Ecotourism – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between a tourist and a travel agent. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is David asking questions before he buys the ticket?
(A) He hopes to get a discount on the expensive package.
(B) He wants to know how the tour benefits the environment.
(C) He wants to change his booking from a standard trip to a green one.
2 According to Lisa, how is the money from this specific tour used?
(A) It is given to large international hotel businesses.
(B) It is used to organize events for picking up rubbish.
(C) It helps pay the workers who guard the jungle area.
3 How does David feel at the end of the conversation?
(A) He is willing to spend more money for a good cause.
(B) He is confused about the activities included in the tour.
(C) He is disappointed that the trip does not involve planting trees.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B (He wants to know how the tour benefits the environment)
- Explanation: David says he wants to understand “what makes it a sustainable tour” and asks what the organization does with the funds. This is paraphrased as “know how the tour benefits the environment”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is a Trap. He mentions the tour is “more expensive”, but he never asks for a discount. Option C is a Trap because he hasn’t booked anything yet; he is just “interested in booking”.
2 Correct Answer: C (It helps pay the workers who guard the jungle area)
- Explanation: Lisa explains that a portion of the money pays the salaries of “local rangers who patrol the forest”. “Local rangers” is paraphrased as “workers who guard”, and “forest” is paraphrased as “jungle area”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is a Trap. Standard trips give profits to large hotel chains, not this sustainable tour. Option B is a Trap. David asks if it’s about “picking up trash”, but Lisa says their primary focus is saving animals and supporting rangers, not organizing rubbish events.
3 Correct Answer: A (He is willing to spend more money for a good cause)
- Explanation: At the end, David says he is “happy to pay the extra cost if it actually makes a real difference”. “Happy to pay the extra cost” is paraphrased as “willing to spend more money”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option B is a Trap. He was asking questions earlier, but at the end, he says “I see” and “That sounds wonderful”, showing he understands, not confused. Option C is a Trap. He mentions “planting trees”, but he is not disappointed; he actually likes the tour’s real focus.
AUDIO SCRIPT
David: Hi there. I’m interested in booking the “Green Rainforest Experience” you have advertised. But before I pay, um, I want to understand what makes it a “sustainable tour.” It’s quite a bit more expensive than the regular packages.
Lisa: I completely understand your concern, sir. The main difference is where your money goes. With standard trips, the profits mostly go to large international hotel chains. But for this package, forty percent of your ticket price goes directly to the Regional Wildlife Trust.
David: Oh, that’s substantial. And what exactly does that organization do with the funds?
Lisa: Well, they use it to run an animal clinic for injured monkeys and birds. Besides that, a portion of the money pays the salaries of local rangers who patrol the forest to stop illegal hunting.
David: I see. So it’s not just about planting trees or picking up trash?
Lisa: Exactly. While those activities are important, our primary focus is actively saving endangered species and supporting the people who protect them.
David: That sounds wonderful. I’m happy to pay the extra cost if it actually makes a real difference. Let’s go ahead and book it.
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between a receptionist and a hotel guest. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the air conditioning restricted to certain hours?
(A) Because the resort relies on energy from the sun.
(B) Because most guests are out hiking during the day.
(C) Because the local town turns off the power grid.
2 What does the receptionist tell the guest about drinking water?
(A) He should purchase his own water from the nearby town.
(B) It is safe to consume the water from the bathroom sink.
(C) The staff will deliver fresh bottles to his room every day.
3 How does Mr. Benson react to the resort’s conservation policies?
(A) He is worried about the quality of the water filtration system.
(B) He is annoyed that he cannot use the air conditioning all day.
(C) He is understanding and finds the rules acceptable.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A (Because the resort relies on energy from the sun)
- Explanation: Maya explains that the AC only operates at night because “all our electricity comes from solar panels.” “Solar panels” is paraphrased as “energy from the sun”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option B is the Trap. Mr. Benson mentions he will be “out hiking most of the day” as a reason why he doesn’t mind the rule, but it is not the resort’s reason for the policy. Option C is plausible but never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: B (It is safe to consume the water from the bathroom sink)
- Explanation: Maya says there is a filtration system and he can “safely drink straight from the tap in your bathroom.” “Tap” is paraphrased as “sink”, and “drink” is paraphrased as “consume”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is the Trap. Mr. Benson asks if he should “buy some bottles from the town,” but Maya explicitly rejects this idea (“you don’t need to do that”). Option C is incorrect; the resort provides a “glass pitcher,” not fresh bottles daily.
3 Correct Answer: C (He is understanding and finds the rules acceptable)
- Explanation: Mr. Benson responds positively to the rules, saying “That’s perfectly fine” and “That’s very convenient.” This shows he is understanding and accepts the policies.
