Festivals & Events – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) A party where guests wear accessories to cover their faces.

• Explanation: David suggests a “Masquerade Ball” where everyone wears “elegant masks.” Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“accessories to cover their faces” = masks). Option (A) is a trap; a “formal dinner” is mentioned, but that was the theme for last year. Option (C) is also a trap; “jazz” is mentioned later, but they are not going to a club.

2 Correct Answer: (A) A large amount of the money has already been paid for the venue.

• Explanation: Clara says they cannot afford a band because they “spent a huge portion of the funds on reserving that grand hotel downtown.” Option (A) perfectly paraphrases this (“money” = funds, “venue” = grand hotel). Option (B) is a trap; the “finance department” is mentioned as reducing the budget, but their music taste is never discussed. Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Try to find a suitable person to play recorded music at the party.

• Explanation: David says he will “ask around the office to see if anyone has good recommendations” for a DJ. A DJ is someone who plays recorded music. Option (A) is a trap; he mentions the finance department, but he does not plan to ask them for money. Option (B) is a trap; he talks about masks and suits earlier, but he is not buying them for the team.

David: Hi Clara, do you have a minute to talk about the company’s Year-End Party? I have a few ideas.

Clara: Oh, sure David. We are actually trying to finalize the theme today. What were you thinking?

David: Well, since last year was just a formal dinner, how about a Masquerade Ball this time? Everyone could wear elegant masks and suits. It would make the night a lot more magical.

Clara: A masquerade? That’s actually a brilliant concept. I think the staff would really enjoy dressing up. But um, what about the entertainment? Should we book a live jazz band?

David: I’d love that, but aren’t they quite expensive? I know the finance department reduced our event budget this year.

Clara: Good point. We already spent a huge portion of the funds on reserving that grand hotel downtown. So, hiring a professional DJ would probably be a much safer choice financially.

David: Makes sense. A DJ can play a wider variety of songs anyway. I’ll ask around the office to see if anyone has good recommendations for one.

1 Correct Answer: (B) Cold refreshments.

• Explanation: The class agrees to do a “beverage stall” making “iced tea and lemonade.” Option (B) uses a synonym (“cold refreshments” = iced tea/lemonade/drinks). Option (A) is a trap; “handmade bracelets” and “jewelry” are mentioned, but they reject this idea because it took too long last year. Option (C) is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) She thinks it requires much less preparation time and effort.

• Explanation: Mia says making jewelry took them “weeks” and that mixing drinks would be “way less stressful,” while Leo adds it is “cheap and fast.” Option (B) accurately paraphrases this idea. Option (A) is a plausible guess for a charity fair, but it is not Mia’s stated reason. Option (C) is a trap; ingredients are not mentioned as already bought.

3 Correct Answer: (A) By taking turns working in short time periods.

• Explanation: Leo suggests dividing into groups where each takes a “two-hour shift” so everyone gets a chance to walk around. Option (A) paraphrases this perfectly (“taking turns” = dividing into shifts, “short time periods” = two hours). Option (B) is a trap; they are not hiring anyone, they are dividing the class. Option (C) is a trap; Mia wants to watch the “live bands,” but they do not close the stall early to do so (they cover the whole 10 AM to 4 PM time).

Sam (Class President): Alright everyone, we need to finalize our booth for the charity fair next month. Are we doing the handmade bracelets again, or should we switch to a lemonade stand?

Mia: Well, um, making that jewelry took us weeks last year. Honestly, I think mixing drinks would be way less stressful. Plus, the weather forecast says it’s going to be extremely hot outside.

Leo: I totally agree with Mia. Making iced tea and lemonade is cheap and fast. Let’s do the beverage stall.

Sam: Great, drinks it is! Now, about the schedule. The fair runs from 10 AM to 4 PM. We can’t have just two people working the whole time.

Mia: Exactly. I really want to check out the games area and watch the live bands in the afternoon.

Leo: How about we divide the class into three groups? Each group takes a two-hour shift. That way, nobody gets exhausted, and we all get a chance to walk around.

Sam: That sounds perfect, Leo. I’ll make a sign-up sheet and post it online tonight so you guys can pick your preferred times.

1 Correct Answer: (B) To celebrate an important traditional event with his relatives.

• Explanation: Amir mentions that it is a “significant cultural and religious holiday” and he wants to help his “parents” (relatives). Option (B) uses synonyms to express this. Option (A) is a trap; Sarah asks if he is planning a “vacation,” but Amir says “not exactly.” Option (C) sounds plausible for a religious holiday, but a “community center” is never mentioned (he celebrates at his parents’ house).

2 Correct Answer: (C) He finished an important work assignment ahead of schedule.

• Explanation: Amir states, “I have already finished the monthly sales report.” Option (C) accurately paraphrases this (“monthly sales report” = important work assignment, “already finished” = ahead of schedule). Option (B) is a trap; the HR department is mentioned, but he hasn’t submitted the request yet. Option (A) is a plausible guess but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Submit an official application through the company’s software.

