Job Hunting – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) He has officially obtained a formal professional license.

• Explanation: Paul states, “I recently completed my CPA, so I am a fully licensed accountant now.” Option (B) paraphrases this. Option (A) is The Trap: A “Bachelor’s in Finance” is mentioned, but he already has it; he is not currently studying for it. Option (C) is not mentioned.

2 Answer: (C) He is willing to accept less money if the company perks are good.

• Explanation: Paul wants $65,000 but says he is “open to negotiation if the company offers a strong health insurance package”. Ms. Carter summarizes this as “flexible depending on the benefits”. Option (C) paraphrases this perfectly (perks = benefits/health insurance). Option (A) is The Trap: $60,000 is mentioned, but that was his old salary, not his strict demand. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (A) Search the agency’s database for positions that fit his qualifications.

• Explanation: Ms. Carter says she will “run your details through our software” to see if his profile “matches any open roles”. Option (A) uses synonyms to describe this matching process. Option (B) is The Trap: She will call him, but only if there is a match with their “corporate clients”, not to offer him a job working at Prime Staffing. Option (C) is a common real-life recruitment step, but she does not promise to send it to a specific manager yet.

Ms. Carter: Welcome to Prime Staffing. I’m Sarah Carter. Let’s get your profile set up in our database.

Paul: Thanks, Sarah. I’m Paul.

Ms. Carter: Great. So, looking at your background, you have a Bachelor’s in Finance. Do you hold any additional certifications?

Paul: Actually, yes. I recently completed my CPA, so I am a fully licensed accountant now.

Ms. Carter: Excellent, that makes you highly competitive. Now, regarding compensation, what is your target salary range?

Paul: Well, at my last company I made sixty thousand a year. I’m looking for at least sixty-five thousand now. However, I am open to negotiation if the company offers a strong health insurance package.

Ms. Carter: Understood. I’ll note that down: sixty-five thousand base, but flexible depending on the benefits.

Paul: Exactly. What happens next?

Ms. Carter: I’ll run your details through our software this afternoon. If your profile matches any open roles with our corporate clients, I’ll give you a call immediately.

1 Answer: (B) A part-time coffee maker.

• Explanation: Sarah mentions they are hiring “part-time baristas”. Option (B) correctly paraphrases “barista” as “coffee maker”. Option (A) is The Trap: Liam was a cashier at a grocery store in the past, but that is not the position the cafe is filling. Option (C) uses words from the audio (“manager”, “customer service”) but creates a false role.

2 Answer: (C) Because being good with people is their main priority.

• Explanation: Sarah states that “Customer service skills are actually more important to us than coffee knowledge”. Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this idea (good with people = customer service skills; main priority = more important). Option (A) is The Trap: An espresso machine is mentioned, but Sarah says “We can teach you how to use the espresso machine”, meaning he doesn’t know it yet. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (C) By completing a physical document at the shop.

• Explanation: Sarah tells him to “grab an application form from the counter over there, fill it out, and hand it back”. Option (C) summarizes this as completing a physical document at the shop. Option (A) is The Trap: Liam asks “Should I email you my CV?”, but Sarah responds with “Actually, just…”, which means she rejects the email idea. Option (B) is The Trap: 6 AM to 11 AM are the work shift hours, not the time to call.

Liam: Excuse me, hi. I saw the “Help Wanted” sign in the window. Are you still looking for staff?

Sarah: Yes, we are. I’m the manager, Sarah. We’re currently hiring part-time baristas. Do you have any experience making coffee?

Liam: Well, I haven’t worked in a cafe before, but I was a cashier at a grocery store for a year, so I’m very comfortable handling money and dealing with customers.

Sarah: That’s good to know. Customer service skills are actually more important to us than coffee knowledge. We can teach you how to use the espresso machine.

Liam: That sounds great! What kind of hours are you looking to fill?

Sarah: We mainly need someone for the morning rush, from 6 AM to 11 AM, Monday through Thursday.

Liam: Those hours fit perfectly with my university schedule. How can I apply? Should I email you my CV?

Sarah: Actually, just grab an application form from the counter over there, fill it out, and hand it back to me with a printed copy of your resume.

1 Answer: (B) He needs a suitable image for his job applications and digital platforms.

• Explanation: Michael says he is updating his “resume” (job applications) and “online networking profiles” (digital platforms) to impress potential employers. Option (B) accurately paraphrases this. Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (C) is The Trap: He mentions “employers”, but these are potential employers in the future, not a current manager requiring a photo.

2 Answer: (B) A formal set of clothing suitable for the financial sector.

• Explanation: Michael mentions he is applying for the “Finance” industry and brought a “dark blue suit and a tie” (a formal set of clothing). Option (A) is The Trap: He mentions he wants to look “not too stiff” and Clara says “approachable” (similar to friendly/relaxed), but his actual outfit is a formal suit, not a casual outfit. Option (C) is The Trap: “Light gray” is the color of the background Clara suggests, not the color of his shirt.

