Feelings & Emotions – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 B

• The Key: Maya explicitly states she got a full scholarship for a “summer exchange program in Kyoto.” This is a paraphrase of “accepted into a study program abroad.”
• The Trap (A): Leo asks jokingly if she “won the lottery.” Maya says no, so this is incorrect.
• The Trap (C): They mention her apartment, but it’s about leaving her current lease, not finding a new place in her current city.

2 B

• The Key: Maya says she was “expecting a rejection letter” because the interview was tough. This means she thought she had failed.
• The Trap (A): This is the exact opposite of how she felt. She was “stressing out” and expected rejection, not confident.
• The Trap (C): While the interview was “tough,” she never mentioned feeling angry or annoyed by the questions—this is plausible but not mentioned.

3 B

• The Key: Maya mentions she needs to “figure out my current lease” because she planned to stay until August, but the program starts in June.
• The Trap (A): The program is a “full scholarship,” meaning it is paid for. She does not mention money problems.
• The Trap (C): Leo actually praises her language skills, saying “Your Japanese is amazing,” so improving her Japanese is not her problem.

Maya: Leo! You won’t believe what just popped up in my inbox!

Leo: Whoa, slow down, Maya. You look absolutely thrilled. Did you finally win the lottery or something?

Maya: Even better! Well, maybe not financially, but you know that summer exchange program in Kyoto I applied for?

Leo: Yeah, the one you were stressing out about all last month? Don’t tell me…

Maya: Yes! I got the email ten minutes ago. I was actually expecting a rejection letter because the interview was pretty tough. But they offered me the full scholarship! I’m completely over the moon!

Leo: That’s fantastic news! I knew you’d get it. Your Japanese is amazing. So, are you going to accept it right away?

Maya: I really want to. I just need to figure out my current lease first. I was planning to stay in this apartment until August, but the program starts in June.

Leo: Ah, right. Well, don’t let that ruin the moment. We can worry about subletting your place tomorrow. Tonight, we need to celebrate!

Maya: You’re totally right. Let’s go to that new sushi place downtown. My treat!

1 (A) She is feeling sad about returning to her daily life.

• The Key: Sarah mentions having “post-vacation blues” and says it’s “tough coming back to reality.” This is a paraphrase of feeling sad about returning to daily life.
• The Trap (B): Emma asks if she is exhausted from the flight, but Sarah says “it’s more than just physical tiredness,” meaning this is not her main problem.
• The Plausible (C): People often feel this way, but Sarah never mentions that her trip was too short.

2 (C) The thought of resuming her work responsibilities.

• The Key: Sarah says she feels melancholy when she thinks about “going back to the office tomorrow” and her “overflowing inbox.” “Work responsibilities” is a synonym for these phrases.
• The Trap (A): The flight is mentioned earlier in the conversation, but Sarah clearly states her heavy feeling comes from thinking about tomorrow’s office work, not the flight itself.
• The Plausible (B): She mentions enjoying fresh seafood on her trip, so it’s logical she might miss it, but it’s not the reason for her melancholy.

3 (B) To relax at home with some food and a movie.

• The Key: Emma suggests they “order some takeout tonight and watch a comedy.” This perfectly matches the idea of relaxing with food and a movie.
• The Trap (A): The script mentions her luggage/unpacking, but Emma gives the opposite advice: she tells Sarah to “leave the luggage for the weekend.”
• The Plausible (C): Sleeping early is a very common and reasonable way to recover from travel, but Emma never suggests this in the conversation.

Emma: Hey, welcome back! How was the trip to Hawaii? You look a bit… um, down, actually.

Sarah: Oh, the vacation itself was absolutely incredible. The beaches, the fresh seafood… it was perfect. But honestly, I’m just feeling completely drained today. I think the post-vacation blues are hitting me hard.

Emma: Ah, I know that feeling. It’s always tough coming back to reality. Are you just exhausted from the long flight?

Sarah: A little bit, yeah. But it’s more than just physical tiredness. It’s the thought of going back to the office tomorrow. When I look at my unpacked suitcase and think about my overflowing inbox, I just feel this heavy sense of melancholy. I really miss the island.

Emma: Well, don’t rush into everything at once. Why don’t you just leave the luggage for the weekend? We can order some takeout tonight and watch a comedy to ease you back into normal life.

Sarah: That sounds like exactly what I need. I’ll deal with the real world tomorrow.

1 (B) He is going to be introduced to his girlfriend’s family.

• The Key: Mark says, “I’m meeting Sarah’s parents for dinner tonight.” Option B is a perfect paraphrase of this event.
• The Trap (A): Mark mentions Sarah’s dad is a “retired army general” and will “interrogate me about my career,” which sounds like an interview, but it is a family dinner, not a real job interview.
• The Trap (C): The word “dizzy” is in the audio, but it is Chloe who feels dizzy because Mark is walking in circles, not Mark.

2 (A) He fears the father will ask strict questions about his life.

• The Key: Mark says he feels the dad is going to “interrogate me about my career and my future plans.” To interrogate means to ask strict or aggressive questions.
• The Trap (B): Chloe advises Mark to “avoid bringing up politics,” but Mark never says he is worried the father will talk about it.
• The Trap (C): They discuss the chocolates at the end, but Chloe says it’s a “classic choice.” There is no mention of the father disliking them.

3 (C) Act naturally and avoid controversial topics.

• The Key: Chloe tells him to “be yourself” (act naturally) and “avoid bringing up politics” (avoid controversial topics).
• The Trap (A): The script mentions the gift, but Chloe says “you can’t go wrong with chocolate.” She agrees with the gift and does not tell him to buy a different one.
• The Plausible (B): Canceling is a common reaction to anxiety, but Chloe is supportive and tells him “you’ll do great,” not to cancel.

