Exercise 1

A. Listen to two people discuss an article about laws in different places. Match the topic to the place. (There are two extra topics.)

a   smiling

b   chewing gum

 stealing

d   hospitals

e   pigeons

 carrying money

1   Singapore ___

2   Kenya ­­­___

3   San Francisco ___

4   Milan ___

B. Listen again. Complete the sentences to describe each law.

1   In Singapore, you …………………………………… .

2   In Kenya, you …………………………………… .

3   In San Francisco, you …………………………………… .

4   In Milan, you …………………………………… .

Answers & Audioscripts

A

 Singapore: b. chewing gum

 Kenya: f. carrying money

 San Francisco: e. pigeons

 Milan: a. smiling

B

1   In Singapore, you aren’t allowed to chew gum on the metro.

2   In Kenya, you can’t walk around without money.

3   In San Francisco, you aren’t allowed to feed pigeons.

4   In Milan, you have to smile.

Transcripts

1

Woman:   You know, this article about strange international laws is fascinating.

Man:  Oh yeah? Let’s hear some.

Woman:   For example, take Singapore. You aren’t allowed to chew gum on the metro there. And chewing gum in general is hard to find in Singapore.

Man:   I think I like that. It’s so annoying when you step on old chewing gum. I bet the city is a lot cleaner!

2

Woman:   Oh, here’s another one. In Kenya, you can’t walk around without money.

Man:   Hm, so you always have to carry some cash?

Woman:   Yes, according to this, the logic is that if you don’t have money, then you want to steal.

Man:  Interesting. I wonder if an ATM card is accepted.

Woman:  Good question!

3

Man:   Anything about the U.S.?

Woman:   I haven’t found anything yet, but I’m sure there are lots of odd laws.

Man:   I know in San Francisco, California, you aren’t allowed to feed pigeons.

Woman:   You can’t feed those birds? They’re everywhere there!

Man:   I think that’s the problem. The government says pigeons are birds that damage property and have diseases.

4

Woman:   And here’s a strange one from Italy.

Man:   Oh yeah?

Woman:   In the city of Milan, you have to smile.

Man:  Are you serious? That’s a law?

Woman:  They say you can only look sad at a funeral or a hospital.

Man:   How bizarre!

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