English Refresher

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Managing Stress at Work

Two colleagues compare what is wearing them down and what each of them has changed about it. Listen twice, answer fifteen questions that mark themselves, and open the script last.

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Listen

The Conversation

What to do: There are two speakers, Anna and Mark, and they do not have the same problem. Listen straight through once and decide what is causing stress for each of them. Then listen a second time for the solutions they describe, and answer the questions below.
AudioManaging Stress at Work
Try all three question sets before you open the script. You will learn more from listening than from reading.

Anna: Hey Mark, you look exhausted. Everything okay?

Mark: Honestly? Not really. Work’s been pretty stressful lately. I feel like I’m constantly racing against deadlines.

Anna: I know what you mean. For me, it’s the emails. I can’t focus for more than five minutes without another message popping up.

Mark: That sounds familiar. My main problem is workload. I’m juggling three projects at the same time, and my manager keeps adding more tasks.

Anna: That’s tough. Have you tried talking to her about it?

Mark: I’ve thought about it, but I’m not sure it would change much. One idea I had was to start prioritizing tasks better, maybe using a planner instead of keeping everything in my head.

Anna: That could help. I started blocking time in my calendar for focused work, and it’s made a real difference. Maybe you should try that too.

Mark: That’s a good suggestion. What about your stress? Is there anything you’ve tried?

Anna: Well, I realized I wasn’t taking proper breaks. Now I go for a short walk at lunchtime, even if it’s just ten minutes. It helps me clear my head.

Mark: That sounds effective. I usually eat at my desk, which probably doesn’t help.

Anna: Probably not. Another thing that’s helped me is switching off work notifications after 6 p.m. At least I can relax in the evening.

Mark: I like that idea. Maybe that’s something I should start doing too. It sounds like setting boundaries really works for you.

Anna: It does. Stress doesn’t disappear, but it becomes more manageable.

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Multiple Choice

Who Said What?

What to do: Choose the best answer according to the conversation. Check the name in each question carefully — several answers are true of the other speaker.
1. What does Anna say is the main cause of her stress?
2. What does Mark say his main problem is?
3. Why has Mark not talked to his manager about the workload?
4. What change has Anna made to her calendar?
5. What does Anna do after six in the evening?
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True or False

Is That What They Said?

What to do: Decide whether each sentence is true or false according to the conversation. Then tap Check Answers.
1. Mark is working on three projects at the same time.
2. Anna can usually concentrate for about an hour before she is interrupted.
3. Anna takes a short walk in the middle of the day.
4. Mark says he usually leaves his desk to eat.
5. Anna says her stress has now gone away completely.
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Complete the Notes

One or Two Words

What to do: Complete each sentence with one or two words from the conversation. Listen again if you need to. Then tap Check Answers. Spelling counts.
1. Mark feels that he is constantly racing against ______.
2. Anna cannot focus for more than ______ minutes without another message.
3. Mark wants to use a ______ instead of keeping everything in his head.
4. Anna says the walk helps her clear her ______.
5. Mark tells Anna that she is good at setting ______.
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Talk About It

Discussion

What to do: Discuss with a partner or write your own answers. There is no score, so give your real opinion.

Questions

  • Anna and Mark have different problems. Whose situation sounds harder to fix, and why?
  • They mention four solutions: a planner, blocked time, a lunchtime walk, and no notifications after six. Which would help you most?
  • Anna tells Mark to talk to his manager. Is that good advice, or is he right to doubt it?
  • Is it always possible to turn off work notifications in the evening? What kinds of job make it difficult?
  • Mark eats at his desk. Does a real break during the day change how you work?
  • Anna says stress does not disappear, it becomes more manageable. Do you agree that is the realistic goal?

Tap to see your score on the three graded tasks, then show your teacher.

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This conversation is a script written for this lesson and performed for the recording. It is not a recording of a real workplace, and no names, places, or figures in it refer to anyone in particular.