overhead
the ongoing business expenses not directly attributed to creating a product
Example: Working from home helps reduce overhead costs.
Intermediate listeningDuration 00:02:13
English Listening Practice (Intermediate) - Home Baking Business
This intermediate English listening practice, "Home Baking Business," helps you build real-world comprehension with clear goals. You will listen for main ideas, details, and key phrases while building confidence with natural English. The activity mirrors test-style listening but stays practical for daily use. After the audio, you will answer questions, review corrections, and reflect on what you heard. Use the transcript in Study Mode to check vocabulary, notice pronunciation patterns, and confirm meaning. If you want a challenge, switch to Practice Mode and try again without the transcript. Regular, focused listening like this is one of the fastest ways to improve understanding and fluency.
Topic focus: Sarah has decided to turn her passion for baking into a small home-based business. She’s talking with her friend Marcus about the steps she’s taking to launch “Amy’s Cozy Oven”—named after her daughter Amy—and how she plans to attract customers.
Audio
1) Listen once for the main idea. 2) Answer questions. 3) Study the transcript.
Questions
Answer each question based on the audio. Use Practice Mode to test yourself without the transcript.
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Vocabulary
Key terms from this listening practice with meanings and examples.
custom flavor
a special taste or recipe made upon request
Example: She made a custom flavor cake with lavender and lemon.
batch
a quantity of goods produced at one time
Example: I baked a batch of cookies last night.
taste-tester
someone who tests the flavor and quality of food
Example: My sister is my official taste-tester for new recipes.
recipe
a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish
Example: I found a great recipe for homemade brownies.
order form
a document or online form used to request a product or service
Example: Customers can fill out my order form on the website.
commercial space
a place used for business activities
Example: often rented or owned
gluten-free
food made without the protein gluten
Example: commonly found in wheat
Post-listening questions
Use these reflection prompts to summarize what you heard and practice speaking or writing.
- 1
What inspired Sarah to start her own baking business?
- 2
How does Sarah plan to handle orders and deliveries?
- 3
What challenges do you think Sarah might face as her business grows?