• Explanation: Sarah tells Amir to “put the formal request in the HR system.” Option (A) uses paraphrasing (“formal request” = official application, “HR system” = company’s software). Option (B) is a trap; she says she has heard of the festival, but she does not ask him to explain it to the team. Option (C) is a trap; the sales report is mentioned, but Amir has already finished it, so Sarah does not need to ask him to do it.

Amir: Hi Sarah, do you have a moment? I’d like to talk about my schedule for next month.

Sarah: Sure, Amir. What’s on your mind? Are you planning a vacation?

Amir: Not exactly a vacation. Next Friday is Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It’s a very significant cultural and religious holiday for my family.

Sarah: Oh, I’ve heard of Diwali! That sounds wonderful. So you’re hoping to take the day off?

Amir: Yes, please. I usually help my parents decorate the house and prepare a large feast. I have already finished the monthly sales report, so my absence won’t affect the team’s deadlines.

Sarah: That’s very responsible of you to complete the report early. I don’t see any problem with granting you the leave. Just make sure to put the formal request in the HR system by tomorrow.

Amir: Thank you so much, Sarah. I will do that right away.

1 Correct Answer: (B) Watching various styles of traditional physical performance.

• Explanation: The speaker says this evening is “dedicated entirely to the art of movement” (which includes the Lotus Dance and Flamenco). Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“physical performance” = art of movement). Option (A) is a trap; “international food tasting” is mentioned, but the speaker explicitly says that was the focus in previous years, not this year. Option (C) is a plausible guess but is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It represents cleanliness and the ability to get through hard times.

• Explanation: The speaker explains that the Lotus Dance “symbolizes purity and overcoming difficulties.” Option (A) accurately paraphrases this (“cleanliness” = purity, “get through hard times” = overcoming difficulties). Option (B) is a trap; the dance happens before the intermission (break), not after it. Option (C) is a trap; “highly energetic” is used to describe the Spanish Flamenco, not the Lotus Dance.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Ensure that their cell phones do not make any noise.

• Explanation: The speaker asks the audience to “switch your mobile phones to silent mode.” Option (C) expresses the same idea using different words. Option (A) is a trap; they are asked to put phones on silent, not to turn them off completely. Option (B) is a trap; purchasing refreshments happens during the intermission, not before the show starts.

Student Representative: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, and fellow students. Welcome to our annual Culture Night! As the president of the student council, I am absolutely thrilled to see such a massive crowd here in the auditorium. Tonight is all about celebrating the rich diversity of our school.

We have a fantastic lineup prepared for you. While previous years focused heavily on international food tasting, this evening is dedicated entirely to the art of movement. First, you will experience the beautiful and elegant Lotus Dance from Vietnam, which symbolizes purity and overcoming difficulties. Following that, there will be a brief fifteen-minute intermission where you can purchase some light refreshments in the main lobby. Then, get ready for the second half, as our exchange students will present a highly energetic Flamenco performance originating from Spain.

Before we begin, I kindly ask that you switch your mobile phones to silent mode to avoid distracting our performers. Thank you all for coming, and please enjoy the incredible show!

1 Correct Answer: (A) The high volume of guests who attended the launch.

• Explanation: Lisa says “almost everyone showed up” and “the venue was absolutely packed,” while Mark adds that the “turnout was fantastic.” Option (A) is a perfect paraphrase of this. Option (B) is a trap; the food was wonderful, but it was prepared by the “caterers,” not the marketing team. Option (C) is a plausible guess but is never discussed in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (C) There was an annoying issue with the audio devices.

• Explanation: The speakers mention the equipment making a “terrible buzzing noise” and the “static on the microphone.” Option (C) uses synonyms (“audio devices” = microphone/sound system, “annoying issue” = terrible buzzing noise). Option (A) is a logical guess since the venue was packed, but it is never stated. Option (B) is a trap; the “CEO’s presentation” is mentioned, but he was not late.

3 Correct Answer: (A) She asked the IT experts to examine the electronic equipment.

• Explanation: Lisa states that she “contacted the technical team so they can inspect the sound system.” Option (A) paraphrases this perfectly (“IT experts” = technical team, “examine” = inspect, “electronic equipment” = sound system). Option (B) is a trap; the “microphone” is mentioned as the source of the problem, but she didn’t buy a new one. Option (C) is a trap; a “gathering” is mentioned, but she did not change the location.

Mark: Well, Lisa, the new smartphone launch event is finally over. How do you think it went overall?

Lisa: Honestly, Mark, I think it was a huge success. I mean, um, we sent out two hundred invitations, and almost everyone showed up. The venue was absolutely packed!

Mark: Yes, the turnout was fantastic. Much better than our previous campaigns. The caterers also did a wonderful job with the food.

Lisa: Agreed. However, there was one major issue we need to fix for next time. During the CEO’s presentation, the equipment kept making a terrible buzzing noise.

Mark: Ah, yes. The static on the microphone. It made it really difficult for the people in the back rows to hear the speech clearly.

Lisa: Exactly. I’ve already contacted the technical team so they can inspect the sound system before our next big gathering.

Mark: Good call. We can’t let that happen again. Otherwise, great job, Lisa!