
In this podcast listening comprehension exercise, students will hear a program from the Wall Street Journal. The suggested level for this is CEFR English level B2.2 and above. This level corresponds to upper-intermediate or advanced English learner level. We would also encourage lower B levels to have a go as well, as podcast listening comprehension exercises are good for generally improving business English. You will probably need to do a bit more vocabulary work and prediscussion before the exercise.
Prepare for the podcast listening comprehension.
- How do you feel about the use of tracking cookies? Do they have any benefits for end-users?
- Do you currently take any action to avoid or restrict the amount of tracking that firms do?
Keywords and phrases
Briefing: Information that is given before something happens. Examples
Rollout: Make something available for the first time. Examples
Vocal opponent: Someone who strongly objects to something.
Go head-to-head: Be in direct competition with another person or team. Examples
Caught in the crossfire: Be affected in a situation where others are arguing. Examples
Vehemently: Strongly. Pronunciation and examples
Take the brunt: Be hit the hardest. Examples
Behemoth: Something that is very large. Examples
Collective bargaining: When many people come together to negotiate with a larger concern. Example
Overblown: Exaggerating. Examples
Attribute /attribution: Saying something is the result of a particular person or thing. Examples
Stand your ground: Refuse to give up. Examples
Entrench: Firmly establish something so that it cannot be changed. Examples
Walled garden: An online environment that is closed to outside competitors.
Link to the podcast
Here is the link to the podcast
There is a news roundup in the first couple of minutes. Listen to this if you want, but the questions will be about the main story: Small Businesses Shift Ad Strategies Ahead of Apple iOS Update.
Listening Comprehension Questions
- What is Apple changing in the upcoming IOS update that affects apps?
- According to Facebook, why is tracking users’ browsing habits beneficial for the users?
- What is a “lookalike audience” and how does it work?
- Why do small businesses like these kinds of targeting tools?
- Describe the effect that Apple’s changes will probably have on advertising campaigns?
- What is John Merris’s, the Solar Stove CEO, main objection to Apple’s decision? What does he believe should be the solution to privacy concerns?
- How are small businesses adapting to the new situation?
- If the return on advertising drops, what do small businesses do?
- How is Apple responding to some of the concerns?
- What are some possible long-term consequences of this policy change?
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