Money Management – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a bank teller, then choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What financial benefit does this specific bank account provide?
(A) It offers a five percent discount on all monthly banking fees.
(B) It gives a yearly return of two point five percent on the money.
(C) It rewards the customer with a one hundred dollar signup bonus.
2 What rule must the customer follow to avoid getting a financial penalty?
(A) He must ensure his account always has a hundred dollars or more.
(B) He must use his plastic card to buy things at least once a month.
(C) He must sign all the bank paperwork before the end of the day.
3 How can the man avoid paying the regular monthly charge for his card?
(A) By paying a one-time penalty fee of five dollars today.
(B) By asking his company to send his salary straight to the bank.
(C) By keeping his total savings balance below one hundred dollars.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) It gives a yearly return of two point five percent on the money.
- Explanation: The teller says the account “offers a 2.5% return per year.” “Yearly return” is a paraphrase for “return per year” and “annual interest rate”.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) uses the number “five” (trap from the $5 monthly fee), but it is not a discount rate. Option (C) uses the number “one hundred” (trap from the minimum balance), but it is not a signup bonus.
2 Correct Answer: (A) He must ensure his account always has a hundred dollars or more.
- Explanation: The teller explains that he must “maintain a balance of at least one hundred dollars at all times.” If it drops below that, there is a penalty.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The card is mentioned, but there is no rule about using it to buy things every month. Option (C) is a trap because the customer is going to sign the paperwork, but doing so is not the rule to avoid a penalty.
3 Correct Answer: (B) By asking his company to send his salary straight to the bank.
- Explanation: The teller explains that the fee is waived (becomes free) if the customer sets up an “automatic direct deposit from your employer.” Asking his company to send his salary straight to the bank is a strong paraphrase of this action.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Five dollars is the regular fee, not a one-time penalty. Option (C) is a trap because keeping the balance below one hundred dollars will actually cause a penalty, not waive the fee.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Teller: Good morning. Welcome to City Bank. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi, I’d like to open a basic savings account. But, um, before I sign these papers, I have a few questions.
Teller: Of course! What would you like to know?
Customer: First, what is the annual interest rate for this account type?
Teller: Right now, the basic savings account offers a 2.5% return per year.
Customer: Okay, that’s not bad. And is there a minimum amount of money I need to keep in the bank?
Teller: Yes, you must maintain a balance of at least one hundred dollars at all times. If it drops below that, there is a penalty.
Customer: I understand. What about the plastic card? Are there any monthly maintenance fees for it?
Teller: Ah, normally it costs five dollars a month. But, well, if you set up an automatic direct deposit from your employer, we waive that fee entirely. It becomes free.
Customer: That’s perfect. I’ll set up the automatic deposit then. Where do I sign?
Listening 2
Listen to a phone conversation between a customer and a telecom agent, then choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the customer’s main reason for calling?
(A) To pay his normal forty-dollar monthly fee.
(B) To ask why his current invoice is twice the usual amount.
(C) To cancel his mobile service because it is too expensive.
2 How did the extra charges occur during the customer’s trip?
(A) He made several international voice calls to his family.
(B) He paid for the expensive Wi-Fi connection at his hotel.
(C) His device downloaded information using foreign networks.
3 What does the agent suggest the man do in the future?
(A) Purchase a special package before going abroad again.
(B) Completely turn off his phone while staying at a hotel.
(C) Ask the company to remove the extra charges immediately.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) To ask why his current invoice is twice the usual amount.
- Explanation: The customer states that his bill is normally forty dollars, but this time it’s over eighty dollars, saying “It’s literally double!” “Invoice is twice the usual amount” is a direct paraphrase of this complaint.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. He mentions his normal bill is forty dollars, but he is calling to complain about the $80 bill, not to pay the $40 one. Option (C) is a trap because he mentions it’s an “expensive mistake,” but he never says he wants to cancel the service.
2 Correct Answer: (C) His device downloaded information using foreign networks.
- Explanation: The agent explains that his phone “automatically connected to local networks to update apps and receive emails.” Updating apps and receiving emails means downloading information, and “local networks” in another country are foreign networks.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The customer explicitly says, “I didn’t make any phone calls while I was there.” Option (B) is a trap because he mentions using the “hotel Wi-Fi,” but that did not cause the charge; the cellular data did.
