Education Systems – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) To ask about a possible error in his test marks.

• Explanation: The student states that he thinks there is “a mistake with the calculation” regarding his exam. “Error in his test marks” is a synonym for this phrase.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The professor asks if he found the test “too difficult” (hard), but the student says “Actually, no.” Option (C) is plausible in a university setting but is never mentioned in the conversation.

2 (A) He was quite shocked.

• Explanation: The student says, “I was a bit surprised” when he saw his result. “Shocked” is a synonym for surprised.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. He says “that’s a huge relief” at the very end of the conversation after his grade is fixed, not when he first saw it. Option (C) is incorrect because he is very polite and never expresses anger.

3 (C) The points for one part of the exam were missing.

• Explanation: The student suspects that “the final section wasn’t added,” and the professor confirms that the system “didn’t process the points for the essay portion.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. The “essay” is mentioned, but he didn’t get a bad grade on it; the software just failed to count the points. Option (A) is plausible but incorrect because he completed the whole test.

Student: “Hi Professor Davis, do you have a minute?”

Professor: “Hello Liam. Sure, come on in. What’s on your mind?”

Student: “Well, uh, I wanted to talk about my midterm exam. I saw the results online this morning, and I was a bit surprised. I received a 65.”

Professor: “I see. Did you find the test too difficult?”

Student: “Actually, no. I felt pretty confident. Um, I was wondering if there might be a mistake with the calculation. I checked the rubric, and it seems like the final section wasn’t added to my total score.”

Professor: “Ah, let me pull up your paper on my computer. Let’s see… Question 1, Question 2.. Oh, you’re right. The software didn’t process the points for the essay portion.”

Student: “So, could my paper be reviewed again, please?”

Professor: “Absolutely. I apologize for the oversight. I’ll manually update your record right now. Your actual score should be an 85.”

Student: “Oh, that’s a huge relief! Thank you so much, Professor.”

Professor: “No problem at all, Liam. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.”

1 (C) To fix a time conflict between two required courses.

• Explanation: The student mentions a “major clash” between two subjects that are “compulsory.” “Time conflict” is a synonym for clash, and “required” is a synonym for compulsory.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. A professor is mentioned, but the student is not complaining about teaching. Option (B) is a plausible request in a university office, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) A teacher moved their class to a different day.

• Explanation: The staff member explains that the “Psychology lecture was originally planned for Wednesdays, but the professor had to change his availability.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. The staff checks the “system,” but the system did not make an error; the professor changed the time. Option (C) is a trap because the student did not make a mistake.

3 (B) Joining a writing seminar that takes place at night.

• Explanation: The staff offers an “evening class on Mondays,” and the student says it would be “perfect.” “At night” is a paraphrase of evening.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The waiting list is mentioned, but the student does not choose it because he works on Thursdays. Option (C) is a trap. He mentions his part-time job, but he does not quit it.

Student: “Excuse me, are you available to help me with a scheduling issue?”

Staff: “Yes, of course. Have a seat. What seems to be the problem?”

Student: “Well, um, I just checked my timetable for the upcoming semester, and there’s a major clash. Both Introduction to Psychology and Academic Writing are scheduled on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM.”

Staff: “I see. Are they both compulsory for your major?”

Student: “Yes, they are. I really need to take them this term to graduate on time.”

Staff: “Let me check the system… Ah, I understand. The Psychology lecture was originally planned for Wednesdays, but the professor had to change his availability at the last minute.”

Student: “Oh, I see. So, is there any way I can move to a different section?”

Staff: “Well, there is another Academic Writing seminar on Thursday afternoons. However, it’s currently full. I can put you on the waiting list, or I can override the system and enroll you in the evening class on Mondays.”

Student: “The evening class would be perfect, actually. I work part-time on Thursdays anyway.”

Staff: “Great. Give me your student ID, and I’ll make the update right now.”

1 (B) To report that he is too sick to attend his morning exam.

• Explanation: The student says he has a “final exam… at 10 AM today” but feels terrible because he caught a “bad flu” and cannot go to the campus.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The “Modern History” test is mentioned, but he hasn’t taken it yet, so he cannot ask for results. Option (C) is plausible because he mentions going to a clinic, but he is going to a “local clinic” and already knows where it is; he is not asking for directions.

2 (B) Send a digital copy of the paper from the doctor.

• Explanation: The secretary tells him to “take a photo or scan it, and email it.” This means sending a digital copy.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. The secretary mentions dropping it off in person, but explicitly says, “You don’t need to drop it off in person today.” Option (C) is a plausible action in real life, but the secretary never tells him to call his professor in the audio.

3 (A) Right after he finishes his medical appointment.

• Explanation: The student states, “I’ll email the picture as soon as I get home from the doctor.” This means immediately after his visit to the clinic.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. The secretary gives him a deadline of “by tomorrow,” but the student’s actual plan is to do it today after the doctor. Option (C) is a trap because “10 AM” is mentioned as the exam time, but he cannot send the note before 10 AM since his appointment is in an hour.

