Festivals – A1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) Fireworks

• Explanation: The announcer says, “Tonight, we have beautiful fireworks.”
• Trap: Options (A) and (C) are other forms of entertainment, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (B) 10:00 PM

• Explanation: The announcer repeats the start time twice: “The fireworks start at 10:00 PM. That is 10:00 at night.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The announcer says “It is 8:00 PM now”, which is the current time on the radio, not the time for the fireworks. Option (C) is a plausible time for New Year’s fireworks, but it is not in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (B) Central Park

• Explanation: The announcer says, “Please go to Central Park” and spells the word “C-E-N-T-R-A-L”.
• Trap: Option (A) is a classic trap because “Center” sounds very similar to “Central” and has a similar meaning. Option (C) uses a similar starting sound.

Announcer: Hello, listeners! It is 8:00 PM now. Tonight, we have beautiful fireworks. The fireworks start at 10:00 PM. That is 10:00 at night. Please go to Central Park to see them. That is C-E-N-T-R-A-L. Remember, Central Park at 10:00 PM. Enjoy the show!

1 Correct Answer: (B) The Spring Festival

• Explanation: Lin clearly says, “I want to talk about the Spring Festival in my country.”
• Trap: Options (A) and (C) are other seasons, but they are not mentioned in the presentation.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Red

• Explanation: Lin says, “We wear red clothes.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a classic trap. Lin says the word “black”, but she says “we do not wear black clothes”. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Sweet cakes

• Explanation: Lin says, “We also eat sweet cakes with our family.”
• Trap: Options (B) and (C) are plausible foods for a festival, but they are never mentioned in the audio.

Lin: Hello, everyone. My name is Lin. L-I-N. Today, I want to talk about the Spring Festival in my country. It is a very big and happy festival. On this day, we do not wear black clothes. We wear red clothes. We also eat sweet cakes with our family. It is a great day. Thank you for listening.

1 Correct Answer: (A) Star Mall

• Explanation: The announcer says, “Welcome to the Star Mall” and spells it clearly: “S-T-A-R”.
• Trap: Option (B) is a sound-alike trap (“Start” sounds like “Star”). Option (C) is a plausible name but is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) 5 dollars

• Explanation: The announcer says, “All children’s toys are 5 dollars.”
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the announcer mentions “15” but says “not 15”. Option (C) is a classic A1 distractor (confusing 15 and 50).

3 Correct Answer: (B) Floor 3

• Explanation: The announcer clearly says, “Please go to Floor 3 for the sale.”
• Trap: Option (C) is a trap because “13” (thirteen) sounds similar to “3” (three) for beginners. Option (A) is not mentioned.

Announcer: Hello, shoppers! Welcome to the Star Mall. That is S-T-A-R. Christmas is coming! Today, we have a great sale. All children’s toys are 5 dollars. Just 5 dollars, not 15. Winter coats are also cheap today. Buy a warm coat for your family! Please go to Floor 3 for the sale. Happy shopping!

1 Correct Answer: (B) The Winter Festival

• Explanation: The MC says, “Welcome to the Winter Festival.”
• Trap: Options (A) and (C) are other seasons, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Alex

• Explanation: The MC clearly introduces his name and spells it out: “My name is Alex. That is A-L-E-X.”
• Trap: Options (A) and (B) are names that sound a bit similar or start with “Al”, but they are incorrect.

3 Correct Answer: (A) A song

• Explanation: The MC says, “Let’s listen to a beautiful song.”
• Trap: Option (B) is a very clear trap. The MC mentions a dance but rejects it: “Now, we will not watch a dance.” Option (C) is not mentioned at all.

MC: Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the Winter Festival. My name is Alex. That is A-L-E-X. I am very happy to see you all tonight. Are you having fun? Great! Now, we will not watch a dance. Let’s listen to a beautiful song. Please welcome our singer, Maria!

1 Correct Answer: (A) John

• Explanation: The caller says, “Hi, it is John” and spells it clearly: “J-O-H-N”.
• Trap: Options (B) and (C) are traps because “Ron” and “Don” sound very similar to “John”.

2 Correct Answer: (B) At the train station

• Explanation: John repeats the location twice: “Please meet me at the train station” and “Go to the train station.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a classic trap. John mentions the bus station, but he says “Do not go to the bus station.” Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) 7:00

• Explanation: John says, “And please be there at 7:00” and repeats “At 7:00.”
• Trap: Option (C) is a trap because the numbers 7 (seven) and 11 (eleven) can sound a little similar to beginners, and John specifically says “Not 11:00.” Option (B) is not mentioned.

John (Voicemail): Hi, it is John. J-O-H-N. Are you ready for the festival tonight? Please meet me at the train station. Do not go to the bus station. Go to the train station. And please be there at 7:00. Not 11:00. At 7:00. It will be very crowded. See you later!