Study Skills – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between two classmates. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What was Chloe’s main problem before using the app?
(A) She couldn’t organize her study schedule.
(B) She spent too much time on the internet.
(C) She had too many assignments to finish.
2 How does the new app help Chloe study?
(A) It reminds her of important exam dates.
(B) It encourages her to stay away from her phone.
(C) It blocks all incoming messages and emails.
3 How does Mark feel about the app at the end of the conversation?
(A) He wants to download it to reduce his phone usage.
(B) He thinks it is too intense for him to use.
(C) He prefers using a digital calendar instead.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Chloe says she used to struggle with “endlessly scrolling through my social feeds.” Option B paraphrases this perfectly.
- Trap A is incorrect because Mark mentions digital calendars, but Chloe says the app is not a calendar.
- Trap C is incorrect because having “too many assignments” is Mark’s problem (“drowning in assignments”), not Chloe’s.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Chloe states that the app “motivates me to put my phone down.” Option B uses the synonym phrase “stay away from her phone.”
- Trap A is incorrect because the app is a “focus timer,” not a calendar that reminds you of dates.
- Trap C is a plausible distractor, but the app does not automatically block messages; it just kills the virtual tree if she leaves the app to check them.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: At the end, Mark says, “My screen time is out of control. Send me the link!” This shows he wants to try it to reduce his phone usage (Option A).
- Trap B is incorrect because although he initially says “That sounds a bit intense,” he immediately adds “but kind of fun” and later asks for the link.
- Trap C is incorrect because Mark explicitly states that he tried a calendar last semester and “it didn’t really change my habits.”
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey Chloe, how’s your preparation for the midterm going? I feel like I’m drowning in assignments right now.
Chloe: Actually, it’s going pretty well! I used to struggle a lot with distractions, especially endlessly scrolling through my social feeds when I should be reviewing my notes. But I just found this incredible new app on my phone.
Mark: Oh really? Is it another one of those digital calendars? I tried one last semester, but it didn’t really change my habits.
Chloe: No, well, it’s not a calendar. It’s a focus timer. Basically, you plant a virtual tree when you start studying. If you leave the app to check your messages or browse the web before the timer finishes, your tree dies.
Mark: That sounds a bit intense, but kind of fun. Does it actually work?
Chloe: Surprisingly, yes! It really motivates me to put my phone down. I don’t want to see a dead plant on my screen. I’ve managed to concentrate for two solid hours today without any interruptions.
Mark: Wow, I definitely need something like that. My screen time is out of control. Send me the link!
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between two roommates. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does Ben want to leave the dorm room?
(A) He needs a quieter place to take a nap.
(B) He lacks the motivation to do his assignment there.
(C) He wants to avoid doing his daily chores.
2 What is Leo’s initial concern about going to the coffee shop?
(A) The environment might be too distracting.
(B) The drinks there are probably too expensive.
(C) The shop is located too far from their dorm.
3 What makes Leo finally agree to go?
(A) Ben offers to help him with his math project.
(B) Ben says they can meet some other friends there.
(C) Ben promises a free drink at a peaceful place.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Ben says he keeps “putting it off” and wants to go out so Leo can force him to “stop messing around and get my essay done.” Option B paraphrases this as lacking motivation.
- Trap A is incorrect because Leo (not Ben) is the one who mentions wanting to take a nap in the dorm.
- Trap C is incorrect because Ben actually did his chores (cleaned his room twice) to avoid studying; he isn’t trying to avoid chores.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Leo says, “Cafes can be pretty noisy… the background music is too loud for me to concentrate.” Option A uses the word “distracting,” which is a synonym for an environment that makes it hard to concentrate.
- Trap B is a plausible guess for a student, but Leo never mentions the price of the drinks.
- Trap C is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Ben convinces Leo by saying the cafe is “super quiet” (peaceful) and offering to “buy you a cappuccino” (a free drink).
- Trap A is incorrect because although Leo has a “math project,” Ben never offers to help him with it; they are just going to study together.
