Extreme Sports – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Mark initially reject Sarah’s invitation?
(A) He has to work this Saturday.
(B) He believes he might get badly injured.
(C) He is terrified of high places.
2 How does Sarah convince Mark that the activity is safe?
(A) By mentioning protective gear and a trainer.
(B) By promising they will only climb very short walls.
(C) By showing him a video of other beginners.
3 According to Sarah, what is actually required for indoor rock climbing?
(A) Having extremely powerful arms and hands.
(B) Being an experienced real mountain climber.
(C) Planning your route and using lower body strength.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Mark says, “That sounds way too dangerous. I really don’t want to break a leg.” Option B (“he might get badly injured”) is a perfect paraphrase of breaking a leg and facing danger.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is incorrect because he says he is “just relaxing at home”. Option C is a plausible guess for a rock climbing topic, but Mark never mentions being afraid of heights, only getting hurt.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Sarah says, “You wear a secure harness, there are thick mats… and a professional instructor will be there.” “Protective gear” is a synonym for harness/mats, and “trainer” is a synonym for instructor.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap; she says they are “indoors” and it’s “safe,” but she never mentions the height of the walls. Option C is not mentioned at all in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Sarah explains that climbing is “more about using your legs… and figuring out the best path.” Using legs matches “lower body strength,” and figuring out the path matches “planning your route.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is exactly what Mark thought he needed (“upper body strength”), but Sarah explicitly rejects this idea (“You don’t need to be a bodybuilder”). Option B is a trap because the audio mentions a “real mountain,” but Sarah says indoor climbing is “completely different” from it.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Hey Mark, do you have any plans for this Saturday?
Mark: Not really, just relaxing at home. Why?
Sarah: I’m signing up for an indoor rock climbing session at the new sports center downtown. You should come with me!
Mark: Rock climbing? Are you crazy? That sounds way too dangerous. I really don’t want to break a leg.
Sarah: Oh, come on! It’s completely different from climbing a real mountain. We’ll be indoors. It’s perfectly safe for beginners. You wear a secure harness, there are thick mats everywhere on the floor, and a professional instructor will be there to guide us the whole time.
Mark: I don’t know… I’m not very athletic. I have absolutely zero upper body strength.
Sarah: You don’t need to be a bodybuilder! People think it’s all about strong arms, but it’s actually more about using your legs to push yourself up and figuring out the best path on the wall. Think of it like a physical puzzle.
Mark: A physical puzzle, huh? Well, if you promise I won’t get hurt… okay, I’ll give it a try. What time should we meet?
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between two classmates about a winter vacation. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is Leo’s overall opinion of his snowboarding experience?
(A) He found it quite boring compared to watching sports on television.
(B) He thoroughly enjoyed the exciting trip even though it was physically painful.
(C) He decided he will never do it again because the weather was too cold.
2 What happened to Leo during his time on the mountain?
(A) He struggled to stay on his feet and fell over frequently.
(B) He accidentally broke a bone while coming down the hill.
(C) He couldn’t find a professional teacher to show him what to do.
3 What did the coach explain to Leo?
(A) That he needs to buy better protective equipment to avoid bruises.
(B) That standing completely upright is impossible on the first day.
(C) That struggling to stay steady is expected for new learners.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Leo says the trip was “absolutely incredible” and he is “completely hooked” (he wants to do it again), but he also mentions his body is “covered in bruises” (physically painful). This perfectly matches option B.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap using the word “television” from the audio, but he didn’t say it was boring; he said it was “harder than it looks on television”. Option C uses the word “cold” from the audio, but he explicitly says he will “definitely” do it again.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Leo says, “I spent half the day slipping and landing flat on the icy ground.” “Slipping and landing flat” is a paraphrase for falling over frequently, and “struggled to stay on his feet” matches the context.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is incorrect because Leo clearly states, “nothing is broken, thankfully.” Option C is wrong because he says, “I took a morning lesson,” meaning he did have a teacher.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The coach told him that “losing your balance is totally normal for beginners.” “Struggling to stay steady” is a synonym for losing balance, and “new learners” means beginners.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is plausible in real life, but the coach never mentioned protective equipment in the audio. Option B is a trap; Leo mentions he could “stay upright” by the second day, but the coach never said it was “impossible” on the first day.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Hey Leo! Welcome back. How was your winter break in the mountains?
