Personality & Behaviour – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between two friends, Jake and Emma. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, or (C).
1 How is Jake behaving at the beginning of the conversation?
(A) He is acting in a highly sensible and organized way.
(B) He is angrily blaming Emma for stealing his passport.
(C) He is walking nervously and losing control of his emotions.
2 What is Emma’s main advice to Jake?
(A) To relax physically so he can think more clearly.
(B) To immediately call the airport and cancel his flight.
(C) To go back to the coffee shop and search for his bag.
3 Where does Jake eventually find his passport?
(A) Inside the front pocket of his backpack.
(B) Inside the trousers he is currently wearing.
(C) Inside his jacket that he left at the coffee shop.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 C (He is walking nervously and losing control of his emotions.)
- Explanation: Emma says Jake is “pacing around the room and freaking out,” and Jake says he is so anxious his “hands are shaking.” Option C is a great paraphrase of this panicked behavior.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap. Emma mentions that he is usually “organized”, but right now he is definitely not acting that way. Option B is not mentioned at all.
2 A (To relax physically so he can think more clearly.)
- Explanation: Emma tells Jake to “sit down for a second and take a deep breath” (relax physically) because when you panic, “you can’t think logically” (think clearly).
- Trap Alert: Option B is a plausible real-life action, but Emma never suggests canceling the flight. Option C is a trap because she mentions the “coffee shop” to help him remember (retrace his steps), not to physically go back there.
3 B (Inside the trousers he is currently wearing.)
- Explanation: Jake says he put his wallet back in his “jeans” and finds the passport “right here in my back pocket.” Jeans are a type of trousers.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap because this is where Jake thought he put it originally (“I swear I put it in the front pocket of my bag”). Option C is a trap using a mix of words from the audio (“jacket” and “coffee shop”).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Jake: I can’t find it! I’ve looked in my backpack, I’ve checked my jacket… it’s completely gone. I’m going to miss my flight!
Emma: Jake, you need to calm down. Pacing around the room and freaking out isn’t going to help us find it.
Jake: How can I be calm, Emma? Losing a passport is a complete disaster. I’m so anxious my hands are shaking. I can’t even think straight.
Emma: Exactly. When you panic, you can’t think logically. Just sit down for a second and take a deep breath. Let’s be sensible about this.
Jake: Okay… okay. I’m breathing. But I swear I put it in the front pocket of my bag.
Emma: You’re usually a very organized person. Let’s retrace your steps. Did you take it out when we were at the coffee shop?
Jake: Wait. I paid for our coffees… and I put my wallet back in my jeans. Let me check… Oh my goodness. It’s right here in my back pocket!
Emma: See? There was no need to overreact. Next time, try to keep a cool head!
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between three colleagues in a meeting. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, or (C).
1 What is the MAIN reason Mark is angry with Sarah?
(A) She refuses to work late in the evenings.
(B) She has not finished her work on time.
(C) She lost the financial report instructions.
2 How does David view the argument between Mark and Sarah?
(A) He thinks they are both being extremely lazy.
(B) He agrees with Mark that Sarah is disorganized.
(C) He believes they need to speak more respectfully to each other.
3 What does David tell them to do FIRST?
(A) Step away from the meeting for a short time to relax.
(B) Write down a list of new project instructions immediately.
(C) Apologize to the rest of the team for shouting.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B (She has not finished her work on time.)
- Explanation: Mark complains that Sarah is “two days late with the financial report” and is ignoring “deadlines.” Not finishing work on time is a direct paraphrase for missing a deadline.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap because Sarah explicitly says, “I am working late every single night.” Option C is a trap; instructions are mentioned, but Sarah didn’t lose them—she complains that Mark changes them.
2 C (He believes they need to speak more respectfully to each other.)
- Explanation: David tells them to “lower your voices” and says they need to “communicate professionally.” Speaking respectfully is a B1-level synonym for communicating professionally and not shouting.
- Trap Alert: Option A is not mentioned at all (they are stressed, not lazy). Option B is a trap because Mark calls Sarah disorganized, but David does not take sides; he acts as a neutral peacemaker.
3 A (Step away from the meeting for a short time to relax.)
- Explanation: David suggests they “take a ten-minute coffee break to cool down.” Stepping away for a short time to relax perfectly paraphrases taking a quick break to cool down.
- Trap Alert: Option B is a trap. David does say they will “review the instructions,” but they will do this after they come back from the break, not first. Option C is a plausible real-life action, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Sarah, this is ridiculous! You are two days late with the financial report again. You’re completely ignoring the team’s deadlines.
