The most usual cause of headaches is 1. Headaches can also come as a result of excessive 2.
Some people say they get a headache when they 3 . This is probably because they get very 4.
It may also be because they are working in poor light which makes them very 5. It is helpful if your reading material is on a book rest at 6 to the desk. It is also important to be 7 in bed.
You may even get a headache because you 8 too hard.
The best advice is to try to eat regular meals, get enough 9 and avoid 10 places.
Transcript:
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Question Focus: Main cause of headaches
Why this is correct: The speaker clearly says that headaches are often caused by hunger and even calls it the principal cause. This matches the idea of the most usual cause.
Passage Reference: It may surprise you to hear that headaches are often caused by hunger. In fact, one study suggested that 70% of headaches are related to hunger, which makes it the principal cause.
Tips: When you hear percentages or strong phrases like "principal cause", expect a summary answer.
Why the other options are wrong:
- stress: Stress is discussed later, but it is not described as the main or most usual cause. This is a context shift trap.
- noise: Noise can cause headaches, but the speaker does not say it is the main cause. This is a partial truth trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- principal = main
- related = connected
Question Focus: Another cause of headaches
Passage Reference: People associate noise with headaches, and for most of us, excessive noise creates the conditions for a headache. Very loud noise is unpleasant, and people usually remove themselves from it. Having said that, Younger people tend to tolerate noise better than their elders, so I may be leaving noisy places far earlier than you. Just remember that exposure to too much noise may predispose you to a headache.
Why this is correct: You hear the speaker warn about excessive noise and say it can lead to a headache. That directly matches the summary sentence.
Tips: Listen for cause-and-effect language like "may lead to" or "may cause".
Why the other options are wrong:
- crowded: Crowded places are not mentioned here. This is a distractor trap.
- stress: Stress appears in a different part of the talk, not in this sentence. This is a context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- excessive = too much
- predispose = make likely
Question Focus: Activity linked to headaches
Passage Reference: Of course, we all associate headaches with studying. In fact, the headache probably doesn't come from the studying so much as from being tense.
Why this is correct: The speaker says people think they get headaches when they study. This matches the activity in the summary.
Tips: Notice when the speaker says what people believe versus the real reason.
Why the other options are wrong:
- work: Work is not the word the speaker uses here. This is a paraphrase trap.
- exercise: Exercise is mentioned later as advice, not as a cause. This is a context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- associate = connect
- tense = stressed
Question Focus: Real reason behind study headaches
Passage Reference: the headache probably doesn't come from the studying so much as from being tense.
Why this is correct: The speaker corrects the idea and explains the headache comes from being tense, not from studying itself.
Tips: Listen carefully after words like "probably" or "actually" because corrections often follow.
Why the other options are wrong:
- tired: Tired appears later with poor light, not here. This is a context shift trap.
- stress: Stress is similar, but the exact word used here is tense. This is a synonym match trap where precision matters.
Key Vocabulary:
- tense = tight
- hunch = bend forward
Question Focus: Effect of poor light
Passage Reference: It will not actually hurt your eyes to work in a bad light, but it will make you tired very quickly and is very likely to give you a headache.
Why this is correct: Poor light makes you tired, and the speaker links this tiredness to headaches.
Tips: Do not choose stronger words than the speaker uses.
Why the other options are wrong:
- exhaustion: Exhaustion is stronger than what the speaker says. This is an extreme language trap.
- angry: Anger is never mentioned here. This is a distractor trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- actually = in fact
- likely = probable
Question Focus: Correct book position
Passage Reference: It is wise to have a book rest, which raises the material you are reading 45 degrees to the desk.
Why this is correct: The speaker gives a clear number and says the book rest should be at 45 degrees.
Tips: Always be extra careful with numbers in Listening.
Why the other options are wrong:
- 40 degrees: This is a similar number but not what you hear. This is a number trap.
- raised: Raised is mentioned, but it does not give the exact angle. This is a partial truth trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- wise = sensible
- angle = position
Question Focus: State in bed
Passage Reference: Try to relax before bed so that you'll be relaxed when you try to sleep.
Why this is correct: The speaker advises being relaxed when you go to bed to avoid headaches.
Tips: Choose the word that matches the speaker's exact focus.
Why the other options are wrong:
- rest: Rest is related, but the speaker focuses on relaxation. This is a synonym trap.
- warm: Warm is mentioned only with a bath, not bed. This is a context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- soak = sit in water
- investment = something worth buying
Question Focus: Physical habit causing headaches
Passage Reference: Tension may cause you to chew too forcefully, clench your jaw or grind your teeth, and this, in turn, may lead to headaches.
Why this is correct: The speaker explains that tension can make you chew too hard, which can cause headaches.
Tips: Pay attention to physical actions the speaker lists.
Why the other options are wrong:
- speak: Speaking is not mentioned at all. This is a distractor trap.
- work: Work appears earlier, not in this context. This is a context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- clench = press tightly
- grind = rub together
Question Focus: General advice
Passage Reference: Be sure you get plenty of exercise.
Why this is correct: The speaker directly advises getting exercise to reduce headaches.
Tips: Final advice often comes in a list. Stay focused until the very end.
Why the other options are wrong:
- relaxation: Relaxation is mentioned earlier, not in this final advice list. This is a context shift trap.
- rest: Rest is implied but not stated here. This is a partial truth trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- plenty = a lot
- avoid = stay away from
Question Focus: Places to avoid
Passage Reference: One other thing I should point out, avoid smoky rooms and cars. Such places certainly encourage headaches
Why this is correct: The speaker clearly warns to avoid smoky places because they cause headaches.
Tips: Listen carefully to "one other thing" or similar signposts.
Why the other options are wrong:
- crowded: Crowded is not mentioned by the speaker. This is a distractor trap.
- noise: Noise is discussed earlier, not in this final warning. This is a context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- smoke = polluted air
- long-term = over many years
General Tips:
- Questions follow the order of the recording, so use the previous answer to predict the next one.
- Listen for signpost words like "in fact", "having said that", and "one other thing".
- Be careful with numbers and measurements like angles and percentages.
- Do not choose words that are stronger than what the speaker actually says.
- Stay focused until the very end of the recording. Important answers often come last.
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