Celebrities – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a student giving a presentation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is mentioned about Marcus Thorne’s early life?
(A) He paid a lot of money for his own basketball training.
(B) He grew up in a family with very little money.
(C) He was the captain of his high school basketball team.
2 What is the main activity of the ‘Thorne Foundation’?
(A) Providing direct financial donations to local schools.
(B) Buying expensive cars to give away to poor families.
(C) Constructing athletic facilities for disadvantaged youth.
3 What is Marcus Thorne’s primary goal with his charity?
(A) To prevent a lack of money from ruining a child’s potential.
(B) To be recognized as the most phenomenal player in the world.
(C) To help students pass their exams and win academic scholarships.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: The speaker says his family “struggled financially” (which is a paraphrase for “very little money”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The script mentions “training facilities,” but says he didn’t have access to them, and he got a “scholarship,” so he didn’t pay for his training. (C) is a plausible detail, but he is currently the captain of the national team, not his high school team.
2 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: The foundation “builds free sports centers for underprivileged kids” (which paraphrases to “constructing athletic facilities for disadvantaged youth”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The speaker explicitly says the organization “doesn’t just give money to schools.” (B) is a trap. “Luxury cars” are mentioned as something other athletes normally buy for themselves, not what his charity does.
3 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: Marcus wants to “make sure no talented child is left behind just because they are poor” (which matches the idea of preventing a lack of money from ruining a child’s potential).
- Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. The speaker calls him a “phenomenal player,” but that is his current status, not his charity’s goal. (C) is a plausible goal for a charity, but it’s not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Student: “Good morning, everyone. Um, for today’s presentation on inspiring figures, I’ve chosen to talk about Marcus Thorne. You probably know him as the captain of the national basketball team, but I want to focus on his work off the court.
Growing up, Marcus actually had a pretty difficult childhood. His family struggled financially, and he didn’t have access to proper training facilities. Well, despite those challenges, he earned a scholarship and became a superstar.
But what really makes him inspiring to me is his dedication to giving back. A lot of people think athletes just spend their money on luxury cars and mansions. Instead, Marcus set up the ‘Thorne Foundation’ last year. The organization doesn’t just give money to schools; it actually builds free sports centers for underprivileged kids in his hometown.
He often says that his goal is to make sure no talented child is left behind just because they are poor. So, um, to conclude, Marcus Thorne isn’t just a phenomenal player, he’s a true role model who uses his success to uplift others. Thank you for listening.”
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between a marketing employee and his director. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Mark believe Maya Lin is a good choice for the campaign?
(A) She has a very positive public image without any controversies.
(B) She is currently the most popular pop singer among teenagers.
(C) She has years of experience in promoting luxury beauty products.
2 What is Ms. Davis’s initial concern about Maya Lin?
(A) She might be working for a competing cosmetics brand.
(B) She might lack the necessary professional background.
(C) She might demand a very expensive advertising contract.
3 What action will Mark take next?
(A) He will do more research on the target audience for the skincare line.
(B) He will try to contact a famous singer to offer them the job.
(C) He will arrange a discussion with the actress’s representatives.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: Mark states that Maya has a “completely spotless reputation” and “no scandals at all” (which paraphrases to “a very positive public image without any controversies”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. The director suggests hiring a “pop singer”, but Maya is an actress. (C) is a trap. The director points out she might be “inexperienced”, and Mark confirms she hasn’t endorsed any beauty products yet.
2 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: Ms. Davis initially asks, “isn’t she a bit too inexperienced?” (which paraphrases to “might lack the necessary professional background”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. Ms. Davis asks if Maya has endorsed rival products later on, but Mark says she hasn’t. This is not her initial concern. (C) is a plausible business concern, but money or the cost of the contract is never mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: Ms. Davis tells Mark to “Set up a meeting with her management team” (which means he will “arrange a discussion with the actress’s representatives”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a plausible marketing task, but the “younger demographic” is already defined, and he is not asked to research them. (B) is a trap. A singer was mentioned earlier, but Ms. Davis is now convinced to choose Maya (the actress).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: So, Ms. Davis, regarding the launch of our new skincare line next quarter, I’ve been looking into potential brand ambassadors.
Ms. Davis: Good. As you know, we need someone who really connects with the younger demographic. Have you found anyone suitable?
