Work-life Balance – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) It causes a significant reduction in a person’s work output.

• Explanation: The host says that when you multitask, your “overall efficiency actually drops.” The phrase “reduction in a person’s work output” is a paraphrase of efficiency dropping.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap because the host mentions that people believe it saves time, but “science tells us a completely different story.” Option (C) is a trap because the host mentions the “manager” at the end, but he says the manager will thank you if you stop multitasking and focus on one thing.

2 (A) It rapidly moves our attention between different activities.

• Explanation: The host explains that the brain is “just switching back and forth very quickly.” “Rapidly moves our attention” is a direct paraphrase of this action.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is the trap. The script uses the word “simultaneously” (at the exact same moment), but the host says the brain “isn’t actually doing them simultaneously” (phủ định). Option (C) is plausible for some activities but is the exact opposite of what happens here.

3 (C) The brain does not get a proper chance to rest and switch off.

• Explanation: The host says that working through your break keeps your mind “in a constant state of alert” and you “never truly disconnect.” This means the brain doesn’t get a chance to rest.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is the trap. A “sandwich” is mentioned in the audio as an example of lunch, but the food itself is not the cause of the mental exhaustion and anxiety (stress). Option (B) is a plausible workplace problem but is never mentioned in the podcast.

Host: Welcome back to ‘Balanced Life’. I’m your host, Mark. Today, let’s talk about something we all do: multitasking. Many people believe that eating their sandwich while typing out work emails saves time. Well, um, science tells us a completely different story.

When you try to juggle two tasks at once, your brain isn’t actually doing them simultaneously. It’s just switching back and forth very quickly. This constant shifting requires a huge amount of energy. So, instead of being highly productive, your overall efficiency actually drops by about forty percent.

Ah, furthermore, ignoring your lunch break to handle office messages keeps your mind in a constant state of alert. You never truly disconnect. By the end of the day, this bad habit significantly increases your mental exhaustion and anxiety levels.

So, my advice? Step away from the monitor tomorrow. Enjoy your food in peace. Your mind—and your manager—will thank you for the better results later.

1 (B) Because looking at the internet for hours made her feel very tired.

• Explanation: The vlogger says she used to “scroll through social media for hours” and that it “made me feel even more exhausted.” “Looking at the internet” is a paraphrase of scrolling through social media, and “tired” is a synonym for exhausted.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The script mentions “ordering fast food,” but that is what she stopped doing as part of her new routine, not the main reason she decided to change her lifestyle. Option (C) is plausible but is never mentioned.

2 (A) She takes a short walk outside in her local area.

• Explanation: She mentions that she goes for a “quick walk around the neighborhood” to help “clear my mind after a long day at the desk.” “Local area” is a paraphrase of the neighborhood.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. The audio mentions the “TV”, but she says she reads a book “instead of turning on the TV.” Option (C) is a trap because the script mentions a “chapter of a book,” but she reads it, she doesn’t write it.

3 (C) She feels more active and prepared the following day.

• Explanation: At the end, the vlogger says, “I feel so much more energized when I wake up the next morning.” “Active and prepared the following day” is a paraphrase of feeling energized the next morning.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The “sofa” is mentioned as the place where she used to crash in the past, not a benefit of her new routine. Option (B) is a trap because she asks for “comments” at the end, but she doesn’t say that getting comments is the benefit of the routine.

Vlogger: Hi guys, welcome back to my channel! Today, I want to talk about my “5-to-9” routine. That’s the time between leaving the office at 5 PM and getting ready for bed at 9 PM.

In the past, um, I used to come home, crash on the sofa, and just scroll through social media for hours. But honestly, staring at a screen all evening made me feel even more exhausted. So, I decided to completely change my habits.

Now, as soon as I get home, I cook a fresh dinner instead of ordering fast food. Chopping vegetables is actually very therapeutic for me. Then, around 7:30, I go for a quick walk around the neighborhood. Getting some fresh air really helps me clear my mind after a long day at the desk.

Ah, finally, instead of turning on the TV, I spend the last hour reading a chapter of a book. This new routine has completely transformed my work-life balance. I feel so much more energized when I wake up the next morning. Try it out, and let me know your routine in the comments!

1 (A) Because staff members lack the time to finish their personal assignments.

• Explanation: The CEO says that “constant meetings leave you with very little time to actually complete your individual tasks.” The phrase “personal assignments” is a paraphrase of individual tasks, and “lack the time” paraphrases having very little time.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is the trap. The script mentions “conference rooms,” but the meetings are internal (with colleagues), not with “clients.” Option (C) is a plausible corporate policy but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) Staff cannot organize any internal discussions on the final day of the week.

• Explanation: The CEO states that “no internal calls or departmental gatherings will be scheduled on the last day of the workweek.” “Internal discussions” is a paraphrase of calls/gatherings, and “final day of the week” means Friday.
• Trap Analysis: Option (C) is the trap. The script mentions clearing the “backlog of work,” but it does not force employees to stay until it is cleared. Instead, it gives them time to focus. Option (A) is a common work-life balance policy but is not mentioned here.

3 (C) Employees can finish their shift and leave earlier than usual.

