Family & Friends – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a student talking about his best friend. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did the speaker think about David at first?
(A) He was very funny.
(B) He was quiet and shy.
(C) He was good at sports.
2 What did the two friends do together last year?
(A) They joined the chess club.
(B) They played on the basketball team.
(C) They played video games.
3 Why did they join the chess club this year?
(A) Because David broke his leg.
(B) Because they don’t like basketball anymore.
(C) Because they want to learn a new game.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He was quiet and shy.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist” about personality. The speaker says, “At first, I thought he was very quiet and shy, but I was wrong!” Option (A) is a trap because David is funny now, but the question asks what the speaker thought at first. Option (C) is a true fact about David later, but not the first impression.
2 (B) They played on the basketball team.
- Explanation: The speaker clearly states, “Last year, we played on the school basketball team together.” Option (A) is a trap because the chess club is what they do this year. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (A) Because David broke his leg.
- Explanation: This is another “Twist”. The speaker wanted to play basketball again, but things changed. He explains: “but David broke his leg last month. So, we joined the chess club instead.” Option (B) is incorrect because they still love sports. Option (C) is a plausible reason to join a chess club, but it is not the reason mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Student (Monologue): Hello everyone. Today, I want to talk about my best friend, David. We met five years ago in middle school. At first, I thought he was very quiet and shy, but I was wrong! He is actually the funniest person in our class and always makes me laugh. We are close because we both love sports. Last year, we played on the school basketball team together. I wanted to play basketball again this year, but David broke his leg last month. So, we joined the chess club instead. It’s very different from sports, but we still have a lot of fun together. Thank you for listening.
Listening 2
Listen to a vlogger talking about his family’s evening. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the mother doing right now?
(A) Watching TV.
(B) Reading a book.
(C) Cooking dinner.
2 What did the vlogger think his little brother was doing?
(A) Doing his homework.
(B) Playing video games.
(C) Sleeping in his bedroom.
3 What is the dad doing in the kitchen?
(A) Cooking a delicious dinner.
(B) Eating some food.
(C) Washing the dishes.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Reading a book.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The vlogger says his mom usually watches TV (Option A – the trap), “but tonight she is reading a book on the sofa.” Option (C) is a trap because the dad cooked dinner, not the mom.
2 (A) Doing his homework.
- Explanation: Read the question carefully: It asks what the vlogger thought his brother was doing. The vlogger says: “I thought he was doing his homework…”. Option (B) is what the brother is actually doing right now. Option (C) is not mentioned.
3 (C) Washing the dishes.
- Explanation: The vlogger says about his dad: “he cooked a delicious dinner for us earlier. So, right now, he is washing the dishes”. Option (A) is the trap because cooking dinner is what the dad did in the past (earlier), but the question asks what he is doing now. Option (B) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Vlogger (Monologue): Hi guys! Welcome back to my vlog. It’s Saturday night, and I’m just showing you what my family is doing right now. Look, over there is my mom. She usually watches TV in the evening, but tonight she is reading a book on the sofa. My little brother is in his bedroom. I thought he was doing his homework, but no, he is playing video games again! And what about my dad? Well, he cooked a delicious dinner for us earlier. So, right now, he is washing the dishes in the kitchen. I should probably go help him! See you next time!
Listening 3
Listen to a radio DJ reading a message. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Who is receiving this radio message?
(A) Sarah.
(B) Tom.
(C) The radio DJ.
2 Why didn’t Sarah go to the graduation?
(A) Because her flight was canceled.
(B) Because she had to go to a dinner.
(C) Because she had to work late.
3 What will Sarah do later tonight?
(A) Fly back home.
(B) Take Tom out for dinner.
(C) Call Tom on video.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Tom.
- Explanation: The DJ clearly says the message is “from Sarah to her younger brother, Tom.” Option (A) is the trap because Sarah is the one sending the message, not receiving it. Option (C) is the person speaking, not the receiver.
2 (A) Because her flight was canceled.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Sarah planned to fly home, “but the weather was terrible, and my flight was canceled.” Option (B) is a trap because the “big dinner” is mentioned, but it’s for Tom and their parents, not the reason Sarah was absent. Option (C) is a plausible reason but is not mentioned.
