Family & Friends – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (C) His brother.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The HR manager asks if she should write down his wife. David says he thought about it, but his wife is traveling. He says, “please put down my brother instead.” Option (A) is the trap. Option (B) is not mentioned.

2 (B) 450 Oak Avenue.

• Explanation: The HR manager asks if Robert lives at “123 Main Street”, but David says “No… He lives at 450 Oak Avenue.” Option (A) is a trap because it is David’s address, not his brother’s.

3 (B) 555-8214

• Explanation: This uses the “Self-correction” technique. David first says “555-8241” but then quickly corrects himself: “Oh, wait, no… It’s 555-8214.” Option (A) is the trap because it is the old number. Option (C) is a plausible distractor that sounds similar.

HR Manager: Welcome to the company, David. I just need to finish your paperwork. Who is your emergency contact? Should I put down your wife?

David: I thought about putting my wife, Mary, but she is traveling for work a lot this month. So, please put down my brother instead. His name is Robert.

HR Manager: Okay, Robert. Does he live with you at 123 Main Street?

David: No, he has his own place. He lives at 450 Oak Avenue.

HR Manager: Got it. And what’s his phone number?

David: It’s 555-8241. Oh, wait, no. He just got a new phone. It’s 555-8214.

HR Manager: 555-8214. Perfect. Thank you!

1 (B) To attend his cousin’s wedding.

• Explanation: Mark clearly states his reason: “My cousin is getting married in my hometown.” Option (C) is a trap because the presentation is the reason he can’t take Thursday off, not the reason he needs a break. Option (A) is a plausible reason for time off but is not mentioned.

2 (B) A big presentation.

• Explanation: Sarah says, “we have that big presentation on Thursday morning.” Option (A) is a trap because the wedding is the reason for the trip, but it’s not happening on Thursday morning at the office. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned.

3 (B) Friday and Monday.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Mark says he wanted to take Thursday and Friday off (Option A – the trap). But because of the presentation, he changes his mind and says: “I will just take Friday and Monday off instead.” Option (C) is a mix of days and is incorrect.

Mark (Employee): Hi Sarah, do you have a minute? I need to ask for some time off next week.

Sarah (Manager): Sure, Mark. What’s the occasion?

Mark: My cousin is getting married in my hometown. It’s a big family event. I wanted to take Thursday and Friday off…

Sarah: Oh, but we have that big presentation on Thursday morning. We really need you here.

Mark: I know. So, I will just take Friday and Monday off instead. I can travel after the meeting on Thursday.

Sarah: That works perfectly. I hope you have a great time at the wedding!

Mark: Thanks, Sarah.

1 (B) Because they were talking to another teacher.

• Explanation: Emma says she wanted to introduce them earlier, “but they were talking to the science teacher.” Option (A) is a plausible reason but not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because the hospital is mentioned later as her mom’s workplace.

2 (C) A nurse.

• Explanation: Emma clearly states, “my mom is a nurse at the city hospital.” Option (A) is a trap because the science teacher is someone the parents talked to. Option (B) is a trap because it was her dad’s old job.

3 (B) He is a taxi driver.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Emma says her dad “used to be a police officer… So, he is a taxi driver now.” Option (A) is the trap because it was his job in the past, but the question asks what he does now. Option (C) is her mom’s job.

Mr. Davis (Teacher): Hello, Emma. Are you enjoying the Open Day?

Emma (Student): Yes, Mr. Davis. Um, I wanted to introduce my parents to you earlier, but they were talking to the science teacher. So, I brought them over now. They are standing right there.

Mr. Davis: Oh, it’s very nice to see them. What do your parents do, Emma?

Emma: Well, my mom is a nurse at the city hospital. And my dad… he used to be a police officer, but he said it was too dangerous. So, he is a taxi driver now.

Mr. Davis: That’s very interesting! Let’s go over and say hello to them.

1 (B) On weekends.

• Explanation: The student says, “we only have dinner together on weekends.” Option (A) is the trap because they used to eat together every night, but not anymore. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) Because the sister works late.

• Explanation: The student explains the change in their routine by saying, “but now my older sister works late.” Option (A) is a trap because the mom’s new job is the reason she doesn’t cook, not the reason they don’t eat together. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 (B) The father.

• Explanation: This is another “Twist”. The interviewer asks about the mom, and the student says she is a great cook, but she is busy. Then the student says, “my dad actually cooks most of our dinners instead.” Option (A) is the trap. Option (C) is a trap because the student only helps to wash the dishes, not cook.

Interviewer: Hi, do you have a minute? Can I ask you a few questions for my school project about family habits?

Student: Sure! What do you want to know?

Interviewer: Do you and your family eat dinner together every night?

Student: Well, we used to eat together every night, but now my older sister works late. So, we only have dinner together on weekends.

Interviewer: I see. And who usually cooks the meals? Does your mom cook?

Student: My mom is a great cook, but she’s very busy with her new job right now. So, my dad actually cooks most of our dinners instead. I sometimes help him wash the dishes.

Interviewer: That’s great. Thanks for your time!

1 (A) A family with only parents and children.

• Explanation: Leo suggests writing about “nuclear families” and explains it means “just parents and children.” Option (B) is the trap because this is what they finally choose to write about, not what Leo wanted at first. Option (C) is plausible for an extended family but is not mentioned.

2 (B) It is sometimes noisy.

• Explanation: Leo asks if it is too noisy, and Mia agrees, “Well, sometimes it is noisy.” Option (A) and (C) are plausible problems when living with a big family, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) The benefits of living with grandparents.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Mia initially wanted to write about the problems (Option A – the trap). However, she changed her mind because her grandparents help her a lot. Leo then confirms: “let’s write about the good things about living with grandparents instead.” Option (C) is a trap because the grandma cooks amazing food, but it’s not the main topic of the project.

Leo: Hey, Mia. For our family project, let’s write about nuclear families. You know, just parents and children. It’s an easy topic.

Mia: I thought about that, but I think extended families are more interesting. My grandparents live with us.

Leo: Really? Is it difficult? I always thought it was too noisy with so many people.

Mia: Well, sometimes it is noisy. I wanted to write about the problems of living together, but my grandma cooks amazing food and my grandpa helps me with my homework. So, the benefits are actually greater.

Leo: That’s cool. Okay, let’s write about the good things about living with grandparents instead.

Mia: Great! Let’s start.