Chloe: Mark, why are you pacing around the living room? You’re making me dizzy.

Mark: Sorry, Chloe. I just… um, I can’t sit still. I’m meeting Sarah’s parents for dinner tonight, and I’m incredibly anxious about it. What if I say something completely stupid?

Chloe: Oh, come on. You’re overthinking it. It’s perfectly normal to have butterflies in your stomach before a big introduction.

Mark: I know, well, it’s just that her dad is a retired army general. I feel like he’s going to interrogate me about my career and my future plans. I’m sweating just thinking about it!

Chloe: Listen, Sarah adores you, and her parents will too. Just take a deep breath, be yourself, and maybe avoid bringing up politics at the dinner table.

Mark: Yeah, you’re right. I bought them a nice box of premium chocolates. Do you think that’s a suitable gift?

Chloe: It’s a classic choice. You really can’t go wrong with chocolate. Now, go iron your shirt, you’ll do great!

Mark: Thanks, Chloe. I really needed to hear that. I’ll go get ready.

1 (B) He accidentally destroyed Lisa’s special souvenir.

• The Key: Ben confesses that Lisa’s mug “slipped right out of my hands” and “shattered” (which means destroyed). Lisa later calls it her “favorite souvenir.”
• The Trap (A): The audio mentions “washing the dishes” and her “coffee”, but Ben didn’t forget to wash it; he broke it while washing it.
• The Trap (C): Paris is mentioned as the place where Lisa bought the mug, but Ben did not lose any money there.

2 (A) Purchase a replacement on the internet.

• The Key: Ben says, “Let me buy you a new one, or at least order something similar online to replace it.” “Online” is a synonym for “on the internet.”
• The Trap (B): This is a plausible action when something breaks, but Ben never mentions fixing or gluing the cup in the conversation.
• The Trap (C): Ben offers to buy something “similar” to replace it, not a “completely different gift,” and he doesn’t say he will go to Paris to get it.

3 (B) She suggests that she should wash delicate items herself.

• The Key: At the end, Lisa says, “maybe let me wash the fragile stuff from now on.” “Fragile stuff” is a paraphrase of “delicate items.”
• The Trap (A): Ben offers to buy a new one, but Lisa rejects this idea by saying, “Don’t worry about it, Ben. Seriously.” She does not ask him to pay.
• The Trap (C): The audio mentions “morning coffee,” but Lisa never says she will stop drinking it.

Ben: Hey, Lisa. Do you have a minute? I need to tell you something, and I feel absolutely terrible about it.

Lisa: Uh oh, you look really pale, Ben. What’s wrong? Did something happen?

Ben: Well… you know that blue ceramic mug you bought in Paris? The one you always use for your morning coffee?

Lisa: Yeah? Wait, don’t tell me…

Ben: I’m so incredibly sorry. I was washing the dishes just now, and it slipped right out of my hands. It shattered on the kitchen floor. I feel so guilty because I know how much it meant to you.

Lisa: Oh, no… That was my favorite souvenir. (sighs) I’m a bit upset, I won’t lie. But hey, it was an accident. You didn’t do it on purpose.

Ben: I know, but I still feel awful. Let me buy you a new one, or at least order something similar online to replace it.

Lisa: Don’t worry about it, Ben. Seriously. It’s just a cup at the end of the day. Just… maybe let me wash the fragile stuff from now on, okay?

1 (B) She felt a bit down because her friends didn’t contact her.

• The Key: Sarah says she was feeling “a little depressed all day because nobody called me this morning.” “Depressed” is paraphrased as “down,” and “nobody called” means her friends didn’t contact her.
• The Trap (A): The audio is about her birthday, but her friends organized the party, not her. She actually thought everyone had forgotten.
• The Trap (C): Mark and a chocolate cake are mentioned, but Mark didn’t ruin it; he says they got the best cake for her.

2 (A) She is deeply moved and experiencing strong positive emotions.

• The Key: Sarah explains, “I’m not sad, I’m just so overwhelmed. These are happy tears… I’m so touched.” Being “touched” and “overwhelmed” by “happy tears” perfectly matches “deeply moved and experiencing strong positive emotions.”
• The Trap (B): The word “depressed” is in the audio, but she felt that way earlier in the day, not at the moment she is crying.
• The Plausible (C): Some people hate surprises and cry out of frustration, but Sarah clearly states they are “happy tears.”

3 (B) Stop crying and participate in a birthday tradition.

• The Key: Emma tells Sarah to “dry your eyes” (stop crying) and “blow out the candles and make a wish,” which is a classic birthday tradition.
• The Trap (A): Emma did say “hide behind the couch,” but she said this to the guests at the very beginning of the audio, before Sarah walked in.
• The Plausible (C): Cutting the cake is the logical next step at a birthday party, but Emma specifically asks her to blow out the candles and make a wish, not cut the cake yet.

Mark: Okay, turn off the lights. She’s coming up the stairs!

Emma: Shh! Everybody hide behind the couch. Get ready!

Group: SURPRISE! Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Sarah: Oh my gosh! What… what is going on? I… I am completely speechless!

Emma: We got you! You really thought we forgot your 25th birthday, didn’t you?

Sarah: I honestly did! I was actually feeling a little depressed all day because nobody called me this morning. I can’t believe you guys planned all this. Is that a chocolate cake?

Mark: Of course! Only the best for you. Oh, wait, don’t cry, Sarah!

Sarah: I’m not sad, I’m just so overwhelmed. These are happy tears, I promise. You guys are the absolute best. I’m so touched.

Emma: Well, dry your eyes and come over here. It’s time to blow out the candles and make a wish!