Comparing products – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) They are much lighter.

• Explanation: The customer asks which shoes are lighter, and the clerk answers, “the blue shoes are much lighter.” Option A is a trap because having great support is a feature of the black shoes. Option C is a plausible guess for shopping, but the price is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) They have better support for running.

• Explanation: The clerk clearly says that the black shoes “have much better support for running.” Option A is a trap because the blue shoes are the ones people buy for walking. Option C is plausible for black shoes, but it is never mentioned.

3 (B) The black shoes, because he runs every day.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The customer initially wants the blue shoes because they are light. However, when he remembers that he runs every morning, he changes his mind and buys the black shoes for better support. Option A is the main trap (his original plan). Option C is incorrect.

Customer: Excuse me, I need some new running shoes. Can you help me?

Clerk: Of course! Are you looking at the blue ones or the black ones?

Customer: Both, actually. Which ones are lighter?

Clerk: Well, the blue shoes are much lighter. A lot of people buy them for walking. But the black shoes have much better support for running.

Customer: Oh, I see. I really like the blue ones because they are so light. I think I’ll get those.

Clerk: Are you going to run a lot?

Customer: Yes, I run every morning. Actually… if I run every day, my feet will hurt without good support. You’re right. I will take the black shoes instead.

Clerk: Good choice. Let me get your size.

1 (B) It has a better sound system.

• Explanation: The clerk explains that the expensive TV “has a special sound system.” Option A is a trap because the customer clearly states at the beginning that “These two TVs are both 50 inches” (they are the same size). Option C is a trap using the word “movies,” which is mentioned later, but not as a free gift.

2 (B) She only wants to watch the news.

• Explanation: The customer initially says, “I just want to watch the evening news, so I don’t need perfect sound.” Option A is a plausible reason for choosing a cheaper product, but it is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is incorrect; it is her kids who watch action movies.

3 (B) The expensive TV, for her kids to watch movies.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The customer originally plans to buy the cheaper TV because she only watches the news. However, when the clerk asks about her family, she changes her mind so her kids can enjoy action movies with good sound. Option A is the main trap (her original plan). Option C is not mentioned.

Customer: Excuse me. These two TVs are both 50 inches, but this one is much more expensive. Why?

Clerk: Well, the cheaper TV has a good picture, but the sound is just okay. The expensive TV has a special sound system. It sounds like a movie theater!

Customer: I see. I just want to watch the evening news, so I don’t need perfect sound. I think I’ll take the cheaper one.

Clerk: Sure. But, um, do you ever watch movies with your family on the weekends?

Customer: Oh, actually… yes. My kids watch a lot of action movies. A good sound system would be nice for them. You’re right. I will buy the expensive TV then.

1 (B) It is easy to park.

• Explanation: The agent clearly says that the 4-seater car is “very easy to park in the city.” Option A is a plausible guess for a small car, but the price is not mentioned. Option C is a trap because having a lot of space is a feature of the 7-seater car.

2 (A) It uses more gas.

• Explanation: The agent tells the tourist that the 7-seater “uses more gas.” Option B is a trap because the 4-seater is the one that is very small inside. Option C is a plausible guess for a big car, but the agent never says it is difficult to drive.

3 (B) The 7-seater, because they have a lot of luggage.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The tourist initially plans to rent the 4-seater because he hates parking big cars. However, when the agent asks about luggage, he realizes they have four big suitcases and need more space. He changes his mind and rents the 7-seater. Option A is the main trap (his original plan). Option C is incorrect.

Tourist: Hello, I need to rent a car for my family.

Agent: Okay. We have a small 4-seater car. It is very easy to park in the city.

Tourist: That sounds perfect. I hate parking big cars. I’ll take the 4-seater.

Agent: Sure. But, um, do you have a lot of luggage? The 4-seater is very small inside.

Tourist: Oh, actually… yes, we have four big suitcases.

Agent: Then you should get the 7-seater car. It has a lot more space, but it uses more gas.

Tourist: I see. I really wanted the small car, but we need the space for our bags. Let’s rent the 7-seater instead.

1 (A) It is much cheaper.

• Explanation: The agent clearly says that “the standard class is much cheaper.” Option B is a trap because being “very quiet” is a feature of first-class. Option C is a plausible guess for a train ride, but the speed of the trains is not mentioned.

2 (B) The seats are bigger.

• Explanation: The agent explains that “first-class has bigger seats.” Option A is a plausible feature of first-class, but it is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because the standard class is the cheaper one.

3 (B) A first-class ticket, because he needs to sleep.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The passenger initially wants to buy a standard ticket to save money. However, when he learns the trip is six hours long, he changes his mind. He decides to buy the first-class ticket so he can sleep before his meeting. Option A is the main trap (his original plan). Option C is incorrect.

Passenger: Hello. I’d like a ticket to London, please. What is the difference between standard and first-class?

Agent: Well, the standard class is much cheaper. But first-class has bigger seats, and it is very quiet.

Passenger: I see. I want to save money today, so I will just take a standard ticket.

Agent: Okay. Just so you know, the train takes six hours. It’s a very long trip.

Passenger: Six hours? Oh, actually… I need to sleep on the train so I am ready for my meeting. Standard class might be too noisy. I think I will buy the first-class ticket instead.

Agent: Good idea. Let me print that for you.

1 (A) It is too tall.

• Explanation: The customer measures the height and says, “Unfortunately, it is too tall,” noting that it won’t fit under the low kitchen ceiling. Option (B) is a trap because “wide” describes the white refrigerator. Option (C) might sound logical when shopping, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) It is a little wider.

• Explanation: The shop assistant introduces the white refrigerator and says, “It is shorter, but it is a little bit wider.” Options (A) and (C) are distractors because those features—”very popular” and “a lot of space inside”—actually describe the silver refrigerator.

3 (B) The white refrigerator, because it fits in the kitchen.

• Explanation: This question uses a “twist” technique. Initially, the customer really likes the silver refrigerator because it looks nice, but he has to change his mind because it doesn’t fit in his kitchen. In the end, he decides to buy the white one. Option (A) is a trap representing his initial intention, while Option (C) is completely inconsistent with the events.

Salesperson: Hello, can I help you find a new refrigerator?

Customer: Yes. I really like this silver one. It looks great.

Salesperson: It is very popular. And it has a lot of space inside for your food.

Customer: Let me check the height… Oh, unfortunately, it is too tall. The ceiling in my kitchen is quite low. It won’t fit.

Salesperson: I see. What about this white refrigerator? It is shorter, but it is a little bit wider.

Customer: Let me measure it… Yes, the width is fine. I really wanted the silver one, but I will have to buy the white refrigerator because of the size.

Salesperson: Great! I will arrange the delivery for you.