Mystery of the Senses—Hearing
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Student Handout |
Voices in the Crowd
Even in a crowded room where many people are talking, people can usually focus most of their attention on just one speaker or one conversation. Try this activity to see how selective listening happens.
Procedure
In your group, choose one person to be the listener. The other three people should each read aloud from one of the selections below. Readers—start reading at the same time. Try to keep your voice at a normal conversation level. Listener—focus your attention on just one of the readings. Try to keep looking at the person reading that selection. When the readers are finished, answer the questions below.
Menu
Appetizers
Garlic bread $3.25
Antipasto $4.00
Salads
Caesar salad $5.00
House salad $3.25
Soups
Minestrone $3.00
Soup of the day $2.75
Entrees
Calzone with pepperoni and sausage $6.00
Chicken Marsala $6.75
Fettucine Alfredo $6.00
Lasagna $6.50
Linguini $6.50
Spaghetti $5.75
Pizza
Small $6.00
Medium $8.00
Large $10.00
Toppings
Anchovies
Cheese
Green peppers
Mushrooms
Pepperoni
Sausage
Desserts
ice cream $3.00
Cannoli $4.00
The Lion and the Mouse
One day a great lion lay asleep in the sunshine. A little mouse ran across his paw and wakened him. The great lion was just going to eat him up when the little mouse cried, "Oh please, let me go, sir. Someday I may help you."
The lion laughed at the thought that the little mouse could be of any use to him. But he was a good-natured lion, and he set the mouse free.
Not long after, the lion was caught in a net. He tugged and pulled with all his might, but the ropes were too strong. Then he roared loudly. The little mouse heard him, and ran to the spot.
"Be still, dear lion, and I will set you free. I will gnaw the ropes."
With his sharp little teeth, the mouse cut the ropes, and the lion came out of the net.
"You laughed at me once," said the mouse. "You thought I was too little to do you a good turn. But see, you owe your life to a poor little mouse."
Restoring Florida
In what will be the largest effort ever at managing an entire ecosystem, federal agencies last week announced plans to restore Florida's Everglades, reshaping much of the area's 11,000 square miles into something closer to the undisturbed wetlands of a century ago.
The goal will require massive changes, especially in farming areas and water consumption, said officials of the Corps of Engineers. Environmentalists hailed the plan, saying it might help save nearly five dozen endangered and threatened species.
But there remain questions whether bureaucrats and scientists know enough to attempt to control such a vast and complicated ecosystem, and whether enough money and political will are available to pull it off.
Questions for Listeners
Which selection were you listening to? What words or sections from other readings attracted your attention? What else distracted you while you were listening?
Questions for Readers
How easy or difficult was it to keep your voice at the same level? Were you distracted while you were reading? If so, how easy or difficult was it to keep reading?
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