Last weekend – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (A) For his mother’s birthday.

• Explanation: Ben states clearly, “I really wanted to bake a beautiful chocolate cake for my mother’s birthday.” Option (B) is a plausible real-life reason but is never mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; he is talking on a podcast now, but it was not the reason he baked the cake.

2 (C) He watched a soccer match.

• Explanation: Ben says, “But while I waited, I sat on the sofa and watched a soccer match on TV.” Option (A) is a trap; he read the recipe before making the cake, not while waiting. Option (B) is another trap; he went to the supermarket after he burned the cake.

3 (B) A box of chocolate cookies.

• Explanation: Ben explains his final action: “Instead, I went to the supermarket and bought a box of chocolate cookies.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); he planned to give her a chocolate cake, but he burned it, so he couldn’t give it to her. Option (C) is never mentioned.

Ben (Host): Hello everyone, and welcome back to my podcast! I’m your host, Ben. Well, today, I want to tell you about my Sunday morning. I really wanted to bake a beautiful chocolate cake for my mother’s birthday. I found a great recipe online, mixed everything together, and put it in the oven. But while I waited, I sat on the sofa and watched a soccer match on TV. Suddenly, I smelled something terrible! The cake was completely black. It was burned! So, I couldn’t give it to my mom. Instead, I went to the supermarket and bought a box of chocolate cookies. She loved them, but I definitely need to learn how to cook!

1 (B) At 10:00 AM.

• Explanation: The announcer says, “So, we started at 10 AM instead.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); they wanted to start at 8 AM, but they couldn’t because of the rain. Option (C) is never mentioned.

2 (C) They painted the park benches.

• Explanation: The announcer explains, “So, we painted the old park benches instead.” Option (A) is the trap; they planned to pick up trash, but the lake was already clean. Option (B) is a plausible park activity, but it is not in the audio.

3 (B) Free sandwiches.

• Explanation: The announcer states, “So, everyone enjoyed free sandwiches and juice.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); they wanted to have a barbecue, but it was too windy. Option (C) is never mentioned.

Announcer: Good morning, listeners! This is your local weekend news. Last Saturday, we had our annual ‘Park Clean-up Day’ at City Park. We wanted to start at 8 AM, but it rained heavily in the early morning. So, we started at 10 AM instead. Over fifty volunteers came to help. We planned to pick up trash around the lake. But surprisingly, the lake area was already clean! So, we painted the old park benches instead. Finally, we wanted to have a big barbecue, but it was too windy. So, everyone enjoyed free sandwiches and juice. Thank you to everyone who helped!

1 (B) The Blue Bears.

• Explanation: Coach Mark says, “So, we played against the Blue Bears instead.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); they wanted to play against the Red Tigers, but their bus broke down. Option (C) is never mentioned.

2 (A) Because it rained heavily.

• Explanation: The coach explains, “But in the second half, it started to rain heavily. So, the referee stopped the game…” Option (B) is a plausible reason in football but is not in the audio. Option (C) is a trap; the bus broke down, but that was the reason the other team couldn’t come, not the reason the game stopped.

3 (C) He was proud of their teamwork.

• Explanation: The coach clearly states at the end, “I am very proud of your teamwork.” Options (A) and (B) are traps; even though they didn’t win and the game was stopped early, he was not angry or sad because they “played really well together.”

Coach Mark: Hi team, this is Coach Mark. I’m calling to talk about our friendly football match last Sunday. We wanted to play against the Red Tigers, but their bus broke down. So, we played against the Blue Bears instead. They were a very strong team! We planned to play a full 90-minute game. But in the second half, it started to rain heavily. So, the referee stopped the game after 60 minutes. We didn’t win, but we didn’t lose either. The final score was 1-1. You all ran fast and played really well together. I am very proud of your teamwork. See you at practice on Wednesday!

1 (B) By bus.

• Explanation: The vlogger says, “So, I caught the bus instead.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); she wanted to take the train, but she woke up late. Option (C) is a plausible transport method but is never mentioned.

2 (A) She walked around the town.

• Explanation: The vlogger explains, “So, I just walked around the town.” Option (B) is the trap; she planned to rent a bicycle, but the shop was closed. Option (C) is a distracter using the word “lake” from the audio.

3 (B) The old houses.

• Explanation: The vlogger states, “So, I took pictures of the old houses instead.” Option (A) is the trap; she wanted to take photos of the mountains, but it was too cloudy. Option (C) is a plausible vlog activity but is not in the audio.

Vlogger: Hi guys, welcome back to my vlog! Last weekend, I went to a beautiful small town for two days. On Saturday morning, I wanted to take the 9 AM train. But, um, I woke up late! So, I caught the bus instead. When I arrived, I planned to rent a bicycle to ride around the lake. Unfortunately, the rental shop was closed. So, I just walked around the town. Then, on Sunday, I really wanted to take photos of the mountains. But it was very cloudy. So, I took pictures of the old houses instead. Anyway, it was a great trip!

1 (B) She made a pizza at home.

• Explanation: The DJ reads Maria’s message: “So, we stayed home and baked a big pizza instead.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); she wanted to have a picnic, but it was too cold. Option (C) is a distracter because she baked it at home, not at a restaurant.

2 (C) Because the tickets were sold out.

• Explanation: David’s message clearly states: “But the tickets were sold out.” Options (A) and (B) are plausible reasons why someone wouldn’t go to the cinema, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (A) To the city museum.

• Explanation: The DJ reads David’s result: “So, my friends and I visited the city museum instead.” Option (B) is the trap; David planned to go to the cinema, but he couldn’t get tickets. Option (C) is a distracter.

DJ Alex: Good morning, city listeners! I’m your DJ, Alex. It is a beautiful Monday, and let’s read some of your messages about last weekend. First, we have a message from Maria. She says, “I wanted to have a picnic in the park with my family. But it was too cold outside. So, we stayed home and baked a big pizza instead.” That sounds delicious, Maria! Next is a message from David. He writes, “On Saturday night, I planned to go to the cinema to see the new comedy movie. But the tickets were sold out. So, my friends and I visited the city museum instead.” Wow, a museum at night sounds interesting! Keep sending your messages, everyone!