Sarah: Excuse me? I am not ignoring anything! I am working late every single night. The problem is that you constantly change the instructions at the last minute. You are being impossible to work with!
Mark: (Raises voice) Impossible? I am just trying to make sure the project is correct! If you were more organized…
David: Okay, everyone, let’s stop right there. Please, lower your voices. Pointing fingers and shouting isn’t going to solve our problem.
Sarah: But David, he always…
David: Sarah, I know you’re frustrated, and Mark, I understand you are stressed about the deadline. But getting angry won’t help us finish the report. We need to communicate professionally.
Mark: (Sighs) Fine. What do you suggest?
David: I suggest we take a ten-minute coffee break to cool down. When we come back, we will review the instructions together and agree on a realistic deadline. How does that sound?
Sarah: …Alright. A short break sounds like a good idea.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a host mother and an international student. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, or (C).
1 Why was Mrs. Baker upset with Ken after dinner?
(A) He told her directly that he did not like her cooking.
(B) He refused her offer of extra food without being polite.
(C) He ate too much of the chicken without sharing it.
2 According to Ken, what does being quiet at the dinner table mean in his culture?
(A) It shows that you have a deep respect for the cook.
(B) It means that you are feeling very shy and nervous.
(C) It shows that you want the host to offer you more food.
3 How do they agree to solve this problem for the future?
(A) Ken will start cooking his own traditional meals.
(B) Mrs. Baker will stop offering Ken extra portions of food.
(C) They will be straightforward about how hungry they are.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B (He refused her offer of extra food without being polite.)
- Explanation: Mrs. Baker says that when she offered him more chicken, he “just said ‘No'” and she felt “offended.” Saying a flat “No” without a “thank you” is seen as refusing without being polite.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap. Ken did not say he disliked the food; he just refused the second portion. Option C is the exact opposite of what happened; he was worried about being “greedy”, so he didn’t eat more.
2 A (It shows that you have a deep respect for the cook.)
- Explanation: Ken explains that “being quiet at the table is simply a way to show respect to the host.” The cook (Mrs. Baker) is the host.
- Trap Alert: Option B is a trap. While being quiet is often a sign of being shy in general personality traits, it is not the cultural reason Ken gives. Option C mixes up his two points; he refuses food to not seem greedy, but being quiet is for respect, not to get more food.
3 C (They will be straightforward about how hungry they are.)
- Explanation: Mrs. Baker suggests, “Let’s just agree to be honest about our appetites from now on!” and Ken agrees. Being “straightforward” means being honest, and “appetite” relates to how hungry you are.
- Trap Alert: Option A is not mentioned at all. Option B is a trap because it sounds like a logical way to avoid the problem, but it is not what they agreed to do.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mrs. Baker: Ken, do you have a minute? I wanted to talk about dinner last night. You seemed very quiet, and when I offered you more chicken, you just said “No.” To be honest, I felt a bit offended.
Ken: Oh, Mrs. Baker, I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to be rude at all. It’s actually a cultural difference.
Mrs. Baker: Really? How so? In our culture, if you enjoy the food, you usually say “Yes, please” or at least smile and say “No, thank you, I’m full.”
Ken: I understand. But in my home country, it is considered greedy to accept food the very first time it is offered. We are taught to politely refuse it once or twice. And being quiet at the table is simply a way to show respect to the host.
Mrs. Baker: Oh, I see! So you weren’t unhappy with the meal?
Ken: Not at all! The chicken was absolutely delicious. I really appreciate your cooking. I just didn’t want to seem selfish.
Mrs. Baker: Well, that is a huge relief! Thank you for explaining that to me, Ken. Now I know you aren’t being impolite. Let’s just agree to be honest about our appetites from now on!
Ken: I can definitely do that. Thanks for understanding!
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between two office workers, Sam and Alex. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, or (C).
1 What is the MAIN reason Sam is upset about Alex’s joke?
(A) It made her seem suspicious of her own coworkers.
(B) It proved that she is a very disorganized person.
(C) It caused the manager to give her more work.
2 How did Alex INITIALLY defend his behavior?
(A) He immediately admitted that he had crossed a line.
(B) He claimed that he was only trying to be funny.
(C) He said that the other team members told him to do it.
3 What boundary does Sam want to set for the future?
(A) She wants to design all the presentation slides by herself.
(B) She wants Alex to maintain a respectful and professional attitude.
(C) She wants Alex to stop speaking completely during meetings.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 A (It made her seem suspicious of her own coworkers.)
