Job Interviews – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) He wants a position with better career advancement.

• Explanation: Ben says that his current role “doesn’t offer many chances for promotion” and he wants to take on “more leadership responsibilities.” Paraphrasing: chances for promotion = career advancement.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. Ryan asks if it’s about the salary, but Ben rejects this by saying “the pay is actually quite good.” Option C is plausible in real life but is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) He needs to reduce his speaking speed.

• Explanation: Ryan tells Ben, “Just make sure you don’t talk too fast.” Paraphrasing: don’t talk too fast = reduce his speaking speed.
• Trap: Option C is a distractor. Ryan says Ben’s answer “sounds very professional,” but he does not advise him to use more professional vocabulary. Option B is not mentioned.

3 (C) Focus on a genuine skill he is working to develop.

• Explanation: Ryan advises Ben to “mention a real skill you are actively trying to improve.” Paraphrasing: real skill = genuine skill; trying to improve = working to develop.
• Trap: Option A is the exact opposite of what Ryan suggests. He explicitly tells Ben, “Don’t say you are a perfectionist.” Option B is a common interview strategy but is not mentioned in this conversation.

Ryan: Alright Ben, let’s practice for your big day tomorrow. I’ll be the hiring manager. Ready?

Ben: Yeah, I’m a bit nervous, but let’s do this.

Ryan: Good morning, Ben. Thanks for coming in. To start off, could you tell me why you want to leave your current job at the bank? Is it about the salary?

Ben: Well, um, the pay is actually quite good. However, my current role doesn’t offer many chances for promotion. I’m looking for a company where I can take on more leadership responsibilities.

Ryan: That’s a solid answer! It sounds very professional. Just make sure you don’t talk too fast.

Ben: Thanks. I usually speak quickly when I’m stressed. What should I say if they ask about my weaknesses?

Ryan: Don’t say you are a perfectionist; everyone uses that. Instead, mention a real skill you are actively trying to improve, like public speaking, and explain the steps you are taking to get better.

Ben: That makes a lot of sense. Let’s try that question again.

1 (B) He needs advice on appropriate attire for an appointment.

• Explanation: Mark asks for Lily’s opinion because he has a “job interview” tomorrow and is “not sure what to wear.” Paraphrasing: what to wear = appropriate attire; job interview = appointment.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. Lily tells Mark to “iron the shirt properly tonight,” but Mark will do it himself (“Will do”); he isn’t asking her to do it for him. Option C is not mentioned.

2 (A) He fears it makes him look too conservative.

• Explanation: Mark is worried that his white shirt and red tie might come across as “too traditional or stiff.” Lily agrees he shouldn’t look like an “investment banker.” Paraphrasing: traditional or stiff = conservative.
• Trap: Option B is a distractor; washing or cleanliness is not discussed. Option C is a trap because the “red tie” and “jacket” are mentioned in the audio, but not that they don’t match each other.

3 (B) A pale blue shirt under a coat, without a tie.

• Explanation: Lily suggests the “light blue button-down shirt,” pairing it with a “dark grey jacket” and explicitly says “no tie at all.” Mark agrees this is a brilliant idea. Paraphrasing: light blue = pale blue; jacket = coat.
• Trap: Option A is the classic “Twist” trap. The white shirt and red tie was Mark’s original idea, which they both rejected. Option C is a distractor; they want a “business casual” look for a creative agency, not a fully casual t-shirt and jeans.

Mark: Hey Lily, can I get your opinion on something? I have that job interview at the creative agency tomorrow, and I’m not sure what to wear.

Lily: Sure. Let’s see what you have in your closet. Are you thinking of wearing that plain white shirt with the red tie?

Mark: Yeah, I thought it was the standard professional look. But honestly, I’m worried it might come across as too traditional or stiff.

Lily: I completely agree. Since you are applying for a graphic design position, the company culture is probably more relaxed. You want to look sharp, but not like an investment banker.

Mark: That makes sense. What do you recommend then?

Lily: How about that light blue button-down shirt? It shows a bit of personality. You can leave the collar open—no tie at all—and just pair it with your dark grey jacket.

Mark: Oh, that’s a brilliant idea. It’s business casual but still shows I take the opportunity seriously.

Lily: Exactly. Just make sure you iron the shirt properly tonight so there are no wrinkles.

Mark: Will do. Thanks for the fashion advice!

1 (C) It was surprisingly welcoming and relaxed.

• Explanation: Leo says the atmosphere was “quite friendly, not nearly as strict as I expected” and the manager was “smiling.” Paraphrasing: friendly and not strict = welcoming and relaxed.
• Trap: Option A is the exact opposite of what he experienced (he expected it to be strict, but it wasn’t). Option B is incorrect because the manager was smiling, not unhappy.

2 (A) He gave an unclear response to a question about his past mistakes.

• Explanation: Leo mentions he was asked to “describe a time I failed at work” and he gave a “confused and rambling answer.” Paraphrasing: failed at work = past mistakes; confused and rambling = unclear.
• Trap: Option B is a distractor; his “mind went completely blank,” but it was about the question, not the manager’s name. Option C is plausible for an interview but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) By the end of the following week.

• Explanation: Leo states that the company will contact the successful candidate “by next Friday.” Paraphrasing: by next Friday = by the end of the following week.
• Trap: Option A is a trap because they are having pizza “tonight” to celebrate him surviving the interview, not to get the results. Option C is a distractor.

