Crime & Punishment – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Answer: (B) In a crowded public space.

• The Key: The tourist mentions she was near the “central fountain in the main square” and says “It was extremely crowded.” A main square is a public space.
• The Trap (A): The tourist mentions she went to “buy an ice cream”, but that is when she realized her pocket was empty. The theft likely happened earlier at the fountain.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Pickpocketing often happens on public trains, but a train is not mentioned in this conversation.

2 Answer: (C) Her personal identification and bank cards.

• The Key: The tourist says she is stressed because her “driver’s license” (personal identification) and “credit cards” (bank cards) were inside the wallet.
• The Trap (A): The tourist mentions having “fifty euros” (foreign money), but she starts by saying “Only about…”, meaning it was not a large amount and not her main worry.
• The Trap (B): She was “taking photos” earlier, but she did not lose her camera.

3 Answer: (A) Call the bank to cancel her cards.

• The Key: The officer tells her, “You need to contact your bank to block those cards immediately.” To block a card means to cancel it so thieves cannot use it.
• The Trap (C): The officer mentions filling out a report to have “proof for your insurance,” but he does not tell her to call the insurance company immediately. The first action is calling the bank.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): Going back to look for the wallet is a logical thing to do, but the officer does not suggest this.

Officer: Good afternoon. How can I help you today?

Tourist: Hi, um, I need to report a missing item. I think my wallet was stolen about an hour ago.

Officer: I see. Can you tell me exactly where you were when you noticed it was gone?

Tourist: Well, I was taking photos near the central fountain in the main square. It was extremely crowded. When I went to buy an ice cream afterwards, my back pocket was empty.

Officer: Alright. Did you see anyone suspicious acting around you?

Tourist: Not really. Someone bumped into me, but I just thought it was an accident.

Officer: Okay. I’ll need a list of what was inside. How much cash did you have?

Tourist: Only about fifty euros. But I’m really stressed because my driver’s license and two credit cards were in there.

Officer: Don’t panic. You need to contact your bank to block those cards immediately. Let’s fill out an official police report so you have proof for your insurance.

Tourist: Thank you, officer.

1 Answer: (A) To ask how to handle a penalty for illegal parking.

• The Key: The driver says he got a “ticket… for leaving my car in the wrong zone.” A ticket for this reason is a penalty for illegal parking.
• The Trap (B): The clerk mentions a “loading area” (the wrong zone where he parked), but the driver’s car was not stolen.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Paying a vehicle registration fee is a common reason to visit a city office, but they do not talk about this.

2 Answer: (C) He will use a bank card on the internet at home.

• The Key: The driver asks, “Can I use my credit card on the website when I get home?” and the clerk says “Absolutely.” A credit card is a bank card, and the website is on the internet.
• The Trap (A): The clerk offers the option to pay with “cash right now,” but the driver rejects this because he doesn’t have “enough physical money” today.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): Mailing a check is sometimes an option for paying bills, but it is not mentioned in this conversation.

3 Answer: (B) He will have to pay an extra amount of money.

• The Key: The clerk says he has “fourteen days” (which is less than a month). If he misses that deadline, there will be an “additional charge of twenty dollars.” An additional charge means paying an extra amount of money.
• The Trap (C): The “website” is mentioned as a way to pay, but the clerk does not say the driver will be blocked from using it if he is late.
• Plausible but not mentioned (A): Losing a driving license can happen for very serious traffic crimes, but the clerk does not threaten him with this.

Clerk: Next in line, please. How can I help you today?

Driver: Hi, um, I received this ticket yesterday for leaving my car in the wrong zone. I need to sort it out.

Clerk: Let me see that. Ah, yes. You parked in a loading area. You have a few options to settle this. You can hand me the cash right now, or you can do it on our city website.

Driver: Well, I don’t have enough physical money on me today. Can I use my credit card on the website when I get home?

Clerk: Absolutely. Just type in the reference number printed at the top of the paper.

Driver: Okay, that sounds easy. And what is the last day I can do this? I get my salary next Friday.

Clerk: You have exactly fourteen days from the date on the ticket. If you miss that window, there will be an additional charge of twenty dollars.

Driver: Oh, I definitely don’t want to pay extra. I’ll make sure to transfer the funds this weekend. Thanks for your help.

1 Answer: (B) To stop thieves from making purchases with her money.

• The Key: Jessica says someone “grabbed my handbag” (thieves) and asks to “freeze my account” to “stop anyone from using my credit card.” This means she wants to stop thieves from making purchases.
• The Trap (C): Mark checks for “recent, unusual charges” later in the call, but Jessica did not call to report a mistake; she called because of the theft.
• Plausible but not mentioned (A): She lost her handbag, but she is not calling to ask for money (a loan) to buy a new one.

2 Answer: (A) Details to confirm who she is.

• The Key: Mark says, “I just need to verify your identity first. Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?” Verifying identity means confirming who she is.
• The Trap (C): Mark mentions he will send a new card to her “home address,” but he does not ask her to provide it during this part of the call (the bank already has it).
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): Asking for the exact time of the crime is what a police officer would do, but the bank agent does not ask this.

