Listening: Listening for Specific Information & Detail B1 - Lesson 3: Identifying Reasons and Explanations in Conversations
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify when a speaker is giving a reason or an explanation in a conversation.
- Understand the main reason or explanation provided by a speaker for their actions, feelings, or opinions.
- Recognize common English words and phrases used to signal reasons and explanations (e.g., "because," "so," "that's why").
- Extract specific details that support a reason or explanation.
💡 Key Concepts: Understanding "Why?"
Hello B1 learners! In conversations, people often explain why they do something, why they feel a certain way, or why something happened. Understanding these reasons and explanations is important for deeper comprehension.
To identify reasons and explanations, listen for:
- Linking words and phrases that signal a reason:
- because (ដោយសារតែ - daoy saa te) - Example: "I was late because the traffic was bad."
- since / as (often similar to "because") - Example: "Since it was raining, we stayed inside."
- due to / owing to (often for more formal reasons) - Example: "The flight was delayed due to bad weather."
- Linking words and phrases that signal a result (implying a previous reason):
- so (ដូច្នេះ - dochneh) - Example: "It was raining, so we stayed inside."
- therefore / that's why / as a result - Example: "He studied hard. Therefore, he passed the exam."
- Phrases that directly state a reason:
- "The reason is..."
- "One explanation for this is..."
When you hear these signal words, pay close attention to the information that follows – it's likely the reason or explanation!
🇰🇭 Cambodian Context: Explaining Things in Our Daily Lives
Sua s'dei! In Cambodia, we often explain why we do things. For example, you might tell a friend why you like a certain type of music from Battambang, or explain why you chose a particular university in Phnom Penh. Understanding reasons is a natural part of conversation.
In English, speakers also give reasons for their choices, actions, or feelings. Learning to listen for words like "because" (ដោយសារតែ) and "so" (ដូច្នេះ) will help you understand these explanations when you talk with English speakers or listen to English stories and reports.
🎧 Pre-Listening Activity: Words That Explain "Why"
Look at these common linking words. They often introduce a reason or an explanation. Click "Listen" to hear them.
- because
- so
- since
- as
- therefore
- that's why
🔊 Listening Tasks: Finding the Reasons
Important Note for Learners: This lesson uses your browser's Text-to-Speech (TTS) to "speak" the dialogues. Click the "🔊 Listen" buttons. For B1 level, clear human narration with natural intonation would be ideal on your full platform to better convey reasons and explanations.
Task 1: Why Did It Happen?
Click "🔊 Listen to Dialogue" to hear short conversations. Then, choose the best answer that explains the reason or cause.
Speaker A: Why didn't you come to the party last night, Srey?
Speaker B: Oh, I couldn't make it because I wasn't feeling very well. I had a headache.
Why didn't Srey come to the party?
Speaker A: The traffic in Phnom Penh was terrible this morning!
Speaker B: I know! It took me two hours to get to work.
Speaker A: Really? Why was it so bad?
Speaker B: Apparently, there was a big accident on Monivong Boulevard, so all the roads were blocked.
Why was the traffic so bad?
Task 2: What's the Explanation?
Click "🔊 Listen". You will hear someone explain something. Choose the best summary of their explanation.
Why are many people in the village learning English?
📝 Post-Listening Activity: Giving Your Own Reasons
Think about these questions. Can you give a simple reason in English?
1. Why do you learn English?
Example Answer: "I learn English because I want to get a good job."
2. Why is it good to visit Battambang?
Example Answer: "It's good to visit Battambang because it has beautiful old buildings and friendly people."
Practice using "because" to give reasons!
🚀 Key Takeaways & Listening Strategies
- Listen for "reason words" like because, since, as.
- Listen for "result words" like so, therefore, that's why. The information before these often gives the reason.
- When you hear a "Why?" question, the answer will usually start with "Because..." or explain a cause.
- Focus on understanding the connection between an action/situation and the reason behind it.
💬 Feedback & Learner Tips (Self-Assessment)
After the exercises:
- Could you identify the linking words that introduced reasons or results?
- Was it easy to understand the speaker's explanation for why something happened?
- Try to listen for reasons people give in everyday English conversations around you.
�🇭 Tips for Cambodian Learners:
In Khmer, you use words like "ដោយសារតែ" (daoy saa te - because) or "ដូច្នេះ" (dochneh - so) to explain reasons and results. English uses similar idea-connecting words. Recognizing these in English will really help your comprehension.
For example, if your friend in Cambodia says, "I am tired today because I worked late," the reason is "I worked late." Practice connecting these ideas when you listen to English!
📚 Further Practice & Application
- Listen to B1 level English dialogues or short stories. Pause and ask yourself "Why did that happen?" or "Why did the character say that?"
- Read simple English texts and underline words like "because," "so," "therefore." Notice how they connect ideas.
- When you speak English, try to use "because" to explain your reasons for things.