Music – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the woman like the singer Leo Star?
(A) Because he sings rock music.
(B) Because he has an amazing voice and dances well.
(C) Because his concert tickets are cheap.
2 What was the man planning to do?
(A) Buy tickets to Leo Star’s concert.
(B) Buy a new live DVD.
(C) Go to a rock music festival.
3 What are the two friends going to do together?
(A) Go to the concert next month.
(B) Listen to some rock music.
(C) Watch a DVD at the woman’s house.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Because he has an amazing voice and dances well.
- Explanation: The woman says, “Leo’s voice is just amazing” and “he dances so beautifully.” Option (A) is a trap because the man thought she only liked rock music, but Leo Star is a different case. Option (C) is incorrect because the tickets were “way too expensive,” not cheap.
2 (A) Buy tickets to Leo Star’s concert.
- Explanation: The man says, “I was going to buy tickets to his concert… but they were way too expensive.” This uses the “but” twist common in A2 levels. Option (B) is a trap; the woman suggests watching a DVD, but the man wasn’t planning to buy one. Option (C) is a trap using the word “rock” mentioned earlier.
3 (C) Watch a DVD at the woman’s house.
- Explanation: The woman offers a solution since the man couldn’t buy a ticket: “Maybe we can just watch his new live DVD together at my place.” The man agrees (“Sounds like a great idea!”). Option (A) is a trap because only the woman is going to the concert. Option (B) is just a distraction using a keyword from the beginning of the conversation.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Man: Hey, did you hear the new song by Leo Star?
Woman: Yes, I listened to it this morning! He is definitely my favorite singer right now.
Man: Really? I didn’t know you liked him. I thought you only listened to rock music.
Woman: Well, I usually do, but Leo’s voice is just amazing. Plus, he dances so beautifully in his music videos.
Man: True. I was going to buy tickets to his concert next month, but they were way too expensive.
Woman: Oh, that’s too bad. I actually bought my ticket yesterday! Maybe we can just watch his new live DVD together at my place next week instead.
Man: Sounds like a great idea!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between two friends. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What kind of music does the woman want for the trip?
(A) Slow pop songs.
(B) Fast dance music.
(C) Classical music.
2 Why does the woman say no to the song by “The Sunshines”?
(A) Because the song is too slow.
(B) Because she doesn’t like the band.
(C) Because she played it too many times already.
3 What music will they finally listen to in the car?
(A) Classic rock songs.
(B) New pop songs.
(C) Dance songs by “The Sunshines”.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Fast dance music.
- Explanation: The woman explicitly says, “We need fast and happy music. Let’s add some dance music instead.” Option (A) is a trap because the man originally wanted to add slow pop songs, but the woman rejected the idea. Option (C) is a distractor using a word similar to “classic rock,” which is mentioned later.
2 (C) Because she played it too many times already.
- Explanation: The woman says, “I listened to that song too much yesterday. I am kind of bored of it.” Option (A) is incorrect because the man actually describes the song as “upbeat” (fast). Option (B) is a trap because she clearly states, “I love them,” meaning she likes the band, just not that specific song right now.
3 (A) Classic rock songs.
- Explanation: After rejecting the other ideas, the man suggests, “I will choose some classic rock songs,” and the woman agrees by saying, “Perfect!” Option (B) is a trap combining “new” and “pop,” which were mentioned earlier but not chosen. Option (C) is a trap because the woman already rejected the song by “The Sunshines”.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Man: So, are we ready for our road trip this weekend?
Woman: Almost! But we still need a good playlist for the car.
Man: Right. I was going to add some slow pop songs…
Woman: Oh, no. We will fall asleep! We need fast and happy music. Let’s add some dance music instead.
Man: Good point. How about that new song by “The Sunshines”? It’s very upbeat.
Woman: Um, I love them, but I listened to that song too much yesterday. I am kind of bored of it.
Man: Okay, then I will choose some classic rock songs. They always keep me awake while driving.
Woman: Perfect! I’ll put them on my phone.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a mother and her son. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What does the mother want Leo to do?
(A) Watch a cartoon.
(B) Eat dinner right now.
(C) Practice the piano.
2 Why can’t Leo practice his instrument after dinner?
(A) Because he has to do his homework.
(B) Because he is going to his grandmother’s house.
(C) Because his favorite cartoon is on TV.
3 What is Leo going to do next?
(A) Turn off the TV and practice music.
(B) Finish watching his TV show.
(C) Go to his grandmother’s house.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) Practice the piano.
- Explanation: The mother clearly says, “You have to practice the piano for 30 minutes.” Option (A) is a trap because Leo is currently watching a cartoon and wants to finish it, but his mother says no. Option (B) is incorrect because dinner is not ready yet; it will be ready in “half an hour.”
2 (B) Because he is going to his grandmother’s house.