Leo: Oh, it was absolutely incredible, Emma! I finally tried snowboarding for the very first time.
Emma: No way! Was it as thrilling as people say? I’ve always wanted to do that.
Leo: It really was. The feeling of rushing down the hill with the cold wind in your face is just amazing. But, I have to be honest, it was much harder than it looks on television.
Emma: Did you get hurt?
Leo: Well, nothing is broken, thankfully. But I spent half the day slipping and landing flat on the icy ground. My whole body is covered in bruises today.
Emma: Oh dear, that sounds painful. Did you have an instructor to help you?
Leo: Yeah, I took a morning lesson. The coach told me that losing your balance is totally normal for beginners. By the end of the second day, I could actually stay upright for a few minutes.
Emma: That’s awesome. Would you do it again next winter?
Leo: Definitely! Despite the pain, I’m completely hooked.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between two close friends. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Sam refuse to go bungee jumping with Chris?
(A) He gets very dizzy when he travels by boat on the river.
(B) He has an extreme fear of being in elevated places.
(C) He thinks the tickets for the new park are too expensive.
2 How does Chris react when he learns about Sam’s secret?
(A) He is angry because he already paid for the discount tickets.
(B) He feels sorry and immediately drops the original plan.
(C) He decides to invite another friend to go to the bridge instead.
3 What alternative activity does Sam suggest for the weekend?
(A) Climbing up the tall trees in the local forest.
(B) Going to a safe indoor sports center in the city.
(C) Moving rapidly along a wire through a wooded area.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Sam confesses he has “acrophobia” and explains that he is “scared of high places”. Option B uses “elevated places,” which is a perfect synonym for high places.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the audio mentions the “river” and getting “dizzy” (on a balcony), but he does not get dizzy from boats. Option C is plausible, and the audio mentions a “discount”, but money is not the reason he refuses.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Chris says, “Oh man, I’m so sorry! … We don’t have to do it.” This means he apologizes and cancels the bungee jumping plan.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the word “discount” is mentioned early on, but Chris is completely understanding, not angry. Option C is a plausible real-world action, but it never happens in the conversation.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Sam suggests the “zip-lining course in the forest” where you “slide through the trees fast.” Moving rapidly along a wire is the exact description of zip-lining, and “wooded area” means forest.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; it uses the words “trees” and “forest” from the audio, but the activity is sliding, not climbing. Option B is plausible because it sounds safe, but Sam suggests an outdoor activity, not an indoor one.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Chris: Hey Sam! Guess what? I found a great discount for the new bungee jumping park by the river. We definitely have to go this weekend!
Sam: Oh, wow… um, bungee jumping? That sounds, uh, really intense.
Chris: It’ll be amazing! Just imagine the adrenaline rush from falling towards the water!
Sam: Look, Chris, I really appreciate the invite, but I have a confession to make. I suffer from terrible acrophobia.
Chris: Acrophobia? Wait, you mean you’re scared of high places? I had absolutely no idea!
Sam: Yeah, it’s pretty bad. Just standing on a tall balcony makes me dizzy. So, jumping off a bridge with a rope tied to my ankles is definitely out of the question for me.
Chris: Oh man, I’m so sorry! I wouldn’t have asked if I knew. We don’t have to do it.
Sam: It’s okay! But hey, if you still want to do something outdoors, how about the zip-lining course in the forest? It’s not too high up, and you still get to slide through the trees fast. I could definitely handle that.
Chris: That actually sounds like a lot of fun! Let’s do that instead.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a buyer and a seller. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the buyer’s initial concern about the surfboard?
(A) He thinks it has been heavily repaired in the past.
(B) He notices some minor damage on the surface.
(C) He believes the bright color is starting to fade.
2 What is the main reason the seller is offering the surfboard?
(A) He needs extra money to pay for a new, larger apartment.
(B) He found a dangerous crack that makes it unsafe to use.
(C) He lacks enough room to keep it at his current home.
3 How do the two men resolve the discussion about the price?
(A) They agree on a compromised price with an extra item included.
(B) The seller accepts $130 because of the sand marks.
