Department stores – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) At 9:00 PM.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The announcer says they usually close at 10:00 PM, but today they “will close in exactly fifteen minutes, at 9:00 PM.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is the trap because it is the normal closing time, not today’s time. Option (A) is the current time when the announcer is speaking.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Because it is a public holiday.

• Explanation: The announcer gives the reason for closing early: “but today is a public holiday.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Options (B) and (C) are plausible reasons for a store to close early in real life, but the announcer never mentions the weather or the number of customers.

3 Correct Answer: (B) To the first floor.

• Explanation: The announcer gives a clear instruction: “You must pay for your items at the cash registers on the first floor…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The second floor is mentioned, but those registers “are already closed.” Option (C) is a plausible place in a store, but it is not where they need to pay.

Announcer: Attention all shoppers. The time is now 8:45 PM. We usually close at 10:00 PM on weekends, but today is a public holiday. So, the department store will close in exactly fifteen minutes, at 9:00 PM. Please take all your items to the cash registers now. Also, please note that the cash registers on the second floor are already closed. You must pay for your items at the cash registers on the first floor near the main exit. Thank you for shopping with us today.

1 Correct Answer: (B) Cosmetics.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The announcer says, “You might think our big sale is in the clothing section… But no… we are offering a huge fifty percent discount on all cosmetics.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap because clothes are mentioned first, but the announcer clearly says “But no.” Option (C) is a plausible item in a store but is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) For 30 minutes.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly states the time limit: “For the next thirty minutes only” and repeats “Remember, you only have thirty minutes.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a different number trap. Option (C) is a trap for people who think sales usually last all day, but this is a “flash sale.”

3 Correct Answer: (B) The second floor.

• Explanation: The announcer tells the shoppers to “hurry to the beauty section on the second floor.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Options (A) and (C) are the traps. The third floor is where the clothes are, and the announcer specifically says the offer is “not available on the first floor.”

Announcer: Attention all department store shoppers! Are you looking for a great deal today? We have a special flash sale starting right now. You might think our big sale is in the clothing section on the third floor. But no, today is different. For the next thirty minutes only, we are offering a huge fifty percent discount on all cosmetics. Yes, half price on makeup and perfume! Please hurry to the beauty section on the second floor to enjoy this amazing offer. Remember, you only have thirty minutes, and this offer is not available on the first floor. See you on the second floor!

1 Correct Answer: (B) Green.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist” (Correction). The announcer first says Tommy is wearing a blue T-shirt, but then corrects himself: “Sorry, his T-shirt is actually green…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap because it was the announcer’s first mistake. Option (C) is a trap using the color of Tommy’s hat (a red hat).

2 Correct Answer: (C) His father.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “He is looking for his father” and later says “If you are Tommy’s father…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a very common trap. When hearing about a lost child, people usually assume the child wants their mother, but the audio specifically says “father”. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) The information desk.

• Explanation: The announcer tells the father to “please come to the information desk on the first floor right away.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a plausible place for a child to be in a store, but he is not there now. Option (C) is a plausible meeting point but is never mentioned.

Announcer: Attention all shoppers. We have a lost child at the information desk. His name is Tommy, and he is seven years old. He is looking for his father. Tommy is wearing a blue T-shirt… Oh, wait, let me look again. Sorry, his T-shirt is actually green, and he has blue shorts. He is also wearing a red hat. Please don’t worry, he is safe and eating some candy right now. If you are Tommy’s father, please come to the information desk on the first floor right away.

1 Correct Answer: (B) Computers.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “And on the second floor, we have all the newest computers and cell phones.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap because clothes are on the first floor, not the second. Option (C) is a trap because the store doesn’t sell furniture at all.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Furniture.

• Explanation: The announcer asks if they sell furniture, and then answers: “Well, we don’t have furniture right now.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is sold on the second floor. Option (C) is available because the announcer says they “have a great café!”

3 Correct Answer: (C) A coffee mug.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The ad says, “you will get a free coffee mug. Not a free T-shirt like last year…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. They gave away T-shirts last year, but not this time. Option (B) uses a word from the audio, but a free cell phone is too expensive and incorrect.

Announcer: Are you looking for a great place to shop? Come to the new Star Department Store, opening this Saturday! We have everything you need. You can find beautiful clothes for the whole family on the first floor. And on the second floor, we have all the newest computers and cell phones. Some people asked if we sell furniture. Well, we don’t have furniture right now. But we do have a great café! Also, if you are one of the first fifty customers this Saturday, you will get a free coffee mug. Not a free T-shirt like last year, but a beautiful mug. See you on Saturday!

1 Correct Answer: (B) $50

• Explanation: This is a number trap. The vlogger says, “The normal price was eighty dollars, but I got it on sale for only fifty dollars.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) $80 is the trap because it is the normal price before the discount. Option (A) $30 is a plausible price, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) White.

• Explanation: She says about the headphones, “I usually buy black ones, but I chose white this time…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. Black is the color she usually buys, but not the color she bought today. Option (C) is a plausible color for electronics but is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Because the store didn’t have any big ones.

• Explanation: She explains the situation: “I wanted a big one, but they only had small ones left.” This means the store ran out of big cups.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap because she actually “wanted a big one,” so she doesn’t prefer small cups. Option (A) is a very common reason for not buying something, but she didn’t talk about the price of the big cups.

Vlogger: Hi guys, welcome back to my channel! Today, I went to the Star Department Store and bought three amazing things.

First, I got this beautiful winter jacket. The normal price was eighty dollars, but I got it on sale for only fifty dollars. It is so warm!

Next, I bought these wireless headphones. I usually buy black ones, but I chose white this time because they look so cool.

Finally, I needed a new coffee cup. I wanted a big one, but they only had small ones left. So, I bought this small green cup for just five dollars.

That’s it for my shopping haul today! Thanks for watching and see you next time!