Comparing products – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (A) It cleans clothes much faster.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states that the new detergent “cleans your dirty clothes much faster.” Option B is a trap because taking hours is what you used to do (“You don’t have to wait for hours anymore”). Option C is a plausible guess for an ad, but the price is never mentioned.

2 (B) They can ruin your shirts.

• Explanation: This uses a contrast technique. The announcer says “you might think a fast detergent will ruin your favorite shirts. But don’t worry! Super Wash Plus is very gentle.” Option A is a trap because having no smell is the problem with the old detergent. Option C is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) It lasts all week.

• Explanation: The announcer says the new detergent has “a beautiful lemon smell that lasts all week.” Option A is the main trap because the audio specifically says “not just one day.” Option C is a trap using a plausible scent (flowers), but the audio says it smells like lemons.

Announcer: Are you tired of doing laundry? Do you use our old “Super Wash” detergent? Well, we have great news for you! Introducing the new “Super Wash Plus”. Our old detergent was good, but this new one is much better. It cleans your dirty clothes much faster. You don’t have to wait for hours anymore! Now, you might think a fast detergent will ruin your favorite shirts. But don’t worry! Super Wash Plus is very gentle on your clothes. And the best part? The old detergent had almost no smell. But the new Super Wash Plus has a beautiful lemon smell that lasts all week, not just one day. Buy it today at your local supermarket!

1 (A) They were very cheap.

• Explanation: The reviewer is referring to the older version (X1) and explicitly stating that “they were very cheap.” Option (B) is a trap because “amazing sound” is a characteristic of the new X2 headphones. Option (C) is a possible conjecture but is not mentioned in the text.

2 (B) They were too expensive.

• Explanation: The reviewer wants to return the new headphones because “the price is really high” and they are “much more expensive.” Option (A) is a reasonable reason for buying them but is not included in the text. Option (C) is a trap, as the sound is actually very good, not bad at all.

3 (C) He keeps the headphones because of the sound.

• Explanation: This sentence uses a “Twist” technique. Initially, the speaker intended to return them to the store to save money. However, after listening to them and finding the sound quality excellent, he changed his mind and decided to keep them. Option (A) is the biggest trap (representing the original intention). Option (B) is completely wrong compared to the actual events.

Reviewer: Welcome back to my tech podcast! Today, I want to talk about the new X2 wireless headphones. I have the old X1 version, and they were very cheap. So, I thought the new X2 would be cheap, too. But wow, the price is really high! The new headphones are much more expensive. Actually, I wanted to return them to the store to save money. However, I put them on and played some music. The sound quality is amazing! It is much better than the old version. Because the sound is so good, I decided to keep them. If you love music, they are definitely worth the money.

1 (A) It is quite expensive.

• Explanation: The announcer says that Soft-Cloud toilet paper is a good product, “but it is quite expensive.” Option (B) is a trap (people’s preconceived notions about cheap toilet paper). Option (C) sounds reasonable in a supermarket setting but isn’t mentioned.

2 (B) It is just as soft as the famous brands.

• Explanation: This sentence uses a “Twist” technique. The advertiser twists the customer’s thinking: “You might think our cheap paper is rough… However, it is actually just as soft as the famous brands.” Option (A) is a trap (what people think, not the truth). Option (C) is wrong because it’s the supermarket’s own brand.

3 (B) “Daily Value”, because it saves money.

• Explanation: Finally, the reader advises the customer to add “Daily Value” to the cart and “save your money.” Option (A) is a trap, representing a common customer habit (Many people buy…), but the purpose of the message is to advise them not to buy that expensive item today. Option (C) is completely misleading.

Announcer: Attention shoppers! Are you looking for paper products today? Many people buy the famous “Soft-Cloud” toilet paper because it is very soft. It’s a great product, but it is quite expensive. This week, we want you to try our own supermarket brand, “Daily Value” toilet paper. You might think our cheap paper is rough and uncomfortable. However, it is actually just as soft as the famous brands! And the best part? It is the cheapest toilet paper in the store this week. So, don’t buy the expensive ones today. Put “Daily Value” in your shopping cart and save your money!

1 (B) It is sweet and delicious.

• Explanation: The student clearly says that milk tea is “so sweet and delicious.” Option A is a trap because fruit juice is the healthy drink, not milk tea. Option C is a plausible guess for a student’s presentation, but the price is never mentioned.

2 (A) She went to the dentist.

• Explanation: The student explains that she went to the dentist and found out that too much sugar is bad for her teeth. Option B is plausible but not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because she actually says she still misses milk tea (meaning she still likes the taste).

3 (B) Fruit juice, because it is healthier.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The student originally drank milk tea every day because she loved it. However, after visiting the dentist, she changed her mind. She now drinks fruit juice because “it is much healthier.” Option A is the main trap (her old habit). Option C is incorrect.

Student: Hello everyone. Today, my presentation is about my favorite drinks. I really love milk tea. It is so sweet and delicious. Actually, last month, I drank a big cup of milk tea every single day! I thought it was the best drink in the world. But, um, last week I went to the dentist. He told me that too much sugar is very bad for my teeth. So, I had to change my habit. Now, I drink fruit juice instead. It is not as sweet as milk tea, but it is much healthier for my body. I still miss milk tea, but fruit juice is my new daily drink. Thank you for listening.

1 (A) It is very soft and sweet.

• Explanation: The vlogger clearly states that she usually buys milk chocolate “because it is very soft and sweet.” Option B is a trap because being bitter is a feature of the dark chocolate. Option C is a plausible guess for chocolate but is not mentioned.

2 (B) It is too bitter.

• Explanation: The vlogger says, “I don’t usually like dark chocolate because it is too bitter.” Option A is a trap because the audio actually says it has a wonderful fruit flavor, not a bad one. Option C is a plausible reason to not buy something, but the price is never mentioned.

3 (B) The dark chocolate, because it has a fruit flavor.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The vlogger usually prefers milk chocolate and expected it to be her favorite. However, after tasting them, she changes her mind because the milk chocolate is “too sweet” and the dark chocolate has a “wonderful fruit flavor.” She chooses the dark chocolate as the winner. Option A is the main trap (her original expectation). Option C is incorrect.

Vlogger: Hi everyone, welcome to my food vlog! Today, I am comparing two types of chocolate: dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Usually, I buy milk chocolate because it is very soft and sweet. Let’s try it… Mmm, yes, it is very soft. Now, let’s try the dark chocolate. I don’t usually like dark chocolate because it is too bitter. Let’s see… Wow! It is a little bitter, but it has a wonderful fruit flavor. Actually, I think the milk chocolate is too sweet for me today. I thought the milk chocolate would be my favorite, but I am going to choose the dark chocolate as the winner! See you next time!