Health & Sickness – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between two friends in the kitchen. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is Emma’s health problem?
(A) She burned her hand on the stove.
(B) She cut her finger with a knife.
(C) She dropped a heavy knife on her foot.
2 Where is the first aid kit right now?
(A) In the kitchen cabinet.
(B) On the table next to the mirror.
(C) In the bathroom.
3 What does Lily tell Emma to do while waiting?
(A) Wash her hand with cold water.
(B) Put a clean towel on her finger.
(C) Sit down and drink some water.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B
- Explanation: Emma clearly says, “I accidentally cut my finger.”
- The Trap: Option A is the A2 “Twist” trap. Lily asks, “Did you burn your hand on the hot stove?” but Emma says “No”. Option C is a plausible kitchen accident, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 C
- Explanation: Emma says the first aid kit is “in the bathroom, right next to the mirror.”
- The Trap: Option A is a trap. Lily asks if it is in the kitchen cabinet, and Emma says “I thought it was there, but…”, meaning it is not there anymore. Option B is a trap because the mirror is mentioned, but the kit is next to it in the bathroom, not on a table.
3 A
- Explanation: Lily tells Emma, “Wash your hand with some cold water.”
- The Trap: Option B is a very good first-aid tip in real life, but Lily never mentions a towel in the audio. Option C is a plausible guess, but it is not what Lily says.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Ouch! Oh no!
Lily: What happened? Did you burn your hand on the hot stove?
Emma: No, I was washing this big knife and I accidentally cut my finger. It’s bleeding quite a bit.
Lily: Let me see. Oh, that looks painful. You need a plaster right away. Where is your first aid kit? Is it in the kitchen cabinet?
Emma: I thought it was there, but I moved it yesterday. It’s actually in the bathroom, right next to the mirror.
Lily: Okay, wait here. Wash your hand with some cold water, and I will go get the plaster for you.
Emma: Thanks, Lily. Please hurry!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a waiter. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the customer worried about the food?
(A) She thinks the vegetable soup is too expensive.
(B) She has a dangerous allergy to nuts.
(C) She does not like the taste of vegetables.
2 What is true about the vegetable soup?
(A) It contains peanuts inside the soup.
(B) It has no nuts at all.
(C) It has walnuts served on top.
3 What does the customer finally decide to eat?
(A) The vegetable soup.
(B) The tomato soup.
(C) A salad with no nuts.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B
- Explanation: The customer says, “I have a very serious allergy” when asking about peanuts.
- The Trap: Option A and C are common reasons to change an order, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
2 C
- Explanation: The waiter explains, “we don’t use peanuts… but we do put walnuts on top.”
- The Trap: Option A is a trap because the customer asks about peanuts, but the waiter says they don’t use them. Option B is a trap because the waiter says it has walnuts.
3 B
- Explanation: This is “The Twist.” The customer originally wanted the vegetable soup, but after hearing about the walnuts, she says, “I’ll have the tomato soup instead.”
- The Trap: Option A is the original plan that was rejected. Option C is a plausible healthy choice but was never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Waiter: Good evening. Are you ready to order your starter?
Customer: Yes, I’d like the vegetable soup, please. But first, I have a question. Does it have any peanuts in it? I have a very serious allergy.
Waiter: Let me check with the chef… Um, actually, we don’t use peanuts in that soup, but we do put walnuts on top for extra flavor.
Customer: Oh, unfortunately, I can’t have that either. I’m allergic to all types of nuts.
Waiter: I see. In that case, I recommend the tomato soup. It is completely nut-free and very fresh.
Customer: That sounds much safer. I’ll have the tomato soup instead, please.
Waiter: Certainly. I’ll bring that right out for you.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a passenger and a ship staff member. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the passenger feel sick?
(A) She ate some bad food at the restaurant.
(B) She is seasick because the boat is moving.
(C) She drank too much cold water.
2 What does the staff member give to the passenger?
(A) A glass of warm water.
(B) Some medicine for her stomach.
(C) A plate of fresh food.
3 What does the staff member tell the passenger to do?
(A) Go back to her room and sleep.
(B) Go to the ship’s hospital.
(C) Go outside to get some fresh air.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B
- Explanation: The passenger clearly says, “I think I am just seasick. The boat is moving a lot…”
- The Trap: Option A is a trap. The staff asks, “Did you eat something bad at the restaurant?” but the passenger says “No”. Option C is a plausible guess in real life, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 A
- Explanation: The staff member tells her, “drink this glass of warm water.”
- The Trap: Option B is a plausible thing to give a sick person, but it is never mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because the restaurant is mentioned, but she did not eat anything.
3 C
- Explanation: The staff member explicitly advises, “It is much better to go outside on the deck. The fresh air will help you…”
- The Trap: Option A is the A2 “Twist” trap. The passenger wants to go back to her room and sleep (“Should I go back to my room and sleep?”), but the staff member says “Actually, no.” Option B is a plausible action, but it is not mentioned in the dialogue.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Passenger: Excuse me. Can you help me? I don’t feel very well.
