Travel & Holidays – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between two friends, Ben and Sarah. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Where did the friends go for their vacation last year?
(A) To the mountains.
(B) To the beach.
(C) To a quiet lake.
2 Why is Sarah unsure about going camping at first?
(A) Because she doesn’t have the equipment for it.
(B) Because she thinks the mountains are too hot.
(C) Because she doesn’t like Ben’s brother.
3 What is their final decision for this summer?
(A) They are going to the beach to swim.
(B) They will buy a new tent for camping.
(C) They are going camping in the mountains.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To the beach.
- Explanation: Ben says, “…we went to the beach last year.” Option (A) is a trap because the mountains are their plan for this year, not last year. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (A) Because she doesn’t have the equipment for it.
- Explanation: Sarah says, “I don’t have a tent,” which means she lacks the equipment (tent). Option (B) is a trap because Ben said the beach was too hot, not the mountains. Option (C) is false; Ben just mentions they can borrow his brother’s tent.
3 (C) They are going camping in the mountains.
- Explanation: This is the “Twist”. Sarah initially wanted the beach, but at the end she agrees with Ben and says, “Okay, let’s go to the mountains then.” Option (A) is a trap because it was her first idea, not the final decision. Option (B) is a trap using the word “tent”; they will borrow a tent, not buy a new one.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Ben: Hey, Sarah. Summer is coming! Where are we going this year?
Sarah: Well, I really want to go to the beach. I love swimming in the ocean.
Ben: I know, but we went to the beach last year. It was so crowded and really hot. Why don’t we go camping in the mountains instead?
Sarah: Camping? I don’t know… I don’t have a tent, Ben.
Ben: Don’t worry, my brother has a big tent we can borrow. And the mountains are very cool and quiet.
Sarah: Oh, that sounds nice actually. Okay, let’s go to the mountains then. I will ask my parents tonight.
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between two colleagues, Tom and Emma. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Emma do on her vacation?
(A) She went swimming at the beach.
(B) She stayed inside the hotel and watched TV.
(C) She lost her bags at the airport.
2 Why was Emma’s trip terrible?
(A) Because it rained all week.
(B) Because she was very sick.
(C) Because her hotel room was too small.
3 What does Emma say about the hotel food?
(A) It was delicious but cost a lot.
(B) It was very cheap but tasted bad.
(C) It was expensive and not good.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) She stayed inside the hotel and watched TV.
- Explanation: Emma says, “We just stayed in the hotel and watched TV.” Option (A) is a trap because Tom mentions the beach, and Emma went there, but she explicitly says, “We didn’t swim at all.” Option (C) is a trap; Tom asks if she lost her bags, but she replies, “No, nothing like that.”
2 (A) Because it rained all week.
- Explanation: Emma states the trip was terrible because “it rained every single day.” Option (A) uses “all week” to paraphrase “every single day.” Options (B) and (C) are plausible reasons for a bad trip in real life, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) It was expensive and not good.
- Explanation: Emma complains that the food was “very expensive” and refers to them as “bad meals.” Option (C) matches both of these details. Option (A) is a trap because it says the food was delicious (it was bad). Option (B) is a trap because it says the food was cheap (it was expensive).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hi, Emma. How was your vacation last week? Did you go to the beach?
Emma: Yes, I went to the beach, but honestly, it was a terrible trip.
Tom: Oh no! What happened? Did you lose your bags?
Emma: No, nothing like that. But it rained every single day! We didn’t swim at all.
Tom: That’s awful. So, what did you do?
Emma: We just stayed in the hotel and watched TV. And the worst part? The hotel food was very expensive. We spent all our money on bad meals.
Tom: I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe next year will be better.
Listening 3
Listen to two sisters, Lily and Sophie, preparing for their trip. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Who will carry the heavy coats in their luggage?
(A) Sophie.
(B) Lily.
(C) Neither of them.
2 Why does Lily ask Sophie to bring the sunscreen?
(A) Because Lily’s bag is already full.
(B) Because Sophie has a special side pocket.
(C) Because it is a very big bottle.
3 What did the sisters decide about the camera?
(A) Lily will carry it in her bag.
(B) They decided not to bring it.
(C) They will buy a smaller one.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Lily.
- Explanation: This is the “Twist”. Sophie initially says she was going to pack the coats, but then Lily says, “I’ll take the coats” because she has extra space. Option (A) is the trap (the first person mentioned).
2 (C) Because it is a very big bottle.
- Explanation: Lily says, “Can you carry the sunscreen? It’s a large bottle.” Option (C) uses “very big” as a synonym for “large”. Option (B) is a detail mentioned by Sophie later, but it’s not the reason Lily asked.
3 (B) They decided not to bring it.
