Air Travel & Island Trips – B2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
You will hear a young man called Leo giving a presentation about his visit to an island town. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Leo – Island trip
Leo was amazed when his father arranged for them to travel to the island in a (9)……………………… .
Instead of seeing old cottages upon arrival, Leo immediately noticed a (10)……………………… filled with expensive boats.
Leo’s mother had booked a beautiful (11)……………………… for the family to stay in during their holiday.
While exploring the town, Leo was particularly drawn to a (12)……………………… full of young people.
Leo was impressed to discover that an old building had been converted into an (13)……………………… .
Leo observed that many of the local youths were wearing stylish (14)……………………… .
Instead of having traditional food, Leo really enjoyed eating some (15)……………………… at a street market.
Leo was thrilled to attend a (16)……………………… that was held on the beach in the evening.
As a souvenir of his trip, Leo decided to purchase a (17)……………………… .
Leo concluded that the town had a (18)……………………… which surprised him.
ANSWER KEY
9 helicopter 10 harbour 11 apartment 12 cafe
13 art gallery 14 denim jackets 15 spicy noodles
16 music festival 17 leather belt 18 youthful energy
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Hi everyone! My name is Leo, and I’m here to talk to you about a holiday I went on with my family last summer. We decided to visit an island town called Marland, situated just off the coast. Now, when my parents first announced this plan, I wasn’t exactly jumping for joy. I’d seen a few photos online, and I fully expected a sleepy, dull village where nothing ever happens.
I assumed we would just catch the regular ferry across the bay like most tourists do. But, to my absolute astonishment, my dad had secretly booked tickets for a helicopter ride! It was an unforgettable way to kick off the vacation, soaring over the water.
Still, I held onto my belief that the destination itself would be a snooze. I imagined arriving to a handful of old, weather-beaten cottages. However, as we made our descent, the first thing that caught my eye was a surprisingly glamorous harbour packed with luxury boats. I immediately realised I might have misjudged the place.
Once we got our bags, we headed to our accommodation. Usually, on these family trips, we end up in a slightly outdated bed and breakfast. Not this time! My mum had managed to find a stunning apartment right in the middle of town, which had floor-to-ceiling windows and a great view.
The next morning, I decided to go for a wander on my own. I braced myself for boring streets filled with shops selling basic postcards and buckets. Instead, I stumbled upon a lively district. There were a few traditional bakeries, sure, but what really caught my attention was a very trendy cafe where loads of young people were hanging out, listening to music and drinking artisan coffee.
My mind was completely changed about the town being stuck in the past. I kept walking and found that a derelict old warehouse near the water hadn’t been torn down; rather, it had been transformed into an impressive art gallery showcasing contemporary pieces by local creators. It felt more like London or Berlin than a remote island!
Even the way people dressed was a pleasant shock. You’d anticipate everyone to be dressed practically in heavy hiking boots and waterproof coats. While you did see the occasional tourist dressed like that, the local teenagers were incredibly stylish, many of them sporting vintage denim jackets that looked like they belonged on a fashion runway.
The culinary scene was another revelation. I was fully expecting to survive on a diet of plain fish and chips for the entire week. But that evening, my family and I discovered a bustling street food market. We ignored the standard burger stalls, and I ended up trying some amazing spicy noodles that were just out of this world.
I figured that despite the trendy daytime vibe, the town would definitely go to sleep after dark. I knew there wasn’t a cinema or a bowling alley on the island. But to my delight, the community had organized an outdoor music festival right on the sand, featuring some fantastic indie bands. We ended up staying there until midnight!
On our final day, I wanted to pick up a souvenir. My sister bought some beautiful handmade earrings, and I initially looked at some printed t-shirts. In the end, though, I spotted a uniquely crafted leather belt in an independent boutique, which I instantly knew I had to buy.
Looking back, this trip completely defied my expectations. What I initially dreaded as a dull week turned out to be genuinely inspiring. The town possessed a remarkably youthful energy that I certainly hadn’t anticipated. It just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and I’d highly recommend a visit.