- Trap B is incorrect because Ben mentions the cafe is full of “students reading,” but he never says they are meeting friends there.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Ben: Hey Leo, are you busy? I really need to finish my history essay, but I just keep putting it off. I mean, um… I’ve even cleaned my room twice today just to avoid looking at my computer.
Leo: Yeah, I know the feeling. I have a math project due on Friday, but I haven’t started yet either. It’s so hard to focus in our dorm room. My bed is right there, and honestly, I just want to take a nap.
Ben: Exactly! That’s why I was thinking… do you want to head to that new coffee shop downtown with me? We could be study buddies. If I see you working hard, it might actually force me to stop messing around and get my essay done.
Leo: Hmm, I don’t know. Cafes can be pretty noisy, you know? Sometimes the background music is too loud for me to concentrate.
Ben: Well, I heard this one is actually super quiet. It’s mostly full of students reading, and they play soft jazz. Plus, I’ll even buy you a cappuccino if you come!
Leo: Alright, you convinced me! Let me grab my laptop and my math textbook. Give me five minutes.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between two friends. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does Emma prefer using her laptop at the beginning of the conversation?
(A) It helps her record the professor’s voice.
(B) She can capture the lesson’s content much quicker.
(C) It automatically summarizes the main points for her.
2 What does Ryan believe is the main benefit of writing notes by hand?
(A) It allows him to understand and recall the lesson better.
(B) It keeps his study materials neatly organized.
(C) It stops him from getting distracted by the internet.
3 What does Emma decide to do at the end?
(A) She will teach Ryan how to search for keywords online.
(B) She is willing to experiment with the traditional method.
(C) She plans to type her notes and print them out later.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Emma says that typing is “incredibly efficient” and allows her to “get down almost every single word.” Option B uses the phrase “capture the lesson’s content much quicker” to paraphrase this idea.
- Trap C is incorrect because Ryan is the one who mentions summarizing the main points (when writing by hand), not Emma’s laptop.
- Trap A is plausible but is never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Ryan says that writing by hand forces him to process the information and that it “improves my memory.” Option A paraphrases this with the words “understand and recall.”
- Trap B is incorrect because Ryan admits that his paper notes are “a bit messy.” It is Emma who likes how “neat everything looks on a screen.”
- Trap C is a very common reason to avoid laptops, but Ryan does not mention internet distractions in this conversation.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Emma says, “Maybe I’ll try handwriting for my next class.” Option B uses “experiment with the traditional method” as a synonym for trying handwriting.
- Trap A is incorrect. Emma mentions that she can search for keywords on her computer, but she never offers to teach Ryan how to do it.
- Trap C is not mentioned in the audio at all.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Phew! Professor Smith talks so fast. If I didn’t bring my laptop, I’d miss half the lecture.
Ryan: Really? I actually stopped bringing my laptop to class. I strictly use a notebook and pen now.
Emma: Seriously? Why would you do that? Typing is incredibly efficient. I can get down almost every single word he says.
Ryan: That’s exactly the issue, though. When you type, you just copy everything like a machine without actually processing the information. Writing by hand forces me to, well, summarize the main points in my own words. It really improves my memory.
Emma: Hmm… I suppose you have a point. Sometimes I read my typed notes later and have absolutely no idea what they mean. But I do love how neat everything looks on a screen. Plus, I can easily search for keywords before an exam.
Ryan: True, organizing paper notes is a bit messy. But for me, the retention is worth the extra effort.
Emma: Maybe I’ll try handwriting for my next class… just to see if it helps me remember the material better.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between two students and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How does Leo feel about the upcoming assessment?
(A) He is confident because he studied all night.
(B) He is anxious because of the massive amount of information to memorize.
(C) He is frustrated because the professor didn’t give them enough time.
2 What did Leo actually do the night before the test?
(A) He fell asleep quite early.
(B) He reviewed his textbook until the morning.
(C) He practiced defining terms with Maya.
3 What is Maya’s opinion regarding Leo’s preparation?
(A) She is annoyed that he almost forgot the definition of ‘ecosystem’.
