Relationships – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Computer program creation.

• Explanation: Lisa says she is with a “software development firm.” Paraphrasing: software development = computer program creation.
• Trap: Option A is wrong because digital marketing is Mark’s industry, not Lisa’s. Option C is a distractor because she mentions “e-commerce businesses,” which are her clients, but she herself does not work in retail management.

2 (A) The current program cannot process information fast enough.

• Explanation: Mark explains that his current older system is “getting too slow to handle large advertising campaigns.” Paraphrasing: too slow = cannot process information fast enough.
• Trap: Option B is a trap. The audio mentions “e-commerce,” but that is Lisa’s target audience, not Mark’s new business venture. Option C is plausible in real life but is not mentioned in the dialogue.

3 (B) By trading their printed professional information.

• Explanation: Lisa says “Let’s exchange contact details. Here’s my business card,” and Mark replies “And here is mine.” Trading printed professional information is a direct paraphrase of exchanging business cards.
• Trap: Option A is a distractor; people often connect on LinkedIn at conferences, but it wasn’t mentioned here. Option C is a trap because Mark has to run to the next presentation; they plan to have a “virtual meeting next week,” not coffee right after the session.

Mark: Excuse me, is this seat taken?

Lisa: Not at all, go ahead. It’s quite crowded in the lobby today during the coffee break, isn’t it?

Mark: It really is. I’m Mark, by the way. I work in digital marketing.

Lisa: Nice to meet you, Mark. I’m Lisa. I’m actually with a software development firm. We create customized tools for e-commerce businesses.

Mark: Oh, that’s interesting! My agency has been looking for new software to track customer behavior. We currently use an older system, but it’s getting too slow to handle large advertising campaigns.

Lisa: Well, we might be able to help with that. Our newest platform focuses heavily on analyzing consumer data quickly and efficiently.

Mark: That sounds exactly like what we need right now. Unfortunately, I have to run to the main hall for the next presentation, but I’d love to hear more about your services later.

Lisa: Absolutely. Let’s exchange contact details. Here’s my business card. You can reach out to me via email anytime.

Mark: Perfect, thanks. And here is mine. Let’s set up a quick virtual meeting next week to discuss this further.

Lisa: Sounds like a great plan. Enjoy the rest of the conference, Mark!

1 (B) He struggles to build a relationship with older coworkers.

• Explanation: Tom says he is finding it difficult to “connect with the senior staff.” In this context, “senior staff” means older coworkers, and “connect with” means build a relationship.
• Trap: Option A is plausible for a young employee, but not mentioned. Option C is a trap; Tom mentions “personal questions” because he doesn’t want to seem nosy by asking them, not because they are asking him.

2 (A) Request their help with work-related topics.

• Explanation: Sarah advises Tom to “request their professional advice.” Professional advice is a paraphrase of work-related topics.
• Trap: Option B is a trap because Sarah initially asks if he tried talking about weekends/families, but Tom rejected this idea (he doesn’t want to be nosy). Option C is incorrect; they talk about tennis as an interest, but she doesn’t tell him to invite anyone to play.

3 (C) Talk to a colleague about a common hobby.

• Explanation: Tom realizes he and Robert both play tennis (a shared interest/hobby). Sarah tells him to “bring it up naturally tomorrow,” meaning he will talk to Robert about it.
• Trap: Option A is wrong because he noticed Robert’s racket; he isn’t planning to bring his own. Option B is a trap because sitting and looking at his phone is his past/current bad habit, not what he will do tomorrow.

Tom: Hi Sarah, do you have a minute? I really need some advice.

Sarah: Of course, Tom. What’s on your mind?

Tom: Well, um, I’m finding it a bit difficult to connect with the senior staff in our department. They are all much older than me, and I feel like we have nothing to talk about during coffee breaks.

Sarah: Ah, the generation gap. That’s very common when you first start. Have you tried asking them about their weekend plans or families?

Tom: I thought about it, but I don’t want to seem too nosy. I mostly just sit quietly and look at my phone.

Sarah: I see. Well, instead of personal questions, why don’t you request their professional advice? People love sharing their expertise. Also, try to discover shared interests, like sports or books, rather than focusing on the age difference.

Tom: That makes a lot of sense. Actually, I noticed Robert has a tennis racket in his office. I play tennis too!

Sarah: Perfect! That’s exactly what I mean. Just bring it up naturally tomorrow. You’ll do fine.

Tom: Thanks, Sarah. I feel much better now.

1 (B) A holiday gift certificate.

• Explanation: Mr. Davis suggests getting Richard a “travel voucher,” and Emma agrees it is a brilliant idea for his “vacation fund.” Paraphrasing: travel voucher = holiday gift certificate.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. Emma initially suggested an “engraved watch” (customized timepiece), but Mr. Davis rejected it because Richard’s wife already bought him one. Option C is a distractor because Europe is mentioned as a travel destination, not a place to buy souvenirs from.

2 (C) By hosting a dinner at an outside venue.

• Explanation: Mr. Davis says they should “book a table at the seafood restaurant down the street for Friday evening.” This means they will eat at an outside venue instead of the office.
• Trap: Option A is exactly what Emma suggested (“order some pizzas for the breakroom”), but Mr. Davis rejected this idea because Richard deserves more. Option B is not mentioned at all.

