Books & Reading – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a teacher talking to his students about homework. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What textbook do the students need for tonight’s homework?
(A) Geography
(B) History
(C) Math
2 Which chapter do the students have to read?
(A) Chapter 3
(B) Chapter 4
(C) Chapter 5
3 What must the students do after reading?
(A) Write a long summary.
(B) Read the bottom of the page only.
(C) Answer five questions.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : The teacher says, “please take out your History textbooks instead.”
- Trap: Option A (Geography) is a trap. The teacher originally planned for Geography but used the word “But” to change the plan.
2 Answer: A
- Explanation : The teacher explicitly says, “We need to finish Chapter 3 first.”
- Trap: Option B (Chapter 4) is a trap because the student asks about it, but the teacher says “No”. Option C (Chapter 5) is a distractor using the number “five” from the “five questions” mentioned later.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation : The teacher instructs the students to “answer the five questions there.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap because the student asks about writing a summary, but the teacher says “No summary. However…”.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mr. Davis: Okay everyone, before you leave, let’s talk about your homework for tomorrow. I know I said we would read the Geography book tonight. But, um, we are behind schedule. So, please take out your History textbooks instead.
Emma: Excuse me, Mr. Davis. Are we reading Chapter 4 tonight?
Mr. Davis: No, not yet Emma. We need to finish Chapter 3 first. Please read it carefully at home.
Emma: Do we need to write a long summary for this chapter?
Mr. Davis: No summary. However, you must look at the bottom of the page and answer the five questions there. Please write the answers in your notebooks. See you tomorrow!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between two colleagues at the office. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What was Lisa doing instead of reading the newspaper?
(A) Reading the sports page.
(B) Checking the weather.
(C) Answering emails.
2 What did the newspaper say about the weather?
(A) It will be clear all day.
(B) It will rain heavily in the afternoon.
(C) It will be sunny this afternoon.
3 How will Lisa go home today?
(A) She will walk.
(B) She will take a taxi.
(C) She will take a bus.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: C
- Explanation : Lisa says, “I wanted to read it, but I was so busy answering emails.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap because reading the “sports page” is what Mark usually does. Option B is what Mark tells Lisa to do, not what she was doing.
2 Answer: B
- Explanation : Mark says, “However, there will be heavy rain this afternoon.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap. The newspaper says it will be clear, but only this morning, not all day. Option C is a trap because Lisa asks if it will be sunny, but that is not the actual news.
3 Answer: B
- Explanation : Lisa says, “I guess I have to take a taxi instead.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap based on her habit (“I usually walk home”). She changes her plan because of the rain. Option C is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Good morning, Lisa. Did you read the morning newspaper yet?
Lisa: Hi, Mark. I wanted to read it, but I was so busy answering emails. Why? Is there any big news?
Mark: You should check the weather section. I usually just read the sports page, but today I saw a warning on the front page.
Lisa: Really? Is it going to be sunny? I didn’t bring my umbrella today.
Mark: Well, the newspaper says it will be clear this morning. However, there will be heavy rain this afternoon.
Lisa: Oh no! I usually walk home after work. So, I guess I have to take a taxi instead.
Mark: Good idea. I can call one for you later.
Listening 3
Listen to two students talking about a book report. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 Whose biography did Mia originally want to read?
(A) Isaac Newton
(B) Albert Einstein
(C) Marie Curie
2 Why didn’t they choose the book about Marie Curie?
(A) Someone else borrowed it.
(B) It was 400 pages long.
(C) It was not in the library.
3 Which book will they use for their report?
(A) The book about Albert Einstein.
(B) The book about Marie Curie.
(C) The book about Isaac Newton.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : Mia clearly states at the beginning, “I really wanted to read about Albert Einstein.”
- Trap: Options A and C are traps because they are the other scientists mentioned later in the conversation.
2 Answer: A
- Explanation : Leo says they can’t use Marie Curie’s book because “someone already borrowed it.”
- Trap: Option B (400 pages long) is a trap because that is the reason they rejected the Albert Einstein book, not the Marie Curie book.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation : After rejecting the first two options, Mia suggests Isaac Newton and Leo says “Perfect! Let’s read that one instead.” This is their final decision.
