Travel & Holidays – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) One large suitcase.

• Explanation: The passenger says, “Just this one large suitcase.” Option (A) is a trap; he has a backpack, but he says he will “carry on the plane” (keep it with him), not check it in. Option (C) is false.

2 (C) Because they are all full.

• Explanation: The agent says, “all the window seats are taken.” The word “taken” means they are full or already booked. Options (A) and (B) are not mentioned in the conversation.

3 (A) An aisle seat.

• Explanation: This is The Twist. The passenger wanted a window seat at first, but because they are full, he agrees to take the “aisle seat” instead (“yes, an aisle seat is fine”). Option (B) is his original wish, not the final result. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Agent: Good morning, sir. Can I see your passport, please?

Passenger: Yes, of course. Here it is. I’m flying to Rome.

Agent: Thank you. Are you checking any bags today?

Passenger: Just this one large suitcase. I have my small backpack to carry on the plane with me.

Agent: Alright, please place the suitcase on the scale. … Perfect, it’s 20 kilos. Now, would you like a window or an aisle seat?

Passenger: A window seat, please. I love looking outside during the flight.

Agent: Let me check… I’m sorry, but all the window seats are taken. I can give you a nice aisle seat near the front. Is that okay?

Passenger: Oh, that’s a pity. But yes, an aisle seat is fine. Thank you.

Agent: Great. Here is your boarding pass. Have a good flight!

1 (B) The afternoon tour.

• Explanation: This is the Twist. The tourist first says “8:00 AM sounds perfect. I’ll take that one” (the morning tour), but because it is full, he changes his mind and says “I will take the afternoon tour then.” Option (A) is the trap. Option (C) is a trap using the word “dinner”, but there is no evening tour mentioned.

2 (B) Because the tour does not have any free seats.

• Explanation: The travel agent says the morning tour is “completely full,” which means there are no free seats left. Option (A) and (C) are plausible real-life reasons, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) A free dinner.

• Explanation: The travel agent clearly states that “lunch is not included, but it includes a free dinner on the boat.” Option (B) is a trap; the tourist asks about lunch, but he doesn’t get it. Option (A) is not mentioned.

Travel Agent: Hello, welcome to Sunshine Travel. How can I help you today?

Tourist: Hi. I’d like to book the Blue Island tour for tomorrow. What time does it start?

Travel Agent: We have two tours. The morning tour starts at 8:00 AM, and the afternoon one is at 1:00 PM.

Tourist: 8:00 AM sounds perfect. I’ll take that one. Oh, and does the ticket include lunch?

Travel Agent: Let me check… Actually, I’m sorry, but the morning tour is completely full. We only have seats left for the 1:00 PM tour. And no, lunch is not included, but it includes a free dinner on the boat.

Tourist: Oh, I see. That’s fine, I will take the afternoon tour then. Here is my credit card.

Travel Agent: Thank you very much.

1 (C) By checking his booking code.

• Explanation: The guest says, “My booking code is AC-459,” and the receptionist replies, “Let me check that code.” Options (A) and (B) are common ways to check in at a hotel in real life, but they are not mentioned in this audio.

2 (B) Room 412.

• Explanation: This is The Twist. The receptionist first says room 312, but then corrects herself: “Oh, wait, I’m sorry… your room is actually 412.” Option (A) is the trap (the first room mentioned). Option (C) is a trap using the numbers from the booking code (AC-459).

3 (B) At 7:00 AM.

• Explanation: This is another Twist. The receptionist mentions that the breakfast usually starts at 6:30 AM, but “tomorrow is Sunday, so the restaurant opens at 7:00 AM.” Option (A) is the trap for weekdays. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Guest: Hello, good evening. I’d like to check in, please. My booking code is AC-459.

Receptionist: Welcome to the Grand Hotel! Let me check that code… Ah, yes, Mr. Smith. You booked a double room for two nights.

Guest: That’s right.

Receptionist: Here is your key. You are in room 312 on the third floor… Oh, wait, I’m sorry. The computer says your room is actually 412 on the fourth floor.

Guest: Room 412. No problem. And could you tell me what time the buffet breakfast is?

Receptionist: Well, from Monday to Friday, it starts early at 6:30 AM. But tomorrow is Sunday, so the restaurant opens at 7:00 AM.

Guest: Great, 7:00 AM is perfect for me. Thank you for your help!

1 (B) A medium car.

• Explanation: This is The Twist. The tourist initially asks for a “small car”, but they are sold out. He refuses the “large car” because it is hard to park. Finally, he agrees to take the “medium car” because it is the same price. Option (A) is his original wish. Option (C) is the one he rejected.

2 (B) For three days.

• Explanation: The tourist clearly states, “I would like to rent a small car for three days, please.” Options (A) and (C) are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) A driving license.

• Explanation: The agent says, “can I see your passport and your international driving license, please?” Option (C) matches this request. Options (A) and (B) are common things needed for travel, but they are not mentioned in this conversation.

Agent: Good morning. Welcome to Star Car Rental. How can I help you?

Tourist: Hi. I would like to rent a small car for three days, please.

Agent: Let me check… I’m very sorry, but all our small cars are rented out today. We only have medium and large cars left.

Tourist: Oh, no. I don’t want a large car. They are too difficult to drive and park in the city.

Agent: Well, I can give you a medium car for the same price as a small one. How about that?”

Tourist: That sounds great! I’ll take the medium car.

Agent: Excellent choice, sir. Now, can I see your passport and your international driving license, please?

Tourist: Sure, here they are.

1 (B) Platform 8.

• Explanation: The agent says the train will “leave from platform 8” today. Option (A) is the trap; platform 3 is where it usually leaves from, but not today. Option (C) is a trap using the number 10 from the time (10:15) and minutes left.

2 (B) Because of the heavy rain.

• Explanation: The agent states that “because of the heavy rain today… it will take two and a half hours.” Option (A) is a trap; the “track problem” is the reason the platform changed, not the reason the train is slow. Option (C) is false because the agent explicitly calls it “the fast train.”

3 (B) Two and a half hours.

• Explanation: This is the second Twist. The train normally takes two hours, but today “it will take two and a half hours.” Option (A) is the trap for the normal duration. Option (C) is a trap; ten minutes is the time the passenger has left to reach the platform.

Passenger: Excuse me. Can you tell me which platform the next train to Manchester leaves from?

Agent: Let me check the computer. Usually, it leaves from platform 3. But today there is a track problem, so it will leave from platform 8.

Passenger: Platform 8. Okay, thank you. And how long does the journey take?

Agent: Well, the fast train normally takes exactly two hours. However, because of the heavy rain today, it is driving slowly. It will take two and a half hours.

Passenger: I understand. That’s fine. What time does it leave?

Agent: It leaves at 10:15. You still have ten minutes to get to the platform.

Passenger: Great, thanks for your help.