Books & Reading – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What did Lisa read this weekend?
(A) A history novel
(B) A comic book
(C) A sports magazine
2 What is Lisa’s book about?
(A) A man and his animal
(B) A history of space travel
(C) A famous sports team
3 When can Mark borrow the book?
(A) Today
(B) Yesterday
(C) Next week
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation: The correct answer is B because Lisa says, “I ended up reading a comic book instead.” Option A is a trap; she wanted to read a history novel but was too tired. Option C is also a trap because sports magazines are what Mark usually reads, not Lisa.
2 Answer: A
- Explanation: The correct answer is A because Lisa describes the book as being “about a guy who travels to space with his pet cat” (a man and his animal). Option B is a trap that mixes the words “history” and “space” from different parts of the conversation. Option C is incorrect because “sports” was only mentioned by Mark regarding his magazines.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation: The correct answer is C. Lisa explicitly says, “I can bring it for you next week.” Option A is incorrect because she doesn’t have it right now. Option B is a trap because “yesterday” is when she lent the book to her brother, not when Mark can borrow it.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey, Lisa. Have you read anything good lately?
Lisa: Well, I wanted to finish that thick history novel this weekend. But, um, I was too tired. So, I ended up reading a comic book instead.
Mark: Really? A comic book? Was it any good?
Lisa: Oh, it was hilarious! It’s about a guy who travels to space with his pet cat. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Mark: That sounds fun. I usually just read sports magazines.
Lisa: You should definitely borrow it! However, I lent it to my brother yesterday. I can bring it for you next week.
Mark: Awesome, thanks!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between two roommates. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What does Tom usually do before sleep?
(A) He reads paper books.
(B) He reads the news on his phone.
(C) He listens to the radio.
2 Why did Alex stop looking at his phone at night?
(A) Because it gave him headaches.
(B) Because his phone was broken.
(C) Because the news was boring.
3 What kind of book does Alex read at bedtime?
(A) Science fiction.
(B) Comic books.
(C) History books.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) He reads the news on his phone.
- Explanation: Tom explicitly says his own habit: “I usually just read the news on my phone before sleep.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is a trap because reading paper books is Alex’s habit, not Tom’s. Option (C) is a plausible bedtime activity but is never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (A) Because it gave him headaches.
- Explanation: Alex explains why he changed his habit: “But looking at the screen gave me headaches.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Options (B) and (C) are common reasons why someone might stop using a phone, but they are not the reasons Alex gives in the conversation.
3 Correct Answer: (C) History books.
- Explanation: Alex states his final choice: “I read history books instead.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is the main “Twist” trap. Tom asks if he reads science fiction, and Alex says he loves it, but he rejects it because it is “too exciting for bedtime.” Option (B) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hey Alex, can you turn off the light? It’s very late.
Alex: Sorry, Tom. I’m just finishing my book.
Tom: Do you read every night? I usually just read the news on my phone before sleep.
Alex: I used to do that. But looking at the screen gave me headaches. So, I started reading paper books last month.
Tom: That’s interesting. What kind of books do you read? Science fiction?
Alex: Well, I love science fiction, but it is too exciting for bedtime. I read history books instead. They make me sleepy very quickly.
Tom: That’s a good idea. Good night then!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between two classmates. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What did Tom want to borrow from Jane?
(A) A fashion magazine
(B) A sports magazine
(C) A comic book
2 Why didn’t Jane bring the magazine today?
(A) She was too busy with homework.
(B) She lost it on the kitchen table.
(C) She forgot to buy it.
3 What will Tom do during the break?
(A) Read a fashion magazine.
(B) Go to the kitchen.
(C) Go to the library.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation: Tom asks directly, “Did you remember to bring that sports magazine?” Option A is a trap because Jane offers it later, but it’s not what Tom originally wanted. Option C is what Tom decides to do later, not what he wanted to borrow from Jane.
