Celebrities – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: The anchor states that the historical drama Empire of the Sun took home five trophies, “including Best Picture.”
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. City Lights is mentioned, but it is the comedy that Leo Kingston won Best Actor for, not Best Picture. (B) is a trap. The Silver Star is the name of the awards ceremony itself, not a movie.

2 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The anchor says everyone thought “veteran actor Robert Vance would win, but the award actually went to newcomer Leo Kingston.” (“Newcomer” and “veteran” paraphrase to “inexperienced actor” and “highly experienced movie star”).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. Robert Vance is mentioned, but he simply lost the award; he did not refuse a trophy. (C) is a plausible entertainment news story, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The anchor describes the dress by saying, “it was completely handmade and took over three months to design” (which paraphrases to “crafted entirely by hand over a long period of time”).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The dress was “emerald-green silk,” but the anchor never claims it was the most expensive one there. (C) is a trap. Leo Kingston is mentioned earlier in the broadcast as the winning actor, not the designer of the dress.

News Anchor: “Good evening, entertainment fans! Welcome to the Daily Buzz. Last night was the biggest event of the year in the film industry: The Silver Star Awards. As expected, the epic historical drama Empire of the Sun swept the ceremony, taking home five trophies, including Best Picture and Outstanding Director.

However, the biggest surprise of the evening was the Best Actor category. Everyone thought veteran actor Robert Vance would win, but the award actually went to newcomer Leo Kingston for his amazing performance in the comedy City Lights.

Now, let’s talk about the red carpet! The stars looked glamorous, but one person truly stood out. Actress Maya Lin wore a breathtaking outfit. She chose a long, emerald-green silk dress covered in tiny silver crystals. It wasn’t just beautiful; it was completely handmade and took over three months to design! Well, that’s all for tonight’s update. Stay tuned for our exclusive interview with Leo Kingston right after the break.”

1 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The host says photographers follow them “every time you go to the grocery store” (which paraphrases to doing everyday activities without being watched).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The phrase “price to pay” is used right after mentioning “parties,” but it means a metaphorical consequence, not literally paying money for parties. (C) is a plausible problem, but the audio only mentions having a “quiet dinner with their family,” not struggling to find time to travel with them.

2 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The host states that “public figures are expected to smile and be polite 24/7” (which paraphrases to maintaining a positive attitude all the time).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. The host says if they make a “small mistake,” they are criticized, not that they lose their jobs. (C) is a plausible action for a celebrity, but the audio never mentions being forced to apologize on TV.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: At the end, the host warns that “behind the money… there is a lot of stress” and being famous means being constantly watched (which means fame comes with significant mental and emotional challenges).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a plausible piece of advice, but the host never tells the audience to stop reading the news or social media. (B) is a trap. The host mentions “luxury” and “money” but warns the listeners about wishing for fame, rather than encouraging them to seek it.

Podcast Host: “Welcome back to ‘Real Talk’. Today, let’s look at the dark side of fame. We often see celebrities living in luxury, attending glamorous parties, and traveling the world. It looks like the perfect life, doesn’t it? But there is a huge price to pay.

First, they completely lose their privacy. Imagine having photographers follow you every time you go to the grocery store or step out of your house. They can’t even have a quiet dinner with their family without people taking photos.

Secondly, there is the intense pressure to always look and act perfectly. If a famous actor or singer makes a small mistake, it immediately goes viral on social media. Millions of strangers are ready to criticize them. Regular people can have a bad day, but public figures are expected to smile and be polite 24/7.

So, the next time you wish you were famous, remember that behind the money and the beautiful clothes, there is a lot of stress. Being in the spotlight means you are always being watched.”

1 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The announcer states that “sudden bright lights can temporarily blind the musicians” (which paraphrases to negatively affecting the performers’ vision).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) and (C) are both plausible real-world reasons for not using flash at events, but neither is mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The announcer says not to throw items because it “can cause the artists to slip and injure themselves” (which means it creates a physical hazard).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. The announcer explicitly mentions “flowers” as one of the things you should not throw. (C) is a trap. The rule applies to the whole show, and throwing things is never allowed.