(B) She thinks they should skip the test and keep practicing outside.
(C) She believes resting was more beneficial for him than studying late.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Leo says, “I’m so nervous about this biology test… There are just too many terms to remember.” “Nervous” is paraphrased as “anxious,” and “too many terms” matches “massive amount of information.” Option A is a trap because he originally planned to study all night but didn’t. Option C is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: In the audio, Leo says, “I crashed at like 10 p.m.” which means he went to sleep early. Option B is a trap; he planned to pull an all-nighter (stay up all night studying) but failed to do so. Option C is also a trap; he is practicing with Maya now, right before the test, not the night before.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Maya tells Leo, “getting enough rest was probably a smarter move than staying up.” This perfectly matches the idea that resting was more beneficial than studying late. Option A is a trap; she isn’t annoyed at all, she actually encourages him (“Exactly! You see? You know this stuff”). Option B is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Ah, I’m so nervous about this biology test, Maya. There are just too many terms to remember!
Maya: Take a deep breath, Leo. We still have, like, ten minutes before Professor Smith opens the door. Let’s run through these flashcards one more time. Ready?
Leo: Yeah, go ahead. Hit me.
Maya: Okay, first one. Um… Photosynthesis. Define it.
Leo: Well, that’s how plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Right?
Maya: Spot on. Okay, next… Ecosystem.
Leo: Oh, I know this. It’s a place where… wait, no. Is it the interaction between living things and their surrounding environment?
Maya: Exactly! You see? You know this stuff. You just need to trust your memory.
Leo: I guess. But I always blank out when I see the actual exam paper. I was planning to pull an all-nighter yesterday to review the whole textbook, but I was so exhausted I crashed at like 10 p.m.
Maya: Honestly, getting enough rest was probably a smarter move than staying up. You need a clear head for this. Come on, let’s do a few more cards before we go in.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between two siblings and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is Lily clearing off her desk?
(A) To look for some important old documents she lost.
(B) To create a neat area that helps her focus better.
(C) To prepare her room because she is moving out soon.
2 Why does Lily want to get a desk lamp?
(A) To prevent her eyes from hurting during evening study sessions.
(B) Because her main ceiling light is currently broken.
(C) Because she wants to reduce her monthly electricity bill.
3 How has Lily decided to handle the annoying sounds from outside?
(A) She is going to start playing gentle music in her room.
(B) She will pack her laptop and study at the local library.
(C) She plans to purchase a special type of audio headset.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Lily says, “I can’t concentrate with all this clutter on my desk.” Option B paraphrases this idea perfectly (neat area = no clutter; focus better = concentrate). Option A is a trap because she mentions “old papers,” but she is throwing them away, not looking for them. Option C is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Lily mentions she wants a lamp so her “eyes don’t get so tired when I read at night.” Option A paraphrases “tired eyes” as “eyes hurting” and “at night” as “evening study sessions.” Option B is a trap; the ceiling light “isn’t enough,” but it is not broken. Option C is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Lily states, “I’ve decided to save up for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.” Option C paraphrases this as purchasing a “special type of audio headset.” Option A is a trap; she mentions playing soft music, but says it “doesn’t help much,” so it is not her final solution. Option B is plausible but not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Wow, Lily. What are you doing? Your room is a total mess!
Lily: Um, I’m actually trying to organize my study space. I can’t concentrate with all this clutter on my desk. I’m throwing away old papers and making room for my laptop.
Tom: That makes sense. A tidy desk helps you think better. But isn’t it a bit dark in here?
Lily: Yeah, you’re right. The ceiling light isn’t enough. I’m thinking of getting a desk lamp so my eyes don’t get so tired when I read at night.
Tom: Good idea. By the way, how do you study with that loud construction noise outside? It’s driving me crazy.
Lily: Oh, it’s terrible, isn’t it? I usually play soft music, but honestly, it doesn’t help much anymore. So, I’ve decided to save up for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
Tom: Nice! Let me know if they actually work. I might need to buy a pair for myself too.