Thanking & Apologizing – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (C) Chicken soup.

• Key: The customer clearly states, “I ordered the chicken soup…”
• Trap: Option (A) is the “Twist” trap. The green salad is what he received, not what he ordered. Option (B) is a plausible food item but is never mentioned.

2 (B) She gave the customer another table’s food.

• Key: The waiter explains, “I actually wrote down the salad for the table next to you, and I brought it here by mistake.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the waiter did write it down (she says “Let me check my notes”). Option (C) is a common restaurant problem, but it was the waiter’s fault, not the kitchen’s.

3 (A) Bring the chicken soup immediately.

• Key: The waiter promises to “bring your chicken soup right away.” (Right away = immediately).
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the audio mentions time (“two minutes”), but not ten minutes. Option (C) is a common way to say sorry in real life, but it is not mentioned in the conversation.

Customer: Excuse me? I think there’s a mistake with my order.

Waiter: Oh, I’m so sorry, sir. What seems to be the problem?

Customer: Well, I ordered the chicken soup, but you brought me a green salad.

Waiter: Let me check my notes… Oh, you are absolutely right. I am so sorry. I actually wrote down the salad for the table next to you, and I brought it here by mistake.

Customer: That’s okay. But I am really hungry.

Waiter: I sincerely apologize for the mix-up. I will take this salad back and bring your chicken soup right away. It will only take two minutes.

Customer: Thank you. I appreciate it.

1 (B) He only has a very large bill.

• Key: The customer says, “I’m really sorry, but I only have a hundred-dollar bill. I don’t have any small change.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap. He has money, but it is too big. Option (C) is a plausible shop problem, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) She doesn’t have enough small bills to give back.

• Key: The cashier explains, “I don’t have enough change in the register for a hundred.”
• Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because the shop does accept cash; the problem is just the lack of change since she “just started her shift”.

3 (C) With a credit card.

• Key: The customer asks, “Can I just use that (credit card) instead?” and the cashier says, “Yes, of course.”
• Trap: Option (A) is the “Twist” trap. He planned and tried to pay with the hundred-dollar bill, but he had to change his plan.

Cashier: That will be two dollars for the water, please.

Customer: Here you go. I’m really sorry, but I only have a hundred-dollar bill. I don’t have any small change.

Cashier: Oh, um… I just started my shift, so I don’t have enough change in the register for a hundred. Do you have anything smaller?

Customer: I originally planned to pay with cash, but let me check my wallet. Oh! I have my credit card. Can I just use that instead?

Cashier: Yes, of course. Just tap your card right here.

Customer: Phew. I’m sorry for the trouble.

Cashier: No problem at all. Have a great day!

1 (C) He was looking for the tomato sauce.

• Key: The man apologizes and says, “I was looking for the tomato sauce on the top shelf and wasn’t watching where I was walking.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a very common reason for bumping into people, but it is not mentioned. Option (B) is a trap because the woman is the one looking for pasta, not the man.

2 (A) A box of cereal.

• Key: The man says, “Here, let me help you pick up your box of cereal.”
• Trap: Option (B) is the item the man wanted. Option (C) is the “Twist” trap. The woman wanted to buy pasta, but she was holding cereal when the man bumped into her.

3 (B) She was looking in the wrong aisle.

• Key: The man tells her, “the pasta is actually in the next aisle”. The woman then replies, “My mistake.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The woman thought they were out of it (“they seem to be completely out of it”), but the reality (the twist) is that she was just in the wrong place.

Man: Whoops! Oh, excuse me. I am so sorry! I didn’t see you there.

Woman: That’s alright. No harm done.

Man: I was looking for the tomato sauce on the top shelf and wasn’t watching where I was walking. Here, let me help you pick up your box of cereal.

Woman: Thank you. I originally walked down this aisle to get some pasta, but they seem to be completely out of it.

Man: Oh, the pasta is actually in the next aisle, aisle four. I just came from there.

Woman: Oh, I see! My mistake. Well, thanks for the help, and don’t worry about bumping into me. Have a good day!

Man: You too. Sorry again!

1 (A) A size Medium jacket.

• Key: The assistant says, “I found the last jacket in size Medium.”
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the word “sweater” is mentioned a lot, but the assistant didn’t find it in the stockroom. Option (C) uses a different size not mentioned.

2 (C) Because she thought she couldn’t get the jacket.

• Key: The customer explains her plan (The Twist): “I originally planned to buy a sweater just because I couldn’t find this jacket in my size.”
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the assistant asks if she wants to buy a sweater too (meaning both), but the customer says “Actually, no.” Option (A) is a common shopping reason but is not in the audio.

3 (B) Try the jacket on in the fitting room.

• Key: The assistant says, “The fitting room is right over there if you want to try it on,” and the customer replies, “I will do that right now.”
• Trap: Option (A) is plausible but they haven’t talked about paying yet. Option (C) is a trap because the assistant went to the stockroom, not the customer.

Assistant: Here you go, miss. I checked the stockroom, and I found the last jacket in size Medium.

Customer: Oh, wow! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

Assistant: No problem at all. I noticed you were looking at the sweaters earlier. Did you want to buy one of those too?

Customer: Actually, no. I originally planned to buy a sweater just because I couldn’t find this jacket in my size. But now I have exactly what I want!

Assistant: That’s great! The fitting room is right over there if you want to try it on.

Customer: I will do that right now. Thanks again for all your trouble.

1 (B) At a coffee shop.

• Key: The passenger asks the driver, “could you just drop me off here at this coffee shop instead?”
• Trap: Option (A) is the “Twist” trap. The train station was his original destination, and it is “across the street,” but he doesn’t get off there. Option (C) is a common place to take a taxi to, but it is not mentioned.

2 (C) Because he has extra time before his train.

• Key: The passenger explains, “I have plenty of time before my train leaves.”
• Trap: Options (A) and (B) are plausible reasons for changing a drop-off location, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (A) He gives the driver a twenty-dollar bill.

• Key: The passenger says, “Here is a twenty-dollar bill. Keep the change.”
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap because $15.50 is the cost of the ride, but not what the passenger actually hands to the driver (he gives more as a tip). Option (C) is a common payment method but not used here.

Driver: Here we are, sir. The central train station is right across the street.

Passenger: Actually, I have plenty of time before my train leaves. I originally planned to go straight to the station, but could you just drop me off here at this coffee shop instead?

Driver: Sure thing. That’ll be fifteen dollars and fifty cents, please.

Passenger: Here is a twenty-dollar bill. Keep the change. Thanks for the safe ride.

Driver: Wow, thank you very much! Have a good day and a safe train trip!

Passenger: You too. Bye!