does he bet 20$ on? ..............................................

TASK 4.  See the next 50 seconds only once trying to understand the situation.

TASK 5. Answer these questions to get the gist of the article at the first listening action. Do not press the reward button to anwer the questions in this task.

Passage three (5:27> 6:21).  Dr Wilson catches up with Dr House in the hallway and expresses his frustration.  According to him,

Q1.  Dr Foreman’s figured Jane was cheating with a ..................

Q2.  Dr Foreman overlooked Jane’s wrist twitch and the seizure because he only wanted

...................................................................

Q3. Dr House starts to look interested snapping: ‘that’s not ...........  .................  ......  ........................’.

FOLLOW UP.  As support material you can find the transcripts at some fandom websites:      

                          http://twiztv.com/scripts/house/