Practice English Listening A2 Exercises – Understand descriptions of customs

1 True

2 False. They eat uncooked rice.

3 False. They release the doves after the couple is married.

4 True

Transcripts

1

MAN:   You know, this book about marriage customs is really interesting.

WOMAN:   Oh, yeah?

MAN:   Yeah. Listen to this. It talks about this native tribe in Paraguay.

WOMAN:   Uh-huh.

MAN:   When two women in the tribe want to marry the same man, guess what they do.

WOMAN:   I have no idea. What?

MAN:   They have a boxing match and fight until one of them wins.

WOMAN:   And the prize is the husband?

MAN:   Of course!

2

WOMAN:   Hmm. Does the book say anything about Malaysia?

MAN:   Uh, I don’t know. Why?

WOMAN:   Well, when people get married in Malaysia, they have to eat rice during the ceremony.

MAN:   Yeah? What’s so strange about that?

WOMAN:   It’s uncooked rice.

MAN:   Hmm.

3

MAN:   Oh, here’s another one. Don’t laugh, but I think this is really romantic!

WOMAN:   You think something is romantic? What is it?

MAN:   In Italy, a friend or family member often brings a pair of white doves to the wedding. After the ceremony, the cage is opened and the doves fly into the air. The birds symbolize the couple’s love and happiness.

WOMAN:   You’re right. That is romantic.

4

MAN:   And here’s an interesting custom from India.

WOMAN:   Let’s hear it.

MAN:   There’s a special Hindu “water-pouring” ceremony during the wedding.

WOMAN:   And what happens?

MAN:   Well, when the Indian bride and groom are married, someone pours water all over both of them.

WOMAN:   Why do they do that?

MAN:   Uh, it says here that it brings the couple closer together.

WOMAN:   Interesting.