Listening 2
You will hear a girl called Sarah talking about an excursion to a local market to look for bargain clothes. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Sarah’s market excursion
Sarah’s main reason for going to the market was to look for a (9)…………………… .
The market that Sarah visited is located directly behind the local (10)…………………… .
Sarah recommends arriving early at the market so that shoppers don’t have to deal with the (11)…………………… .
The first item Sarah purchased was a (12)…………………… intended as a gift for her brother.
Sarah was particularly impressed by the condition of some (13)…………………… she found on a stall.
In order to determine the quality of a garment, Sarah examines the (14)…………………… very carefully.
Sarah successfully negotiated a much lower price for a (15)…………………… .
According to Sarah, the cheapest items of clothing are typically located inside the (16)…………………… at the bottom of the stalls.
After finishing her shopping, Sarah ate a bowl of (17)…………………… before going home.
On her next trip to the market, Sarah will be accompanied by her (18)……………………
ANSWER KEY
9 raincoat 10 library 11 crowds 12 silk tie
13 denim jeans 14 stitching 15 leather jacket
16 cardboard boxes 17 spicy noodles 18 college roommate
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Hi everyone, my name’s Sarah and I’m a bit of a fashion enthusiast. Today, I’d like to tell you about a recent excursion I made to a local market in search of some bargain apparel. I’ve been meaning to update my wardrobe lately, as the seasons are shifting. I was actually looking for a heavy winter coat initially, but then the weather forecast changed unexpectedly. So, instead, I set off with the aim of tracking down a decent raincoat for the autumn showers.
The market I go to is quite famous in our city, though finding it can be a bit of a challenge for newcomers. A lot of tourists think it’s the large trading estate next to the main train station, but it’s actually tucked away in a small square right behind the library. It’s much less commercialised there and has a truly authentic vibe.
My top tip for bargain hunting is to arrive shortly after the stalls open. Not necessarily because the best clothes sell out immediately—although that can certainly happen if you’re looking for designer labels—but primarily to avoid the crowds that start to build up by midday. It’s so much easier to browse when you aren’t being pushed around!
My first stop was a stall selling menswear. I’d originally thought about picking up a trendy graphic t-shirt for my brother’s birthday. However, I spotted a beautiful vintage silk tie that was in perfect condition and incredibly cheap, so I got him that instead. I think he’ll appreciate the retro style.
Moving on, I spent some time browsing through massive piles of trousers. I normally ignore the summer dresses because they’re completely out of season now, but I was genuinely amazed by the fantastic condition of the denim jeans they had on display. Some of them looked as though they had never even been worn, and they were a fraction of the high-street price.
When you’re buying second-hand apparel, you really have to be careful and know what to look out for. A lot of people just feel the fabric to see if it’s soft, or check if the buttons are loose. While that’s certainly helpful, I always make sure to inspect the stitching closely, as that is the true indicator of whether a piece of clothing will actually last through multiple washes.
Later on, I found exactly what I’d been secretly hoping to find all month. Not the woollen scarf I mentioned needing earlier in the week, but an absolutely gorgeous leather jacket. The stallholder wanted forty pounds for it, but after a bit of friendly haggling, I got it for twenty-five! I was absolutely thrilled.
If you want to find the real bargains, though, you shouldn’t just look at what’s prominently displayed on the mannequins or hanging on the main racks. The items that are marked down to just one or two pounds are usually dumped in the cardboard boxes hidden under the tables. You have to be prepared to dig through them, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
By the time I’d finished my shopping, I was absolutely starving. I was tempted to just grab a quick coffee from a nearby café, but the delicious smell wafting from the street food stalls was just irresistible. I ended up having a huge bowl of spicy noodles before finally heading home. It was exactly what I needed after a long morning on my feet.
It was such a successful excursion overall. My sister is begging me to take her next weekend, but I’ve actually already promised my college roommate that I’d show her around the market next time I go. She’s desperately looking for some affordable vintage boots, so hopefully, we’ll have just as much luck. Thanks for listening!