Holiday Experiences – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a travel vlogger talking about her trip to Bali. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why didn’t the vlogger see the sunrise on the first day?
(A) She woke up too late.
(B) The weather was cloudy.
(C) She stayed at the hotel.
2 What did the vlogger actually do on the second day?
(A) She went shopping in the city.
(B) She went snorkeling with a friend.
(C) She visited a famous beach.
3 How did the vlogger feel before she went snorkeling?
(A) She was a bit scared.
(B) She was very excited.
(C) She thought it would be boring.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) The weather was cloudy.
- Explanation: The vlogger says, “But unfortunately, it was very cloudy, so I couldn’t see anything!” Option A is a plausible reason for missing a sunrise, but she actually woke up at 4 a.m. Option C is the trap: she went back to the hotel after trying to see the sunrise.
2 (B) She went snorkeling with a friend.
- Explanation: She says, “However, my friend invited me to go snorkeling… it was fantastic!” Option A is the trap: she “planned” to go shopping, but she didn’t do it. Option C is not mentioned.
3 (A) She was a bit scared.
- Explanation: The vlogger explicitly states, “I was a bit scared at first because I can’t swim very well…” Option B is the trap: she says it was “fantastic” later, but before the activity (at first), she was scared. Option C is plausible but not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Vlogger: Hi guys, welcome back to my channel! Today, I want to tell you about my amazing three-day trip to Bali. On the first day, I woke up at 4 a.m. because I wanted to watch the sunrise at the beach. But unfortunately, it was very cloudy, so I couldn’t see anything! Instead, I went back to the hotel and had a great breakfast. On the second day, I planned to go shopping in the city center. However, my friend invited me to go snorkeling. I was a bit scared at first because I can’t swim very well, but it was fantastic! I saw so many colorful fish. Overall, it was the best trip ever!
Listening 2
Listen to a caller talking on a radio show. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Leo actually do outside in the snow?
(A) He built a big snowman.
(B) He stayed outside for ten minutes.
(C) He took a lot of photos.
2 Why didn’t Leo stay outside all day?
(A) He had to go to the airport.
(B) He didn’t have a warm coat.
(C) The snow was too cold and wet.
3 What did Leo do when he went back inside?
(A) He drank hot chocolate.
(B) He built a snowman.
(C) He went to sleep.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He stayed outside for ten minutes.
- Explanation: Leo clearly states, “I only stayed outside for ten minutes.” Option A is the trap: he “planned” to build a snowman, but he didn’t do it. Option C is a plausible holiday activity but is never mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) The snow was too cold and wet.
- Explanation: Leo explains his reason: “But actually, the snow was so cold and wet!” Option A and Option B are plausible reasons for going inside, but they are not mentioned in the conversation.
3 (A) He drank hot chocolate.
- Explanation: Leo says, “I just went back inside the hotel and drank hot chocolate by the window.” Option B is the trap: the “snowman” is mentioned earlier as his plan for the outside, not what he did inside. Option C is a plausible action but is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
DJ: Welcome back to City Radio! Our topic today is “Best Holiday Memories”. Who is our next caller?
Caller: Hi, I’m Leo. My best memory is from my trip to Canada last winter. It was my first time seeing snow!
DJ: Wow! Did you build a big snowman?
Caller: Well, I really planned to stay outside all day and build one. But actually, the snow was so cold and wet! I only stayed outside for ten minutes.
DJ: Oh no! So what did you do for the rest of the day?
Caller: I just went back inside the hotel and drank hot chocolate by the window. It was still a magical experience.
Listening 3
Listen to the introduction of a travel podcast and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Sam buy for his trip to Hawaii?
(A) A beach bag.
(B) A bottle of sunscreen.
(C) A new swimsuit.
2 What did Sam actually do when he arrived at the beach?
(A) He put on his sunscreen.
(B) He went swimming in the sea.
(C) He fell asleep on the sand.
3 What happened to Sam’s face?
(A) It became very red.
(B) It got a nice brown color.
(C) It was covered in sand.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) A bottle of sunscreen.
- Explanation: Sam explicitly says, “I even bought a very expensive bottle of sunscreen.” Option A is the trap: he mentions a “beach bag” at the very end of the audio as the topic for today, but he didn’t say he bought it for the Hawaii trip. Option C is a plausible beach item but is never mentioned.
