Daily Routines – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (C) 9:00 AM

• Explanation: Mr. Davis clearly says “we start work at 9:00 AM.” Option B (8:30 AM) is a trap because Lisa asks about it and the office opens at that time, but it is not the time work starts. Option A is not mentioned.

2 (A) Monday mornings

• Explanation: Mr. Davis says “now we meet on Monday mornings instead.” Option C (Friday afternoons) is a trap because it is the old schedule (they used to have meetings then). Option B is not mentioned.

3 (B) One hour

• Explanation: Mr. Davis says “here you get one full hour.” Option A (30 minutes) is a trap because he mentions that some other companies give 30 minutes, not this company. Option C is not mentioned.

Mr. Davis: Welcome to the company, Lisa. Let’s talk about your daily schedule.

Lisa: Thank you. Um, do I need to be here at 8:30 AM every day?

Mr. Davis: No, you don’t. The office opens at 8:30, but we start work at 9:00 AM.

Lisa: That’s great. And what about team meetings?

Mr. Davis: We used to have team meetings on Friday afternoons. But people were always tired. So, now we meet on Monday mornings instead.

Lisa: I see. And how long is the lunch break?

Mr. Davis: Well, some companies only give 30 minutes, but here you get one full hour. You can eat in the cafeteria or go out.

Lisa: Perfect. Thank you!

1 (B) The evening shift

• Explanation: John says “I usually work in the evenings.” Option A (The morning shift) is a trap because that is his schedule for next week, not his usual habit. Option C is not mentioned.

2 (C) She has a family birthday party.

• Explanation: Emily says “it’s my sister’s birthday next Friday night.” Option A is a trap because going to the gym is John’s plan, not Emily’s. Option B is a logical reason to change shifts, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (A) In the morning

• Explanation: John says “I can just go in the morning instead.” Option C (In the evening) is a trap because he wanted to go in the evening, but he changed his plan to help Emily. Option B is not mentioned.

Emily: Hi, John. Are you working the morning shift next week?

John: Yes, I am. I usually work in the evenings, but the manager changed my schedule. Why?

Emily: Well, um, I have the evening shift. But it’s my sister’s birthday next Friday night. So, I really need to be at home. Can we swap our shifts?

John: Ah, let me think. I actually wanted to go to the gym next Friday evening. But, you know, I can just go in the morning instead. So, yes, I can take your evening shift.

Emily: Oh, thank you so much, John! You are the best.

1 (B) At the university library

• Explanation: Kevin says “I go to the university library instead.” Option A (In his room) is a trap because he tried studying there, but it was too noisy. Option C is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) 8:00 PM

• Explanation: Kevin clearly states, “So, I usually leave at 8:00 PM.” Option B (10:00 PM) is a trap because that was the time he wanted to stay until, but he changed his mind because he gets too hungry. Option C is not mentioned.

3 (C) He takes a short break every hour.

• Explanation: Kevin says “So now, I take a short break every hour.” Option A (studies for four hours without stopping) is a trap because this was his old habit (“at first, I studied for four hours straight”). Option B is not mentioned.

Ms. Green: Hi, Kevin. How is your exam preparation going?

Kevin: Um, not very well. I’m trying to study every day, but I feel really tired.

Ms. Green: Where do you usually study? At home?

Kevin: Ah, I tried studying in my room, but it was too noisy. So, I go to the university library instead. I actually wanted to stay there until 10:00 PM, but I get too hungry. So, I usually leave at 8:00 PM.

Ms. Green: I see. Do you take any breaks while studying?

Kevin: Well, at first, I studied for four hours straight. But my eyes hurt. So now, I take a short break every hour.

Ms. Green: That’s a good idea. Taking breaks helps you learn better.

1 (B) 45 minutes

• Explanation: Mary clearly says, “I used to drive 45 minutes to the office every morning.” Option A and C are not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) She cooks a nice breakfast.

• Explanation: Mary says, “So, I cook a nice breakfast instead.” Option A (sleeps longer) is a trap because she wanted to do it, but she couldn’t because her dog wakes her up. Option C is a trap because she mentions her dog, but not walking it in the park.

3 (C) His children distract him at home.

• Explanation: Paul says, “there were too many distractions with my kids. So, I couldn’t focus on my work.” Option A is a plausible reason to like the office, but it is not mentioned. Option B is not the reason he gives.

Paul: Hi, Mary. Are you working from home today?

Mary: Yes, I am. I really love it. I used to drive 45 minutes to the office every morning, but now I don’t have to.

Paul: That’s great. So, what do you do with that extra time? Do you sleep more?

Mary: Well, I wanted to sleep longer, but my dog wakes me up early anyway. So, I cook a nice breakfast instead.

Paul: Ah, lucky you. I actually prefer working in the office.

Mary: Really? Why is that?

Paul: I tried working from home last month, but there were too many distractions with my kids. So, I couldn’t focus on my work.

1 (B) Twice a month

• Explanation: Mr. Smith says “So, we will only meet twice a month.” Option A (Every Friday) is a trap because he mentions “We usually meet every Friday,” but that is the old schedule, not this year’s schedule. Option C is not mentioned.

2 (B) Friday afternoons

• Explanation: Mr. Smith clearly states, “Our meetings are on Friday afternoons.” Options A and C are plausible but not mentioned in the audio.

3 (A) Send an email to the teacher.

• Explanation: Mr. Smith says, “If you really can’t come, you need to send me an email before the meeting.” Option B is a trap because Leo mentions basketball practice as his personal reason, but it is not the rule for everyone. Option C is not mentioned (they must email, not call).

Mr. Smith: Attention everyone! Welcome to the English Club. Let me tell you about our new schedule. We usually meet every Friday, but we are too busy this year. So, we will only meet twice a month. Our meetings are on Friday afternoons, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Leo: Um, Mr. Smith? Do we have to come to every meeting? I actually have basketball practice sometimes.

Mr. Smith: Ah, yes. Attendance is mandatory. I know some of you are busy, but you must attend. If you really can’t come, you need to send me an email before the meeting. You cannot just skip it.