Festivals & Events – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) He has misplaced his physical pass for the event.

• Explanation: The man says, “I can’t find it” and “I had my paper ticket right here… but it’s completely gone.” Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“misplaced” = can’t find/lost, “physical pass” = paper ticket). Option (A) is a trap; the “train” (public transport) is mentioned, but he thinks he dropped his ticket there, not his phone (he uses his phone later). Option (C) is a trap; he bought the ticket on the website, but it was not the wrong type.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Showing the electronic proof of purchase on his device.

• Explanation: The man says he has the “booking confirmation and the receipt in my email” on his “phone” and asks if she can scan the “digital code.” Option (C) accurately paraphrases this (“electronic proof of purchase” = booking confirmation/receipt/digital code, “device” = phone). Option (A) is a trap; the “supervisor” is mentioned later, but not for buying a new ticket. Option (B) is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Because he is able to provide personal identification that matches the online record.

• Explanation: The inspector says they can accept it because he has “a photo ID that matches the name on the receipt.” Option (A) perfectly paraphrases this (“personal identification” = photo ID, “online record” = receipt/booking confirmation). Option (B) is a plausible guess but is never mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; she checks with her supervisor, but there is no mention that the supervisor knows the man personally.

Attendee: Oh no, I don’t believe this. I can’t find it!

Ticket Inspector: Good evening, sir. Is everything alright? Please take your time and check your pockets.

Attendee: I had my paper ticket right here in my backpack, but it’s completely gone. I must have dropped it on the train when I was looking for my wallet.

Ticket Inspector: I see. Well, unfortunately, the festival policy states that without a physical ticket, I cannot let anyone through the main gate.

Attendee: But wait! I bought it directly from your official website. I still have the booking confirmation and the receipt in my email. Look, it’s right here on my phone. Can’t you just scan the digital code instead?

Ticket Inspector: Hmm, we usually require the printed version. Let me quickly check with my supervisor. (Pause) Okay, you are in luck. Since your email has a clear QR code and you have a photo ID that matches the name on the receipt, we can accept the electronic version tonight.

Attendee: Oh, thank goodness! Here is my phone and my driver’s license.

1 Correct Answer: (A) Because the severe weather conditions threatened the technical setup.

• Explanation: Emma mentions that the “strong winds are too dangerous for the stage equipment.” Option (A) perfectly paraphrases this (“severe weather conditions” = strong winds, “technical setup” = stage equipment). Option (B) is a trap; “band” and “wet/rain” are mentioned, but the band members were not trapped in the rain. Option (C) is a plausible guess for a canceled event but is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) They did not waste extra time standing in a line earlier in the day.

• Explanation: Emma says, “At least we didn’t arrive super early to wait in the long queues.” Option (B) uses synonyms to express this idea (“standing in a line” = wait in the long queues). Option (A) is a trap; they are standing under a “tent” to stay dry, but they are not sleeping there for the night. Option (C) is never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (A) The cost will be directly returned to their bank accounts if the show isn’t moved to the next day.

• Explanation: Tom reads that there is an “automatic refund to our credit cards” (cost directly returned to bank accounts) UNLESS the show is “rescheduled for tomorrow” (moved to the next day). Option (B) is a trap; “seven business days” is mentioned, but the refund is “automatic”—they do not need to submit an application. Option (C) is a logical guess for ticketing policies but is not stated in the audio.

Tom: I can’t believe this. We waited months to see this band, and now we’re just stuck under this merchandise tent, soaking wet.

Emma: I know, it’s incredibly disappointing. Did you hear that loudspeaker announcement a minute ago? They said the strong winds are too dangerous for the stage equipment.

Tom: Yeah, they officially called it off. It makes sense, I guess. Safety first. But still, what a ruined weekend.

Emma: Well, let’s look on the bright side. At least we didn’t arrive super early to wait in the long queues. Hey, do you think we’ll get our money back?

Tom: Good question. Let me pull up the festival’s website on my phone… Okay, here’s the FAQ section. Um… let’s see under “Weather-related cancellations.”

Emma: What does it say?

Tom: It says that if the event is completely canceled, they will process an automatic refund to our credit cards within seven business days. But if the show is simply rescheduled for tomorrow, the tickets are still valid.

Emma: Well, I can’t stay for tomorrow anyway because of work. Let’s hope for the automatic return.

1 Correct Answer: (A) He paused for a moment to fix a piece of his footwear.

• Explanation: Jake says he “stopped to tie my shoelace” (which is a part of footwear). Option (A) uses paraphrasing to express this. Option (B) is a trap; a “food stall” and “hot dogs” are mentioned later, but he didn’t go there to buy snacks, he just happens to be standing near it. Option (C) is a trap; the crowd “pushed” him away, but he was not pushed “to the ground”.

2 Correct Answer: (B) The area is too congested for him to walk through.

• Explanation: Jake says the area near the stage is “packed like sardines” (an idiom meaning extremely crowded/congested) and that he “can’t even move.” Option (B) accurately paraphrases this situation. Option (A) is a trap; the music is loud and hearing is difficult, but that’s not his reason for not walking back. Option (C) is a plausible guess, but exhaustion is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C) By looking for a specific brightly colored tent.

