Climate Change – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (A) Because her previous one stopped working completely.

• Explanation: Mary says, “My old one finally broke down.” (Paraphrasing: stopped working completely = broke down).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. The letter “G” is mentioned by the assistant as the least efficient rating, but Mary does not say her old fridge was G-rated. Option (B) is a plausible reason for buying a fridge but is never mentioned.

2 Answer: (B) The machine consumes a minimal amount of power.

• Explanation: Dan explains that an “A” rating means it is “highly energy-efficient” and “uses the least amount of electricity.” (Paraphrasing: consumes a minimal amount of power = uses the least amount of electricity).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is the trap. The assistant actually says A-rated fridges are “more expensive to buy upfront” (high initial price), not low. Option (A) is not mentioned.

3 Answer: (B) To select the appliance that is the most eco-friendly.

• Explanation: Mary decides to buy the A-rated fridge, which Dan explained uses less electricity and reduces carbon emissions. Mary also stated at the beginning she wanted something “better for the environment.” (Paraphrasing: most eco-friendly = better for the environment / A-rated / reduces carbon emissions).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a very strong trap. Mary says, “I was considering this cheaper model over here,” but then uses the word “but” to reject it because it only has a “C” rating. She decides the A-rated one is “worth the extra investment.” Option (C) is unmentioned.

Mary: Excuse me, I’m looking for a new refrigerator. My old one finally broke down, and this time, I want something that’s better for the environment.

Dan: I can certainly help with that. Are you familiar with the energy rating system?

Mary: Not really. I see these colorful stickers with letters on all the appliances here, but I don’t really know what they mean.

Dan: Well, the letters range from A to G. An “A” rating means the appliance is highly energy-efficient. In other words, it uses the least amount of electricity. “G” is the least efficient.

Mary: Oh, I see. So an A-rated fridge will help lower my monthly power bill?

Dan: Exactly. They are a bit more expensive to buy upfront, but over time, they save you a lot of money. Plus, using less electricity means you’re reducing your carbon emissions.

Mary: That makes sense. I was considering this cheaper model over here, but it only has a “C” rating. I think I’ll go with the A-rated one instead. It’s worth the extra investment.

1 Answer: (A) To minimize his negative impact on the environment.

• Explanation: Mark says he wants to “help reduce air pollution and lower my carbon footprint.” (Paraphrasing: minimize negative impact = reduce air pollution / lower carbon footprint).
• Why the trap is wrong: Options (B) and (C) are traps. Saving money and avoiding traffic are very logical real-world reasons for taking the bus, but Mark does not mention them in the audio. Kỹ năng B1 yêu cầu học viên phải dựa vào đúng dữ kiện bài nghe, không suy diễn cá nhân.

2 Answer: (B) A pass that allows him to travel within the city.

• Explanation: Mark chooses the “standard one” ($50) because he is commuting to the “downtown area” (inside the city).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The $75 regional pass is mentioned by the agent, but Mark rejects it because he doesn’t need to travel outside the city limits. Option (C) is a trap because he specifically asked for a monthly bus pass at the beginning of the conversation, not a daily ticket.

3 Answer: (C) Because it is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance.

• Explanation: Anna advises him not to take the Number 14 because that route is “closed for repairs this month.” (Paraphrasing: temporarily unavailable = closed this month; maintenance = repairs).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Anna says she “would normally suggest” it, which implies it usually does go near the hospital, but currently cannot. Option (B) is unmentioned information.

Mark: Good morning. Could you give me some information about a monthly bus pass, please?

Anna: Good morning! Absolutely. We offer a standard city pass for $50 a month, or a regional pass for $75 if you need to travel outside the city limits.

Mark: The standard one should be fine. I’m mainly using it to commute to work in the downtown area. I’ve finally decided to stop driving my car every day. I really want to help reduce air pollution and lower my carbon footprint.

Anna: That’s a fantastic decision. Taking public transit is one of the best ways to help the environment. Since you’re heading downtown, where exactly is your office?

Mark: It’s on Oak Street, right next to the central hospital.

Anna: Let me check the map. Ah, you’ll want to catch either the Number 5 or the Number 9 bus. They both stop there. I would normally suggest the Number 14, but that route is closed for repairs this month.

Mark: Good to know. The Number 5 stops right outside my apartment building, so that works perfectly. I’ll go ahead and buy the standard pass.

1 Answer: (B) To repair the environmental damage caused by soil erosion.

• Explanation: Rachel explains that “deforestation there has really contributed to soil erosion,” so they are planting trees to help restore the area. (Paraphrasing: repair damage = restore / fight soil erosion).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. “Green Valley Park” is mentioned in the audio, but it is only the meeting location, not the purpose of the project. Option (C) is unmentioned.

2 Answer: (C) They will take a specialized vehicle from the park.

• Explanation: Rachel says that from the park, “a shuttle bus will take everyone up the hill.” (Paraphrasing: specialized vehicle = shuttle bus).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The ground is “rocky” and David wears “hiking boots,” so hiking sounds plausible, but they do not walk up the hill; they take the bus. Option (B) is unmentioned.

3 Answer: (A) Strong footwear and something to drink.

• Explanation: Rachel tells him to wear “sturdy boots” and pack “plenty of drinking water.” (Paraphrasing: strong footwear = sturdy boots; something to drink = drinking water).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap. David asks if he needs to bring a shovel and gardening tools, but Rachel says the NGO will “provide” them (so he doesn’t need to bring them). Option (C) is a plausible guess for a volunteer day but is never mentioned in the dialogue.

