Celebrities – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The fan wanted the “premium” package because they would “love to get a picture with him and have a quick chat” (which paraphrases to taking a photo and talking with the writer).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The “main stage” is mentioned as part of the standard ticket, but this is not what the fan originally wanted. (C) is a plausible celebrity event activity, but a private dinner is never mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The employee states that the premium passes “sold out completely” (which means all top-tier tickets have already been purchased).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. “Yesterday morning” is mentioned, but that is when the tickets sold out, not when the event was canceled (the event is still happening). (C) is a plausible bookstore policy, but it is unmentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: The employee explains that with a standard entry, you “get a hardcover copy… and he will sign it for you” (which paraphrases to a physical book with the writer’s signature).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. Talking privately is part of the “private meet-and-greet,” which the employee explicitly says is not included in the standard ticket. (B) is a trap. A “poster” is mentioned at the very beginning of the audio, and “fantasy novels” are mentioned, but customers do not receive a poster.

Fan: Excuse me, I saw the poster outside. Are there any tickets left for Julian Vance’s book signing event this Saturday?

Employee: Hello! Let me check the system for you. Um, yes, we still have some spots available. Were you looking for the general admission or the premium package?

Fan: I’m really hoping to get the premium one. I’ve been a huge fan of his fantasy novels for years. I’d love to get a picture with him and have a quick chat.

Employee: Ah, I’m so sorry. The premium passes sold out completely yesterday morning. We only have the standard entry left.

Fan: Oh, what a shame. What exactly does the standard entry include?

Employee: Well, you still get a hardcover copy of his new release, and he will sign it for you on the main stage. However, there’s no private meet-and-greet, so taking personal photos isn’t allowed.

Fan: I see. That’s a bit disappointing, but I don’t want to miss seeing him in person. I’ll take one standard ticket, please.

Employee: Great. That will be thirty-five dollars.

1 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The receptionist offers a suite on the “second floor,” but Leo rejects it because the actress needs something “much more private” on the “highest floor.”
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The receptionist explicitly says the first room has a balcony “overlooking the garden.” (C) is a trap. Leo says the new room must be away from street noise, but the first room faced the garden, not the street.

2 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: Sarah says there is a “secure underground parking area with a direct elevator to the top floor” (which paraphrases to using a special elevator from the basement parking lot).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. Leo specifically states they want to “avoid the main lobby entirely.” (C) is a plausible celebrity treatment, but security guards are never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: At the end, Leo says, “Let’s go ahead and book that Penthouse for two weeks.”
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. He is satisfied with the hotel’s Penthouse and does not look for another hotel. (B) is a trap. The Luxury Suite is the first room that was mentioned and rejected.

Leo: Good afternoon, I’m calling from Starburst Studios. I need to arrange accommodation for our lead actress, Miss Vance, for next month. We need your absolute best room.

Sarah: Hello! We would be honored to host her. We have a beautiful Luxury Suite on the second floor. It features a lovely balcony overlooking the garden.

Leo: Actually, she requires something much more private. Do you have a suite on the highest floor? It must be extremely quiet and completely away from street noise.

Sarah: I understand. In that case, I highly recommend our Penthouse Suite on the fifteenth floor. It’s very peaceful and isolated from the rest of the hotel.

Leo: Perfect. Now, one more thing. She will definitely be followed by a lot of photographers. We want to avoid the main lobby entirely. Is there a private entrance she can use?

Sarah: Yes, we have a secure underground parking area with a direct elevator to the top floor. She won’t have to walk through any public areas.

Leo: That sounds exactly like what we need. Let’s go ahead and book that Penthouse for two weeks.

1 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The officer says there is “maintenance work happening” and the train is “moving really slowly” (which paraphrases to undergoing repairs and causing delays).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. The officer initially says “you could take the Red Line from here” to get to the arena, meaning it does go there, but rejects it because it is slow. (C) is a plausible reason, but the cost of the Red Line is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The tourist says, “I definitely don’t want to miss the opening act” (which means being late for the beginning of the concert).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The tourist asks about a “special ticket” (travel card), but the officer assures him his current pass works, so it is not his main concern for changing the route. (C) is plausible because the officer mentions the event will be “packed”, but the tourist does not express fear of getting lost in the crowd.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: The officer tells the tourist to go to Central Station and take the Blue Line because “It goes directly to the stadium” (which paraphrases to taking a direct train route).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The officer explicitly states the Blue Line goes there “without any transfers.” (B) is a trap. The tourist only has to walk “two blocks” to the station, not all the way to the park/stadium.

