Nutrition – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) The current snacks are making employees feel exhausted later in the day.

• Explanation: Mark explains that eating chocolate and cookies is causing the staff to “feel tired and sluggish in the afternoon” (which means feeling exhausted later in the day). Option (A) is a trap; Sarah asks if they are “running out of coffee”, but Mark says the supply is fine. Option (C) is a trap; Sarah mentions the current snacks are “cheap”, but Mark’s motivation is health, not saving money.

2 Answer: (A) Packaged protein snacks.

• Explanation: Mark says, “I originally thought about asking for protein bars” (packaged protein snacks), but he changed his mind because they are expensive. Option (B) is a trap; chocolate bars are what the office currently has, not his suggestion. Option (C) is a trap; Sarah mentions a “weekly fruit delivery” for the future, not a daily one.

3 Answer: (C) Provide a healthy dairy product for the staff to try next week.

• Explanation: Sarah decides to start by “introducing yogurt next week” to see how the staff reacts. Yogurt is a healthy dairy product. Option (A) is a trap; Mark suggests apples and bananas, but Sarah rejects this for now because fruit might “go bad quickly”. Option (B) is a plausible office need, but they already have a fridge (she says yogurt “lasts longer in the fridge”).

Mark: Hi Sarah. Do you have a minute to talk about the office pantry?

Sarah: Sure, Mark. What’s on your mind? Are we running out of coffee again?

Mark: No, the coffee supply is fine. But I wanted to suggest a change to our snack options. Right now, we only have chocolate bars and sweet cookies. It’s causing a lot of us to feel tired and sluggish in the afternoon. Could we maybe provide some healthier alternatives?

Sarah: That’s an interesting point. We usually buy those because they are cheap and have a long shelf life. What kind of food were you thinking of?

Mark: Well, I originally thought about asking for protein bars, but they can be pretty expensive. How about fresh fruits like apples and bananas, or maybe some plain yogurt?

Sarah: Fruit is a great idea, but it might go bad quickly if people don’t eat it. Yogurt, however, lasts longer in the fridge and is very nutritious. Let’s start by introducing yogurt next week and see how the staff reacts. If they like it, we can look into a weekly fruit delivery later.

Mark: Awesome! Thanks for listening, Sarah.

1 Answer: (B) To ask for a specific type of food for a few important guests.

• Explanation: Mark says he needs to make a “special request for our VIP table” because some partners follow a “vegan diet” (asking for a specific type of food). Option (A) is a trap; Chloe asks if there is an “issue” with the menu for the “fifty attendees,” but Mark says “Not an issue.” Option (C) is not mentioned.

2 Answer: (A) 3

• Explanation: Mark explicitly states that “three of them strictly follow a vegan diet.” Option (B) is a trap; there are 5 partners sitting at the VIP table, but only 3 need the vegan meal. Option (C) is a trap; 50 is the total number of people attending the conference.

3 Answer: (C) Because the meal contains ingredients that come from animals.

• Explanation: Chloe suggests a pasta with “cream and cheese,” but Mark rejects it because vegans eat “absolutely no animal products—so no dairy, no eggs.” (Cream and cheese are dairy products coming from animals). Option (A) is a trap; mushrooms are mentioned, but allergies are not the reason. Option (B) is a trap; price is never discussed.

Chloe: Hello, Horizon Events, Chloe speaking. How can I help you?

Mark: Hi Chloe, it’s Mark from TechCorp. I’m calling about the catering for our annual client conference this Friday.

Chloe: Yes, Mark. We already confirmed the standard lunch buffet for your fifty attendees. Is there an issue with the menu?

Mark: Not an issue, but I need to make a special request for our VIP table. Five of our top partners are sitting there, and three of them strictly follow a vegan diet.

Chloe: Oh, I see. We can certainly arrange three vegetarian plates for them. Our head chef makes a wonderful mushroom pasta with cream and cheese.

Mark: Actually, they are vegan, not just vegetarian. That means absolutely no animal products—so no dairy, no eggs, and no honey.

Chloe: Oh, my apologies! I completely understand the difference now. I will inform the kitchen immediately. We will prepare three special plant-based meals with roasted vegetables and tofu instead.

Mark: Perfect, that sounds delicious and safe for them. Thank you for updating the order, Chloe.

1 Answer: (B) He is looking for dietary tips to help him study better.

• Explanation: Alex asks for “advice on what I should eat to improve my focus” because he has exams next week. Option (A) is a trap; it is a clinic, but he is not sick with a stomachache. Option (C) is a trap; he mentions “final exams”, but he is not trying to skip them.

2 Answer: (A) It will cause the student to feel exhausted and want to rest.

• Explanation: When Alex asks about eating a big bowl of pasta (heavy meals/carbohydrates), the nurse says, “Heavy meals will just make you sleepy” (which means feeling exhausted and wanting to rest). Option (B) is a trap; it is exactly the opposite of what the nurse advises. Option (C) is a trap; coffee is mentioned earlier as something making Alex feel “nervous and shaky”.

