Culture & Customs – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) To prepare him for an upcoming appointment with a customer.

• Explanation: Ms. Tanaka says she wants to go over some etiquette “before your first client meeting” (an appointment with a customer). Option (A) is a trap; she mentions New York, but that is where David is from, not where they are now. Option (C) is a trap; David says he already has his business cards ready, she isn’t giving them to him.

2 (C) By bending forward slightly to demonstrate politeness.

• Explanation: Ms. Tanaka tells David to do a “polite bow” which is a “slight bend from the waist” to show “respect” (politeness). Option (A) is a trap; this is what David usually does in New York, not what she suggests. Option (B) is incorrect because she specifically tells him to “avoid looking them directly in the eye” (no strong eye contact).

3 (A) Putting it away carelessly into his clothing.

• Explanation: Ms. Tanaka tells him “Don’t just shove it into your back pocket” (putting it away carelessly into his clothing). Option (B) is a trap; she explicitly tells him to “take a moment to read it”, so this is something he should do, not avoid. Option (C) is a plausible etiquette rule in reality, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

Ms. Tanaka: Welcome to the Tokyo office, David. Before your first client meeting this afternoon, I’d like to quickly go over some local business etiquette. It’s quite different from what you might be used to back in New York.

David: I appreciate that, Ms. Tanaka. I usually just give a firm handshake and introduce myself. Is that not acceptable here?

Ms. Tanaka: Well, we do shake hands sometimes, but it’s much safer to stick to a polite bow. A slight bend from the waist shows respect. Also, avoid looking them directly in the eye while doing it.

David: Got it. A polite bow, no staring. What about exchanging contact information? I have my new business cards ready.

Ms. Tanaka: Ah, that’s a crucial part! When you present your card, make sure to hold it with both hands. And when you receive their card, treat it with care. Don’t just shove it into your back pocket. Take a moment to read it, then place it neatly on the table during the meeting.

David: Hold with two hands, read it, and put it on the table. Seems simple enough. Thanks for the tips!

1 (A) To observe a traditional festival with his relatives.

• Explanation: Amir wants the day off for Diwali, a “major festival”, where he will have a feast with his “extended family” (relatives). Option (B) is a trap; he is only asking for a single “day off”, not a long vacation overseas. Option (C) is a trap; the “quarterly report” is mentioned by Sarah as an office task, not Amir’s reason for staying home.

2 (B) By lighting lamps, eating treats, and gathering for a big meal.

• Explanation: Amir says they decorate with “oil lamps” (lighting lamps), share “sweets” (eating treats), and have a “large feast” (a big meal). Option (A) is plausible for some holidays, but is never mentioned here. Option (C) is a trap; this describes a different religious practice (like Ramadan), but it is not what Amir says about Diwali.

3 (B) He will complete his current work assignments prior to his departure.

• Explanation: Amir promises to make sure “all my pending files are submitted before I leave” (complete his current work assignments prior to departure). Option (A) is a trap; he mentions “sharing sweets” as part of the family celebration, not bringing them to the office. Option (C) is a trap; Sarah is the one who checks the “project calendar”, Amir doesn’t help her do it.

Amir: Hi Sarah, do you have a moment? I’d like to discuss my schedule for next month.

Sarah: Sure, Amir. Come on in. What’s on your mind?

Amir: Well, I was hoping to request a day off on Friday the 12th. It’s Diwali, which is a major festival in my culture.

Sarah: Oh, Diwali! I’ve heard of it. That’s the festival of lights, isn’t it?

Amir: Exactly. It’s a time when we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Usually, we spend the entire day decorating our homes with oil lamps, sharing sweets, and having a large feast with extended family in the evening. It’s quite significant for us.

Sarah: That sounds wonderful. Let me check the project calendar… Well, we do have the quarterly report due that week, but since you’re giving me plenty of notice, we can easily shift your tasks around.

Amir: Thank you so much, Sarah. I really appreciate it. I’ll make sure all my pending files are submitted before I leave on Thursday.

Sarah: Perfect. Enjoy the celebration with your relatives!

1 (B) She will show visitors how to create paper art.

• Explanation: Yuki says she will “demonstrate traditional origami folding” (show visitors how to create paper art). Option (A) is a trap; she originally planned to make sushi (seafood) but changed her mind. Option (C) is a trap; she will “put on” (wear) the kimono, not sell it.

2 (A) She was worried about food safety during the long event.

• Explanation: Yuki explains that “raw fish might be difficult to keep fresh all day” (worried about food safety). Options (B) and (C) are plausible reasons for changing a cooking plan, but they are never mentioned in the conversation.

3 (C) He will prepare a family dish for people to taste.

• Explanation: Carlos mentions his grandmother’s “secret recipe for tamales” and says he will “cook those” for the “tasting booth” (a family dish for people to taste). Option (A) is a trap; the teacher asks if he has a traditional outfit, but Carlos says he only has “regular jeans and t-shirts”. Option (B) is incorrect.

