Studying Abroad – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Wait until they reach their destination to get suitable jackets.

• The Key (Correct): The host advises, “It’s better to buy your winter gear after you arrive.” (Paraphrased: after you arrive = until they reach their destination; winter gear = suitable jackets).
• The Trap: Option (A) is the exact opposite of the advice. He mentions “thick wool coats” but says they “won’t help you at all if it gets wet,” and tells students NOT to pack them from their home country.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a common piece of winter advice (layering), but the host does not mention it in this podcast.

2 (A) By purchasing a special lamp and spending time with other people.

• The Key (Correct): The host recommends “buying a daylight lamp” and making sure you “socialize with friends.” (Paraphrased: daylight lamp = special lamp; socialize with friends = spending time with other people).
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect because the host says you should socialize “even when you just want to stay in bed.” Staying in bed is the feeling you should fight, not the solution.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible for fighting depression, but vitamins and outdoor exercise are not mentioned.

3 (C) Moving too quickly when trying to catch public transportation.

• The Key (Correct): The host states, “The biggest mistake freshmen make is running to catch a bus.” (Paraphrased: running = moving too quickly; a bus = public transportation).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The host mentions that you need boots with a “strong grip”, meaning flat shoes are bad, but the “biggest mistake” he specifically identifies is running.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is completely fabricated. Timetables are not mentioned.

Mark (Host): Welcome back to ‘Global Student Guide’. I’m your host, Mark. Today, we’re talking about a huge shock for many international students: surviving your first real winter.

First, let’s talk about clothes. Many of you pack massive, heavy coats from your home country. Don’t do that. It’s better to buy your winter gear after you arrive. The key is to look for jackets that are windproof and waterproof, rather than just thick. A thick wool coat won’t help you at all if it gets wet in the snow!

Second, you need to protect your mental health. In winter, the sun goes down by 4 PM, which can make you feel incredibly sad and exhausted. This is often called seasonal depression. To fight this, I highly recommend buying a daylight lamp for your desk and making sure you socialize with friends, even when you just want to stay in bed.

Finally, commuting in the snow. The biggest mistake freshmen make is running to catch a bus. Ice is extremely slippery. You need to invest in boots with a strong grip, take slow, small steps, and give yourself extra time to travel. Stay warm, everyone!

1 (B) It receives a lot of sunshine during the daytime.

• The Key (Correct): The vlogger says she loves her desk because she gets “plenty of natural light while studying.” (Paraphrased: plenty of natural light = a lot of sunshine).
• The Trap: Option (C) mentions her “comfortable bed”, which is in the audio, but it is not the reason she likes her desk.
• Not mentioned: Option (A) is plausible for a student desk, but the size of the desk or heavy textbooks are never mentioned.

2 (C) She enjoys it because it provides a chance to interact with others.

• The Key (Correct): She states that the kitchen is a “great place to socialize” and they often “cook dinners together and chat.” (Paraphrased: socialize / chat = interact with others).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. She admits the kitchen can “get a bit messy sometimes” (trap), but she doesn’t dislike it; she actually thinks it’s a great place.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is the opposite of her behavior, as she cooks with her flatmates, not alone.

3 (A) Students should remove their items promptly when they are finished.

• The Key (Correct): The vlogger warns, “don’t leave your clothes in the dryer for too long,” which means you should take them out (remove them) quickly (promptly).
• The Trap: Option (C) uses the words “download” and “basement.” She mentions the laundry is in the basement and you use a mobile app, but you don’t download a map to find it.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a trap because laundry usually costs money, but she pays via a mobile app, not cash.

Vlogger: Hey guys, welcome back to my channel! Today, I’m finally giving you a tour of my student accommodation here in London.

Let’s start with my bedroom. As you can see, the space is pretty compact. I don’t have a massive double bed, but the mattress is incredibly comfortable. Um, I spend most of my time at this desk right by the window. I really love it because I get plenty of natural light while studying.

Next, let’s head down the hall to the communal kitchen. I share this area with five other students. It can get a bit messy sometimes, especially on weekends, but it’s actually a great place to socialize. We often cook dinners together and chat about our classes.

Finally, the laundry facilities are down in the basement. You have to book a washing machine using a mobile app, which is super convenient. However, a quick warning: don’t leave your clothes in the dryer for too long, or someone might take them out and put them on the floor! Anyway, that’s my home for the next year.

1 (B) Put on traditional garments from their native cultures.

• The Key (Correct): The speaker says, “wearing traditional clothing from your home country is highly encouraged!” (Paraphrased: wearing traditional clothing = put on traditional garments; home country = native cultures).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The speaker explicitly says “You don’t need to bring anything” regarding food, as the university will “serve dishes from all over the world.”
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible for a banquet, but an entrance fee is never mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) To learn how to keep their items secure and contact help.

• The Key (Correct): The Wednesday session is a safety briefing to learn how to “protect your personal belongings” (keep items secure) and understand the “emergency phone system” (contact help).
• The Trap: Option (B) is a trap. The word “auditorium” is used in the audio, but the event is a safety briefing, not a class registration session.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) mentions “police,” but the police are coming to the auditorium; the students are not taking a tour of the police station.

