Describing People/Things – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) She has short grey hair.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “She has short grey hair.”
• The Trap: Option (C) is a trap because the word “glasses” is mentioned in the audio, but the announcer explicitly says she “left her glasses at home today.” Option (A) is wrong because her hair is short, not long.

2 Correct Answer: (C) A purple coat.

• Explanation: The announcer uses the “Twist” technique: “…the security camera at the train station showed she is actually wearing a long purple coat.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the trap. The family thought she was wearing a blue sweater, but that information was incorrect. Option (B) mixes the color “black” (from the umbrella) to confuse the listener.

3 Correct Answer: (A) A small black umbrella.

• Explanation: The audio explicitly says, “She is also carrying a small black umbrella.”
• The Trap: Option (C) is a trap again because she forgot her glasses at home. Option (B) is a plausible distraction that uses the color “purple” from her coat.

Announcer: Attention listeners. The local police are looking for a missing elderly woman. Her name is Martha Green, and she is seventy years old. She has short grey hair. When she left home this morning, her family thought she was wearing her favorite blue sweater. However, the security camera at the train station showed she is actually wearing a long purple coat. She is also carrying a small black umbrella. Please note that she left her glasses at home today, so she might have trouble seeing. If you see this woman, please call the police immediately. Thank you for your help.

1 Correct Answer: (B) A white cotton shirt.

• Explanation: The vlogger clearly states, “So, I am wearing this white cotton shirt instead.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The vlogger mentions a “red sweater”, but that is what she usually loves wearing, not what she is wearing today. Option (C) is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Black sneakers.

• Explanation: The vlogger uses the “Twist” technique: “However, I am going to walk a lot today, so I am just wearing my black sneakers.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the trap because she wanted to wear the brown leather boots, but changed her mind. Option (B) mixes the color “white” (from the shirt) to confuse the listener.

3 Correct Answer: (B) Because she will walk a lot today.

• Explanation: She explains her shoe choice by saying, “I am going to walk a lot today, so I am just wearing my black sneakers.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because “it is very hot outside” is the reason she chose the white shirt, not the shoes. Option (C) is a plausible reason for a fashion vlog but is never mentioned in the audio.

Vlogger: Hi everyone, welcome back to my channel! Today, I’m showing you my “Outfit of the Day”. Usually, I love wearing bright colors, like my favorite red sweater. But it is very hot outside today! So, I am wearing this white cotton shirt instead. It is really cool and light. Next, I thought about wearing my dark blue jeans, but I chose these grey shorts. Finally, let’s talk about shoes. I wanted to wear my brown leather boots because they look great. However, I am going to walk a lot today, so I am just wearing my black sneakers. They are so comfortable! What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments!

1 Correct Answer: (B) It is quite heavy and smooth.

• Explanation: The YouTuber clearly describes the item: “actually, it’s quite heavy” and “The surface is really smooth…”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the “Twist”. The YouTuber thought it would be light and soft like a T-shirt, but then says “actually, it’s quite heavy” and “it’s not soft at all”. Option (C) is a plausible description for an object but is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Real leather.

• Explanation: The YouTuber smells the item and says, “It smells exactly like real leather.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the word “paper” is mentioned (the wrapping paper), but it is not the smell. Option (B) is a trap because “clothes” are mentioned later, but she explicitly says it is “definitely not… normal clothes.”

3 Correct Answer: (B) A jacket or a wallet.

• Explanation: At the end of the video, she guesses: “I think it might be a jacket or a large wallet.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because a T-shirt is what she thought it was before she felt it. Option (C) is a trap because she explicitly rejects it by saying, “it’s definitely not a book.”

YouTuber: Hey guys, welcome back to my channel! Today, I have a mystery box from a fan. Let’s open it! Wow, this is… interesting. Before I take the paper off, let me just hold it. I thought it would be very light, like a cotton T-shirt, but actually, it’s quite heavy. Let me touch it… um, it’s not soft at all. The surface is really smooth and cool. Wait, let me smell it. Ah! It smells exactly like real leather. So, it’s definitely not a book or normal clothes. I think it might be a jacket or a large wallet. Let’s take the paper off and see!

1 Correct Answer: (B) The artist’s sister.

• Explanation: The audio guide says, “But actually, she was just the artist’s sister.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the guide mentions that “Many people think she is a famous queen,” but this is not the truth. Option (C) is plausible but is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Dark red.

• Explanation: The guide uses the “Twist” technique: “However, it is actually a beautiful dark red.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the dress looks brown because the painting is old, but its real color is red. Option (C) is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) It is quiet and mysterious.

• Explanation: The audio guide clearly states, “She has a very quiet, mysterious smile.”
• The Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the word “happy” is mentioned (“Some visitors say she looks happy”), but her smile is not described as “wide”. Option (C) is a trap because the word “proud” is used earlier to describe her general look, not her smile.

Audio Guide: Welcome to Room 4. Please look at the large painting on the wall in front of you. In the center of the picture, you can see a young woman. Many people think she is a famous queen because she looks very proud. But actually, she was just the artist’s sister. Now, look closely at her clothes. You might think her long dress is brown because the painting is very old. However, it is actually a beautiful dark red. Finally, look at her face. She has a very quiet, mysterious smile. Some visitors say she looks happy, but others think she looks a little sad. Now, please walk to the next room.

1 Correct Answer: (C) White.

• Explanation: The announcer uses the “Twist” technique: “So today, we are selling a fantastic white car instead.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The seller planned to sell a black car, but someone bought it yesterday. Option (B) is a common car color but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Four seats.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “It has four seats…”
• The Trap: Option (A) and Option (C) are plausible guesses for car sizes, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (A) It looks brand new.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly says, “The interior is incredibly clean and looks brand new.”
• The Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the audio mentions “a few scratches,” but that is on the outside of the car, not the inside. Option (C) is the exact opposite of the truth.

Announcer: Are you looking for a great used car? We have an amazing deal for you today! At first, we planned to sell a large black family car, but someone actually bought it yesterday. So today, we are selling a fantastic white car instead. It has four seats, making it perfect for a small family or driving around the city. The outside of the car has a few scratches, but don’t worry! The interior is incredibly clean and looks brand new. It even has very soft seats. Call us right now at 555-0199 before it’s gone!