Biography – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: B (A police officer.)

• Explanation: The radio host says, “…he really wanted to be a police officer like his father.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a “Twist Trap”. He became a firefighter later, but it wasn’t his first dream as a boy. Option C is a distractor because he teaches children now.

2 Correct Answer: C (In his hometown.)

• Explanation: The host explains his decision: “…but his hometown needed him. So, he stayed here and helped our community for thirty years.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Options A and B are the “Twist Trap”. He planned to work in a big city like London, but he didn’t go there.

3 Correct Answer: C (He teaches children at schools.)

• Explanation: The host describes his current activity: “…he actually visits local schools. He teaches children about fire safety.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the trap. The host mentions that “Many people think he just rests at home”, but he actually doesn’t. Option B is his childhood dream, not his current job.

Radio Host: Welcome back to ‘Face of the Week’. Today, we are talking about our local hero, John Miller. John was born in our town fifty years ago. When he was a boy, he really wanted to be a police officer like his father. But he actually loved putting out fires. So, he decided to become a firefighter instead. As a young man, he planned to work in a big city like London, but his hometown needed him. So, he stayed here and helped our community for thirty years. John is retired now. Many people think he just rests at home, but he actually visits local schools. He teaches children about fire safety. Thank you, John, for everything!

1 Correct Answer: B (Science.)

• Explanation: The host clearly states the twist: “…but she actually studied science.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the “Twist Trap”. The host says people think she studied literature because she writes books, but she didn’t. Option C is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: A (A science teacher.)

• Explanation: The host says, “She really wanted to be a science teacher at a high school…”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option B is what she is now, but not what she looked for right after university. Option C is a “Twist Trap”. She became a waitress, but she didn’t want to be one.

3 Correct Answer: C (At a coffee shop.)

• Explanation: The host explains her actual job: “So, she started working as a waitress in a small coffee shop instead.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the trap. She wanted to work at a high school, but the schools were full. Option B is plausible for a writer, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

Host: Welcome back to ‘Life Stories’. Today, our guest is the famous writer, Emma Davis.

Many of you know Emma for her wonderful children’s books. People often think she studied literature at university, but she actually studied science.

Before she became a famous writer, Emma needed to find work. She really wanted to be a science teacher at a high school, but the schools in her city were full. So, she started working as a waitress in a small coffee shop instead.

She worked there for three years. She actually wrote her very first book while she was working at that coffee shop! So, let’s welcome Emma to the show!

1 Correct Answer: B (The music club.)

• Explanation: The principal says, “…he actually played the piano in our music club.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a “Twist Trap”. People think he was on the basketball team because he is tall, but he wasn’t. Option C is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: B (Engineering.)

• Explanation: The principal explains his major: “So, he studied engineering at the state university.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap because he wanted to study business, but he chose something else. Option C is the type of company he opened later, not his university major.

3 Correct Answer: B (In this city.)

• Explanation: The principal says David stayed here (in the city): “So, he stayed here and started his own technology company.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a “Twist Trap”. He planned to move to Europe, but he didn’t. Option C is where he studied, not where his company is located.

Principal: Good morning, students! Please listen carefully to this special announcement. Tomorrow, a very famous person is coming to visit our school. His name is David Chen.

David was a student here twenty years ago. Everyone thinks he was on the basketball team because he is very tall, but he actually played the piano in our music club.

After high school, he wanted to study business, but his parents told him to choose something else. So, he studied engineering at the state university.

Later, he planned to move to Europe to find work. But he loved our city too much. So, he stayed here and started his own technology company. Now, he is very successful. Please give him a warm welcome tomorrow!

1 Correct Answer: B (In a poor village.)

• Explanation: The audio guide clarifies his background: “…but he actually grew up in a very poor village.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the “Twist Trap”. The guide mentions that many people think he grew up in Paris, but he didn’t. Option C is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: C (He worked in a shoe factory.)

• Explanation: The guide explains his first job: “So, he started working in a shoe factory when he was only twelve years old.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap because he wanted to be a painter, but he had to work for money instead. Option B is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: B (He taught himself with cheap pencils.)

• Explanation: The guide explains how he learned: “So, he bought cheap pencils and taught himself how to draw.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a “Twist Trap”. He wanted to study at a famous art school, but he couldn’t because it was too expensive. Option C is a plausible guess but not mentioned in the audio.

Audio Guide: Welcome to the National Art Gallery. You are looking at the famous painting, ‘The Blue River’ by Vincent Vance.

Many people think Vincent grew up in a rich family in Paris, but he actually grew up in a very poor village.

As a young boy, he really wanted to be a painter, but his family needed money for food. So, he started working in a shoe factory when he was only twelve years old.

Later, he wanted to study at a famous art school, but it was too expensive. So, he bought cheap pencils and taught himself how to draw. Now, his paintings are famous around the world. Please walk to the next room to see his later work.

1 Correct Answer: B (In Canada.)

• Explanation: Leo clearly states the twist about his hometown: “…but I actually grew up in a small, cold town in Canada.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the “Twist Trap”. People think he is from Australia because he surfs, but he isn’t. Option C is a continent he planned to visit later.

2 Correct Answer: B (A flight attendant.)

• Explanation: Leo explains his career choice: “So, I got a job as a flight attendant instead.”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a “Twist Trap”. He wanted to be an English teacher, but he hated staying in one room. Option C is a plausible job for someone who travels, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: C (Across South America.)

• Explanation: Leo states his current location at the end: “So, I bought an old van and now I am driving across South America!”
• Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the trap. He planned to visit Europe, but it was too expensive so he changed his plan. Option B is a distractor mentioned earlier in the audio.

Leo: Hey guys! Welcome to my channel. I have a lot of new subscribers, so today I’m going to tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Leo. Many of my viewers think I am from Australia because I make a lot of surfing videos. But I actually grew up in a small, cold town in Canada.

When I was younger, I really wanted to be an English teacher, but I hated staying inside one room all day. So, I got a job as a flight attendant instead. It was a great way to see the world!

Last year, I planned to visit every country in Europe, but the flights were too expensive. So, I bought an old van and now I am driving across South America! Don’t forget to subscribe!