3 (C) Call Tom on video.
- Explanation: In the message, Sarah promises: “I will call you on video later.” Option (A) is a trap because flying home was her original plan that failed. Option (B) is a trap because “our parents” are taking Tom out for dinner, not Sarah.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Radio DJ (Monologue): Welcome back to 99.5 City Radio. I have a very special message here from Sarah to her younger brother, Tom. Today is Tom’s college graduation day! Sarah writes: “Hi Tom. I am so proud of you. I planned to fly home to see you get your degree today, but the weather was terrible, and my flight was canceled. So, I am sending you this radio message and your favorite song instead. Our parents are taking you out for a big dinner tonight, and I will call you on video later. Congratulations, Tom!” Alright, Tom, here is the song your sister requested.
Listening 4
Listen to a podcast host giving advice. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the first tip to make new friends?
(A) Help classmates with their homework.
(B) Smile and say hello to people.
(C) Give gifts to other students.
2 What does the host say you should do at lunchtime?
(A) Eat lunch alone if you are shy.
(B) Go home to eat lunch.
(C) Sit with other students.
3 Why is joining a club a good idea?
(A) You can meet people who like the same things.
(B) You can become very good at sports.
(C) You can get better grades in music class.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Smile and say hello to people.
- Explanation: The host clearly says, “First, always smile and say hello to people in your class.” Options (A) and (C) are nice things to do, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) Sit with other students.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The host knows you might want to eat alone (Option A – the trap), but advises you to change that behavior: “but you should sit with other students instead.” Option (B) is not mentioned.
3 (A) You can meet people who like the same things.
- Explanation: The host says joining a club “is the best way to meet people who like the same things as you.” Options (B) and (C) are traps because “sports” and “music” are mentioned in the audio as examples of clubs, but they are not the reason why you should join a club.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Host (Monologue): Hello listeners! Welcome to “Teen Talk”. Today, we are talking about making new friends at a new school. Here are three easy tips for you. First, always smile and say hello to people in your class. It makes you look friendly. Second, let’s talk about lunchtime. I know you might want to eat lunch alone because you are shy, but you should sit with other students instead. Just ask, “Can I sit here?” Finally, join a school club. A lot of students join the sports club, but if you don’t like sports, join the art or music club. It is the best way to meet people who like the same things as you. Good luck!
Listening 5
Listen to a voicemail from a friend. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Jamie and Alex plan to do this afternoon?
(A) Go to the movies.
(B) Visit the countryside.
(C) Have dinner together.
2 Why does Jamie have to stay home?
(A) Because he is feeling sick.
(B) Because his aunt and uncle are visiting.
(C) Because he wants to watch a comedy on TV.
3 What does Jamie suggest doing at the end of the message?
(A) Going to the movies next weekend.
(B) Meeting for dinner tomorrow.
(C) Calling his aunt and uncle.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) Go to the movies.
- Explanation: Jamie says, “I’m calling about our plan to go to the movies this afternoon.” Option (B) is a trap because the countryside is where the aunt and uncle came from. Option (C) is what Jamie will do with his family later, not the plan with Alex.
2 (B) Because his aunt and uncle are visiting.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Jamie wanted to go out, “but my aunt and uncle just arrived… So, I can’t go out today.” Option (A) is a plausible reason to cancel, but it is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because the “comedy” was the movie they planned to see at the theater, not on TV.
3 (A) Going to the movies next weekend.
- Explanation: At the end of the voicemail, Jamie asks, “Maybe we can go next weekend?” Option (B) is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because Jamie asks Alex to call him back, not the aunt and uncle.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Jamie (Monologue): Hey Alex, it’s Jamie. Um, I’m calling about our plan to go to the movies this afternoon. I was really looking forward to seeing that new comedy, but my aunt and uncle just arrived from the countryside. It was a complete surprise! So, I can’t go out today. I have to stay home and have dinner with them instead. I am so sorry to cancel at the last minute. Maybe we can go next weekend? Call me back when you get this. Bye!