• Explanation: Jake describes his location by saying he is standing “under a massive red canopy.” A canopy is a type of tent or cover. Option (C) uses synonyms (“brightly colored” = red, “tent” = canopy). Option (A) is a trap; the “left side” of the main stage (performance area) is where the woman currently is, not where she will find the man. Option (B) is a trap; a street performer (fire juggler) is near the man, but the woman does not need to ask him for directions.

Jake: Mia? Mia, can you hear me? The music is incredibly loud!

Mia: Jake! Yes, I can hear you, but barely. Where did you go? We turned around and you were just gone!

Jake: I know, I stopped to tie my shoelace and the crowd just pushed me away. I’m completely lost. Where are you guys?

Mia: We are still near the main stage, on the left side. Can you make your way back here?

Jake: No way, it’s packed like sardines over there. I can’t even move. Listen, I’ll stay where I am. You guys come to me.

Mia: Okay, tell me what you see around you.

Jake: Um, let me look. Okay, I’m standing directly under a massive red canopy. There’s a food stall right next to me selling hot dogs and fries. Oh, and there’s a tall guy juggling fire just across the pathway.

Mia: A red canopy near the hot dog stand… and a fire juggler. Got it! Don’t move an inch, Jake. We’ll be there in five minutes.

Jake: Hurry up! I’m starving anyway!

1 Correct Answer: (B) A large architectural object is hiding part of the performance area.

• Explanation: The man complains that there is a “massive concrete pillar” completely “blocking the left side of the stage.” Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“architectural object” = pillar, “hiding part of the performance area” = blocking the left side of the stage). Option (A) is a logical guess for a theater, but lighting is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; he mentions his seat number, but nobody is sitting in it.

2 Correct Answer: (A) He purchased a specific type of cheaper ticket by mistake.

• Explanation: The usher explains that he “accidentally bought a ‘restricted view’ ticket” which are “sold at a discount” (cheaper). Option (A) accurately paraphrases this. Option (B) is a trap; the “online booking” is mentioned, but the website didn’t give a wrong number; he just “didn’t notice” the warning. Option (C) is a trap; the show starts in five minutes, but arriving late is not the reason for his bad seat.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Transfer to an unoccupied place slightly further back.

• Explanation: The man asks to move to the “empty seats just one row behind” and the usher agrees because they are “still unoccupied.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this (“transfer” = move, “unoccupied place” = empty seats, “slightly further back” = one row behind). Option (A) is a trap; “discount” is mentioned earlier, but no refund is given. Option (B) is a trap; he is moving further back, not closer to the stage.

Audience Member: Excuse me, miss? Could you help me for a second?

Usher: Certainly, sir. Is there a problem with your seating?

Audience Member: Well, I just sat down in my assigned place, row J, number 12. But as you can see, there’s a massive concrete pillar right in front of me. It’s completely blocking the left side of the stage.

Usher: Oh, I am so sorry about that. Let me look at your ticket. Ah, yes. It seems you accidentally bought a “restricted view” ticket. They are usually sold at a discount.

Audience Member: Really? I didn’t notice that warning at all when I booked it online. Is there any way I could relocate? I noticed there are a couple of empty seats just one row behind this one.

Usher: Technically, the theater policy asks guests to stay in their purchased seats. However, since the play is starting in five minutes and those seats in row K are still unoccupied, I can let you move there.

Audience Member: That would be wonderful. Thank you so much for your understanding!

1 Correct Answer: (C) The main performer is caught in severe road congestion.

• Explanation: The speaker announces that the lead singer (Alex) is “stuck in some terrible traffic.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this (“main performer” = lead singer, “severe road congestion” = terrible traffic). Option (B) is a trap; an “accident” is mentioned as the cause of the traffic, but Alex was not injured in it. Option (A) is a plausible reason for a delay, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) A quarter of an hour.

• Explanation: The speaker says Alex should be arriving in “about fifteen minutes.” Option (A) uses a mathematical synonym (“a quarter of an hour” = 15 minutes). Option (C) is a trap; the delay is somewhat uncertain (“about”), but they do give a specific expected time, so it is not completely unknown. Option (B) is incorrect.

3 Correct Answer: (B) The first band will return to play a few more pieces of music.

• Explanation: The announcer states that the “opening act” (the first band) will “come back out” (return) and perform “two extra songs” (a few more pieces of music). Option (B) accurately expresses this. Option (A) is a trap; the speaker says “we won’t leave you in silence,” but they are bringing a live band back, not playing recorded background music. Option (C) is a logical guess for a festival, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

Event Representative: Hello, everyone! Um, can I have your attention, please? I know you are all super excited for the main event tonight, but I have a quick announcement to make. Unfortunately, there is going to be a slight delay. Our lead singer, Alex, is currently stuck in some terrible traffic on the highway. There was an unexpected accident earlier, and nothing is moving.

He is very sorry, but he should be arriving in about fifteen minutes. We know you’ve been standing here for a while, and we really appreciate your patience. But don’t worry, we won’t leave you in silence! To keep the energy high while we wait, our fantastic opening act, The Wildfires, have kindly agreed to come back out. They are going to perform two extra songs for you right now. So, please give them a massive round of applause, and get ready to welcome Alex to the stage very soon. Thank you so much for understanding!