Arranging appointments – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What time is the patient’s appointment?
(A) 10:00 AM
(B) 2:30 PM
(C) 4:00 PM
2 Why can’t the patient come in the morning?
(A) The clinic is closed in the morning.
(B) The dentist is busy at that time.
(C) The patient has to go to work.
3 Why does the patient say no to the 2:30 PM appointment?
(A) She has to pick up her children.
(B) She has to meet a teacher.
(C) She is going to the supermarket.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) 4:00 PM
- Explanation: They finally agree on 4:00 PM. Option (A) is a trap because 10:00 AM is the patient’s first choice, but the clinic is full. Option (B) is a trap because 2:30 PM is offered by the receptionist, but the patient rejects it.
2 (B) The dentist is busy at that time.
- Explanation: The receptionist says, “the dentist is busy all morning.” Option (A) is a plausible reason for not getting an appointment, but it is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because work is not the reason; the problem is from the clinic’s side.
3 (A) She has to pick up her children.
- Explanation: The patient says, “2:30 PM is not good because I have to pick up my children from school.” Option (B) is a trap because “school” is mentioned, but she is picking up her kids, not meeting a teacher. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Hello, Bright Smile Dental Clinic. How can I help you?
Patient: Hi, I need to make an appointment for a teeth cleaning this Wednesday. Can I come in the morning? Maybe around 10:00 AM?
Receptionist: I’m sorry, the dentist is busy all morning. However, we have time in the afternoon. You can come at 2:30 PM or 4:00 PM.
Patient: Oh, I see. Well, 2:30 PM is not good because I have to pick up my children from school. So, let’s do 4:00 PM.
Receptionist: Perfect. We will see you on Wednesday at 4:00 PM.
Patient: Thank you!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 When will the customer get a haircut?
(A) Today at 5:00 PM
(B) Today at 6:00 PM
(C) Tomorrow at 5:00 PM
2 Why can’t the barber cut the customer’s hair at 5:00 PM today?
(A) The barber shop is closed.
(B) The barber has another customer.
(C) The barber is going to a family dinner.
3 Why does the customer say no to 6:00 PM today?
(A) He has to work late.
(B) He has to go to a family dinner.
(C) He has to pick up his children.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) Tomorrow at 5:00 PM
- Explanation: They finally agree to meet “tomorrow at 5:00 PM”. Option (A) is a trap because the customer wants 5:00 PM today, but the barber is busy. Option (B) is a trap because the barber offers 6:00 PM today, but the customer is busy.
2 (B) The barber has another customer.
- Explanation: The barber says, “I have another customer at 5:00 PM.” Option (A) is a plausible reason for a shop, but it is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because the “family dinner” is the customer’s plan, not the barber’s plan.
3 (B) He has to go to a family dinner.
- Explanation: The customer says 6:00 PM is too late because “I have a family dinner at 7:00.” Option (A) is a trap because he finishes work at 4:30, so he doesn’t work late. Option (C) is a plausible reason for A2 level but is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hello. Do you have any free time for a haircut today? I finish work at 4:30, so I want to come at 5:00 PM.
Barber: Hi there. I’m sorry, but I have another customer at 5:00 PM. Are you free at 6:00 PM today?
Customer: I thought about coming later, but I have a family dinner at 7:00. So, 6:00 PM is a bit too late for me. What about tomorrow?
Barber: Let me check… Yes, tomorrow is fine. I can do 5:00 PM tomorrow afternoon.
Customer: That’s perfect. See you tomorrow at 5:00 PM.
Barber: Great, see you then!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 When will the customer bring her car to the garage?
(A) Monday morning
(B) Tuesday morning
(C) Thursday afternoon
2 When will the customer pick up her car?
(A) Tuesday morning
(B) Thursday afternoon
(C) Friday morning
3 Why can’t the customer get her car on Thursday?
(A) The car is not ready yet.
(B) The garage is closed.
(C) She has to work late.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Tuesday morning
- Explanation: The customer agrees to bring the car in on Tuesday morning. Option (A) is a trap because Monday is her first choice, but the garage is full. Option (C) is a trap because Thursday is when the car will be ready, not when she brings it in.
2 (C) Friday morning
- Explanation: They finally agree that she will pick up the car on Friday morning. Option (B) is a trap because the manager suggests Thursday afternoon, but she is busy. Option (A) is a trap because Tuesday is the drop-off day.