Tourist: Excuse me, officer. I’m trying to get to the Silverdome Arena for The Midnight Echoes concert. Can you tell me the quickest way there by subway?

Officer: Ah, the rock tour. It’s going to be absolutely packed tonight. Well, you could take the Red Line from here, but honestly, there’s some maintenance work happening on that route today. It’s moving really slowly.

Tourist: Oh, no. I definitely don’t want to miss the opening act. Is there a better option?

Officer: Yes. Your best bet is to walk about two blocks down this street to Central Station and hop on the Blue Line. It goes directly to the stadium without any transfers.

Tourist: The Blue Line from Central Station. Got it. Do I need to buy a special ticket for that train?

Officer: No, your standard day pass will cover it. Just make sure you get off at the Olympic Park stop. It should take about twenty minutes.

Tourist: Perfect. Thank you so much for the help!

1 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: Jamie says that “if you choose the annual plan, it’s only fifty dollars for the whole year.”
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. “Five dollars” is mentioned, but that is the cost for just one month, not the full year. (C) is a trap. Alex mentions hearing a rumor about “free” tickets, but the membership itself is not free.

2 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: Jamie explains that members receive a “digital card right on your phone” (which paraphrases to accessing it electronically on a smart device).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. Alex asks for a physical card to keep as a souvenir, but Jamie explicitly states they “stopped sending those through the mail.” (C) is a plausible fan club activity, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: Jamie says members get “priority booking,” meaning they have the chance to “buy your seats a few days before” everyone else (which paraphrases to purchasing concert tickets early).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. Alex asks if members get “free concert tickets,” but Jamie immediately corrects him, saying “Not exactly free tickets, I’m afraid.” (B) is a trap. Alex wanted a physical card as a souvenir, but they no longer make plastic cards to reduce waste.

Alex: Hi there! I’m interested in joining the official Leo Vance fan club. Could you tell me a bit about how the registration works?

Jamie: Of course! To become a registered member, you just need to set up your subscription. It’s five dollars a month, but if you choose the annual plan, it’s only fifty dollars for the whole year.

Alex: The yearly plan sounds like a much better deal. Do I get a physical membership card? I’d love to keep it as a souvenir.

Jamie: Actually, we stopped sending those through the mail last year to help reduce plastic waste. Now, everything is handled through our mobile app. You’ll receive a digital card right on your phone as soon as you sign up.

Alex: Oh, that makes sense. And what about the perks? I heard a rumor that members get free concert tickets.

Jamie: Not exactly free tickets, I’m afraid. But you do get priority booking. This means you have the chance to buy your seats a few days before they go on sale to the general public.

Alex: That’s still great! I hate missing out on good seats. Let’s do the annual plan, please.

1 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The customer says, “I want my hair to look exactly like Leo Vance, the pop singer” (which paraphrases to copying a hairstyle he saw on a famous musician).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The customer mentions his face is round, but the style will make it look longer, not rounder. (C) is a plausible request at a salon, but the customer explicitly says he is “ready for a big change” and wants a “trendy” celebrity style.

2 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The stylist says the cut will “make your face look longer and more balanced. It’s a great choice for you” (which means she believes it will flatter his facial features).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. The stylist says “keeping the sides tight” (short) is actually what helps his face shape, not that it’s a bad thing. (C) is a trap. She asks if he is sure he wants to “bleach” (lighten) his hair, but she never says it will severely damage it.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: The stylist explains it will take three hours because they “need to lighten your natural dark hair first before applying the silver color” (which paraphrases to removing his dark hair color before dyeing it).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. She mentions the “washing station” at the very end, but washing is not the reason the process takes three hours. (B) is a plausible reason for a delay at a salon, but the audio never mentions the salon being busy.

Customer: Hi, I have an appointment for a haircut. I brought this magazine with me. I want my hair to look exactly like Leo Vance, the pop singer. Just look at this picture.

Stylist: Let’s see. Ah, yes. It’s a very trendy style right now. He has it quite short on the sides, with a lot of volume on top. And it looks like a silver-blonde dye. Are you sure you want to bleach your hair?

Customer: Yes, I’m ready for a big change. But honestly, do you think it will actually suit my face shape? My face is a bit rounder than his.

Stylist: Well, since you have a round face, keeping the sides tight and adding height on top will actually make your face look longer and more balanced. It’s a great choice for you.

Customer: That’s a relief! I was worried I might look silly. How long will the whole process take?

Stylist: Because we need to lighten your natural dark hair first before applying the silver color, it will probably take around three hours. Let’s get started at the washing station.