Identical Twins/ Listening comprehension BBC Learning Channel. 1999.

Answers

PART 1 : global comprehension

1. Word stresses 1. INTELLIGENCE 2. INHERITED 3. IDENTICAL 4. ADULTHOOD 5. TEMPERAMENT 6. ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE 7. GENETIC

2. Questions a. What are the differences betweens Cory and Erik? 0’14: “Erik is much bigger than his brother Cory – and has been since he was born.”

b. Where do these differences come from? 0’43: “Cory and Erik shared the womb but Cory got less nutrition in the womb than his brother Erik. And that’s why he came out smaller.”

c. What are the environmental influences mentioned? 1- food 2-parents 3-schooling 4-general welfare Conclusion: They have a stunting1 or a stimulating effect.

d. To what extent are genes a determining factor in individual development. Genes are a determining factor: 3’00: “You can’t make your children taller or smarter than they are programmed to be.” However … 3’02: “like sporting ability, intelligence can certainly be nurtured2.”

1 2

A stunting effect :an effect preventing growth or development. To nurture : to help develop. (often opposed to nature)

2’30: “Intelligence is like height. If you don’t feed or stimulate a child enough then it will be stunted. Highly educated parents will help you reach your genetic potential because educated parents tend to stimulate children.”

PART 2: detailed comprehension

1. Cory and Eric are, believe or not, identical twins. Yet, Eric is much bigger than his brother Cory and has been since he was born. 2. At Louisville University, they’ve been studying twins for over 40 years. Hundreds of of twins have passed through here. Cory and Eric have been visiting university since they were born. Here they are regularly weighed, measured, and they have their IQ tested.

PART 3: Grammar in context

a- Caffeine has a stimulating effect. b- The combined effects of alcohol and drugs can be devastating. c- Everybody is influenced by their environment. d- The effect of genes on sporting abilities is somehow limited.

Send your comments on these exercises to [email protected].