Animals & Habitats – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two campers and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where is the spider located?
(A) Under the sleeping bag.
(B) On the tent wall.
(C) In Sarah’s shoe.
2 What was Mark’s first reaction?
(A) He wanted to catch it with a cup.
(B) He wanted to take a photo of it.
(C) He wanted to kill it with a shoe.
3 What is the truth about the spider?
(A) It is a very poisonous Black Widow.
(B) It is a harmless garden spider.
(C) It is a dangerous forest insect.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) On the tent wall.
- Explanation: Mark says, “There is a giant spider on the tent wall.” Option (A) is the trap because he mentions it’s above the sleeping bag. Option (C) is the trap because he mentions a “shoe” later.
2 (C) He wanted to kill it with a shoe.
- Explanation: Mark says, “We should kill it right now with your shoe!” Option (A) is the trap; this is what Sarah actually does at the end, not what Mark wanted at first.
3 (B) It is a harmless garden spider.
- Explanation: Sarah corrects Mark, saying “It’s just a common garden spider. It is actually harmless.” Option (A) is the trap; Mark thought it was a Black Widow, but he was wrong (The Twist).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Oh my god, Sarah! Look! There is a giant spider on the tent wall, right above your sleeping bag!
Sarah: Whoa! Um, let me see… You’re right, it is quite big.
Mark: Is it a Black Widow? I heard they are very poisonous. We should kill it right now with your shoe!
Sarah: Wait, Mark! I thought it might be dangerous too, but look at the marks on its back. It’s just a common garden spider. It is actually harmless.
Mark: Are you sure? It looks so scary. I can’t sleep with that thing in here.
Sarah: Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill it. I’ll just use this plastic cup to catch it and put it outside in the grass.
Mark: Okay… Phew, thanks Sarah. I really hate spiders.
Sarah: There! It’s gone now. You can relax.
Listening 2
Listen to the telephone conversation between a pet owner and a vet, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the dog doing today?
(A) Eating his favorite meat.
(B) Sleeping all day.
(C) Playing in the yard.
2 What is the dog refusing to do?
(A) Drink water.
(B) Take his medicine.
(C) Go to sleep.
3 When does the vet want to see the dog?
(A) Tomorrow morning.
(B) Right now.
(C) Next week.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Sleeping all day.
- Explanation: The owner clearly states at the beginning, “He is just sleeping all day.” Option (A) is the trap; the owner thought about giving him his favorite meat, but the dog won’t even open his eyes. Option (C) is a distractor and not mentioned.
2 (A) Drink water.
- Explanation: The owner says, “he refuses to drink any water.” Option (C) is the trap; the dog is actually doing the opposite (sleeping all day). Option (B) is a plausible guess for a sick pet but is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) Right now.
- Explanation: The vet says, “Please bring him to the clinic immediately,” and the owner replies, “I will bring him in right now.” Option (A) is the trap; the vet originally wanted to say wait until tomorrow, but changed his mind because the situation is dangerous (The Twist). Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Owner: Hello, Dr. Smith. Um, my dog, Buddy, is very sick today. He is just sleeping all day.
Vet: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Is he eating his food?
Owner: Well, I thought about giving him his favorite meat, but he doesn’t even want to open his eyes. And worse, he refuses to drink any water. So, I am really worried.
Vet: Not drinking water is very dangerous for a dog. I originally wanted to tell you to wait until tomorrow, however, he needs help now. Please bring him to the clinic immediately.
Owner: Okay, I will bring him in right now.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between two neighbors and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What did Lisa want to do first to help the dog?
(A) Call the animal shelter.
(B) Check its collar for a phone number.
(C) Give it a bowl of water.
2 Why can’t Lisa give the dog any food?
(A) Because she doesn’t have any food at home.
(B) Because the dog is not hungry.
(C) Because Tom says it is dangerous.
3 What are they going to do at the end?
(A) Give the dog some food and take it inside.
(B) Look for a phone number on the dog’s collar.
(C) Give the dog water and call the shelter.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Check its collar for a phone number.
- Explanation: Lisa says at the beginning, “We should check its collar for a phone number.” Option (A) is the trap; calling the shelter is what she decides to do at the end, not first. Option (C) is Tom’s idea later in the conversation.
2 (A) Because she doesn’t have any food at home.
