Animals & Habitats – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) To swim in the ocean.

• Explanation: The student says, “they use their wings like flippers to swim in the ocean.” Option (A) is the trap; the student mentions that birds usually “fly high in the sky,” but immediately clarifies that penguins “cannot fly at all.” Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) In Antarctica.

• Explanation: The student clearly states that penguins live “mostly in Antarctica.” Option (A) is the trap; the student says “many people think” they live at the North Pole, “But that is not true” (The Twist). Option (B) is incorrect and not mentioned.

3 (A) Fish.

• Explanation: At the end of the presentation, the student says they dive into the water to “catch small fish.” Option (B) is the trap; the speaker explicitly mentions “they don’t eat sea plants.” Option (C) is a distractor because “polar bears” were mentioned earlier in a different context, not as food.

Student: Hello everyone. Today, my science presentation is about a very special bird: the penguin. When we think of birds, we usually think of animals that fly high in the sky. However, penguins are different. They have wings, but they cannot fly at all! Instead, they use their wings like flippers to swim in the ocean. They are amazing swimmers. Also, many people think penguins live at the North Pole with polar bears. But that is not true. They live in the very cold south, mostly in Antarctica. Finally, what do they eat for dinner? Well, they don’t eat sea plants. They dive deep into the freezing water to catch small fish. Thank you for listening!

1 (B) Page 20.

• Explanation: The teacher corrects his mistake and says, “please read page 20 instead.” Option (A) is the trap; the teacher initially says page 15, but the student reminds him they already read it (The Twist). Option (C) is not mentioned.

2 (C) The jungle.

• Explanation: The teacher clearly says, “It is all about the jungle habitat.” Options (A) and (B) are other types of habitats but are not mentioned in this audio.

3 (B) Write a list of five jungle animals.

• Explanation: The teacher gives the final instruction: “just write a list of five animals that live in the jungle.” Option (A) is the trap; the teacher thought about asking them to draw a picture but changed his mind because they are busy. Option (C) is a distractor; math homework is mentioned as a reason they are busy, but it is not the science homework.

Teacher: Okay class, before you go, let’s talk about your homework for tomorrow. Please take out your science books. We are learning about animal habitats this week. I want you to go home and read page 15 tonight.

Student: Excuse me, Mr. Davis? We already read page 15 yesterday.

Teacher: Oh, you’re right, Sarah! I am so sorry. So, please read page 20 instead. It is all about the jungle habitat.

Student: Do we need to write anything in our notebooks?

Teacher: Yes. I wanted you to draw a picture of the jungle, but I know you have a lot of math homework today. So, instead of drawing, just write a list of five animals that live in the jungle. See you tomorrow!

1 (B) Clean the zebra enclosure.

• Explanation: The manager says, “please clean their area first” referring to the zebras. Option (A) is the trap; feeding the giraffes is Alex’s “usual routine,” but the manager changes the plan today (The Twist). Option (C) is a distractor because Alex only needs to go to the monkey area later to feed them, not to clean.

2 (C) Because they made a huge mess last night.

• Explanation: The manager explicitly states, “the zebras made a huge mess last night.” Option (B) is the trap because his usual routine is actually feeding the giraffes, not cleaning the zebras. Option (A) is plausible in a zoo context but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) Bananas.

• Explanation: The manager tells Alex to “bring a big basket of bananas instead.” Option (A) is the trap; the manager wanted to give them apples, but they don’t have any left. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Manager: Good morning, Alex. We have a busy day at the zoo today. I need you to clean the zebra enclosure this morning.

Alex: Sure, Mr. Smith. Should I clean it after I feed the giraffes? That’s my usual routine.

Manager: I thought about that, but the zebras made a huge mess last night. So, please clean their area first.

Alex: Understood. I will do that right now. And what about the monkeys?

Manager: After the zebras, go to the monkey area. I wanted you to give them some apples, however, we don’t have any left.

Alex: Oh, okay. What should I bring them?

Manager: Just bring a big basket of bananas instead.

Alex: Got it! Zebras first, then bananas for the monkeys.

1 (B) Metal baskets.

• Explanation: Farmer Joe clearly says, “please use these metal baskets instead.” Option (A) is the trap; Anna suggests using plastic bags, but the farmer rejects the idea because they break easily. Option (C) is not mentioned.

2 (A) Because the farm doesn’t have any apples today.

• Explanation: Farmer Joe says, “however, we don’t have any left today.” Option (B) is the trap; he actually says the sheep “really love apples.” Option (C) is a plausible reason in real life, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) Dry grass.

• Explanation: The farmer tells the volunteers to “Just give them this dry grass.” Option (A) is the trap because it was Ben’s original idea before the farmer changed the plan (The Twist). Option (B) is not mentioned.

Farmer Joe: Welcome, volunteers! Today, we have two main jobs: collecting eggs and feeding the sheep.

Anna: Great! I am so excited. Should we put the eggs in these plastic bags?

Farmer Joe: I thought about using bags, but they break easily. So, please use these metal baskets instead. And remember to move slowly so you don’t scare the chickens.

Ben: Got it. What about the sheep? Can we give them some fresh apples?

Farmer Joe: Well, they really love apples, however, we don’t have any left today. Just give them this dry grass.

Anna: Okay, dry grass for the sheep, and metal baskets for the eggs. Let’s go, Ben!

1 (B) Sausages.

• Explanation: Sarah says, “I gave him some sausages instead, and he ate them all.” Option (A) is the trap; she planned to give him dry dog food, but the dog refused to eat it (The Twist). Option (C) is plausible for a sick dog but is not mentioned.

2 (C) Because the dog was sleeping.

• Explanation: Sarah explains that she wanted to give the medicine at 12:00 PM, “however, he was sleeping very soundly.” Options (A) and (B) are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) 2:00 PM.

• Explanation: Sarah clearly instructs David: “Please give him his medicine at 2:00 PM.” Option (A) is the trap; 12:00 PM was Sarah’s original plan before she saw the dog sleeping. Option (C) is a distractor and not mentioned.

David: Hi Sarah, I’m taking over the shift now. How is the sick dog in cage number three?

Sarah: He’s doing much better, David. I planned to give him the regular dry dog food for lunch. But he refused to eat it. So, I gave him some sausages instead, and he ate them all!

David: That’s great news! Did he take his pills yet?

Sarah: Not yet. I wanted to give him the medicine at 12:00 PM, however, he was sleeping very soundly. Please give him his medicine at 2:00 PM when he wakes up.

David: Okay, got it. Sausages for lunch and medicine at 2:00 PM. I’ll take good care of him.