Mental Health – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: A

• The Key: David says his “focus is completely gone” and he feels “mentally drained” and “close to burnout”. This is paraphrased as “experiencing severe mental exhaustion”.
• The Trap (C): Sarah asks if he has “a cold or something”, but David explicitly says “physically I’m fine” (Mentioned but rejected).
• The Trap (B): The “marketing presentation” is mentioned, but it is happening next week and is actually a reason why he shouldn’t take time off, not his reason for resting.

2 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: Sarah asks if he finished the “data analysis for the project”, and David says “I wrapped that up yesterday”. “Data analysis” is paraphrased as “examination of project information”.
• The Trap (A): The marketing presentation is mentioned, but it is not finished; it is happening next week (Mentioned but wrong context).
• Plausible Trap (C): Training a coworker is a plausible office task, and a coworker (Jessica) is mentioned, but he is only giving her a report, not training her.

3 Correct Answer: A

• The Key: Sarah tells David “don’t even look at your emails”, which is paraphrased as “Avoid checking any work-related messages”.
• The Trap (C): The weekly report is mentioned, but David says he will hand it over to Jessica on Thursday, before he leaves for his day off.
• Plausible Trap (B): Doing physical exercise is good for health, but Sarah never mentions it in the conversation.

David: Hi Sarah, do you have a quick minute?

Sarah: Sure, David. Come on in. What’s on your mind?

David: Well, um, I wanted to ask about taking this Friday off. I know we have the big marketing presentation next week, but I’ve been feeling pretty close to burnout lately.

Sarah: Oh, I didn’t realize. Are you feeling physically ill? Like a cold or something?

David: No, physically I’m fine. It’s just… I’ve been working late a lot this past month, and my focus is completely gone. I feel mentally drained. I really just need a day to unplug and recharge my batteries.

Sarah: I see. I completely understand, David. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Have you finished the data analysis for the project?

David: Yes, I wrapped that up yesterday. And I can hand over the weekly report to Jessica before I leave on Thursday.

Sarah: That sounds perfect. Please take Friday off and don’t even look at your emails. Just rest.

David: Thank you so much, Sarah. I really appreciate it.

1 Correct Answer: A

• The Key: Leo says he feels “burnt out” and is taking “five core classes”, which is “too much”. This is paraphrased as feeling “exhausted due to a heavy academic workload”.
• The Trap (B): The “History elective” is mentioned at the end of the audio, but Ms. Carter brings it up as a possible solution (dropping it), not because Leo is currently failing it (Mentioned but wrong context).
• The Trap (C): Leo says he “barely has time to eat”, which might make students think of food/money, but the problem is a lack of time, not money (Plausible but not mentioned).

2 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: Leo says “I keep a to-do list on my phone”. This matches option B perfectly.
• The Trap (A): A “visual schedule/calendar” is mentioned in the audio, but it is what Ms. Carter suggests he should do, not what he is currently doing (Mentioned but rejected).
• Plausible Trap (C): Having friends remind you of deadlines is a common study habit, but it is never mentioned in the conversation.

3 Correct Answer: C

• The Key: Ms. Carter suggests “blocking out specific hours for studying” and “scheduling actual breaks”. This is paraphrased as planning “specific study periods along with designated rest times”.
• The Trap (A): Withdrawing from a class (dropping the History elective) is mentioned, but Ms. Carter says they will discuss this only if he still feels anxious “after a week”. It is not the first thing he should do.
• The Trap (B): Staying up until “2 AM” is mentioned by Leo as a problem. However, Ms. Carter doesn’t tell him to simply start earlier; she tells him to restructure his whole day with time blocks.

Ms. Carter: Come in! Hi Leo, have a seat. What can I help you with today?

Leo: Hi Ms. Carter. Um, honestly, I’m really struggling right now. I feel so burnt out. I’m taking five core classes this semester, and it’s just… too much. I barely have time to eat, let alone relax.

Ms. Carter: I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling so overwhelmed, Leo. Five core modules are a heavy load. Have you tried using a visual schedule to manage your time?

Leo: Well, I keep a to-do list on my phone, but it just keeps getting longer. I end up studying until 2 AM every night because I can’t catch up.

Ms. Carter: A to-do list is good, but it doesn’t show you how your day is structured. I suggest blocking out specific hours for studying, and more importantly, scheduling actual breaks. You need time to step away from the books to protect your mental health.

Leo: Hmm, I guess I haven’t tried blocking my time like that.

Ms. Carter: Exactly. And if you still feel anxious after a week of trying this, we might need to discuss dropping that extra History elective.

Leo: Okay. Let’s try the scheduling method first. Thanks, Ms. Carter.

1 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: Dr. Evans says that when students feel anxious, their mind “races to the future”. This is paraphrased as thinking about “things that have not happened yet”.
• The Trap (C): Focusing on physical breathing is what they should do to calm down, not what their minds naturally do when they are anxious (Mentioned but wrong context).
• Plausible Trap (A): Thinking about past mistakes is a common symptom of anxiety, but Dr. Evans does not mention this in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: C

• The Key: Dr. Evans tells the students to “notice the air coming in through your nose and going out”. This matches the phrase “Pay close attention to how they inhale and exhale”.
• The Trap (A): Music is mentioned, but Dr. Evans explicitly says, “We aren’t going to put on any relaxing music” (Mentioned but rejected).
• The Trap (B): Emptying the mind is mentioned, but Dr. Evans says, “You don’t need to empty your mind completely” (Mentioned but rejected).

