Arranging appointments – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why can’t Emma go to the office today?
(A) She has a terrible cold.
(B) She has another meeting.
(C) She has to go to the hospital.
2 When did they originally plan to meet?
(A) Today at 2:00 PM
(B) Monday at 10:00 AM
(C) Tuesday at 10:00 AM
3 When will they have the meeting now?
(A) Monday morning
(B) Tuesday morning
(C) Wednesday morning
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) She has a terrible cold.
- Explanation: Emma says, “I have a terrible cold. I feel really sick.” Option (B) is a trap because having “another meeting” is Mark’s reason for being busy on Monday, not Emma’s reason for staying home today. Option (C) is a plausible action for a sick person, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (A) Today at 2:00 PM
- Explanation: Emma starts the call by saying, “I’m calling about our meeting today at 2:00 PM.” Option (B) is a trap because Monday is the first new day Emma suggests. Option (C) is a trap because Tuesday is the final day they agree on for the new meeting, not the original plan.
3 (B) Tuesday morning
- Explanation: They finally agree to meet on “Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM”. Option (A) is a trap because Emma suggests Monday morning first, but Mark is busy. Option (C) is a plausible day of the week, but it is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Hi, Mark. It’s Emma. I’m calling about our meeting today at 2:00 PM.
Mark: Hi, Emma. Is everything okay? You sound a bit tired.
Emma: Well, I wanted to come to the office today, but I have a terrible cold. I feel really sick.
Mark: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. You should stay home and rest. We can change the meeting time.
Emma: Thank you. Can we meet next Monday morning? Maybe at 10:00 AM?
Mark: Let me check… ah, I have another meeting on Monday morning. How about Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM?
Emma: Tuesday at 10:00 AM works perfectly. Thanks, Mark. See you then!
Mark: Feel better, Emma. Bye!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is Mark calling the clinic?
(A) To cancel his appointment.
(B) To say he will be late.
(C) To ask for the clinic’s address.
2 Why can’t the dentist see Mark at 10:15 AM?
(A) The clinic closes at 10:30 AM.
(B) The dentist has another patient.
(C) The dentist is stuck in traffic.
3 What time is Mark’s new appointment?
(A) 10:00 AM
(B) 10:30 AM
(C) 11:30 AM
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To say he will be late.
- Explanation: Mark says, “I am stuck in terrible traffic. I think I will be fifteen minutes late.” Option (A) is a trap because he actually wants to keep his appointment (“I really need to see the dentist today”). Option (C) is a plausible reason to call, but it is not mentioned.
2 (B) The dentist has another patient.
- Explanation: The receptionist says, “The dentist has another patient at 10:30 AM.” Option (A) is a trap because 10:30 AM is the time for the next patient, not the closing time. Option (C) is a trap because Mark is the one stuck in traffic, not the dentist.
3 (C) 11:30 AM
- Explanation: The receptionist offers a new time and Mark says, “I will be there at 11:30 AM.” Option (A) is a trap because 10:00 AM is his original appointment time. Option (B) is a trap because 10:30 AM is the time for the other patient.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Hello, Smile Dental Clinic. How can I help you?
Mark: Hi, my name is Mark. I have an appointment today at 10:00 AM. But I am stuck in terrible traffic. I think I will be fifteen minutes late. Can the dentist wait for me until 10:15 AM?
Receptionist: Let me check… I’m sorry, Mark. The dentist has another patient at 10:30 AM, so we won’t have enough time to check your teeth. We need to change your appointment.
Mark: Oh, no. I really need to see the dentist today. Do you have any free time this morning?
Receptionist: Yes, another patient just canceled. You can come at 11:30 AM instead.
Mark: That’s great! I will be there at 11:30 AM. Thank you so much!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What day is it today?
(A) Monday
(B) Tuesday
(C) Wednesday
2 When is Mr. Taylor’s real appointment?
(A) Tuesday at 10:00 AM
(B) Wednesday at 10:00 AM
(C) Thursday at 10:00 AM
3 Why can’t Mr. Taylor see the doctor today?
(A) He has to go to work.
(B) The doctor is not working today.
(C) The doctor is completely full.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Tuesday
- Explanation: The nurse says, “I don’t see your name here for today, Tuesday.” Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because Wednesday is the day of his actual appointment, not today.
2 (B) Wednesday at 10:00 AM
- Explanation: The nurse clearly tells him, “Your appointment is actually for tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10:00 AM.” Option (A) is a trap because Tuesday at 10:00 AM is the time Mr. Taylor thought he had an appointment. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) The doctor is completely full.
