Practice Listening English Exercises for B2 – Brazil

1 general information

2 relaxation

3 natural wonders

4 education

Audioscripts in B below

 Audioscripts

1

Man:   Brazil is famous around the world for its colorful festivals, lively music, beaches, and natural resources. The first topic is some general information to help you get to know Brazil. Do you know the origin of the name Brazil? The name Brazil comes from a type of tree – the brazilwood tree. Brazil is a very large country located in South America. In fact, it covers nearly half of the continent. Brasilia is the capital city and is located in the central part of the country. Because Brazil was originally founded by Portuguese settlers, Portuguese is the official language there, making it the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America.

2

Woman:   The warm, tropical climate makes Brazil a great place for outdoor fun and relaxation. For the next topic, I’ll talk about relaxation in Brazil. Many Brazilians enjoy relaxing at Brazil’s many beautiful beaches. Two of the most famous beaches there – Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach – are located in Rio de Janeiro, or Rio, for short. Brazilians are also passionate about their national sport, soccer. And perhaps you’ve heard of Carnaval, Brazil’s largest and most important festival, held in February every year. People celebrate Carnaval in the streets of the city. Dancers in colorful costumes ride down the streets and dance to the beat of Brazilian samba music.

3

Man:   Brazil is a country full of amazing places. The next topic is natural wonders. The Amazon River, the world’s widest river, flows through the northern part of Brazil. Did you know the Amazon accounts for twenty percent of the world’s fresh water? The other natural wonder in the region is, of course, the Amazon Rain Forest. The rain forest gets an average annual rainfall of two thousand millimeters, and the warm, wet climate makes it a perfect place for viewing plants and animals. If you’re interested in wildlife, the Amazon region is the place for you. The rain forest is home to some two thousand different types of birds and animals, and scientists say there are probably thousands more still undiscovered.

4

Woman:   Just like you, many Brazilians enjoy studying English. For the last topic, let’s talk about education in Brazil. The university academic year runs from March to November. At some universities, especially large ones in city locations, students can choose from three class schedules: morning, afternoon, or evening. For many Brazilians, speaking English is considered an important skill in order to progress both academically and professionally, so study abroad is popular. About eighty thousand Brazilian students go abroad to study and improve their English every year. The main destinations for Brazilian students are the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.

Audioscripts in B below

1 the U.S.; many different classes

2 Brazil; more to do

3 the U.S., better for English

4 the U.S., people from other places

5 Brazil; rather live with her family

Audioscripts

1

Interviewer:   So, how long have you been studying here in the U.S., Jackeline?

Jackeline:   A little over four years.

Interviewer:   Ah, so that’s why your English is so good.

Jackeline:   Oh, I don’t know about that. But when I came here, I spoke almost no English. It’s much easier now, that’s for sure.

Interviewer:   Where were you studying in Brazil?

Jackeline:   I was at a private college.

Interviewer:   A small one?

Jackeline:   I wouldn’t say small – maybe medium-sized. But still it was much smaller than my school here in the U.S. The school I go to here is a large university.

Interviewer:   Which one do you prefer: your small school in Brazil or the large university here?

Jackeline:   I really love it here. Going to a big school is great. There are so many different classes to choose from!

2

Interviewer:   Was your school in Brazil in a small town?

Jackeline:   No, not at all. It was in Recife, a really big city in the northeast of Brazil. So, when I came to this small city in the U.S., it really felt small to me. It still does.

Interviewer:   Did you prefer living in a big city?

Jackeline:   Definitely. There’s just more to do there, especially at night. Everything here closes so early. But back home in Brazil, more places are open later – restaurants, clubs, discos.

Interviewer:   Hmm. Sounds like a lot of fun.

3

Interviewer:   How about the class size? Were your classes smaller or larger in Brazil?

Jackeline:   Well, in Brazil, we usually had lecture classes with about forty or fifty students. Here, my English classes are much smaller – around fifteen students.

Interviewer:   Which do you like better?

Jackeline:   Well, I think I prefer smaller classes because I think it’s better for my English. I have a chance to talk more and discuss things in class, so my English has improved a lot.

4

Interviewer:   So, in Brazil, your classmates were all Brazilian?

Jackeline:   In my college, yes. Everybody was from Brazil, including the teachers. But here in the U.S., the students are from all over the world. I’ve met people from South Korea, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and of course, the U.S.

Interviewer:   It sounds like you really enjoy studying in an international environment.

Jackeline:   Yes, it’s one of the best things for me about studying abroad. I really like meeting people from other places. That’s important to me.

5

Interviewer:   Where do you live? Are you in a dorm on campus?

Jackeline:   No, I’m in an apartment, and I have a roommate. Her name’s Ana. She’s from Ecuador.

Interviewer:   Did you live in an apartment in Brazil?

Jackeline:   Oh, no. I lived with my family. That’s typical for Brazil, I think.

Interviewer:   So, do you prefer living on your own?

Jackeline:   Actually, I’d much rather live with my family. We’re really close, my brothers and sisters and I. I miss my family more than anything else about Brazil, I think.

Interviewer:   Well, you’ll see them soon, I guess.

Jackeline:   Yeah, after I graduate. That will be great.