Mark: Yes, I strongly recommend Maya Lin. She’s an up-and-coming actress who just starred in that hit teen drama on TV.
Ms. Davis: Hmm, Maya Lin… I know the name. But isn’t she a bit too inexperienced? What about hiring a famous pop singer instead?
Mark: Well, a singer would be great, but Maya has exactly what we need. Her social media following is huge among high schoolers. Plus, she has a completely spotless reputation. No scandals at all, which is quite rare these days.
Ms. Davis: That is a strong point. Our company values a wholesome public image. Has she endorsed any rival beauty products?
Mark: No, she hasn’t signed with any competitors yet. If we act fast, we can secure an exclusive contract.
Ms. Davis: Alright, you’ve convinced me. Set up a meeting with her management team this week.
Listening 3
Listen to a job interview between a candidate and an HR manager. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Sarah do in her previous job?
(A) She worked as a personal assistant for a famous movie actor.
(B) She organized the daily schedules for several company managers.
(C) She provided personal security for high-profile clients at a PR firm.
2 According to Sarah, why is keeping secrets so important in this job?
(A) Because sharing the actor’s location could lead to safety risks.
(B) Because she does not want her family to know about her busy work life.
(C) Because the media usually pays a lot of money for private information.
3 How does Sarah feel about signing the non-disclosure agreement?
(A) She thinks it is unnecessary but will do it anyway to get the job.
(B) She is a bit hesitant because she hasn’t read the documents yet.
(C) She is fully prepared to accept the company’s strict privacy rules.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: Sarah says she “managed daily itineraries for three executives” (which paraphrases to “organized the daily schedules for several company managers”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The HR manager mentions looking for a personal assistant for an actor, but this is the current job opening, not Sarah’s past job. (C) is a trap. She worked at a PR firm and mentions “security issues”, but she did not work as security.
2 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: Sarah states that “leaking even a small detail about their location can cause major security issues” (which means sharing the location could lead to safety risks).
- Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. Sarah mentions her family, but she says she won’t discuss her clients with them, not that she wants to hide her work life from them. (C) is plausible because the media is mentioned, but the audio does not talk about the media paying money.
3 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: Sarah says, “Absolutely. I am completely willing to sign whatever documents are necessary” (meaning she is fully prepared to accept the privacy rules).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a plausible negative reaction, but Sarah fully supports the rule. (B) is a trap. “Documents” are mentioned, but she shows no hesitation at all.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mr. Evans: Welcome, Sarah. Thanks for coming in. As you know, we are looking for a personal assistant for one of our top actors. This role requires excellent organizational skills. Can you tell me about your experience with scheduling?
Sarah: Thank you, Mr. Evans. Yes, in my previous job at the PR firm, I managed daily itineraries for three executives. I’m very used to handling last-minute changes and prioritizing urgent appointments over regular meetings.
Mr. Evans: That sounds perfect. Now, the biggest challenge in this position is privacy. Our clients are constantly followed by the media. How do you handle sensitive information?
Sarah: I take confidentiality very seriously. I understand that leaking even a small detail about their location can cause major security issues. I never discuss my clients’ personal lives with anyone, not even my family.
Mr. Evans: Excellent. We require all our staff to sign a strict non-disclosure agreement. Are you comfortable with that?
Sarah: Absolutely. I am completely willing to sign whatever documents are necessary to protect the client’s privacy.
Listening 4
Listen to a classroom discussion between a teacher and a student. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Chloe believe pop stars need to be careful about their actions?
(A) Because teenagers might imitate their bad habits.
(B) Because they might lose their advertising contracts.
(C) Because parents and teachers will criticize their music.
2 What opposing view does Mr. Harris mention?
(A) Singers do not earn enough money to act as role models.
(B) Musicians should have the freedom to live without worrying about their public image.
(C) Artists should only focus on writing positive and educational songs.
3 How does Chloe view the relationship between fame and responsibility?
(A) She thinks celebrities should hide their mistakes from the media.
(B) She feels that artists should not make a profit from young fans.
