Arranging appointments – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (C) Friday morning

• Explanation: They agree to meet on “Friday morning at 9:00 AM” at the end of the conversation. Option (A) is a trap because it is the student’s first idea, but the professor is busy. Option (B) is a trap because the professor is free, but the student has a class.

2 (A) He has a teachers’ meeting.

• Explanation: The professor says, “I have to attend a teachers’ meeting.” Option (B) is a trap because the “history class” is the student’s schedule, not the professor’s. Option (C) is a plausible reason for a professor to be busy, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) His final project.

• Explanation: The student says, “I need some help with my final project.” Option (A) is a trap because the audio mentions a “history class”, not a history test. Option (C) is a plausible answer for a student asking for help, but it is not mentioned.

Student: Excuse me, Professor Smith. Do you have time this Thursday afternoon? I need some help with my final project.

Professor: Hello, Alex. I wanted to meet you on Thursday afternoon, but I have to attend a teachers’ meeting from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. So, I won’t be in my office.

Student: Oh, I see. Are you free on Thursday morning instead?

Professor: Yes, I am. How about 10:00 AM?

Student: Unfortunately, I have a history class at 10:00 AM. Can we meet on Friday morning at 9:00 AM?

Professor: Friday at 9:00 AM is perfect. See you then.

Student: Thank you, Professor!

1 (B) To invite him for an interview.

• Explanation: Ms. Davis says, “We really liked your resume and want to invite you for an interview.” Option (A) is a trap because the word “resume” is mentioned, but she already has it. Option (C) is a plausible reason for HR to call, but she is only scheduling an interview, not offering a job yet.

2 (C) He has a doctor’s appointment.

• Explanation: Peter says he cannot meet on Monday morning because he has a “doctor’s appointment.” Option (A) is a trap because he has to go to work in the afternoon, not the morning. Option (B) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) Tuesday at 10:00 AM

• Explanation: They finally agree on Tuesday at 10:00 AM. Option (A) is a trap because 9:00 AM on Monday is Ms. Davis’s first suggestion, but Peter is busy. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned.

Ms. Davis: Hello, is this Peter? I’m calling from ABC Company. We really liked your resume and want to invite you for an interview.

Peter: Oh, thank you so much! I’m very happy to hear that. When should I come to the office?

Ms. Davis: How about next Monday morning at 9:00 AM?

Peter: I would love to, but I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday morning. I am free in the afternoon, but I have to go to work then. Are you available on Tuesday?

Ms. Davis: Let me check my schedule… Yes, I can meet you on Tuesday morning. Let’s say 10:00 AM.

Peter: Tuesday at 10:00 AM is perfect. See you then!

1 (C) 11:15 AM

• Explanation: They finally agree to meet at 11:15 AM. Option (A) is a trap because 9:00 AM is Mark’s first idea, but Chloe is busy. Option (B) is a trap because Chloe suggests 10:30 AM, but Sam is busy.

2 (B) She is talking to a customer.

• Explanation: Chloe says, “I have a phone call with a customer until 10:00 AM.” Option (A) is a trap because writing a report is Sam’s job, not Chloe’s. Option (C) is a plausible office activity but is not mentioned.

3 (A) Finish a weekly report.

• Explanation: Sam says, “I have to finish my weekly report by 11:00.” Option (B) is a trap because the “new project” is what they will discuss in the meeting, not what Sam is doing before. Option (C) is a trap because making a phone call is Chloe’s task.

Mark (Leader): Good morning, everyone. We need to have a meeting about the new project this Wednesday morning. Are you free at 9:00 AM?

Chloe: I can’t do 9:00, Mark. I have a phone call with a customer until 10:00 AM. How about 10:30?

Sam: I thought about 10:30, but I have to finish my weekly report by 11:00. So, I am busy then. What about 11:15 AM?

Chloe: 11:15 works for me.

Mark: Let me check my calendar… Yes, I don’t have any plans then. Let’s meet at 11:15 AM in the main meeting room.

Sam: Perfect!

1 (C) Tomorrow at 9:00 AM

• Explanation: They finally agree to meet “tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM”. Option (A) is a trap because 2:00 PM is when the manager’s meeting starts. Option (B) is a trap because Sarah suggests 4:30 PM, but Mr. Evans is busy.

2 (A) He has a team meeting.

• Explanation: Mr. Evans says, “I have a meeting with the marketing team from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.” Option (B) is a trap because signing papers is what Sarah wants him to do. Option (C) is a trap because going to the dentist happens later in the afternoon.

3 (B) He has a doctor’s appointment.

• Explanation: Mr. Evans says he has to leave early because he has a “dentist appointment” (a dentist is a type of doctor). Option (A) is a trap because meeting people is his earlier activity. Option (C) is plausible for leaving work early, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

Sarah: Excuse me, Mr. Evans. Do you have five minutes this afternoon? I need you to sign these urgent papers.

Mr. Evans: Hi, Sarah. Let me check my schedule… Well, I have a meeting with the marketing team from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. So, I am really busy right now.

Sarah: Oh, I understand. What about 4:30 PM?

Mr. Evans: I wanted to meet you then, but I have to leave the office early today. I have a dentist appointment.

Sarah: I see. When are you free, then?

Mr. Evans: Can you come to my office tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM?

Sarah: Yes, 9:00 AM tomorrow works perfectly. I will bring the papers then. Thank you!

1 (C) At a coffee shop

• Explanation: They finally decide to meet at the Star Coffee Shop. Option (B) is a trap because Ms. Taylor suggests her office first, but changes her mind. Option (A) is plausible in a business context but is never mentioned.

2 (C) Friday

• Explanation: They agree to meet on Friday at the end of the call. Option (B) is a trap because Thursday is Ms. Taylor’s original suggestion, but Mark is busy. Option (A) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (A) Mark is visiting another client.

• Explanation: Mark says, “I am visiting another client in a different city on Thursday.” Option (B) is a trap because Mark is the one going to a different city, not Ms. Taylor. Option (C) is a trap because the office being painted is the reason they change the location, not the day.

Mark: Hello, Ms. Taylor. This is Mark from Global Tech. I’d like to schedule a meeting to show you our new products. Do you prefer to meet at your office or at a coffee shop?

Ms. Taylor: Hi, Mark. Let’s meet at my office. It’s usually very quiet here. How about this Thursday?

Mark: I would love to, but I am visiting another client in a different city on Thursday. Can we meet on Friday instead?

Ms. Taylor: Friday is fine. Oh, wait… I just remembered my office is being painted this week, so it will be very messy. Let’s meet at the Star Coffee Shop next to my building.

Mark: Sounds great. See you at the coffee shop on Friday!