Airports & Stations – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends at the airport and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Lisa do on the plane?
(A) She slept the whole time.
(B) She watched movies.
(C) She played with a baby.
2 Which luggage belongs to Lisa?
(A) The big blue suitcase.
(B) Two heavy bags.
(C) The small black backpack.
3 How are they leaving the airport?
(A) By bus.
(B) By car.
(C) By taxi.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) She watched movies.
- Explanation: Lisa says, “I wanted to sleep… but there was a really loud baby… So, I just watched movies.” Option (A) is the trap because sleeping was her original plan, but she couldn’t do it. Option (C) uses a word from the audio (“baby”) to confuse the listener, but it is incorrect.
2 Answer: (C) The small black backpack.
- Explanation: Mark asks if the “big blue suitcase” is hers, but Lisa says no. She says she only brought a “small black backpack.” Option (A) is the trap because it is mentioned but immediately rejected. Option (B) is not mentioned at all.
3 Answer: (B) By car.
- Explanation: Mark says, “I planned to take the bus today, but my brother let me borrow his car instead.” Option (A) is the trap because the bus was the original plan that got canceled. Option (C) is a common airport transport but is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Lisa! Over here!
Lisa: Oh, hi Mark! It’s so good to see you.
Mark: Good to see you too! How was your flight? You look a bit tired.
Lisa: Well, um, I wanted to sleep on the plane, but there was a really loud baby next to me. So, I just watched movies the whole time.
Mark: Oh no, that’s too bad. Here, let me help you with your bags. Is this big blue suitcase yours?
Lisa: Ah, no, the blue one isn’t mine. I only brought this small black backpack.
Mark: Great! Let’s go. I planned to take the bus today, but my brother let me borrow his car instead.
Lisa: Perfect! Let’s go.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a mother and her child at the train station and choose the best answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why did they NOT buy the magazine?
(A) Because it was boring.
(B) Because it was too expensive.
(C) Because Sam didn’t like the music.
2 Why did Mom say “no” to the sandwiches?
(A) Because she already has food in her bag.
(B) Because they don’t have enough time.
(C) Because Sam isn’t really hungry.
3 What did they finally buy for the train trip?
(A) Some magazines.
(B) Ham sandwiches.
(C) Two bottles of water.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) Because it was too expensive.
- Explanation: Sam wants the magazine, but Mom says, “it’s 10 dollars! That’s too expensive.” Option (A) is a distractor because Sam actually thinks it looks “cool” (interesting).
2 Answer: (A) Because she already has food in her bag.
- Explanation: Sam suggests buying sandwiches, but Mom uses “The Twist” technique: “Actually, I packed some bread and cheese in my bag… so we don’t need to buy those.” Option (B) mentions time, which is in the script, but it’s not the reason they rejected the sandwiches.
3 Answer: (C) Two bottles of water.
- Explanation: After rejecting the magazine and sandwiches, they agree to buy water because Sam is thirsty. Mom says, “Let’s buy the water.” Options (A) and (B) are “The Traps” because they were mentioned but rejected.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mom: Quick, Sam! The train to Paris leaves in ten minutes. Let’s buy something for the journey at this shop.
Sam: Okay, Mom. Can I get this music magazine? It looks really cool.
Mom: Hmm, it’s 10 dollars! That’s too expensive. Let’s look at the snacks instead.
Sam: Well… how about these ham sandwiches? I’m a bit hungry.
Mom: Actually, I packed some bread and cheese in my bag this morning, so we don’t need to buy those.
Sam: Oh, I see. But I’m really thirsty now. Can we get two bottles of water?
Mom: Yes, that’s a much better idea. Let’s buy the water and hurry to the platform!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between Mark and Sarah on a train and choose the best answer (A, B, or C).
1 Which carriage is their seat in?
(A) Carriage 3.
(B) Carriage 4.
(C) Carriage 5.
2 What are their seat numbers?
(A) 42 and 43.
(B) 52 and 53.
(C) 14 and 15.
3 Where will they put their backpacks?
(A) Under the seats.
(B) On the rack above.
(C) In a different carriage.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (C) Carriage 5.
- Explanation: Mark first notices carriage 3, then mentions carriage 4, but Sarah’s ticket clearly states they are in “carriage five.” Options (A) and (B) are distractors based on the numbers they see while walking.
