Work-life Balance – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) To inform her that he needs to stay at work.

• Explanation: Mark says he is “stuck here” because of a “massive report,” which means he has to stay at work.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The script mentions an “action film,” but he is calling to cancel their plan to see it, not to invite her. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned; he states a fact about his manager but doesn’t complain about their behavior.

2 (A) She is concerned that he is working too much lately.

• Explanation: Sarah says he is “putting in so many late nights” and needs to “find a better balance.” This shows her concern about his overworking.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. While she might be disappointed, she explicitly says “Don’t stress about it too much,” showing she is understanding, not angry. Option (C) uses words from the script (“big account”), but she never offers to help him.

3 (C) Go out together on the weekend instead.

• Explanation: Mark asks to “push our plans to Saturday afternoon” (the weekend), and Sarah agrees, saying “Saturday works for me.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap because “tomorrow morning” is mentioned in the script, but it is the deadline for Mark’s report, not when they will meet. Option (B) is plausible for friends, but dinner is never mentioned in the audio.

Mark: Hi Sarah, it’s Mark. Listen, I’m so sorry, um, but I won’t be able to make it to the cinema tonight.

Sarah: Oh, really? That’s a shame. Is everything okay? I thought you were really looking forward to seeing that new action film.

Mark: I was! But, well… things are totally crazy at the office right now. My manager just handed me a massive report that has to be on the client’s desk by tomorrow morning. So, ah, I’m stuck here until it’s completely finished.

Sarah: Ugh, that sounds exhausting. You’ve been putting in so many late nights recently. You really need to find a better balance, Mark.

Mark: I know, I know. It’s just this one big account. Anyway, I feel terrible for bailing on you at the last minute. How about I make it up to you? Could we push our plans to Saturday afternoon instead? My treat!

Sarah: Hmm… Saturday works for me. Don’t stress about it too much, just focus on getting your tasks done. See you then!

Mark: Thanks for understanding, Sarah. You’re a lifesaver. Bye!

1 (B) Because she is worried about his health and tiredness.

• Explanation: (Simple English): Sarah mentions that David looks “exhausted,” has “dark circles under his eyes,” and hasn’t eaten much. She says he needs to “take some time off” for his well-being.
• Trap Analysis: Answer (C) mentions “bonus”. In the text, Sarah says health is more important than a “bonus”, not that she wants him to go on vacation to receive a bonus.

2 (C) It encourages guests to stay away from electronic devices.

• Explanation: Sarah says the resort has a “digital detox” policy where “no Wi-Fi is allowed.” This means guests are encouraged to stay off their phones or laptops.
• Trap Analysis: Answer (A) is a trap because it completely contradicts the “no Wi-Fi” information in the listening passage.

3 (B) He agrees that he needs a break and will check his schedule.

• Explanation: At the end, David admits he is “burnt out” and says “Let me check my calendar” to plan for next Friday.
• Trap Analysis: Answer (A) mentions “Monday” and “project” (misleading information), but that was the initial reason for his refusal, not his final decision.

Sarah: David, honey, could you please put down the laptop for just a second? I want you to look at these travel brochures I picked up today.

David: Um, not now, Sarah. I’m right in the middle of this project. If I don’t finish these slides by tonight, the meeting tomorrow will be a disaster.

Sarah: But David, you’ve been saying that every night for a month! Look at yourself, you’re absolutely exhausted. You’ve got dark circles under your eyes and you’ve barely touched your dinner. You really need to take some time off.

David: A vacation? Now? That’s impossible. The new account starts on Monday and I need to lead the team.

Sarah: Well, look at this resort in Da Lat. It’s so peaceful—just pine trees and fresh air. They even have a “digital detox” policy, so no Wi-Fi is allowed. Think of it as a chance to recharge your batteries. We only need three days.

David: Three days… well, it does sound tempting. I have been feeling quite burnt out lately. But isn’t it expensive to book last minute?

Sarah: Actually, they have a special discount for the weekend. And honestly, your health is worth much more than any work bonus.

David: You’re right. I can’t keep going like this. Let me check my calendar… maybe we can head there next Friday.

1 (B) She wants to spend less time looking at electronic screens.

• Explanation: Lisa says she wants to avoid more “screen time” and needs to “unplug” because she already stares at a monitor all day at work.
• Trap Analysis: Option (C) mentions photography, which is her hobby, but she says she “still loves it,” so she isn’t bored with it—she just needs a break from screens.

2 (B) She suffers from dry eyes and feels mentally exhausted.

• Explanation: Lisa uses the words “my brain feels completely fried” (mentally exhausted) and “my eyes are always dry.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (C) is a trap because she mentions “work emails,” but she says the coloring helps her disconnect from them, not that she has to answer them at home.

3 (B) He engages in activities that involve digital devices.

• Explanation: Tom mentions that his usual plan is “playing video games until midnight,” and Lisa mentions he usually watches movies on a tablet. Both are digital activities.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is wrong because Tom says yoga is “unusual” and he hasn’t tried it yet.

Lisa: Hey Tom, check this out! I just bought a brand-new yoga mat and some of those detailed coloring books.

