Festivals & Events – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) A large community running competition is happening.

• Explanation: The announcer says the “City Spring Marathon is taking place” and “thousands of runners will be on the streets.” Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“Marathon/runners” = running competition). Option (A) is a logical guess for road closures, but road fixing is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; “spring” and “river” are mentioned in the audio, but the event is a marathon, not a parade.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Take an alternative route outside the downtown area.

• Explanation: The announcer strongly recommends “using the Highway 9 bypass instead of driving through the city center.” Option (C) paraphrases this perfectly (“bypass” = alternative route, “instead of city center” = outside the downtown area). Option (A) is a trap; 5 AM and the river are mentioned, but not about parking. Option (B) is a trap; you cannot drive slowly on those streets because they are “completely shut down.”

3 Correct Answer: (A) City buses will travel on different paths than usual.

• Explanation: The speaker says that “public buses that usually run through downtown will be diverted” (diverted means forced to take a different route). Option (A) accurately paraphrases this. Option (B) is a trap; “heavy delays” are mentioned, but for drivers near the event, and the audio talks about buses, not trains. Option (C) is a plausible idea for a festival day, but free tickets are never mentioned.

Radio Announcer: Good morning, city listeners! It’s 7 AM on Friday, and it’s time for your weekend traffic update. If you are planning to drive around downtown this Sunday morning, you need to change your plans. The annual City Spring Marathon is taking place, and thousands of runners will be on the streets.

As a result, several major roads will be completely shut down to vehicles from 5 AM until 1 PM. Please note that Main Street, from the city park all the way to the river, will be blocked. Oak Avenue will also be closed to traffic. If you need to travel across town during these hours, local authorities strongly recommend using the Highway 9 bypass instead of driving through the city center.

Additionally, public buses that usually run through downtown will be diverted, so please check the transit website for updated schedules. Expect heavy delays if you travel near the event area. Stay patient, drive safely, and maybe step outside to cheer on the runners! Now, back to our music playlist.

1 Correct Answer: (A) Because he wanted them to be more focused on fighting in the military.

• Explanation: The host says the Emperor believed that single men “made much better soldiers for his army.” Option (A) uses paraphrasing (“fighting in the military” = soldiers in his army). Option (B) is a trap; “greeting card companies” are mentioned at the beginning, but not as the Emperor’s reason. Option (C) is a trap; “prison” is mentioned later, but that is where Valentine was sent, not where the young men worked.

2 Correct Answer: (B) He helped romantic partners become husband and wife without the ruler knowing.

• Explanation: The podcast states that Valentine decided to “secretly organize weddings for young couples in love.” Option (B) perfectly paraphrases this (“romantic partners become husband and wife” = weddings for young couples, “without the ruler knowing” = secretly). Option (A) is a trap; soldiers are mentioned, but he didn’t fight them. Option (C) is a trap; companies and flowers are mentioned elsewhere in the script, but Valentine didn’t sell them.

3 Correct Answer: (C) They were closely connected to a famous mythical figure representing love.

• Explanation: The host explains that the red rose was the “favorite flower of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love.” Option (C) uses synonyms (“mythical figure representing love” = Goddess of Love). Option (A) is a plausible guess for February, but weather is never mentioned. Option (B) is a trap; the “Emperor” is mentioned earlier in the story, but the roses belonged to Venus, not his palace.

Podcast Host: Welcome back to History in Minutes. Today, we are exploring the origins of February 14th, Valentine’s Day. Many people assume it is just a modern holiday created by greeting card companies to make money. But actually, its history goes all the way back to ancient Rome.

The most famous legend is about a brave priest named Valentine. During that time, the Emperor banned young men from getting married. He strongly believed that single men without families made much better soldiers for his army. However, Valentine thought this law was incredibly unfair. So, he decided to secretly organize weddings for young couples in love. Unfortunately, when the Emperor eventually discovered this, Valentine was thrown into prison.

Now, what about the flowers? Why do people always give red roses on this day? Well, this tradition comes from ancient mythology. The red rose was the absolute favorite flower of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love. Additionally, the color red has always represented strong emotion and deep affection. So, the next time you buy a bouquet of flowers, remember the rebel priest who started it all!

1 Correct Answer: (B) To warn attendees about upcoming rain and offer a solution.

• Explanation: The announcer gives a “weather update” about “heavy showers” (upcoming rain) and recommends purchasing raincoats (offering a solution). Option (B) accurately summarizes this. Option (A) is a trap; music is mentioned, but the schedule is not delayed (the next band is coming to the stage right now). Option (C) is a trap; clothing (raincoats) is mentioned, but it is “disposable” and only “two dollars,” not expensive.

2 Correct Answer: (C) At the official goods shops close to the front gate.

• Explanation: The speaker says you can find raincoats at the “merchandise tents near the main entrance.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this location (“official goods shops” = merchandise tents, “front gate” = main entrance). Option (A) is a trap; “food stalls” and “stage” are mentioned in the audio, but not as the place to buy raincoats. Option (B) is a trap; the “local weather service” is the source of the information, not a shop.