(C) She believes being a good influence is a required part of being a public figure.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: Chloe states that if a singer does unhealthy things, “their fans might try to copy that behavior” (which is a paraphrase for “teenagers might imitate their bad habits”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (C) is a trap. The words “parents” and “teachers” are used by Mr. Harris later, but not in the context of criticizing music. (B) is a plausible real-world consequence, but advertising contracts are never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: Mr. Harris mentions the argument that artists should “be allowed to live their personal lives however they want, without worrying about setting an example” (which paraphrases to having the freedom to live without worrying about their public image).
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. Money is mentioned later by Chloe (“make a lot of money”), but Mr. Harris doesn’t say they don’t earn enough. (C) is a trap. Mr. Harris says they are just artists, not that they should write educational songs.
3 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: Chloe argues that when celebrities are in the spotlight and make money from fans, they “owe it to them to act responsibly. It’s just part of the job.” This means being a good influence is a required part of their position.
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. She wants them to act responsibly, not just hide bad behavior. (B) is a trap. She acknowledges that they do make money from fans, and uses that as a reason why they have a responsibility; she doesn’t say they shouldn’t make a profit.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mr. Harris: Alright class, let’s move on to our next discussion topic. Do you think famous pop stars have a duty to be good role models for young people? Chloe, what are your thoughts?
Chloe: Um, well, I think they do. Millions of teenagers look up to them. If a singer posts photos of themselves doing dangerous or unhealthy things, their fans might try to copy that behavior. So, they should be careful about their public image.
Mr. Harris: That’s a fair point. However, some people argue that musicians are just artists, not parents or teachers. Shouldn’t they be allowed to live their personal lives however they want, without worrying about setting an example?
Chloe: I understand that, but I still disagree. When you choose to become a celebrity, you accept that you will be in the spotlight. You make a lot of money from your fans, so you owe it to them to act responsibly. It’s just part of the job.
Mr. Harris: Interesting perspective. Does anyone else want to add to Chloe’s point?
Listening 5
Listen to a quick interview between a reporter and an actor at a press conference. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is a common misunderstanding about David’s preparation for the role?
(A) People assumed he just consumed a lot of junk food.
(B) People thought he stopped exercising completely.
(C) People believed he enjoyed being hungry all the time.
2 According to David, what was the most difficult part of the experience?
(A) Having to cook all his healthy meals by himself.
(B) Forcing himself to eat large meals without having an appetite.
(C) Feeling extremely tired all the time because of the added weight.
3 Why did David have to stop doing his usual physical activities like running?
(A) Because his filming schedule was too busy.
(B) Because his body experienced pain from the new weight.
(C) Because his trainer told him to rest in bed.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (A)
- Explanation: David says people think “you can just eat fast food all day.” (Fast food is a synonym/paraphrase for “junk food”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (C) is a trap. The audio mentions being hungry, but David says he had to eat “even when I wasn’t hungry.” (B) is a plausible assumption, but it is not mentioned as what people thought.
2 Correct Answer: (C)
- Explanation: David states that “the hardest thing” was that the “extra mass made me feel constantly exhausted.” (Exhausted means “extremely tired”).
- Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. He does mention eating huge amounts of food when he wasn’t hungry, but he specifically identifies feeling exhausted as “honestly the hardest thing.” (A) is a plausible challenge, but cooking his own meals is never mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: (B)
- Explanation: David says he loves running, but “my joints just couldn’t handle it” due to the extra weight. This means his body could not support it and experienced pain.
- Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. “Filming” is mentioned, but a busy schedule is not the reason he stopped running. (C) is a plausible reason for an actor, but a trainer is not mentioned in the dialogue.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Reporter: Hi David, congratulations on the new movie. Your physical transformation is incredible. We heard you had to put on about ten kilos for this role. Could you share what the most challenging part of that process was?
David: Thank you. Well, yeah, people usually think gaining weight is the fun part, like you can just eat fast food all day. But it’s actually quite the opposite. I had to follow a very strict meal plan, eating huge amounts of healthy food every few hours, even when I wasn’t hungry.
Reporter: That sounds intense. Did it affect your energy levels?
David: Absolutely. That was honestly the hardest thing. Carrying around that extra mass made me feel constantly exhausted. I’m normally a very active person who loves running, but my joints just couldn’t handle it during filming. I had to completely change my daily routine.
Reporter: Wow, your dedication really shows on screen. Thanks for sharing.