WIB · Listening — July 25, 2026

🎯 Instructions:

Listen to the audio track(s) below.
Complete the interactive exercises on this page.

🎧 Senior Listening

Two tracks with comprehension exercises

Track 1: "How advertisers make us spend money"

7 min · british · standard

🎯 Gist Check Listen and choose the best answer.

1. What is the main topic of the discussion?

How to save money while shopping How advertisers use psychology to influence spending The history of advertising How to start a business

✅ B. 整段讨论围绕广告商如何利用心理学（如名人代言、心理捷径、触发销售等）来影响人们的消费行为。

2. According to Ben Jones, why do celebrity endorsements work?

Because people want to look like celebrities Because they serve as a mental shortcut for decision-making Because celebrities are always knowledgeable Because people are forced to buy products

✅ B. Ben Jones提到代言是一种‘mental shortcut’，帮助人们在不确定时快速做决定。

3. Why do touchscreen ordering machines increase spending compared to human cashiers?

They are faster and more efficient Customers feel less judged and are more likely to accept upsells They offer discounts automatically They show more product options

✅ B. Dean Ward指出，面对机器时顾客不会感到被评判，因此更愿意接受加购建议，从而增加消费。

🔍 Detail Hunt Listen for specific information.

1. What percentage increase in basket spend is mentioned by Dean Ward?

✅ 25-30%

2. What is the name of the theory that says people respond to small prompts?

✅ nudge theory

3. According to Ben Jones, who do people tend to follow when they are unsure?

✅ credible or knowledgeable

4. What did the World Food Programme create to encourage people to eat together?

✅ a TV show

5. What word means persuading someone to buy something extra, like a dessert?

✅ upsell

Track 2: "Rude emails"

7 min · british · standard

🎯 Gist Check Listen and choose the best answer.

1. What is the main topic of this BBC 6 Minute English episode?

How to write polite emails The problem of rude emails at work The history of email communication How to manage stress at work

✅ B. 这个节目主要讨论工作中粗鲁电子邮件的问题，包括听众的反馈和心理学解释。

2. According to the program, what do some listeners find rude in emails?

Emails that are too long Emails that start with only the recipient's name Emails that use too many emojis Emails that are sent to multiple people

✅ B. 听众Rachel表示，只写名字而没有问候语的电子邮件让她感到被冒犯。

3. According to psychologist Dr Emma Russell, which behavior is an example of a 'fight' response in email communication?

Ignoring an email Giving a short unhelpful reply Including senior managers to put someone in their place Taking a long time to reply

✅ C. 战斗反应包括用cc高级人员来贬低他人或显示权威。

🔍 Detail Hunt Listen for specific information.

1. What phrase means to make someone feel threatened or unsure?

✅ put someone on the defensive

2. What adjective means rude or impolite?

✅ uncivil

3. Who sent the email requiring government workers to justify their jobs?

✅ Elon Musk

4. What informal adjective describes feeling tired or anxious from doing too much?

✅ frazzled

5. What was the response to a carefully considered email that one listener found rude?

✅ a single emoji

🔄 Compare & Contrast Think about both listening passages together.

Compare and contrast the two listening passages. Both discuss how people's reactions are influenced in different situations: one about advertising strategies that make us spend money, and the other about rude emails that make people feel defensive. How are the communication tactics similar or different? Use evidence from the transcripts to support your points.

Guiding Questions:

What strategies do advertisers use to influence spending, and what specific elements in emails make readers feel defensive?
How do both passages show that people rely on certain cues (e.g., celebrity endorsements, missing greetings) to form quick judgments?