3 (C) She has to work late.
- Explanation: The customer says, “I have to work late on Thursday, so I can’t come then.” Option (A) is a trap because the manager explicitly states the car will be ready on Thursday. Option (B) is plausible but is never mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Manager: Hello, City Garage. How can I help you?
Customer: Hi, I need to bring my car in for a routine check-up. Can I drop it off on Monday morning?
Manager: I’m sorry, but we are completely full on Monday. However, you can bring it in on Tuesday morning.
Customer: Tuesday morning is fine. When will it be ready?
Manager: We need a couple of days, so you can pick it up on Thursday afternoon.
Customer: Oh, I have to work late on Thursday, so I can’t come then. Can I come get it on Friday morning instead?
Manager: Yes, Friday morning is no problem. See you on Tuesday!
Customer: Thank you!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 When will they meet to look at the apartments?
(A) Friday afternoon
(B) Saturday at 10:00 AM
(C) Saturday at 2:00 PM
2 Why can’t the renter meet at 2:00 PM on Saturday?
(A) He has to go to work.
(B) He is meeting a friend.
(C) He is moving to a new house.
3 Where will they meet?
(A) At the real estate office.
(B) Inside the apartment.
(C) In front of the building.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Saturday at 10:00 AM
- Explanation: They finally agree to meet on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Option (A) is a trap because Friday afternoon is the renter’s first idea, but the agent is busy. Option (C) is a trap because 2:00 PM is the agent’s suggestion, but the renter is busy.
2 (A) He has to go to work.
- Explanation: The renter says, “I have to work until 3:00 PM on Saturday.” Option (B) and Option (C) are plausible reasons for someone to be busy, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) In front of the building.
- Explanation: The agent says, “Let’s meet in front of the building.” Option (A) is a plausible place to meet a real estate agent, but it is not mentioned. Option (B) is a trap because they will go inside to look at the apartments after they meet outside.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Hello, this is City Real Estate. How can I help you?
Renter: Hi, I’m calling about the apartments for rent. Can I come to see them this Friday afternoon?
Agent: I’m sorry, but I am busy all day on Friday. Are you free on Saturday afternoon? We could meet at 2:00 PM.
Renter: I wanted to come then, but I have to work until 3:00 PM on Saturday. Can we meet in the morning instead? How about 10:00 AM?
Agent: Yes, 10:00 AM on Saturday is perfect. We have two vacant apartments to show you. Let’s meet in front of the building.
Renter: Great. See you on Saturday!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What time will the customer eat at the restaurant?
(A) 6:30 PM
(B) 7:30 PM
(C) 8:30 PM
2 Why does the customer say no to the 8:30 PM table?
(A) He has to work late.
(B) He is going to a movie.
(C) He is going to a party.
3 What time does the customer’s movie start?
(A) 6:30 PM
(B) 7:30 PM
(C) 9:00 PM
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) 6:30 PM
- Explanation: They finally agree to book the table at 6:30 PM. Option (B) is a trap because 7:30 PM is the customer’s first choice, but the restaurant is full. Option (C) is a trap because the receptionist offers 8:30 PM, but the customer rejects it.
2 (B) He is going to a movie.
- Explanation: The customer says, “my friends and I are going to watch a movie at 9:00 PM.” Option (A) and Option (C) are plausible reasons for someone to be busy on a Friday night, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) 9:00 PM
- Explanation: The customer explicitly states they will watch a movie at “9:00 PM.” Option (A) is a trap because 6:30 PM is the time for dinner, not the movie. Option (B) is a trap because 7:30 PM was the original time he wanted to eat.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Good afternoon, Star Restaurant. How can I help you?
Customer: Hi. I’d like to book a table for four people this Friday evening. Can we come at 7:30 PM?
Receptionist: Let me check. I’m sorry, but we have no empty tables at 7:30 PM. We have a free table at 8:30 PM.
Customer: I thought about coming later, but my friends and I are going to watch a movie at 9:00 PM. So, 8:30 PM is too late for us. Do you have anything earlier? How about 6:30 PM?
Receptionist: Yes, we have a table at 6:30 PM. So, that is a reservation for four people at 6:30 PM this Friday.
Customer: Perfect. Please hold the table for us. My name is Daniel.
Receptionist: See you on Friday, Daniel!