Nutrition – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) The negative effects of extreme weight-loss programs.

• Explanation: Mark introduces the topic as “crash diets” (extreme weight-loss programs) and proceeds to explain why starving yourself is bad (negative effects). Option (A) is a trap; he mentions the promise to “lose five kilograms in just one week”, but he is criticizing it, not giving instructions on how to do it safely. Option (C) is a trap; “fat” and “muscle” are mentioned, but he is not talking about exercise.

2 Answer: (A) It reduces the speed at which it naturally uses energy.

• Explanation: Mark explains that the body “slows down your metabolism to save energy” (which means reducing the speed at which it uses energy). Option (B) is a trap; it is exactly the opposite of what happens. Option (C) is a trap; he mentions losing “water”, but doesn’t say the body requires more of it for temperature.

3 Answer: (C) They regain more weight than they originally lost.

• Explanation: Mark states that when you go back to normal eating, your body stores extra calories as fat, and “You usually end up heavier than when you started” (regaining more weight than originally lost). Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (B) is a trap; he mentions feeling “tired, dizzy” during the diet, not as a permanent result after finishing it.

Host: Welcome back to ‘Healthy Habits,’ the podcast where we talk about real nutrition. I’m your host, Mark. Today, we are discussing a very popular topic: crash diets. You know, those strict plans that promise you will lose five kilograms in just one week by basically starving yourself.

Sure, the number on the scale might drop quickly at first. But here is the hidden truth: you are mostly losing water and muscle, not fat. When you suddenly stop eating enough food, your body thinks it is in danger. As a result, it actually slows down your metabolism to save energy.

This means you will feel tired, dizzy, and constantly hungry throughout the day. And the worst part? The moment you finish the diet and go back to your normal eating habits, your body will store all those extra calories as fat to protect itself. You usually end up heavier than when you started! So, instead of skipping meals, let’s look at some sustainable ways to build a healthier lifestyle…

1 Answer: (B) To promote a temporary discount on nutritious grocery items.

• Explanation: The announcer says they are offering “massive discounts to help you prepare a nutritious dinner” from 4 PM to 6 PM (a temporary discount on nutritious grocery items). Option (A) is a trap; 6 PM is when the special offers end, not when the store closes. Option (C) is a trap; the seafood counter is mentioned as a location, but it is not newly opened.

2 Answer: (B) Customers receive an extra item for free when they purchase one.

• Explanation: The announcer states that whole grain products are “buy-one-get-one-free”, which means receiving an extra item for free when purchasing one. Option (A) is a trap; the “half price” deal applies to the leafy green vegetables. Option (C) is a trap; the “thirty percent discount” applies to the fresh salmon.

3 Answer: (C) It is extremely rich in a healthy substance called omega-3.

• Explanation: The speaker explicitly states that the fresh Atlantic salmon is “packed with healthy omega-3s” (rich in a healthy substance). Option (A) is a trap; “vitamins” are mentioned, but they are associated with the leafy green vegetables, not the salmon. Option (B) is not mentioned in the audio.

Announcer: Attention shoppers. Welcome to Fresh Mart. It is currently 3:45 PM, which means our daily “Healthy Evening” promotion is about to begin. From 4 PM until 6 PM today, we are offering massive discounts to help you prepare a nutritious dinner for your family.

First, head over to the seafood counter at the back of the store for a thirty percent discount on our fresh Atlantic salmon, which is packed with healthy omega-3s. Next, visit aisle five where all our whole grain products, including brown rice and oats, are buy-one-get-one-free. Finally, don’t forget your vitamins! All leafy green vegetables in the fresh produce section are half price.

Remember, these special offers end exactly at six o’clock, so grab your healthy ingredients now. Thank you for shopping with us!

1 Answer: (B) Certain types of popular, heavily sweetened liquids.

• Explanation: The anchor states the main source comes from “popular beverages, specifically milk tea and energy drinks” (heavily sweetened liquids). Option (A) is a trap; the speaker explicitly says the source isn’t traditional sweet snacks like chocolate. Option (C) is a trap; “high school” is mentioned, but cafeteria meals are not discussed.

2 Answer: (A) They cause students to have difficulty paying attention during lessons.

• Explanation: The anchor explains that the sugar and caffeine lead to “trouble focusing in class” (difficulty paying attention during lessons). Option (B) is a trap; the speaker mentions “anxiety,” but not aggressive behavior. Option (C) is a plausible real-world consequence, but it is not mentioned in this news report.

3 Answer: (C) Encourage their kids to select better, natural drink alternatives.

• Explanation: Experts advise parents to “motivate their children to choose healthier drinking options, like plain water or natural fruit juices” (select better, natural drink alternatives). Option (A) is a trap; the speaker explicitly says “not to completely ban these items.” Option (B) is a trap; “natural fruit juices” are recommended as a drink, not serving whole fresh fruit to eat.

