Feelings & Emotions – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Extremely anxious about her work and device.

• Explanation: Sarah says she is “terrified” because her report isn’t saved and her screen is flickering. This matches “extremely anxious.” Option (A) is wrong because she is thankful to David, not frustrated. Option (C) is the opposite of her actual feeling.

2 (C) Disconnect the device from the power source.

• Explanation: David says “The most important thing is to stop the electricity. You need to pull out the power cable immediately.” This is a paraphrase of disconnecting the power. Option (A) was suggested by Sarah but rejected by David (“Don’t touch the keys yet”). Option (B) was also rejected by David because it could cause a “short circuit.”

3 (B) Seek help from technical experts in the office.

• Explanation: David suggests going to the “IT department,” which is a paraphrase for “technical experts in the office.” Option (A) is a distractor because a “meeting” was mentioned as the cause of her stress, but not as their next destination. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Sarah: Oh no! Oh my goodness, David, look! I’ve just spilled my entire latte all over my laptop!

David: Whoa, Sarah! Take a deep breath. Um, panicking won’t help the computer. Just try to stay calm.

Sarah: But I’m terrified! I’ve been working on that budget report for three days, and it isn’t saved anywhere else! I think it’s already broken… the screen just flickered! Should I use these paper towels to dry the keys right now?

David: Actually, wait! Don’t touch the keys yet. That’s not the priority. The most important thing is to stop the electricity. You need to pull out the power cable immediately.

Sarah: Right… the cord. Okay, it’s out. Um, what next? Should I try to restart it to see if it still works?

David: Definitely not. That could cause a short circuit and ruin it forever. Just turn it off completely and let’s turn it upside down so the liquid can run out. Well, at least the coffee didn’t have sugar in it.

Sarah: “I’m such a klutz. I was so stressed about the meeting that I wasn’t even looking at my hands. I feel so embarrassed.

David: It happens to everyone, really. Let’s head down to the IT department now. They’ve seen this a hundred times and might be able to save your data.

Sarah: Thanks, David. I’m still a bit shaky, but at least I’m not screaming anymore.

1 (A) She was rejected because she lacked practical background.

• Explanation: Jamie says the company hired someone with “more field experience.” Option (A) uses “practical background” as a synonym for field experience. Option (B) is a trap; the company actually said her presentation skills were good, not bad. Option (C) is false because she did attend the interview.

2 (C) By validating her negative feelings and offering emotional support.

• Explanation: Alex says, “It is completely normal to feel upset right now” (validating feelings) and offers to sit with her or get ice cream (emotional support). Option (A) is a trap; Alex mentions the word “effort”, but he says she already put a lot of effort in, not that she needs to do more. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3 (B) They are going to remain in their current location for a short time.

• Explanation: Jamie says she just wants to “stay here for a minute and catch my breath,” which matches option (B). Option (A) is a trap; Alex offered ice cream (a cold dessert), but Jamie chose to just sit instead. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Alex: Jamie? Hey, are you okay? What’s going on?

Jamie: Oh, hey Alex. I’m just… um, I’m having a really awful day.

Alex: Oh no, you’ve been crying. Do you want to talk about it? I’m right here.

Jamie: Well, I just got an email from that marketing company. The one I interviewed with last Tuesday?

Alex: Yeah, the junior manager position. You were so prepared for it.

Jamie: I didn’t get it. They said my presentation skills were good, but they decided to hire someone with more field experience. I just feel so defeated, you know? I really wanted this job.

Alex: Oh, Jamie, I’m so sorry. It is completely normal to feel upset right now. You put a lot of effort into that application.

Jamie: I just feel like I’m never going to find anything.

Alex: Hey, don’t say that. It’s just one setback. You are incredibly talented. How about we go grab some ice cream, or just sit here for a while? Whatever you need.

Jamie: Thanks, Alex. I think I just need to stay here for a minute and catch my breath.

1 (B) Because she has to pay extra for her parking soon.

• Explanation: The woman says she is frustrated because her “parking ticket is about to expire,” which means she will have to pay more or get a fine soon. Option (A) is a trap; the cashier is mentioned as being “busy,” but not the reason for the woman’s anger. Option (C) is a trap using the word “water”, which is actually the item the man is buying.

2 (A) He claims his purchase will be extremely quick.

• Explanation: The man says, “I’m just buying this single bottle of water. It’ll only take a second.” Option (A) is a perfect paraphrase of this excuse. Option (B) is a trap; “fifteen minutes” is mentioned in the audio, but that is how long the woman and others have been waiting, not the man. Option (C) is plausible in real life, but he didn’t say it in the audio.

3 (B) By controlling her temper and explaining her point politely.

• Explanation: The audio explicitly notes that the woman takes a “deep, audible breath” to stay calm, and she uses polite phrases like “I would really appreciate it.” Option (A) is a trap; she tells him to step back, but she does not shout or tell him to leave the supermarket entirely. Option (C) is not mentioned.

