Future plans (Be going to) – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (C) Sleep

• Explanation: Mike says he planned to go to the cinema (Trap 1). Then, Sarah suggests they watch TV at his house (Trap 2). However, Mike rejects both ideas because of his headache. He uses “So” to state his final decision: “I will just sleep tonight.”

2 (A) He has a bad cold.

• Explanation: Mike clearly explains his situation by saying, “I feel terrible today. I have a bad cold.” Option B (work late) and Option C (lost ticket) are plausible reasons to cancel a movie, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) Next week

• Explanation: Sarah asks if they are going to watch the movie tomorrow (The Trap). Mike says “No” because he needs more time to get better. He states the final plan by saying, “So, let’s go next week.” Tonight (A) was the original plan that got canceled.

Mike: Hi, Sarah. It’s Mike. I’m calling about our movie tonight.

Sarah: Hey Mike! Are we still meeting at the cinema at 7:00?

Mike: Well, I planned to go, but I feel terrible today. I have a bad cold.

Sarah: Oh no! We can just stay at your house and watch TV instead.

Mike: I thought about that. However, I have a terrible headache, and I really need to rest. So, I will just sleep tonight.

Sarah: I understand. Are we going to watch the movie tomorrow?

Mike: No, I need more time to get better. So, let’s go next week.

Sarah: Okay, feel better soon!

1 (B) Watch a movie

• Explanation: The man says he wanted to go to the pool to go swimming (The Trap). However, they change their plan because of the weather. The man suggests the final plan: “Let’s just stay home and watch a movie.” Going shopping is not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) Because it is raining.

• Explanation: In the first line, the man says, “look at the rain!” and later explains it is “too cold and wet outside.” Option A (tired) and Option B (pool is closed) are plausible reasons, but they are not mentioned by the speakers.

3 (B) Pizza

• Explanation: The woman mentions that they planned to eat at the seafood restaurant (The Trap). But the man doesn’t want to go out. The woman uses “And” to add to their stay-home plan: “we can order some pizza for dinner.” Hamburgers are not mentioned.

Man: Oh no, look at the rain!

Woman: That’s terrible. I guess we can’t go swimming today.

Man: Yeah, I really wanted to go to the pool. But, um, it’s too cold and wet outside right now.

Woman: So, what should we do instead? We planned to eat at the seafood restaurant later.

Man: Well, I don’t want to drive in this bad weather. Let’s just stay home and watch a movie.

Woman: That sounds like a good idea. And we can order some pizza for dinner.

Man: Perfect! I’ll call the pizza place right now.

1 (B) 5:00 PM

• Explanation: The agent says she planned to put him on the 3:00 PM flight (The Trap). However, because it is full, she uses “So” to state the final decision: “I will book you on the 5:00 PM flight instead.” 8:00 PM is a plausible time but is not mentioned.

2 (C) The flight is completely full.

• Explanation: The agent clearly explains the reason for changing the flight: “But, it is completely full.” Option A (meet his friend) is a trap because the friend is mentioned later as someone who will drive him, not the reason he missed the flight. Option B (too expensive) is not mentioned.

3 (B) In his friend’s car

• Explanation: The passenger says he wanted to take a taxi (The Trap). But he changes his mind because his friend lives nearby. He states his final plan by saying, “So, he is going to drive me there,” which means traveling in his friend’s car. A train is not mentioned in the audio.

Agent: Hello. How can I help you today?

Passenger: Hi. I missed my flight to London. When is the next one?

Agent: Let me check. I planned to put you on the 3:00 PM flight. But, it is completely full. So, I will book you on the 5:00 PM flight instead.

Passenger: Okay, that is fine.

Agent: Great. How will you get to your hotel later?

Passenger: Well, I wanted to take a taxi. However, my friend lives near the airport. So, he is going to drive me there.

Agent: Perfect. Here is your new ticket.

1 (B) The tickets are sold out.

• Explanation: The boy clearly says in the first line, “The concert tickets are completely sold out!” Option A (delayed) and Option C (sick) are plausible problems for a concert, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) Her legs are very tired.

• Explanation: The girl says she wanted to buy a jacket (The Trap). However, she uses “But” to explain her problem: “my legs are very tired today.” Option A (no money) and Option C (mall is closed) are not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) Go to a cafe

• Explanation: The boy asks if they will go shopping (The Trap), but the girl rejects this because she is tired. The boy then suggests a nice cafe. The girl agrees and makes an instant decision using “will”: “I will buy us some coffee and cakes.” Watching a movie is not mentioned.

Boy: Oh no, look at the sign! The concert tickets are completely sold out!

Girl: Really? I can’t believe it. I planned to watch that band tonight.

Boy: Me too. Well, we are already here in the city center. What should we do now? Will we go shopping?

Girl: I wanted to buy a new jacket. But, my legs are very tired today. So, I don’t want to walk around the mall.

Boy: I understand. However, there is a nice cafe near here. We can just sit and relax.

Girl: That sounds perfect. I will buy us some coffee and cakes.

Boy: Great! Let’s go.

1 (B) Her computer broke.

• Explanation: Emma clearly states her problem: “my computer suddenly broke yesterday.” Option A (sick) and Option C (forgot homework) are plausible reasons for missing a deadline, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) On Monday

• Explanation: The teacher says the essay is due tomorrow (Trap 1), and Emma says she wanted to give it to him on Friday (Trap 2). However, because the computer won’t be ready until the weekend, she uses “So” to state her final plan: “I will give you the essay on Monday.”

3 (A) Bring the essay to class

• Explanation: The teacher agrees to the new deadline and tells her, “Just make sure to bring it to class on Monday morning.” Option B (buy a new computer) is not mentioned. Option C (go to the repair shop) is a trap because the repair shop is mentioned, but the teacher doesn’t tell her to go there.

Student: Mr. Brown, can I talk to you about my history essay?

Teacher: Sure, Emma. It is due tomorrow. Are you finished?

Student: Well, I planned to finish it tonight. But, um, my computer suddenly broke yesterday.

Teacher: Oh, that’s terrible. So, do you need more time?

Student: Yes, please. I wanted to give it to you on Friday. However, the repair shop says my computer won’t be ready until the weekend. So, I will give you the essay on Monday.

Teacher: I understand. That’s fine. Just make sure to bring it to class on Monday morning.

Student: Thank you so much, Mr. Brown!