3 (A) Notify her colleagues about the upcoming event.

• Explanation: Emma states at the end that she will “send out a calendar invite to the whole department.” This action means she is notifying her coworkers about the party.
• Trap: Option B is incorrect because she mentions earlier that the team has “already started collecting some money” (it’s an action in the past, not what she will do this afternoon). Option C is a trap because Mr. Davis said the company will “cover the dinner costs,” so Emma doesn’t need to pay.

Mr. Davis: Emma, thanks for coming in. As you know, Richard is retiring at the end of the month after twenty years with the company. We need to plan a proper farewell for him.

Emma: Definitely, Mr. Davis. Our team has already started collecting some money for a retirement gift. We were thinking of getting him an engraved watch.

Mr. Davis: That’s a classic idea, but to be honest, I think his wife bought him a very nice one last year. Since he always talks about exploring Europe, how about a travel voucher instead?

Emma: Oh, that’s a brilliant suggestion! A contribution to his vacation fund would be perfect. And regarding the celebration itself, should we just order some pizzas for the breakroom on his last day?

Mr. Davis: He’s been here a long time, so he deserves more than a casual office lunch. Let’s book a table at the seafood restaurant down the street for Friday evening. I’ll ask the company to cover the dinner costs.

Emma: That sounds incredibly generous. I’ll send out a calendar invite to the whole department this afternoon.

1 (B) Alex failed to respond to her messages.

• Explanation: Mia states that she sent her section of the slides three days ago, and Alex “hasn’t replied.” Paraphrasing: hasn’t replied = failed to respond.
• Trap: Option A is wrong because although she sent the “history presentation slides”, Alex didn’t lose them (he saw the email). Option C is plausible in group work but was not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) He was studying heavily for a different exam.

• Explanation: Alex explains that he was “completely overwhelmed with my biology mid-term.” A mid-term is an exam for a different subject.
• Trap: Option B is a trap. The audio mentions his “email,” but he saw it fine; there were no technical issues. Option C is a common excuse for students but is not mentioned here.

3 (B) They will utilize a collaborative digital platform.

• Explanation: Alex suggests using a “shared online workspace instead of emailing files.” Utilizing a collaborative digital platform is a direct paraphrase of this idea.
• Trap: Option A is a distractor. Mia suggests checking the project board “every evening,” but she does not mean meeting in person. Option C is not mentioned at all.

Mia: Hey Alex, do you have a few minutes to chat about our history presentation?

Alex: Oh, sure Mia. What’s up?

Mia: Well, um, to be honest, I’m feeling a bit stressed. I sent you my section of the slides three days ago, and you haven’t replied. I wasn’t sure if you even got them.

Alex: Oh no, I’m so sorry. I actually saw your email, but I was completely overwhelmed with my biology mid-term. I should have at least sent a quick text to let you know.

Mia: I understand you’re busy, we all are. But a lack of communication makes it really hard for me to progress. I don’t want us to get a bad grade because we aren’t coordinating.

Alex: You’re absolutely right, and it’s my fault. How about we use a shared online workspace instead of emailing files back and forth? That way, we can both see the updates in real-time.

Mia: That sounds like a much better approach. Let’s also agree to check the project board every evening, just to stay on track.

Alex: Deal. I promise I’ll be more responsive from now on.

1 (B) To ask for a reference document for her postgraduate application.

• Explanation: Emily states she is applying for a “Master’s degree program” and asks for a “letter of recommendation.” Paraphrasing: postgraduate = Master’s degree; reference document = letter of recommendation.
• Trap: Option A is a trap because the “psychology seminar” is mentioned, but she doesn’t ask about her grade. Option C is wrong because she promises to “email all the documents… tomorrow morning,” not hand them in right now (in person).

2 (A) He gladly agrees because she was a hardworking learner in his course.

• Explanation: Professor Miller says “I would be happy to” and notes that she was “one of the most dedicated participants in my class.” Paraphrasing: hardworking learner = dedicated participants.
• Trap: Option B is the exact opposite of the audio (Emily says “since you know my academic abilities well”). Option C is completely made up (not mentioned in the audio).

3 (B) A summary of her future professional plans.

• Explanation: The professor asks for an updated resume and “a short statement about your career goals.” Paraphrasing: future professional plans = career goals.
• Trap: Option A is incorrect; he mentions writing a strong letter, but doesn’t ask for an essay about his class. Option C is a trap because while they mention an “email,” she is emailing the documents to him, not to the university’s admission office.

Emily: Hello, Professor Miller. Do you have a moment?

Professor Miller: Hi Emily. Come on in. What can I help you with today?

Emily: Well, I really enjoyed your advanced psychology seminar this past semester. It actually inspired me to continue my studies. I’m planning to apply for a Master’s degree program in clinical psychology this fall.

Professor Miller: That’s wonderful news, Emily. You were one of the most dedicated participants in my class. How can I support you with your application?

Emily: Um, since you know my academic abilities well, I was wondering if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me?

Professor Miller: I would be happy to. However, to make sure I write a strong and detailed letter, I’ll need a bit more information from you. Could you send me your updated resume and a short statement about your career goals by next week?

Emily: Absolutely! I’ve already drafted my personal statement, so I can email all the documents to you tomorrow morning.

Professor Miller: Perfect. I’ll keep an eye out for your email.