Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – The world of work

1   1 vet   2 firefighter   3 babysitter   4 hairdresser   5 coach   6 builder

2   1 a lawyer   2 an architect   3 a politician   4 a presenter

      5 a pharmacist   6 a journalist

Audioscript

Speaker 1

Woman:   I’ve always loved animals. Even at school, I knew this was the job I wanted to do. I work with small animals – pets. That means anything from rabbits to … um, rats. I really enjoy meeting their owners too. And they’re always so grateful for my help.

Speaker 2

Man:   I’m very proud of what I do. It’s a dangerous job, and it’s very hard physically, especially when there’s a big fire and we have to go in with special clothes and safety equipment. It feels good when we’ve finished a job, though, and made a place safe again.

Speaker 3

Woman:   I usually only work in the evenings, often at weekends. I like playing with the children, especially doing creative things. They usually behave well, but sometimes they think that because their parents are out, they can do what they want! It isn’t fun then!

Speaker 4

Man:   I started working at my dad’s shop when I was a teenager. I only did cleaning then. I wasn’t allowed to even touch any scissors! But when I left school, my dad taught me how to cut hair. A few years later, I opened my own place. I generally really enjoy my job. I’m quite sociable, so love chatting to people while I work.

Speaker 5

Woman:   I love sport, and I love teaching, so this job is really ideal for me. I usually work with groups of about 20 children. We practise some skills, like running with the ball, and then they have a match.

Speaker 6

Man:   I never wanted to sit in an office all day. I prefer being outside, doing things with my hands. We work on everything from flats to offices and shops, places where people will live and work. That’s pretty cool, I think.

1

Allie never has any money. She is asking her friend Ben for advice.

Evan doesn’t know which subjects to choose for next year. He is asking his teacher, Mrs Shaw, for advice.

2

1   false (He might get a job in a year or so.)

2   false (They might say ‘no’.)

3   true

4   false (She will speak to them tonight about it.)

5   true

6   false (Mrs Shaw suggests it and Evan agrees.)

7   true

8   true

Audioscript

Conversation 1

Allie:   Hi, Ben.

Ben:   Hi, Allie. You sound a bit miserable. What’s up?

Allie:   It’s money. I’ve never got any. I’m always asking my parents for more.

Ben:   What about getting a job at the weekend? My sister’s a babysitter for our neighbours on Saturday nights. I was thinking about doing something similar. Maybe in a year or so.

Allie:   The problem with that is my parents might say ‘no’.

Ben:   Explain to them that you don’t want to ask them for money all the time … And if that doesn’t work, maybe they’ve got some jobs you could do. You know, cleaning, cooking or stuff like that. For money, of course!

Allie:   Thanks, Ben. That’s great advice. I’ll speak to them tonight about it. Anyway, you didn’t phone me to hear my problems. What’s up?

Ben:   Oh, yeah. Do you want to go …

Conversation 2

Evan:   Mrs Shaw. Please can I ask your advice about something?

Mrs Shaw:   Of course, Evan.

Evan:   I’ve got to choose ten subjects to study next year. And I’d like to choose the best subjects for my future. But …

Mrs Shaw:   … you’re not sure what you want to do?

Evan:   Um, no, that’s not the problem. I know that I’d really like to do a film degree at university. I just want to choose the best subjects for that.

Mrs Shaw:   What about doing some research online? There’s lots of information there.

Evan:   Yes, you’re right. I’ll do that.

Mrs Shaw:   I know you love films, Evan …, but if I were you, I’d choose a good mix of subjects. It’s good to have lots of options. You might change your mind in the future.

Evan:   Yeah. I see what you mean.

Mrs Shaw:   And also, Evan … Ten is quite a lot of subjects. Eight or nine might be better – especially if that means better marks.

Evan:   Maybe you’re right. Thanks very much, Mrs Shaw. I should go to my next lesson …

working in a café

Audioscript

Girl:   OK, let’s talk about the jobs that this girl could do. What about walking dogs for people? That’s pretty easy and probably quite fun.

Boy:   I’m not so sure. It wouldn’t be much fun in bad weather.

Girl:   That’s true. And cutting the grass or gardening would be the same. What do you think about doing jobs around the house for your parents? For example, ironing and cleaning.

Boy:   Well, those jobs would be indoors, at least. But the problem with ironing and cleaning is they’re boring.

Girl:   Yes, you’re right. And I think that working in an office might be boring, too.

Boy:   That’s true. Working with young children might be better.

