Future plans (Be going to) – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a travel agent, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Where is the family going for their summer trip?
(A) To the mountains
(B) To the beach
(C) To the city
2 Why did the customer choose this place?
(A) Because his kids love swimming.
(B) Because his wife loves the sun.
(C) Because it is very cheap.
3 Where will the family sleep during the trip?
(A) In a tent
(B) In a hotel
(C) In a small boat
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To the beach
- Explanation: The customer says they planned to visit the mountains (The Trap). However, he uses the word “but” to change his mind. He uses “So” to give his final decision: “I decided to book a beach tour instead.” The city is not mentioned.
2 (A) Because his kids love swimming.
- Explanation: The customer clearly says he chose the beach because “my kids really love swimming.” Option B (wife loves the sun) and Option C (very cheap) are plausible reasons to go to the beach, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) In a hotel
- Explanation: The customer mentions that he wanted to try sleeping in a tent (The Trap). However, he changes the plan because his wife hates insects. He states his final choice by saying, “So, we will stay in a hotel.” A small boat is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Hello, welcome to Ocean Travel. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi. I want to book a summer trip for my family in July. We planned to visit the mountains this year.
Agent: That sounds nice! We have a great five-day mountain tour.
Customer: Well, I thought about it, but my kids really love swimming. So, I decided to book a beach tour instead.
Agent: I understand. We have a beautiful tour to Silver Beach. Do you want to stay in a hotel or a tent?
Customer: I wanted to try sleeping in a tent. However, my wife hates insects. So, we will stay in a hotel.
Agent: Great choice. I will book that for you right now.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a personal trainer and a new client. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the client’s goal for the next two months?
(A) To build big muscles
(B) To run a marathon
(C) To lose weight
2 What exercise will the client do to reach his goal?
(A) Running
(B) Cycling and swimming
(C) Lifting weights
3 Why doesn’t the client want to run?
(A) He thinks it is boring.
(B) His knees hurt.
(C) He is too tired.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) To lose weight
- Explanation: The client clearly states his goal: “I want to lose five kilos.” Building muscles (A) and running a marathon (B) are plausible fitness goals, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) Cycling and swimming
- Explanation: The trainer says he planned to put the client on the running machine (The Trap). However, the client rejects this because of pain. The trainer uses “So” to introduce the final plan: “you will do cycling and swimming instead.” Lifting weights is not mentioned.
3 (B) His knees hurt.
- Explanation: The client explicitly explains his reason: “my knees always hurt when I run.” Option A (boring) and Option C (too tired) are plausible reasons to avoid running, but they are not mentioned by the client.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Trainer: Welcome to the gym! What are your fitness goals for the future?
Client: Hi! I want to lose five kilos in the next two months.
Trainer: We can definitely do that. I planned to put you on the running machine every day. It’s great for losing weight.
Client: Oh, but my knees always hurt when I run. Can we do something else?
Trainer: I understand. However, you still need to do some cardio. So, you will do cycling and swimming instead.
Client: That sounds perfect. I love the pool.
Trainer: Great. We will start your new plan on Wednesday!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a patient and a dental receptionist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the patient want to see the dentist?
(A) To clean his teeth
(B) To take new X-rays
(C) To remove a tooth
2 What time is the patient’s appointment?
(A) 2:00 PM
(B) 3:00 PM
(C) 4:00 PM
3 What does the patient need to bring to the clinic?
(A) His old X-rays
(B) His ID card
(C) His credit card
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) To remove a tooth
- Explanation: The patient clearly says in the beginning, “I want to remove my wisdom tooth.” Option B (take new X-rays) is a trap because X-rays are mentioned later in the conversation, but not as the reason for the visit. Option A (clean his teeth) is plausible but not mentioned.
2 (C) 4:00 PM
- Explanation: The receptionist first offers 2:00 PM (The Trap), and the patient says he planned to come then. However, he uses “but” to explain he has a meeting. The receptionist then offers 4:00 PM, and the patient accepts it by saying, “I will take the 4:00 PM slot.” 3:00 PM is not mentioned.