Staff: Oh, are you okay, miss? You look very pale. Did you eat something bad at the restaurant?
Passenger: No, I didn’t eat anything this morning. I think I am just seasick. The boat is moving a lot, and I feel really sick to my stomach.
Staff: I understand. That happens to a lot of people on the first day. Here, please sit down and drink this glass of warm water.
Passenger: Thank you. Should I go back to my room and sleep?
Staff: Actually, no. It is much better to go outside on the deck. The fresh air will help you feel better quickly.
Passenger: Okay, I will try going outside then.
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between a patient and a pharmacist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did the man leave at his house?
(A) His wallet.
(B) His doctor’s prescription.
(C) His box of painkillers.
2 Why CANNOT the pharmacist sell the antibiotics to the man?
(A Because they do not have any antibiotics left.
(B) Because he does not have enough money.
(C) Because it is against the law without a doctor’s note.
3 What does the man actually buy right now?
(A) A box of painkillers.
(B) Some antibiotics.
(C) He does not buy anything.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B
- Explanation: The man says, “I think I left the doctor’s note on my kitchen table.” (A doctor’s note is a prescription).
- The Trap: Option A is a trap. He explicitly says, “I have my wallet,” meaning he did not leave it at home. Option C is a trap because the painkillers are what he buys at the pharmacy, not what he left at home.
2 C
- Explanation: The pharmacist clearly states, “I cannot sell you antibiotics without a prescription. It’s the law.”
- The Trap: Option A is a plausible reason in real life, but the pharmacist does not say they are sold out. Option B is a trap because the man has his wallet, so money is not the problem.
3 A
- Explanation: The pharmacist says, “Yes, you can buy painkillers without a prescription. Here is a box for you.”
- The Trap: Option B is the man’s original plan, but he cannot do it (The A2 Twist). Option C is a trap because he originally couldn’t buy his main medicine, but he decides to buy painkillers instead of leaving with nothing.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Patient: Hi there. I need to buy some medicine. I went to the hospital this morning, and the doctor told me to get these antibiotics.
Pharmacist: Hello, sir. Of course, I can help you with that. Can I see your prescription, please?
Patient: Oh, let me check my bag. Oh no! I have my wallet, but I think I left the doctor’s note on my kitchen table.
Pharmacist: I’m sorry to hear that. But unfortunately, I cannot sell you antibiotics without a prescription. It’s the law.
Patient: Really? I live quite far away. Can I just buy some painkillers instead? My ear hurts a lot today.
Pharmacist: Yes, you can buy painkillers without a prescription. Here is a box for you. But you really need to go back home and get that paper for the antibiotics.
Patient: Okay, thank you. I will come back later this afternoon.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a pet owner and a veterinarian (vet). Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why did Sarah originally think Max was sleeping so much?
(A) She thought he had a terrible fever.
(B) She thought he ate something bad.
(C) She thought he was tired from a walk.
2 What did the dog do this morning?
(A) He ate a big bowl of food.
(B) He drank a little bit of water.
(C) He went for a long walk.
3 What will happen next?
(A) Sarah will take Max and some medicine home.
(B) Max will stay at the animal clinic for a few days.
(C) The doctor will give Max some special food.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 C
- Explanation: Sarah says, “At first, I thought he was just tired from our long walk in the park.” This was her original guess.
- The Trap: Option B is the A2 “Twist” trap. The doctor says, “He probably ate something bad,” but that is the doctor’s diagnosis, not what Sarah originally thought. Option A is also a trap; the doctor finds a fever, but Sarah didn’t know that at first.
2 B
- Explanation: Sarah explicitly states, “Yes, he drank a little bit of water this morning.”
- The Trap: Option A is the exact opposite of the truth (Sarah says he “won’t touch his food”). Option C is a trap because they went for a walk yesterday, not this morning.
3 A
- Explanation: The vet says, “I will give you some medicine for him to take at home.” This means Sarah will take him home with the medicine.
- The Trap: Option B is a plausible thing that happens at a vet clinic, but the doctor says he can take the medicine “at home.” Option C is not mentioned; only medicine is given, not special food.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Vet: Hello, Sarah. What’s wrong with your dog, Max, today?
Owner: Hi, Dr. Smith. I’m really worried. He didn’t eat his dinner yesterday. At first, I thought he was just tired from our long walk in the park. But today, he is still sleeping and won’t touch his food.
Vet: I see. Did he drink any water today?
Owner: Yes, he drank a little bit of water this morning. But he just lies on his bed all day.
Vet: Okay, let me check his temperature. Hmm, he has a small fever. I don’t think he is just tired. He probably ate something bad in the park yesterday.
Owner: Oh no! Is it serious?
Vet: Don’t worry. It’s just a stomach bug. I will give you some medicine for him to take at home. He should feel better tomorrow.
Owner: Thank you so much, doctor.