Department stores – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Two friends are at a department store trying to pick a birthday gift for their friend, Sarah. Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What do the friends finally decide to buy for Sarah?
(A) A red jacket.
(B) Some perfume.
(C) A pair of shoes.
2 Where are the two friends right now?
(A) At a birthday party.
(B) In a department store.
(C) In a supermarket.
3 Why didn’t they buy the red jacket?
(A) Because it was too expensive.
(B) Because Sarah doesn’t like red.
(C) Because Sarah recently bought a red coat.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) Some perfume.
- Explanation: The man suggests going to the beauty section, and the woman says “Let’s get her some nice perfume.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) “A red jacket” is the trap. They talked about it first, but changed their minds because Sarah already bought a coat. Option (C) is plausible for a gift but was never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (B) In a department store.
- Explanation: At the beginning of the conversation, the man clearly says, “We are already here in the department store.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. They mention Sarah’s “birthday,” but they are shopping for a gift, not at the party yet.
3 Correct Answer: (C) Because Sarah recently bought a red coat.
- Explanation: The woman stops the man from buying the jacket by saying, “I remember she just bought a red coat last week.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Options (A) and (B) are plausible reasons for not buying clothes, but the speakers never talked about the price or Sarah hating the color red.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Man: So, what should we get Sarah for her birthday? We are already here in the department store.
Woman: Um, well, she loves fashion. Let’s look at the clothing section. Maybe a nice jacket?
Man: Good idea. Oh, look at this red jacket. It looks great!
Woman: Yeah, it does. But… wait. I remember she just bought a red coat last week.
Man: Ah, you’re right. So, clothes might be a bad idea today. How about the beauty section?
Woman: Good thinking! Let’s get her some nice perfume. I know she really wants one.
Man: Perfect. Let’s go pay for it.
Listening 2
Two friends, Mark and Linda, are talking on the phone because they cannot find each other in a big department store. Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where was Linda when she first answered the phone?
(A) At the main entrance.
(B) In the shoe section.
(C) In the café.
2 Why did Linda decide to change her location?
(A) Because the place was too noisy and busy.
(B) Because she finished her shopping.
(C) Because the store was closing.
3 On which floor will the two friends finally meet?
(A) The second floor.
(B) The third floor.
(C) The fifth floor.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) In the shoe section.
- Explanation: Linda says, “I thought we were meeting at the shoe section… I’m here now.”
- Trap: Option (A) is where Mark is standing. Option (C) is where they will go later.
2 Correct Answer: (A) Because the place was too noisy and busy.
- Explanation: Linda uses the word “crowded” (“it’s so crowded here”), which is a synonym for a place being busy with many people.
- Trap: A2 students often listen for the exact word. Here, “crowded” justifies why she moved.
3 Correct Answer: (C) The fifth floor.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. They talked about the 3rd floor and 2nd floor, but Linda finally says, “Let’s meet at the café… on the fifth floor.”
- Trap: Option (A) and (B) are mentioned during the “confusion” part of the talk, but they are NOT the final destination.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hi Linda, I’m at the main entrance of the department store. Where are you?
Linda: Oh, hi Mark! Um, I thought we were meeting at the shoe section on the third floor. I’m here now.
Mark: Wait, the third floor? My map says the shoe section is on the second floor.
Linda: Oh, you’re right! My mistake. But… actually, it’s so crowded here. I’m moving now.
Mark: So, where should I go?
Linda: Let’s meet at the café next to the elevators. It’s on the top floor—the fifth floor.
Mark: Okay, the café on the fifth floor. I’m heading there now. See you!
Listening 3
Anna is trying on clothes in a department store while her friend, Tom, gives his opinion. Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the problem with the blue shirt?
(A) The color is not nice.
(B) It is too small.
(C) It is too expensive.
2 Why can’t Anna get a larger blue shirt?
(A) Because she doesn’t have enough money.
(B) Because Tom doesn’t like the style.
(C) Because there are no more in the store.
3 What will Anna finally buy?
(A) A green sweater.
(B) A blue shirt.
(C) A winter jacket.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) It is too small.
- Explanation: Tom says the shirt is “too tight,” and Anna agrees that it feels “uncomfortable around my shoulders.” “Tight” means small.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap because Tom clearly says “The color is great.” Option (C) is plausible in a shopping context but they never talk about the price.
2 Correct Answer: (C) Because there are no more in the store.
- Explanation: When Tom asks about a larger size, Anna answers, “the shop assistant said this is the last one.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Options (A) and (B) are not mentioned. Tom actually likes the shirt, but they just can’t find a bigger one.
