Airports & Stations – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) To Manchester.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly says, “This is an announcement for all passengers traveling to Manchester.” Options (A) and (C) are plausible destinations for a train but are not mentioned in the audio.

2 Answer: (B) Platform 5.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The announcer says the train will NOT leave from “Platform 3” (Option A – The Trap), which is printed on the ticket. The final instruction is: “the train to Manchester will depart from Platform 5.” Option (C) is a trap using the number “ten” from the departure time (ten minutes).

3 Answer: (C) Because there is another train on the old platform.

• Explanation: The announcer gives a clear reason for the change: “There is another train on Platform 3 right now.” Options (A) and (B) are common reasons for train problems, but they are not the reason for this platform change.

Announcer: Attention, please. This is an announcement for all passengers traveling to Manchester. The 10:30 train to Manchester is now ready for boarding. Please listen carefully, as there is a platform change. The train will not leave from Platform 3, as printed on your ticket. There is another train on Platform 3 right now. Instead, the train to Manchester will depart from Platform 5. Please make your way to Platform 5 immediately. The train will leave in ten minutes. Thank you.

1 Answer: (B) Passenger Martin Clark.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly says, “This is the final boarding call for passenger Martin Clark.” Option (A) is the trap because the flight is going to Tokyo, but this specific announcement is only calling one late passenger, not everyone. Option (C) is not mentioned.

2 Answer: (B) Gate 12.

• Explanation: This uses “The Twist”. The passenger’s flight was at “Gate 10” earlier (Option A – The Trap). However, the gate changed, so the announcer tells him to “hurry to Gate 12.” Option (C) is a trap using the number “5” from the minutes.

3 Answer: (A) In 5 minutes.

• Explanation: The announcer gives a clear warning: “The airplane doors will close in exactly five minutes.” Option (B) is a trap using the number “10” from the old gate number. Option (C) is plausible for flight announcements but is not mentioned here.

Announcer: Attention, please. This is the final boarding call for passenger Martin Clark. Martin Clark, traveling on flight 405 to Tokyo. Please make your way to Gate 12 immediately. I repeat, please hurry to Gate 12. Earlier today, your flight was at Gate 10, but the gate has changed. Please do not go to the baggage area. The airplane doors will close in exactly five minutes. If you do not arrive at the gate now, you will miss your flight. Thank you.

1 Answer: (C) Because of heavy snow.

• Explanation: The announcer says the train is late today “because of heavy snow.” Option (A) is The Trap because a “broken engine” is the reason the train was late yesterday, not today. Option (B) is a common reason for delays but is never mentioned.

2 Answer: (B) At 9:20 AM.

• Explanation: This question uses “The Twist”. The train was scheduled to arrive at “9:00 AM” (Option A – The Trap), but it is late. The announcer clearly states, “Instead, it will arrive in 20 minutes, at 9:20 AM.” Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (B) Inside the warm cafe.

• Explanation: The announcer instructs passengers to “wait inside the warm cafe.” Option (A) is The Trap because the announcer specifically tells them, “Do not wait on the platform because it is too cold.” Option (C) is a plausible place in a station but is not mentioned.

Announcer: Attention passengers. We are very sorry to announce a delay. The express train to Edinburgh was scheduled to arrive at 9:00 AM. Yesterday, this train was late because of a broken engine. But today, because of heavy snow, the train is running late again. It will not arrive at 9:00. Instead, it will arrive in 20 minutes, at 9:20 AM. Please wait inside the warm cafe. Do not wait on the platform because it is too cold outside. We apologize for this delay and thank you for your patience.

1 Answer: (B) Paris.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “Attention passengers arriving on flight VN123 from Paris.” Options (A) and (C) are plausible international cities but are not mentioned in the audio.

2 Answer: (B) Carousel 4.

• Explanation: This question uses “The Twist”. The information screen says “Carousel 2” (Option A – The Trap), but the announcer changes it. The final instruction is: “please go to Carousel 4 to collect your suitcases.” Option (C) is a trap because Carousel 6 is for “large items” like surfboards, not regular suitcases.

3 Answer: (A) Because it is broken.

• Explanation: The announcer gives the reason for the change clearly: “Your bags will not be at Carousel 2 because it is broken today.” Option (B) is incorrect because Carousel 6 is the one for large items. Option (C) is a common problem but is never mentioned.

Announcer: Attention passengers arriving on flight VN123 from Paris. Please listen carefully to this baggage announcement. The information screen says your luggage will arrive at Carousel 2. However, there is a change. Your bags will not be at Carousel 2 because it is broken today. Instead, please go to Carousel 4 to collect your suitcases. I repeat, passengers on flight VN123, please pick up your luggage at Carousel 4. Large items, like surfboards and bicycles, will be at the oversized baggage area next to Carousel 6. Thank you.

1 Answer: (B) To Miami.

• Explanation: The captain clearly says, “Welcome aboard Flight 702 to Miami.” Options (A) and (C) are plausible destinations but are never mentioned in the audio.

2 Answer: (A) At 10:00 AM.

• Explanation: This question uses “The Twist”. The captain says they “planned to arrive at 10:30 AM” (Option B – The Trap), but because of good weather, they are faster. His final statement is: “We will land early at exactly 10:00 AM.” Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (C) 30 degrees.

• Explanation: This is another “Twist”. The captain says the temperature is “25 degrees” right now (Option B – The Trap). But he warns that it is getting hotter, so it will be “30 degrees when we arrive.” Option (A) is not mentioned.

Captain: Good morning, passengers. This is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard Flight 702 to Miami. We planned to arrive at 10:30 AM today. However, we have very good flying weather, so we are moving faster than usual. We will land early at exactly 10:00 AM. Also, I have a quick update on the weather. Right now, the temperature in Miami is 25 degrees. But it is getting hotter, so expect it to be 30 degrees when we arrive. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.