Hotels & Accommodation – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a customer making a hotel reservation over the phone. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How much does the standard double room cost for one night?
(A) $10
(B) $80
(C) $95
2 What is the rule about breakfast for the standard room?
(A) Customers have to pay extra for it.
(B) It is included in the room price.
(C) The hotel does not serve breakfast on weekends.
3 What does the customer finally decide to book? (The Twist)
(A) A standard double room without breakfast.
(B) Two single rooms.
(C) A Deluxe room.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B) $80
- Explanation: The receptionist clearly states, “A standard double room is $80 a night.”
- Trap: Option A ($10) is a trap because it is the price of the breakfast, not the room. Option C ($95) is a trap because it is the price of the Deluxe room.
2 Correct Answer: A) Customers have to pay extra for it.
- Explanation: When the customer asks if breakfast is included, the receptionist says, “No, sir. Breakfast is an extra $10 per person.”
- Trap: Option B is a trap because breakfast is only included if you book the Deluxe room, not the standard room. Option C is a plausible hotel rule but is never mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: C) A Deluxe room.
- Explanation: This is the Twist. The customer initially wanted a standard room to save money (“I planned to just get the standard room”). However, he changes his mind because the Deluxe room includes free breakfast. He says, “I will book the Deluxe room.”
- Trap: Option A is what he planned to do at first, but he rejected it. Option B is completely unmentioned (he asked for a double room, not single rooms).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Good morning, Star Hotel. How can I help you?
Customer: Hello. I’d like to book a double room for two nights this weekend. How much is it?
Receptionist: A standard double room is $80 a night.
Customer: Does that include breakfast?
Receptionist: No, sir. Breakfast is an extra $10 per person. But we have a special weekend offer right now. A Deluxe room is $95 a night, and it includes a free breakfast for two.
Customer: Hmm… I planned to just get the standard room to save money. But the Deluxe offer is actually better if we eat breakfast. Let’s do that. I will book the Deluxe room.
Receptionist: Excellent choice, sir. Let me get your details.
Listening 2
Listen to a guest checking in at a hotel. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How does the guest spell his last name?
(A) C-L-A-R-K
(B) C-L-E-R-K
(C) C-L-A-R-K-E
2 Why couldn’t the receptionist find the reservation at first? (The Twist)
(A) The guest went to the wrong hotel.
(B) The booking was under a company’s name.
(C) The hotel was completely full.
3 What does the guest need to show the receptionist?
(A) His credit card.
(B) His company ID card.
(C) His passport.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: C) C-L-A-R-K-E
- Explanation: The guest clearly spells his last name letter by letter: “That’s C-L-A-R-K-E.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap because “Clark” is a very common spelling, but he specifically adds an “E” at the end. Option B sounds similar but is incorrect.
2 Correct Answer: B) The booking was under a company’s name.
- Explanation: This is the Twist. The guest remembers that he didn’t use his personal name. He says, “My company booked it for me. Try the name ‘Global Tech’.”
- Trap: Option A and Option C are common problems when checking into a hotel, but they are never mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: C) His passport.
- Explanation: After finding the reservation, the receptionist asks, “Can I see your passport, please?” and the guest gives it to her.
- Trap: Option B is a trap because the word “company” was mentioned earlier, but he didn’t need to show a company ID. Option A is plausible for a hotel check-in but is not asked for in this conversation.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Good afternoon. Welcome to the City Hotel. How can I help you?
Guest: Hi, I’m here to check in.
Receptionist: Great. Can I have your name, please?
Guest: Yes, it’s David Clarke. That’s C-L-A-R-K-E.
Receptionist: Let me check the computer… I’m sorry, Mr. Clarke. I don’t see a reservation under your name.
Guest: Oh, wait! I didn’t book it. My company booked it for me. Try the name “Global Tech”.
Receptionist: Ah, yes! Here it is. A single room for two nights. Can I see your passport, please?
Guest: Sure, here you go.
Receptionist: Thank you. Here is your keycard. Your room is on the third floor.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a hotel guest and a receptionist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What time does the hotel gym close?
(A) At 6:00 AM.
(B) At 9:00 PM.
(C) At 9:30 PM.
2 What is the guest’s new plan for tonight? (The Twist)
(A) To exercise in the gym.
(B) To go to sleep early.
(C) To watch a movie on his laptop.
3 What information does the guest ask for at the end?
(A) The Wi-Fi password.
(B) His room number.
(C) A new laptop.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B) At 9:00 PM.
- Explanation: The receptionist clearly states the closing time: “It closes at 9:00 PM, sir.”
- Trap: Option A is a trap because 6:00 AM is the opening time for tomorrow. Option C is a trap because 9:30 is the current time, not the gym’s closing time.
2 Correct Answer: C) To watch a movie on his laptop.
- Explanation: This is the Twist. The guest originally wanted to exercise, but because the gym is closed, he changes his plan. He says, “…I’ll just stay in my room and watch a movie on my laptop.”
- Trap: Option A is what he planned to do at first, but he can’t do it. Option B is a plausible thing to do if you plan to wake up early (at 6:00 AM), but he does not mention going to sleep early.
