Future Tech – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (A) In less than an hour.

• Explanation: The salesperson says that with the fast-charging station (special equipment), it takes “45 minutes” to reach a full charge. 45 minutes is a paraphrase for “less than an hour.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. Eight hours is the time it takes using a “standard home outlet,” not the special fast-charging equipment. Option (C) is plausible but never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Devices that detect objects near the bumpers.

• Explanation: The salesperson explains that the car uses “ultrasonic sensors built into the bumpers.” “Sensors” are devices that detect things.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. A satellite navigation system is a paraphrase for GPS. The customer asks if it uses GPS, but the salesperson explicitly says “no.” Option (C) is a plausible car feature, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Monitor the display panel.

• Explanation: The salesperson tells the customer to “just watch the screen.” “Monitor the display panel” is a direct paraphrase of this instruction.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. The audio mentions the steering wheel, but the instruction is to “take your hands off” it, not to hold it tightly. Option (C) is a plausible driving action, but it is never mentioned in the conversation.

Customer: Hi, I’m interested in the new XZ-Model. I drive a lot for work, so I need to know about the battery. How long does it actually take to juice it up to 100%?

Salesperson: Hello! Well, if you just use a standard home outlet, it takes about eight hours. But, ah, if you install our fast-charging station in your garage, it only takes 45 minutes to reach a full charge.

Customer: Oh, 45 minutes is very reasonable. I’ll definitely get the fast charger. Um, another thing… I’m terrible at parallel parking. Can you explain the auto-parking feature? Does it use GPS to find the spot?

Salesperson: A lot of people think it relies on GPS, but no. It actually uses ultrasonic sensors built into the bumpers. When you drive past a spot, the car scans the space. If it’s big enough, you just press a button on the dashboard, take your hands off the steering wheel, and the car steers itself right in.

Customer: Wow, so I don’t need to control the wheel at all?

Salesperson: Exactly. You just watch the screen to make sure everything is safe.

1 Correct Answer: (A) Put his passport on the glowing machine.

• Explanation: The robot asks David to place his “identification document” (passport) on the “illuminated glass scanner” (glowing machine).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. The robot mentions a “credit card” later in the conversation for incidental expenses, not to confirm his identity. Option (C) is plausible for modern technology, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) He intends to use physical money for them.

• Explanation: David says he will pay for extra stuff “in cash” later. “Physical money” is a paraphrase of cash.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The robot asks if he wants to use the “credit card on file” for expenses, but David explicitly rejects this idea by saying, “Actually, no.” Option (C) is plausible but never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) From an opening underneath the display.

• Explanation: The robot tells David to collect his “physical access card” (the item to open his room) from the “slot below the screen” (an opening underneath the display).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The “illuminated glass” is the scanner where David put his passport, not where the room key comes out. Option (B) is a plausible smart hotel feature, but the robot gives him a physical card instead.

David: Uh, hello? Are you the receptionist?

Robot: Welcome to the Oasis Smart Hotel. I am Nova, your automated host. Do you have a reservation with us today?

David: Yes, I do. Under the name, um, David Miller. I booked a double room for three nights.

Robot: Locating reservation. Thank you, Mr. Miller. To proceed with the check-in process, please place your identification document face down on the illuminated glass scanner.

David: You mean my passport? Okay, hold on a second… There it goes.

Robot: Scanning complete. Your identity is verified. Would you like to charge any incidental expenses to the credit card on file?

David: Actually, no. I’ll pay for room service and extra stuff in cash later if I need to.

Robot: Understood. Processing your request. Please collect your physical access card from the slot below the screen. Your room is 412 on the fourth floor. Enjoy your stay.

David: Got it. Wow, that was surprisingly fast. Thanks, Nova!

1 Correct Answer: (B) View a piece of clothing in different shades.

• Explanation: The customer says she wants to “see how the other colors look,” which is a paraphrase for viewing a piece of clothing in different shades.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The assistant mentions that tapping the circles will “show you the price,” but checking the price is not the customer’s goal. Option (C) is a trap because the word “sizes” is mentioned on the menu, but she never asks for a larger size.

2 Correct Answer: (B) By moving her finger sideways across the display.

• Explanation: The assistant tells the customer to “swipe your finger across the screen from left to right.” “Moving her finger sideways” is a direct paraphrase of swiping from left to right.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The customer asks if she should “tap the circles” (press them), but the assistant says doing that will only show the price, not change the color. Option (C) is a plausible smart technology feature, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (B) She must go to the main counter to pay for it.

• Explanation: The assistant says the customer needs to “bring the physical item to the front desk.” The “main counter” is a synonym for the front desk.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The customer asks if she can pay at the mirror, but the assistant explicitly states that the payment feature is “still under construction.” Option (C) is plausible for modern shopping, but it is never mentioned.

Customer: Excuse me, I need some help with this fitting room. It’s my first time using a smart mirror. I have this jacket on, but I want to see how the other colors look.

Assistant: Of course! It’s actually quite simple. You don’t need to take off the jacket you are wearing. Just look at the glass panel in front of you. Do you see the menu on the right side?