3 Correct Answer: (A) Purchase a special package before going abroad again.
- Explanation: The agent recommends “buying a temporary travel pass for your next trip.” A temporary travel pass is a paraphrase for a special package.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. He needs to turn off his “mobile data,” not completely turn off the entire phone. Option (C) is a trap because the customer wants to reduce the fee, but the agent explicitly says she “cannot cancel the charge.”
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Welcome to Star Telecom customer support. This is Emma. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi, Emma. I’m calling about my phone bill for this month. It’s normally around forty dollars, but, um, this time it’s over eighty dollars. It’s literally double!
Agent: I understand your concern, sir. Let me pull up your account. Give me just a second… Ah, I see the issue. Did you travel outside the country recently?
Customer: Yes, I took a short vacation to Japan last week. But I didn’t make any phone calls while I was there. I only used the hotel Wi-Fi.
Agent: Well, our system shows heavy data usage on the cellular network. It seems you forgot to turn off your mobile data, so your device automatically connected to local networks to update apps and receive emails. That generated international roaming charges.
Customer: Oh no… I didn’t realize that. Ah, is there any way to reduce this fee?
Agent: Unfortunately, since the data was already consumed, I cannot cancel the charge. But I strongly recommend buying a temporary travel pass for your next trip to prevent this.
Customer: I definitely will. What an expensive mistake!
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a student and an electronics store clerk. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does Leo ask for an installment plan?
(A) He wants to buy a computer but cannot afford the total cost at once.
(B) He lost his credit card and only has a small amount of cash available.
(C) He is buying a very expensive graduation gift for his university friend.
2 What is the initial requirement for the six-month payment option?
(A) Paying for exactly half of the laptop’s original price immediately.
(B) Providing a thirty percent deposit on the day of purchase.
(C) Signing a contract to keep the laptop for at least six years.
3 How does the “back-to-school” promotion benefit Leo?
(A) It gives him a ten-dollar discount on the final price of the laptop.
(B) It allows him to spread out his payments without adding extra borrowing costs.
(C) It provides a free protective bag and a mouse for university students.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (A) He wants to buy a computer but cannot afford the total cost at once.
- Explanation: Leo states, “I’m interested in buying this laptop… but I can’t pay the full price today” (cannot afford the total cost at once). Option (B) is a trap; credit cards and cash are not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; he is buying it for his own “university classes,” not as a gift for a friend.
2 Answer: (B) Providing a thirty percent deposit on the day of purchase.
- Explanation: Emma explains that for the six-month plan, “we require a thirty percent down payment today” (a 30% deposit on the day of purchase). Option (A) is a trap; the requirement is 30%, not half (50%). Option (C) is a trap; the number “six” applies to the months of the payment plan, not a six-year contract.
3 Answer: (B) It allows him to spread out his payments without adding extra borrowing costs.
- Explanation: Emma says the promotion gives him “zero percent interest,” meaning the laptop won’t be more expensive over time (no extra borrowing costs). Option (A) is a trap; the “ten dollars” is a document fee he has to pay, not a discount. Option (C) is a very common real-world promotion, but it is never mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Hi, I’m interested in buying this laptop for my university classes, but I can’t pay the full price today. Do you offer an installment plan?
Emma: Yes, we certainly do. We have very flexible payment options for our customers. How many months would you like to spread the cost over?
Leo: I was thinking of a six-month period. How much do I need to pay upfront for that?
Emma: For a six-month plan on this specific laptop model, we require a thirty percent down payment today. You will then pay the remaining balance in equal amounts each month.
Leo: Okay, thirty percent is manageable. But what about the interest rate? Will the laptop end up being much more expensive?
Emma: Actually, you are in luck. We have a special “back-to-school” promotion right now. If you show your student ID card, you get zero percent interest. There is only a small, one-time document fee of ten dollars.
Leo: That is perfect! It saves me a lot of money. Let’s do it. Here is my student card.
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between a tourist and a currency exchange clerk. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does Alex want to exchange his money today?
(A) He is planning a holiday to an overseas country.
(B) He wants to invest in a foreign business online.
(C) He needs to pay a fee to renew his travel passport.
2 What is the store’s policy on extra service charges?
(A) They charge a small fee for changing large amounts of cash.
(B) They do not require customers to pay additional costs for this amount.
(C) They offer a cheaper rate if the customer pays with a credit card.
3 Why does Alex ask for smaller notes?
(A) He is worried that large bills are easily stolen by pickpockets.
(B) The clerk does not have enough fifty-dollar bills in the register.
(C) He wants to give extra money to drivers and buy light meals.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (A) He is planning a holiday to an overseas country.
