Festivals & Events – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) The cost of getting inside and a special cup to keep.

• Explanation: The clerk says the “Standard pass” (basic admission ticket) covers the “entrance fee” (cost of getting inside) and gives a “souvenir tasting glass” (special cup to keep). Option (B) accurately paraphrases this. Option (A) is a trap; the three free drinks are only included in the VIP option. Option (C) is a plausible guess but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A) He wants to avoid waiting with a large number of people.

• Explanation: The clerk mentions the VIP ticket has a “private lounge area away from the main crowds”, and the man replies that he hates “standing in long lines.” Option (A) uses synonyms to express this idea. Option (B) is a trap; the “souvenir tasting glass” is mentioned, but he could get that with the Standard ticket too, so it’s not the reason he upgrades. Option (C) is a trap; he buys “two” tickets, not for a whole party.

3 Correct Answer: (C) By using an electronic payment method.

• Explanation: The man asks, “Can I put that on my credit card?” and the clerk tells him to “insert your card into the machine.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases using a credit card. Option (A) is a trap; “eighty dollars” and “cash” are mentioned, but the man explicitly says he doesn’t carry much cash. Option (B) is incorrect because he is buying them in person.

Customer: Hi there. I’d like to buy some tickets for the City Beer Festival this weekend, please.

Clerk: Absolutely. We have two options available right now: the Standard pass and the VIP experience. Which one were you looking at?

Customer: Well, I’m not sure. What’s the actual difference? Does the VIP one come with any free beverages?

Clerk: Yes, it does. The Standard pass just covers your entrance fee and gives you a souvenir tasting glass. But the VIP option includes the glass, plus three complimentary drink tokens. It also gets you access to a private lounge area away from the main crowds.

Customer: Oh, that sounds much better. I really hate standing in long lines. I’ll take two VIP tickets, please.

Clerk: Great choice. That will be eighty dollars in total. How would you like to pay?

Customer: Can I put that on my credit card? I don’t carry much cash on me.

Clerk: Of course. Just insert your card into the machine right here.

1 Correct Answer: (B) The layout guide he is holding is oriented incorrectly.

• Explanation: Sophie tells Mark that “the map is actually printed upside down.” Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“layout guide” = map, “oriented incorrectly” = printed upside down). Option (A) is a trap; Sophie mentions he is at the “North Gate,” but she never says it is the wrong entrance. Option (C) is a plausible reason for getting lost, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Along a quieter route located near the exclusive guest area.

• Explanation: Sophie tells him to walk “behind the VIP tents” because it is a shortcut and “barely anyone uses it.” Option (B) perfectly paraphrases this (“quieter route” = barely anyone uses it, “exclusive guest area” = VIP tents). Option (A) is a trap; the man asks about the path past the “food trucks” (food stalls), but Sophie rejects it because it is “packed with people.” Option (C) is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C) He will spot a massive object shaped like a musical instrument.

• Explanation: Sophie says he will know he is there when he sees a “giant inflatable guitar.” Option (C) uses synonyms (“massive object” = giant inflatable, “musical instrument” = guitar). Option (A) is a trap; the band (The Rockets) is mentioned at the beginning, but hearing them is not the visual landmark Sophie gives him. Option (B) is a logical guess but is not mentioned.

Mark: Excuse me! Hi, are you a festival volunteer? I’m completely lost.

Sophie: Yes, I am! How can I help you?

Mark: Well, I have this map, but I can’t figure out where we are right now. I’m trying to get to the Main Stage. The lead singer of The Rockets goes on in just 15 minutes!

Sophie: Ah, don’t panic! You’re currently at the North Gate. A lot of people get confused here because the map is actually printed upside down.

Mark: Oh, really? No wonder! So, what’s the quickest route? Should I take the path past the food trucks?

Sophie: You could, but that area is packed with people right now. It’ll take forever. Instead, you should walk behind the VIP tents over there. It’s a shortcut and barely anyone uses it.

Mark: Behind the VIP tents… got it. And then?

Sophie: Just keep going straight until you see a giant inflatable guitar. The Main Stage is directly opposite that. You can’t miss it!

Mark: Thank you so much! You’re a lifesaver.

1 Correct Answer: (B) For a couple of hours.

• Explanation: Mia says that “two hours should be plenty of time.” Option (B) uses a synonym (“a couple of hours” = two hours). Option (A) is a trap; the owner mentions the price for the “whole day” (entire day), but Mia does not choose it. Option (C) is a plausible guess because she mentions the festival, but it is not the rental duration she agreed to.

2 Correct Answer: (C) A staff member will assist her in getting dressed.

• Explanation: The shop owner says, “My assistant will help you dress up in the fitting room.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this (“staff member” = assistant, “getting dressed” = dress up). Option (B) is a trap; “tie the ribbons” is mentioned, but Mia explicitly says she has “no idea” how to do it. Option (A) is never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (A) It is fully refunded when the items are brought back safely.

• Explanation: The owner states that they will “give it back to you completely as soon as you return the clothes without any damage.” Option (A) uses paraphrasing (“fully refunded” = give it back completely, “brought back safely” = return without damage). Option (B) is a trap; thirty dollars is the deposit amount, not the price of repairing damage. Option (C) sounds like a logical rule for a rental shop, but cleaning fees are never discussed.

