General Listening Quiz

Listen to the recording on healthy lifestyles and read along with the conversation. Review the key vocabulary and the sample sentences.

Man: Honey, the basketball game’s about to start. And could you bring some chips 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 organizing 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 star player in high school.

Woman: Yeah, twenty-five years ago. Look, I just don’t want you having a heart attack running up and down the court.

Man: So, what are you suggesting? Should I just abandon the idea? I’m not that out of shape.

Woman: Well . . . you ought to (oughta) at least have a physical before you begin. I mean, it HAS been at least five years since you played at all.

Man: Well, okay, but . . .

Woman: And you need to watch your diet and cut back on the fatty foods, like ice cream. And you should try eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Man: Yeah, you’re probably right.

Woman: And you should take up a little weight training to strengthen your muscles or perhaps try cycling to build up your cardiovascular system. Oh, and you need to go to bed early instead of watching TV half the night.

Man: Hey, you’re starting to sound like my personal fitness instructor!

Woman: Nah, I just love you, and I want you to be around for a long, long time.

• 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.