Inventions – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (A) A powerful substance to hold aircraft parts together.

• Explanation: The host says Dr. Silver was trying to develop a “super-strong adhesive to be used in building airplanes.” Option (A) is a perfect paraphrase (“powerful substance” = “super-strong adhesive”, “aircraft” = “airplanes”). Option (B) is a trap; it describes the final product (sticky notes), not his original goal. Option (C) is a trap; the host mentions “without leaving a mark,” but not a chemical to remove marks.

2 Correct Answer: (B) He repeatedly lost his place in his music book.

• Explanation: The audio states that “the little paper bookmarks he used kept falling out of his songbook.” If your bookmarks fall out, you lose your place. Option (B) paraphrases this problem. Option (A) is a trap; he sang in a choir, but memory wasn’t the issue. Option (C) is a trap; the audio says the new glue allowed him to remove the notes “without tearing the delicate pages” (it prevented tearing, it didn’t cause it).

3 Correct Answer: (B) An unsuccessful experiment can sometimes lead to a great product.

• Explanation: The host concludes by saying, “a brilliant success starts as a total failure.” Option (B) uses synonyms (“unsuccessful experiment” for “total failure”, “great product” for “brilliant success”). Options (A) and (C) are completely made up and do not reflect the story’s moral.

Host: Welcome back to Accidental Genius, the podcast where we explore how mistakes can become masterpieces. Today, let’s talk about something you probably have on your desk right now: the sticky note.

Back in 1968, a scientist named Dr. Spencer Silver was trying to develop a super-strong adhesive to be used in building airplanes. Instead, he completely failed. He accidentally created a very weak glue. It would stick to surfaces, but you could easily peel it off without leaving a mark. For years, the company considered it a useless invention.

Then, his colleague, Art Fry, had a frustrating problem. Fry sang in a church choir, but the little paper bookmarks he used kept falling out of his songbook. Suddenly, he remembered Silver’s weak glue. He applied a small amount to his bookmarks. They stayed perfectly in place, and he could remove them without tearing the delicate pages!

And just like that, the sticky note was born. It proves that sometimes, a brilliant success starts as a total failure!

1 Correct Answer: (B) It uses a new type of material to trap very small particles.

• Explanation: The announcer says the machine features a “newly developed nano-fiber filter” that “captures 99% of microscopic allergens”. Option (B) correctly paraphrases this (“new type of material” for “nano-fiber filter”, “trap very small particles” for “captures microscopic allergens”). Option (A) is a trap; the audio says “Unlike traditional air cleaners that only catch large dust.” Option (C) is a trap; “forest breeze” is used as a metaphor for feeling fresh, the machine doesn’t actually produce a forest smell.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It operates so quietly that it will not wake the user up.

• Explanation: The audio states that it is “designed to run silently” and you can leave it on “without disturbing your sleep.” Option (A) is a direct paraphrase of this benefit. Option (B) sounds like a smart feature but is not mentioned in the audio. Option (C) is a trap; customers said their “breathing difficulties disappeared,” but claiming it “cures serious breathing diseases” is an exaggeration and factually incorrect.

3 Correct Answer: (C) A cheaper price for a future maintenance part.

• Explanation: The announcer offers a “20% discount on your first replacement filter.” Option (C) paraphrases “discount” as “cheaper price” and “replacement filter” as “maintenance part.” Option (A) is a trap; the discount is for the filter, not the main machine. Option (B) is a common online shopping offer but is not mentioned here.

Announcer: Are you tired of constantly sneezing in your own home? Do springtime allergies make you feel miserable? Introducing the BreatheWell Pro, a revolutionary new invention in home appliance technology.

Unlike traditional air cleaners that only catch large dust particles, the BreatheWell Pro features our newly developed nano-fiber filter. This advanced system captures 99% of microscopic allergens, including pet hair, pollen, and invisible pollutants. It’s designed to run silently in the background, so you can leave it turned on all night without disturbing your sleep. In fact, many of our customers report that their nighttime breathing difficulties completely disappeared after just one week of use. It’s like having a fresh forest breeze right in your living room!

Don’t let indoor air quality ruin your day. Order your BreatheWell Pro today through our website and you will receive a 20% discount on your first replacement filter. Breathe better, live better!

1 Correct Answer: (B) Thirty minutes.

• Explanation: The news anchor says the machine managed to stay airborne for “exactly half an hour.” Option (B) is a direct paraphrase (half an hour = 30 minutes). Option (A) is a trap; “two hours” is the time it takes to drive normally on the highway. Option (C) is a trap; “ten years” is when the developers hope the public can buy it.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It looks like a fast automobile with parts that allow it to fly.

• Explanation: The script mentions the vehicle “looks like a normal sports car but has hidden wings.” Option (A) uses synonyms (“fast automobile” for “sports car”, “parts that allow it to fly” for “wings”). Options (B) and (C) are incorrect and not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Check carefully to ensure the machine is not dangerous to use.