Secretary: “Good morning, Faculty of Education, Sarah speaking. How can I help you?”

Student: “Hi, um, my name is Alex. I’m calling because I have my final exam for Modern History at 10 AM today, but I feel absolutely terrible. I think I caught that bad flu going around. There’s really no way I can make it to campus.”

Secretary: “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Well, university policy states that if you miss an assessment due to illness, you must apply for a make-up test. But you’ll need official documentation to prove it.”

Student: “Right, I understand. I’m actually going to the local clinic in about an hour. So, a doctor’s note is enough?”

Secretary: “Yes, exactly. A medical certificate. You don’t need to drop it off in person today, though. Just take a photo or scan it, and email it to my office by tomorrow. You can hand in the physical copy when you finally return to class.”

Student: “Okay, that’s a huge relief. I’ll email the picture as soon as I get home from the doctor. Thank you for your help, Sarah.”

Secretary: “You’re very welcome, Alex. Get well soon.”

1 (B) He used an electronic device in class.

• Explanation: The student admits he was “looking at my smartphone during the math lesson.” “Electronic device” is a synonym for smartphone.
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. “Math” is mentioned as the class he was in, but he was not punished for forgetting homework. Option (C) is a trap. “Locker” is mentioned as the place where the phone should be, but he didn’t lose his key.

2 (A) The school will keep it until the end of the week.

• Explanation: The supervisor states, “I have to confiscate your phone until Friday.” “Keep it until the end of the week” is a paraphrase of confiscating it until Friday.
• Trap Analysis: Option (B) is a trap. The student wants to call his mother, but the supervisor tells him to use the “office telephone,” not his own phone. Option (C) is a trap. His parents are coming tomorrow, but the phone is kept until Friday.

3 (C) Write down a description of his mistake.

• Explanation: The supervisor tells him to “write an incident report explaining exactly what happened” and later says, “start writing your statement.”
• Trap Analysis: Option (A) is a trap. Calling parents is mentioned, but he is told to ask them to come tomorrow, not to call his father right now. Option (B) is a trap. The student asks, “can’t I just do some extra homework instead?” but the supervisor says “No.”

Supervisor: “Come in and sit down, David. Do you know why Mr. Smith sent you to my office?”

Student: “Um, yes. I was looking at my smartphone during the math lesson.”

Supervisor: “Exactly. You know the school policy. Devices must be completely turned off and kept inside your locker during the school day. Because you ignored the rule, I have to confiscate your phone until Friday.”

Student: “Friday? But, sir, I need it to call my mom after school today!”

Supervisor: “Well, you can use the office telephone if you need to make an urgent call. For now, I need you to write an incident report explaining exactly what happened. And David, since this is your second warning this term, I will have to speak with your parents. Please ask your mother or father to come see me tomorrow morning.”

Student: “Oh, no… Ah, can’t I just do some extra homework instead?”

Supervisor: “No, the consequences are clear. Here is a pen. Please start writing your statement.”

1 (B) He left his wallet at his house because he was in a rush this morning.

• The Key (Correct): The student says, “I left my entire wallet on my desk at home this morning because I was rushing.” (Paraphrased: rushing = in a rush; at home = at his house).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The student mentions “studying at the library late last night” (Trap), but he didn’t drop it there; he left it at home.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a plausible excuse for not having an ID, but a stolen backpack is never mentioned.

2 (C) An official government card that allows him to operate a vehicle.

• The Key (Correct): The student offers his “driving license,” which the invigilator later refers to as a “government ID.” (Paraphrased: driving license = card that allows him to operate a vehicle).
• The Trap: Option (A) is a trap. The invigilator mentions a “temporary pass from the admin office”, but says that is what he would usually do, not what the student is offering right now.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a trap. The student mentions his “date of birth”, but the card is a driving license, not a health insurance card.

3 (A) The staff member will record his personal details on a special list.

• The Key (Correct): The invigilator says, “I’ll have to note your name down on the exception sheet.” (Paraphrased: note your name down = record personal details; exception sheet = special list).
• The Trap: Option (B) uses the phrase “ten minutes”, which is in the audio (“the exam starts in ten minutes”), but the student doesn’t have to wait 10 minutes to enter.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is completely fabricated. Calling parents is not discussed.

Student: Excuse me, sir? I have a massive problem. I’m supposed to take the Economics exam in room 302, but I don’t have my student badge.

Invigilator: Well, you know the university policy. No student badge, no entry. Did you lose it?

Student: No. I was studying at the library late last night, and I think I left my entire wallet on my desk at home this morning because I was rushing to catch the bus.

Invigilator: I can’t just let anyone in. I need to verify who you are, and the exam starts in ten minutes. Usually, I would send you to the admin office to print a temporary pass.

Student: Wait! I have my driving license in my jacket pocket. It has my full name, date of birth, and a clear photo of my face. Will that work?

Invigilator: Hmm. Since we are incredibly short on time, I will accept this government ID just for today. However, I’ll have to note your name down on the exception sheet.

Student: Oh, thank you so much! I promise it won’t happen again.