Detailed Directions – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Because the machine is broken today.

• The Key: The local says clearly, “I saw a sign saying it is broken today.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The ATM is indeed inside a convenience store, but that is not the reason the tourist cannot use it. Option (C) is incorrect because the local actually says it is “across the street” (which means it is very close).

2 (C) Turn right.

• The Key: The local gives the instruction: “Turn right at the lights.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is explicitly mentioned but as a negative instruction (“Don’t turn left”). Option (B) is what the tourist must do before reaching the lights.

3 (A) Next to the post office.

• The Key: The final destination is stated clearly: “It is right next to the post office.”
• The Trap: Option (B) mentions the bakery, but that is just a landmark the tourist must “walk past”. Option (C) refers to the location of the broken ATM.

Tourist: Excuse me, I need to get some cash. Is there an ATM near here?

Local: Yes. Well, I was going to tell you to use the one inside the convenience store across the street, but I saw a sign saying it is broken today. So, you should go to the main street instead.

Tourist: Okay, no problem. How do I get there?

Local: Go straight down this road until you see the traffic lights. Don’t turn left. Turn right at the lights.

Tourist: Turn right at the traffic lights.

Local: Yes. Walk past the bakery, and you will see the ATM. It is right next to the post office.

Tourist: Straight to the lights, right, next to the post office. Thank you!

1 (B) Because it is closed today.

• The Key: The pedestrian uses “The Twist” technique: “I was going to tell you to use the one on Pine Street, but it is closed today.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because “two kilometers” is the distance to the second gas station, not the reason the first one is skipped. Option (C) is a plausible reason in real life but is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) A bridge.

• The Key: The pedestrian gives a clear direction: “Then, go over the bridge.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the street the driver is told to avoid. Option (B) is a common landmark in direction exercises, but it is not mentioned here.

3 (A) On the right side.

• The Key: The pedestrian explicitly says: “you will see the gas station on your right.”
• The Trap: Option (B) is a trap because the word “left” is mentioned in a negative instruction (“Don’t turn left”). Option (C) is the location of the closed gas station.

Driver: Excuse me, I need some gas. Is there a gas station near here?

Pedestrian: Yes. Well, I was going to tell you to use the one on Pine Street, but it is closed today. So, you need to drive to the next one.

Driver: Okay. How do I get there?

Pedestrian: Just drive straight down this road for about two kilometers.

Driver: Two kilometers. Got it.

Pedestrian: Yes. Then, go over the bridge. Don’t turn left after the bridge. Keep going, and you will see the gas station on your right.

Driver: Straight for two kilometers, over the bridge, on the right. Thank you so much!

1 (B) Because the train is delayed and changed tracks.

• The Key: The staff explains the “twist”: “…there is a track change today because the 10 o’clock train is delayed.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a common distractor in directions but not mentioned. Option (C) is a plausible guess but not in the audio.

2 (C) Go down the stairs.

• The Key: The staff says clearly: “Just go down the stairs right behind you.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the trap. The staff mentions the elevator but says “Don’t use the elevator; it’s very slow.”

3 (A) The yellow arrows.

• The Key: The instruction is specific: “Follow the yellow arrows.”
• The Trap: Options (B) and (C) mention different colors/types of signs which are typical distractors in A2 listening tests to see if students recognize the correct color adjective.

Passenger: Excuse me! Is the train to London leaving from Platform 2?

Staff: Well, it usually does, but there is a track change today because the 10 o’clock train is delayed. So, you need to go to Platform 4 instead.

Passenger: Platform 4? Oh dear, I’m in a hurry. How do I get there?

Staff: Don’t use the elevator over there; it’s very slow today. Just go down the stairs right behind you.

Passenger: Down the stairs. Okay, I see them.

Staff: Then, look at the floor. Follow the yellow arrows. They will lead you straight to Platform 4.

Passenger: Follow the yellow arrows to Platform 4. Got it! Thank you so much!

1 (B) Because it is closed for painting today.

• The Key: The receptionist uses the “Twist” technique: “…but that room is closed for painting today.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the receptionist specifically mentions “It’s on this floor” for the new room, so students might confuse the locations. Option (C) is a common situation in hospitals but not mentioned here.

2 (C) The blue line.

• The Key: The receptionist gives the updated instruction: “Just follow the blue line on the floor instead.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the classic trap. The green line was the original direction before the plan changed. Option (B) is a random color to distract the listener.

3 (B) Right after the pharmacy.

• The Key: The receptionist gives the exact location: “The new X-ray department is right after the pharmacy…”
• The Trap: Option (A) uses the keyword “pharmacy” but changes the preposition (inside vs. after). The patient only needs to walk past it. Option (C) is where the conversation is happening.

Patient: Excuse me, I need to get an X-ray. Where is the X-ray department?

Receptionist: Hello. Well, I was going to tell you to follow the green line on the floor, but that room is closed for painting today. So, you need to go to the new X-ray room.

Patient: Okay, where is the new one?

Receptionist: It’s on this floor. Just follow the blue line on the floor instead.

Patient: Follow the blue line.

Receptionist: Yes. Keep walking and you will go past the pharmacy. The new X-ray department is right after the pharmacy, on your left.

Patient: Blue line, past the pharmacy, on the left. Thank you!

1 (A) Because it is broken right now.

• The Key: The security guard explains the situation clearly: “…but the elevator is broken right now.”
• The Trap: Option (B) uses the word “full”, which is a trap because the guard uses this word later to describe the B1 parking area, not the elevator.

2 (B) Basement B2.

• The Key: The guard gives the updated instruction: “Go down to basement B2 instead.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is the classic “Twist” trap. B1 was the original plan, but the guard changes it because “the B1 parking is full today”.

3 (C) At the East exit.

• The Key: The guard gives the final location: “…walk straight to the East exit. The parking area is right outside that exit.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is a distractor because the shopper has to get off the escalator and walk straight, meaning the parking is not immediately next to it. Option (B) is related to the broken machine mentioned earlier.

Shopper: Excuse me, I need to find my car. How do I get to the parking lot?

Security Guard: Well, I was going to tell you to take the elevator to basement B1, but the elevator is broken right now. So, you need to use the escalator.

Shopper: The escalator. Okay. Do I go to B1?

Security Guard: No, the B1 parking is full today. Go down to basement B2 instead.

Shopper: Down to B2. And then?

Security Guard: When you get off the escalator, walk straight to the East exit. The parking area is right outside that exit.

Shopper: Escalator to B2, East exit. Thank you for your help!