Geography – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Snow and ice.

• Why B is correct: The narrator states clearly at the beginning: “When you look around, you only see white snow and thick ice.”
• Why A & C are wrong: Green plants and mountains are plausible features of nature, but they are not mentioned in this polar region description.

2 (C) They think no animals can live there.

• Why C is correct: The narrator explicitly points out this common mistake: “Many people think no animals can live here because it is too cold. However, that is not true.”
• Why A & B are wrong: Warm water is the opposite of the truth (the water is freezing). Complete darkness is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) In the freezing seawater.

• Why B is correct: The narrator explains that penguins “jump into the ocean to catch fish” and refers to the “freezing seawater.”
• Why A is a trap: The audio mentions “resting on the ice”, but uses the A2 Twist word “actually” to clarify that they catch fish in the ocean, not on the ice.
• Why C is wrong: Catching food under the snow is never mentioned.

Narrator: Welcome to the polar region. When you look around, you only see white snow and thick ice. It looks like a very quiet and empty place. Many people think no animals can live here because it is too cold. However, that is not true. If you look closely at the freezing seawater, you will see a lot of life. For example, penguins don’t spend all their time resting on the ice. They actually jump into the ocean to catch fish. The water is extremely cold, but their thick feathers keep them warm. It is a difficult place, but many animals call it home.

1 (B) The ocean

• Why B is correct: The captain explicitly states the first plan using the past tense: “I originally told you that we would fly over the ocean today.”
• Why A is a trap: The Alps are what they are flying over right now because of the changed route, not the original plan.
• Why C is wrong: A large lake is a geographical feature, but it is never mentioned in the announcement.

2 (B) Out the right window.

• Why B is correct: The captain directs the passengers clearly: “look out the window on the right side of the plane…”
• Why A is a trap: “Left” is a very common distractor for directions, but it is incorrect here.
• Why C is wrong: Passengers cannot look out the front window; that is for the pilots.

3 (B) They are covered in white snow.

• Why B is correct: The captain describes the mountains directly: “These are very high mountains completely covered in white snow.”
• Why A is wrong: Green trees are not mentioned.
• Why C is a trap: The “ocean” is mentioned earlier in the audio as the original flight path, but the mountains themselves are not surrounded by the ocean.

Captain: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard flight 402 to Rome. We are currently flying at a safe altitude and the weather is very clear. Right now, we are passing over Europe. I originally told you that we would fly over the ocean today. However, because of some strong winds, we had to change our route slightly. So, if you look out the window on the right side of the plane, you can see the famous Alps. These are very high mountains completely covered in white snow. It is a really beautiful view. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the flight.

1 (B) They think all oceans are about the same size.

• Why B is correct: The podcaster points out this mistake: “Some people think all oceans are about the same size…”
• Why A is wrong: The audio says the Pacific is the “largest”, no one is mentioned to think it is the smallest.
• Why C is a trap: The Pacific does cover thirty percent of the Earth, but this is a true fact, not what people mistakenly think.

2 (A) It has the deepest point in the world.

• Why A is correct: The audio states: “it is also the deepest ocean. You can find the deepest point in the world right there.”
• Why B is wrong: The depth is mentioned, but the audio never says it is too deep for animals.
• Why C is a trap: The audio says it is “the deepest”, which means it is deeper than the other oceans, not the same.

3 (C) People usually believe volcanoes are only on land.

• Why C is correct: The podcaster mentions this common misconception: “Many people believe volcanoes are only on land.”
• Why A is a trap: The audio states the opposite: “there are hundreds of them hidden under the Pacific water!”
• Why B is a trap: There are hundreds of volcanoes under the water, but people do not think this (they think they are on land). This uses the A2 Twist word “However” to contrast belief and reality.

Podcaster: Hello listeners, and welcome back to “Explore the World.” Today, let’s talk about the Pacific Ocean. Here are three amazing facts. First, it is the largest ocean on Earth. Some people think all oceans are about the same size, but the Pacific actually covers thirty percent of our planet. Second, it is not just big; it is also the deepest ocean. You can find the deepest point in the world right there. Finally, did you know it has a lot of volcanoes? Many people believe volcanoes are only on land. However, there are hundreds of them hidden under the Pacific water! Thanks for listening, and join us next week for more.

1 (A) People living near the foot of the mountain.

• Why A is correct: The announcer explicitly says, “If you live near the foot of Green Mountain…”
• Why B & C are wrong: A river and the city center are not mentioned in the bulletin at all.

2 (B) Stay inside their homes.

• Why B is correct: The announcer gives a clear instruction: “please stay inside your homes today.”
• Why A is a trap: The announcer says they usually tell people to enjoy the trails, but not today. This uses the A2 contrast between habit and present situation.
• Why C is a trap: The announcer explicitly says “do not drive” and mentions that people cannot go to work because the rain won’t stop.

3 (A) They thought it would stop this morning.

• Why A is correct: The audio states: “We originally thought the rain would stop this morning…”
• Why B is a trap: The rain will continue all day, but that is the actual current situation, not what they originally thought would happen. (This is the A2 Twist).
• Why C is wrong: Snow is never mentioned in the warning.

Announcer: Attention listeners. This is an important weather and safety warning. If you live near the foot of Green Mountain, please stay inside your homes today. Usually, we tell you to go out and enjoy the beautiful hiking trails there. However, because of the heavy rain last night, the ground is very wet and dangerous. The rain may cause landslides, which means mud and rocks could fall down the mountain. We originally thought the rain would stop this morning, so you could go to work. But it will continue all day. So, do not drive or walk near the mountain area until tomorrow. Please stay safe and listen to our next update.

1 (A) On a high cliff.

• Why A is correct: The vlogger clearly says at the beginning: “Right now, I am standing on top of a high cliff…”
• Why B is a trap: “Big hotels” are mentioned in the audio, but they are on other islands, not where the vlogger is standing.
• Why C is wrong: A boat is a very common transport for islands, but it is never mentioned in this video.

2 (B) Visit a famous, crowded island.

• Why B is correct: The vlogger uses the past tense to state the first plan: “Originally, I planned to visit a famous, crowded island…”
• Why A is a trap: The “secret island” is where the vlogger is right now because of a change of plans (The A2 Twist).
• Why C is wrong: A mountain is a geographical feature, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) It only has wild, green trees.

• Why B is correct: The vlogger describes the island by saying: “There is nothing but wild, green trees everywhere.”
• Why A is a trap: The vlogger mentions “noisy traffic”, but uses the word “However” to contrast it, saying this island has “no cars”.
• Why C is wrong: White sand is a plausible feature of a beach, but it is not spoken about in the script.

Vlogger: Hey guys, welcome back to my channel! Right now, I am standing on top of a high cliff, looking down at the ocean. Originally, I planned to visit a famous, crowded island for this video. But actually, I decided to come to this secret island instead. It is so quiet here! Um, you know, many islands have noisy traffic and big hotels. However, this place has absolutely no cars. There is nothing but wild, green trees everywhere. It’s perfect for relaxing. Let’s walk down to the beach and check out the water!