Travel & Holidays – A1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (C) B-R-O-W-N

• Explanation: David spells his last name clearly letter by letter: B-R-O-W-N. Option (A) is a trap with the wrong vowel sound “A”, and Option (B) is a trap with the similar-sounding consonant “M” at the end.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Three nights

• Explanation: The receptionist asks if he is staying for “two nights” (The Trap). David corrects her by saying, “No, not two nights. I am staying for three nights.” Students must listen for the negative word “No” to reject option A. Option C is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Room 14

• Explanation: The receptionist says, “Your room is number 14,” and David repeats it: “Room 14.” Option (B) is the classic pronunciation trap, testing the difference between the “-teen” sound (14) and the “-ty” sound (40).

Receptionist: Good evening. Welcome to the Star Hotel. Can I help you?

Tourist: Hello. I have a room for tonight. My name is David Brown.

Receptionist: David Brown. How do you spell your last name, sir?

Tourist: It is B-R-O-W-N.

Receptionist: Thank you, Mr. Brown. You have a room for two nights, correct?

Tourist: No, not two nights. I am staying for three nights.

Receptionist: Ah, yes. Three nights. Your room is number 14. Here is your key.

Tourist: Thank you. Room 14.

1 Correct Answer: (B) A city map

• Explanation: The tourist clearly asks for a “city map“. The clerk offers a “bus map” (The Trap), but the tourist says “No, just the city map.” Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It is free.

• Explanation: The clerk says, “The map is free.” Option (B) is the trap because the clerk mentions “two dollars”, but that is the price for the guide book, not the map. Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C) K-I-N-G

• Explanation: The clerk spells the name of the street:: K-I-N-G. Option (A) is a spelling trap using the letter “C” which looks/sounds somewhat similar, and Option (B) uses “R”, testing the student’s ability to hear the first consonant correctly.

Tourist: Hello. Can I have a map of the city, please?

Clerk: Yes, of course. Here is a city map. We also have a bus map.

Tourist: No, just the city map, please. How much is it?

Clerk: The map is free. The guide book is two dollars.

Tourist: Okay, thank you. Where is the museum?

Clerk: It is on King Street.

Tourist: King Street? How do you spell that?

Clerk: It is K-I-N-G.

Tourist: Great. Thank you for your help.

1 Correct Answer: (B) 16 euros

• Explanation: The shop assistant says the T-shirt is 16 euros. The tourist mishears it as “60 euros” (The Trap), but the assistant corrects him by saying “No, not 60. It is 16. One-six.” This tests the student’s ability to hear the difference between the “-teen” and “-ty” sounds. Option (A) is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Oxford

• Explanation: The tourist asks “Is it London?” (The Trap). The shop assistant answers, “No, it is not London. It is Oxford.” Students must catch the negative word “not” to reject option A. Option (C) is a plausible city name but is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) O-X-F-O-R-D

• Explanation: The shop assistant spells the word clearly: O-X-F-O-R-D. Option (B) is a trap using the letter “S” instead of “X”, and Option (C) uses “T” instead of “D” at the end, which are common listening mistakes for beginners.

Tourist: Hello. I like this T-shirt. How much is it?

Shop Assistant: It is 16 euros.

Tourist: 60 euros? That is very expensive!

Shop Assistant: No, not 60. It is 16. One-six. It is cheap.

Tourist: Oh, okay. 16 euros is good. What is the name on the T-shirt? Is it London?

Shop Assistant: No, it is not London. It is Oxford.

Tourist: Oxford. How do you spell that?

Shop Assistant: It is O-X-F-O-R-D.

Tourist: Great. I will buy it. Here is the money.

1 Correct Answer: (B) On the fourth floor

• Explanation: The receptionist clearly says “It is on the fourth floor.” Option (C) is a pronunciation trap (“-th” vs “-teenth”), a common challenge for A1 students.

2 Correct Answer: (B) F-O-U-R-T-H

• Explanation: The receptionist spells the word: F-O-U-R-T-H. Option (A) is a common spelling mistake (missing ‘U’), and Option (C) is a trap for the word “forty”.

3 Correct Answer: (B) At 9:00 AM

• Explanation: The guest asks if it opens at “eight o’clock” (The Trap). The receptionist corrects him: “No, not eight. It opens at nine o’clock.” The information is then repeated to confirm.

Guest: Excuse me. Where is the swimming pool?

Receptionist: It is on the fourth floor, sir.

Guest: The fourth floor? How do you spell that?

Receptionist: It is F-O-U-R-T-H.

Guest: I see. Does it open at eight o’clock in the morning?

Receptionist: No, not eight. It opens at nine o’clock.

Guest: Nine o’clock?

Receptionist: Yes, that’s right. Nine o’clock.

Guest: Thank you very much!

1 Correct Answer: (B) At 10 o’clock

• Explanation: The clerk asks if the tourist wants the tour at “nine o’clock” (The Trap). The tourist says, “No, not nine. I want the tour at ten o’clock.” Students must hear the word “No” to find the right answer.

2 Correct Answer: (B) 18 pounds

• Explanation: The clerk says the price is 18 pounds. The tourist mishears it as “80 pounds” (The Trap), but the clerk corrects him: “No, 18. One-eight.” This tests the student’s ability to distinguish between the “-teen” and “-ty” pronunciation.

3 Correct Answer: (C) S-T-A-R

• Explanation: The clerk spells the name of the pier clearly: S-T-A-R. Option (A) uses “P” instead of “T”, and Option (B) uses the wrong vowel “O”.

Tourist: Hello. I want to buy two tickets for the boat tour.

Clerk: Two tickets. For the tour at nine o’clock?

Tourist: No, not nine. I want the tour at ten o’clock.

Clerk: Okay. Two tickets for ten o’clock. That is 18 pounds.

Tourist: 80 pounds?

Clerk: No, 18. One-eight.

Tourist: Oh, okay. Here is the money. Where is the boat?

Clerk: It is at the Star Pier. That is S-T-A-R.

Tourist: Thank you!