Books & Reading – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: C

• Explanation : Alex clearly says, “I left it on the bus this morning.”
• Trap: Option A (at school) is a trap because the librarian guesses this first, but Alex says “No”. Option B (in his bag) is a trap because he put it there initially, but that’s not where he left (lost) it.

2 Answer: A

• Explanation : Alex says, “It was the ‘World History’ textbook.”
• Trap: Options B and C are distractors that belong to the same topic category (types of books) but are not mentioned in the audio.

3 Answer: A

• Explanation : The librarian says, “However, the book you borrowed was a very old copy. So, you only need to pay $12 instead.”
• Trap: Option B ($20) is a very strong trap. It is the “usual” price, and Alex even offers to pay $20 at first. Option C ($8) is a “Math Trap” (20 – 12 = 8), designed to confuse students who try to do math while listening.

Alex: Hello, Mrs. Miller. I am so sorry, but I lost my library book.

Mrs. Miller: Oh dear. That’s a shame. Did you leave it at school?

Alex: No, I put it in my bag after class. But then I left it on the bus this morning. It was the “World History” textbook.

Mrs. Miller: I see. Well, because you lost it, you have to pay for a replacement. Usually, a new copy of that book costs $20.

Alex: I understand. I have $20 right here.

Mrs. Miller: Wait a moment. However, the book you borrowed was a very old copy. So, you only need to pay $12 instead.

Alex: Oh, that’s a relief! Here is the money.

1 Answer: B

• Explanation : The man says, “it is a very long book, and I didn’t have much free time”.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. The librarian asks “Did you not like the story?”, but the man says “No, it is actually very interesting!”

2 Answer: B

• Explanation : The man asks, “Can I keep it for two more weeks?”
• Trap: Option A (One week) is a trap because it is the final result, not what he asked for at first.

3 Answer: C

• Explanation : The librarian says, “So, I can only give you one extra week,” and the man agrees.
• Trap: Option B (Two weeks) is a trap. It is what the man wanted, and what the library “usually” allows, but not what happens this time. Option A is what he planned to do originally before asking for more time.

Man: Hi, I need to return this novel today. But, honestly, I haven’t finished it yet.

Librarian: Oh? Did you not like the story?

Man: No, it is actually very interesting! However, it is a very long book, and I didn’t have much free time this week. Can I keep it for two more weeks?

Librarian: Let me check the computer. Well, usually you can renew a book for two weeks. But, someone else is waiting to read this exact novel. So, I can only give you one extra week.

Man: That’s fair. One week is fine. I will read faster. Thank you!

1 Answer: B

• Explanation : Tom says, “I spilled a little bit [of coffee] on page 20.”
• Trap: Option A (water) is a trap. Sarah asks if he dropped it in the water, but Tom says “No”. Option C uses the word “page” from the audio, but the page is not lost, just dirty.

2 Answer: C

• Explanation : Tom feels bad and says, “I will go to the bookstore and buy you a new copy today.”
• Trap: Option B is a trap because buying coffee is the final result of the conversation, not what Tom offered at first. Option A is a logical guess but is never mentioned.

3 Answer: B

• Explanation : Sarah tells Tom he doesn’t need to buy a book. She says, “However, you have to buy me a cup of coffee instead!”
• Trap: Option A is what Tom wanted to do, but Sarah refused it. Option C is a trap because going to the bookstore is connected to buying a new book, which they decided not to do.

Tom: Sarah, I am so sorry. I had an accident with your book this morning.

Sarah: Oh no. What happened? Did you drop it in the water?

Tom: No. I was drinking my morning coffee and I spilled a little bit on page 20. It looks brown now. I will go to the bookstore and buy you a new copy today.

Sarah: Let me look at it. Oh, Tom, it is just a small mark. You do not need to buy a new book.

Tom: Are you sure? I feel really bad about it.

Sarah: I am sure. The words are still clear. However, you have to buy me a cup of coffee instead!

Tom: Haha, deal! I will buy you the biggest cup right now.

1 Answer: C

• Explanation : The customer says, “However, two pages in the middle are torn.”
• Trap: Option A is a trap. The clerk asks “Did you buy the wrong book?” but the customer answers “No”. Option B is a trap because he came to solve a problem with the book he bought yesterday, not to buy another one.

2 Answer: A

• Explanation : The customer explicitly asks, “Can I get my money back?”
• Trap: Option B (give him a new copy) is the final solution offered by the clerk, not what the man asked for at first. Option C uses the word “receipt” from the audio, but he already has the receipt.

3 Answer: B

• Explanation : The clerk says, “But I can give you a new copy of the same book instead,” and the man agrees.
• Trap: Option A is a strong trap. It is what the man wanted, but the clerk says “we usually don’t give money back.” Option C is a nonsense distractor using the words “read” and “story” from the man’s dialogue.

Customer: Hi. I bought this novel here yesterday. But, um, I found a problem when I opened it last night.

Clerk: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Did you buy the wrong book?

Customer: No, it’s the right book. However, two pages in the middle are torn. I can’t read the story. Can I get my money back?

Clerk: Let me see your receipt, please. Well, we usually don’t give money back. But I can give you a new copy of the same book instead.

Customer: Oh, that’s fine. I really want to read it. Here is the receipt.

Clerk: Thank you. Just wait a minute, I will get a new one for you.

1 Answer: A

• Explanation : The grandmother clearly says, “I want to read this morning newspaper.”
• Trap: Option B (A thick novel) is a trap. She was reading a novel earlier this morning, but right now she wants to read the newspaper. Option C is not mentioned.

2 Answer: C

• Explanation : The grandmother says, “I thought I left them in the kitchen…”
• Trap: Option A (bedroom) is a trap because Leo asks if they are in the bedroom, but they are not. Option B (living room) is the actual location, not where she thought they were at first.

3 Answer: B

• Explanation : The grandmother corrects her memory and says, “The glasses are on the sofa!”
• Trap: Option A (Next to the coffee cup) is a trap because that is in the kitchen where they were not found. Option C (bedroom) is just a guess made by the grandson.

Grandma: Leo, could you come here and help me, please? I want to read this morning newspaper, but the print is just too small.

Leo: Sure, Grandma. Do you need your reading glasses? Where are they?

Grandma: I thought I left them in the kitchen, next to my coffee cup. Could you go and check?

Leo: Okay… [pause] Grandma, they are not in the kitchen. Are they in your bedroom?

Grandma: Oh, wait! I remember now. I was reading a thick novel in the living room earlier this morning. The glasses are on the sofa!

Leo: I see them! Here you go, Grandma.

Grandma: Thank you, dear.