Detailed Directions – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) By taking the elevator.

• The Key: The receptionist clearly says, “please use the elevator over there and go to the third floor.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a classic “Twist” trap. The receptionist was going to suggest the stairs, but changed the plan because they are being cleaned.

2 (C) At the water dispenser.

• The Key: The receptionist gives a specific landmark: “turn right at the water dispenser.”
• The Trap: Option (B) is what the visitor guesses (“Is it the first room?”), but the receptionist corrects him. Option (A) is where he starts his walk on the third floor, but not where he turns.

3 (A) At the very end of the hallway.

• The Key: The receptionist explicitly states, “you will see Room 305 at the very end of the hallway.”
• The Trap: Option (C) is the trap because the visitor asks about the “first room,” but is told to walk past it. Option (B) mentions the stairs, which were part of the rejected route downstairs.

Visitor: Excuse me, I’m here for a meeting in Room 305. How do I get there?

Receptionist: Welcome! I was going to tell you to take the stairs because it’s usually faster, but they are cleaning them right now. So, please use the elevator over there and go to the third floor.

Visitor: Okay, elevator to the third floor. And then?

Receptionist: When you get out, turn right at the water dispenser.

Visitor: Turn right at the water dispenser. Is it the first room?

Receptionist: No, walk past the first few rooms. Keep going, and you will see Room 305 at the very end of the hallway.

Visitor: The end of the hallway. Thank you very much!

1 (B) Because there is an event in the garden.

• The Key: The guard explains the “twist” clearly: “there is a student club event there today.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a plausible guess (repairs/construction is a common reason to change paths), but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) The science building.

• The Key: The guard instructs the student to “go straight and walk past the science building.”
• The Trap: Option (A) uses the keyword “student club”, but that is the event in the garden, not a building to walk past. Option (B) is the final destination.

3 (A) Opposite the football field.

• The Key: The guard gives the exact location: “The library is right opposite the field.”
• The Trap: Option (B) uses a landmark from the journey to confuse the listener. Option (C) mentions the garden, which is the area the student was told to avoid.

Freshman: Excuse me, sir. I’m new here. Can you tell me how to get to the main library?

Security Guard: Welcome to the campus! Well, I was going to tell you to walk through the main garden, but there is a student club event there today. So, walk down this path instead.

Freshman: Okay, down this path.

Security Guard: Yes. Go straight and walk past the science building. It’s the big grey one.

Freshman: Got it. Past the science building.

Security Guard: Keep walking until you see the football field. The library is right opposite the field. You can’t miss it.

Freshman: Opposite the football field. Thank you so much!

1 (B) Because a big truck is blocking the way.

• The Key: The security guard explains the situation clearly: “there is a big truck blocking the way.”
• The Trap: Option (A) uses a keyword (“Gate A”) mentioned later in the audio, but it is not the reason he can’t park at the front. Option (C) is a plausible reason in real life, but it is not mentioned.

2 (A) Turn left.

• The Key: The guard’s instruction is to “turn left at the corner.”
• The Trap: Option (C) is a trap because the guard does say “Keep driving straight,” but that is before reaching the corner.

3 (C) Next to Gate B.

• The Key: The guard gives the final instruction: “Park your truck right next to Gate B.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is where the driver wanted to park initially. Option (B) is explicitly warned against when the guard says, “Don’t go to Gate A.”

Driver: Hi, I have a delivery for the warehouse. Can I park my truck here at the main gate?

Security Guard: Let me see. Well, I was going to let you park here, but there is a big truck blocking the way. So, you need to drive around the building.

Driver: Drive around the building. Okay.

Security Guard: Yes. Keep driving straight and turn left at the corner.

Driver: Turn left at the corner.

Security Guard: Go all the way to the back. You will see two gates. Don’t go to Gate A. Park your truck right next to Gate B.

Driver: Park next to Gate B. Got it. Thanks for the help!

1 (B) Because it is quite noisy.

• The Key: The HR specialist explains the situation (The Twist): “I was going to ask you to sit here… but it’s quite noisy today.”
• The Trap: Options (A) and (C) are plausible reasons in a real-life situation but are completely unmentioned in the audio.

2 (B) The printer area.

• The Key: The HR gives a direct instruction to “go past the printer area.”
• The Trap: Option (C) is a trap because the candidate has to push and go through the glass door, not walk past it. Option (A) uses the word “manager” which is mentioned at the end, but not as a place to walk past.

3 (A) On the blue sofa.

• The Key: The HR explicitly says, “Please wait on the blue sofa.”
• The Trap: Option (B) is a direct trap. The black chairs are mentioned, but the HR warns: “Don’t sit on the black chairs.” Option (C) was the original, canceled plan.

Candidate: Hi, good morning. I’m here for a job interview at 10 AM. Where should I wait?

HR Specialist: Hello! Well, I was going to ask you to sit here in the front lobby, but it’s quite noisy today. So, please go inside the main office.

Candidate: Okay. How do I get to the waiting area?

HR Specialist: First, push that heavy glass door. Then, walk straight and go past the printer area.

Candidate: Past the printers. Got it.

HR Specialist: Yes. You will see a small room at the end. Don’t sit on the black chairs; they are for our staff. Please wait on the blue sofa. The manager will be right with you.

Candidate: Push the glass door, past the printers, blue sofa. Thank you!

1 (B) By walking down the stairs.

• The Key: The manager clearly instructs: “walk down the stairs.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the exact trap (“The Twist”). The manager mentions that people usually take the elevator, but strictly says “do not use the elevator” during a fire.

2 (A) Turn left.

• The Key: The manager gives a direct instruction: “walk out of this office and turn left.”
• The Trap: Options (B) and (C) are plausible directions, but they are incorrect according to the audio.

3 (C) At the parking lot.

• The Key: The final instruction is: “Walk across the street and wait at the parking lot.”
• The Trap: Option (B) is explicitly mentioned but rejected (The manager says, “do not stay near the main door”). Option (A) is a location inside the building, not the final meeting point.

Manager: Attention everyone, especially our new team members. Please listen carefully to these emergency directions. If you hear the fire alarm, stop working immediately. I know you usually take the elevator to go downstairs, but during a fire, that is very dangerous. So, please do not use the elevator. Instead, walk out of this office and turn left. Keep going until you see the green exit sign, and walk down the stairs. Once you are outside the building, do not stay near the main door. Walk across the street and wait at the parking lot. We will check everyone’s name there. Thank you.