Endangered Species – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a student giving a presentation to the class and choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What do pangolins primarily consume for food?
(A) Pinecones found in the forest.
(B) Small insects using their sticky tongues.
(C) Plants that grow in the grasslands.
2 According to the speaker, what is the main reason pangolins are illegally hunted?
(A) People like to keep them as rare pets in their homes.
(B) Their meat is the most popular food in Asia and Africa.
(C) Their scales are believed to be able to treat illnesses.
3 What biological factor makes it difficult for the pangolin population to recover?
(A) They have a very low birth rate.
(B) They are rapidly losing their natural habitat.
(C) They cannot adapt to changes in the weather.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: The speaker says pangolins use their tongues to catch “ants and termites.” Option B paraphrases this as “small insects.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The speaker mentions “pinecones” to describe what pangolins look like, not what they eat. Option (C) is plausible for animals living in grasslands, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: The speaker states that the “primary reason” they are hunted is because people believe their scales can “cure various diseases.” Option C paraphrases this as “treat illnesses.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap because the speaker explicitly says they are hunted, but “not because people want to keep them as pets.” Option (B) is also a trap; their meat is a “delicacy in some regions,” but it is not the main reason they are hunted, nor is it the most popular food.
3 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: Towards the end, the speaker mentions that pangolins “reproduce very slowly.” Option A paraphrases this as having a “very low birth rate.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a plausible reason for animals to become endangered, but the speaker does not mention habitat loss as the reason for their rapidly dropping numbers.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Student: Good morning, everyone. Today, I’m going to talk about a very unique, um, and sadly endangered animal called the pangolin. If you haven’t seen one, they look a bit like walking pinecones because their entire bodies are covered in tough, protective scales.
First, let’s look at where they live and what they eat. You can find them mostly in forests and grasslands across Asia and Africa. As for their diet, well, they actually don’t have any teeth. Instead, they use their incredibly long, sticky tongues to catch their favorite meals, which are ants and termites.
Unfortunately, pangolins are now one of the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world. Why is that? Well, it’s not because people want to keep them as pets. And although their meat is considered a delicacy in some regions, the primary reason they are hunted is actually for their scales. Some cultures mistakenly believe that these scales—which are just made of keratin, like our fingernails—can cure various diseases.
Because they reproduce very slowly, their population is dropping fast. We really need to raise awareness before these fascinating creatures disappear forever. Thank you.
Listening 2
Listen to an interview between a sanctuary manager and a volunteer candidate. Choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the candidate want to volunteer at the sanctuary?
(A) She needs to complete a university project on conservation.
(B) She wants to take practical action to save animals.
(C) She is required to do so after watching a documentary.
2 What relevant experience does the candidate have?
(A) She has experience taking care of farm animals.
(B) She has worked at a different wildlife sanctuary before.
(C) She knows how to safely hold and treat injured monkeys.
3 According to the manager, what will be a major part of the volunteer’s job?
(A) Teaching visitors about the rare birds at the sanctuary.
(B) Playing directly with the animals to keep them active.
(C) Making meals and keeping the animal areas clean.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: The candidate says she wants to “actively help protect animals”. Option B paraphrases this as taking “practical action to save animals”.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. She mentions that she “watched a documentary”, which inspired her, but she is not “required” to volunteer because of it. Option (A) is a plausible reason for a student, but it is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: The candidate says she “grew up on a farm” and was responsible for “feeding the livestock”. Option A paraphrases this as taking care of “farm animals”.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap because she explicitly says, “I haven’t worked at a sanctuary before.” Option (C) is also a trap; monkeys are mentioned by the manager, but the candidate has no experience holding them.
3 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: The manager says the daily routine involves “preparing specific diets and maintaining hygiene in the cages.” Option C uses synonyms: “making meals” (preparing diets) and “keeping the animal areas clean” (maintaining hygiene).
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The manager clearly states, “you wouldn’t be handling the animals directly at first,” which means she cannot play with them.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Manager: Welcome to the Green Haven Sanctuary. Thanks for coming in. So, to start off, why are you interested in volunteering here with us?