3 (C) By looking at the digital messages sent to them by the school.

• The Key (Correct): Sarah states that a complete timetable has been “sent to your student inboxes” and tells them to “check your emails tonight.” (Paraphrased: emails/inboxes = digital messages).
• The Trap: Option (A) uses the word “timetable”, but the timetable is sent digitally, not handed out as a printed document by Sarah.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a logical way to check a schedule, but checking the website is not what Sarah instructed them to do.

Sarah: Hello everyone, and a warm welcome to the university! I’m Sarah, the Head of International Student Support. I know you are all tired from traveling, but, um, I want to quickly share some exciting plans for our Orientation Week.

First, we have our big Welcome Banquet this Friday evening in the main dining hall. It’s a great chance to meet people. We will serve dishes from all over the world. You don’t need to bring anything, but wearing traditional clothing from your home country is highly encouraged!

Also, please remember that Wednesday morning is mandatory. We are hosting a campus safety briefing in the auditorium. The local police will give you advice on how to protect your personal belongings and explain the emergency phone system. I know it sounds a bit boring, but it is extremely important for your well-being.

Well, that’s all for now. A complete timetable has been sent to your student inboxes, so make sure to check your emails tonight. Get some rest, and I’ll see you all tomorrow!

1 (B) She gained confidence by focusing on delivering her message.

• The Key (Correct): The student says that overcoming her fear “boosted my self-assurance” (gained confidence) and that locals “just want to understand your message” (focusing on delivering her message).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The audio mentions “perfect grammar”, but the student realizes that locals don’t care about it, so she didn’t focus on making flawless sentences.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a trap. She was afraid at first, but she never avoided talking; her host family “forced” her to communicate.

2 (C) She used a paper guide and spoke to people to find her way.

• The Key (Correct): When she missed the train, she found an alternative route using a “physical map” (paper guide) and “asking strangers for help” (spoke to people).
• The Trap: Option (A) is the exact opposite of what she did. She says she figured it out “instead of panicking and calling home.”
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a plausible reaction when missing a late train, but she did not wait at the station.

3 (A) The experience developed her ability to make her own decisions.

• The Key (Correct): The student concludes that figuring things out alone taught her how to “rely on my own judgment” (make her own decisions), which transformed her mindset.
• The Trap: Option (B) mentions “university classes”, but the student says the program “wasn’t just about” academics, and she never complains about the difficulty.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) mentions the “host family”, but they helped her with daily communication, not the academic system.

Student: Good morning, everyone. Today, I’d like to share a few reflections on my exchange year in Germany.

Before I left, I was actually terrified of making mistakes when speaking a foreign language. But, um, living with a host family forced me to communicate daily. I quickly realized that locals don’t care about perfect grammar; they just want to understand your message. Overcoming that fear really boosted my self-assurance.

Furthermore, being thousands of miles away from home meant my parents couldn’t fix my daily issues anymore. I remember missing the last intercity train in Berlin. Well, instead of panicking and calling home, I had to figure out an alternative route using a physical map and asking strangers for help. That specific situation taught me how to rely on my own judgment.

Overall, the exchange program wasn’t just about taking university classes; it completely transformed my mindset.

1 (A) Because the supervisors are flexible with their working hours.

• The Key (Correct): The reporter explains that these roles are popular because “managers are usually willing to adjust your shifts around your class schedule.” (Paraphrased: managers = supervisors; adjust your shifts = flexible with their working hours).
• The Trap: Option (C) is a plausible assumption for a library job, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is incorrect because salaries or hourly wages are never discussed.

2 (B) They are restricted to a maximum of twenty hours of labor per week.

• The Key (Correct): The reporter clearly states that the visa “strictly limits you to a maximum of twenty hours of paid work per week.” (Paraphrased: paid work = labor).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The audio mentions that on-campus jobs are the most desirable, but it never says students are forbidden from working off-campus.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a trap using academic vocabulary (professors), but getting permission is not part of the visa rules mentioned.

3 (A) They might be forced to leave the host nation.

• The Key (Correct): The reporter warns that exceeding the limit could result in “being sent back to your home country.” (Paraphrased: sent back to your home country = forced to leave the host nation).
• The Trap: Option (C) is incorrect. The audio mentions the “academic semester” and “studies”, but failing classes is not stated as the penalty for working too much.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a common legal penalty, but a financial fine is not mentioned in this report.

Reporter: Welcome back to Campus Voice, your daily student radio station. I’m Alex, and today we’re discussing a very popular topic: part-time employment for international learners.

It’s no secret that living abroad is expensive. To earn some extra pocket money, many students are actively looking for work. According to our recent survey, the most desirable positions are located right here on the university grounds. Specifically, organizing materials at the main library or serving beverages at the student cafe are the top choices. These roles are incredibly popular because managers are usually willing to adjust your shifts around your class schedule.

However, before you sign any contract, you must be aware of the legal rules. Your student visa strictly limits you to a maximum of twenty hours of paid work per week during the academic semester. Um, if you work more than that, you risk facing severe penalties, which could even include being sent back to your home country. You can, of course, work full-time during the summer holidays. So, make sure to balance your studies and your job carefully!