C1 Listening Practice: Minimalism - Living with Less, Living Better (2 parts)

 

Vocabulary 1
A. On a ___ basis (every __): on a [regular, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly) basis. Example: I exercise on a weekly basis (or: I exercise every week.)
Q: What do you do on a ____ basis? –

B. Inspire: inspirer. Example: Her kindness inspires everyone.

C. Bring about: provoquer. Example: Small changes can bring about success.

D. Conditioned: conditionné. Example: Children are conditioned by their environment. Q: As a French person, what are you conditioned to think? –

E. Owning: le fait de posséder. Example: Owning a bicycle saves money.

F. Equated (with): assimilé à.
Examples: Success is often equated with wealth. French products are equated with luxury.  Q: What is your company equated with? –

G. Afford: avoir les moyens de.

Pattern: afford + noun = Example: I can afford a new laptop with my bonus.
Pattern: afford + to + verb = Example: I can't afford to travel to Greece. I don’t have enough money.

H. Weird: bizarre. Example: That movie was really weird.

I. Rebellious: rebelle. Example: The boy became rebellious at home.

 

Guide Questions
1. What are the speaker’s questions?
2. What does the speaker say about his possessions?
3. What does the speaker say about poverty and laziness? 

TRANSCRIPT 1

Does every item in our house have a useful purpose? Do we use each one on a regular basis? If we don’t use an item regularly, does it inspire, motivate, or bring about positive feelings in us?

I used to own many things because, like many people living in a capitalist society, we have been conditioned to own certain things. Owning less is equated with poverty and laziness. If we don’t have a certain item in a certain acceptable amount, we don’t earn enough to afford it, or we are simply weird, or rebellious. (94 words)

Discussion: How many items do you have? Does every item in our house have a useful purpose? Do you use each one on a regular basis? –


Vocabulary 2
A. Rethink: repenser. Example: We should rethink our decision.
B. Possessions: possessions. Example: She packed her possessions carefully.

C. Meaningful: enrichissant, significatif, profonde.

Examples:
We had a meaningful discussion about education. Nous avons eu une discussion de fond sur l'éducation.
I want to have a meaningful life. Je veux avoir une vie qui a du sens.
Q: Do you own something that is meaningful to you? Explain why it is important to you.
Q: Tell us about a meaningful experience. What happened, and why was it important to you?

D. Belongings: affaires personnelles. Example: Please take your belongings with you.
E. Fulfillment: épanouissement. Example: Teaching gives her fulfillment.
F. Adopt: adopter. Example: They adopted a healthier lifestyle.
G. Fall (fell) back (into): retomber dans. Example: He fell back into old habits.

H. Let go (of):
se débarrasser de. Example: She decided to let go of her old clothes.
laisser partir. Example: It's time to let go of fear.

Guide Questions
1. What does the speaker say about the pandemic?
2. What did many people realize?
3. What happened to many people after the pandemic?
4. What does the speaker say at the end?

TRANSCRIPT 2

The pandemic made many people rethink their priorities and values. After spending months at home, we realized that many of our possessions were unnecessary and added little value to our lives. During that time, good health, meaningful relationships, and human connection became far more important than expensive belongings. Many people also discovered fulfillment by learning new skills, such as baking or gardening. We also promised to adopt a simpler, more balanced lifestyle. However, as life returned to normal, many gradually fell back into old habits of buying more things. Instead of asking what else we should own, perhaps we should consider what we can let go of to live a happier and more meaningful life. (114 words)

Discussion:

1. Did the pandemic make you rethink any of your habits or beliefs? Explain.
2. What habits did you change after the pandemic? Which old habits did you return to later? Explain.
3. Do you agree with the speaker? Why or why not?
4. A friend of mine owns an expensive painting. He says it inspires him every day. What material possession do you own that inspires, motivates, or makes you happy? Why?

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