Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Stress and health

(top row) 3, 2

(middle row) 5, X

(bottom row) 1, 4

Audioscripts in B below

1 no   2 no   3 yes   4 yes   5 yes

Audioscripts

1

Friend:   Are you OK, Mia? You look really tired.

Mia:   I am. I can’t seem to sleep at night. I’ve been pretty stressed out lately.

Friend:   What’s up?

Mia:   I’ve got so many things to do. I’m just really busy at work these days.

Friend:   Why don’t you take a vacation, you know, just a few days off from work? Go someplace warm – to the beach!

Mia:   Gosh, my boss wouldn’t like that at all! We have this huge project to work on. They really need me now.

2

Friend:   Well, you need to find a way to relax. Are you getting any exercise?

Mia:   No, not really.

Friend:   Maybe you should join a gym. You know, take an aerobics class or something. I always have more energy after I go to the gym.

Mia:   I just don’t have the time. I think I’d be even more stressed out!

3

Friend:   There must be something you can do. Hey, didn’t you tell me there’s a lunchtime yoga class at your office?

Mia:   Yes, it just started a few months ago.

Friend:   Yoga is a great way to deal with stress, and it would probably help you sleep at night.

Mia:   Yeah, and the class is just half an hour, so I’d still have time to eat lunch. Hmm. That’s a really good idea.

4

Friend:   Oh, I just remembered this article I read in a health magazine. It was all about relaxation techniques.

Mia:   Really? Like what?

Friend:   Well, like yoga, and exercise, and – oh, yeah – aromatherapy!

Mia:   Aromatherapy? You mean like smelling things?

Friend:   Yeah. The article said some smells can be very relaxing.

Mia:   Hmm. Sounds interesting. I think that’s something I’d like to try.

5

Friend:   How about going out with me this Friday? It’ll do you good. We could go out to eat, then maybe see a movie. You need to have a little fun.

Mia:   You know, that does sound good. I could use a little fun.

Friend:   Now you’re talking! Why don’t I pick you up at six o’clock on Friday?

Mia:   Sounds like a plan. But now I’ve really got to get back to work.

Friend:   Mia, you’re hopeless!

1 a   2 b   3 b   4 a   5 b

Audioscripts in B below

1 sleep better, look younger

2 feel younger, have more energy

3 sleep better, feel calmer

4 look younger, have more energy

5 feel younger, feel calmer

Audioscripts

1

Man:   This place is great. They have so many different choices. What kind are you going to have?

Woman:   Hmm, I’m not sure. Here’s a green one with mint and ginger. That sounds good.

Man:   Yeah, the menu says if you drink it every day, you’ll sleep better, and it will make you look younger, too!

Woman:   Well then, that’s definitely the one for me!

2

Salesclerk:   Can I help you?

Man:   I hope so. I’ve been feeling kind of tired lately. I need some more energy.

Salesclerk:   Here. Try this.

Man:   Mmm … that’s nice. Is it, um, lemon?

Salesclerk:   Yes, and there are also some flower scents. It’ll help you feel younger and have more energy, too.

Man:   Wonderful! I think I feel younger already! How do I use it?

Salesclerk:   You just put a few drops on a handkerchief, like this, and smell it a few times every hour. Or you can add some hot water…

3

Massage therapist:   Is this your first time here?

Woman:   Yes, actually. My friend recommended you. You really helped her with her back problem.

Massage therapist:   And what sort of problems are you having?

Woman:   Well, I’m very stressed out. I just can’t seem to relax.

Massage therapist:   Mm-hmm. And where in your body are you feeling the stress?

Woman:   My shoulders and my neck. Sometimes I’m so stressed out I can’t sleep at night, and that just makes it worse.

Massage therapist:   I see. Well, I think this will help you sleep better and feel calmer. Let’s start with your neck.

4

Sandy:   Hi, I’m Sandy. I’ll be showing you around today.

Dan:   Thanks, I’m Dan.

Sandy:   So, Dan, why did you decide to become a member?

Dan:   Well, uh, as you can see, I’m a bit, um, heavyset. My friends tell me I look older lately… and my energy has been kind of low, so I thought losing some weight might help me feel better.

Sandy:   Well, you’ve come to the right place! Exercising regularly can help you look younger. And when you get in shape, you’ll have more energy, too. Do you do any exercise now?

Dan:   Not much. I do walk to work but, uh, my office is just down the street from my apartment.

5

Woman 1:   Hi, are you new here?

Woman 2:   Yeah, I am.

Woman 1:   Oh, you’ll love it here. Claire is a great teacher.

Woman 2:   Well, I know I need this. I got an office job last year, and I’m really stressed out. My muscles are so tight. I feel like I’m ten years older than I am.

Woman 1:   Well, this should help you feel younger and feel calmer. Come on, I’ll show you where to get your mat.

1 c   2 c   3 a   4 b   5 c

Audioscripts

Sarah:   Hi, Andy!

Andy:   Oh, hi, Sarah! How’s it going?

Sarah:   Good, thanks. Have you been jogging?

Andy:   Yeah. I come here every morning. I love starting the day with some exercise. It really gives me more energy, and I just feel calmer all day long.

Sarah:   Wow. That’s great.

Andy:   So, what’s new with you these days, Sarah?

Sarah:   Well, I’m in school. I’m studying to be a massage therapist.

Andy:   Really? I’ve never had a massage. My doctor told me it might help me sleep better, though.

Sarah:   Oh, it definitely will. Hey, you should come to the school. The students give free massages on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Andy:   Free? Wow! What days did you say? …

1 a   2 c   3 b   4 a   5 b

Audioscripts in B below

1 no   2 no   3 yes   4 yes   5 yes

Audioscripts

1

Man:   Hi, Olivia. How are you doing?

Olivia:   Oh, not too well. I’m so stressed out from work.

Man:   You really need to relax. Why don’t you try meditation? Just an hour a day can really help.

Olivia:   I can’t do that! I don’t have time!

2

Woman:   Are you OK, Andy?

Andy:   Actually, I have a headache.

Woman:   Oh, let me make you a hot cup of tea.

Andy:   For a headache?

Woman:   Yes. It’s a special type of herbal tea.

Andy:   Thanks, but I really don’t want any. I’ll just take an aspirin.

3

Man:   Oh, my hand hurts from working on the computer all day.

Woman:   You know, when your hand hurts, it often means you have a stiff shoulder. Here, try this stretch.

Man:   Hey, that does help! Where did you learn that?

Woman:   In my yoga class. You know, I have class tomorrow morning. You should come with me.

Man:   OK. Can you pick me up on your way to class?

Woman:   Definitely!

4

Woman:   I don’t know why I feel so tired all the time.

Man:   You probably don’t get enough exercise.

Woman:   I don’t get any exercise.

Man:   Well, that’s your problem. Why don’t you join a gym?

Woman:   I don’t have the energy to go to the gym after working all day.

Man:   But, if you exercised regularly, you’d have more energy.

Woman:   That’s true. All right. I’ll stop by that new gym on my way home tonight.

5

Man:   Hi, Amanda. Are you feeling better today?

Amanda:   Not really. I couldn’t sleep again last night.

Man:   Amanda, you really need some rest. Have you tried aromatherapy?

Amanda:   Aroma what?

Man:   Before you to go bed, you smell a special type of oil. It’s made from herbs that help you relax and sleep better.

Amanda:   That’s all it takes? Hmm. Where can I get some of that?