Job description – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) Pasta

• Explanation: The announcer says, “Many people think we only sell pizza, but actually, our main dish is pasta.” Option (A) is the trap because it is mentioned but rejected. Option (C) is a plausible guess for a restaurant, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It is fast and noisy.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly states, “It is a very fast and noisy kitchen…” Option (B) is the exact opposite of the truth. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) On the weekends

• Explanation: The announcer says, “We have a lot of customers on Saturday and Sunday, so you must work on the weekends.” Option (A) is the trap: Monday is mentioned, but the restaurant is closed on Mondays. Option (B) is incorrect because they have Monday off.

Announcer: Are you a great cook? Mario’s Restaurant is looking for a new chef! We are a very busy Italian restaurant in the city center. Many people think we only sell pizza, but actually, our main dish is pasta. So, you must know how to cook pasta perfectly. It is a very fast and noisy kitchen, so you need to work well under pressure. Also, please remember that the restaurant is closed on Mondays. We have a lot of customers on Saturday and Sunday, so you must work on the weekends. If you are interested, please call us today!

1 Correct Answer: (C) He draws pictures for websites.

• Explanation: Alex clearly says, “Usually, I spend the morning drawing pictures for new websites.” Option (A) is a trap: he mentions drawing for a “game”, but he doesn’t play them. Option (B) is incorrect because he explicitly states, “I work from home.”

2 Correct Answer: (A) The internet stopped working.

• Explanation: Alex explains, “…But my internet suddenly went down! So, I couldn’t do the online meeting…” Option (B) is a trap: he planned to finish the drawing, but that is not the reason he missed the meeting. Option (C) is a plausible guess, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (B) He sketched ideas in a notebook.

• Explanation: After his internet went down, Alex says, “Instead, I just used my notebook to sketch some new ideas.” Option (A) is a plausible action, but he didn’t do it. Option (C) is the trap: he wanted to finish the game drawing, but he used his notebook to sketch new ideas instead.

Alex: Hi guys, welcome to my vlog! I’m a graphic designer and I work from home. Every morning, I wake up at 7 AM, make some coffee, and turn on my computer. Usually, I spend the morning drawing pictures for new websites. Today, I planned to finish a big drawing for a game. But my internet suddenly went down! So, I couldn’t do the online meeting with my client at 10 AM. Instead, I just used my notebook to sketch some new ideas. It wasn’t the perfect morning, but I still got some work done. Thanks for watching!

1 Correct Answer: (B) Math

• Explanation: Sam says, “…she actually teaches math to young children.” Option (A) is the trap: many people think she teaches English, but she doesn’t. Option (C) is a plausible school subject, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) She plays games with them.

• Explanation: Sam explicitly states, “…and plays games with them in the classroom.” Option (B) is a trap because she grades homework later in the afternoon, not with the children. Option (C) is a plausible teacher activity, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) She stays at school to grade homework.

• Explanation: Sam explains that although she finishes teaching at 3 PM, “…she has to stay at school for two more hours to grade homework.” Option (A) is the trap: Sam says you might think she comes home early, but she doesn’t. Option (B) is a trap because she plays with the children earlier in the day.

Sam: Hello everyone. Today I want to talk about my mother’s job. She is a primary school teacher. Many people think she teaches English because she speaks it so well. But she actually teaches math to young children. She loves her job! Every day, she helps the kids learn numbers and plays games with them in the classroom. In the afternoon, she finishes teaching at 3 PM. So, you might think she comes home early. But she has to stay at school for two more hours to grade homework. She works very hard, and I am very proud of her.

1 Correct Answer: (B) At a pet hospital

• Explanation: The host clearly states, “But she actually works at a small hospital for pets.” Option (A) is the trap: many people think she works at the big city zoo, but she doesn’t. Option (C) is a plausible place with pets, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) A veterinarian

• Explanation: The host says, “When I was young, I thought vets just played with cute puppies all day. So, I wanted to be one!” (one = a vet/veterinarian). Option (B) is what he is now, not what he wanted to be when he was young. Option (C) is a trap related to the zoo mentioned earlier.

3 Correct Answer: (C) She gives medicine to the animals.

• Explanation: The host explains that her job is not always easy: “She has to give them medicine and even clean their teeth.” Option (A) is the trap: the host thought vets did this, but he says “She doesn’t just play with them.” Option (B) is a plausible guess but she examines them, she doesn’t buy them.

Host: Welcome back to our podcast. Today, our guest is Dr. Sarah. She is a veterinarian, or an animal doctor. Many people think she works at the big city zoo. But she actually works at a small hospital for pets. Every day, she examines sick dogs and cats. When I was young, I thought vets just played with cute puppies all day. So, I wanted to be one! But Dr. Sarah’s job is not always easy. She doesn’t just play with them. She has to give them medicine and even clean their teeth. Let’s say hello to Dr. Sarah!

1 Correct Answer: (B) Clean the floors

• Explanation: The organizer says, “Many people think volunteering here is hard work, like carrying heavy boxes or cleaning the floors.” Option (A) is the trap because checking tickets is what they actually do, not what people think is hard work. Option (C) uses the word “food” from the audio, but they don’t sell it.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Stand at the door and check tickets

• Explanation: The organizer clearly states the real job: “You just need to stand at the main door and check the tickets.” Option (A) is the trap: carrying heavy boxes is what people think they do, but the organizer says “you don’t have to do any of that!”. Option (B) is a mix of two different details (cleaning and food area).

3 Correct Answer: (C) To the information desk

• Explanation: At the end, the organizer says, “…please come to the information desk to sign up right now.” Option (A) is the trap: the main door is where the volunteers will work, not where they sign up. Option (B) is a trap because the food area is where volunteers will point visitors to.

Organizer: Attention everyone. We are looking for volunteers for the music festival this weekend. Many people think volunteering here is hard work, like carrying heavy boxes or cleaning the floors. But you don’t have to do any of that! So, what is your job? You just need to stand at the main door and check the tickets. Also, you will show visitors the way to the food area. It is a very easy and fun job. If you want to help, please come to the information desk to sign up right now. Thank you!