3 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: Dr. Evans tells Liam to “acknowledge them [the thoughts]… and gently return your focus to your breathing”. This is paraphrased perfectly in option B.
• The Trap (A): Dr. Evans specifically tells Liam, “Don’t force the thoughts away,” which makes option A the exact opposite of her advice.
• Plausible Trap (C): Finishing the homework might stop him from worrying about it, but this is not the mindfulness technique Dr. Evans is teaching.

Dr. Evans: Welcome, everyone. Today we’re practicing mindfulness. When you feel anxious, especially right before a test, your mind often races to the future. We want to bring it back to the present moment. Let’s start with a simple exercise. Chloe, how do you usually breathe when you’re stressed?

Chloe: Um, well, I guess my breathing gets really fast and shallow. I barely even notice it.

Dr. Evans: Exactly. So, right now, I want you all to close your eyes. We aren’t going to put on any relaxing music or anything like that. Just notice the air coming in through your nose and going out through your mouth. Count to four on the inhale.

Liam: Dr. Evans, what if my mind keeps wandering? I keep thinking about my math homework.

Dr. Evans: That is perfectly normal, Liam. Don’t force the thoughts away. Just acknowledge them, like clouds passing by in the sky, and gently return your focus to your breathing. You don’t need to empty your mind completely.

Chloe: Ah, I see. So it’s about paying attention, not stopping our thoughts.

Dr. Evans: Spot on, Chloe. Try doing this for just two minutes next time you feel overwhelmed.

1 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: Jessica says that “many of you are feeling the pressure of our upcoming product launch”. This means they are stressed about a project that is happening in the future, matching option B.
• The Trap (A): The “product launch” is mentioned, but the word “upcoming” means it hasn’t happened yet. They are not being rewarded for a successful release (Mentioned but wrong context).
• The Trap (C): Sick leave is a plausible reason for a company to start a health program, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: A

• The Key: Jessica announces that employees get “five private sessions with a licensed counselor, completely free of charge”. This is paraphrased perfectly as “five complimentary meetings with a mental health professional”.
• The Trap (C): The audio mentions that the company will “cover the cost”, meaning they pay the counselor directly. They do not give employees cash/bonuses to pay for it themselves (Mentioned but wrong context).
• Plausible Trap (B): “Personal issues” are mentioned as a topic for counseling, but giving employees paid time off is not part of this program.

3 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: The company provides a membership specifically for “evening yoga classes”. This is paraphrased in the options as “late-day yoga sessions”.
• The Trap (A): A “standard gym pass” and “weightlifting” are mentioned, but Jessica explicitly says they are providing the yoga membership instead of the standard gym pass (Mentioned but rejected).
• Plausible Trap (C): Stretching and yoga are similar, but the classes are held at the “Downtown Fitness Center”, not “at the office”.

Jessica: Attention all staff, could I have a moment of your time? I’m Jessica from Human Resources, and I have some exciting news regarding our new employee wellness program. We know the past few months have been incredibly demanding, and many of you are feeling the pressure of our upcoming product launch. Your overall well-being is our top priority.

Therefore, starting next Monday, the company will cover the cost of professional therapy. Every employee is entitled to five private sessions with a licensed counselor, completely free of charge. You can use these to discuss anything from workplace stress to personal issues.

In addition to that, we want to help you stay physically active to support your mental health. We are partnering with the Downtown Fitness Center. However, instead of a standard gym pass for weightlifting, we are providing everyone with a monthly membership specifically for their evening yoga classes. We believe this will be a great way to stretch out and relieve tension after a long day at a desk. Please check your emails for registration details. Thank you!

1 Correct Answer: B

• The Key: Mark says the team is “exhausted” and if they work on the weekend, people are going to “burn out”. This is paraphrased as “at risk of severe fatigue”.
• The Trap (A): The “marketing report” is mentioned, but it is not finished; David wants them to come in to finish it (Mentioned but wrong context).
• Plausible Trap (C): Spending time with family is a common reason to avoid weekend work, but Mark never mentions his family in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: A

• The Key: Lisa suggests a “team picnic” at the “state park” with “good food” and “fresh air”. This is beautifully paraphrased as “enjoying nature and eating together”.
• The Trap (B): “Core data” is mentioned, but Lisa suggests working on it on Thursday/Friday (“tomorrow and Friday”), not over the weekend (Mentioned but wrong context).
• The Trap (C): Lisa explicitly states there should be “zero shop talk” (no talking about work/projects), so discussing the project is the exact opposite of her idea.

3 Correct Answer: C

• The Key: David says “No weekend work” (canceling the extra hours) and tells Lisa to “handle the catering arrangements” (assigning a new task to her).
• The Trap (A): The “client” and the “Monday” deadline are mentioned, but David does not say he will contact them to change it; he just accepts Lisa’s plan to finish the core work before the weekend (Mentioned but wrong context).
• Plausible Trap (B): They are going to the park, but taking laptops would ruin the “mental health break”, and David never suggests this.

David: Alright team, before we wrap up, let’s talk about the upcoming deadline. I was thinking we might need to come in this Saturday to finish the marketing report.

Mark: Um, David, honestly, the team is pretty exhausted. We’ve been working ten-hour days all month. If we do another weekend shift, I really think people are going to burn out.

David: I see your point, Mark. But the client expects the final draft by Monday morning.

Lisa: Well, what if we focus purely on the core data tomorrow and Friday? And instead of overtime, how about we organize a team picnic this Sunday at the state park? Just some good food, fresh air, and absolutely zero shop talk. It would really boost everyone’s morale and lower our stress.

Mark: I completely agree with Lisa. Stepping away from our screens for a day will actually make us more productive when we come back.

David: Hmm… A mental health break, huh? Okay, you’ve convinced me. No weekend work. Lisa, can you handle the catering arrangements for the park?

Lisa: Absolutely! I’ll send out an email right away.