- Explanation: When Leo asks to practice after dinner, his mom says, “We are going to your grandmother’s house after dinner… So you won’t have time later.” Option (A) is a plausible reason but is never mentioned in the audio. Option (C) is a trap using a keyword (“cartoon”) from the beginning of the conversation.
3 (A) Turn off the TV and practice music.
- Explanation: At the end of the conversation, Leo agrees with his mom and says, “Okay, I will turn off the TV and go play the piano now.” Option (B) is a trap because he originally wanted to do this, but changed his mind after his mom reminded him of their plans. Option (C) is a trap because they will go to the grandmother’s house after dinner, not next.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mom: Leo, are you still watching TV? It’s almost 6 PM.
Son: I know, Mom. But this cartoon is really good. Can I finish it first?
Mom: No, you need to follow your daily schedule. You have to practice the piano for 30 minutes before we eat dinner.
Son: How about I practice after dinner tonight? I promise I will do it.
Mom: We are going to your grandmother’s house after dinner, remember? So you won’t have time later.
Son: Oh, I forgot about that. Okay, I will turn off the TV and go play the piano now.
Mom: Thank you. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between two colleagues. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What was Sarah planning to do tonight at first?
(A) Go to a karaoke bar.
(B) Go home and watch a movie.
(C) Eat snacks at a restaurant.
2 Why does Sarah hesitate to go to karaoke?
(A) Because she thinks she sings badly.
(B) Because she is too tired from work.
(C) Because she doesn’t like loud music.
3 What will Sarah do at the karaoke bar?
(A) She will only eat snacks and listen.
(B) She will sing a song alone.
(C) She will sing a song with Mark.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Go home and watch a movie.
- Explanation: Sarah says, “I was going to just go home and watch a movie.” Option (A) is a trap because going to karaoke is Mark’s plan and the final outcome, not her initial plan. Option (C) is a distractor using the word “snacks” mentioned later in the audio.
2 (A) Because she thinks she sings badly.
- Explanation: Sarah explicitly states the reason: “I am a terrible singer.” Option (B) is a logical guess for someone after work, but it is not mentioned in the conversation. Option (C) is plausible but completely unmentioned.
3 (C) She will sing a song with Mark.
- Explanation: Sarah agrees to sing but with a condition: “I will only sing if we sing a song together.” Option (A) is a trap because Mark suggested she could just “eat snacks and listen,” but her final decision involves singing with him. Option (B) is a trap because she clearly says, “I will not sing alone!”
AUDIO SCRIPT
Man: Hey Sarah, it’s Friday! A few of us are going to a karaoke bar tonight to relax. Do you want to come?
Woman: Um, I don’t know, Mark. I am a terrible singer. I was going to just go home and watch a movie.
Man: Oh, come on! It doesn’t matter. We just want to have fun and relieve stress after a long week. You don’t have to sing. You can just eat snacks and listen.
Woman: Well… okay. But I will not sing alone! I will only sing if we sing a song together.
Man: Deal! Let’s go right after work.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a brother and sister. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why was Toby playing loud music?
(A) He was doing his math homework.
(B) He was practicing for an audition.
(C) He was watching a music show on TV.
2 Why is the girl complaining?
(A) Because she hates rock music.
(B) Because she wants to watch TV.
(C) Because the noise stops her from studying.
3 What will Toby finally do?
(A) Turn off the music and watch TV.
(B) Keep practicing with his headphones on.
(C) Stop playing music and leave the house.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He was practicing for an audition.
- Explanation: The boy explicitly states, “I was practicing for my band audition tomorrow.” Option (A) is a trap because doing math homework is what his sister is doing, not him. Option (C) is a distractor using the word “TV”, which he mentions later as a different plan.
2 (C) Because the noise stops her from studying.
- Explanation: The girl says, “I am trying to finish my math homework… I just can’t focus with all that noise.” Option (A) is a plausible guess, but she never says she hates the genre itself. Option (B) is a trap because the boy suggests watching TV, not the girl.
3 (B) Keep practicing with his headphones on.
- Explanation: The girl suggests, “Just put on your headphones, please,” and Toby agrees: “That’s a good idea. I will get my headphones right now.” Option (A) is the A2 “Twist” trap: he offered to turn it off and watch TV (“I can turn the music off and go watch TV…”), but his sister rejected this idea. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Girl: Toby, can you turn down that rock music? It is way too loud!
Boy: Oh, sorry! I didn’t know you were home. I was practicing for my band audition tomorrow.
Girl: Well, I am trying to finish my math homework for tomorrow morning. I just can’t focus with all that noise.
Boy: I see. I can turn the music off and go watch TV in the living room instead, if you want.
Girl: No, you don’t have to stop practicing. Just put on your headphones, please.
Boy: Oh, right! That’s a good idea. I will get my headphones right now. Good luck with your math!