General Listening Quiz

1. What do you usually do right after school?
2. Do you prefer spending time with friends or relaxing alone after school?
3. What activities help you feel relaxed before doing homework?
4. Do you think students should do homework right away or take a break first?

1. 1. Students should always do homework immediately after school.
   2. Playing sports after school is the best way to relax.
   3. Watching TV or using social media is not a good use of after-school time.
   4. Spending time with friends is more important than doing homework.
   5. Snacks are an important part of after-school routines.
   6. Relaxation is just as important as studying.
   7. Playing video games after school is a waste of time.
   8. Students need time to rest before starting schoolwork again.
   9. Social activities after school help students feel happier.
   10. Too much free time after school can make students lazy.

“blow off steam” = relax or release stress
“Jake plays basketball after school to blow off steam.”

“take it easy” = relax and not do anything stressful
 “Sofia likes to take it easy and listen to music before homework.”

Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)

Here are some words that appear in the recording:

• snack (noun): a small amount of food you eat between meals
  – I usually eat a small snack before my afternoon class.
• relax (verb): to rest and feel calm
  – After work, I like to relax by listening to soft music.
• hang out (verb): to spend time with someone in a casual way
  – On weekends, we hang out at the mall and talk.
• stress out (verb): to feel worried or overwhelmed
  – Big tests always stress me out, even when I’m prepared.
• balance (noun or verb): having the right amount of work and rest
  – It’s important to have a balance between studying and having fun.
  – It is sometimes hard to balance work and school.

1. Do you think relaxing before homework helps students work better? Why or why not?
2. What activities do you enjoy after school?
3. How do you balance fun and schoolwork in your daily routine?
4. What is the most popular after-school activity for young people in your country?

Research after-school activities in two or three countries:

1. What sports or hobbies are popular with students after school?
2. Do students usually go straight home or spend time with friends first?
3. Are there cultural differences in how children and teenagers spend their free time?