Invitations & Suggestions – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What did the man originally want to eat?
(A) The grilled salmon.
(B) The beef steak.
(C) Roast chicken.
2 Why doesn’t the man order his first choice?
(A) Because it costs too much money.
(B) Because he doesn’t like meat.
(C) Because the restaurant doesn’t have it today.
3 What is the man going to have with his fish?
(A) Potatoes.
(B) A small salad.
(C) Rice.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says, “I wanted to try the beef steak”. Option A is the Trap (it is what he decides to eat at the end, not his original choice). Option C is a plausible food item but is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: He says the steak is “quite expensive” (which means it costs too much money). Option B is not mentioned (he actually wanted the steak initially). Option C is a Trap for common restaurant listening scenarios, but the waiter never says they are sold out.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: This is the second Twist. The waiter says the fish usually comes with potatoes, but the customer asks for rice, and they agree on it. Option A is the Trap (the original side dish). Option B is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Waiter: Good evening. Are you ready to order?
Customer: Yes. I wanted to try the beef steak, but it is quite expensive.
Waiter: I understand. May I suggest the grilled salmon instead? It is our chef’s special today, and it is much cheaper than the steak.
Customer: Oh, I love fish! Does it come with rice?
Waiter: Well, it usually comes with potatoes, but I can change that to rice for you if you’d like.
Customer: That sounds perfect. I will have the salmon with rice, please.
Waiter: Excellent choice, sir. I will put your order in right away.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why doesn’t the man want to buy the black sweater?
(A) Because the shop does not have his size.
(B) Because he already has a lot of black clothes.
(C) Because it is too bright for him.
2 What color sweater does the assistant suggest finally?
(A) Red.
(B) Green.
(C) Blue.
3 Where is the man going at the end of the conversation?
(A) To the fitting room.
(B) To the cashier to pay.
(C) To another clothing store.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says, “I already have too many black clothes at home.” Option C is a Trap (being “too bright” is the reason he rejected the red sweater). Option A is a plausible reason in a clothing store but is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: This is the Final Result (The Twist). The assistant says, “Why don’t you try the blue one?” Option A is the Trap (the red sweater is the one he is currently holding/wearing but doesn’t like). Option B is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The assistant tells him “The fitting room is right over there,” and he says “I will try it on right now.” Option B is a Trap because he needs to try it on before paying. Option C is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Excuse me, I like the style of this sweater, but I don’t think red looks good on me. It is too bright.
Assistant: I understand. The style is great on you, though. Would you like to try the black one instead?
Customer: Hmm… I thought about black, but I already have too many black clothes at home. I want something different.
Assistant: I see. Well, we also have this sweater in dark blue. Why don’t you try the blue one?
Customer: That’s a good idea. I really like dark colors.
Assistant: Here is your size. The fitting room is right over there.
Customer: Thank you, I will try it on right now.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where does the travel agent suggest going first?
(A) To the beach.
(B) To the mountains.
(C) To a city.
2 Why does the customer refuse the first suggestion?
(A) Because it is too expensive.
(B) Because it is too noisy.
(C) Because he doesn’t have enough time.
3 Why is the beach tour a good choice right now?
(A) It is very quiet.
(B) It is on sale.
(C) It is a five-day trip.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The agent first asks, “How about a city tour in New York?”. Option A is the Trap because the beach is their final decision, not the first suggestion. Option B is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says, “…but cities are too noisy. I really just want to relax.” Option A and Option C are logical reasons for refusing a trip, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The agent suggests the beach tour and adds, “And it is on sale right now!” (a sale means there is a discount). Option A is a Trap; the customer wants to relax, but the agent specifically highlights the sale. Option C is a Trap using wrong numbers; the tour is only for three days, not five.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hi, I have a few days off next week, but I don’t know where to go for a holiday.
Agent: How about a city tour in New York? It is very exciting.
Customer: Um, I thought about a city trip, but cities are too noisy. I really just want to relax.
Agent: I understand. Well, how about a trip to the beach? We have a great three-day, two-night tour to Sunny Island. And it is on sale right now!
Customer: That sounds perfect! I love the ocean, and a discount is always good. Let’s book that one.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What does the cashier ask the customer to do?
(A) Sign up for a member card.
(B) Pay with a credit card.
(C) Fill out a long form.
2 Why does the customer refuse the offer at first?
(A) Because the card is too expensive.
(B) Because he is in a hurry.
(C) Because he already has a card.
3 What does the customer need to provide to get the card?
(A) His email address.
(B) A completed form.
(C) His phone number.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The cashier clearly asks, “Would you like to sign up for our free member card today?” Option B is a plausible supermarket action but is not mentioned. Option C is the Trap; the cashier says he doesn’t need to fill out forms.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says, “I am in a hurry right now…” (in a hurry = not having much time). Option A is a Trap because the cashier specifically says the card is “free”. Option C is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: This detail causes the Twist. The cashier says, “I just need your phone number,” and the customer agrees because it is fast. Option B is the Trap (filling out forms is what the customer wanted to avoid). Option A is a plausible requirement but is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Cashier: Hello. Your total is forty-five dollars. Would you like to sign up for our free member card today?
Customer: Um, I don’t think so. I am in a hurry right now, and filling out forms always takes too much time.
Cashier: I understand, but you don’t need to fill out any forms. I just need your phone number. Plus, you will get a ten percent discount on your groceries today.
Customer: Oh, really? Just my phone number?
Cashier: Yes, that’s it!
Customer: Well, in that case, why not? Let’s do it. My number is 555-0198.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What kind of hairstyle did the man want at the beginning?
(A) A very short style.
(B) To keep his hair long.
(C) A completely new color.
2 Why does the hairdresser suggest a shorter cut?
(A) Because it is hot summer weather.
(B) Because short hair is cheaper to cut.
(C) Because his hair is badly damaged.
3 What is the hairdresser going to do first?
(A) Wash the man’s hair.
(B) Dry the man’s hair.
(C) Cut the man’s hair.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says at the beginning, “I want to keep it long.” Option A is the Trap because a short style is what he decides to get at the end of the conversation. Option C is a plausible salon request but is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The hairdresser says, “It is getting really hot these days. Shall we cut it a bit shorter for the summer?” Option B and Option C are logical reasons for a haircut, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: This is the second Twist. The hairdresser asks to wash his hair, but he says “No, thanks” and “Let’s get straight to cutting.” Option A is the Trap (it was suggested but rejected). Option B is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Hairdresser: Hello, Mark. Welcome back! Are we doing the usual trim today?
Customer: Hi, Sarah. Yes, just a little bit off the top, please. I want to keep it long.
Hairdresser: Are you sure? It is getting really hot these days. Shall we cut it a bit shorter for the summer? It will be much cooler.
Customer: Hmm… I wanted to keep it long, but you are right. The weather is too warm right now. Let’s do a short style instead.
Hairdresser: Great idea! Do you want me to wash your hair before we start?
Customer: No, thanks. I just washed it at home. Let’s get straight to cutting.