David: Hello, I saw your flyer about the Tree Planting event this weekend to help restore the local hills. I’d love to volunteer.

Rachel: That’s wonderful! We always need more hands. The deforestation there has really contributed to soil erosion, so every tree helps fight climate change.

David: Exactly. So, what time are we starting? The flyer said 8:00 AM, but I just wanted to confirm.

Rachel: Actually, we changed it to 7:30 AM to avoid the midday heat. We’re meeting at the main entrance of Green Valley Park. From there, a shuttle bus will take everyone up the hill.

David: Okay, 7:30 at Green Valley Park. Do I need to bring my own shovel or gardening gloves?

Rachel: We provide all the heavy digging equipment and small tools. But you definitely need to wear sturdy boots, as the ground is very rocky. And don’t forget to pack plenty of drinking water.

David: Got it. I’ll make sure to wear my hiking boots and bring a large water bottle. See you on Saturday!

1 Answer: (B) To find daily products that create less environmental trash.

• Explanation: Anna states at the beginning that she wants to “reduce my plastic waste” and asks for “reusable items for everyday life.” (Paraphrasing: create less environmental trash = reduce plastic waste; daily products = items for everyday life).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Anna mentions grocery shopping for “fruit and vegetables,” but she is looking for bags to carry them, not buying the food itself at this store. Option (C) is a trap because she talks about her daily coffee habit, but she wants a cup, not coffee beans.

2 Answer: (A) A metal straw.

• Explanation: Ben suggests metal straws for iced coffee, but Anna rejects them, saying, “I don’t really drink iced coffee, so just the sugarcane mug, please.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Options (B) and (C) are traps. The bamboo toothbrush and the travel mug (sugarcane mug) are both mentioned in the audio, but the customer does buy them (“I’ll take two of those”, “just the sugarcane mug, please”). The question asks what she does not buy.

3 Answer: (C) They can be cleaned easily after being used.

• Explanation: Ben describes the cotton mesh bags as “washable,” which means they can be washed or cleaned. (Paraphrasing: can be cleaned easily = washable).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The assistant mentions “thin plastic bags” (standard supermarket bags), but he does not compare the prices. Option (B) is a plausible benefit of mesh bags in real life, but the assistant never mentions keeping vegetables fresh in the dialogue.

Anna: Hi there. I’m trying to reduce my plastic waste, but I don’t really know where to start. Um, could you recommend some reusable items for everyday life?

Ben: Absolutely! A great place to begin is with your morning routine. Instead of a plastic one, how about a bamboo toothbrush? They are completely biodegradable once you’re done with them.

Anna: Oh, that sounds perfect. I’ll take two of those. And what about coffee? I buy a takeaway latte every day, and the paper cups always have plastic lids.

Ben: Well, we have these amazing travel mugs made from recycled sugarcane. They keep your drink hot for hours and are very durable. We also sell metal straws if you prefer iced coffee.

Anna: I don’t really drink iced coffee, so just the sugarcane mug, please. Oh, and I also need something for grocery shopping. I hate using those thin plastic bags for my fruit and vegetables.

Ben: You should definitely get a set of our cotton mesh bags. They are lightweight, washable, and perfect for carrying produce.

Anna: Great! I’ll grab a pack of those too.

1 Answer: (A) He wants to prevent them from ending up in a dump.

• Explanation: Tom says he was going to throw them away but decided to donate them, and Mia agrees that “keeping textiles out of the landfill” is a great way to protect the environment. (Paraphrasing: prevent them from ending up in a dump = keeping textiles out of the landfill).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. Tom says he “read an article,” not a flyer about the charity. Option (B) is a plausible reason for giving away clothes, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Answer: (B) They must be freshly cleaned before arrival.

• Explanation: Mia asks if the garments are washed and says, “We strictly require all items to be clean.” (Paraphrasing: freshly cleaned = washed / clean).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is the trap. Organizing them by season (winter jackets vs. summer t-shirts) is mentioned, but Mia says it “saves us a lot of time” rather than being a strict requirement that would make her reject the clothes. Option (A) is a trap because Tom used “black bags,” but it is not a rule.

3 Answer: (C) Divide the mixed clothing into different categories.

• Explanation: Mia says, “we can organize them right here on this table. Let’s open the bags.” (Paraphrasing: Divide into different categories = organize them / separate them).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a very strong trap. Tom asks, “Should I take them back home and separate them?” but Mia explicitly says “No” and offers to do it at the charity center. Option (B) is a trap because the clothes have already been washed by Tom.

Tom: Hi, I have a few bags of old clothes here. I was going to throw them in the trash, but I read an article about how the fashion industry creates a massive amount of waste. So, I decided to donate them to your charity instead.

Mia: Thank you! It’s true, keeping textiles out of the landfill is a fantastic way to protect the environment. Before I take these, I need to check a couple of things. Are all the garments washed?

Tom: Yes, I put everything through the washing machine yesterday.

Mia: Perfect. We strictly require all items to be clean. Secondly, are they sorted? It saves us a lot of time if the winter jackets are separated from the summer t-shirts.

Tom: Oh, I didn’t know that. They are all mixed together in these black bags. Should I take them back home and separate them?

Mia: No, that’s alright. Since it’s not busy today, we can organize them right here on this table. Let’s open the bags.