- Explanation: Lily suggests they should “leave the big camera at home” and Sophie agrees. Option (A) is a trap based on Lily being the one who suggested it. Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Lily: Sophie, we need to finish packing! My suitcase is already almost at the weight limit.
Sophie: Mine too. Um, let’s share the heavy things. I was going to pack both our thick coats, but my bag is too small.
Lily: That’s fine. I have some extra space, so I’ll take the coats. But can you carry the sunscreen? It’s a large bottle.
Sophie: Sure, I can put the sunscreen in my side pocket. Now, what about the camera? It’s really heavy.
Lily: Actually, I thought about it, and I think we should leave the big camera at home. We can just use our phones to take photos.
Sophie: You’re right. That will save a lot of space! Let’s go.
Listening 4
Listen to two roommates, Mark and Leo, talking about a postcard. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why didn’t Emma go to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
(A) Because she was scared of heights.
(B) Because she didn’t want to wait in a very long line.
(C) Because it was closed for the day.
2 What did Emma actually do yesterday?
(A) She climbed the Eiffel Tower.
(B) She learned how to make croissants.
(C) She went on a boat tour.
3 What does Emma say about her breakfast?
(A) She eats croissants every morning.
(B) She eats at a very expensive restaurant.
(C) She usually skips breakfast.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Because she didn’t want to wait in a very long line.
- Explanation: Mark reads that Emma wanted to go to the top, “but the queue was two hours long!” Option (B) paraphrases this correctly (“queue” = “line”). Option (A) and (C) are plausible reasons in real life, but they are not mentioned in the postcard.
2 (C) She went on a boat tour.
- Explanation: This is the “Twist”. Emma wanted to go up the tower, but she says, “So, I took a boat ride on the river instead.” Option (C) is the correct action. Option (A) is a trap because the Eiffel Tower is mentioned, but she didn’t go up. Option (B) is a trap; she eats croissants, but she doesn’t make them.
3 (A) She eats croissants every morning.
- Explanation: Mark reads, “I eat croissants for breakfast every morning.” Option (A) is the exact match. Option (B) is a trap; she says the croissants are delicious, but doesn’t mention expensive restaurants. Option (C) is the opposite of the truth.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey, Leo! Look at the mail. We got a postcard from Emma.
Leo: Oh, really? Is she still in Paris? What does she say?
Mark: Let’s see… She says, ‘Hi guys, Paris is amazing! Yesterday, I went to see the Eiffel Tower. I wanted to go to the top, but the queue was two hours long!’
Leo: Wow, two hours? That’s crazy.
Mark: ‘So, I took a boat ride on the river instead. It was beautiful. Oh, and I eat croissants for breakfast every morning. They are so delicious! See you next week, Emma.’
Leo: Aww, lucky her. Now I want a croissant.
Listening 5
Listen to a couple, Jack and Emma, talking about what to buy for their parents. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why did the couple decide NOT to buy the T-shirts?
(A) Because the shop didn’t have enough of them.
(B) Because they were too costly and might not fit.
(C) Because their parents already have many T-shirts.
2 What did they buy for their parents on their last holiday?
(A) Fridge magnets.
(B) Local chocolates.
(C) Keychains.
3 What are they going to buy in the end?
(A) Two magnets and a box of chocolates.
(B) Keychains and T-shirts.
(C) Only the box of local chocolates.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Because they were too costly and might not fit.
- Explanation: Jack says the T-shirts are “quite expensive” (costly) and he “doesn’t know their sizes” (might not fit). Option (A) and (C) are not mentioned.
2 (C) Keychains.
- Explanation: Emma says, “Actually, we gave them keychains from our London trip last year.” This is a trap because keychains are mentioned as a possibility for this trip, but they were actually the gift from last year.
3 (A) Two magnets and a box of chocolates.
- Explanation: This is the Twist. They first talk about T-shirts and keychains, then agree on magnets, but finally decide to get “two magnets and the chocolates.” Option (C) is a trap because the chocolates were the last thing mentioned, but they are buying them together with the magnets.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Jack: Look at this shop, Emma! We need to buy some souvenirs for our parents before we leave.
Emma: Right. Um… how about these T-shirts? They have a beautiful picture of the city on them.
Jack: They’re nice, but they’re quite expensive. Also, I don’t know their sizes. What about keychains?
Emma: Actually, we gave them keychains from our London trip last year. Let’s get some fridge magnets instead. They’re small, and these ones are very colorful.
Jack: That’s a great idea! Wait… look at this box of local chocolates. It looks delicious, and it’s on sale.
Emma: You’re right. Let’s buy two magnets and the chocolates. Everyone will love them.
Jack: Perfect. Let’s go to the cashier.