Thanking & Apologizing – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) The train to London.

• Key: The announcer says, “unfortunately, the London train is running late today.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The Manchester train is mentioned right before, but the announcer clearly states it “has just left on time”. Option (C) is a famous UK city but is not mentioned.

2 (A) Because of the heavy rain.

• Key: The announcer explains the real reason: “the delay is because of the terrible weather. The heavy rain…”
• Trap: Option (B) is the “Twist/Expectation” trap. Passengers thought or asked if it was an engine problem, but the announcer says “actually…” to correct that idea. Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 (B) 20 minutes.

• Key: The announcer states, “it will now be 20 minutes late.”
• Trap: Option (A) uses the number 10, which sounds like “10:00” (the original arrival time). Option (C) uses the number 4, which is the platform number (“Platform 4”).

Announcer: Attention, please. This is an announcement for passengers waiting for the train to London. The train to Manchester has just left on time, but unfortunately, the London train is running late today. Some passengers asked if there was a problem with the engine again, but actually, the delay is because of the terrible weather. The heavy rain is making the tracks dangerous. The train was scheduled to arrive at 10:00, but it will now be 20 minutes late. We sincerely apologize for this delay and thank you for your patience. Please wait on Platform 4.

1 (A) The one-year anniversary of the podcast.

• Key: The host says, “Today is a very special day. Exactly one year ago, I started this podcast” and thanks them for their support “over the last twelve months”.
• Trap: Option (C) is a trap. The podcast started as a school project, but she is not celebrating the end of it today. Option (B) uses the word “mom” which is in the audio, but not for a birthday.

2 (A) Four.

• Key: The host explains her original plan: “I originally planned to just do four episodes…”
• Trap: Option (B) uses the number 12 (twelve months), and Option (C) uses the number 1000 (thousands of listeners). This tests the student’s ability to match the correct number to the correct noun.

3 (C) Her family and friends.

• Key: She says, “I thought only my mom and my friends would listen!”
• Trap: Option (A) is the “Expectation vs. Reality” trap. Thousands of people listen now (reality), but at the beginning, she expected only her family to listen. Option (B) is the guest for next week.

Host: Well, everyone, that is the end of today’s episode. Before we say goodbye, I want to say a huge thank you to all of you. Today is a very special day. Exactly one year ago, I started this podcast. I originally planned to just do four episodes for a small school project. At that time, I thought only my mom and my friends would listen! But now, thousands of you tune in every single week from all over the world. Your emails and messages mean so much to me. I couldn’t do this without your help. So, thank you so much for all your support over the last twelve months. Next week, I am going to interview a very famous writer, so make sure you don’t miss it. Have a great weekend, everyone!

1 (A) They cleaned up the park.

• Key: The organizer says, “You did an amazing job cleaning up the city park this morning.”
• Trap: Option (C) is a trap because “sandwiches” are mentioned at the end of the speech, but the students didn’t make them; they are going to eat them. Option (B) is a common volunteer activity but is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) 50

• Key: The organizer says, “Fifty of you showed up today…”
• Trap: Option (A) is the “Expectation vs. Reality” trap. The organizer thought only 10 people would come, but 50 actually did. Option (C) is the number of trash bags they collected, not the number of students.

3 (A) Three hours.

• Key: The organizer states, “…and we finished everything in just three hours.”
• Trap: Option (C) is the “Twist” trap. The organizer originally planned for it to take the whole weekend, but reality was much faster. Option (B) is not mentioned.

Organizer: Hello, everyone. Can I have your attention, please? Before we all go home, I want to say a few words. Thank you so much to all the students here today. You did an amazing job cleaning up the city park this morning. We collected over one hundred bags of trash! I originally planned for this cleanup to take the whole weekend because I thought only ten people would come. But I am so surprised! Fifty of you showed up today, and we finished everything in just three hours. Your hard work is fantastic, and we couldn’t do it without your help. Now, please go to the tables over there to get some free sandwiches and drinks. Thank you again!

1 (B) Giving incorrect information.

• Key: The host says, “I gave you some incorrect information about the new City Art Museum” and apologizes for the mistake.
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the host mentions “music” and “latest song” at the end, but he didn’t play the wrong song. Option (C) uses the word “closed”, but it is the museum that is closed, not the radio station.

2 (B) 10:00 AM.

• Key: The host corrects himself by saying, “The reality is that the museum actually opens at 10:00 AM.”
• Trap: Option (A) is the classic “Expectation vs. Reality” trap. 9:00 AM is the time he said yesterday, not the correct time. Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 (A) On Mondays.

• Key: The host clearly states, “please remember that it is completely closed on Mondays.”
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the word “weekend” is mentioned later (“trouble it caused for your weekend plans”), but the museum is not closed then. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Radio Host: Good morning, listeners! Welcome back to City Radio. Before we start today’s music, I need to make a quick apology. In yesterday’s show, I gave you some incorrect information about the new City Art Museum. I originally said that the museum opens at 9:00 AM every day. Unfortunately, I was looking at an old schedule. The reality is that the museum actually opens at 10:00 AM. Also, please remember that it is completely closed on Mondays. I am very sorry for the mistake and any trouble it caused for your weekend plans. Now, let’s get back to the music! Here is the latest song…

1 (A) To change the time of his appointment.

• Key: Sarah says, “we need to change your schedule” and later asks to “move your appointment to tomorrow”.
• Trap: Option (B) is a trap. The appointment is not cancelled completely; it is just moved to a new time. Option (C) is a common reason for clinics to call, but money/bills are not mentioned.

2 (C) Because the dentist had to go home early.

• Key: Sarah explains the reason: “he (Dr. Smith) had a sudden family emergency and had to go home early.”
• Trap: Option (A) is a trap. Sometimes patients cancel because they are sick, but in this situation, it is the doctor who has the problem, not Mr. Thomas. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 (B) Tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

• Key: Sarah suggests a new time: “We would like to move your appointment to tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM instead.”
• Trap: Option (A) is the “Expectation vs. Reality” trap. 3:00 PM today was the original plan, not the new plan. Option (C) mixes the day (tomorrow) with the old time (3:00 PM).

Receptionist: Hello, this is a message for Mr. Thomas. This is Sarah calling from the Smile Dental Clinic. I am calling about your appointment today at 3:00 PM. I am really sorry, but we need to change your schedule. I know you originally planned to see Dr. Smith this afternoon, but unfortunately, he had a sudden family emergency and had to go home early. We sincerely apologize for this problem and any trouble it might cause you. Could you please call us back when you get this message? We would like to move your appointment to tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM instead. Our phone number is 555-0198. Thank you so much for your understanding, and sorry again!