Learning languages – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) To travel around Europe.

• Explanation: Yuki clearly states her current goal: “Now, I want to travel around Europe next year, so I need English for that.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The teacher asks about her job, and she says she wanted to work for an international company before, but she “changed her mind.” Option (C) was not mentioned.

2 (B) She watches movies without any text.

• Explanation: Yuki says, “…now I try to watch them without any text to practice my listening.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. She says “I used to watch them with Japanese subtitles,” which means this is a past habit, not what she does now to practice. Option (C) is a plausible guess but was not mentioned.

3 (C) The Level 2 class.

• Explanation: At the end of the interview, the teacher says, “I think the Level 2 class is perfect for you.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The word “Business” relates to the “job” and “company” mentioned earlier in the audio, but it is not the name of the class. Option (B) was not mentioned.

Mr. Davis: Hello. Please sit down. What is your name?

Yuki: Hi, I’m Yuki. I’m from Japan.

Mr. Davis: Welcome, Yuki. Why do you want to study English? Do you need it for your job?

Yuki: Well, I wanted to work for an international company before. But I changed my mind. Now, I want to travel around Europe next year, so I need English for that.

Mr. Davis: That sounds exciting! What do you do in your free time?

Yuki: I love watching movies. I used to watch them with Japanese subtitles. However, now I try to watch them without any text to practice my listening.

Mr. Davis: Excellent strategy! I think the Level 2 class is perfect for you.

1 (A) To ask about his test score.

• Explanation: Leo clearly states his reason at the beginning: “I want to ask about my writing test.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Options (B) and (C) are traps. “Vocabulary” and “weekend” are mentioned later in the conversation as details about the test, but they are not the reason he went to talk to the teacher.

2 (C) His vocabulary.

• Explanation: The teacher explicitly praises this part of his test: “Your vocabulary was excellent.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. Grammar (past tense) is exactly what he had trouble with, not what was good. Option (A) was not mentioned.

3 (B) He used the wrong verb tense.

• Explanation: The teacher explains, “you made a lot of mistakes with the past tense… You used the present tense instead.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. The audio mentions his weekend, but he did write about it (“I wrote about my weekend”). The problem was the grammar he used to write about it. Option (A) is plausible but not mentioned.

Leo: Excuse me, Ms. Evans. Do you have a minute? I want to ask about my writing test.

Ms. Evans: Of course, Leo. You got a 60 out of 100.

Leo: Yes, I was really surprised! I thought I did well. I used a lot of new vocabulary.

Ms. Evans: You did! Your vocabulary was excellent. But unfortunately, you made a lot of mistakes with the past tense.

Leo: Oh, I see. I wrote about my weekend, so I needed to use the past simple.

Ms. Evans: Exactly. You used the present tense instead. So, I had to take off points.

Leo: I understand now. I’ll review the grammar rules tonight.

1 (B) His doctor told him to stay in bed.

• Explanation: Sam explains his situation by saying, “I have a fever… my doctor told me to stay in bed.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. Sam mentions the speaking test, but that is the reason he wanted to come, not the reason he is absent. Option (C) is a plausible guess related to “doctor” but was not mentioned.

2 (C) Next week.

• Explanation: The receptionist tells Sam, “You can take the test next week.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The test is originally scheduled for “tonight,” but Sam cannot take it tonight because he is sick. Option (B) was not mentioned.

3 (A) Reading a chapter.

• Explanation: The receptionist gives the final homework instructions: “So, just read chapter four in your textbook.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap (The Twist). The teacher originally wanted them to write an email, “but he changed his mind.” Option (C) was not mentioned.

Mary: Global Language Center. How can I help you?

Sam: Hi, this is Sam from the evening Spanish class. I’m calling because I feel terrible today. I have a fever.

Mary: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. So you can’t come to class tonight?

Sam: Right. I wanted to come because we have a speaking test, but my doctor told me to stay in bed.

Mary: Don’t worry. I will tell your teacher. You can take the test next week.

Sam: Thank you. Did the teacher give any homework?

Mary: Let me check. Ah, the teacher wanted you to write an email, but he changed his mind. So, just read chapter four in your textbook.

Sam: Okay, read chapter four. Thanks!

1 (A) She thinks it costs too much money.

• Explanation: Anna says, “language centers are really expensive. I can’t afford it right now.” This is her initial worry.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. The audio mentions the class is “after work,” but Anna says “That’s perfect,” meaning she is not too tired to do it. Option (C) was not mentioned.

2 (B) To serve international customers better.

• Explanation: Mr. Smith states the company’s goal clearly: “The company is offering it for free to help us serve international customers better.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The words “pay” and “expensive” are mentioned, but the class is completely free, so the company is not making money from it. Option (C) is a plausible guess but was not mentioned.

3 (B) On Thursday evenings.

• Explanation: Mr. Smith confirms the schedule: “The classes will be on Thursday evenings after work.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). Anna asks if the classes will be on weekends, but Mr. Smith says “No, we know you need to rest.” Option (C) was not mentioned.

Mr. Smith: Hi Anna. Our company is starting a new English communication class next month. I think you should join.

Anna: I’d love to, Mr. Smith. But language centers are really expensive. I can’t afford it right now.

Mr. Smith: Don’t worry. You don’t have to pay anything. The company is offering it for free to help us serve international customers better.

Anna: Really? That’s amazing! Will the classes be on weekends? I’m usually busy then.

Mr. Smith: No, we know you need to rest. The classes will be on Thursday evenings after work.

Anna: That’s perfect. I’ll sign up today!

1 (B) On Wednesday.

• Explanation: Mr. Harris says, “So, we will have our Speaking and Writing tests on Wednesday instead.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). The teacher originally planned to have the test on Monday, but the schedule changed. Option (C) is a trap because “next month” is when they will study Unit 6, not when they will take the test.

2 (A) Because there is a school holiday.

• Explanation: The teacher explains the reason for the change: “However, Monday is a school holiday.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Options (B) and (C) are plausible guesses for why a test might be delayed, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) Unit 1 to Unit 5.

• Explanation: Mr. Harris gives clear instructions on what to review: “you need to review the vocabulary from Unit 1 to Unit 5.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The teacher explicitly says, “You don’t need to study Unit 6 yet.” Option (B) was not mentioned.

Mr. Harris: Attention class! I have an important announcement about your final tests next week. Originally, I planned to give you the tests on Monday.

Class: Yes, teacher.

Mr. Harris: However, Monday is a school holiday. So, we will have our Speaking and Writing tests on Wednesday instead.

Class: Okay, Mr. Harris.

Mr. Harris: To prepare, you need to review the vocabulary from Unit 1 to Unit 5. You don’t need to study Unit 6 yet. We will start that unit next month. Are we clear?

Class: Yes, teacher!