(C) The buyer decides to pay the original full price of $150.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Tom says, “I see a few scratches on the bottom here.” “Minor damage on the surface” is a paraphrase for scratches on the bottom.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; Tom asks if it has been repaired, but Jake confirms it has “never” been broken or repaired. Option C is plausible when buying used items, but fading color is not mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Jake explains, “I recently moved to a much smaller apartment, and I simply don’t have the storage space for it anymore.” This matches option C: lacking room at his current home.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; Jake mentions moving to an apartment, but it’s a smaller one, and he doesn’t say he needs money for it. Option B is incorrect because Jake explicitly states the board is “perfectly safe”.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Jake suggests they “meet in the middle at $135, and I’ll throw in the ankle leash for free.” Tom agrees (“Deal!”). A “compromised price” means meeting in the middle, and the “ankle leash” is the extra item.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap; Tom asks for $130, but Jake refuses and counters with $135. Option C is the original listed price, which Tom does not pay.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hi, are you Jake? I’m the guy from the marketplace group who messaged you about the surfboard.
Jake: Hey, yeah! Nice to meet you. Here it is. As you can see, it’s a great board.
Tom: It looks pretty nice. But, um… I see a few scratches on the bottom here. Has it ever been broken or repaired?
Jake: Oh, no, never. Those are just normal marks from the sand and rocks. It’s perfectly safe. Actually, I only used it for one summer.
Tom: Okay, that’s good to know. So, why are you getting rid of it if it’s still in good shape?
Jake: Well, I recently moved to a much smaller apartment, and I simply don’t have the storage space for it anymore. Plus, I want to switch to kite-surfing next year.
Tom: Makes sense. You listed it online for $150. Since there are a few marks on it, would you consider taking $130?
Jake: Hmm… I was hoping to get at least $140. Tell you what, let’s meet in the middle at $135, and I’ll throw in the ankle leash for free.
Tom: Deal! Thanks, man. Let me get my wallet.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a brother and sister planning a trip. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Mark initially prefer the Rocky Valley route?
(A) Because it is much flatter and easier to ride on.
(B) Because it offers a more challenging and exciting experience.
(C) Because it is the only path currently open in the national forest.
2 Why do they eventually decide NOT to take the Rocky Valley route?
(A) Heavy rain has made the ground too hazardous for biking.
(B) Mark injured his bicycle during a bad storm yesterday.
(C) The forest rangers closed that specific area for maintenance.
3 What does Lily strongly advise Mark to do for the trip?
(A) To wear a heavy jacket to protect his clothes from the mud.
(B) To freeze his water bottles overnight to keep them cold.
(C) To bring extra liquid because of the high temperatures.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Mark says he prefers Rocky Valley because it has “way more jumps and steep hills” and Lily agrees it is “more thrilling.” This matches option B: a more challenging and exciting experience.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; being “flatter and easier” describes the other path (Pine Ridge), which Mark thinks is boring. Option C is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Lily reminds Mark that it “poured down rain” and the track will be “muddy and slippery” and “too dangerous.” Option A paraphrases this perfectly by saying heavy rain made it “too hazardous” (dangerous).
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap using the word “storm” from the audio, but nobody injured their bicycle. Option C is a plausible real-world reason to avoid a trail, but it is not mentioned in the conversation.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Lily tells Mark the sun will be “extremely hot” and they need to “stay hydrated.” She tells him not to bring just one small bottle, but to pack his “large hydration backpack.” This means he needs to bring extra liquid.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the audio mentions “muddy,” but she doesn’t mention wearing a heavy jacket. Option B is a trap; Mark says he will put his backpack in the “fridge,” but Lily did not advise him to “freeze” water bottles.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey Lily, are we still going mountain biking tomorrow morning in the national forest?
Lily: Absolutely! I just checked the trail map on my phone. Should we take the Pine Ridge path or the Rocky Valley route?
Mark: Well, the Pine Ridge path is much flatter and easier, but honestly, it’s a bit boring. I’d prefer Rocky Valley. It has way more jumps and steep hills.
Lily: I agree, Rocky Valley is definitely more thrilling. But didn’t you see the weather forecast? It poured down rain yesterday evening. That dirt track is going to be incredibly muddy and slippery right now. It might be too dangerous.
Mark: Oh, you’re totally right. I completely forgot about the storm. Okay, let’s stick to the safer option this time to avoid any accidents.
Lily: Good idea. Also, since the sun is going to be extremely hot tomorrow by midday, we need to make sure we stay hydrated. Don’t just bring one small bottle; you need to pack your large hydration backpack.
Mark: Got it. I’ll fill it up tonight and put it in the fridge so we’re ready to go.