3 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: Fans are instructed to use a “designated gift box located near the main exit” (which paraphrases to a specific collection area near the door).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) and (B) are plausible actions at a concert, but the announcement specifically directs fans to the gift box at the exit, not to security guards or the backstage area.

Announcer: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Silverdome Arena for the final night of The Midnight Echoes world tour! The show will begin in just a few minutes.

Before we start, we have a few important safety announcements. First, please make sure to turn off the flash on your cameras and smartphones. Sudden bright lights can temporarily blind the musicians while they are playing, which is extremely dangerous. You are completely welcome to record videos, but you must keep the flash off.

Second, for the safety of everyone, please do not throw any items onto the stage. We know you want to show your love to the band, but tossing gifts, flowers, or water bottles can cause the artists to slip and injure themselves. If you brought presents for the band, there is a designated gift box located near the main exit where you can drop them off.

We appreciate your cooperation. Now, get ready to make some noise for The Midnight Echoes!”

1 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The vlogger says, “the color selection is absolutely gorgeous” (which paraphrases to “come in a variety of beautiful colors”).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. The vlogger explicitly complains that the packaging feels “quite cheap and lightweight.” (C) is a plausible feature of a good lipstick, but she only mentions it is “creamy” and doesn’t dry out lips, not how long it lasts.

2 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The vlogger states that the price is forty-five dollars and it is “definitely a bit too expensive” (which means the cost is unreasonably high).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. She says the exact opposite: “it doesn’t dry out your lips at all.” (C) is a trap. She mentions the pop star, but never criticizes her music.

3 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: At the end, she says, “you can easily find similar ones at the drugstore for half the price” (which paraphrases to purchasing equally good makeup for less money elsewhere).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) is a trap. She says fans can “buy one” to support her, but doesn’t tell everyone to buy the whole collection. (C) is a plausible shopping strategy, but waiting for a discount is never mentioned.

Vlogger: “Hey everyone, welcome back to my channel! Today, I’m finally reviewing the highly anticipated ‘Glow Up’ lipstick collection, recently launched by pop superstar, Ariana Vance. I know you guys have been asking for this video for weeks.

Let’s start with the positives. Honestly, the color selection is absolutely gorgeous. She created twelve different shades, and the red ones are especially stunning. The formula is also very creamy, so it doesn’t dry out your lips at all.

However, I have to be completely honest with you about the negative side. The price is a major issue for me. Each lipstick costs forty-five dollars. In my opinion, that is definitely a bit too expensive, especially when you consider that the packaging feels quite cheap and lightweight.

So, what’s my final verdict? Well, if you are a massive fan of Ariana and want to support her, go ahead and buy one. But if you just want a good quality lipstick, you can easily find similar ones at the drugstore for half the price. Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe!”

1 Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: The actor says the director “pushed me out of my comfort zone” (which paraphrases to encouraging him to try things that were not easy or familiar).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) and (C) are both traps. They are plausible reasons to thank a director in the movie industry, but neither writing the script nor giving him his first job is mentioned in the speech.

2 Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: The actor says his family held his hand during tough times when he “wanted to give up on acting completely” (which paraphrases to thinking about quitting his career entirely).
• Why the traps are wrong: (A) and (B) are traps. Giving financial support or helping memorize lines are common ways families support actors, but they are never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (A)

• Explanation: The actor explicitly says, “And finally, to my fans… I want to dedicate this award to all of you.” (His “loyal followers and audience” is a paraphrase for “fans”).
• Why the traps are wrong: (B) is a trap. He thanks his parents and sister earlier in the speech, but he does not dedicate the award to them. (C) is a trap. He mentions being “on set,” but he never thanks the other actors.

Actor: “Wow. I… I can’t believe this. Thank you so much to the academy for this incredible award. Standing up here tonight feels like an absolute dream.

First, I want to say a massive thank you to our amazing director, Sarah. You believed in me when no one else did. You pushed me out of my comfort zone every single day on set, and this trophy belongs to you just as much as it does to me.

To my family—my parents and my sister—thank you for always being my safe place. You held my hand during the tough times when I wanted to give up on acting completely. I couldn’t have survived those dark days without you. I love you guys.

And finally, to my fans. Your letters, your messages online, and your endless support mean the world to me. You are the reason I get to do what I love every day. I want to dedicate this award to all of you. Thank you, and have a wonderful night!”