Life events – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a student and her professor. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is Emily talking to Professor Davis?
(A) To ask for his help with her final exams.
(B) To thank him on her graduation day.
(C) To invite him to a family trip.
2 What is Emily going to do first?
(A) She is going to get a job at a bank.
(B) She is going to study for more exams.
(C) She is going to take a vacation.
3 What does Professor Davis think about Emily’s plan?
(A) He thinks she needs to rest.
(B) He thinks she should work immediately.
(C) He wants to help her find a job.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Emily says, “thank you so much for all your help… I finally got my degree today.” This shows she is thanking him because she is graduating. Option A is a trap because she mentions exams, but they are already finished. Option C is wrong because she doesn’t invite him to the beach.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): Professor Davis asks if she will start working right away. Emily says she originally wanted to work at a bank (Option A – Trap), but she is tired. Therefore, her actual plan is to “travel to the beach,” which means taking a vacation (Option C – Key).
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: When Emily says she will go to the beach, Professor Davis replies, “That sounds like a wonderful idea. You really deserve a break.” This means he agrees that she needs to rest (Option A – Key). Option B is a trap because working immediately is what she decided not to do.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emily: Professor Davis, thank you so much for all your help these past four years. I finally got my degree today!
Professor Davis: Congratulations, Emily! I’m very proud of you. What are your plans now? Are you going to start working right away?
Emily: Well, I originally wanted to find a job at a bank immediately. But, I feel really tired after all those final exams. So, I am going to travel to the beach with my family for two weeks first.
Professor Davis: That sounds like a wonderful idea. You really deserve a break.
Emily: Thank you! After that, I will start looking for a job.
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between two office workers. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the good news about Alex?
(A) He finished all of his work.
(B) He became the new Team Leader.
(C) He got a job at a seafood restaurant.
2 How does Alex feel about his new position?
(A) He is very angry.
(B) He is happy but nervous.
(C) He is bored with the job.
3 What is Alex going to do tonight?
(A) Eat a big dinner at a restaurant.
(B) Celebrate at the office.
(C) Eat pizza at home.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Sarah says, “Congratulations on becoming the new Team Leader!” so this is the good news (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because he mentions having work to finish later in the conversation. Option C is wrong because the restaurant is only mentioned as a place to celebrate.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Alex explicitly states his feelings: “I’m really happy, but I’m also a little nervous” (Option B – Key). Options A and C are not mentioned and do not match his positive but anxious tone.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): Sarah suggests going to an expensive restaurant (Option A – Trap), and Alex says he “originally wanted” to do that. However, because he has work to do, he decides to “order a pizza and eat at home instead” (Option C – Key). Option B is a trap because they plan to celebrate at the office on Friday, not tonight.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Hi Alex! I heard the good news. Congratulations on becoming the new Team Leader!
Alex: Thanks, Sarah! I’m really happy, but I’m also a little nervous about the new responsibilities.
Sarah: You will do a great job! Are you going to celebrate tonight? Maybe go to that expensive seafood restaurant?
Alex: Well, I originally wanted to have a big dinner there. But, um, I have a lot of work to finish for tomorrow. So, I’m just going to order a pizza and eat at home instead.
Sarah: That sounds nice, too. We can celebrate together at the office on Friday!
Alex: Perfect.
Listening 3
Listen to a company director talking at a retirement party. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What was Robert’s first job at the company?
(A) A delivery driver.
(B) A team manager.
(C) A farmer.
2 When did Robert start working at the company?
(A) 30 years ago.
(B) In 1995.
(C) In 1985.
3 What is Robert actually going to do after he retires?
(A) Travel around the world.
(B) Continue managing the delivery team.