Leo: Hey Maya, pick up, pick up… Oh, hi! I just walked out of the building.

Maya: Leo! I’ve been waiting by my phone. How did it go? Are you okay?

Leo: Honestly, I feel a massive sense of relief now that it’s over. The atmosphere was actually quite friendly, not nearly as strict as I expected. The hiring manager was smiling the whole time.

Maya: See? I told you there was nothing to worry about! That’s a fantastic sign. Do you think you’ll get the offer?

Leo: I’m not entirely sure. I think my overall performance was strong, but I definitely messed up one part. They asked me to describe a time I failed at work, and my mind just went completely blank. I ended up giving a very confused and rambling answer.

Maya: Oh, everyone hates that question. Don’t overthink it, Leo. One awkward response isn’t going to ruin your chances if the rest of the interview was solid.

Leo: I really hope you’re right. Anyway, they said they would contact the successful candidate by next Friday. So now, the waiting game begins.

Maya: Fingers crossed! Let’s celebrate the fact that you survived. Pizza is on me tonight!

1 (B) He is feeling nervous and looking over his study materials.

• Explanation: Alex says he is “reviewing my notes” and that his stomach is “tied in knots” (an idiom meaning he is very nervous). Paraphrasing: looking over study materials = reviewing notes; nervous = stomach tied in knots.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. If students translate “stomach is tied in knots” literally, they might think he has a physical stomachache, but it’s just an expression for anxiety. Option C is a distractor because he already knows the company “inside and out.”

2 (A) Inhale slowly to give himself time to think.

• Explanation: Mom advises him to “take a deep breath before you speak” and that a “short pause” shows he is thinking carefully. Paraphrasing: inhale slowly = take a deep breath; give himself time to think = a short pause.
• Trap: Options B and C are common, plausible pieces of advice for an interview in real life, but the mother does not mention them in the audio.

3 (C) It creates a strong impression of self-assurance.

• Explanation: The mother says sitting straight and making eye contact “makes you look confident.” Paraphrasing: self-assurance = confident; creates an impression = makes you look.
• Trap: Option A is a trap because the mother explicitly says he might still “feel terrified inside,” so it doesn’t prevent the fear, it just hides it. Option B is not mentioned.

Mom: Alex, are you still awake? It’s getting late, and you have your big job interview tomorrow morning.

Alex: I know, Mom. I’m just reviewing my notes one last time. My stomach is tied in knots. I really want to get this marketing position.

Mom: It’s completely normal to feel anxious. But remember, you have spent weeks preparing for this. You know the company inside and out.

Alex: That’s true, but what if my mind goes blank when they ask a difficult question?

Mom: If that happens, just take a deep breath before you speak. A short pause shows that you are thinking carefully. And don’t forget your body language—sit up straight and maintain good eye contact. It makes you look confident, even if you feel terrified inside.

Alex: Sit straight, breathe, eye contact. Okay, I can do that.

Mom: Exactly. Now, close your laptop and get some sleep. A well-rested brain is your best weapon tomorrow. I’m already proud of you, no matter what happens.

Alex: Thanks, Mom. I feel a bit better now. Goodnight!

1 (B) His application was turned down by a technology company.

• Explanation: Tom says TechNova “decided to move forward with another candidate.” This is a polite business phrase meaning they rejected him. Paraphrasing: move forward with another candidate = turned down; TechNova = a technology company.
• Trap: Option A is the exact opposite of what happened. The word “marketing” is mentioned, but he didn’t get the job. Option C is a distractor; he wasn’t invited back.

2 (A) He is extremely sad and considers quitting his current career path.

• Explanation: Tom says he is “miserable” and thinks maybe he should “give up on the tech industry entirely.” Paraphrasing: miserable = extremely sad; give up on the tech industry = quitting his current career path.
• Trap: Option B is a distractor; he is sad, not angry, and the interview questions are not mentioned. Option C is the opposite of the truth; he really wanted the position.

3 (C) Work together to improve his professional document.

• Explanation: Emma says, “We can update your profile together on Monday.” A profile/resume is a professional document, and updating it means improving it.
• Trap: Option B is the classic timing trap. Emma tells him to “take the weekend to relax,” but the question asks what they will do on Monday. Option A is not mentioned at all.

Tom: Hey Emma… I just checked my inbox. I finally got the email from TechNova.

Emma: Oh? And? How did it go?

Tom: They decided to move forward with another candidate. I’m honestly so miserable right now. I spent a whole week preparing for that interview.

Emma: Oh, Tom, I am so sorry. I know how much you wanted that marketing position. But please, don’t let this ruin your confidence.

Tom: It’s hard not to. I feel like my resume just isn’t good enough. Maybe I should just give up on the tech industry entirely and look for something else.

Emma: That’s ridiculous! You have great skills. Sometimes it’s just about finding the right fit. Actually, I saw that a company called Global Solutions is hiring. Why don’t you send your application there?

Tom: I don’t know… I’m just so exhausted from all these rejections.

Emma: I get it. Just take the weekend to relax, watch a movie, and completely forget about it. We can update your profile together on Monday.

Tom: You’re right. I shouldn’t quit yet. Thanks, Emma. I’ll give it another shot next week.