2 Answer: (A) 42 and 43.
- Explanation: Mark explicitly states, “We have seats 42 and 43.” Option (B) is a trap using the number “5” from the carriage number. Option (C) is not mentioned.
3 Answer: (B) On the rack above.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist.” Sarah tried to put the bag “under the seat” (Option A – The Trap), but it failed because there was no space. Mark then suggests the “rack above” (The Key).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: This must be our train, Sarah. It looks really fast!
Sarah: Let me check the tickets. Um… we are in carriage five.
Mark: But this is carriage three… Oh, wait, the next one is carriage four, so the one after that is carriage five. Let’s go!
Sarah: Here it is. Now, what are our seat numbers?
Mark: We have seats 42 and 43.
Sarah: I see them! I’ll take the window seat, okay?
Mark: Sure. But what about our backpacks?
Sarah: Well, I tried to put mine under the seat, but there’s no space.
Mark: Don’t worry. Let’s just put them on the rack above us instead.
Sarah: Perfect. Now we can finally sit down.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between Lily and her parents at the airport and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where is Lily’s passport?
(A) In her jacket.
(B) In her backpack.
(C) In her suitcase.
2 What did Dad want Lily to do?
(A) Text them on the plane.
(B) Call them when she lands.
(C) Sleep on the flight.
3 What will Lily do to contact her parents?
(A) She will text them from the plane.
(B) She will send an email from the airport.
(C) She will call them after she lands.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) In her backpack.
- Explanation: Lily says, “I thought it was in my jacket, but I actually put it in my backpack.” Option (A) is the trap because the jacket was her original thought, but she changed it using the word “but”. Option (C) is not mentioned.
2 Answer: (A) Text them on the plane.
- Explanation: Dad specifically says, “remember to text us when you get on the plane.” Option (B) is what the Mom wants, not the Dad. Option (C) is plausible for a flight but is never mentioned.
3 Answer: (C) She will call them after she lands.
- Explanation: Mom changes Dad’s plan (The Twist) by saying, “Don’t text… call us as soon as you land.” Lily agrees and says, “I will call you right after I land.” Option (A) is the trap (Dad’s rejected idea), and Option (B) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Dad: Well, Lily, this is it. You have to go through security now.
Lily: Yeah. I’m going to miss you guys so much!
Mom: We’ll miss you too, sweetheart. Do you have your passport ready?
Lily: Let me check. I thought it was in my jacket, but I actually put it in my backpack. Yes, here it is.
Dad: Good. Now, remember to text us when you get on the plane.
Mom: No, no, David. Don’t text. Lily, call us as soon as you land, okay? We want to hear your voice to know you are safe.
Lily: Okay, Mom. I will call you right after I land. Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!
Mom & Dad: Bye, Lily! Have a safe flight!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a husband and wife at the airport and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where are the flight tickets?
(A) In Tom’s pocket.
(B) On Emma’s phone.
(C) In the black jacket.
2 Where is Tom’s passport now?
(A) In his black jacket.
(B) In the taxi.
(C) In Emma’s red handbag.
3 What does Tom have in his pocket?
(A) His phone.
(B) His wallet.
(C) His passport.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) On Emma’s phone.
- Explanation: Emma says clearly, “I have both of our tickets on my phone.” Option (A) is the trap because Tom’s pocket has his wallet, not the tickets. Option (C) is where Tom thought his passport was.
2 Answer: (C) In Emma’s red handbag.
- Explanation: This uses “The Twist” technique. Tom thought the passport was in his “black jacket” (Option A – The Trap), but Emma says she put it “inside my red handbag.” Option (B) is also a trap because the taxi is just the place where he gave it to her, but the passport is no longer there.
3 Answer: (B) His wallet.
- Explanation: At the beginning of the conversation, Tom says, “I have my wallet right here in my pocket.” Option (A) is not mentioned for Tom (Emma is the one using a phone). Option (C) is a trap because he lost his passport.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Tom, our flight boards in twenty minutes. Let’s check our things one last time.
Tom: Good idea. I have my wallet right here in my pocket. What about the flight tickets?
Emma: Don’t worry, I have both of our tickets on my phone.
Tom: Great. Now, where is my passport? I thought I put it in my black jacket. Oh no, it’s not here!
Emma: Wait, calm down! You gave it to me in the taxi, remember? I put it inside my red handbag so we wouldn’t lose it.
Tom: Phew! Thanks, Emma. I was really worried for a second. Let’s go to the gate.