• Explanation: The CEO says, “If you manage to finish all your assignments by Friday afternoon, you are highly encouraged to log off early.” To “log off early” means to finish the shift and leave earlier than usual.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is the trap. The audio mentions the word “Monday” and “recharged,” but the CEO wants them to return to work on Monday feeling recharged, not to take Monday off. Option (A) is a trap because “hard work” is mentioned, but a financial bonus is not.

CEO: Good morning, everyone. This is your CEO, Mark. I’ve called this brief all-hands meeting to announce a new company-wide policy regarding our work-life balance.

Over the past few months, management has noticed that many of you are spending most of your time in conference rooms. Well, um, while collaboration is great, constant meetings leave you with very little time to actually complete your individual tasks.

Because of this, starting next week, we are officially implementing “No-Meeting Fridays.” That means absolutely no internal calls or departmental gatherings will be scheduled on the last day of the workweek. Ah, the main goal here is to give you uninterrupted time to focus deeply and clear your backlog of work.

If you manage to finish all your assignments by Friday afternoon, you are highly encouraged to log off early and enjoy a longer weekend with your families. We want you to return on Monday feeling fully recharged. Thank you all for your hard work, and I hope this new rule makes your days a bit less stressful.

1 (A) They experience guilt when they turn down more work.

• Explanation: The reviewer states that “many of us feel incredibly guilty when we refuse extra tasks.” The phrase “experience guilt” is a synonym for feel guilty, and “turn down more work” is a paraphrase of refusing extra tasks.
• Trap Analysis: Option (C) is the trap. The word “lazy” is mentioned in the audio, but it is what people worry their colleagues will think, not that they are actually lazy. Option (B) is a plausible workplace issue but is never mentioned.

2 (B) Stating that you are already occupied with other work.

• Explanation: The author suggests saying, “I am currently focusing on my main project.” This means you should explain that you are already busy or “occupied with other work.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is the trap. The reviewer mentions a “flat no” (a short and direct answer), but she says you should do this instead of just giving a flat no (meaning you should avoid doing it). Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (A) Her feeling of tension and worry was greatly reduced.

• Explanation: The reviewer says, “my stress levels have dropped significantly.” “Tension and worry” is a paraphrase of stress, and “greatly reduced” means dropped significantly.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is the trap. The script mentions “main project” and “weekends,” but she didn’t finish one specific project before the weekend; she got her free time (weekends) back in general. Option (C) is a trap because the word “politely” is used in the audio, but a promotion is never mentioned.

Reviewer: Welcome back to my weekly book review! Today, I’m talking about a fantastic new guide called The Art of Saying No. If you struggle with work-life balance, this is absolutely for you.

Well, um, many of us feel incredibly guilty when we refuse extra tasks from our boss. We constantly worry that our colleagues will think we are lazy. However, this book explains that protecting your personal time is vital for your mental health.

Ah, the best part of the book is the practical advice. It teaches you how to decline unreasonable requests politely, without damaging your professional relationships. For instance, instead of just giving a flat “no,” the author suggests saying, “I am currently focusing on my main project, so I cannot take on any additional duties right now.”

Since I started applying these techniques, my stress levels have dropped significantly. I finally have my weekends back! I highly recommend reading it if you want to take control of your schedule.

1 (B) Employees complete only their required duties without doing extra work.

• Explanation: The reporter says that employees decide to “complete only the tasks listed in their official job descriptions” and refuse “extra projects.” This means they only do their required duties.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap based on the word “Quitting,” but the reporter explicitly says “these employees are not actually leaving their jobs.” Option (C) is a trap based on the literal meaning of the word “Quiet,” which is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) They are extremely tired and want to protect their overall well-being.

• Explanation: The audio states that workers are “completely exhausted” (extremely tired) and are setting boundaries to “prioritize their physical and mental health” (protect their overall well-being).
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is the trap. The script mentions a “fast promotion,” but it says workers are prioritizing their health over a fast promotion (meaning they don’t care about it as much as their health). Option (A) is a plausible workplace issue but is never mentioned.

3 (A) They believe that it demonstrates a poor level of commitment.

• Explanation: The reporter mentions that some managers complain this behavior “shows a lack of dedication.” The phrase “demonstrates a poor level of commitment” is a direct paraphrase of showing a lack of dedication.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is the trap. It is the employees who argue it is a necessary step for balance (a healthy lifestyle), not the managers. Option (C) is plausible for business owners to worry about, but bankruptcy is not mentioned in the report.

Reporter: Good evening, and welcome to the daily business news. I’m your host, Sarah. Today, we are looking at a growing workplace trend known as “Quiet Quitting.”

Well, despite the negative name, these employees are not actually leaving their jobs. Instead, many young professionals are deciding to complete only the tasks listed in their official job descriptions. Ah, they are strictly refusing to answer work emails after 5 PM or accept extra projects on the weekends.

Why is this happening? According to recent surveys, workers are feeling completely exhausted. They have realized that constantly taking on unpaid duties leads to severe burnout. By setting these firm boundaries, they are choosing to prioritize their physical and mental health over a fast promotion.

While some managers complain that this behavior shows a lack of dedication to the company, employees argue that it is simply a necessary step to achieve a realistic work-life balance.