Books & Reading – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between a man and a librarian. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What document will the man use to get his library card?
(A) His passport
(B) His student ID
(C) His driver’s license
2 Why doesn’t the librarian give the man a paper form?
(A) Because they don’t have any paper forms left.
(B) Because she wants to save paper.
(C) Because the man prefers using his phone.
3 How will the man fill out the form?
(A) On a piece of paper.
(B) On his mobile phone.
(C) On the library’s computer.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: C
- Explanation : The librarian says a driver’s license is better, and Tom says “I have my driver’s license right here.”
- Trap: Option A (Passport) is a trap. Tom asks if he needs his passport at the beginning, but he ends up using his driver’s license because it has his address. Option B is not mentioned.
2 Answer: A
- Explanation : The librarian says, “we just ran out of them this morning.” This means they have no paper forms left.
- Trap: Option B is a logical guess in real life, but it is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because the man agrees to use his phone, but that is not the reason the librarian didn’t give him the paper form.
3 Answer: B
- Explanation : The librarian tells him to “fill out the online form on your phone instead,” and Tom agrees to do it.
- Trap: Option A is the trap based on Tom’s initial question (“Do I need to fill out a paper form?”). Option C uses the word “computer,” which is related to “website/online” but is factually incorrect based on the script.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Excuse me. I would like to get a library card. Do I need to give you my passport?
Mrs. Clark: A passport is fine. However, a driver’s license is much better because it shows your home address. Do you have one?
Tom: Yes, I have my driver’s license right here in my wallet. What should I do next? Do I need to fill out a paper form?
Mrs. Clark: Well, I wanted to give you the paper form, but we just ran out of them this morning. So, please go to our website and fill out the online form on your phone instead.
Tom: No problem at all. I will do it on my phone right now. Thank you.
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a bookstore clerk. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 Where were the travel books before last week?
(A) On the first floor.
(B) On the second floor.
(C) Near the front door.
2 Where is the travel section located now?
(A) Next to the children’s books.
(B) Next to the front door.
(C) Next to the café.
3 What will the customer do first?
(A) Buy a cup of coffee at the café.
(B) Get a magazine.
(C) Go to the travel section.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : The clerk says, “they used to be on the second floor.” “Used to be” means they were there in the past.
- Trap: Option A is the current location. Option C is the location of the magazines.
2 Answer: C
- Explanation : The clerk gives directions and says, “You will see them next to the café.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap because the customer has to walk past the children’s books, not stop next to them. Option B is a trap because the front door is where the magazines are.
3 Answer: B
- Explanation : The customer says at the end, “I will grab a magazine first, then go find the maps.”
- Trap: Option C is a trap because he will go to the travel section after getting a magazine. Option A uses the word “café” from the audio, but he doesn’t say he wants coffee.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Excuse me. I’m looking for the travel books and maps. Are they upstairs on the second floor?
Clerk: Well, they used to be on the second floor next to the history books. However, we moved them last week.
Customer: Oh, I see. So where are they now?
Clerk: They are on the first floor now. Just walk past the children’s books and turn right. You will see them next to the café.
Customer: Walk past the children’s books and turn right. Got it. Do you also sell travel magazines in that section?
Clerk: No, sorry. All the magazines are actually right behind you, near the front door.
Customer: Great. I will grab a magazine first, then go find the maps. Thank you!
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a man and a librarian. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 How long can the man keep the books?
(A) For two weeks.
(B) For three weeks.
(C) Until the end of the month.
2 Why is the borrowing time shorter than usual?
(A) Because he is borrowing three books.
(B) Because the books are new arrivals.
(C) Because he has to pay a fee.
3 What is the exact date he must return the books?
(A) May 5th
(B) May 9th
(C) May 19th
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: A
- Explanation : The librarian says, “You can only borrow them for two weeks.”
- Trap: Option B (three weeks) is the “usual” time, but not for these books. Option C (until the end of the month) is what the man originally hoped for.
2 Answer: B
- Explanation : The librarian explains the rule exception by saying, “However, these are new arrivals.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap because he is borrowing three books, but that is not the reason for the shorter time. Option C is a trap because the fee is for returning books late, not the reason for the short borrowing time.
