Culture – Living and working abroad
The following listening passage is about John Maclean's time living and working in Canada. Read the questions first, listen to the passage and then answer the questions. Key vocabulary from the passage and a full transcript are included on the next page.
Listening skills practice monologue – Living and working in Canada.
Question
1. Where is Manitoba, according to the passage?
In the middle of the country/Canada.
Transcript
Chaidh Iain Mac a' Ghobhainn a Chanada airson dà bhliadhna gus obair a dhèanamh air tuathanas ann am Manitoba ann am meadhan na dùthcha.
Question
2. What experience did John have that made him suitable for working on a farm in Canada?
He worked on his grandfather's croft in Skye.
Transcript
Bhiodh Iain ag obair air croit a sheanar anns an Eilean Sgitheanach agus 's e ceanglaichean teaghlaich a thug cothrom dha a dhol a-null thairis.
Question
3. How did he find out about the job?
His uncle sent him an email.
Transcript
Bha bràthair a mhàthar ag obair ann am Manitoba agus b' esan a chuir post-dealain gu Iain ag innse gun robh cuideigin ga shireadh airson obair tractar air tuathanas ann an sin.
Question
4. Why was John not sure at first? Give a detailed answer.
Manitoba is very cold in winter and he doesn't enjoy the cold.
Transcript
Cha robh Iain cinnteach an toiseach. Bidh i reòite fuar sa gheamhradh ann am Manitoba agus chan eil am fuachd a' còrdadh ris, ach ghabh e an cothrom agus ann an ùine nach robh fada bha e air a' phrèiridh ann an Canada.
Question
5. What made John feel at home? State any two things.
Two from:
- The people were very friendly.
- There were lots of people with Scottish family.
- He played the bagpipes at parties.
Transcript
Bha an sluagh uabhasach càirdeil. Bha mòran dhaoine le teaghlach Albannach a' fuireach san sgìre agus bhiodh Iain a' cluich na pìob aig partaidhean.
Question
6. What did John do when he finished on the farm?
Took a six month trip around Canada.
Transcript
Às dèidh dha Iain sgur a dh'obair, ghabh e cuairt timcheall Chanada airson sia mìosan.
Question
7. What is said about Montreal?
- It was his favourite place.
- It was full of history and culture.
Transcript
B' e Montreal am baile a b' fheàrr leis, bha e làn de dh'eachdraidh agus de chultar.
Question
8. What was John's opinion of the food in North America? State any two things.
Two from:
- He was not too fond of it.
- There was too much sugar and fat in it.
- It wasn't at all healthy.
- He preferred his mother's soup.
Transcript
Bha Iain toilichte tilleadh dhachaigh ge-tà. Cha robh e ro mheasail air a' bhiadh ann an Ameireaga a Tuath idir. Bha cus siùcair agus geir ann, agus bhiodh sliseagan ri fhaotainn leis a h-uile càil. Shaoil e nach robh e idir fallain. Bha e air a dhòigh brot math a mhàthar fhaighinn nuair a ràinig e a dhachaigh.