Tom: Yoga? And coloring? That’s… unusual for you, Lisa. I thought your main hobby was digital photography.

Lisa: Well, I still love photography, but to be honest, I’m exhausted from staring at a computer monitor for eight hours a day at the office. By the time I get home, my brain feels completely fried and my eyes are always dry.

Tom: I totally get it. But don’t you usually just unwind by watching movies on your tablet?

Lisa: That’s exactly the problem I’m trying to fix! I realized that even my ways of “relaxing” involve more screen time. I really need to unplug and do something physical with my hands instead of just clicking a mouse.

Tom: I see. So, the yoga is for your back pain and the coloring is for… what? Mental peace?

Lisa: Precisely. My colleague at work mentioned that it’s incredibly therapeutic. She said it helps her disconnect from stressful work emails and actually focus on the present moment.

Tom: Hmm. That actually sounds much more relaxing than my usual plan of playing video games until midnight.

Lisa: It definitely is! You’re more than welcome to borrow a page from my book if you want to try it out tonight.

1 (B) Nobody is allowed to use their devices for work purposes.

• Explanation: Alex wants a “digital detox” and explicitly says “No work emails, no business calls, and absolutely no laptops.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. Jamie mentions cooking and setting up the tent, but Alex says “mostly I’m talking about a strict digital detox,” meaning chores are not the main rule. Option (C) is incorrect because they take their phones with them, they just plan not to use them.

2 (C) He is concerned that his manager might need to contact him.

• Explanation: Sam is worried because his “boss might need me” and there might be an “emergency at the office.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. Getting lost is mentioned later as a reason to keep one phone, not his initial reason for being hesitant.

3 (B) Keep one device active for taking pictures and safety reasons.

• Explanation: They agree on a “compromise” to use Jamie’s phone for “emergencies and pictures.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap because Jamie suggested leaving phones in the car earlier, but they changed the plan. Option (C) is a trap because Sam gave up his idea of checking documents on Saturday morning.

Alex: Alright, guys, before we pack the car for this camping trip, we need to agree on some ground rules.

Jamie: Ground rules? What do you mean? Like, who cooks dinner and who sets up the tent?

Alex: Well, that too, but mostly I’m talking about a strict digital detox. No work emails, no business calls, and absolutely no laptops allowed this weekend. We’re going to the forest to relax and clear our minds!

Sam: Um, I don’t know, Alex. My boss might need me to review some project documents on Saturday morning. What if there’s an emergency at the office?

Jamie: Come on, Sam! You work way too much. I totally agree with Alex. If we don’t disconnect, we’ll just be stressed out in the middle of nowhere instead of enjoying nature. Let’s just turn our phones off and leave them in the car.

Sam: (Sighs) Okay, fine. You guys are right. But can we at least keep one phone turned on for taking photos and just in case we get lost on the hiking trail?

Alex: I think that’s a fair compromise. We’ll use Jamie’s phone for emergencies and pictures, but strictly no internet or messaging apps. Deal?

Sam & Jamie: Deal!

1 (B) Emma is ignoring her meal to focus on office tasks.

• Explanation: The father complains that Emma hasn’t “touched her plate” because she is typing on her laptop and replying to a “manager.” This means she is prioritizing work over eating.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is plausible but not mentioned; she isn’t eating slowly, she hasn’t started eating at all. Option (C) is a trap because the word “manager” is mentioned in the audio, but the manager is not physically at the dinner.

2 (A) Her colleagues will think she lacks dedication to her job.

• Explanation: Emma says, “they’ll think I’m not committed to the team.” The phrase “lacks dedication” is a paraphrase of “not committed.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (C) is a trap. The “marketing campaign” is mentioned as launching tomorrow, but Emma never says it will be canceled if she doesn’t reply. Option (B) is a common fear but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) Emma agrees to disconnect from work until the next day.

• Explanation: At the end, Emma apologizes, says “Let me turn off the Wi-Fi,” and decides her work “can wait until tomorrow morning.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The phrase “twenty minutes” is used by the father to complain about how long she has been making them wait, not as Emma’s final decision. Option (B) is a plausible action for a workaholic, but it does not happen in the story.

Dad: Emma, could you please close that laptop? Your mother spent two hours cooking this roast, and you haven’t even touched your plate yet.

Emma: Just a second, Dad… um, I really need to reply to this email from my manager. The new marketing campaign launches tomorrow.

Dad: You said “just a second” twenty minutes ago. Look, I understand your job is demanding, but bringing the office to the dinner table isn’t healthy. You need to establish some boundaries between your professional and personal life.

Emma: I know, but if I don’t respond right now, they’ll think I’m not committed to the team.

Dad: That’s nonsense. When you’re off the clock, you should actually be off the clock. Constant stress is going to ruin your well-being. We hardly ever get to talk to you nowadays, and when we do, your eyes are glued to a screen.

Emma: Ah, you’re right. I’m sorry. The company has just been putting a lot of pressure on us lately. Let me turn off the Wi-Fi. This can wait until tomorrow morning.

Dad: Thank you. Now, please try the potatoes before they get completely cold.