Airports & Stations – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) It is medium and silver.

• Explanation: This is the “Twist” technique. The passenger initially mentioned a “large blue” suitcase (Answer A – Trap) but immediately corrected herself to “medium-sized silver one” because she borrowed her brother’s suitcase this time.

2 Answer: (B) Star-Travel.

• Explanation: The passenger clearly stated the brand name as “Star-Travel”. Answers A and C use keywords related to travel (London, Sky) to distract, but these are not present in the text.

3 Answer: (B) 555-0922.

• Explanation: The passenger read the number 555-0921 first (Answer A – Trap) but immediately realized it was the old number (“That’s my old number”) and provided the new number, 555-0922. Answer C was not mentioned.

Staff: Good afternoon. How can I help you today?

Passenger: Hello. I’m afraid my luggage didn’t arrive on the flight from London.

Staff: I’m sorry to hear that. Can you describe your suitcase?

Passenger: Well, um, I usually travel with a large blue one. But for this trip, I used my brother’s suitcase. It’s a medium-sized silver one.

Staff: A medium silver suitcase. Does it have a brand name?

Passenger: Yes, it’s a “Star-Travel” bag. It has a black handle.

Staff: Got it. And can I have your phone number to contact you?

Passenger: Sure. It’s 555-0921. Oh, wait! That’s my old number. My new mobile number is 555-0922.

Staff: 555-0922. Thank you. We will call you as soon as we find it.

1 Answer: (A) The 8:00 train.

• Explanation: The passenger clearly states at the beginning, “I just missed the 8:00 train to Liverpool.” Options (B) and (C) are the times for the next trains (The Traps), not the one he missed.

2 Answer: (C) Wait for the 10:00 train.

• Explanation: The agent tells the passenger: “You can wait for the slow train at 10:00 for free.” Option (A) is The Trap because taking the 9:00 train costs a 10-dollar fee, it is not free. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (B) Pay a fee to take the 9:00 train.

• Explanation: This question tests “The Twist”. The passenger has two choices. He could wait for the 10:00 train (Option A – The Trap), but because he is in a hurry, he says: “I will pay the 10 dollars to take the 9:00 train.” Option (C) is a trap because the agent tells him he doesn’t have to buy a “completely new ticket,” just pay a fee.

Passenger: Excuse me. I need some help. I just missed the 8:00 train to Liverpool.

Agent: Let me see your ticket. Ah, I see.

Passenger: Can I use this same ticket for the next train at 9:00?

Agent: I’m sorry, no. This is a discount ticket. You can’t use it for the 9:00 train because that is an express train.

Passenger: Oh no. Do I have to buy a completely new ticket?

Agent: Well, you have two choices. You can wait for the slow train at 10:00 for free. Or, you can pay a 10-dollar fee to change it for the 9:00 train.

Passenger: I am in a hurry. So, I will pay the 10 dollars to take the 9:00 train.

Agent: Okay. Here is your new ticket.

1 Answer: (A) 14A.

• Explanation: Passenger A clearly states, “my ticket says 14A.” Option (B) is The Trap because it is Passenger B’s actual seat number. Option (C) is a plausible seat number but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 Answer: (C) Because he wanted a window seat.

• Explanation: Passenger B explains his mistake by saying: “I really wanted a window seat, so I just sat here without looking carefully.” Option (B) is The Trap; he has an aisle seat (14B), but that is not what he wanted. Option (A) is a common reason for making mistakes but is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (B) In the aisle seat.

• Explanation: This uses “The Twist”. Passenger B sat in the “window seat” (Option A – The Trap) because he wanted it. However, his real seat is 14B, which Passenger A says is “just next to me on the aisle.” Passenger B agrees and moves there. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Passenger A: Excuse me. I think you are sitting in my seat.

Passenger B: Oh, really? I’m sorry. I thought this was seat 14A.

Passenger A: Well, my ticket says 14A. I even asked the flight attendant, and she told me this is my row.

Passenger B: Let me check my ticket again. Oh, you are right! My seat is actually 14B. I really wanted a window seat, so I just sat here without looking carefully.

Passenger A: That’s okay. It looks like your seat is just next to me on the aisle.

Passenger B: Yes, it is. I’ll move over to my seat right now. Sorry about that!

1 Answer: (B) 20 kilos.

• Explanation: The agent clearly states, “The limit is only 20 kilos.” Option (C) is The Trap because 22 kilos is the current weight of the bag, not the limit. Option (A) is the overweight amount.

2 Answer: (B) Take out some books.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The passenger says, “I planned to pay the fee” (Option A – The Trap), but she changed her mind because it was too expensive. Her final decision is to take out “some heavy books”. Option (C) is a plausible action but is never mentioned.

3 Answer: (A) In her carry-on bag.

• Explanation: The passenger says, “I will put them in my carry-on bag instead.” Options (B) and (C) are possible places to put things, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

Agent: Please put your suitcase on the scale. Hmm… your bag is 22 kilos. The limit is only 20 kilos. So, it is two kilos overweight.

Passenger: Oh no! Do I have to pay a fee?

Agent: Yes. The overweight fee is 30 dollars. Or, you can take some things out.

Passenger: Well, I planned to pay the fee because I am in a big hurry. But 30 dollars is too expensive! I have some heavy books in here. I will put them in my carry-on bag instead.

Agent: That is a good idea. Let’s weigh the suitcase again. Perfect, it is exactly 20 kilos now. Here is your boarding pass.

1 Answer: (B) Check the security cameras.

• Explanation: At the beginning, the passenger asks, “Can you check the security cameras near the coffee shop?” Option (A) is The Trap because calling the information desk was the guard’s idea, not the passenger’s request. Option (C) is where he put his passport.

2 Answer: (C) A magazine.

• Explanation: The passenger remembers his actions and says: “I went to the bookstore to buy a magazine.” Option (A) is The Trap because he bought a drink at the coffee shop. Option (B) is a plausible clothing item but is not what he bought.

3 Answer: (A) At the information desk.

• Explanation: This question uses “The Twist”. The passenger thought he lost it at the “coffee shop” (Option B – The Trap). He actually left it at the “bookstore” (Option C – The Trap). However, the guard says someone found it and “brought it to the information desk.” So, the passport is at the desk right now.

Passenger: Excuse me, officer! I need your help. I lost my passport. Can you check the security cameras near the coffee shop?

Security Guard: I can’t check the cameras right now, sir. But let me call the information desk. Sometimes people bring lost items there.

Passenger: Okay. I bought a drink at the coffee shop and put the passport in my jacket. But now it’s empty!

Security Guard: Wait, the information desk just told me they have a passport. Did you leave it at the bookstore?

Passenger: Oh, yes! I went to the bookstore to buy a magazine after the coffee shop.

Security Guard: Well, someone found it there and brought it to the information desk.

Passenger: Oh, thank goodness! I will go to the desk right now.