(C) Grow vegetables on a farm.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The director explicitly states, “When he first joined, he was a delivery driver” (Option A – Key). Option B is a trap because he later became a manager. Option C is also a trap because farming is what he will do in the future, not his first job.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The director says, “Robert started working at this company in 1995” (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap; the director says he has been with them for almost 30 years, not exactly 30 years ago. Option C is a plausible distractor but is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): The director mentions that Robert “originally planned to travel around the world” (Option A – Trap). However, the word “But” introduces his real plan: he bought a small farm and is going to “spend his time growing vegetables instead” (Option C – Key). Option B is wrong because he is retiring from his manager job.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Company Director: Hello everyone. Thank you for coming today. We are all here to say a big thank you and goodbye to our good friend, Robert. Robert started working at this company in 1995. That means he has been with us for almost thirty years! When he first joined, he was a delivery driver. But he worked very hard and later became the manager of the delivery team. Now, Robert is officially retiring. I asked him about his plans for the future. He originally planned to travel around the world. But, he recently bought a small farm in the countryside, so he is going to spend his time growing vegetables instead. Please join me in wishing Robert a very happy retirement!
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between an HR Manager and a new employee. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is Lisa at the company today?
(A) To have a job interview.
(B) To start her first day of work.
(C) To attend an important meeting.
2 What is Lisa going to do first this morning?
(A) Meet her new team.
(B) Set up her new computer.
(C) Talk to her manager.
3 Why did the morning schedule change?
(A) Because Lisa was late for work.
(B) Because her computer was broken.
(C) Because the manager is busy.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Mr. Davis clearly says, “We are so happy to have you here on your first day.” This means she is starting her job (Option B – Key). Option A is a logical guess for an office setting but is not mentioned. Option C is a trap because the manager is in a meeting, not Lisa.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): Mr. Davis says he “originally planned” to introduce her to the team (Option A – Trap). However, he changes the plan and tells her to “spend the first hour setting up your new computer… instead” (Option B – Key). Option C is wrong because the manager is not available yet.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The schedule changed because “your manager is in an important meeting,” which means the manager is busy (Option C – Key). Option A is not mentioned (Lisa is not late). Option B is a distractor; she needs to set up the computer, but it is not broken.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mr. Davis: Good morning, Lisa! Welcome to the company. We are so happy to have you here on your first day.
Lisa: Thank you, Mr. Davis. I’m very excited to start. What is the plan for this morning?
Mr. Davis: Well, I originally planned to introduce you to your new team right now. But, your manager is in an important meeting until 10 o’clock.
Lisa: Oh, I see. So what should I do first?
Mr. Davis: Let’s go to your desk. You can spend the first hour setting up your new computer and reading the company handbook instead.
Lisa: That sounds great. Let’s go!
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between two teachers, Mark and Anna. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is Anna going to do next month?
(A) Start a new job in London.
(B) Stop teaching for a year.
(C) Teach at a different school.
2 Why is Anna going to London?
(A) To travel and relax.
(B) To visit her family.
(C) To study for a Master’s degree.
3 What does Anna plan to do after she finishes her studies?
(A) Return to her current school.
(B) Travel around the world.
(C) Look for a job in London.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Anna says, “I’m going to take a break from teaching for a year.” This means she will stop teaching (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because she is going to London to study, not to work. Option C is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): Mark asks if she is going to travel around the world. Anna says she “originally wanted to just travel and relax” (Option A – Trap). However, she changes her plan (“But…”) and says she will “study for my Master’s degree in London” (Option C – Key). Option B is a plausible reason to go to London but is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Mark asks, “Will you come back to our school after you finish?” and Anna replies, “Yes, I hope so.” This means she plans to return (Option A – Key). Option B is a trap because “travel around the world” was her old plan. Option C is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hi Anna. I heard you are leaving the school next month. Is that true?
Anna: Yes, Mark. I’m going to take a break from teaching for a year.
Mark: Oh, really? Are you going to travel around the world?
Anna: Well, I originally wanted to just travel and relax. But, I decided to go back to university instead. I am going to study for my Master’s degree in London.
Mark: That’s amazing news! Will you come back to our school after you finish?
Anna: Yes, I hope so. I will definitely miss everyone here!