3 Answer: (A) Guide the man on how to stand and look at the camera.

• Explanation: Clara says, “I’ll help you with your posture and expression”. Option (A) perfectly paraphrases this (posture = how to stand; expression = how to look at the camera). Option (B) is The Trap: The background color is discussed, but Clara does not say she will edit it after the photos are taken; she is setting up a physical background. Option (C) is The Trap: Michael says “Give me just a couple of minutes” to change his clothes, not that Clara will print the photos in a few minutes.

Michael: Hi there. I have an appointment for a photoshoot at 10 AM. My name is Michael.

Clara: Good morning, Michael! Yes, I have you right here. So, what kind of pictures are we taking today?

Michael: I need some professional headshots. I’m currently updating my resume and my online networking profiles, so I want to make a strong first impression on potential employers.

Clara: Excellent. For a corporate look, we usually go with a solid gray or white background. What industry are you applying for?

Michael: Finance. I brought a dark blue suit and a tie. I want to look serious and reliable, but not too stiff.

Clara: Perfect. A dark suit against a light gray background will create a great contrast. Go ahead and change in the room over there. When you’re ready, I’ll help you with your posture and expression so you look confident but approachable.

Michael: Sounds good. Give me just a couple of minutes.

1 Answer: (B) To acquire a specific technical skill to make his job applications stronger.

• Explanation: Daniel says he wants to “upgrade my resume” and needs “advanced spreadsheet skills”. Option (B) accurately paraphrases this (acquire a technical skill = spreadsheet skills; make applications stronger = upgrade resume). Option (A) is The Trap: The word “administrative” is used in the audio, but he is applying for those roles at other companies, not at the training center. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned.

2 Answer: (C) He needs to finish his training much faster due to upcoming opportunities.

• Explanation: Daniel says “I can’t wait that long” (finish much faster) because he has “interviews lined up next month” (upcoming opportunities). Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (B) is The Trap: “Formulas” are mentioned later when discussing the Bootcamp, but this is not the reason he rejects the standard program; time is the only reason.

3 Answer: (A) He must successfully complete a test at the end of the course.

• Explanation: Jessica states that he will get the certificate “As long as you pass the final assessment”. Option (A) uses synonyms for this condition (successfully complete a test = pass the final assessment). Option (B) is The Trap: She mentions he will be in class for “six hours a day”, but she does not explicitly state that perfect attendance is the condition for the certificate; passing the test is. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Daniel: Hi, I’m looking to upgrade my resume. I’ve been applying for administrative roles, but a lot of them require advanced spreadsheet skills.

Jessica: Hello! You’ve come to the right place. Are you interested in our standard three-month computing program?

Daniel: Actually, I can’t wait that long. I have a few interviews lined up next month. Do you offer anything more… intensive?

Jessica: Well, we do have a “Data Management Bootcamp”. It runs for just two weeks, but you’ll be in class for six hours a day. It covers everything from basic formulas to complex data visualization.

Daniel: That sounds exactly like what I need. Do I get a formal document at the end to prove I completed it?

Jessica: Yes, absolutely. As long as you pass the final assessment, you’ll receive a recognized certificate that you can attach directly to your job applications.

Daniel: Perfect. Um, how much does the bootcamp cost?

1 Answer: (B) Materials to help him write a cover letter.

• Explanation: Mark says he needs “a guide on how to write a strong introduction document for employers”, which Mrs. Higgins clarifies as “cover letters”. Option (B) captures this perfectly. Option (A) is The Trap: The word “interview” is mentioned later in the audio, but he is not looking for a book about interview preparation; he is looking for writing guides. Option (C) is plausible but never mentioned.

2 Answer: (A) On the second floor, beside the business magazines.

• Explanation: Mrs. Higgins states clearly that the job hunting section is “on the second floor, right next to the business magazines”. Option (A) is a direct match using a synonym (beside = next to). Option (B) is The Trap: The “reading room” is where the public computers are, not the books. Option (C) is The Trap: The “front desk” is where he will pay for his prints, not where the books are.

3 Answer: (C) To print out a physical version of his job application.

• Explanation: Mark says he needs a “hard copy” of his resume and asks about the fee for getting “physical copies”. Option (C) paraphrases this action (print out a physical version = get a hard copy/physical copy; job application = resume). Option (A) is The Trap: He asks to “use the internet”, but not to search for jobs; he needs to access his US(B) Option (B) is also The Trap: He mentions his “resume”, but he is not emailing it; he needs to print it for an interview.

Mark: Hello, excuse me. I’m looking for some resources on career planning. Specifically, I need a guide on how to write a strong introduction document for employers.

Mrs. Higgins: Ah, you mean cover letters? We have a whole section dedicated to job hunting. It’s on the second floor, right next to the business magazines. You’ll find plenty of examples there.

Mark: Perfect, thank you. Also, is it possible to use the internet here? I have my resume saved on a USB drive, and I need a hard copy for an interview this afternoon.

Mrs. Higgins: Yes, we have several public computers available in the reading room. However, you’ll need a library card to log in. Do you have one?

Mark: Yes, I do. By the way, is there a fee for getting the physical copies?

Mrs. Higgins: It’s ten cents per page, and you can pay at the front desk when you’re finished.

Mark: Great, I’ll head upstairs now. Thanks for your help!