School life – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) The school uniform

• Explanation: The principal says clearly, “…I want to talk about our school uniform.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Plausible Trap”. The principal mentions summer vacation at the very beginning to welcome the students, but it is not the main topic. Option (C) is a minor detail mentioned later, not the main focus.

2 (B) Black shoes

• Explanation: The principal states the new rule: “…this year, all students must wear black shoes.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Twist Trap”. The principal says that students wore white sneakers last year, but not this year. Option (C) is a “Detail Trap”. The color blue is mentioned in the audio (“dark blue”), but it is the color of the school jackets, not the shoes.

3 (C) On Fridays

• Explanation: The principal gives an exception: “You can only wear your sneakers on Fridays for your PE class.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Trap”. Wearing sneakers every day was what students did last year, which is no longer allowed. Option (B) is a plausible event (today is the first day of school), but it is not the day for sneakers.

Principal: Good morning, students, and welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer vacation. As we start the new school year, I want to talk about our school uniform. Last year, many of you wore white sneakers to class every day. But please remember, this year, all students must wear black shoes. You can only wear your sneakers on Fridays for your PE class. Also, your school jackets must be dark blue, not black. Thank you, and have a great first day!

1 (B) 6:15 AM

• Explanation: Toby says he is tired, so he stays in bed until 6:15.
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Trap”. His alarm goes off at 6:00 AM, but he doesn’t get up at that time. Option (C) is a “Number Trap”; 8:00 AM is the time his classes start.

2 (C) By bike

• Explanation: Toby clearly says, “…but now I ride my bike because it’s much faster.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Twist Trap”. His mom used to drive him in her car, but he doesn’t do that anymore. Option (B) is a plausible way to get to school, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) Go straight home

• Explanation: Toby states his plan for today: “…but today I need to go straight home to do my homework.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) and Option (C) are “The Twist Traps”. He sometimes stays late to play football, but today he is not doing that.

Toby: Hi everyone, my name is Toby. Today I want to tell you about my daily routine. I have to wake up early for school. My alarm goes off at 6:00 AM, but I am usually so tired that I stay in bed until 6:15. After breakfast, I go to school. My mom used to drive me in her car, but now I ride my bike because it’s much faster. Classes start at 8:00 AM. We have a lot of subjects, so I don’t finish school until 4:00 PM. Sometimes I stay late to play football with my friends, but today I need to go straight home to do my homework. Thanks for listening!

1 (B) On the basketball court

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “…it was actually found on the basketball court after the morning break.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Twist Trap”. The announcer says they thought it was in the cafeteria at first, but it wasn’t. Option (C) is where the student needs to go to get the jacket, not where it was found.

2 (C) Some keys

• Explanation: The announcer checks the pockets and says, “…there are some house keys.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Trap”. A student ID card is mentioned, but the announcer explicitly says there is “no student ID card inside.” Option (B) is a plausible item to find in a pocket, but it is never mentioned.

3 (A) Go to the main office before 3:00 PM.

• Explanation: The instruction at the end is clear: “…please come to the main office to pick it up before 3:00 PM.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (B) uses the correct location of where the jacket was lost, but not where the student should go now. Option (C) is a “Verb Trap”; the student needs to come to the office, not call them.

Office Worker: Attention, students. This is a lost and found announcement. We found a jacket this morning, so please listen carefully. It is a dark blue jacket with a white zipper. At first, we thought someone left it in the cafeteria, but it was actually found on the basketball court after the morning break. We checked the pockets to find the owner’s name. There is no student ID card inside, but there are some house keys. If this is your jacket, please come to the main office to pick it up before 3:00 PM. Thank you.

1 (B) Walk quickly.

• Explanation: Firefighter Dave clearly instructs the students: “…you must walk quickly to the door.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Rejected Option”. He explicitly warns them, “Do not run.” Option (C) is a plausible safety action for young children, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) They pushed each other.

• Explanation: He explains the mistake from the past: “Last year, some students ran and they pushed each other…”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (B) is a “Detail Trap”. The front gate is mentioned later in the audio, but it is not what students did wrong last year. Option (C) is a plausible wrong action during a fire, but it is not mentioned.

3 (C) In the school yard

• Explanation: He tells the students, “Your teacher will lead you straight to the school yard. We will all meet there…”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (B) is “The Twist Trap”. The front gate is a plausible meeting place, but he specifically says, “…don’t try to go to the front gate.” Option (A) is wrong because they need to go back inside after the drill, not meet there.

Firefighter Dave: Good morning, students. I’m Firefighter Dave. Today, we are going to practice a fire drill. When you hear the fire alarm, the most important thing is to stay calm. Do not run. I repeat, you must walk quickly to the door. Last year, some students ran and they pushed each other, which is very dangerous. So please, no pushing. Also, don’t try to go to the front gate. Your teacher will lead you straight to the school yard. We will all meet there and wait for the signal to go back inside. Now, are you ready? Let’s practice!

1 (B) Lincoln High

• Explanation: Mark clearly announces, “…tomorrow we are playing against Lincoln High.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Twist Trap”. Mark mentions Washington High, but that was the team they played against last week. Option (C) is a plausible name for a high school but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) At the City Stadium

• Explanation: Mark states the location of tomorrow’s game: “…the game will be at the City Stadium.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is “The Trap”. They usually play on the school field, but it is closed for repairs right now. Option (C) is a plausible location for a sports event, but it is not mentioned.

3 (B) At 3:30 PM

• Explanation: Mark clearly states, “The match starts at 3:30 PM.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is a “Detail Trap”. 3:00 PM is the time students should arrive to get a good seat, not the time the match starts. Option (C) is a plausible time but is not mentioned in the broadcast.

Mark: Hello everyone, you are listening to the School Radio! I’m your host, Mark. Listen up, sports fans! Tomorrow afternoon, our school football team is playing a big match. Last week we played against Washington High, but tomorrow we are playing against Lincoln High. So, where is the game? Well, we usually play on our school field. However, it’s closed for repairs right now. So, the game will be at the City Stadium. The match starts at 3:30 PM. But please arrive by 3:00 PM to get a good seat. Don’t forget to wear your red school T-shirts to support our team. Go Tigers!