Weather forecast – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (C) An umbrella and a raincoat.

• Explanation: The customer runs in and asks, “Do you sell umbrellas and raincoats?” Option (A) is a trap because the clerk mentions small umbrellas later. Option (B) is a trap because the customer mentions their backpack, but they don’t want to buy one.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It would be cloudy.

• Explanation: The customer explicitly states, “The weather forecast said it would be cloudy today…”. Option (B) is the trap because a thunderstorm is the actual weather happening right now, not what the forecast predicted. Option (C) is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (B) One large umbrella.

• Explanation: Because there are no raincoats, the customer changes the plan and says, “I will take one large umbrella, please.” Option (A) is a trap because the clerk offered small umbrellas, but the customer rejected them. Option (C) is the trap because it was the customer’s initial plan (Plan A).

Customer: Excuse me! Do you sell umbrellas and raincoats? It is raining heavily outside!

Clerk: Welcome! We have umbrellas right here. But unfortunately, we just sold our last raincoat ten minutes ago.

Customer: Oh no. The weather forecast said it would be cloudy today, not a thunderstorm! I really need to stay dry.

Clerk: I am so sorry about that. We have small umbrellas for 5 dollars and large umbrellas for 10 dollars. What would you like instead?

Customer: Well, since there are no raincoats, I will take one large umbrella, please. Hopefully, it covers my backpack too.

Clerk: Great choice. That will be 10 dollars, please.

1 Correct Answer: (B) There is a snowstorm in New York.

• Explanation: The passenger says, “They said there is a terrible snowstorm in New York today!” Option (A) is the trap because Chicago is where the storm is actually happening right now, not what the passenger heard on the morning news. Option (C) is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It is only very windy.

• Explanation: The agent corrects the passenger’s information by saying, “New York is only very windy today…”. Option (B) is the trap because it was the old weather forecast. Option (C) is a plausible weather condition but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) It is on time.

• Explanation: At the beginning, the agent checks the computer and says, “No, sir. It is on time.” Option (A) is the trap because the passenger asks, “Is it delayed?” due to his worry about the weather. Option (B) is not mentioned.

Passenger: Excuse me. I have a ticket for the 3:00 PM flight to New York. Is it delayed?

Agent: Let me check your flight… No, sir. It is on time.

Passenger: Really? But I watched the news this morning. They said there is a terrible snowstorm in New York today!

Agent: I thought so too, but the weather changed. The snowstorm moved to Chicago instead. New York is only very windy today, so planes can still land safely.

Passenger: Oh, that’s a relief! So I should go to the boarding gate now?

Agent: Yes, please. Have a safe flight!

1 Correct Answer: (B) Warm and sunny.

• Explanation: The receptionist clarifies the local weather by saying, “Here in the south, the weather in December is very warm and sunny.” Option (A) is the trap because it is what the tourist thought the weather would be. Option (C) is a trap because the receptionist says it “rarely rains”.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Go to the beach.

• Explanation: The receptionist suggests, “But you can go to the beach or visit the national park instead.” Option (A) is the trap because skiing was the tourist’s initial plan, but it is rejected (“Unfortunately, no”) due to the lack of snow. Option (C) is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Swimsuits.

• Explanation: After hearing about the warm weather and the beach, the tourist says, “I will pack my swimsuits then.” Option (B) is a trap based on the initial assumption of freezing weather. Option (C) is a trap because it doesn’t fit the “rarely rains” description.

Tourist: Excuse me. I’m planning to come back here in December for a holiday. What is the weather usually like?

Receptionist: Oh, December is a great time to visit us!

Tourist: I heard it is usually freezing and snowy. I really want to go skiing.

Receptionist: Actually, no. That is in the north. Here in the south, the weather in December is very warm and sunny. It rarely rains.

Tourist: Really? That is a surprise. So I can’t go skiing?

Receptionist: Unfortunately, no. But you can go to the beach or visit the national park instead.

Tourist: That sounds nice, too. I will pack my swimsuits then.

1 Correct Answer: (B) Cloudy and cool.

• Explanation: The tourist asks at the beginning, “Is the weather going to be cloudy and cool?” because that was their expectation. Option (A) is the trap because it is the actual weather, not what the tourist initially thought. Option (C) is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Very sunny and hot.

• Explanation: The agent checks the app and says, “The forecast says this afternoon will be very sunny and hot.” Option (B) is the trap because it was the tourist’s guess (and the weather for tomorrow). Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Tomorrow morning.

• Explanation: Because of the heat today, the agent suggests “tomorrow morning,” and the tourist agrees: “I will rent the bike for tomorrow morning instead.” Option (A) is the trap because it was the initial plan (Plan A). Option (B) is a plausible time but is not mentioned.

Tourist: Hi there. I want to rent a bicycle for three hours this afternoon. Is the weather going to be cloudy and cool?

Agent: Hello! Let me check the weather app. Hmm, actually, no. The forecast says this afternoon will be very sunny and hot. It will be over 35 degrees!

Tourist: Oh, wow. That is too hot for riding a bike. I don’t want to get a sunburn.

Agent: Yeah, it’s not a good idea. How about tomorrow morning? It will be cloudy and much cooler then.

Tourist: That sounds perfect. I will rent the bike for tomorrow morning instead. Can I pay for it now?

Agent: Of course.

1 Correct Answer: (A) It would be a clear evening.

• Explanation: The passenger says, “The weather app said it would be a clear evening…” Option (C) is the trap because a storm is what is actually happening, not what the app predicted. Option (B) is also a trap; the driver mentions the wind later.

2 Correct Answer: (B) It starts to rain.

• Explanation: The driver says, “look at the window. It is starting to rain already!” Option (A) is a trap because the passenger says they are still “ten minutes away.” Option (C) is a trap because the passenger explicitly states, “I don’t have an umbrella.”

3 Correct Answer: (C) By driving very close to the front door.

• Explanation: The driver promises, “I will drive right up to your front door so you won’t get wet.” Option (A) is a trap because the passenger lacks an umbrella, but the driver doesn’t offer one. Option (B) is plausible but is never mentioned.

Passenger: Hi, to Park Street, please.

Driver: Sure thing. Wow, look at those dark clouds!

Passenger: Yeah. The weather app said it would be a clear evening, but it looks like a big storm is coming.

Driver: The wind is very strong, too. Do you think it will rain before we get to your house?

Passenger: I hope not. We are only ten minutes away.

Driver: Well, unfortunately… look at the window. It is starting to rain already!

Passenger: Oh no! And I don’t have an umbrella with me today.

Driver: Don’t worry. I will drive right up to your front door so you won’t get wet.

Passenger: Thank you so much!