The+Opossum

The Opossum PASSAGE THREE Page 145 Questions 10 through 13. Listen to a group of students discussing information from a zoology class. //(man// 1) The next animal we need to discuss is the opossum. The opossum is another kind of marsupial. //(woman)// A marsupial? Oh no, I think we're supposed to know what that is. //(man// 2) We are. A marsupial's an animal that carries its young in a pouch. //(woman)// Oh, that's right. It's like a kangaroo. Exactly. And young opossums stay in their mother's pouch for what, a few days? No, not exactly. It's about two months. Then, when the babies are about two months old, they come out of their mother's pouch, but they don't go very far. For the next few months, they go everywhere with their mother. They just ride along on their mother's back. So young opossums spend the first two months in their mother's pouch and the next two months hanging on her back? You've got it. Now, aren't opossums animals that play dead? Oh, I don't think it's opossums that play dead .... Oh, wait a minute .... Maybe it is. We do talk about playing 'possum if we're talking about pretending that we're asleep or dead. Exactly. So when an opossum's frightened by an attacker, it doesn't run away? No, it doesn't, It just rolls over on its back, kind of curls up, and pretends it's dead. I guess it's just hoping the attacker will think it's dead and will go away and leave it alone. LISTEN AGAINTO PARTOF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. //(man// 1) The next animal we need to discuss is the opossum. The opossum is another kind of marsupial. (woman) A marsupial? Oh no, I think we're supposed to know what that is. WHATDOES THE WOMAN MEAN WHEN SHE SAYSTHIS: (woman) Oh no, I think we're supposed to know what that is. 11. LISTEN AGAINTO PARTOF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (woman) And young opossums stay in their mother's pouch for what, a few days? (man 1) No, not exactly. It's about two months. WHY DOES THE MAN SAYTHIS: (man 1) No, not exactly. 12. LISTEN AGAINTO PARTOF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. (woman) So young opossums spend the first two months in their mother's pouch and the next two months hanging on her back? (man 1) You've got it. WHATDOES THE MAN MEANWHEN HE SAYS THIS: //man// 1) You've got it 13. LISTEN AGAINTO PARTOF THE DISCUSSION. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. //(man// 2) Oh, I don't think it's opossums that play dead .... Oh, wait a minute. Maybe it is. WHY DOES THE MAN SAYTHIS: //(man// 2) Oh, wait a minute. Maybe it is.