B1 Listening: Doing the Housework (Intermediate English)

Alex
5 minutes ago
3 min read

B1 English listening about household chores. Includes comprehension questions, a transcript, speaking questions, and a free PDF. Ideal for B1 ESL learners and classrooms. — B1 English Listening: Doing the Housework

B1 Listening: Doing the Housework (Intermediate English)

Download the PDF (includes questions, speaking practice, and transcript)

Listen to the audio and answer the questions. The transcript and answers are at the bottom of the page.

Comprehension Questions

Dylan lives _______________.
a) by himself
b) with a roommate
c) with his parents

Dylan blames _______________ for his negative feelings towards housework.
a) himself
b) his parents
c) his roommate
Which chore did Dylan do when he was a kid?
a) The dishes.
b) The vacuuming.
c) The laundry.

According to Dylan, what takes too long?
a) The dishes.
b) The vacuuming.
c) The laundry.

Dylan watches TV while he _______________ his clothes.
a) washes
b) folds
c) organizes

Dylan doesn't mind _______________.
a) doing the dishes
b) vacuuming
c) making his bed

Dylan's room is a mess because Dylan is _______________.
a) lazy
b) tired
c) busy

When does Dylan work?
a) On the weekend.
b) Monday to Friday.
c) Every day.

Sometimes, Dylan wishes he lived with _______________.
a) a roommate
b) his parents
c) his brother

Speaking Practice

Who usually does the dishes in your home?
Who does the vacuuming or sweeping?
Who does the laundry?
How often do you clean your room?
Are you happy with the state of your home?

Transcript

B1 English Listening: Doing the Housework

Hey, I'm Dylan. I live alone in a one-bedroom apartment, and I hate doing housework. Every day, it's the same thing. Do the dishes, clean the kitchen table, tidy up the living room. I know I sound spoiled, but it's not my fault! My mom and dad did almost everything for me when I was a kid. I only had to clean my room and vacuum the living room once a week. I never learned how to empty the dishwasher or load the washing machine.

The washing machine—Ugh. I hate laundry day. It takes so long for the machine to wash my clothes. And then I have to wait for the dryer to dry them. The entire process takes at least two hours. The only thing I like about laundry day is that I can watch TV while I fold my clothes. I usually watch a show or a movie while I fold.

Oh, and I have to admit that vacuuming my apartment isn't too bad. I do it once a week while I listen to music. It's kind of relaxing.

Finally, I want to tell you something embarrassing. I know I should keep my bedroom clean, but it's always a mess. I almost never make my bed in the morning, and I have a chair that's full of clothes. It's not my fault! I'm just very busy. During the week, I have to attend my university classes and study in the evening. On the weekend, I have to work at my part-time job. I work at a fast food restaurant. It's okay, I guess. And of course, I have to spend time with my friends, too. So, I hope you can understand why I don't have time to clean my room.

Sometimes, I wish I still lived with my parents. But I know this is a good experience for me, and I know I have to learn to do these things by myself. Okay, I'll stop complaining now.