Candidate: Well, I’ve always been passionate about wildlife conservation. I recently watched a documentary about endangered species, and it really opened my eyes. I want to actively help protect animals, rather than just reading about them in books.
Manager: That’s wonderful to hear. We mainly care for rescued monkeys and rare birds here. Do you have any practical experience working with animals?
Candidate: Um, I haven’t worked at a sanctuary before, but I grew up on a farm. I was responsible for feeding the livestock and cleaning their enclosures every day. I know it’s not exactly the same as handling wild animals, but I’m not afraid of hard work and getting my hands dirty.
Manager: Actually, that’s incredibly helpful. Much of our daily routine involves preparing specific diets and maintaining hygiene in the cages. We have strict safety guidelines, so you wouldn’t be handling the animals directly at first anyway.
Candidate: I understand. I’m very willing to learn the proper procedures.
Listening 3
Listen to a biology teacher giving an assignment to the class and choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the main topic the students must write about?
(A) The reasons why sea turtle numbers are falling.
(B) Ways to protect sea turtles from plastic pollution.
(C) The history of sea turtles in the local ocean.
2 Where does the teacher want the students to find their research materials?
(A) On popular internet websites like Wikipedia.
(B) In the reference section of the school library.
(C) In the ecology textbook provided by the school.
3 What type of materials did the librarian prepare for the students?
(A) Short 200-word articles about ecology.
(B) Science magazines and biology journals.
(C) Video documentaries about marine life.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: The teacher tells the students to explain “why their population is decreasing.” Option A uses synonyms: “numbers are falling” is a paraphrase of “population is decreasing.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The teacher mentions “plastic pollution” as an example of a threat to sea turtles, but the assignment’s main goal is to explain why they are decreasing, not how to protect them.
2 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: The teacher clearly states, “I expect you to use the school library” and mentions the “reference section.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (mentioned but rejected). The teacher explicitly tells the students, “do not just search the internet and copy from Wikipedia.” Option (C) is plausible but never mentioned in the speech.
3 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: The teacher says the librarian has set aside “biology journals and science magazines.” Option B matches this information exactly.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The number “200 words” is mentioned in the audio, but it is the required length for the students’ essay, not the materials prepared by the librarian.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Biology Teacher: Alright, class, before you pack up, I want to go over your homework for this weekend. As part of our ecology module, you need to write a short essay—around 200 words—focusing on sea turtles. Specifically, I want you to explain the main reasons why their population is decreasing so rapidly.
Now, for your research, please do not just search the internet and copy from Wikipedia. I expect you to use the school library. Mrs. Higgins, our librarian, has already set aside some excellent biology journals and science magazines in the reference section for you. These materials will give you reliable information about how things like plastic pollution and beach development are severely threatening the turtles’ natural habitats.
So, make sure you spend some time reading those articles to gather your facts before you actually start writing the essay. The assignment is due next Tuesday. Are there any questions? No? Okay, have a great weekend, everyone!
Listening 4
Listen to a meeting between an HR Manager and two employees. Choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the main objective of the upcoming company event?
(A) To collect financial support for endangered big cats.
(B) To protest against logging companies in the area.
(C) To encourage employees to exercise more often.
2 How will the company primarily gather the donations for the charity?
(A) By asking local cafes for direct financial contributions.
(B) By requiring participants to pay a registration cost.
(C) By selling homemade food at the end of the race.
3 What does Brian volunteer to do after the meeting?
(A) Design the company T-shirts for the runners.
(B) Register the participants before the race begins.
(C) Reach out to neighborhood shops for drinks and food.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: David says the goal is to “raise funds for wild tiger conservation.” Option A uses synonyms: “collect financial support” (raise funds) and “endangered big cats” (wild tigers).