- Explanation: Sam says the joke “made me look like I don’t trust the team.” Not trusting the team is paraphrased as being “suspicious of her own coworkers.”
- Trap Alert: Option B is a trap because the audio mentions her being “highly organized,” which is the exact opposite of disorganized. Option C is not mentioned at all.
2 B (He claimed that he was only trying to be funny.)
- Explanation: At first, Alex defends himself by saying, “I was just teasing you” and mentions that “Everyone laughed.” To “tease” someone in this context means trying to be funny at their expense.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap because Alex does admit he crossed a line, but he does this at the very end of the conversation, not initially (at the beginning). Option C is a trap; he says everyone laughed, but he doesn’t say they told him to make the joke.
3 B (She wants Alex to maintain a respectful and professional attitude.)
- Explanation: Sam tells Alex, “I just want to make sure we keep things professional” and asks not to be the target of personal jokes.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap because “presentation slides” are mentioned as the topic of the bad joke, but designing them alone is not the boundary she is setting. Option C is an extreme, plausible real-life reaction, but she never asks him to stop speaking completely.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sam: Alex, do you have a minute? I want to talk about what happened in the meeting earlier.
Alex: Oh, sure. What’s on your mind, Sam?
Sam: Well, when you made that joke about me being a “control freak” who never lets anyone else touch the presentation slides… I actually felt quite embarrassed.
Alex: Oh, come on! I was just teasing you. You know I think you do a great job. Everyone laughed.
Sam: I understand you didn’t mean any harm. But it made me look like I don’t trust the team. I’m just highly organized, not controlling.
Alex: I didn’t realize it came across that way. I’m really sorry, Sam. I certainly didn’t intend to make you feel bad in front of everyone.
Sam: I appreciate that. I just want to make sure we keep things professional. I prefer not to be the target of personal jokes, especially when the manager is in the room.
Alex: Understood. I definitely crossed a line today. It won’t happen again, I promise.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between two friends, Lily and Tom. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, or (C).
1 Why is Lily upset at the beginning of the conversation?
(A) Someone stole her bag while she was on the subway.
(B) A stranger blamed her when they crashed into each other.
(C) She missed her morning train because she dropped her bag.
2 What does Tom believe about the stranger’s behavior?
(A) He was probably having a difficult and pressured day.
(B) He is naturally a dangerous and violent person.
(C) He did not realize that he had pushed Lily.
3 How does Tom suggest Lily should handle her negative feelings?
(A) By reporting the rude man to the subway security.
(B) By stopping the man and demanding a clear apology.
(C) By letting go of her anger and focusing on something else.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B (A stranger blamed her when they crashed into each other.)
- Explanation: Lily explains that the man “bumped into me” (crashed) and then “started shouting at me to watch where I was going.” This means he blamed her for the accident.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a trap because the word “bag” is mentioned, but she only “dropped” it; it was not stolen. Option C is a trap because the man looked like he was late for work, not Lily.
2 A (He was probably having a difficult and pressured day.)
- Explanation: Tom analyzes the situation and says, “I think he was probably dealing with a lot of stress.” A stressed person is having a difficult and pressured day.
- Trap Alert: Option B is a trap. Tom says the man was acting “aggressive”, but he thinks it is because of stress, not because he is a permanently dangerous person. Option C is incorrect because the man shouted at her, so he definitely knew he bumped into her.
3 C (By letting go of her anger and focusing on something else.)
- Explanation: Tom tells Lily that “holding onto this anger will only ruin your day” and advises her to “Just forget about him and let’s go get some coffee.” This means she should let go of her negative emotions.
- Trap Alert: Option A is a logical action in real life if someone is aggressive, but Tom never suggests calling security. Option B is a trap because the word “apologize” is mentioned earlier, but Tom tells her to forget him, not confront him.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Lily: I’m still so annoyed about what happened on the subway this morning.
Tom: I know, Lily. That man was incredibly rude. Are you okay?
Lily: I’m fine, but I just don’t understand it! He bumped into me, made me drop my bag, and then he started shouting at me to watch where I was going. He didn’t even apologize!
Tom: Try not to take it personally. Some people just lack basic manners. But honestly, looking at how aggressive he was, I think he was probably dealing with a lot of stress.
Lily: Maybe. He was carrying a huge pile of folders and looked like he was late for work. Still, it’s no excuse to be so mean to a stranger.
Tom: You’re absolutely right, it isn’t. But holding onto this anger will only ruin your day, not his. Just forget about him and let’s go get some coffee.
Lily: Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t be so sensitive about it. A cappuccino sounds perfect right now.