Listening Exercises A1 – Health

1.

A:        What happened to your foot, Joanne?

B:        Oh, I hurt it when I was playing soccer.

A:        Wow. Can you walk on it?

B:        Yes, but it’s really difficult.

2.

A:        What happened to you?

B:        Oh, I didn’t have my glasses on so I walked into a door.

A:        No!

B:        It’s true. Isn’t it crazy? Now I have a splitting headache.

3.

A:        Did you cut yourself?

B:        Yes, I was cooking and I cut myself with a knife.

A:        You should be more careful.

B:        I know, and now it’s difficult for me to eat, because I’m left-handed.

4.

A:        How did you do that?

B:        I fell down playing basketball. I put out my arm to stop myself, and this is what happened.

A:        Is it broken?

B:        Yes.

5.

A:        How’s your back?

B:        Terrible.

A:        Why don’t you lie down and rest? Would you like a massage?

B:        Great idea. Thanks.

6.

A:        Hey, what happened to your ear?

B:        Huh?

A:        What’s wrong with your ear?

B:        Sorry, I can’t hear you. I hurt my ear at the gym.

1.

I have an awful backache. I was lifting heavy weights at the gym yesterday and I think I must have pulled a muscle. If it doesn’t get better soon, I’ll have to see the doctor.

2.

I was hiking up a mountain yesterday and I slipped and twisted my ankle as we were going down a steep path. It’s so painful I can hardly walk. I bandaged it, but it still hurts. If it isn’t better tomorrow, I’ll go to the doctor.

3.

I flew back from Australia last week and I think I caught the flu from someone on the plane. The only time I get the flu is after a long flight. I’ve been taking pills for it, but I still feel sick.

4.

I went out to dinner a few days ago with a friend. We went to a very good seafood restaurant, but I think there was something wrong with the fish because my stomach really started hurting. I had to go to the hospital to get some medicine for it because it hurt so much. It’s much better now.

5.

I was working in the garden last week and I cut my leg. It was a pretty deep cut, so I had to go to the doctor. She put some stitches in it. They’ll be in for another week.

1.

A:        I’ve really been having trouble sleeping lately.

B:        That’s too bad.

A:        Yeah, I go to bed, but I often can’t fall asleep. Do you ever have that problem?

B:        Yeah, I sometimes do, too, especially if I’m feeling very worried or stressed out.

A:        So what do you do for it? Do you take sleeping pills?

B:        I don’t like the idea of sleeping pills, so I usually get up and watch TV or read until I feel tired. Then I go back to bed. Why don’t you try it?

A:        Yeah, I will.

2.

A:        I’ve been feeling very tired lately, like I have no energy.

B:        Really? I used to have that problem.

A:        Oh, yeah? Do you think I should see the doctor?

B:        It may not be anything serious. Have you tried taking vitamins?

A:        No, I haven’t.

B:        Taking vitamins always helps me when I’m tired.

3.

A:        I’ve been getting really bad backaches.

B:        Is that right?

A:        Yeah. Sometimes the pain is so bad I can hardly move.

B:        Do you spend a lot of time in front of a computer?

A:        Yes, I do.

B:        That’s probably causing it. I used to get that problem, too.

A:        So did you stop using the computer?

B:        No, I didn’t need to. But I changed the way I sat, and that made a difference. Here. Let me show you.

4.

A:        I’m getting a lot of colds this year.

B:        Really?

A:        Yeah! About once a month.

B:        That’s too bad.

A:        I’ve been taking vitamin C, but it doesn’t help.

B:        Well, maybe you should go to the doctor.

A:        Maybe you’re right. Can you recommend a good one?

1 c   2 c   3 a   4 c   5 b

Transcript

1.

A:   How did you do that?

B:   I was water-skiing. I guess the boat was going too fast. Anyway, I fell.

A:   Does it hurt?

B:   Not too much. But I’m having trouble in school because I can’t write now.

2.

A:   You sound terrible.

B:   I feel terrible. It really hurts, and I can’t swallow anything.

A:   Where did you get it? At work?

B:   No. From my niece. I was babysitting her, and she has it, too.

3.

A:   Why are you walking like that?

B:   Because I’m in pain! I pulled a muscle when I was working out at the gym. I can’t sit down. It hurts!

A:   I think you need an X ray.

4.

A:   When did that happen to your hand?

B:   When I was making dinner the other night. I was watching TV and cutting some vegetables. There was this funny show on TV and … I guess my hand slipped.

A:   What did you do?

B:   I held it under cold water, and then I put this bandage on it.

5.

A:   What happened to you?

B:   I fell down playing soccer. I was running to kick the ball and I tripped.

A:   Can you walk on it?

B:   No. It really hurts.

1 d   2 a   3 e   4 b   5 c

Transcript

1.

A:   I have a terrible headache.

B:   You get a lot of headaches. Maybe you should see the doctor.

A:   I’ll just lie down. You know I don’t like going to the doctor.

2.

A:   I overdid it today. I have a really bad backache.

B:   Let me give you a massage. That always works for me.

A:   That sounds wonderful

3.

A:   My cold is getting worse. I’m going home.

B:   Why don’t you take some vitamin C? That’s what I do when I have a bad cold.

A:   Good idea. I’ll buy some on the way home.

4.

A:   I ran 10 kilometers yesterday, and today my whole body hurts.

B:   Of course it does. The best cure is more exercise.

A:   No way! I can’t move!

5.

A:   I’m so tired. I’ve been really stressed out because of my job, so I can’t sleep at night.

B:   I have that problem sometimes, too. Why don’t you call your doctor and ask for some sleeping pills?

A:   Oh, no! I don’t like the idea of sleeping pills.