3 Answer: (B) It is perfectly safe because there are no new transactions.

• The Key: Mark tells her, “I don’t see any recent, unusual charges. Your money is completely secure.” Completely secure means perfectly safe, and no charges means no new transactions.
• The Trap (A): The words “unusual charges” are spoken, but Mark explicitly says he does not see any, meaning the thief did not spend her money.
• The Trap (C): Mark mentions “next week,” but that is when she will receive her “replacement card”, not when she will get her money back (she never lost her money).

Mark: National Bank customer service, this is Mark. How can I help you today?

Jessica: Um, yes, I need help immediately. Someone just grabbed my handbag while I was walking home.

Mark: I’m so sorry to hear that. Are you safe right now?

Jessica: Yes, I’m okay. But my wallet was inside, and I need to stop anyone from using my credit card. Can you freeze my account right away?

Mark: Absolutely. I can do that for you. I just need to verify your identity first. Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?

Jessica: Ah, it’s Jessica Parker, born on July 12th, 1995.

Mark: Thank you, Jessica. Alright, I have located your account. I am putting a complete block on the card right now. Nobody will be able to make any purchases with it.

Jessica: Oh, thank goodness. Did they buy anything before I called?

Mark: Let me check… No, I don’t see any recent, unusual charges. Your money is completely secure. We will send a replacement card to your home address next week.

Jessica: Phew. Thank you so much for your quick help.

1 Answer: (B) His jacket disappeared from the seating area.

• The Key: The customer says, “someone took my winter coat. I left it on the back of the chair.” A winter coat is a jacket, and a chair is in the seating area.
• The Trap (A): The customer mentions his “car keys” later, but they were in the pocket of the coat. He didn’t lose them in the parking lot.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): He is at a store, so buying a coat is a logical action, but he is there to report a missing item, not to shop.

2 Answer: (C) Guests are not permitted to view the digital files.

• The Key: The manager says, “I can’t let customers watch the video recordings themselves.” Customers are guests, and video recordings are digital files.
• The Trap (A): The manager explicitly says they do have a camera “pointing directly at that seating area” (the corner table).
• The Trap (B): The police are mentioned at the end of the audio, but the manager himself will review the tapes, so it’s not only for the police.

3 Answer: (A) Watch the footage himself in another room.

• The Key: The manager says, “I will go to the back office and review the tape”. The back office is another room, and reviewing the tape means watching the footage.
• The Trap (B): The manager says they will contact the police if he sees someone take the clothing on the tape. He does not call them immediately.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): Helping the customer search the store is a nice thing to do, but the manager only promises to check the video.

Manager: Hello, sir. Can I help you with anything?

Customer: Yes, please. I was sitting at that corner table about half an hour ago. I think someone took my winter coat. I left it on the back of the chair.

Manager: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Are you sure you didn’t leave it in your car or drop it somewhere?

Customer: No, I’m absolutely certain. I took it off because it was warm inside. When I came back just now, the seat was empty. Um, do you think I could look at your security footage?

Manager: Well, we do have a camera pointing directly at that seating area. However, for privacy reasons, I can’t let customers watch the video recordings themselves.

Customer: Oh, I understand. What should I do then? My car keys were in the pocket!

Manager: Don’t worry. I will go to the back office and review the tape from the last forty-five minutes. If I see anyone grab your clothing, I’ll let you know, and we can contact the police.

Customer: Thank you so much. I’ll wait right here.

1 Answer: (B) She is preparing for an overseas trip and fears thieves.

• The Key: Emma says she is “traveling to Europe next month” (an overseas trip) and has read scary stories about “pickpockets” (thieves).
• The Trap (A): The audio mentions “Europe”, but she is going there next month. She did not have her bag stolen there last month.
• Plausible but not mentioned (C): A backpack is often used for university books, but Emma does not mention going to school.

2 Answer: (A) It is constructed with strong metallic materials.

• The Key: Liam explains that the fabric is made with “special metal threads,” making it slash-proof. Metal threads are strong metallic materials.
• The Trap (C): The audio mentions “zippers” and the “bottom” of the bag, but the zippers are hidden against the back, not locked at the bottom to prevent cutting.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): A hard plastic cover would stop a knife, but the assistant does not mention this feature.

3 Answer: (C) In a concealed section on the strap.

• The Key: Liam says there is a “secret pocket on the shoulder strap for your credit cards.” A secret pocket is a concealed section, and credit cards are bank cards.
• The Trap (A): The “main opening” is mentioned earlier as having hidden zippers, but Liam does not specifically recommend putting bank cards there.
• Plausible but not mentioned (B): Keeping a wallet attached inside the bag is a common safety tip, but it is not a feature mentioned by Liam.

Emma: Hi, I’m looking for a new bag. I’m traveling to Europe next month, and I’ve read some scary stories about pickpockets in crowded tourist spots.

Liam: I understand completely. Well, you should definitely consider this anti-theft backpack. It’s designed specifically for international travel.

Emma: Oh? What makes it different from a normal one?

Liam: First, look at the main opening. The zippers are completely hidden against your back, so nobody can open it while you are walking.

Emma: Ah, that’s clever. But what if a thief tries to cut the bottom of the bag?

Liam: They won’t succeed. The fabric is made with special metal threads. It is entirely slash-proof. Um, plus, there is a secret pocket on the shoulder strap for your credit cards.

Emma: Wow, that sounds perfect for keeping my valuables safe. Is it heavy, though?

Liam: Not at all. It’s actually very lightweight.

Emma: Great, I’ll take the grey one, please.