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. Anna mentions “logging” as a reason tigers are losing their environment, but protesting logging companies is not the goal of their charity event. Option (C) is a plausible benefit of a run, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: David confirms that they will “charge an entry fee of $20 per person.” Option B paraphrases this as paying a “registration cost.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Brian mentions contacting cafes, but this is to sponsor “bottled water and snacks,” not to provide the main financial donations for the tiger fund. Option (C) is also a trap; they plan to sell “company T-shirts,” not homemade food.
3 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: Brian agrees with Anna’s idea to find sponsors for water and snacks and says, “I can start contacting some cafes nearby.” Option C paraphrases this as reaching out to “neighborhood shops for drinks and food.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The manager mentions selling “company T-shirts,” but Brian never volunteers to design them. Option (B) is a plausible guess for an event, but it is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
David (HR Manager): Morning, everyone. Thanks for coming. So, our annual charity event is coming up next month, and I’d like to propose a 5-kilometer run. The goal this year is to raise funds for wild tiger conservation. What do you guys think?
Anna: That sounds like a fantastic idea, David. Um, I was reading that tigers are rapidly losing their natural environment due to logging. Are we going to donate the money to a specific organization?
David: Yes, all the proceeds will go directly to the ‘Global Big Cat Trust’. They focus on creating safe zones for them in the wild.
Brian: I love the idea of a 5K run. But, well, how do we actually collect the money? Do the runners pay a fee to join?
David: Exactly. We’ll charge an entry fee of $20 per person. Plus, we can sell company T-shirts at the finish line to make a bit more for the charity.
Anna: We should probably ask local businesses to sponsor us, too. You know, just to help cover the costs of bottled water and snacks for the participants.
Brian: Good point. I can start contacting some cafes nearby this afternoon.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a student and a librarian. Choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the student primarily trying to find for his project?
(A) Heavy textbooks about general wildlife in South America.
(B) Science publications containing images of specific frogs.
(C) A short documentary film about endangered amphibians.
2 Why was the student unable to find the materials at first?
(A) Another biology student had already borrowed all of them.
(B) He did not know how to search the library’s main database.
(C) The library had recently changed the location of those items.
3 What does the librarian tell the student to do if he needs copies of the images?
(A) Use the scanning equipment located near the desk.
(B) Ask the staff in the computer lab to print them out.
(C) Take the magazines home to take pictures of them.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: The student says he needs “scientific magazines” with “clear photographs” of “endangered frogs.” Option B uses synonyms: “science publications” (magazines) and “images” (photographs).
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. “South America” and “wildlife” are mentioned in the audio, but the student specifically asks for magazines, not “textbooks.” Option (C) is plausible for a school project but is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: The librarian explains that they “recently moved our science periodicals” and “relocated” them to the second floor. Option C paraphrases this as changing the “location of those items.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The student mentions the “main database,” but he says “I checked the main database,” meaning he knows how to use it; the problem was that the physical copies weren’t where he thought they were. Option (A) is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: The librarian advises the student to “use the scanners by the front desk” if he needs to make copies. Option A is a direct paraphrase of this instruction.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The librarian mentions the “computer lab” to help the student find the new location of the magazines (“right next to the computer lab”), not as a place to get help with printing. Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Student: Excuse me, Mrs. Davis? Do you have a moment? I’m having a bit of trouble finding some materials for my biology project.
Librarian: Of course, Leo. What exactly are you looking for?
Student: Well, my assignment is about endangered species, and I chose to focus on rare amphibians. Specifically, I need some recent scientific magazines that feature detailed articles and, um, clear photographs of endangered frogs from South America. I checked the main database, but I couldn’t find any physical copies on the shelves.
Librarian: Ah, I see. The issue is that we recently moved our science periodicals. They aren’t in the main reading room anymore. We’ve relocated all the biology and ecology magazines to the second floor, right next to the computer lab.
Student: Oh, that explains it! I was searching on the ground floor this whole time.
Librarian: Yes, just head up the stairs, and look for a section labeled “South American Wildlife.” You should find plenty of high-quality images and research papers there. If you need to make copies of any pictures, just use the scanners by the front desk.
Student: That’s exactly what I need. Thank you so much for your help!