3 (B) His ID card
- Explanation: The patient asks if he should bring his old X-rays (The Trap). The receptionist says no because they already have them. She uses “However” to change the focus to what is required: “you need to bring your ID card.” A credit card is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Good morning, City Dental Clinic. How can I help you?
Patient: Hi, I need to book an appointment for next Thursday afternoon. I want to remove my wisdom tooth.
Receptionist: Let me check the schedule. Dr. Lee is free at 2:00 PM.
Patient: Well, I planned to come at 2:00 PM, but I have a meeting at work then. So, can I come later?
Receptionist: Yes, we have another opening at 4:00 PM instead.
Patient: Perfect. I will take the 4:00 PM slot. Should I bring my old X-rays?
Receptionist: No, we already have them in our computer. However, you need to bring your ID card.
Patient: Okay, I will bring it. See you on Thursday.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a bank teller and a customer. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the customer going to do next year?
(A) Buy a new car
(B) Build a new house
(C) Start a new business
2 Which savings plan does the customer choose?
(A) A six-month plan
(B) A one-year plan
(C) A five-year plan
3 Where will the customer build the house?
(A) In the city
(B) In the countryside
(C) Near the beach
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Build a new house
- Explanation: The customer mentions that he planned to buy a new car (The Trap). However, he uses “But” to change the plan, stating that he and his wife are “going to build a new house next year.” Starting a new business is not mentioned.
2 (B) A one-year plan
- Explanation: The teller suggests the six-month plan, and the customer says he thought about it (The Trap). He uses “However” to explain they need more time. He confirms his final decision by saying, “So, I will take the one-year plan.” A five-year plan is not mentioned.
3 (B) In the countryside
- Explanation: The teller asks if they will build in the city, and the customer says “I wanted to” (The Trap). But he rejects the city because it is too noisy. His final decision is: “We will build it in the countryside.” The beach is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Teller: Good morning. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi. I need to open a savings account. I planned to buy a new car this year. But, my wife and I are going to build a new house next year. So, I need to save money instead.
Teller: That is a great goal! How long do you want to keep the money in the bank? Our six-month plan is very popular.
Customer: I thought about the six-month plan. However, we won’t start building until next summer. So, I will take the one-year plan.
Teller: Excellent choice. Where will you build the house? In the city?
Customer: Well, I wanted to, but the city is too noisy. We will build it in the countryside.
Teller: That sounds lovely. Let’s fill out the forms.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a tenant and his landlord. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the tenant’s plan for next month?
(A) To renew his contract
(B) To move out of the apartment
(C) To buy a new house
2 Why is the tenant going to move?
(A) His current rent is too expensive.
(B) His drive to work is too long.
(C) His apartment is too noisy.
3 Where will the tenant live next?
(A) In a small apartment
(B) In a rented house
(C) In a hotel
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To move out of the apartment
- Explanation: The tenant says he planned to stay for another year (The Trap). However, he uses “But” to change his plan because of his new job. He uses “So” to state his final decision: “I am going to move out at the end of next month.” Buying a new house is not mentioned.
2 (B) His drive to work is too long.
- Explanation: The tenant explains his reason clearly: “The drive from here takes too long.” Option A (rent is too expensive) is a trap; he later mentions that houses in the city center are expensive, but he doesn’t complain about his current rent. Option C (too noisy) is not mentioned.
3 (A) In a small apartment
- Explanation: The tenant mentions that he wanted to rent a house (The Trap). He changes his mind because houses are too expensive there. His final plan is: “I will rent a small apartment near my office.” A hotel is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tenant: Hi, Mr. Smith. I need to talk to you about my apartment.
Landlord: Sure, Tom. Is everything okay? Do you want to renew your contract for next year?
Tenant: Well, I planned to stay here for another year. But, I just got a new job in the city center. The drive from here takes too long. So, I am going to move out at the end of next month.
Landlord: Oh, congratulations on the new job! Where are you going to live?
Tenant: I wanted to rent a house. However, houses are too expensive there. So, I will rent a small apartment near my office.
Landlord: I understand. Thanks for telling me early.