Intermediate Listening Power

Activity 1.

Listen to the file.

Cosmetic Surgery

Activity 2.

Listening Comprehension. Answer the following questions.

1. According the mini lecture, which situation was NOT mentioned as an example for reconstructive surgery? 
A. A young child is severely burned in a house fire.
B. A woman isn't satisfied with the shape of her stomach.
C. A man lost part of his ear in a boating accident.

2. What other effects do physical deformities have on the individual who bears them?
A. a lack of self-worth
B. inability to find work
C. fewer educational opportunities

3. What other services do volunteers provide to the country where they perform reconstructive surgery?
A. fund-raising activities
B. physical therapy
C. local health care training

4. How does this volunteer work benefit the providers of such surgical procedures?
A. These experiences give doctors and nurses valuable in-field training opportunities.
B. Volunteers establish connections for future medical research. 
C. Health care workers develop deeper understanding of the sufferings of others.

5. What is one way everyday people can help such causes?
A. educate themselves on the issues 
B. make financial contributions
C. adopt unwanted children

Activity 3.

Listening to Details. Listen to the file for the last time and fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

Cosmetic or ⁽¹⁾ surgery often evokes images of famous personalities wanting to ⁽²⁾ their appearances through elective surgical procedures. However, reconstructive surgery is a procedure that makes a similar, but different impact on the lives of many around the world, and many of these ⁽³⁾ suffer from either congenital ⁽⁴⁾ like a cleft palate or from injuries sustained in accidents or as a result of animal bites. Some disfigurements can also be due to the effects of ⁽⁵⁾ or infection. Yet, the individual with such defects often bares more than just outward physical marks: loss of ⁽⁶⁾ and self-worth as well as acceptance are commonplace.

In the past, such procedures were only available in developed countries where the medical ⁽⁷⁾ and financial resources were available to afford such operations. However, a number of worldwide organizations made up of ⁽⁸⁾ make regular visits to developing countries to provide reconstructive surgery to those who could not otherwise receive such care. In addition to the care they provide, these volunteer specialists also provide training to health care workers in these procedures so that local hospitals, nurses, and doctors can become self-sufficient.

The end results of such efforts have transformed lives: the patient now can live with some normalcy and hope for the future with less fear of being ostracized by neighbors and family, and the health care worker who performs the procedure perhaps feels a greater understanding and ⁽⁹⁾ for those who suffer from such defects.

There are many ways for people to assist in supporting these volunteer efforts. Although most people do not have the medical expertise to perform reconstructive surgery, they can still ⁽¹⁰⁾ time, money, and supplies to such organizations. A quick search on the Internet can get you started.

Activity 4

Vocabulary. Read and study the following words.

• evoke (verb): bring up, call to mind 
  - Seeing children in need of reconstructive surgery often evokes feelings of sympathy and concern.

• alter (verb): change 
  - The woman thought she could alter her looks and personality by undergoing plastic surgery.

• congenital (adjective): present at birth 
  - Some congenital defects can be corrected with reconstructive surgery.

• disfigurements (noun, also a verb, "disfigure"): a part of the body that has been damaged
  - The fire in the crash left her face and hands disfigured, and now she is seeking cosmetic surgery to repair the damage and give her more mobility to her fingers.

• afford (verb): have the financial means to do something
  - A great number of people around the world are in need of reconstructive surgery to improve their lives, but they can't afford the expense of such procedures.

• self-sufficient (adjective): able to provide for your own needs
  - Many health care workers in developing countries are still learning to become self-sufficient in terms of handling the medial needs of their people.

• ostracize (verb): expel or cast out from a group
  - The local community ostracized the young boy and his family because of his medical condition.

Activity 5.

Discussion. Answer the following questions related to the conversation.

• Name some types of cosmetic surgery and discuss why people select these procedures.
  
• Would you consider volunteering if you had the expertise to perform cosmetic procedures for the needy? Why or why not?