Childhood memories – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) Sing a pop song

• Explanation: The speaker says clearly, “I really wanted to sing a famous pop song.” Option (A) is a trap; playing the drum is what he did in the end, not what he wanted to do at first. Option (C) is a plausible activity for a school contest, but it is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) He had a sore throat.

• Explanation: The speaker says, “I woke up with a terrible sore throat. I couldn’t sing at all!” Option (B) is a trap; it is a common reason for failing a performance, but it is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; he couldn’t go on the stage as a singer, but he didn’t stay at home.

3 Correct Answer: (C) He played an instrument.

• Explanation: The speaker says, “She asked me to play the drum for my friends instead. So… I played the drum” (a drum is an instrument). Option (A) is a trap; he says “I didn’t sing.” Option (B) is a trap; he stayed at the contest and won a prize, he didn’t go home early.

Hello everyone. Today, I want to tell you about my most memorable day in kindergarten. When I was five years old, our school had a big music contest. I really wanted to sing a famous pop song, and I practiced it every single night. But, on the morning of the contest, I woke up with a terrible sore throat. I couldn’t sing at all! I was very sad. Unfortunately, I couldn’t join the singers on the stage. But then, my teacher had an idea. She asked me to play the drum for my friends instead. So, I didn’t sing, but I played the drum loudly and we won second prize. It was a great day!

1 Correct Answer: (B) A singer

• Explanation: Sarah says, “When I was a little girl, I really wanted to be a famous singer.” Option (A) is a trap; an accountant is what she is now, not her childhood dream. Option (C) is a trap; she studied math later because of her bad singing voice, but she didn’t dream of being a math teacher.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Science was too difficult for him.

• Explanation: Dave says his dream was to become a vet, “But studying science was too hard for me.” Option (A) is a trap; he actually says “I loved animals,” so he still liked them. Option (B) is a trap; he clearly states “Not at all” when asked if he wanted to work in an office.

3 Correct Answer: (A) A graphic designer

• Explanation: Dave says about his career path, “In the end, I became a graphic designer.” Option (B) is a trap; a vet is what he wanted to be, but he didn’t achieve it. Option (C) is a trap; the word “science” is mentioned, but it was too hard for him, so he is not a scientist.

Dave: So, Sarah, did you always want to be an accountant?

Sarah: Oh, no! When I was a little girl, I really wanted to be a famous singer.

Dave: A singer? What happened?

Sarah: Well, I joined the school choir, but my teacher said my voice was terrible! So, I decided to study math instead. What about you? Did you want to work in an office?

Dave: Not at all. I loved animals, so my dream was to become a vet. But studying science was too hard for me. In the end, I became a graphic designer.

Sarah: Well, your designs are great!

1 Correct Answer: (B) A painter

• Explanation: Lily says, “I really loved art class… I wanted to be a painter!” Option (A) is a trap; she liked history later, but she never said she wanted to be a history teacher. Option (C) is a plausible job, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Her teacher said she wasn’t very good at it.

• Explanation: Lily explains her twist by saying, “But unfortunately, my teacher said I wasn’t very good at it.” Option (B) is a trap; she actually “loved art class,” so she didn’t think it was boring. Option (C) is a trap; she mentions her teacher, but she doesn’t say she disliked the teacher.

3 Correct Answer: (C) History

• Explanation: Lily says, “So, I started reading more, and history became my favorite subject instead.” Option (A) is a trap; art was her favorite at first, but it changed because of what her teacher said. Option (B) is a common school subject but is never mentioned in the conversation.

Mr. Davis: Welcome to the interview, Lily. You look a little nervous! Let’s start with a fun question to relax. What was your favorite subject in primary school?

Lily: Oh, thank you. Um, well, I really loved art class when I was very young. I wanted to be a painter!

Mr. Davis: That’s interesting. So, did you draw a lot of pictures?

Lily: I tried! But unfortunately, my teacher said I wasn’t very good at it. So, I started reading more, and history became my favorite subject instead. I just loved learning about the past.

Mr. Davis: That’s great. History teaches us a lot. Now, let’s talk about the internship…

1 Correct Answer: (B) An engineer

• Explanation: The teacher clearly says, “My parents wanted me to be an engineer.” Option (A) is a trap; becoming an English teacher is what he actually did in the end, not what his parents planned for him. Option (C) is a trap; math is mentioned, but he was terrible at it.

2 Correct Answer: (C) He read comic books.

• Explanation: The teacher says, “I started reading comic books in my free time instead.” Option (A) is a trap; he clearly states, “I never did my homework.” Option (B) is also wrong because he hated math and was terrible at numbers.

3 Correct Answer: (A) School subjects

• Explanation: At the end of the story, he introduces the lesson by saying, “Today, we are going to talk about school subjects.” Option (B) is a trap; comic books are part of his childhood story, not the topic for today’s class. Option (C) is a trap; math is mentioned in his story, but this is an English class.

Good morning, class! Before we open our books today, I want to tell you a short story. When I was ten years old, I really hated math. I thought it was too difficult, and I never did my homework. My parents wanted me to be an engineer, but I was terrible at numbers. So, what did I do? I started reading comic books in my free time instead. Because of those books, I discovered my love for languages and reading. In the end, I decided to become an English teacher! Today, we are going to talk about school subjects. Let’s see what subjects you like and dislike…

1 Correct Answer: (C) An astronaut

• Explanation: Mia clearly says, “…but my hero was an astronaut.” Option (A) is a trap; Leo asks if she liked pop stars, but Mia says she “didn’t care about singers.” Option (B) is a trap; she mentions that other girls in her class loved actresses, but not her.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Her eyes were bad.

• Explanation: Mia says, “But, my eyes were really bad, so I couldn’t be an astronaut.” Option (A) is a trap; the word “travel” is mentioned, but she actually “wanted to travel to space so much,” so she didn’t hate it. Option (C) is a plausible reason for not going to space, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (A) She looks at the stars.

• Explanation: At the end of the conversation, Mia says, “Now I just look at the stars through a telescope!” Option (B) is a trap; she mentions a documentary, but she watched it when she was seven, she doesn’t make them. Option (C) is a trap; traveling to space was her childhood dream, but she couldn’t do it.

Leo: Okay, Mia, it’s my turn to ask you questions for the speaking task. Who was your childhood hero? Did you like pop stars?

Mia: Um, no, I didn’t care about singers. A lot of girls in my class loved famous actresses, but my hero was an astronaut.

Leo: Really? An astronaut?

Mia: Yes! I watched a documentary about him when I was seven. I wanted to travel to space so much. But, my eyes were really bad, so I couldn’t be an astronaut.

Leo: That’s a pity. So what did you do?

Mia: Well, I decided to study astronomy instead. Now I just look at the stars through a telescope!