Girl:   Yes. Babysitting can be easy, especially if the children are well behaved. But the pay isn’t very good.

Boy:   Hmm. Maybe you’re right. If I were her, I’d work in a café. It might be fun, and she would earn a lot of money in tips.

Girl:   Yes, that’s a good choice.

1   1 c   2 b   3 a

2   1   Sebastian needs advice on meeting a deadline; Nicola needs help with managing her time.

     2   Sebastian asks his colleague Sarah; Nicola asks her manager/boss Amy.

     3   Students’ own answers

3   1 T   2 T   3 T   4 F   5 T   6 T   7 F   8 F

4   1   I’m really behind with the work.

     2   extend the deadline

     3   willing to help you

     4   I don’t feel I’m making any progress.

     5   leave things until the last minute

     6   I have a very busy schedule this week.

Audioscript

1

Sebastian:   Hi, Sarah.

Sarah:   Hi, Sebastian. Are you OK? You don’t look very happy.

Sebastian:   My boss gave me a deadline to meet by the end of this week. I’m really behind with the work. I just don’t know how I’m going to do it. Can you give some advice?

Sarah:   How about sitting down with your boss and finding out if she will extend the deadline? Make a list of everything you need to do and think about how long it will take – then explain the situation to her.

Sebastian:   It’s a good idea, but I don’t really get on with my boss, so I don’t think she’ll want to help me.

Sarah:   Just tell her how you feel. I’m sure she’ll be willing to help you – it’s her job, don’t forget!

Sebastian:   Thanks, Sarah, that’s definitely the best advice. I’ll go to see her tomorrow morning.

2

Nicola:   Amy, can I just ask your advice about how to improve my organisational skills?

Amy:   Yes, no problem, Nicola. What type of things are you trying to improve?

Nicola:   I’m not really very good at managing my time, and as hard as I try, I don’t feel I’m making any progress.

Amy:   Have you tried using sticky notes to remind you about important things?

Nicola:   Yes, I do – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m often late for meetings or leave things until the last minute because I often forget.

Amy:   Out of ten, how often do you forget?

Nicola:   Err … probably five or six.

Amy:   Yes, well, that is a bit of a problem, isn’t it?

Nicola:   Yeah, I really need someone to explain to me where I’m going wrong.

Amy:   Right, I have a very busy schedule this week – I’m training the sales team. But I can help you for an hour each day next week if you like? Say 2 pm in my office? But you must promise me that you’ll be here on time!

Nicola:   Thanks, Amy, don’t worry, I won’t be late!

1

1   She’s a ballet dancer.

2   at the Royal Ballet School in London

3   at a ballet school in Russia

2

1   promised to buy her a pink ballet dress.

2   it was her first time away from home.

3   it’s one of the best ballet schools in the world; she trains with some of the best dancers in the world every day; she’s doing what she loves.

4   she couldn’t speak Russian at first and she didn’t know anybody there; her whole body hurts at the end of the day; she misses her friends and family.

Audioscript

Presenter:   Today we’re talking to talented seventeen-year-old Carolina Woods. Hi, Carolina.

Carolina:   Hi.

Presenter:   Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your special talent?

Carolina:   Well, since the age of three, I’ve always loved ballet. That’s not quite true actually. When I was seven, my first real teacher was scary and I didn’t want to go back to class after the first lesson. My parents promised to buy me a pink ballet dress if I went back, so I did!

Presenter:   What happened next?

Carolina:   When I was 11, I went to the Royal Ballet School in London. I had to stay there during the week. I was away from my family for the first time in my life, so it was hard at first.

Presenter:   But you were doing something that you enjoyed?

Carolina:   That’s right, and I was with other young people with the same interests.

Presenter:   But you didn’t stay there, did you?

Carolina:   At 15, I got the chance of a place at both the Royal Ballet Upper School in London and also the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Russia. I had to decide whether to go with some of my classmates to the best school in London or leave my family and friends and move to Russia to study at one of the best ballet schools in the world.

Presenter:   And you decided to go to Russia. Why?

Carolina:   I couldn’t speak Russian and I didn’t know anyone there, but it seemed like a fantastic opportunity.

Presenter:   So what is your life like now in Russia?

Carolina:   I train every day with some of the best dancers in the world. My whole body hurts by the end of the day but I never complain because I’m doing something that I love.

Presenter:   Do you miss your friends and family?

Carolina:   Yes, of course I do, but we speak online all the time and my parents often come to Russia to see my shows.

Presenter:   Well, thank you, Carolina. Next week …