Intermediate Listening Power

Activity 1.

Listen to the file.

A Healthy Lifestyle

Activity 2.

Listening Comprehension. Answer the following questions.

1. What does the man want to do?
A. play basketball with friends from work
B. try out for the company baseball team
C. get in shape and compete in a cycling race

2. What is the woman's main concern?
A. She is worried her husband will spend too much time away from home.
B. She is afraid her husband will become a fitness freak.
C. She is concerned about her husband's health.

3. What is the woman's first suggestion to her husband?
A. He should see a doctor.
B. Her husband should start with a light workout.
C. Her husband needs to visit a fitness trainer.

4. What does the woman advise about the man's diet?
A. He should consume less salt.
B. He should eat less fatty foods.
C. He should add more protein products to his diet.

5. Why does the man's wife recommend cycling?
A. It is good for improving muscle tone.
B. It helps strengthen the heart. 
C. It helps develop mental toughness.

Activity 3.

Listening to Details. Listen to the file for the last time and fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

Man: Honey, the basketball game is about to ⁽¹⁾. And could you bring some ⁽²⁾ and a bowl of ice cream? And . . . uh . . . a slice of pizza from the fridge.

Woman: Anything else?

Man:Nope, that's all for now. Hey, Hon, you know, they're ⁽³⁾ a company basketball team, and I'm thinking about joining. What do you think?

Woman: Humph. . .

Man: "Humph" What do you mean "Humph." I was the ⁽⁴⁾ player in high school.

Woman: Yeah, ⁽⁵⁾ years ago. Look, I just don't want you having a heart attack ⁽⁶⁾ up and down the court.

Activity 4

Vocabulary. Read and study the following words.

• fridge (noun): short for "refrigerator"
  - I think we need to buy a new fridge. The old one just doesn't cool properly.

• hon (pronoun): short for "honey"
  - Hon. Could you wake me up early tomorrow morning?

• Humph: a word showing disbelief
  - Humph. There's no way you can lift all that weight!

• abandon (verb): in this case, "give up" the idea
  - They had to abandon the plan to build a house due to a financial crisis.

• out of shape (idiom): in poor physical condition
  - I have to start exercising because I'm so out of shape.

• physical (noun): a medical examination
  - She had to have a physical before she joined the track team.

• cut back on (phrasal verb): to reduce
  - I have to cut back on the fatty foods I've been eating.

• take up (phrasal verb): begin or start
  - He has decided to take up cooking in his spare time.

• cardiovascular system (noun): your body`s blood circulation system including your heart, veins, and arteries
  - Running at least 30 minutes a day helps improve your cardiovascular system.

Activity 5.

Discussion. Answer the following questions related to the conversation.

• Think of five important steps to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. What are they?
  
• How do you keep yourself healthy?
• What some unhealthy habits do you like to change?