• Explanation: The audio states that the developers “still need to do a lot more safety testing before it becomes available to the public.” Option (C) paraphrases “safety testing” as “ensure the machine is not dangerous.” Option (B) is a trap; the audio mentions a “highway,” but it does not say they will build a special one. Option (A) is plausible in real life but is not mentioned in the news report.

News Anchor: Good evening, this is the Technology News at 6. Today, we have an exciting update on the future of transportation. A new prototype of a flying vehicle has successfully finished its very first inter-city journey.

The machine, which looks like a normal sports car but has hidden wings, managed to stay airborne for exactly half an hour. It traveled from the capital city to a neighboring town without any issues. Usually, driving between these two locations takes about two hours due to heavy traffic on the highway. However, this incredible invention cuts the commute down significantly.

The developers stated that they still need to do a lot more safety testing before it becomes available to the public. They hope that, in the next ten years, people will be able to buy these vehicles and completely avoid morning traffic jams. This could truly change the way we travel forever. We will keep you updated on this fascinating story as we learn more.

1 Correct Answer: (A) Because traditional fitness watches are often too large to wear comfortably at night.

• Explanation: The MC says people used “bulky smartwatches” but might find wearing a large watch to bed “uncomfortable.” Option (A) correctly paraphrases this (“traditional fitness watches” for “smartwatches”, “too large” for “bulky”). Option (B) sounds like a common problem but is never mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; the device is for health, but doctors and prices are not discussed.

2 Correct Answer: (B) It accurately records the speed of the user’s heartbeat.

• Explanation: The speaker states that the ring “measures how fast your blood is pumping.” Option (B) uses synonyms (“records the speed” for “measures how fast”, “heartbeat” for “blood is pumping”). Option (A) is a trap; it gives a report every morning, but it doesn’t wake the user up (no alarm feature mentioned). Option (C) is a trap; “workouts” are mentioned, but it tracks cardiovascular health, not steps.

3 Correct Answer: (C) It can function for seven days without needing to be recharged.

• Explanation: The representative announces that “The battery easily lasts for a full week!” Option (C) translates “a full week” to “seven days.” Option (A) is not mentioned in the audio. Option (B) is the exact opposite of what the speaker says (“you don’t need to charge it every single day”).

MC: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Future Tech Expo! I am absolutely thrilled to present our company’s latest invention: the VitalRing.

For years, people have used bulky smartwatches to monitor their daily activities. But what if you find wearing a large watch to bed uncomfortable? That is exactly why we created this device. It is a tiny, lightweight ring that sits comfortably on your finger.

Despite its small size, the VitalRing is incredibly powerful. Throughout the night, it silently tracks the different stages of your rest, giving you a detailed report on your sleep quality every morning. Furthermore, it continuously measures how fast your blood is pumping, allowing you to keep a close eye on your cardiovascular health during workouts.

Best of all, you don’t need to charge it every single day. The battery easily lasts for a full week! So, step right up to our booth and try on the future of wearable technology today.

1 Correct Answer: (A) It reaches unsafe temperatures that could lead to flames.

• Explanation: The announcer states that the battery “can become dangerously hot” and has “caused small fires.” Option (A) correctly paraphrases this (“unsafe temperatures” for “dangerously hot”, “flames” for “fires”). Option (B) is a trap; the audio mentions “charging a smartphone,” but it does not say it damages the phone. Option (C) is a plausible complaint for a charger, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Keep it in a low-temperature area and avoid using it.

• Explanation: The announcement tells users to “stop using this specific model” and “place it in a safe, cool location.” Option (B) uses synonyms (“low-temperature area” for “cool location”, “avoid using it” for “stop using”). Option (A) is a dangerous action that is not recommended. Option (C) is a trap; the speaker explicitly says, “you do not need to visit a physical shop.”

3 Correct Answer: (A) By completing a digital document on the internet.

• Explanation: Customers are instructed to “go to the company’s official website, fill out the return form.” Option (A) paraphrases “website” as “on the internet” and “form” as “digital document.” Option (B) is a trap; the audio mentions “ten business days,” but that is the time to process the refund (money back), not to send a new charger. Option (C) is a common way to get help, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

Announcer: Attention all listeners. This is an urgent public safety announcement regarding a popular electronic invention. The manufacturer of the “VoltMax 5000” portable charger has just issued an official product recall.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using this specific model. During recent tests, it was discovered that the battery inside can become dangerously hot while charging a smartphone. In a few reported cases, this overheating defect has even caused small fires.

If you currently own a VoltMax 5000, do not plug it into the wall or connect it to your devices. Instead, please place it in a safe, cool location. To get your money back, you do not need to visit a physical shop. Simply go to the company’s official website, fill out the return form, and they will send a secure box to your house to collect the item. A full refund will be processed within ten business days. Thank you for your attention.