3 Correct Answer: (A) They will prevent other people from watching the show.

• Explanation: The announcer explains that open umbrellas “completely block the view of the stage for the people standing behind you.” Option (A) uses synonyms to express this idea (“prevent other people from watching” = block the view). Option (B) is a trap; the weather is discussed, but wind breaking the umbrellas is never mentioned. Option (C) sounds like a logical safety rule for a festival, but it is not the reason given by the speaker.

Announcer: Attention all festival-goers! We hope you are having a fantastic time enjoying the live music and food stalls here at the Summer Sounds Festival. We have a brief weather update for you. While the sun is shining right now, the local weather service has just informed us that there is a high chance of heavy showers developing later this afternoon, probably around 3 PM.

But don’t let that ruin your day! To stay comfortable, we highly recommend purchasing one of our disposable raincoats. You can find them available for just two dollars at the merchandise tents near the main entrance.

We kindly ask that you leave your umbrellas closed. Although they might seem like a good idea to stay dry, open umbrellas completely block the view of the stage for the people standing behind you. We want to ensure that everyone can see the performances clearly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Now, let’s welcome our next band to the stage!

1 Correct Answer: (B) The high quality and lifelike appearance of the fans’ costumes.

• Explanation: The vlogger praises the “outfits” and says the “cosplay here is just so incredibly realistic and detailed.” Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“lifelike appearance” = realistic, “fans’ costumes” = outfits/cosplay). Option (A) is a trap; meeting artists is mentioned, but she complains about how hard it is to do. Option (C) is a plausible guess for Comic-Con, but movie trailers are not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) She has to spend an excessive amount of time standing in queues.

• Explanation: She complains that she has been “standing in this line for nearly two hours” and that the “waiting times are definitely the worst part.” Option (A) accurately paraphrases this (“excessive amount of time” = nearly two hours, “standing in queues” = standing in this line). Option (B) is a trap; “exclusive merchandise” is mentioned, but she doesn’t complain about the price, only the wait to get it. Option (C) is a trap; the “main hall” is mentioned at the end, but she doesn’t say the layout is confusing.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Head to a specific area to see some upcoming gaming news.

• Explanation: The vlogger states, “I’m going to try and get into the main hall to check out the new video game announcements.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this action (“specific area” = main hall, “upcoming gaming news” = new video game announcements). Option (A) is a trap; she already saw the Iron Man suit earlier. Option (B) is a trap; she mentions buying merchandise earlier, but that is not her next planned action.

Vlogger: Hey guys, welcome back to my channel! I’m currently reporting live from the city’s annual Comic-Con, and wow, the energy here is absolutely insane. I mean, just look around! The amount of effort people put into their outfits is unbelievable. I just saw a guy dressed as Iron Man, and his armor actually moved and lit up. The cosplay here is just so incredibly realistic and detailed.

But, um, I have to be honest, it’s not all perfect. While the visual spectacle is amazing, the organization leaves a lot to be desired. If you want to buy any exclusive merchandise or meet your favorite artists, you have to be super patient. I’ve been standing in this line for nearly two hours just to get a simple cup of coffee! The waiting times are definitely the worst part of the day.

Anyway, I’m finally at the front. After this, I’m going to try and get into the main hall to check out the new video game announcements. Make sure to hit that like button, and I’ll see you in the next update!

1 Correct Answer: (B) To reunite a separated family.

• Explanation: The announcer says a “lost child” has been found and asks the parent or guardian “missing a child” to come to the desk. Option (B) uses paraphrasing (“reunite a separated family” = finding the parents of a lost child). Option (A) is plausible for a park announcement, but no broken ride is mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; the “parade” is mentioned at the end, but it is not the main reason for the announcement.

2 Correct Answer: (C) He is too distressed to provide his personal details.

• Explanation: The speaker says the boy is “too upset to tell us his name.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this (“distressed” = upset, “personal details” = his name). Option (A) is a trap; a “dinosaur” is mentioned, but he is holding it while being upset, not playing happily. Option (B) is a trap; he is wearing the “blue hat,” he didn’t drop it.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Supervise their children carefully in busy zones.

• Explanation: The announcer tells other guests to “keep a close eye on your young ones in the crowded areas.” Option (A) uses synonyms to express this advice (“supervise” = keep a close eye on, “children” = young ones, “busy zones” = crowded areas). Option (B) is a trap; the “Ferris wheel” is where the desk is located, not an area they need to avoid. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

Announcer: May I have your attention, please. We hope everyone is having a thrilling afternoon here at Galaxy Amusement Park. We have a brief security announcement. A lost child has just been brought to the main information desk, which is located right next to the giant Ferris wheel.

He is a little boy who says he is five years old, but he is currently too upset to tell us his name. For identification, he is wearing a bright yellow t-shirt, dark shorts, and a blue baseball cap with a white star on it. He is also holding a small plastic dinosaur. If you are a parent or guardian missing a child who matches this exact description, please come to the main information desk immediately.

To all other guests, please remember to keep a close eye on your young ones in the crowded areas, especially near the afternoon parade routes. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy the rest of your day at the park.