Comparing products – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) It is good for watching videos.

• Explanation: Sarah explicitly states that the silver phone has a big screen and is “great for watching videos.” Option A is a trap (the black phone has a great camera). Option C is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) It is too heavy.

• Explanation: Tom says that the silver phone “feels a bit too heavy in my hand.” Option B is a trap (the black phone has a smaller screen, not the silver one). Option C is plausible for a phone but is not the reason Tom rejects it.

3 (C) The black phone, because of the camera.

• Explanation: Tom makes his final decision at the end, stating he will go with the black phone because the camera is more important to him. Option A is the main trap (the “Twist” – he originally wanted the big screen but changed his mind). Option B is mentioned (it is smaller) but that is not the primary reason he chose it.

Tom: Hey Sarah, I need your help. I can’t decide between these two phones.

Sarah: Let’s see… Well, this silver one has a really big screen. It’s great for watching videos.

Tom: Yeah, I originally wanted a big screen. But, um, it feels a bit too heavy in my hand.

Sarah: What about the black one? The screen is smaller, but the camera is amazing.

Tom: Right. I do take a lot of photos. Actually, the battery life is better on the black one, too.

Sarah: So, are you getting the silver one?

Tom: No, I think I’ll go with the black phone. The camera is just more important to me.

1 (A) It is too heavy.

• Explanation: Anna clearly states that the red coat “feels a bit too heavy.” Option B is a trap (the blue coat is not warm enough, but the red one is very warm). Option C is a plausible guess for a shopping conversation, but price is never mentioned.

2 (B) It is light and comfortable.

• Explanation: When Anna puts on the blue coat, she says, “it is really light and comfortable.” Option A is a trap because the blue coat is actually not warm enough. Option C is plausible but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) The red coat, because it is warm.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. Anna originally wants the blue coat, but she changes her mind because winter snow requires a warmer coat. She decides to buy the red coat despite its weight. Option A is the main trap (what she almost did). Option C is incorrect.

Anna: What do you think of this red coat, Emma?

Emma: It looks really nice! Is it warm?

Anna: Well, um, it’s very warm, but it feels a bit too heavy.

Emma: Try the blue one then. It looks much lighter.

Anna: Ah, let’s see. Yes, it is really light and comfortable.

Emma: So, are you going to buy the blue one?

Anna: I wanted to, but actually… it’s not warm enough for the winter snow. I think I’ll just get the red coat instead. I can deal with the weight.

Emma: Good choice!

1 (B) It is too expensive.

• Explanation: Leo says “look at the price. It’s really expensive” and Maya agrees they don’t have enough money. Option A is a trap because Maya actually says the perfume “smells amazing.” Option C is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) It is cheap and practical.

• Explanation: Leo mentions the scarf is “much cheaper” and Maya agrees that “It’s very practical.” Option B is a trap because the perfume is the expensive item, not the scarf. Option C is plausible for a gift but is not mentioned.

3 (B) A blue silk scarf.

• Explanation: This uses the “Twist” technique. They initially want to buy the perfume but change their minds because of the price. They finally decide to buy the blue silk scarf. Option A is the main trap (what they wanted to buy at first). Option C is a trap using the words “blue” and “work”, but they are buying a scarf, not a shirt.

Leo: Mom’s birthday is this weekend. What should we get her?

Maya: I was thinking about this bottle of perfume. It smells amazing.

Leo: That’s a great idea, but… wow, look at the price. It’s really expensive.

Maya: Yeah, you’re right. We don’t have enough money for that right now. How about this silk scarf instead?

Leo: Oh, that’s pretty. It’s much cheaper, and she can wear it to work every day.

Maya: Exactly! It’s very practical.

Leo: So, we are getting the scarf then?

Maya: Yes! Let’s buy the blue one. I’m sure she’ll love it.

1 (B) They are very sweet.

• Explanation: Mark says he had an imported apple last week and “They are very sweet.” Option A is a trap (the local apples are great for making pie). Option C is also a trap (the local apples are much cheaper).

2 (A) They are too expensive.

• Explanation: Lisa looks at the price tag and says, “They are really expensive!” Option B is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because the audio says the imported apples are sweet, while the local ones are not as sweet.

3 (B) The local apples, because Lisa wants to bake a pie.

• Explanation: This uses the “Twist” technique. They initially plan to get the imported apples, but change their minds when they see the high price. They decide to buy the local ones instead to make a pie. Option A is the main trap (what they planned to do at first). Option C is incorrect.

Lisa: Look at these imported apples, Mark. They look so red and sweet.

Mark: Yeah, I had one last week. They are very sweet. Let’s get a few.

Lisa: Wait, um, look at the price tag. They are really expensive!

Mark: Oh, you’re right. What about those local apples next to them?

Lisa: They are much cheaper. But are they good?

Mark: Well, they aren’t as sweet, but they are great for making apple pie.

Lisa: Good idea! I want to bake a pie this weekend anyway. Let’s just buy the local ones.

Mark: Sounds good to me.

1 (B) It is really heavy.

• Explanation: Alex clearly states that the plastic suitcase is “really heavy.” Option A is a plausible problem for a suitcase but is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because having pockets is a feature of the fabric suitcase, but Alex doesn’t explicitly complain about the lack of pockets on the plastic one.

2 (A) A passport.

• Explanation: Sam says, “The pockets are great for your passport.” Option B is a trap because the glass cups are the reason Alex chooses the plastic suitcase later. Option C is plausible (people put tickets in pockets) but it is not mentioned in the dialogue.

3 (B) The plastic suitcase, to protect the glass cups.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. Alex initially plans to use the fabric suitcase because it is light, but changes his mind when he remembers the glass cups. He decides he has to take the plastic one to protect them. Option A is the main trap (his original plan). Option C is incorrect.

Alex: I need to pack for my trip, but I can’t decide which suitcase to use.

Sam: Well, the plastic one is very hard. It will protect your things.

Alex: Yeah, but it’s really heavy. I think I’ll use the fabric suitcase. It’s much lighter, and it has lots of small pockets.

Sam: That’s true. The pockets are great for your passport. Are you taking that one?

Alex: I wanted to, but… I just remembered I bought some glass cups for my mom. The fabric suitcase won’t protect them if someone drops it. I have to take the heavy plastic one instead.

Sam: Good idea. Better safe than sorry.