Family & Friends – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) She is tall with shoulder-length hair.

• Explanation: The girl clearly describes her friend’s appearance: “She is quite tall and has shoulder-length hair.” Options (A) and (C) have incorrect details about her height or hair length.

2 (B) A red jacket.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The girl says she thought her friend was wearing a blue sweater (Option A – the trap), but because it got warm, she took it off. She says, “She is wearing a red jacket now.” Option (C) is a trap that mixes the color of the backpack with the clothing item.

3 (A) A black backpack.

• Explanation: At the end of her description, the girl adds: “Oh, and she is carrying a black backpack.” Option (B) uses the color of the sweater. Option (C) uses the color of the jacket.

Girl: Excuse me, officer. I can’t find my friend in this crowd. Can you help me?

Security Guard: Don’t worry, miss. We will find her. What does she look like?

Girl: She is quite tall and has shoulder-length hair.

Security Guard: Okay. Do you remember what she is wearing?

Girl: Well, I thought she was wearing her blue sweater, but it got really warm this afternoon. So, she took it off. She is wearing a red jacket now. Oh, and she is carrying a black backpack.

Security Guard: A red jacket and a black backpack. Got it. I will radio my team to look for her.

Girl: Thank you so much!

1 (B) 30 minutes.

• Explanation: Emma says, “I’ve been waiting for half an hour.” Half an hour is 30 minutes. Options (A) and (C) are incorrect numbers.

2 (C) He had to help his sick sister.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Liam planned to catch the bus, but his sister got sick. Option (A) is a trap because the “bus” is mentioned as his original plan, not the reason he was late. Option (B) is a trap because Emma thought he forgot about the movie, but that wasn’t the real reason.

3 (A) To the doctor.

• Explanation: Liam explains his situation: “I had to take her to the doctor instead.” Option (B) is where they are going now. Option (C) was part of his original plan that he didn’t do.

Emma: Liam, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for half an hour. I was so worried!

Liam: I am so sorry, Emma! I really wanted to leave my house at 2:00 to catch the bus, but my little sister suddenly got very sick.

Emma: Oh no! Is she okay now?

Liam: Yes, she is fine. My parents weren’t home, so I had to take her to the doctor instead. That’s why I am late.

Emma: Well, I thought you just forgot about our movie, but family is definitely more important. How about we go buy the tickets now?

Liam: Thanks for understanding. Let’s go.

1 (A) To take pictures in the park.

• Explanation: Leo says, “I wanted to take some pictures in the park.” Option (B) is a trap because the “trip” is the reason Max needs the camera, not the reason Leo borrowed it. Option (C) is a trap because the bus stop is just where Leo ran to when it rained.

2 (B) It fell out of Leo’s bag.

• Explanation: Leo explains the accident: “I ran to the bus stop, and unfortunately, the camera fell out of my bag.” Option (A) is a trap because it started raining, but the rain didn’t break the camera. Option (C) is where Leo will go tomorrow.

3 (B) Take the camera to a repair shop.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Leo felt sorry and says, “I thought about buying you a new one” (Option A – the trap), but he didn’t have enough money. He then says, “So, I will take it to the repair shop tomorrow instead.” Option (C) is not mentioned as a plan for tomorrow.

Max: Hey Leo, have you seen my camera? I need it for my trip tomorrow.

Leo: Um, Max… I have to tell you something. I borrowed it yesterday.

Max: That’s fine, but where is it now?

Leo: Well, I wanted to take some pictures in the park, but it started raining. I ran to the bus stop, and unfortunately, the camera fell out of my bag.

Max: Oh no! Is it broken?

Leo: Yes, the screen is cracked. I am so sorry! I thought about buying you a new one, but I don’t have enough money. So, I will take it to the repair shop tomorrow instead. I’ll pay for everything.

Max: Okay, fine. Just be more careful next time.

1 (B) Her cousin.

• Explanation: Sarah apologizes and says, “I thought you were my cousin, Mark.” Option (A) is a plausible family member but is not mentioned. Option (C) is also not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) David.

• Explanation: This uses the “Trap” logic with names. Sarah calls him “Mark” at first (Option A – the trap), but that is her cousin’s name. The man later introduces himself: “My name is actually David”. Option (C) is a trap because Sarah is the woman’s name.

3 (C) Because the man has the same hair and jacket as her cousin.

• Explanation: Sarah explains her mistake by saying, “He is tall and has curly brown hair just like you. And he also wears a brown leather jacket!” Option (A) is a trap because meeting a cousin is plausible, but she didn’t plan it; it was an accident. Option (B) is incorrect because the man didn’t know her.

Sarah: Hey, Mark! It’s so great to see you! How are you?

David: Excuse me? I think you have the wrong person.

Sarah: Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! I thought you were my cousin, Mark.

David: That’s alright. It happens all the time.

Sarah: You see, from the back, you look exactly like him. He is tall and has curly brown hair just like you. And he also wears a brown leather jacket!

David: Well, I guess I have a twin somewhere! My name is actually David, by the way.

Sarah: Nice to meet you, David. I’m Sarah. Sorry again for the confusion! Have a nice day!

David: No problem, Sarah. You too.

1 (A) They forgot to buy a birthday gift for Mom.

• Explanation: Both of them realize it is Mom’s birthday, and neither of them bought a gift because they thought the other person did it. Option (B) is a trap because Tom wanted to buy a necklace but forgot; he didn’t buy the wrong one. Option (C) is a plausible problem but not mentioned.

2 (B) Buy a cake.

• Explanation: When they realize they don’t have a gift, the dad says: “let’s go to the bakery and buy a big cake.” Option (A) is a trap because the necklace was the son’s original idea, not the dad’s idea to solve the current problem. Option (C) is what they do at the end.

3 (C) Order flowers online.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist”. The dad wanted to buy a cake (Option A – the trap), but Tom says they don’t have time. Tom suggests: “Let’s order some beautiful flowers online… instead”, and the dad agrees. Option (B) is a trap because the dad mentions his phone, but he uses it to order flowers, not to call the mom.

Dad: Tom, do you know what day it is today? It’s October 15th!

Tom: October 15th… Oh no! It’s Mom’s birthday! Did you buy her a gift?

Dad: I thought you bought something! I was so busy at work this week.

Tom: I wanted to buy her a necklace, but I completely forgot. What should we do? She will be home in an hour.

Dad: Well, let’s go to the bakery and buy a big cake.

Tom: We don’t have time for that. Let’s order some beautiful flowers online and get them delivered fast instead.

Dad: Good idea. I’ll do it right now on my phone.