- Why traps are wrong: Option B is a Trap. It is a common complaint for standard tourists, but Mr. Benson explicitly states he is fine with it. Option A is incorrect because he does not express any worry about the water; he simply says it is convenient.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Maya: Welcome to the Green Haven Eco-resort, Mr. Benson. Here is your room key. Before you head to your cabin, I need to explain a few of our conservation rules.
Mr. Benson: Sure, go ahead. I know this place is quite different from a standard hotel.
Maya: Yes. First, all our electricity comes from solar panels. Because of this, the air conditioning only operates between 9 PM and 6 AM. During the day, we encourage guests to open the windows and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Mr. Benson: Oh, I see. That’s perfectly fine, I’ll be out hiking most of the day anyway. What about drinking water? Should I buy some bottles from the town?
Maya: Well, actually, you don’t need to do that. We have a natural water filtration system on site. You can safely drink straight from the tap in your bathroom. We also provide a glass pitcher if you want to keep some water cold in the fridge.
Mr. Benson: That’s very convenient. Thanks for the information! I think I’m really going to enjoy my stay here.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a tourist and a rental shop owner. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Liam refuse to rent a motorbike?
(A) He wants to avoid creating harmful air pollution.
(B) He believes that motorbikes are too fast and dangerous.
(C) He does not have enough money to pay for the rental fee.
2 How does Mr. Carter feel about Liam’s choice of vehicle?
(A) He is worried because the bicycle cannot climb the steep hills.
(B) He supports it because it offers a very peaceful experience.
(C) He is disappointed because bicycles are much cheaper to rent.
3 Which route does Mr. Carter advise Liam to take?
(A) The path that goes over the rocky mountains.
(B) The road that leads toward the local town center.
(C) The trail that runs next to the water.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A (He wants to avoid creating harmful air pollution)
- Explanation: Liam says he prefers “not to use gas” and wants to “keep his carbon footprint down” (paraphrased as “avoid creating harmful air pollution”).
- Why traps are wrong: Option B is the Trap. Mr. Carter mentions that motorbikes are “fast,” but Liam does not say they are dangerous; his only reason is the environment. Option C is a plausible reason for tourists, but price is never discussed in the conversation.
2 Correct Answer: B (He supports it because it offers a very peaceful experience)
- Explanation: Mr. Carter agrees with the choice, saying it’s a “great choice” if Liam wants to “enjoy the quietness of the forest” (paraphrased as “offers a very peaceful experience”).
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is the Trap. Mr. Carter mentions “steep hills” earlier when recommending the motorbike, but he does not express worry about Liam taking the bicycle. Option C is plausible, but the owner is friendly and never shows disappointment about the price.
3 Correct Answer: C (The trail that runs next to the water)
- Explanation: Mr. Carter highly recommends the “Blue River path” because it is flat and safe. “River path” is paraphrased as “trail that runs next to the water.”
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is the Trap. Mr. Carter explicitly tells Liam to avoid the Pine Peak trail because it is “rocky and steep.” Option B is plausible for a map direction, but a town center is never mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Liam: Hi there. I’m looking to rent a vehicle to explore the national park today.
Mr. Carter: Good morning! Well, most visitors go for our automatic motorbikes. They are fast and can easily get you up the steep hills.
Liam: Um, actually, I’d prefer not to use gas. I’m trying to keep my carbon footprint down. Do you have any mountain bikes available?
Mr. Carter: Oh, I see. Yes, we have several sturdy bicycles right here. It’s a great choice if you want to enjoy the quietness of the forest without causing air pollution.
Liam: Perfect. I’ll take one for the whole day. Also, could you show me on the map which trails are best? I’m not a professional cyclist, so I want to avoid anything too dangerous.
Mr. Carter: Sure. You should definitely avoid the Pine Peak trail—it’s very rocky and steep. I highly recommend the Blue River path. It’s relatively flat, very safe, and you might even spot some deer along the way.
Liam: That sounds exactly like what I need. Let’s get the paperwork done.
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between a tourist and a local artisan. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the tourist primarily concerned about before buying the bag?
(A) Whether the product is environmentally friendly.
(B) Whether the artisan can make a new pattern for him.
(C) Whether the item is cheap enough for him to buy.
2 What are the threads of the bag made from?
(A) Freshly picked cotton from a local farm.
(B) Leaves collected from mango trees.
(C) Used garments that were given away.
3 How does the artisan color her products?
(A) By using artificial paints bought from a store.
(B) By boiling natural materials found in the environment.
(C) By mixing different types of recycled threads together.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A (Whether the product is environmentally friendly)
- Explanation: Mark states he is trying to buy “eco-friendly souvenirs” and wants to support “sustainable crafts,” which means he cares if the product is environmentally friendly.