Customer A (Woman): Excuse me, sir. I believe the end of the queue is over there, by the dairy section.

Customer B (Man): Oh, um, I’m just buying this single bottle of water. It’ll only take a second, I promise.

Customer A: Well, actually, I understand you’re in a rush, but we’ve all been waiting here for quite a while. I’m starting to feel a bit frustrated because my parking ticket is about to expire, and I really need to get going too.

Customer B: But the cashier is still busy with the person in front of you. She hasn’t even started scanning your groceries yet.

Customer A: I realize that. However, it’s honestly not fair to the rest of us who have been standing here patiently for the last fifteen minutes. We all have places to be. I would really appreciate it if you could step to the back.

Customer B: Alright, alright. I didn’t mean to make you mad. I’ll move to the back of the line.

Customer A: Thank you for your cooperation. It makes things easier for everyone.

1 (B) Because they have already arrived at the venue.

• Explanation: Lily says she can’t believe it because they are “literally standing outside the entrance gates.” Option (B) uses “arrived at the venue” to paraphrase this. Option (A) is a trap; her phone is in her bag, but that’s not why she is shocked. Option (C) is a trap; the hotel is mentioned as a reason she was excited, not the reason she finds the news hard to believe right now.

2 (A) Extreme weather predictions.

• Explanation: Mark states the festival was called off due to a “severe thunderstorm warning.” Option (A) is a perfect paraphrase. Option (B) is a trap using the word “gates” from earlier in the audio. Option (C) is a plausible reason for a concert cancellation, but it was not mentioned in the dialogue.

3 (C) He is more upset about missing the performances than losing money.

• Explanation: Mark explicitly states, “I don’t even care about the cash right now. I just really wanted to see the bands.” Option (C) captures this sentiment perfectly. Option (A) is a trap; refunds will be processed next week, but he is not worried about it. Option (B) is a trap; he mentions train tickets earlier to show his frustration, not as a plan for the refund.

Mark: Oh my god. Are you seeing this post?

Lily: What? No, my phone’s in my backpack. What does it say?

Mark: The festival is canceled. It’s officially called off.

Lily: Wait, what? You’re joking, right? I can’t believe this… we’re literally standing outside the entrance gates!

Mark: I wish I was joking. The organizers just announced it on their page. Because of the severe thunderstorm warning for tonight, they can’t let anyone in. It’s simply too dangerous.

Lily: I am in complete shock. I just can’t process this. I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for six months! We even booked a hotel.

Mark: I know, me too. I’m absolutely devastated. All that money on train tickets…

Lily: Did they say anything about getting our money back for the festival?

Mark: Yeah, it says they will process full refunds next week. But honestly, I don’t even care about the cash right now. I just really wanted to see the bands.

Lily: Me too. Well, standing here in the rain won’t help. Let’s just go back to the hotel.

1 (B) He is missing an important cultural celebration back home.

• Explanation: Minh states he is “feeling a bit down” because “Today is the Spring Festival back in my country.” Option (B) paraphrases this perfectly. Option (A) is a trap; Mrs. Robinson mentions he hasn’t eaten his dinner, but that is a result of his sadness, not the cause. Option (C) is a trap; his sister is mentioned, but there was no argument.

2 (A) They made him feel even more disconnected from his family.

• Explanation: Minh says that looking at his sister’s photos made him feel “even more isolated.” Option (A) uses “disconnected” as a synonym for isolated. Option (B) uses the word “traditional,” which was mentioned elsewhere in the audio, but not related to the photos. Option (C) is the exact opposite of how he felt.

3 (C) Cook a familiar dish with him and contact his relatives.

• Explanation: Mrs. Robinson suggests they try “making some of that traditional food together” and “video call your family.” Option (C) uses synonyms (“familiar dish,” “contact his relatives”) to capture both ideas. Option (A) is a trap; “fireworks” were mentioned by Minh as a tradition in his country, not a plan for tonight. Option (B) is a trap; she explicitly tells him he shouldn’t spend the evening by himself.

Mrs. Robinson: Minh? You’ve been in your room all evening. Is everything alright? You haven’t even touched your dinner.

Minh: Oh, hi Mrs. Robinson. I’m okay, just… um, feeling a bit down. Today is the Spring Festival back in my country. Usually, my whole family gathers to make traditional food and watch the fireworks.

Mrs. Robinson: Oh, honey. You must be feeling incredibly homesick. It’s perfectly natural to feel lonely when you are so far away during the holidays.

Minh: Yeah. I was looking at photos my sister posted online earlier, and honestly, it just made me feel even more isolated. I miss them so much.

Mrs. Robinson: I completely understand. You know, you don’t have to spend the entire evening by yourself. Why don’t we try making some of that traditional food together? We might not have the exact ingredients, but it could be fun to try.

Minh: Really? You would do that for me?

Mrs. Robinson: Of course! We could even video call your family while we cook so you can see them. How does that sound?

Minh: That actually sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Robinson. I feel a little better already.