Family & Friends – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is true about Leo’s brother, Mark?
(A) He is taller and more outgoing than Leo.
(B) He looks exactly like Leo.
(C) He is very good at math.
2 What did Leo decide to do about the basketball team?
(A) He joined the team because he likes sports.
(B) He didn’t join because he is bad at playing it.
(C) He didn’t join because he has to study all day.
3 What is Leo better at than his brother?
(A) Playing basketball.
(B) Going to parties.
(C) Studying math.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) He is taller and more outgoing than Leo.
- Explanation: This is the correct answer. The speakers clearly mention Mark is taller and more outgoing. Option (B) is a trap because Emma says “You two don’t look alike”. Option (C) is a trap because Leo is good at math, not Mark.
2 (B) He didn’t join because he is bad at playing it.
- Explanation: This is the “Twist” (A2 technique). Leo says “I thought about joining… but honestly, I’m terrible at it”. Option (A) is a trap because he thought about joining, but he didn’t. Option (C) is plausible but wrong; he focuses on studies because he is bad at sports, not that studies stopped him from joining.
3 (C) Studying math.
- Explanation: This is the correct answer. Leo says “I’m actually much better at math than he is.” Options (A) and (B) are traps because those are Mark’s strengths, not Leo’s.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Hey Leo, I saw you with someone at the mall yesterday. Was that your older brother?
Leo: Oh, yeah, that was Mark.
Emma: You two don’t look alike! He’s a lot taller than you.
Leo: Yeah, he is. He’s also more outgoing. He loves going to parties, but I prefer staying home.
Emma: Are you two good at the same things?
Leo: Um, no, not really. Mark is amazing at sports. I thought about joining his basketball team, but honestly, I’m terrible at it. So, I just focus on my studies. I’m actually much better at math than he is.
Emma: Well, it’s nice that you both have your own strengths.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between two sisters. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What does Simon look like?
(A) He has straight hair.
(B) He has curly hair.
(C) He is very tall.
2 What is Simon’s personality?
(A) He is serious but kind.
(B) He is funny and helpful.
(C) He is quiet and shy.
3 When will Sarah meet Simon?
(A) Today, for lunch.
(B) This Saturday.
(C) Next Sunday.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He has curly hair.
- Explanation: Lily explicitly says Simon has “dark, curly hair”. Option (A) is the opposite of the script. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) He is funny and helpful.
- Explanation: Lily describes Simon as “funnier” and “kind” because he is “always helping people”. These are synonyms for “funny and helpful”. Option (A) is a trap because he is kind, but not “serious”.
3 (C) Next Sunday.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist” (Kỹ thuật bẻ lái). They planned to meet “today”, but Simon is sick. Lily says, “We’ll meet him next Sunday instead.” Option (A) is a trap because it was the original plan, but it changed. Option (B) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah (Older sister): So, Lily, tell me about your new boyfriend. What’s he like?
Lily (Younger sister): Oh, his name is Simon. He’s wonderful! He has dark, curly hair and the cutest smile.
Sarah: That sounds nice. Is he as funny as your last boyfriend?
Lily: Well, he’s even funnier! And he’s very kind, too. He’s always helping his neighbors.
Sarah: He sounds perfect. Is he joining us for lunch today? I really want to meet him.
Lily: Um, we planned to have lunch together, but he’s feeling a bit sick today. So, he’s staying home to rest. We’ll meet him next Sunday instead.
Sarah: Oh, that’s too bad. I hope he feels better soon!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between two friends. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Where did Anna’s family have the birthday dinner?
(A) At a seafood restaurant.
(B) At Anna’s home.
(C) At her grandmother’s house.
2 Who cooked the birthday meal?
(A) Anna’s grandmother.
(B) Anna’s brother.
(C) Anna’s dad.
3 What did Anna give her grandmother?
(A) A scarf.
(B) Flowers.
(C) A book.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) At Anna’s home.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Anna says they wanted to go to a seafood restaurant, but it was full. She then says, “my dad cooked a big meal at home instead.” Option (A) is a trap because it was their original plan. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned.
2 (C) Anna’s dad.
- Explanation: Anna clearly states, “my dad cooked a big meal.” Option (A) and (B) are plausible family members but are incorrect based on the audio.
