School life – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two classmates and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Lisa dislike History?
(A) The teacher is boring.
(B) There is too much reading.
(C) The problems are too hard.
2 What is Lisa’s favorite subject this semester?
(A) History
(B) Math
(C) Science
3 What does Tom like about his Science class?
(A) He likes his teacher.
(B) He enjoys solving problems.
(C) He likes doing experiments.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) There is too much reading.
- Explanation: Lisa says, “…there’s just too much reading. It’s quite boring…”.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is plausible but not mentioned in the audio. Option (C) mentions “problems,” which she uses later to talk about Math, not History.
2 (B) Math
- Explanation: Lisa clearly states, “I actually really like Math.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is the “Twist Trap”; she was excited about History at first, but then changed her mind because it had too much reading. Option (C) is a trap because Science is Tom’s favorite subject, not Lisa’s.
3 (C) He likes doing experiments.
- Explanation: Tom says about Science, “We do a lot of cool experiments in the lab.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) and Option (B) are the reasons Lisa likes Math (she mentions the teacher is great and solving problems is fun), so they are incorrect for Tom’s Science class.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hey Lisa, how are your classes going this semester?
Lisa: Well, they’re okay. I was really excited about History, but… um, there’s just too much reading. It’s quite boring, actually.
Tom: Oh, that’s too bad. So, what’s your favorite subject now?
Lisa: I actually really like Math. The teacher is great, and I think solving problems is fun. What about you?
Tom: I used to love Math last year. But now, Science is definitely my favorite. We do a lot of cool experiments in the lab.
Lisa: Oh, lucky you! I don’t have Science until next term.
Listening 2
Listen to Leo and his mother talking about getting ready for school. Select the best option (A, B, or C).
1 Why did Leo almost forget his PE gear?
(A) He doesn’t like PE class.
(B) He thought the class was on a different day.
(C) He couldn’t find his sneakers.
2 Which subject will Leo have instead of Art?
(A) Math
(B) History
(C) English
3 What item is Leo putting in his bag at the end of the conversation?
(A) Art brushes
(B) A calculator
(C) English books
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He thought the class was on a different day.
- Explanation: Leo says, “I thought PE was on Wednesday,” which means he got the days mixed up.
- Trap: Option (C) mentions “sneakers,” which are part of PE gear, but the reason he forgot wasn’t because he couldn’t find them, but because of the schedule.
2 (A) Math
- Explanation: This is “The Twist” (Cú bẻ lái). Leo mentions the Art teacher is sick, “so we’re having extra Math instead.”
- Trap: Options (B) and (C) are subjects he already packed earlier, not the one replacing Art.
3 (B) A calculator
- Explanation: Since he is having Math instead of Art, he says, “I’ll just bring my calculator.”
- Trap: Option (A) is the “Rejected Option.” Mom reminds him to bring brushes, but he rejects them because the class is cancelled.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mom: Leo, have you finished packing your school bag for tomorrow?
Leo: Almost, Mom. I’ve already put my English and History books inside.
Mom: Wait, tomorrow is Tuesday. Don’t you have PE class?
Leo: Oh! I thought PE was on Wednesday, but let me check the schedule… um, you’re right! I need to pack my sneakers and gym shorts too.
Mom: Good. And don’t forget your brushes for Art class in the afternoon.
Leo: Actually, the Art teacher is sick, so we’re having extra Math instead. I’ll just bring my calculator.
Mom: Okay, honey. Make sure you don’t leave anything behind.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between two friends and choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question below.
1 Why are Mark and Sarah meeting?
(A) To play soccer.
(B) To study for an English test.
(C) To read some books.
2 When did they agree to meet?
(A) Thursday evening.
(B) Friday morning.
(C) Friday afternoon.
3 Where are they going to study?
(A) At a cafe.
(B) At the library.
(C) At Sarah’s house.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To study for an English test.
- Explanation: Mark asks clearly at the beginning, “do you want to study together for the English test?”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is the trap. Mark mentions “soccer practice” as the reason he is busy on Thursday, not the reason they are meeting. Option (C) is plausible because they are going to a library, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) Friday afternoon.
- Explanation: Mark suggests “Friday afternoon” and Sarah agrees by saying, “Friday afternoon works for me.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Twist Trap”. Sarah suggests Thursday evening first, but Mark rejects it because he is busy. Option (B) is a plausible distractor but is never mentioned.
3 (B) At the library.