- Explanation: Lisa says, “I wanted to give it some food, however, I don’t have any at home.” Option (B) and (C) might be plausible reasons in real life, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) Give the dog water and call the shelter.
- Explanation: Tom says, “Let’s just bring it a bowl of water,” and Lisa adds, “And I will call the animal shelter.” Option (B) is the trap; it was their original plan, but they couldn’t do it because the dog didn’t have a collar (The Twist). Option (A) is incorrect because they don’t have food.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hey, Lisa. Look at that dog in front of my house. Do you know who it belongs to?
Lisa: No, I’ve never seen it before. It looks very tired. We should check its collar for a phone number.
Tom: I thought about that, but look closely, it isn’t wearing a collar at all.
Lisa: Oh, you’re right. Well, I wanted to give it some food, however, I don’t have any at home.
Tom: That’s okay. Let’s just bring it a bowl of water for now.
Lisa: Good idea. And I will call the animal shelter. They can come and help find its owner.
Tom: Perfect. I’ll go get the water.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a zoo guard and a visitor, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Which animal actually escaped?
(A) A monkey.
(B) A tiger.
(C) A large bird.
2 Why did they think a monkey escaped at first?
(A) Because someone saw it running.
(B) Because they heard a loud noise.
(C) Because the monkey cage was open.
3 What does the guard ask the visitor to do?
(A) Leave the zoo immediately.
(B) Stay behind the yellow line.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) A large bird.
- Explanation: The guard clarifies, “actually, a large bird flew out of the safety net.” Option (A) is the trap; the visitor asked if a monkey escaped, and the guard admitted he thought it was a monkey at first, but it wasn’t (The Twist). Option (B) is a dangerous animal but is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) Because they heard a loud noise.
- Explanation: The guard says, “I thought it was a monkey too, because of the loud noise.” Options (A) and (C) are plausible reasons for an animal escaping, but they are not mentioned.
3 (B) Stay behind the yellow line.
- Explanation: The guard gives the final instruction: “So, just stay behind this yellow line, please.” Option (A) is the trap; the visitor asks if they should leave the zoo, but the guard says, “No, you don’t need to leave.” Option (C) is not mentioned and is dangerous in real life.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Visitor: Excuse me, sir. What is happening? Why is everyone running? Did a monkey escape from the cage?
Guard: Please step back, ma’am. Don’t panic. I thought it was a monkey too, because of the loud noise. But actually, a large bird flew out of the safety net.
Visitor: Oh my goodness! Is it dangerous? Should we leave the zoo right now?
Guard: No, you don’t need to leave. I wanted to close this whole area, however, our staff is already catching it. So, just stay behind this yellow line, please.
Visitor: Okay, I will stay right here. Thank you for the information.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a host and his guest, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is Emma’s problem?
(A) She has a very bad cold.
(B) She is afraid of cats.
(C) She is allergic to cats.
2 Where are David’s cats right now?
(A) In the bedroom.
(B) On the sofa.
(C) On the balcony.
3 Where will they drink their tea?
(A) In the living room.
(B) On the balcony.
(C) In the bedroom.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) She is allergic to cats.
- Explanation: Emma clearly states, “I am actually allergic to cat hair.” Option (A) is a plausible reason for sneezing in real life, but it is not mentioned. Option (B) is the trap; she cannot stay inside because of her allergy, not because she is scared.
2 (A) In the bedroom.
- Explanation: David says, “my two cats are sleeping in the bedroom.” Option (B) is the trap; the sofa is where David asked Emma to sit. Option (C) is where they go at the end of the conversation.
3 (B) On the balcony.
- Explanation: David changes the plan and says, “let’s go out to the balcony instead.” Option (A) is the trap; David originally planned to serve the tea in the living room, but they couldn’t stay there because of Emma’s allergy (The Twist). Option (C) is a distractor.
AUDIO SCRIPT
David: Welcome to my house, Emma! Please sit on the sofa. I can make some tea for us.
Emma: Thank you, David. Ah… achoo! I am so sorry. Are there cats in here?
David: Yes, my two cats are sleeping in the bedroom. Are you okay?
Emma: Well, I wanted to sit in the living room, but I am actually allergic to cat hair. So, I can’t stay inside.
David: Oh no! I completely forgot about your allergy. Here, take some tissues.
Emma: Thanks.
David: I originally planned to serve the tea here, however, let’s go out to the balcony instead. The fresh air will help you.
Emma: That sounds like a great idea.