Customer: Um, yes, I see a list of sizes and some color circles. Do I tap the circles?

Assistant: Well, tapping them will just show you the price. To actually see yourself in a different shade, you need to gently swipe your finger across the screen from left to right.

Customer: Ah, let me try. Wow! The jacket in my reflection just turned navy blue. That is amazing.

Assistant: It saves a lot of time, right? If you want to try the dark green one, just swipe again.

Customer: Perfect. I think I prefer the blue, though. I’ll take this one. Oh, do I pay here at the mirror, too?

Assistant: No, the payment feature is still under construction. You’ll need to bring the physical item to the front desk.

1 Correct Answer: (B) It will physically shake to alert the wearer.

• Explanation: The doctor says that if the watch detects an “irregular pulse” (unusual heartbeat), it “vibrates to warn you.” “Physically shake” is a paraphrase of vibrate, and “alert” means to warn.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The doctor mentions her “blood pressure” at the very beginning of the conversation, but the watch does not measure this; it monitors her pulse. Option (C) is plausible for an alarm, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (C) It contacts emergency medical workers on its own.

• Explanation: The doctor explains that the device “automatically dials an ambulance,” and the patient confirms it “calls the paramedics all by itself.” “Emergency medical workers” is a paraphrase for paramedics/ambulance.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The patient asks, “what if I slip and can’t reach the buttons?” The watch helps exactly because she does not need to press a button. Option (B) is a plausible feature of a smartwatch, but it is not mentioned in the text.

3 Correct Answer: (A) She will purchase the device with a family member’s assistance.

• Explanation: Mrs. Gable says, “I’ll ask my daughter to help me order one.” “A family member’s assistance” is a paraphrase of her daughter helping her.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. She mentions having a “regular cell phone” earlier to call for help, but she does not say she will use it to buy the watch. Option (C) is plausible for an older person shopping, but it is never mentioned.

Doctor: Well, Mrs. Gable, your blood pressure is looking much better today. But since you live alone, I highly recommend getting a piece of wearable technology, like a medical smartwatch.

Patient: A smartwatch? Oh, I don’t know, Doctor. I have a regular cell phone. Isn’t that enough to call for help?

Doctor: Not exactly. These new devices constantly monitor your vital signs. For example, if it detects an irregular pulse, it vibrates to warn you immediately.

Patient: Hm. I suppose that’s useful. But what if I slip and can’t reach the buttons? I’m terrified of tumbling down the stairs.

Doctor: That’s the best part. The watch has built-in motion sensors. If you have a hard drop and don’t respond within a minute, the device automatically dials an ambulance for you.

Patient: Really? It calls the paramedics all by itself?

Doctor: Exactly. It also sends your GPS location to them. It gives both of us peace of mind.

Patient: Ah, I see. Well, I’ll ask my daughter to help me order one this weekend.

1 Correct Answer: (A) Approximately a quarter of a million dollars.

• Explanation: The agent states the fare is “two hundred and fifty thousand dollars” ($250,000). This amount is exactly a quarter of a million dollars.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The agent clearly states the ticket is “certainly not cheap.” Option (C) is a trap because the $250,000 is for a “standard window seat,” meaning the window seat is the regular price, not an extra fee.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Passengers are required to exercise at the center for fourteen days.

• Explanation: The agent explains that travelers need to “spend two weeks at our facility.” “Fourteen days” is a direct paraphrase of two weeks.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The customer asks if he needs to “spend months at a space camp,” but the agent replies “Actually, no.” Option (C) is also a trap. The agent mentions it is a short journey, but the fitness program is still “mandatory” (required), so they cannot skip it.

3 Correct Answer: (C) He will discuss the travel possibility with his spouse.

• Explanation: At the end of the call, the customer says, “I guess I’ll talk to my wife.” “Discuss with his spouse” is a synonym for talking to his wife.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. He says he might “need to save up a bit longer,” meaning he will not reserve the tickets immediately. Option (B) is a trap because he specifically mentions he was worried the training would “take up my entire summer,” but he is relieved that it will only take two weeks.

Agent: Thank you for calling Galaxy Tours. Diana speaking. How can I help you explore the stars today?

Customer: Hi, Diana. I’m, um, calling about the commercial flights to Earth’s orbit planned for next year. Could you give me an idea of the cost? I heard it’s incredibly expensive.

Agent: Well, it’s certainly not cheap! For a standard window seat on our 2027 launch, the current fare is around two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Customer: Wow, okay. I might need to save up a bit longer. But if I do book, I know there’s some kind of preparation required. Do I need to spend months at a space camp?

Agent: Actually, no. Since it’s a short journey, the mandatory fitness program is much shorter. You’ll only need to spend two weeks at our facility to get your body used to zero gravity.

Customer: Oh, that’s not bad at all. I was worried it would take up my entire summer. I guess I’ll talk to my wife and, ah, call you back if we decide to go for it.

Agent: Sounds good! Have a great day.