News Anchor: Welcome to the Daily Health Update. I’m your host, Michael. Today, we are looking at a worrying new health trend among teenagers.

A recent study published by the National Medical University reveals that high school students are consuming dangerously high levels of sugar every single day. Surprisingly, the main source of this sugar isn’t traditional sweet snacks like chocolate or candies. Instead, it comes from popular beverages, specifically milk tea and energy drinks. Researchers found that some students consume up to three cups of these sweet liquids a day!

Doctors are warning the public about the immediate dangers. This habit doesn’t just cause rapid weight gain. The massive amount of sugar and caffeine leads to poor sleep quality, increased feelings of anxiety, and trouble focusing in class. To solve this issue, health experts advise parents not to completely ban these items, but rather to motivate their children to choose healthier drinking options, like plain water or natural fruit juices, whenever possible.

1 Answer: (B) To advise citizens on how to maintain fluid levels in hot weather.

• Explanation: The announcer wants to remind people not to “lose liquids” during the “extreme heatwave” (maintain fluid levels in hot weather). Option (A) is a trap; the weather is mentioned, but it’s a heatwave, not a storm. Option (C) is a trap; the speaker tells people to “carry a personal, reusable bottle,” but is not advertising or selling them.

2 Answer: (A) Waiting to drink until they feel a strong need for liquids.

• Explanation: The speaker warns: “Do not wait until you feel extremely thirsty to take a drink” (waiting until they feel a strong need). Option (B) is a trap; the speaker says to carry a bottle “whenever you leave the house,” not that drinking before leaving is a mistake. Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (B) Because they do not effectively provide the body with needed moisture.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly states that sodas and coffees “do not hydrate you properly” and can “make you feel even more thirsty” (they do not effectively provide moisture). Option (A) is a trap; the word “sweet” is used, but the announcer’s reason is about hydration, not general diet or weight. Option (C) is never mentioned.

Announcer: Good morning, City FM listeners. This is your local health update. As you all know, we are experiencing an extreme heatwave this week, with temperatures reaching thirty-eight degrees. During this kind of weather, it is incredibly easy for your body to lose liquids.

Therefore, we are asking everyone to carry a personal, reusable bottle with you whenever you leave the house. Do not wait until you feel extremely thirsty to take a drink. By that time, your body is already dehydrated.

Also, please remember that sweet sodas and iced coffees do not hydrate you properly. In fact, they can make you feel even more thirsty. Stick to plain water to keep your energy levels up and stay safe in this sun. Have a great day, and stay cool!

1 Answer: (C) It significantly reduces a person’s monthly living expenses.

• Explanation: The vlogger says that by packing your own food, “you will save a massive amount of cash each month” (which reduces monthly living expenses). Option (A) is a trap; the speaker actually says that cooking on the weekend “sounds boring,” not fun and relaxing. Option (B) is a trap; the speaker advises against buying lunch at expensive restaurants near the office.

2 Answer: (A) Because individuals are fully aware of the ingredients they consume.

• Explanation: The speaker states that when you prepare it yourself, “you know exactly what is going into your body” (fully aware of the ingredients). Option (B) is a trap; the word “container” is mentioned later, but the size of it is not the reason for fitness. Option (C) is a trap; the speaker warns that restaurants use “hidden sugar” and “cooking oil,” not that they forget to add them.

3 Answer: (B) It removes the need to prepare food or buy meals on the way to work.

• Explanation: The vlogger explains that in the morning, “You don’t have to wake up early to cook or stand in line at a cafe.” You just grab your food and go. Option (A) is a trap; “cutting boards” are mentioned at the very end as a call to action to start cooking now (on Sunday), not in the morning routine. Option (C) is a trap; “two hours” is the time spent cooking on the weekend, not how much earlier you have to wake up on a weekday.

Vlogger: Hey everyone, welcome back to my channel! Today, we are talking about a game-changer for your health and your wallet: Sunday Meal Prep. I know spending two hours cooking on your weekend sounds boring, but trust me, it is completely worth it.

First, think about the cost. Buying lunch near your office every day is incredibly expensive. By packing your own food, you will save a massive amount of cash each month.

Second, and most importantly for your fitness goals, it helps you control your calories. When you eat at a restaurant, you have no idea how much cooking oil or hidden sugar they use. But when you prepare it yourself, you know exactly what is going into your body.

Finally, it makes your busy mornings so much easier. You don’t have to wake up early to cook or stand in line at a cafe. You just open the fridge, grab your container, and head out the door. So, let’s get out our cutting boards and start prepping!