3 Answer: (C) Not drinking enough plain water throughout the day.

• Explanation: The nurse states that “Dehydration is actually the number one cause of tiredness.” Dehydration means not drinking enough water. Option (A) is a trap; sweet energy drinks and sugar rushes are mentioned as bad, but they are not the number one cause of tiredness. Option (B) is a plausible real-life reason, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

Alex: Hi Nurse Davis. Do you have a minute? I have three final exams next week and I’m really struggling to stay awake. I keep drinking coffee, but it just makes me feel nervous and shaky. Do you have any advice on what I should eat to improve my focus?

Nurse Davis: Hello, Alex. Please, have a seat. That’s a very common problem during finals week. Too much caffeine can actually harm your concentration. You need foods that provide steady energy, not a quick sugar rush.

Alex: Like what? Should I eat more carbohydrates, like bread or a big bowl of pasta?

Nurse Davis: Actually, I would avoid that. Heavy meals will just make you sleepy. For studying, I highly recommend snacking on walnuts and blueberries. They are excellent “brain foods” that help with memory. Also, a small piece of dark chocolate can wake you up without the negative effects of sweet energy drinks.

Alex: Walnuts, berries, and dark chocolate. Got it. What about drinks? Should I buy some fruit juice?

Nurse Davis: The most important thing is basic hydration. Keep a large bottle of plain water on your desk. Dehydration is actually the number one cause of tiredness.

Alex: That’s easy enough. Thanks, Nurse Davis. I’ll head to the grocery store right now.

1 Answer: (B) They are having a meal where staff provide natural food.

• Explanation: Mark says he wants a “potluck” where “everyone brings one dish made from organic ingredients” (staff provide natural food). Option (A) is a trap; Sarah mentions a “local farm” to buy vegetables, not to invite farmers. Option (C) is a trap; Mark explicitly says they usually order fast food, but not this time.

2 Answer: (A) He lacks confidence in his culinary skills.

• Explanation: David says, “I’m a terrible cook. If I make something, no one will eat it.” This means he lacks confidence in his culinary skills. Option (B) is a trap; he actually agrees to go to a “natural food store” later, so time is not the issue. Option (C) is never mentioned.

3 Answer: (C) He will prepare the primary meat dish for the team.

• Explanation: Mark states, “I’ll be in charge of the main course. I’m going to bake some organic chicken” (primary meat dish). Option (A) is a trap; David is assigned to buy the drinks (beverages). Option (B) is a trap; David originally asked to bring desserts (sweet treats), but Mark rejected the idea to avoid processed sugar.

Mark: Alright team, before we finish the meeting, let’s talk about our end-of-month party next Friday. Usually, we order fast food, but this time I want to try a healthy potluck. Everyone brings one dish made from organic ingredients.

Sarah: Oh, I love that idea! I can make a huge quinoa and roasted vegetable salad. I know a great local farm where I can get fresh, chemical-free vegetables.

David: A potluck? Honestly, guys, I’m a terrible cook. If I make something, no one will eat it. Can I just bring some store-bought desserts?

Mark: Let’s avoid processed sugar, David. If you don’t want to cook, how about you buy the drinks? You can get some organic fruit juices and maybe some sparkling water.

David: Perfect. I can definitely do that. I’ll go to the natural food store near my house.

Sarah: Great! And Mark, what are you bringing?

Mark: I’ll be in charge of the main course. I’m going to bake some organic chicken breasts with herbs.

1 Answer: (B) To discuss the nutritional quality of the food provided to the students.

• Explanation: Mrs. Miller wants to talk about the “lunch menu” and expresses her worry that the food is “not healthy enough” (discussing nutritional quality). Option (A) is a trap; the principal mentions they use a “professional catering company,” but the cost is never discussed. Option (C) is a trap; the principal mentions students throwing food away, but Mrs. Miller never says her son is doing this.

2 Answer: (A) The children are more likely to finish those types of meals.

• Explanation: The principal explains they serve fried foods because “the students actually eat them instead of throwing them away” (they are more likely to finish them). Options (B) and (C) are plausible real-world reasons for schools to serve fast food, but they are not mentioned in the audio script.

3 Answer: (C) Speak to the person in charge of cooking about making changes.

• Explanation: The principal says he has a meeting with the “cafeteria manager” (the person in charge of cooking) and will ask him to “add more greens and reduce the greasy food” (make changes). Option (A) is a trap; there is a meeting this Friday, but it is with the manager, not all the parents. Option (B) is a trap; he plans to adjust the menu, not cancel the company’s contract.

Mr. Davis: Good morning, Mrs. Miller. Thank you for coming in today. How can I help you?

Mrs. Miller: Good morning, Mr. Davis. I wanted to talk about the school lunch menu for this term. My son brings the schedule home every month.

Mr. Davis: Of course. Is there a problem with the meals? We use a professional catering company.

Mrs. Miller: Well, I noticed that almost every meal includes fried food, like chicken nuggets or french fries. And there are very few fresh vegetables. I’m worried it’s not healthy enough for the growing children.

Mr. Davis: I completely understand your concern. We usually serve those items because the students actually eat them instead of throwing them away in the trash. But you’re right, we do need to focus on better nutrition.

Mrs. Miller: Could the kitchen perhaps bake the chicken instead of cooking it in oil? And maybe add a side salad or some steamed carrots to their daily plates?

Mr. Davis: That’s a very reasonable suggestion. I have a meeting with the cafeteria manager this Friday. I will definitely ask him to add more greens and reduce the greasy food.

Mrs. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Davis. I really appreciate you listening.