Mia: Hi, excuse me. I’m going to the lantern festival tonight and I’d like to rent a traditional outfit for some photos. How much does it cost?

Shop Owner: Hello! Welcome. Our standard rental fee is twenty dollars for two hours. If you want to keep it for the whole day, it’s fifty dollars.

Mia: Well, um, two hours should be plenty of time for my friends and me. But honestly, I have no idea how to put this on. It looks quite complicated with all these layers and ribbons.

Shop Owner: Oh, don’t worry about that at all. My assistant will help you dress up in the fitting room so that everything is tied perfectly. We want you to look your absolute best!

Mia: That’s a huge relief, thank you. Do I need to pay anything else right now?

Shop Owner: Yes, we do require a security deposit of thirty dollars before you leave the store. We will give it back to you completely as soon as you return the clothes without any damage.

Mia: That sounds fair. Let me get my wallet.

1 Correct Answer: (A) In the parking zone located near the South Gate.

• Explanation: The operator says, “The most convenient parking area is definitely the South Gate lot.” Option (A) uses paraphrasing (“parking zone” = parking area/lot). Option (B) is a trap; the North Gate is mentioned, but it is the distant option, not the most convenient one. Option (C) is a trap; the “main entrance” is mentioned as being a 5-minute walk away, but there is no “underground garage” mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Because the parking area will likely be completely full soon.

• Explanation: The operator states that they “usually sell out of spaces by Thursday for big games.” Option (B) perfectly paraphrases this (“completely full” = sell out of spaces). Option (A) is a plausible guess for early bookings, but discounts are never discussed. Option (C) is a trap; Thursday is mentioned as the day they usually sell out, not the day the website closes.

3 Correct Answer: (B) It requires a long walk without any public transport support.

• Explanation: The operator explains that the North Gate is a “twenty-minute walk” and that the “shuttle buses aren’t running this weekend.” Option (B) accurately summarizes this (“long walk” = twenty-minute walk, “without any public transport support” = shuttle buses aren’t running). Option (A) and Option (C) are plausible disadvantages, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

Customer: Hi, I have tickets for the championship match this Saturday. I’m driving there, so could you tell me which parking lot is the closest?

Operator: Hello! Thank you for calling City Stadium. The most convenient parking area is definitely the South Gate lot. It’s just a five-minute walk to the main entrance.

Customer: Great, the South Gate. And, um, since it’s the final match, I expect it will be incredibly crowded. Do I need to reserve a parking spot in advance?

Operator: Yes, I strongly recommend doing that. We usually sell out of spaces by Thursday for big games. If you don’t book ahead, you might be forced to park at the North Gate.

Customer: Oh, is the North Gate far?

Operator: It’s about a twenty-minute walk from the stadium, and unfortunately, the shuttle buses aren’t running this weekend. You can secure your spot at the South Gate through our website right now.

Customer: I’ll do that immediately. Thanks for the help!

1 Correct Answer: (B) He only consumes meat-free products.

• Explanation: The customer asks if the food is “suitable for vegetarians.” Option (B) uses a paraphrase (“meat-free products” = vegetarian food). Option (A) is a trap; the owner mentions vegetables (mushrooms, bell peppers), but they are “grilled,” not raw. Option (C) is a trap; the customer says the mushrooms and peppers sound “delicious,” so he is not allergic to them.

2 Correct Answer: (A) He will cook the meal using a plant-based liquid instead of dairy.

• Explanation: The owner says he usually uses “butter” (dairy) but will use “vegetable oil” (plant-based liquid) instead. Option (A) paraphrases this perfectly. Option (B) is a trap; the owner does mention “animal fat,” but the filling is already “completely plant-based.” The fat/butter is used on the bread, not the filling. Option (C) is a plausible guess but is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C) To add a generous amount of a flavoring liquid.

• Explanation: The customer asks the owner to “put some extra spicy sauce on it.” Option (C) uses synonyms (“generous amount” = extra/plenty, “flavoring liquid” = sauce). Option (A) is a logical thing to ask at a food truck, but it is not mentioned in the audio. Option (B) is a trap; the customer wants “a lot of flavor,” not less salt.

Customer: Hi there! Everything smells amazing. I’m interested in trying your famous grilled sandwiches, but I need to check something first. Are they suitable for vegetarians?

Food Truck Owner: Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Well, the main filling is completely plant-based. We use grilled mushrooms and bell peppers.

Customer: That sounds delicious. But what about the cooking process? Do you use any animal fat or butter on the grill to fry them?

Food Truck Owner: Ah, good question. For the regular ones, we usually brush the bread with a little bit of butter. However, if you prefer, I can easily use vegetable oil instead. It’s no problem at all.

Customer: Oh, that would be perfect, thank you! I’ll take one of those, please. And, um, could you put some extra spicy sauce on it? I love my food with a lot of flavor.

Food Truck Owner: You got it! One custom sandwich with plenty of spicy sauce coming right up. That’ll be six dollars, please.