2 (C) He fell asleep on the sand.
- Explanation: Sam states, “…when I arrived at the beautiful beach, I immediately fell asleep on the warm sand!” Option A is the trap: he “planned” to put on sunscreen, but he completely forgot. Option B is a plausible beach activity but is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (A) It became very red.
- Explanation: Sam describes his face when he woke up: “my face was as red as a tomato.” Option B is the trap: people usually go to the beach to get a nice brown color (a tan), but that is not what happened to Sam. Option C is plausible since he slept on the sand, but it is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Host: Welcome to “Travel with Sam”! Today, our topic is packing for a beach holiday. But first, let me tell you about my trip to Hawaii last year. I was so excited. I even bought a very expensive bottle of sunscreen. I planned to put it on every hour to protect my skin. But actually, when I arrived at the beautiful beach, I immediately fell asleep on the warm sand! I completely forgot to use my sunscreen. When I woke up two hours later, my face was as red as a tomato. It was terrible! So, today we will talk about what you really need in your beach bag.
Listening 4
Listen to a customer leaving a voice review on a travel website. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What kind of room did the customer actually stay in?
(A) A room with a sea view.
(B) A room with a garden view.
(C) A room with a mountain view.
2 How did the customer feel about the hotel staff?
(A) They were very friendly.
(B) They were a little upset.
(C) They were too slow.
3 What does the customer say about the breakfast?
(A) It was just okay.
(B) It was delicious.
(C) It was expensive.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) A room with a garden view.
- Explanation: The customer says, “…so we got a garden room instead.” Option A is the trap: she “wanted” a sea view, but the hotel was full so she didn’t get it. Option C is a plausible hotel room type but is never mentioned.
2 (A) They were very friendly.
- Explanation: The customer explicitly states, “They were incredibly friendly and always smiled.” Option B is the trap: the customer says “I was a little upset” at the beginning about the room, but the staff were not upset. Option C is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) It was delicious.
- Explanation: The customer says, “the breakfast every morning was absolutely delicious.” Option A is the trap: she “thought” the food would be just okay before she ate it, but her actual experience was much better. Option C is plausible for a resort but is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hi, I’m leaving a review for the Ocean Blue Resort. I just stayed there for three nights with my family. At first, I was a little upset. I wanted a room with a sea view, but the hotel was full, so we got a garden room instead. But actually, it was so quiet and beautiful! The best part of the trip was the staff. They were incredibly friendly and always smiled. Also, I thought the food would be just okay, but the breakfast every morning was absolutely delicious. I give this hotel five stars and will definitely come back!
Listening 5
Listen to a street interview between a TV reporter and a tourist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What does the tourist like most about the city?
(A) The famous museums.
(B) The public parks.
(C) The street food.
2 Why did the tourist buy a lot of water?
(A) Because she walked in the park all day.
(B) Because the weather was very hot.
(C) Because she expected the food to be spicy.
3 What does the tourist say about the noodle soup she ate?
(A) It was very spicy.
(B) It was quite sweet.
(C) It was a bit salty.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) The public parks.
- Explanation: The tourist clearly states, “But actually, the public parks are my favorite.” Option A is the trap: she “planned” to visit the museums, but they are not her favorite thing. Option C is not mentioned as her favorite.
2 (C) Because she expected the food to be spicy.
- Explanation: The tourist says, “I thought it would be very spicy! I even bought a lot of water.” This means she bought water because of her expectation about the food. Options A and B are plausible reasons to buy water on a trip, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) It was quite sweet.
- Explanation: The tourist describes the noodle soup by saying, “the noodle soup I ate yesterday was quite sweet.” Option A is the trap: the reporter asks if the food is spicy, and the tourist “thought” it would be, but the actual soup was sweet. Option C is never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Reporter: Excuse me! I’m from City TV. How long have you been in our city?
Tourist: Hi. I arrived two days ago.
Reporter: And what do you like most so far?
Tourist: Well, I planned to spend all my time in the famous museums. But actually, the public parks are my favorite. They are so green and relaxing.
Reporter: That’s great! And how about the local food? Is it too spicy for you?
Tourist: I thought it would be very spicy! I even bought a lot of water. But surprisingly, the noodle soup I ate yesterday was quite sweet. I really loved it.
Reporter: Thank you for your time. Enjoy your trip!