- Why traps are wrong: Option B is a Trap. Rosa mentions it takes time to “weave the patterns,” but Mark does not ask for a new one. Option C is plausible, but price is never mentioned in the conversation.
2 Correct Answer: C (Used garments that were given away)
- Explanation: Rosa explains that the threads are created from “old clothes that people donated” (paraphrased as “used garments that were given away”).
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is a Trap. Mark asks if it is made from “new cotton,” but Rosa explicitly says “we don’t use new cotton.” Option B is a Trap because the mango leaves are used to make the yellow dye, not the threads.
3 Correct Answer: B (By boiling natural materials found in the environment)
- Explanation: Rosa says they “boil leaves” and use a “special local plant,” adding that everything comes “straight from the earth” (paraphrased as “natural materials found in the environment”).
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is a Trap. Mark asks if they use “synthetic dyes” (artificial paints), but Rosa says “No, no chemicals at all.” Option C is incorrect; while they do recycle threads, they get the colors from boiling plants, not by mixing the threads.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Excuse me. I was looking at this woven bag. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Rosa: Thank you! I finished making that one just yesterday. It takes a lot of time to weave the patterns.
Mark: I can tell. Well, um, I’m trying to buy eco-friendly souvenirs on this trip. So, I was wondering… is the fabric made from new cotton, or is it something else?
Rosa: Ah, you’ll be happy to know that we don’t use new cotton. All the threads are actually created from old clothes that people donated. We break them down and spin them again.
Mark: Oh, that’s brilliant! What about the colors? The green and yellow are very bright. Are they synthetic dyes?
Rosa: No, no chemicals at all. We boil leaves from the mango trees to get the yellow, and we use a special local plant for the green. Everything comes straight from the earth.
Mark: That is exactly what I’m looking for. I want to support sustainable crafts. I’ll take it, please.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a potential volunteer and a camp coordinator. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the main responsibility of the volunteers during the nighttime?
(A) They clean up the rubbish around the living area.
(B) They walk along the coast to keep the nesting animals safe.
(C) They attend special training classes about marine life.
2 Why does the coordinator state that volunteers must be physically fit?
(A) Because they have to run on the beach early every morning.
(B) Because they must swim in the ocean to rescue injured turtles.
(C) Because moving materials and walking on the sand is very tiring.
3 What does Rachel advise Chris to bring from home?
(A) Clothes that will protect him from the chilly weather.
(B) Heavy tools to help construct wooden fences.
(C) A waterproof flashlight to see clearly in the dark.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B (They walk along the coast to keep the nesting animals safe)
- Explanation: Rachel says that at night, they “patrol the beach… to protect the turtles while they lay their eggs”. “Patrol the beach” is paraphrased as “walk along the coast”, and “protect the turtles” is “keep the nesting animals safe”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is the Trap. Rachel mentions they “clean the camp,” but this happens “during the day,” not at nighttime. Option C is a Trap because Chris asks about “special training”, but Rachel says they don’t need prior experience.
2 Correct Answer: C (Because moving materials and walking on the sand is very tiring)
- Explanation: Rachel explains that “walking on soft sand… can be exhausting” and they have to “carry heavy equipment”. “Exhausting” is paraphrased as “very tiring”, and “equipment” is paraphrased as “materials”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option A is the Trap. Chris says he goes jogging every morning, but this is his personal habit, not a requirement of the job. Option B is plausible for a turtle program, but swimming in the ocean is never mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: A (Clothes that will protect him from the chilly weather)
- Explanation: Rachel warns that the weather can get “pretty cold and windy” at night, so Chris will need to “pack warm clothes” (paraphrased as “protect him from the chilly weather”).
- Why traps are wrong: Option B is the Trap. Rachel mentions they carry “heavy equipment” to build fences, but the camp provides this; she does not ask Chris to bring tools from home. Option C is highly plausible for a night watch, but a flashlight is never mentioned in the conversation.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Chris: Hi, I’m interested in joining the sea turtle conservation program this summer. Can you tell me a bit about the daily routine?
Rachel: Sure! Well, um, our work schedule is quite unusual. During the day, volunteers usually rest or help clean the camp. The real work happens at night. We patrol the beach from midnight until 4 AM to protect the turtles while they lay their eggs.
Chris: Wow, that’s late! Is the night watch difficult? I mean, do I need any special training?
Rachel: You don’t need prior experience, but you do need to be in excellent physical condition. Walking on soft sand for hours can be exhausting, and we often have to carry heavy equipment to build fences around the nests.
Chris: I see. I go jogging every morning, so I think I can handle the physical part.
Rachel: That’s great to hear. Just remember, the weather can get pretty cold and windy by the ocean at night, so you’ll need to pack warm clothes.
Chris: Got it. I’ll definitely bring my jacket. Where do I sign the application form?