- Explanation: The nurse says, “the doctor is completely full today,” meaning there is no free time. Option (A) is a trap because Mr. Taylor actually “took a day off work” (so he doesn’t have to work). Option (B) is a trap because the doctor is working, but just too busy to see an extra patient.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Patient: Hello. I am here for my appointment with Dr. Smith at 10:00 AM. My name is Robert Taylor.
Nurse: Good morning, Mr. Taylor. Let me check the computer… Hmm, I don’t see your name here for today, Tuesday.
Patient: Really? I thought we agreed on Tuesday morning. I even took a day off work!
Nurse: I am looking at the schedule right now. Your appointment is actually for tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10:00 AM.
Patient: Oh, no! I made a mistake. Well, can I see the doctor today instead?
Nurse: I’m sorry, but the doctor is completely full today. You will have to come back tomorrow morning.
Patient: I understand. It’s my fault. See you tomorrow at 10:00, then.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What time was the original reservation?
(A) 4:00 PM
(B) 7:00 PM
(C) 9:00 PM
2 Why did the customer cancel the table?
(A) He is busy with work.
(B) He has a family emergency.
(C) He found a different restaurant.
3 What did the customer decide to do at the end?
(A) Move the booking to tomorrow.
(B) Come to the restaurant later tonight.
(C) Call back another time to book again.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) 7:00 PM
- Explanation: The customer says, “I’m calling about my reservation for tonight at 7:00 PM.” Option (A) is a trap because the customer mentions a “table of four” (số 4). Option (C) is not mentioned.
2 (B) He has a family emergency.
- Explanation: The customer mentions “Something unexpected happened in my family.” This means a family emergency. Option (A) and (C) are plausible reasons but are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) Call back another time to book again.
- Explanation: The customer says, “Let me call you back later this week to rebook.” Option (A) is a trap because the manager suggested it, but the customer rejected it (“but I’m not sure…”). Option (B) is incorrect because he cancelled the table.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Manager: Good afternoon, Blue Ocean Restaurant. How can I help you?
Customer: Hi. I’m calling about my reservation for tonight at 7:00 PM. The name is Miller, for a table of four.
Manager: Ah, yes, Mr. Miller. A table for four at 7:00. Is there a problem?
Customer: Um, I’m very sorry, but I have to cancel it. Something unexpected happened in my family, and we can’t make it tonight.
Manager: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Would you like to move the reservation to tomorrow evening at the same time?
Customer: Well, I thought about that, but I’m not sure if we’ll be free. Let me call you back later this week to rebook.
Manager: No problem at all. I will cancel your table for 7:00 tonight.
Customer: Thank you for understanding. Goodbye.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What time will Mark and Sophie meet?
(A) Friday morning
(B) Friday at 12:00 PM
(C) Friday afternoon
2 Why can’t Mark meet in the afternoon?
(A) He has classes all afternoon.
(B) He works at the library.
(C) He is going to a science club.
3 Where will they meet to do their project?
(A) At the library
(B) In a classroom
(C) At the cafeteria
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Friday at 12:00 PM
- Explanation: They agree to meet during their break at 12:00 PM. Option (A) is a trap because Mark suggests Friday morning first, but Sophie is busy. Option (C) is a trap because Sophie suggests the afternoon, but Mark is busy.
2 (B) He works at the library.
- Explanation: Mark says, “I work at the library every afternoon.” Option (A) is a trap because having “classes” is Sophie’s reason for being busy in the morning, not Mark’s. Option (C) is a plausible reason for a student, but it is not mentioned.
3 (C) At the cafeteria
- Explanation: Sophie says, “Let’s meet at the cafeteria.” Option (A) is a trap because the library is where Mark works, not where they will meet for the project. Option (B) is a trap because classes are mentioned, but they are not meeting in a classroom.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey Sophie, we need to finish our science project. Can we meet on Friday morning?
Sophie: I can’t, Mark. I have classes all morning until 12:00 PM. How about Friday afternoon?
Mark: I would love to, but I work at the library every afternoon from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Sophie: Wow, we are really busy! Well, are you free between your classes and your work?
Mark: Let me check… Yes! I have a break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
Sophie: Perfect! I am free then, too. Let’s meet at the cafeteria at 12:00 PM and do our project over lunch.
Mark: Sounds like a great plan. See you on Friday!