2 Answer: A
- Explanation: Jane explains she forgot because “I was so busy with my homework.” Option B is a trap because the magazine is on the table, but she didn’t lose it. Option C is not mentioned.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation: Although Jane offers a fashion magazine (Option A), Tom says “Thanks, but…” and decides to “go to the library” instead. This is the “final result” technique typical of A2 tests. Option B uses the word “kitchen” from the script to confuse the listener.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hi, Jane! Did you remember to bring that sports magazine? I really want to read it during our break time.
Jane: Oh, hi Tom. I’m so sorry! I wanted to put it in my bag last night, but, um, I was so busy with my homework that I forgot. It’s still on my kitchen table.
Tom: Oh no! I was looking forward to reading about the football match.
Jane: I feel bad. However, I have a new fashion magazine here. Do you want to borrow that instead?
Tom: Thanks, but I’m not really into fashion. So, I think I’ll just go to the library and find a comic book to read for a while.
Jane: That’s a good idea. I’ll definitely bring the sports magazine for you tomorrow!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a husband and wife. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What did David originally want to bring?
(A) A thin mystery novel
(B) A large travel dictionary
(C) A tablet
2 Why did Mary tell David to leave his book at home?
(A) Because he doesn’t like reading.
(B) Because it is too heavy and large.
(C) Because she already has a dictionary.
3 What will Mary read on the plane?
(A) A thick history book
(B) A mystery novel
(C) E-books on her tablet
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation: David says, “I wanted to bring this large travel dictionary.” Option A is what he chose after changing his mind. Option C is what Mary is using.
2 Answer: B
- Explanation: Mary says, “But David, that book is huge and heavy!” and points out there will be no space for clothes. Options A and C are not mentioned in the dialogue.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation: This is the “final result” trap. Mary mentions a “thick history book” (Option A), but then uses “However” to say it’s too bulky. She finally says, “I decided to just use my tablet to read e-books.” Option B is what David is bringing, not Mary.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mary: David, is that your suitcase? It looks so full!
David: I know. I wanted to bring this large travel dictionary. It has everything we need for our trip.
Mary: But David, that book is huge and heavy! You’ll have no space for your clothes.
David: You’re right. I’ll leave the dictionary at home. I’ll just take this thin mystery novel to read on the plane instead.
Mary: Good choice. I also thought about bringing my thick history book. However, it’s too bulky for my small carry-on bag.
David: So, what are you going to read?
Mary: I decided to just use my tablet to read e-books. It’s much lighter!
David: That’s a great idea.
Listening 5
Listen to two friends talking after watching a movie. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What did Sarah like more overall?
(A) The movie
(B) The book
(C) The actors
2 Why did Sarah prefer the book?
(A) Because the movie was too long.
(B) Because it had great actors.
(C) Because it had more details.
3 What did both friends like about the movie?
(A) The happy ending
(B) The interesting characters
(C) The sad story
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : Sarah says directly, “I liked the book a lot more.” Option A is what Alex liked initially. Option C is a trap because the actors are mentioned as being “great”, but they are not what Sarah liked most overall.
2 Answer: C
- Explanation : Sarah explains that “the book had so many more interesting details.” Option A is a trap using opposite words (she said the movie was too short, not too long). Option B is a trap because the movie had great actors, not the book.
3 Answer: A
- Explanation : Alex says “the ending in the movie was much better” and Sarah agrees by saying “True!… I am glad they changed it.” Option B is a trap because the book had better details about the characters. Option C is a trap because the book had the sad story/ending, which they did not like.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Alex: Well, that was a good movie! What did you think, Sarah?
Sarah: It was okay. But to be honest, I liked the book a lot more.
Alex: Really? Why is that? I thought the actors were great.
Sarah: They were good. However, the book had so many more interesting details about the characters. The movie was just too short.
Alex: I agree that the movie missed some parts. But you have to admit, the ending in the movie was much better!
Sarah: True! In the book, the ending was really sad. So, I am glad they changed it for the movie.