Nutrition – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) To improve the appearance of her complexion.

• Explanation: Emma says her “skin is breaking out” and she wants to “clear up your face,” which means improving the appearance of her complexion. Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; Liam asks if she has been “stressed at work,” but Emma explicitly replies, “Not really.”

2 Answer: (A) She could suffer from physical pain in her head.

• Explanation: Liam mentions that his sister tried a sugar detox and “got terrible headaches,” which means physical pain in her head. Option (B) is a trap; Emma mentions wanting “more energy,” but Liam does not say she will feel exhausted. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Answer: (C) To replace junk food with healthier sweet alternatives.

• Explanation: Liam tells Emma to “swap the unhealthy stuff for naturally sweet things” like strawberries or apples (healthier sweet alternatives). Option (A) is a trap; this is what Emma wants to do (“completely stop”), but Liam advises against it (“instead of just quitting everything at once”). Option (B) is a trap; Emma suggests drinking “sparkling water with a slice of lemon,” not just plain water.

Emma: Ugh, I just looked in the mirror. My skin is breaking out again.

Liam: Really? It doesn’t look that bad to me. Have you been super stressed at work lately?

Emma: Not really. But honestly, my diet has been terrible. I’ve been eating so much chocolate and drinking soda every single day. So, um, I’ve made a decision. I’m going to completely stop having sugary snacks starting tomorrow. I read online that it helps clear up your face and gives you more energy.

Liam: Wow, a complete sugar detox? That sounds pretty tough. You know, my sister tried that, and she got terrible headaches for the first few days.

Emma: Yeah, I’m a bit worried about that. Do you have any advice?

Liam: Well, instead of just quitting everything at once, why don’t you swap the unhealthy stuff for naturally sweet things? Like, if you crave candy, grab some fresh strawberries or an apple instead.

Emma: That’s a solid idea. And maybe I should switch my regular soda for sparkling water with a slice of lemon.

Liam: Exactly! You’ve got this. Let’s go grocery shopping together later to get some fresh produce.

1 Answer: (B) She believes they have consumed too much unhealthy food recently.

• Explanation: Sophie says, “We’ve been eating way too much greasy stuff lately,” which means they have consumed too much unhealthy food. Option (A) is plausible for roommates, but saving money is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; “pizzas” are mentioned by Mark, but Sophie does not say she is allergic or feels sick from cheese.

2 Answer: (B) By heating it inside the cooker for a lighter meal.

• Explanation: Sophie suggests they “bake it in the oven” (which means heating it inside a cooker) and says it is “much lighter.” Option (A) is a trap; she explicitly says they will do this “instead of frying it in a bunch of oil” (fat). Option (C) is a trap; they will steam vegetables (broccoli and carrots), not the chicken.

3 Answer: (C) A healthier alternative made from dairy.

• Explanation: Sophie mentions she has a recipe for a “yogurt-based dressing.” Yogurt is a dairy product. Option (A) is a trap; she specifically says “we don’t need to use any heavy mayonnaise.” Option (B) is a trap; the whole conversation is about avoiding heavy oils.

Mark: I’m starving. Should we just order some pizzas or burgers like we usually do on Fridays?

Sophie: Um, let’s not do takeout tonight, Mark. We’ve been eating way too much greasy stuff lately. I want to make something actually nutritious for once.

Mark: You mean cooking? I guess you’re right. I do feel a bit sluggish these days. What did you have in mind?

Sophie: Well, we still have some chicken in the fridge. But instead of frying it in a bunch of oil, we could bake it in the oven. It’s much lighter and just as tasty.

Mark: That sounds okay. But what about a side dish? We definitely need to add some greens to our diet.

Sophie: Exactly. We can steam a large bowl of broccoli and carrots. I also have a great recipe for a yogurt-based dressing, so we don’t need to use any heavy mayonnaise.

Mark: Okay, you convinced me. It definitely beats feeling terrible after eating junk food. Let’s do it. I’ll go preheat the oven right now.

1 Answer: (A) He didn’t eat anything before leaving his house.

• Explanation: David says he “skipped breakfast again,” which means he didn’t eat anything before leaving his house. Option (B) is a trap; the word “lunchtime” is mentioned, but only because David is waiting for it (it is only 10 AM). Option (C) is a trap; he mentions he has to “catch the bus”, but he didn’t go for a run (he woke up late).

2 Answer: (B) It can be prepared the night before to avoid rushing.

• Explanation: Lisa explains that you put the ingredients in a jar “before you go to sleep” and leave it in the fridge, saving a ton of time in the morning. Option (A) is a trap; David asks if he needs a “special machine,” but Lisa explicitly says, “Not at all.” Option (C) is a trap; David mentions “eggs” and “pancakes” as things he cannot cook because he lacks time.

3 Answer: (C) Purchase some containers to start making the dish.

• Explanation: At the end, David says, “I’ll definitely buy some jars and try that tonight,” which means purchasing containers to make the dish. Option (A) is not mentioned; he talks about eating it “on the bus.” Option (B) is a trap; Lisa mentions adding “bananas or berries” (fresh fruit), but David does not ask her to share them.