- Explanation: Alex states, “I’m traveling to the United States next week” (planning a holiday to an overseas country). Option (B) is a trap; investing is a reason to exchange money, but it is not his reason. Option (C) is a trap; renewing a passport is a travel-related task, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 Answer: (B) They do not require customers to pay additional costs for this amount.
- Explanation: Maria explains that they offer “zero commission for transactions over 500 Euros.” Since Alex is exchanging 600 Euros, he does not have to pay additional costs. Option (A) is a trap; it is the exact opposite of their policy (they drop the fee for large amounts, not charge for it). Option (C) is not mentioned.
3 Answer: (C) He wants to give extra money to drivers and buy light meals.
- Explanation: Alex explicitly says he needs tens and twenties for “tipping taxis” (giving extra money to drivers) and “buying snacks” (buying light meals). Option (A) is a logical real-world concern, but he never mentions thieves or pickpockets. Option (B) is a trap; Maria actually gives him four hundred dollars in “fifty-dollar bills”, so she clearly has enough of them.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Alex: Hi, I’m traveling to the United States next week. I need to buy some US dollars. What is the exchange rate today?
Maria: Hello, sir. Today, one US dollar will cost you one point two Euros. How much would you like to exchange?
Alex: I want to exchange 600 Euros. But before we do that, does your office charge a commission or transaction fee?
Maria: No, we don’t have any hidden fees. We offer zero commission for transactions over 500 Euros.
Alex: That’s great news. Here is the money. Oh, and could you give me some small bills? Like tens and twenties? I need them for tipping taxis and buying snacks.
Maria: Of course. I will give you four hundred in fifty-dollar bills, and the rest in tens and twenties. Here is your cash and the receipt. Please count it before you leave.
Alex: It looks perfect. Thank you so much for your help!
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a bank consultant. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does Tom request a low limit on his new credit card?
(A) To easily pay for his expensive monthly travel expenses.
(B) Because his new company only allows small daily purchases.
(C) To avoid accumulating large amounts of borrowed money.
2 What is the main advantage of the card Emily recommends?
(A) It returns a percentage of the cash he spends on food shopping.
(B) It allows him to borrow unlimited funds for emergency situations.
(C) It provides a full refund on his daily transportation tickets.
3 What paperwork must Tom provide to successfully get the card?
(A) A letter of recommendation from his university teachers.
(B) His personal identification and proof of his current job.
(C) A five hundred dollar cash deposit and his birth certificate.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (C) To avoid accumulating large amounts of borrowed money.
- Explanation: Tom says he wants a low limit because “I am afraid of getting into debt… so I don’t buy too much” (avoid accumulating large amounts of borrowed money). Option (A) is a trap; a low limit would not help pay for expensive things. Option (B) is a trap; he mentions his new job, but the company doesn’t control his personal card.
2 Answer: (A) It returns a percentage of the cash he spends on food shopping.
- Explanation: Emily says the card offers “five percent cashback on all grocery purchases” (returns a percentage of the cash spent on food shopping). Option (B) is a trap; it is the exact opposite of the “strict maximum” limit they agreed on. Option (C) is a trap; “transportation” is not mentioned, only groceries/food.
3 Answer: (B) His personal identification and proof of his current job.
- Explanation: Emily asks for his “standard ID card” (personal identification) and his “latest employment contract” (proof of his current job). Option (A) is a trap; he “just graduated,” but he doesn’t need university documents. Option (C) is a trap; “five hundred dollars” is his monthly credit limit, not a cash deposit he has to bring.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hi, I would like to open my first credit card. I just graduated and started working full-time last month.
Emily: Congratulations on the new job, sir! Welcome to City Bank. What kind of benefits are you looking for in a credit card?
Tom: Well, I spend most of my salary on food at the supermarket. So, a card that gives money back on groceries would be perfect. Also, honestly, I am afraid of getting into debt. I want a very low borrowing limit so I don’t buy too much.
Emily: I understand perfectly. Many young professionals have the same concern. I highly recommend our “Everyday Saver” card. It offers a five percent cashback on all grocery purchases.
Tom: That sounds great. And what about the limit?
Emily: We can set a strict maximum of five hundred dollars a month. If you try to spend more than that, the card will simply decline the transaction, keeping you safe from overspending.
Tom: That is exactly what I need to build my credit score safely. What documents do I need to apply today?
Emily: We just need to see your standard ID card and your latest employment contract.