Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.

dateline: 03 July 2019

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“The Singing Doctor” Retires After Four Decades

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • retire: to stop working often due to old age
  • decade: a ten-year period
  • serenade: to sing with passion to someone in particular
  • OB/GYN: a doctor who specializes in delivering babies and in women’s reproductive health (obstetrician/gynaecologist)
  • beloved: well-known and loved
  • gentle: kindhearted, soft
  • bedside manner: a doctor’s approach to taking care of patients

“The Singing Doctor” Retires in Pittsburgh

Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has retired after serenading over newborns. The OB/GYN was known for babies into the world by singing songs like “Happy Birthday” or “It’s a World” after their delivery. The beloved doctor was so well-known for his gentle bedside manner at a hospital in Pittsburgh that many mothers refer to their children as “Jaja babies” even years after giving birth. Dr. Jaja spent four decades delivering and singing to babies with the goal of making the experience of childbirth less stressful for everyone.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What is the report mainly about?
  2. Why does the reading mention “Happy Birthday”?
  3. What are “Jaja babies”?

Discussion Question

What good experiences have you had with doctors and nurses over the years? Have you ever experienced a medical professional with a poor bedside manner?

show Answers

Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
© EnglishClub.com
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