David: Ugh, is it lunchtime yet? I skipped breakfast again and my stomach is making embarrassing noises.

Lisa: Already? It’s only 10 AM, David. Why do you keep skipping the most important meal of the day?

David: I just never have enough time. I usually wake up late, and by the time I shower, I have to rush to catch the bus. Cooking eggs or pancakes is completely impossible.

Lisa: Well, you don’t need to cook anything. Have you ever tried making overnight oats? It literally takes two minutes to prepare.

David: Overnight oats? Sounds complicated. Do I need a special machine for that?

Lisa: Not at all. You just put dry oatmeal and milk into a jar before you go to sleep. Leave it in the fridge. When you wake up, it’s soft and ready to eat. I usually throw some sliced bananas or berries on top.

David: Wow, so I can just grab it and eat it on the bus?

Lisa: Exactly. It’s super healthy, keeps you full until lunch, and saves you a ton of time.

David: Thanks, Lisa. I’ll definitely buy some jars and try that tonight.

1 Answer: (B) She discovered the rubbish he left in the living room.

• Explanation: Sarah says she “found empty bags of potato chips and soda cans on the sofa” (which means she discovered his rubbish in the living room). Option (A) is a trap; the time “1 AM” is mentioned, but he wasn’t cooking, he was eating snacks. Option (C) is never mentioned.

2 Answer: (B) He was reviewing materials for an upcoming school assessment.

• Explanation: Leo explains that he was “studying for my math test,” which means reviewing materials for a school assessment. Option (A) is a trap; he was on the “sofa”, but he was not watching TV. Option (C) is a trap; he was studying math, not doing a science project.

3 Answer: (B) A crunchy type of healthy nut.

• Explanation: Leo says, “I guess I could try mixed nuts. They’re pretty crunchy.” Option (A) is a trap; Sarah suggested “sliced apples” (fresh fruit), but Leo rejected it, saying “That sounds kind of boring.” Option (C) is a trap; Sarah suggested herbal tea to drink instead of soda, but the question asks what he will eat.

Sarah: Leo, I found empty bags of potato chips and soda cans on the sofa again this morning. Were you snacking at midnight?

Leo: Yeah, sorry. I was studying for my math test and got super hungry around 1 AM.

Sarah: But eating junk food that late is terrible for your digestion. Plus, all that sugar ruins your sleep quality. You’re going to feel exhausted at school today.

Leo: I know, but I need something crunchy to keep me awake while I read!

Sarah: Well, if you really need a late-night snack, you should switch to something much healthier. Why don’t you have a handful of almonds or maybe some sliced apples?

Leo: Apples? That sounds kind of boring. But I guess I could try mixed nuts. They’re pretty crunchy and salty.

Sarah: Good choice. And replace the soda with herbal tea. I’ll leave a bowl of snacks on the kitchen counter for you tonight.

Leo: Okay, fine. Thanks, Sarah.

1 Answer: (B) To find out if he has any specific health issues with food.

• Explanation: Anna says she wants to check if he has any “dietary restrictions” (health issues with food). Option (A) is a trap; she is making a “grocery list” and Ben offers to bring drinks, but Anna says “I’ve got everything covered.” Option (C) is a trap; she is cooking “Thai peanut curry” at her house, not taking him to a restaurant.

2 Answer: (C) Animals that live in the water.

• Explanation: Ben states he has a strict medical condition regarding “things like crabs, shrimp, and mussels” (animals that live in the water) and gets a rash from them. Option (A) is a trap; she asks about nuts, but Ben says he “absolutely loves peanuts.” Option (B) is a trap; chicken is his “favorite.”

3 Answer: (B) A bird meat dish flavored with a type of nut.

• Explanation: Anna decides to cook the “chicken peanut curry” (a bird meat dish flavored with a nut). Option (A) is a trap; she thought about making a “seafood paella” but decided to “completely forget about” it because of Ben’s allergy. Option (C) is a trap; Ben offered to bring a dessert, but Anna declined.

Anna: Hi Ben, it’s Anna. I’m calling about the dinner party we’re having this Saturday. I’m finalizing the grocery list right now.

Ben: Hey Anna! I’m really looking forward to it. Do you need me to bring anything, like some drinks or a dessert?

Anna: No, I’ve got everything covered! But I wanted to check if you have any dietary restrictions. I’m thinking of making a Thai peanut curry or maybe a big seafood paella. Are you allergic to nuts or anything from the ocean?

Ben: Oh, thanks for asking! I absolutely love peanuts, so the curry sounds amazing. However, I have a strict medical condition when it comes to things like crabs, shrimp, and mussels. If I eat them, I get a terrible skin rash.

Anna: Wow, I’m so glad I checked with you. Let’s completely forget about the paella then. I will just cook the chicken peanut curry instead.

Ben: That’s perfect. Chicken is my favorite anyway. What time should we arrive?

Anna: Come around 7 PM. See you then!