- Explanation: Mark says, “Let’s just go to the library,” and Sarah replies, “Good idea.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is another “Twist Trap”. Sarah suggests the cafe, but Mark rejects it because “it’s always too noisy there.” Option (C) is a plausible location for studying but is never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey Sarah, do you want to study together for the English test?
Sarah: Sure! I really need help with the grammar. When should we meet? How about Thursday evening?
Mark: I can’t on Thursday. I have soccer practice. But I am free on Friday afternoon.
Sarah: Friday afternoon works for me. Where should we go? The cafe near our school?
Mark: Well, I thought about it, but it’s always too noisy there. Let’s just go to the library. We can find a quiet table.
Sarah: Good idea. See you there after class!
Listening 4
Listen to two students talking in the school cafeteria. Select the best option (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What does Emma think about the roast chicken?
(A) It is cold.
(B) It is delicious.
(C) It is too salty.
2 Why didn’t Emma finish her tomato soup?
(A) Because it was cold.
(B) Because it had too much salt.
(C) Because she was full.
3 What is Ben going to buy for lunch?
(A) Tomato soup
(B) Roast chicken
(C) A sandwich
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) It is delicious.
- Explanation: Emma says the roast chicken is “really good” and “very tasty,” which means it is delicious.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is asked by Ben later about the soup, not the chicken. Option (C) is a trap because “salty” describes the soup, not the chicken.
2 (B) Because it had too much salt.
- Explanation: Emma says the soup is “much too salty for me,” which matches having “too much salt.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Trap”. Ben asks, “Is it cold?” but Emma clearly rejects it by saying, “No, it’s hot.” Option (C) is a plausible reason for not finishing a meal, but it is never mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) A sandwich
- Explanation: After hearing about the soup, Ben says, “I guess I’ll just go get a cheese sandwich… instead.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Twist Trap”. Ben says, “I really wanted soup today,” but he changes his mind because Emma says it is bad. Option (B) is what Emma is eating, not what Ben decides to buy.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Ben: Hi Emma, can I sit here?
Emma: Sure, Ben. Sit down.
Ben: Thanks. So, how is the cafeteria food today? I haven’t bought anything yet.
Emma: Well, the roast chicken is really good. It’s very tasty. But I don’t recommend the tomato soup.
Ben: Oh? Why not? Is it cold?
Emma: No, it’s hot, but it’s much too salty for me. I couldn’t even finish it.
Ben: That’s too bad. I really wanted soup today. Um… I guess I’ll just go get a cheese sandwich and some juice instead.
Emma: Good idea. The sandwiches are usually a safe choice!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between two desk-mates and choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question below.
1 What did Mike leave at home?
(A) His Math test
(B) His pencil case
(C) His blue pen
2 What does Chloe offer to lend Mike at first?
(A) An eraser
(B) A spare pencil
(C) A blue pen
3 What does Mike finally borrow from Chloe?
(A) A pencil
(B) A blue pen
(C) An eraser
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) His pencil case
- Explanation: Mike clearly says at the beginning, “I left my pencil case at home this morning.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is the “Plausible Trap”. They have a Math test today, but he didn’t leave it at home. Option (C) mentions “blue pen,” which is what Chloe has, not what Mike left at home.
2 (C) A blue pen
- Explanation: Chloe checks her bag and says, “I only have this blue pen.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (B) is “The Trap”. Chloe had a spare pencil, but she already gave it to David, so she cannot offer it to Mike. Option (A) is mentioned later in the audio but not offered by Chloe.
3 (A) A pencil
- Explanation: At the end, Chloe finds a mechanical pencil, and Mike says, “I’ll just take the pencil.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (B) is “The Twist Trap”. Chloe offers the blue pen first, but Mike rejects it because he has a Math test. Option (C) is also a trap; Chloe lost her eraser, so Mike decides to borrow an eraser from someone else (John), not from Chloe.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mike: Hey Chloe. Um, do you have an extra pencil? I left my pencil case at home this morning.
Chloe: Let me look. Well, I had a spare pencil, but I just gave it to David. I only have this blue pen.
Mike: Oh, I can’t use a pen. We have a Math test today, so I have to use a pencil.
Chloe: Oh, right. Wait! Fortunately, I have this mechanical pencil at the bottom of my bag. But I lost the eraser for it.
Mike: That’s totally fine! I can borrow an eraser from John later. I’ll just take the pencil. Thanks, Chloe!