3 Correct Answer: (A) A green sweater.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Anna changes her plan and says, “I will just buy the green sweater instead.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) “A blue shirt” is the trap. She is wearing it right now, but she cannot buy it because it doesn’t fit. Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Anna: Hey Tom, what do you think of this blue shirt? Does it look good on me?
Tom: The color is great, Anna. But… isn’t it a bit too tight?
Anna: Hmm… let me check in the mirror. You’re right. It feels really uncomfortable around my shoulders.
Tom: Do they have a larger size?
Anna: No, the shop assistant said this is the last one. So, I think I will just buy the green sweater instead. I tried it on earlier, and it fits perfectly.
Tom: Good choice. The green one is very warm, too. Let’s go pay.
Listening 4
A husband and wife are standing outside a department store, checking their shopping list before going inside. Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What are the speakers doing right now?
(A) They are paying for their shopping.
(B) They are checking their shopping list.
(C) They are drinking coffee in a café.
2 Why do they decide NOT to buy a coffee maker?
(A) Because it is too expensive.
(B) Because the department store doesn’t sell it.
(C) Because they already got a new one last week.
3 What is on their final shopping list?
(A) Towels and a coffee maker.
(B) Towels and coffee beans.
(C) Coffee beans and a bathroom mirror.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) They are checking their shopping list.
- Explanation: In the first line, the wife clearly says, “let’s check our shopping list.” They are outside the store preparing to go in.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap because they haven’t bought anything yet. Option (C) is a distractor using the word “coffee”, but they are not in a café.
2 Correct Answer: (C) Because they already got a new one last week.
- Explanation: The husband reminds his wife, “didn’t your mom give us a new coffee maker last week?” and she agrees.
- Why the trap is wrong: Options (A) and (B) are plausible reasons in a shopping context, but the speakers never mention the price or the store running out of coffee makers.
3 Correct Answer: (B) Towels and coffee beans.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. They wanted a coffee maker, changed their minds, and at the end, the wife confirms the final list: “Towels and coffee beans.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The coffee maker was mentioned and originally on the list, but they rejected it. Option (C) is plausible for a bathroom but a mirror was never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Wife: Okay, before we go into the department store, let’s check our shopping list. We don’t want to forget anything.
Husband: Right. First, we need some new towels for the bathroom.
Wife: Yes, let’s get two blue towels. And we also need to buy a coffee maker. Our old one is broken.
Husband: Wait, didn’t your mom give us a new coffee maker last week?
Wife: Oh, you’re right! I completely forgot about that. So we don’t need a machine.
Husband: But we do need coffee beans. Let’s get a big bag.
Wife: Perfect. Towels and coffee beans. Let’s go in!
Listening 5
Two shoppers, Sarah and John, are resting at the food court in a department store after walking for a long time. Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why do Sarah and John decide to sit down?
(A) Because they want to wait for a friend.
(B) Because they are tired from walking.
(C) Because the department store is closing.
2 Why don’t they buy pizza?
(A) Because the line is too long.
(B) Because it is too expensive.
(C) Because Sarah doesn’t like pizza.
3 What will John buy for them?
(A) Pizza and cola.
(B) Beef sandwiches and hot coffee.
(C) Chicken sandwiches and cold water.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) Because they are tired from walking.
- Explanation: Sarah says, “I’m so tired. We’ve been walking around… for three hours,” and John agrees that his feet hurt.
- Why the trap is wrong: Options (A) and (C) are plausible reasons to sit in a mall, but they are never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (A) Because the line is too long.
- Explanation: Sarah points out that “the line is so long” and they would have to wait for 30 minutes. John agrees he doesn’t want to wait.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. Sarah actually says “Pizza sounds good”, so she likes it. Option (B) is a common reason not to buy something, but they didn’t talk about money.
3 Correct Answer: (C) Chicken sandwiches and cold water.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. They wanted pizza first, but changed their minds. Sarah suggests, “let’s get two chicken sandwiches and some cold water,” and John agrees to go buy them.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap because pizza was their first choice before they changed their plan. Option (B) has the wrong type of meat and drink.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Phew! I’m so tired. We’ve been walking around this department store for three hours.
John: Me too. My feet really hurt. Let’s sit down here at the food court. I’m really hungry. Let’s get some pizza!
Sarah: Pizza sounds good, but look… the line is so long! We will have to wait for at least thirty minutes.
John: Oh, you’re right. I don’t want to wait that long. How about sandwiches? There is no one at that shop over there.
Sarah: Okay, let’s get two chicken sandwiches and some cold water.
John: Great. You sit here and rest. I will go buy them.