- Trap: Options A and B are traps. They are the books the students discussed but decided not to use.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Hi Mia. We need to choose a scientist’s biography for our book report.
Mia: Right! I really wanted to read about Albert Einstein. There is a great book about him in the school library.
Leo: But Mia, that book is 400 pages long! We only have one week to finish the report.
Mia: You’re right, that’s too long. What about Marie Curie? Her story is very interesting.
Leo: I tried to get her book today, but someone already borrowed it.
Mia: Oh, that’s too bad. Well, how about Isaac Newton? I have a short book about his life right here in my bag.
Leo: Perfect! Let’s read that one instead so we can start tonight.
Listening 4
Listen to a teacher and a student organizing a bookshelf. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 Where will Leo put the dictionaries?
(A) On the top shelf.
(B) On the middle shelf.
(C) On the bottom shelf.
2 Why does Mr. Smith want the storybooks on the bottom shelf?
(A) Because they are very heavy.
(B) Because younger students need to reach them.
(C) Because the middle shelf is full.
3 What will they put on the middle shelf?
(A) Children’s storybooks.
(B) Heavy dictionaries.
(C) History magazines.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: A
- Explanation : Mr. Smith clearly says, “please put them on the top shelf.”
- Trap: Option C is a trap. Leo asks if he should put them on the bottom shelf, but the teacher says no.
2 Answer: B
- Explanation : Mr. Smith explains that “the younger students can’t reach that high” so the books must go on the bottom shelf.
- Trap: Option A is a trap because the word “heavy” is used to describe the dictionaries at the beginning of the audio, not the storybooks. Option C is not mentioned.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation : At the end of the conversation, Leo says, “I’ll put the history magazines in the middle, then” and the teacher agrees (“Perfect”).
- Trap: Option A is a trap because the teacher originally “wanted to put them there” (the storybooks on the middle shelf), but changed his mind using the word “However”.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mr. Smith: Leo, can you help me organize our new classroom bookshelf before the other students arrive?
Leo: Sure, Mr. Smith. Where should I put these heavy dictionaries? On the bottom shelf?
Mr. Smith: I thought about that, but we use them every day. So, please put them on the top shelf. That way, everyone can see them easily.
Leo: Okay, top shelf. And what about these children’s storybooks? Should they go on the middle shelf?
Mr. Smith: Well, I wanted to put them there. However, the younger students can’t reach that high. Please put the storybooks on the bottom shelf instead.
Leo: Got it. I’ll put the history magazines in the middle, then.
Mr. Smith: Perfect. Thank you for your help, Leo!
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a new employee and his manager. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 Why doesn’t Tom read the handbook in the office today?
(A) Because he has to go home early.
(B) Because his desk is too noisy.
(C) Because he does not have a desk.
2 What did Tom originally ask to do?
(A) Take the printed book home.
(B) Read the book on his laptop.
(C) Fix the noise in the office.
3 How will Tom read the company rules tonight?
(A) He will read the printed book at home.
(B) He will read them at the office tomorrow.
(C) He will read them from an email.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : Tom says clearly, “my desk is too noisy today.”
- Trap: Option A is plausible (có vẻ hợp lý trong thực tế) but it is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because the word “desk” is used, but he actually has a desk, it’s just noisy.
2 Answer: A
- Explanation : Tom asks, “Can I borrow the printed handbook and take it home tonight?”
- Trap: Option B is a trap. Reading on the laptop is his final decision, not what he originally asked for. Option C is a trap because the manager mentions “repairs” causing the noise, but Tom doesn’t want to fix it.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation : Ms. Green says, “I can email you the digital version,” and Tom agrees to read it on his laptop.
- Trap: Option A is the biggest trap. Tom wanted to take the printed book home, but the manager says “you can’t take the printed book out of the office.”
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Excuse me, Ms. Green. I wanted to read the employee handbook here in the office, but my desk is too noisy today.
Ms. Green: I understand, Tom. We are doing some repairs next door.
Tom: Can I borrow the printed handbook and take it home tonight? I really want to learn the company rules.
Ms. Green: I’m sorry, you can’t take the printed book out of the office. It must stay here. However, I can email you the digital version.
Tom: Oh, that’s great! I will just read it on my laptop at home instead.
Ms. Green: Perfect. I will send the email right now.