General Listening Quiz

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

Woman: Hey, so how are things going?

Man: Well, great . . . if you’re talking about the weather.

Woman: What do you mean?

Man: Well, I have to drop out of school because I don’t have the money for tuition.

Woman: What? I mean, your dad gave you enough money to pay for tuition, books, and room and board for the whole year.

Man: Uh, well, to be honest, I spent some of the money on a new motorcycle.

Woman: What? Your old one was working just fine.

Man: Yeah, but my girlfriend didn’t like the color.

Woman: I can’t believe this. Really? I mean, seriously? Well, what about the rest of the money?

Man: Yeah . . . Well, I spent some on a new smartphone, a few dollars on some designer clothing, and a new dog.

Woman: And now?

Man: Ugh, I need a loan to pay for school.

Woman: Well, just sell the motorcycle.

Man: I can’t do that. I wouldn’t have a way to get around.

Woman: Well, what about a student loan?

Man: Yeah. That’s an idea. Do you know where I can get one?

Woman: No, or you can ask your dad for more money.      

Man: I can’t do that! I’m not that desperate. I’ll just have to figure it out for myself.

• drop out (verb): quit school
  – Why did your brother drop out of college last semester?
• room and board (noun): housing and food in exchange for a fee
  – My scholarship covers tuition, books, and room and board.
• desperate (adjective): very sad with little hope
  – Some of these students feel desperate because they don’t have jobs to pay for school.
• figure out (verb): understand or find meaning to something
  – I couldn’t figure out why Brandon was so upset.