Achy from sitting at a desk all day? Try doing this
Listen to the B1 Daily News report “Achy from sitting at a desk all day? Try doing this” and answer 5 comprehension questions.
About this practice test
Listen to the B1 Daily News report “Achy from sitting at a desk all day? Try doing this” and answer 5 comprehension questions.
What you’ll practice
Understanding detail
Follow specific information and examples.
Interpreting ideas
Identify main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
5 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Single choice
How to approach this practice
Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.
News lesson for this practice
Read the complete article and use its text or audio alongside these exercises: Achy from sitting at a desk all day? Try doing this.
Achy from sitting at a desk all day? Try doing this
Read a transcript excerpt
Sitting at a desk for hours can cause more than simple boredom. People who spend a lot of time in front of a computer may experience back pain, tired eyes, shoulder aches, or restlessness. A new health guide points to several simple ways to feel better and reduce some risks linked to long periods of sitting. One important idea is to take regular walking breaks. Researchers at Columbia University Medical…
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What did participants do during the challenge?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- They completed a special workout each morning
- They took short walks in different possible places
- They changed their computers every 30 minutes
- They stretched for five hours each week
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- They took short walks in different possible places
They moved for five minutes as a regular break from sitting.
A short walk could mean moving around a room, walking down a hallway, or taking a brief break outside.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is one result of taking a short walk, according to participants?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- They felt less tired
- They lost a large amount of weight
- They stopped using phones completely
- They worked fewer days each week
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- They felt less tired
Listeners said they felt less tired after following the challenge.
Participants reported feeling more productive and less tired.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why might someone arrange a chair or desk differently?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- To make work more comfortable
- To increase the number of phone calls
- To prepare for a medical examination
- To make a walking challenge harder
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- To make work more comfortable
Changing the setup can provide better support for the body.
An ergonomic setup can make work more comfortable.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which group is described as spending an average of 9.5 hours sitting daily?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Adults in the United States
- All university researchers
- NPR listeners under eighteen
- Professional athletes worldwide
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Adults in the United States
The statistic concerns adults in the United States using connected devices.
Adults in the United States spend an average of 9.5 hours sitting each day during activities connected with computers, laptops, and phones.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What final result does the recording suggest movement may support?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Better daily health
- Longer computer meetings
- Faster internet connections
- A complete replacement for sleep
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Better daily health
The conclusion connects daily movement with better overall health.
Adding movement throughout the day may be a practical way to break up sitting and support better daily health.
What to review next
Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.
Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?
The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.