Crime & Punishment – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (A) Because she thinks Anna’s phone might get stolen.

• The Key: Sarah warns Anna that the crowded market is “perfect for pickpockets.” A pickpocket is a thief who steals things from pockets, meaning the phone might get stolen.
• The Trap (B): Sarah mentions a “camera” later in the conversation, but she doesn’t tell Anna to use one. She only talks about a camera that was stolen.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Dropping a phone from a back pocket is a logical fear, but Sarah’s specific warning is about crime (pickpockets), not dropping it.

2 Answer: (A) A traveler was robbed by a stranger.

• The Key: Sarah says, “I saw a tourist lose his camera… The thief just bumped into him, grabbed it”. A tourist is a traveler, and a thief taking the camera means the traveler was robbed.
• The Trap (B): The script mentions the “police”, but Sarah clearly says “the police couldn’t do anything,” meaning they did not arrest the thief.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): She mentions Anna’s “backpack” earlier, but Sarah never says she lost her own bag in Barcelona; she saw it happen to someone else.

3 Answer: (C) She moves her expensive items to a safer place.

• The Key: Anna says, “I’m going to put my valuables in this hidden pocket.” Valuables mean expensive items (like a phone or wallet), and a hidden pocket is a safer place.
• The Trap (B): Sarah suggests going to get “street food” at the very end, but Anna’s action before doing that is securing her bag (“Give me a second…”).
• Plausible but not mentioned (A): Anna originally wanted to buy souvenirs. Even though she learns about the pickpockets, she does not say she will cancel her shopping plans.

Sarah: Wow, look at all these people! The weekend market is completely packed today.

Anna: Yeah, it looks amazing! I can’t wait to buy some souvenirs. Oh, let me just put my phone in my back pocket…

Sarah: Ah, wait, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You should probably put it inside your backpack, and keep your wallet deep inside too.

Anna: Really? You think it’s dangerous here?

Sarah: Well, crowded places like this are perfect for pickpockets. Last year, when I was in Barcelona, I saw a tourist lose his camera right in front of me. The thief just bumped into him, grabbed it, and disappeared into the crowd in seconds.

Anna: Oh my gosh, that’s terrible! Did the police catch the guy?

Sarah: No, the police couldn’t do anything because there were too many people around. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Anna: You’re completely right. Give me a second, I’m going to put my valuables in this hidden pocket and wear my bag on my chest.

Sarah: Good idea. Now, let’s go get some street food!

1 Answer: (B) He is extremely angry because it was expensive to buy.

• The Key: Mark says, “I’m so furious right now. I saved up for months to buy that.” “Furious” means extremely angry, and saving up for months means it was expensive.
• The Trap (A): The script mentions “insurance” later, but Mark is not relieved (happy/relaxed). He is very upset.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): It is logical to worry about thieves returning, but Mark does not express this fear in the conversation.

2 Answer: (A) He thought the police wouldn’t be able to recover his bike.

• The Key: When asked about calling the cops, Mark says, “Is it even worth it? They probably won’t find it.” This shows he doubts they can recover it.
• The Trap (C): Mark says “Let me find the serial number” at the end, but he never says he lost it, and it was not the reason he hesitated earlier.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): Not knowing the number is a possible reason, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Answer: (C) To get the money back from the insurance company.

• The Key: Leo says, “Maybe your insurance will cover the cost, but they’ll definitely ask for an official police record.” “Cover the cost” means to pay the money back.
• The Trap (A): Leo mentions “security cameras across the street”, but he does not suggest searching the neighbor’s house.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): Warning the neighborhood is a good idea when crime happens, but Leo does not give this as a reason to call the police.

Mark: Leo, did you move my mountain bike? I left it by the front gate last night.

Leo: No, I haven’t touched it. I thought you locked it to the fence?

Mark: I did! I used that heavy metal chain. But it’s completely gone. Someone actually cut the chain! I can’t believe it. I’m so furious right now. I saved up for months to buy that.

Leo: Oh man, that’s awful. I’m so sorry. The neighborhood has been getting a bit sketchy lately. Should we call the cops?

Mark: Is it even worth it? They probably won’t find it. It’s just a bicycle.

Leo: Well, you still need to file a report. Maybe your insurance will cover the cost, but they’ll definitely ask for an official police record. Plus, maybe the security cameras across the street caught something.

Mark: You make a good point. I guess I shouldn’t just let it go. Ugh, what a nightmare. Let me find the serial number first, then I’ll make the call.

1 Answer: (B) Because some homes in their area have been robbed.

• The Key: Mike says the Millers’ house was “broken into,” and Chloe mentions it is the “second burglary in our neighborhood.” A burglary or break-in means a house was robbed.
• The Trap (C): Mike mentions the “community group chat” at the beginning, but nobody hacked it; he just read the bad news there.
• Plausible but not mentioned (A): Seeing a stranger would make anyone nervous, but Chloe didn’t see anyone. She is just reacting to the news.

2 Answer: (B) He feels it requires too much work to care for.

• The Key: When Chloe suggests a dog, Mike says, “a dog is a lot of responsibility.” This means taking care of a dog is a lot of work.
• The Trap (A): The phrase “scare off” is mentioned later in the audio, but it is used to describe what the camera can do, not the dog.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Keeping a big dog can be expensive, but Mike does not mention the cost of food.