3 (C) A book.
- Explanation: Here is another “Twist”. Anna planned to get flowers, but she changed her mind and bought a book about gardening. Option (B) is a trap because she only planned to buy them. Option (A) is also a trap because the scarf was from her brother, not Anna.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hey, Anna. How was your weekend?
Anna: It was great! We had a birthday party for my grandmother on Sunday. She turned 80!
Tom: Wow, happy birthday to her! Did you guys go out for dinner?
Anna: We wanted to go to her favorite seafood restaurant, but it was fully booked. So, my dad cooked a big meal at home instead.
Tom: That’s nice. What did you get her for her birthday?
Anna: Well, my brother bought her a beautiful scarf. I planned to get her some flowers, but I found a great book about gardening. So, I bought that instead. She loved it!
Tom: Sounds like a perfect day.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between three friends. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Where are the friends going to hang out this Saturday?
(A) At Bella’s house.
(B) At Chris’s house.
(C) At a pizza restaurant.
2 Why can’t they go to Bella’s house?
(A) Because her parents are painting the house.
(B) Because her parents are going out.
(C) Because she has to study for a test.
3 What will they have for dinner?
(A) Pasta.
(B) Pizza.
(C) Sandwiches.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) At Chris’s house.
- Explanation: This is the first “Twist”. They originally talked about going to Bella’s house, but they changed the plan. Chris says, “you guys can come to my place.” Option (A) is a trap because it was the first idea. Option (C) is plausible because they eat pizza, but they are not going to a restaurant.
2 (A) Because her parents are painting the house.
- Explanation: Chris reminds Bella that her parents are “painting the living room”, which makes it too noisy. Option (B) is a trap because it is Chris’s parents who are going out, not Bella’s. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) Pizza.
- Explanation: This is the second “Twist”. Alex suggests cooking pasta, but Chris says cooking takes too long and suggests, “Let’s just order a pizza… instead”. Option (A) is the trap because it was suggested but rejected. Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Alex: Hey guys, what are we doing this Saturday?
Bella: Let’s hang out at my house! We can play video games.
Chris: I’d love to, but didn’t you say your parents are painting the living room this weekend?
Bella: Oh, right. I forgot about that. It will be too noisy.
Chris: Well, you guys can come to my place. My parents are going out.
Alex: Perfect! Should we cook dinner together? I can bring some pasta.
Chris: Um, cooking takes too long. Let’s just order a pizza and watch a movie instead.
Bella: Great idea! I’ll bring some snacks.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between two brothers. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why didn’t Ben clean the room?
(A) He had to do his homework.
(B) He was tired from soccer practice.
(C) He was watching TV all morning.
2 When does Ben promise to clean the room?
(A) Tonight.
(B) Tomorrow.
(C) On Tuesday.
3 What will Ben do tonight?
(A) Play soccer with Sam.
(B) Clean the bedroom.
(C) Wash the dishes.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) He had to do his homework.
- Explanation: Ben clearly says he didn’t clean the room because “I had a lot of math homework.” Option (B) is a trap because it was Sam who was tired from soccer practice, not Ben. Option (C) is plausible for a lazy brother, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) Tomorrow.
- Explanation: Ben says to his brother, “I will clean it tomorrow, I promise.” Option (A) is a trap because tonight he has to do something else (wash the dishes). Option (C) is a trap because Tuesday is Sam’s usual day for washing dishes.
3 (C) Wash the dishes.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Sam usually washes the dishes on Tuesdays. However, because Ben didn’t clean the room, Sam tells him: “you have to wash the dishes tonight instead”. Option (B) is a trap because Ben will clean the room tomorrow, not tonight. Option (A) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sam: Ben, your clothes are everywhere! We agreed you would clean our room today.
Ben: I know, I know. I wanted to clean it this morning, but I had a lot of math homework.
Sam: Well, it’s a big mess. And I’m really tired from soccer practice.
Ben: Sorry, Sam. I will clean it tomorrow, I promise.
Sam: No, that’s not fair. Look, I usually wash the dishes on Tuesdays, right?
Ben: Um, yeah.
Sam: Well, since you didn’t clean the room today, you have to wash the dishes tonight instead.
Ben: Oh, man. Okay, fine.