3 Answer: C
- Explanation : The man calculates the date and asks, “So, do I need to return them on May 19th?” and the librarian confirms, “Yes, exactly.”
- Trap: Option A (May 5th) is today’s date. Option B (May 9th) is a phonetic trap—”nineteenth” and “ninth” can sound similar to A2 learners if they don’t listen carefully to the word stress.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Man: Hi, I would like to borrow these three books, please. Can I keep them until the end of the month?
Librarian: Let me see. Well, usually you can borrow books for three weeks. However, these are new arrivals. You can only borrow them for two weeks.
Man: Oh, I understand. Just two weeks. Today is May 5th. So, do I need to return them on May 19th?
Librarian: Yes, exactly. Please bring them back by May 19th. If you return them late, you will have to pay a small fee.
Man: No problem. I will finish reading them before the 19th. Thank you!
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a cashier in a bookstore. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 Which bookmark does the customer buy?
(A) A dog bookmark
(B) A cat bookmark
(C) A bird bookmark
2 How much does the customer have to pay in total?
(A) $20
(B) $22
(C) $25
3 How does the customer pay for his items?
(A) With cash
(B) With a credit card
(C) With his phone
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : The customer says, “I will take the cat bookmark instead.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap. The cashier suggests the dog bookmark, but the customer chooses the cat one for his sister. Option C is not mentioned.
2 Answer: B
- Explanation : The cashier says, “The novels are $20, and the bookmark is $2. That’s $22 in total.”
- Trap: Option A ($20) is only the price of the novels. Option C ($25) is the amount of money the customer gives to the cashier, not the total price of the items. This is a classic “Math Distractor” in A2 listening.
3 Answer: A
- Explanation : The customer says, “Here is $25 in cash.”
- Trap: Option B is a strong trap because he says “I wanted to use my credit card”, but then uses “but” to explain he left it at home.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Cashier: Hello! Are you ready to pay for these two novels?
Customer: Yes, please. Oh wait, I also need to buy a bookmark.
Cashier: We have some cute animal bookmarks right here on the counter. Do you like this dog one?
Customer: It’s nice, but my sister loves cats. So, I will take the cat bookmark instead.
Cashier: Great choice. The novels are $20, and the bookmark is $2. That’s $22 in total. Will you pay by cash or card?
Customer: I wanted to use my credit card, but I left it at home. Here is $25 in cash.
Cashier: Thank you. Here is your book and your change. Have a nice day!
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a bookstore clerk. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1 What book was the customer looking for at first?
(A) A computer book
(B) A Spanish textbook
(C) A Spanish dictionary
2 When will the ordered book arrive at the store?
(A) Tomorrow
(Bv This morning
(C) Next Tuesday
3 What must the customer do to order the book?
(A) Pay for the book today.
(B) Leave her phone number.
(C) Call the bookstore next week.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: B
- Explanation : Sarah says at the very beginning, “I’m looking for the ‘Basic Spanish’ textbook.”
- Trap: Option C (A Spanish dictionary) is a trap. She asks for a dictionary after she learns the textbook is sold out. Option A is a trap because the clerk uses the “computer” to check the system, not a book she wants to buy.
2 Answer: C
- Explanation : The clerk explicitly says, “It will arrive next Tuesday.”
- Trap: Option A (Tomorrow) is a trap because tomorrow is when she has her Spanish class. Option B (This morning) is a trap because that is when the store had the books before they sold out.
3 Answer: B
- Explanation : The clerk tells her, “Please leave your phone number on this paper.”
- Trap: Option C is a tricky trap. The clerk says “We will call you”, meaning the store will make the phone call, not the customer. Option A is a logical guess in real life, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Hi, I’m looking for the “Basic Spanish” textbook. I checked the language shelf, but I can’t find it.
Mark: Let me check the computer. Ah, I’m sorry. We had three copies this morning, but they are all sold out.
Sarah: Oh no! I really need it for my class tomorrow. Do you have a Spanish dictionary instead?
Mark: Yes, we have some dictionaries. However, I can also order the textbook for you. It will arrive next Tuesday.
Sarah: Really? That is great. I will just buy the dictionary today, and please order the textbook for me.
Mark: Sure! Please leave your phone number on this paper. We will call you when the book is here.