Mr. Davis: Okay everyone, the Multicultural Fair is next Friday. Let’s finalize the booths. We need to decide who is handling the food tasting and who will do the cultural presentations.

Yuki: Mr. Davis, I was originally going to make sushi for the food section, but I realized raw fish might be difficult to keep fresh all day. So, I’ve decided to put on my summer kimono—a yukata—and demonstrate traditional origami folding instead.

Carlos: That sounds awesome, Yuki! Well, my grandmother just sent me her secret recipe for tamales. I can definitely cook those and bring them in for the tasting booth.

Mr. Davis: Perfect. So Carlos, you’ll be in charge of the culinary display. Yuki, you’re on the interactive presentation. Carlos, do you have a traditional outfit you want to wear while serving the food?

Carlos: I don’t have any traditional clothing with me here, unfortunately. Just my regular jeans and t-shirts.

Mr. Davis: That’s completely fine, Carlos. I’m sure the food will speak for itself!

1 (A) Because she believes arriving ahead of schedule is expected.

• Explanation: Emma states that “if you’re not five minutes early, you’re already late,” which means arriving ahead of schedule is expected in her culture. Option (B) is a trap; the time is 9:55 and the meeting is at 10:00, so it hasn’t started yet. Option (C) is a plausible office task, but printing documents is never mentioned.

2 (B) It allows them to naturally finish what they are currently doing.

• Explanation: Luis explains that being late means they “prioritize finishing a good conversation or wrapping up a previous task” (finish what they are currently doing). Option (A) is a very common real-world reason for being late, but it is not what Luis says in the audio. Option (C) is also not mentioned.

3 (C) They decide to be strictly on time to welcome their guests.

• Explanation: Emma suggests they “stick to the clock” (be strictly on time) because they are hosting “international clients” (guests), and Luis agrees. Option (A) is a trap; Luis agrees to follow Emma’s punctual approach this time, not his own flexible approach. Option (B) is a trap; they had a friendly discussion, not a misunderstanding that leads to cancellation.

Emma: Luis, shouldn’t we head to the conference room? The marketing meeting starts at 10:00, and it’s already 9:55.

Luis: Relax, Emma! We still have five minutes. Actually, back in my hometown, if a meeting is scheduled for 10:00, people usually start wandering in around 10:10. It’s considered completely acceptable.

Emma: Wow, really? Where I grew up, if you’re not five minutes early, you’re already late. We take punctuality very seriously. It shows respect for other people’s schedules.

Luis: I understand that. But for us, being a little flexible isn’t about being rude or disorganized. It just means we prioritize finishing a good conversation or wrapping up a previous task before rushing to the next one. We call it a “grace period.”

Emma: That’s a very interesting perspective. I guess it’s just a different way of working. Well, since we are hosting the international clients today, maybe we should stick to the clock this time?

Luis: Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to keep them waiting. Let’s go set up the presentation.

1 (B) To offer more options for people with special food restrictions.

• Explanation: Sarah says they moved to the Grand Hotel because they can “accommodate a wider variety of dietary needs” (offer more options for food restrictions). Option (A) is a trap; Tariq asks if it’s at the “Italian place downtown”, but Sarah says they changed the venue. Option (C) is a logical reason for changing venues in real life, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) Food that is prepared according to his religious traditions.

• Explanation: Tariq says, “Due to my religious beliefs, I can only eat Halal food” (food prepared according to religious traditions). Option (B) is a trap; he says a vegetarian dish is fine only if Halal meat is too difficult to arrange, but it is not his primary request. Option (C) is a trap; Italian food is mentioned as his guess for the venue, not his requested meal.

3 (C) A specially prepared poultry dish.

• Explanation: Sarah confirms the chef can provide “certified Halal chicken”, and Tariq says “I’ll go with the chicken” (a specially prepared poultry dish). Option (A) is a trap; Sarah mentions “Kosher meals” for other colleagues, not Tariq. Option (B) is a trap; Tariq offered to eat a vegetarian meal as a backup plan, but he ultimately chose the chicken.

Sarah: Hi Tariq, do you have a second? I’m finalizing the catering menu for our annual company dinner next Friday.

Tariq: Sure, Sarah. I’m really looking forward to it. Are we having it at that new Italian place downtown?

Sarah: Actually, we changed the venue to the Grand Hotel because they can accommodate a wider variety of dietary needs. Speaking of which, do you have any specific food requirements?

Tariq: Yes, please. Due to my religious beliefs, I can only eat Halal food. It means the meat has to be prepared according to strict Islamic rules. If that’s too difficult to arrange, a strict vegetarian dish would be perfectly fine too.

Sarah: Oh, it’s no trouble at all! The hotel chef confirmed they can provide certified Halal chicken. We also have a few colleagues requesting Kosher meals and vegan options, so you’re in good company.

Tariq: That’s incredibly thoughtful of the company. I’ll go with the chicken, then. Thank you for organizing this, Sarah!

Sarah: My pleasure. I’ll note that down for you right away.