Listening audioscript

WHY DOES THE PROFESSOR SAY THIS: 
(Professor) 
Now, you may say, “What about Watson and Crick’s DNA helix, or the 
invention of the Internet, or computers themselves, or what about 
nanotechnology?” 
2. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE LECTURE. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION.
(Professor)
And I admit that social media is not going to be of quite the same scale, 
necessarily, as every last one of these changes. Time will tell. But what I 
am saying is that I don’t think I’m making something out of nothing. 
Social media is going to be more far-reaching than we can now imagine. 
WHAT DOES THE PROFESSOR MEAN WHEN HE SAYS THIS: 
(Professor) 
I don’t think I’m making something out of nothing. 
 
LISTENING EXERCISE 3 
 
PASSAGE ONE 
Page 170
[ mp3 035-036]
Questions 1 through 4. 
Listen to a conversation between a librarian and a 
student. 
(Student) 
Excuse me. I have to do some research and I need some help getting 
started. 
(Man) 
You've come to the right place. What do you need? 
(Student) 
I want to find out what makes…or, how women executives manage to 
balance their lives…um, I mean, what keeps them happy with all of the 
conflicting demands in their lives. 
(Man) 
OK, why don’t you have a seat, and I’ll show you how to get started. Um, 
at the risk of sounding obvious, have you read the professor’s research 
assignment carefully? 

---

LPREP IBT 3 E AudioScript 
23
(Student) 
I’m sorry? 
(Man) 
It’s just that sometimes students come in without a clear understanding 
of what it is the professor wants them to research; in that case they often 
end up barking up the wrong tree. 
(Student) 
Oh, I see what you’re saying, but I’m pretty clear that it’s an assignment 
for Freshman Comp, so we get to pick our own topic. We just have to get 
approval. 
(Man) 
Has your topic already been approved? 
(Student) 
No, actually. That’s why I’m here. I know that it’s a little broad right now. 
You know, “How do women executives keep it together?” So I want to 
narrow it down a little so my professor will approve it. 
(Man) 
What kind of resources are you supposed to use … um, popular 
magazines? Books?
(Student) 
We’re supposed to use some scientific journals and studies, but we’re 
allowed to use a few popular sources—for quotes and things. 
(Man) 
OK, then you could start in a couple of places, and…well, let’s just start 
at the home page. Now, you can browse all the periodicals using the 
database from A to Z, or you can limit yourself to scientific journals if you 
click on the research tab. 
(Student) 
You know, I think maybe some popular magazine articles might be a 
good place to start, uh, just to get some ideas and maybe start with less 
dense text. 
(Man) 
That seems like a reasonable idea to me. So we’ll just click the general 
interest tab instead of the research tab. Now, let’s start with a search for 
keywords. 
(Student) 
Um, maybe, women executives, um…work-family balance?
(Man) 
OK, we’ll try that. Now these are the results, and you can click on each 
entry, and if it’s not labeled as “check availability” you can view and print 
from this computer. 
(Student) 
So, if it is labeled with “check availability” does that mean I can’t view it? 
(M librarian: 
Not necessarily. Some of them are actually available sometimes—let’s 
try this one… 
 
See? This article comes up. It’s all hit or miss. 
(Student) 
OK, so I can search by keyword… 
(Man) 
Yes, or you can search by subject and periodical title. And then there’s 
the research tab, which will filter the types of resources that are coming 
up…you know, more academic articles. 
(Student) 
Wow, there seem to be a lot of options. My head is starting to spin a little. 
(Man) 
I often get that reaction. I was just going to suggest that you just relax 
and sit down at one of the terminals and explore a little…you know, try 
different keyword searches and tabs. If you get stuck or want more ideas, 
any of us here at the desk can help you. 
(Student) 
Alright. I’ll try that. Thanks. 
(Man) 
You’re welcome. Oh, by the way, the library computers are for research 
purposes only, so… 
(Student) 
No problem. If I have to check my mail or watch a video, I’ll log off and 
use my smartphone.