3 Answer: (A) Buy a digital security device for their front entrance.

• The Key: Mike suggests they install a “smart video doorbell” that records people on the “porch” (front entrance). A smart video doorbell is a digital security device.
• The Trap (B): Chloe mentions the “weekend” at the end, but Mike says he will look up models “online tonight”. They are not going to a physical store.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): The Millers are their neighbors who got robbed, but Mike and Chloe do not talk about asking them for advice.

Mike: Honey, did you see the community group chat? The Millers at the end of the street had their house broken into last night.

Chloe: Oh my gosh, really? That’s the second burglary in our neighborhood this month. It’s making me quite nervous.

Mike: Me too. I think we need to upgrade our home security. Just locking the doors isn’t enough anymore.

Chloe: Should we get a big guard dog?

Mike: Well, a dog is a lot of responsibility. I was thinking of something more practical. How about we install one of those smart video doorbells? It records anyone who walks up to the porch, and we can check the footage on our phones.

Chloe: That sounds like a great idea. Plus, it might scare off anyone acting suspiciously before they even try to get inside.

Mike: Exactly. It’s a small investment for our peace of mind. I’ll look up some good models online tonight and order one.

Chloe: Perfect. Let’s get it set up before the weekend.

1 Answer: (B) He drove his vehicle over the speed limit.

• The Key: Alex says he got a fine for “driving too fast… going 80 in a 60 zone.” This means he drove over the speed limit.
• The Trap (A): Ben asks, “Did you park somewhere illegally again?”, but Alex clearly says, “No, not this time.”
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): A traffic accident is a serious highway problem, but there is no mention of a crash in the conversation.

2 Answer: (B) He was distracted by an audio program.

• The Key: Alex admits, “I was listening to a podcast and I guess I just wasn’t paying attention.” A podcast is an audio program that distracted him.
• The Trap (A): Alex mentions “road signs”, but he doesn’t say the camera was hiding behind them. He just wasn’t looking at the signs.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Using a phone is a common reason for distracted driving, but Alex was listening to a podcast, not talking on the phone.

3 Answer: (B) Pay more attention to the traffic warnings.

• The Key: At the end, Alex says, “I’m going to watch those speed limits like a hawk.” This is an idiom meaning he will watch the traffic signs/warnings very carefully.
• The Trap (A): He got distracted by a podcast earlier, but he never promises to stop listening to them completely.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Taking public transport is a good way to avoid driving tickets, but Alex does not say he will stop driving.

Alex: Ugh, I can’t believe this. I just got a letter in the mail today. It’s a huge fine!

Ben: Oh no! What happened? Did you park somewhere illegally again?

Alex: No, not this time. It’s for driving too fast on the interstate highway last weekend. I was going 80 in a 60 zone.

Ben: Wow, that’s way over the limit. Didn’t you see the speed cameras?

Alex: Well, no. I was listening to a podcast and I guess I just wasn’t paying attention to the road signs. I didn’t even realize how fast I was going until the camera flash went off.

Ben: That’s tough. How much do you have to pay?

Alex: Two hundred dollars! Plus, I might get penalty points on my license.

Ben: Yeah, the traffic rules are getting much stricter lately. You really need to be careful.

Alex: Believe me, I learned my lesson. From now on, I’m going to watch those speed limits like a hawk. No more rushing for me.

1 Answer: (C) Download a film from the internet without paying.

• The Key: Tommy says he is “getting that new superhero movie” and found a website to get it “for free.” This means he is downloading it without paying.
• The Trap (A): Tommy mentions the word “theaters” (cinema), but he says the movie is “not in theaters anymore,” so he cannot go there.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): He is using a website, but he is not “buying” it because he explicitly says it is free.

2 Answer: (A) The device might be harmed by dangerous programs.

• The Key: Emma warns that he could download “hidden software that destroys the computer’s system.” Hidden software that destroys a computer is another way of saying dangerous programs.
• The Trap (B): Emma mentions it is “against the law” and that he should watch it “without paying”, but she never says the free website will charge him a fine.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Piracy is illegal, so the police could be involved, but Emma does not mention the police coming to their house.

3 Answer: (B) Pay a small amount of money to view it legally.

• The Key: Emma suggests they “rent the movie on a streaming service” because it “only costs a few dollars.” Renting for a few dollars means paying a small amount of money.
• The Trap (C): “Theaters” were mentioned at the beginning of the audio, but Emma does not suggest waiting for the movie to go back to the theaters.
• Plausible but not mentioned (A): Asking a friend is a common way to get a movie, but Emma does not suggest this.

Emma: Hey Tommy, what are you doing on my laptop?

Tommy: Oh, hey Emma. I’m just getting that new superhero movie. It’s not in theaters anymore, so I found a website where I can get it for free.

Emma: Wait, are you downloading it from an unofficial site? Um, you really shouldn’t do that. It’s actually against the law to copy or share movies without paying.

Tommy: Really? But everyone does it! It’s just one video.

Emma: It doesn’t matter. It’s a form of stealing, usually called piracy. Plus, those free websites are incredibly dangerous. You could easily download hidden software that destroys the computer’s system or steals our personal information.

Tommy: Ah, I didn’t think about that. I definitely don’t want to break your laptop.

Emma: Exactly. Just cancel it. We can rent the movie on a streaming service tonight. It only costs a few dollars and it’s perfectly safe.

Tommy: Alright, fine. I’ll stop the download right now.