3 Correct Answer: A) The Wi-Fi password.
- Explanation: At the end of the conversation, the guest asks, “What is the Wi-Fi password?”
- Trap: Option C is a trap because he mentions his “laptop”, but he already has one; he doesn’t ask the receptionist for a new one. Option B is a common thing to ask at a hotel but is never mentioned here.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Guest: Excuse me. I want to use the gym. What time does it close?
Receptionist: It closes at 9:00 PM, sir.
Guest: Oh no, it’s already 9:30. I planned to exercise tonight.
Receptionist: I’m sorry. It opens again at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning.
Guest: I see. Well, I will wake up early tomorrow then. Since I can’t exercise now, I’ll just stay in my room and watch a movie on my laptop. What is the Wi-Fi password?
Receptionist: It’s “oceanview” with no spaces.
Guest: Thank you very much!
Listening 4
Listen to a guest talking to a hotel staff member on the phone. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did the guest ask for at the beginning?
(A) Two blankets and a towel.
(B) Two towels and a blanket.
(C) A new heater and a towel.
2 What is the problem at the hotel?
(A) They do not have any extra blankets.
(B) The heater in room 402 is broken.
(C) They do not have clean towels.
3 What will the staff bring to the room? (The Twist)
(A) Two towels and a blanket.
(B) Only a small heater.
(C) Two towels and a heater.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B) Two towels and a blanket.
- Explanation: The guest explicitly states his request: “Can you bring two more towels and an extra blanket?”
- Trap: Option A switches the numbers (two blankets instead of two towels). Option C is a trap because the heater is mentioned later, but it wasn’t what he asked for at the beginning.
2 Correct Answer: A) They do not have any extra blankets.
- Explanation: The staff member clearly says, “…unfortunately, we don’t have any extra blankets left tonight.”
- Trap: Option B is a plausible reason why the room is cold, but it is never mentioned in the audio. Option C is wrong because the staff says they can bring the towels right away.
3 Correct Answer: C) Two towels and a heater.
- Explanation: This is the Twist. The guest originally wanted a blanket, but because they are out of them, he agrees to a new plan. He says, “A heater is perfect. Please bring it with the towels.”
- Trap: Option A is what the guest planned to get at first. Option B is incorrect because he still needs the towels along with the heater.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Guest: Hello, this is room 402.
Staff: Good evening. How can I help you?
Guest: I need some extra things for my room. Can you bring two more towels and an extra blanket? It is very cold in here.
Staff: I can bring the towels right away, sir. But unfortunately, we don’t have any extra blankets left tonight. The hotel is completely full.
Guest: Oh no. I really need something to stay warm.
Staff: Well, I can bring you a small electric heater instead. Would you like that?
Guest: Oh, yes. A heater is perfect. Please bring it with the towels.
Staff: Right away, sir.
Listening 5
Listen to a guest checking out of a hotel. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How much does the guest need to pay at the reception?
(A) He has to pay for the room.
(B) He doesn’t need to pay anything.
(C) He has to pay for a taxi.
2 What did the guest plan to do before his flight?
(A) Wait in the hotel lobby.
(B) Take a taxi immediately.
(C) Go shopping in the city.
3 What does the guest finally decide to do? (The Twist)
(A) He decides to take the free airport bus.
(B) He leaves his suitcase with the receptionist.
(C) He goes shopping without his suitcase.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B) He doesn’t need to pay anything.
- Explanation: The receptionist clearly says, “your room is already paid for online. So, you are all set.” This means he owes no money.
- Trap: Option A is what normally happens at check-out, but not in this specific case. Option C is a trap because the word “taxi” is mentioned later, but he doesn’t pay for one.
2 Correct Answer: C) Go shopping in the city.
- Explanation: The guest states his original plan: “Can I leave my suitcase here for a few hours? I want to do some shopping.”
- Trap: Option A is what he does in the end, not his first plan. Option B is incorrect because he wanted to take a taxi “later”, not immediately.
3 Correct Answer: A) He decides to take the free airport bus.
- Explanation: This is the Twist. The guest hears about the free bus and changes his mind. He says, “Actually, yes! I won’t go shopping then. I’ll just wait in the lobby…” to take the bus.
- Trap: Option B and Option C are his initial plans, but he cancels them (“I won’t go shopping then”) because taking the free bus is easier.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Guest: Hi, I’d like to check out. Here is my key for room 305.
Receptionist: Thank you. Let me check… Ah, your room is already paid for online. So, you are all set.
Guest: Great. Um, my flight isn’t until this evening. Can I leave my suitcase here for a few hours? I want to do some shopping.
Receptionist: Of course, we can keep your suitcase. But, did you know we have a free shuttle bus going to the airport in 30 minutes?
Guest: Oh, really? A free bus? Well, that’s much easier than taking a taxi later.
Receptionist: Yes, it is. Would you like to take it?
Guest: Actually, yes! I won’t go shopping then. I’ll just wait in the lobby with my suitcase.
Receptionist: Perfect. I will let the driver know.