Housing – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a telephone conversation between a renter and a real estate agent. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the current status of the apartment on Maple Street?
(A) It was just rented to another client earlier this morning.
(B) It is empty and ready for a new person to rent.
(C) It has been removed from the agency’s official website.
2 Which monthly expense is already included in the rent?
(A) The electricity bill.
(B) The internet service.
(C) The water supply.
3 What will Tom do on Thursday afternoon?
(A) Sign the final rental contract at the agency’s office.
(B) Move all his furniture into the new apartment.
(C) Visit the property to see it with his own eyes.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) It is empty and ready for a new person to rent.
- Explanation: Lisa says that the apartment is “currently vacant” (empty and ready to rent). Option B perfectly paraphrases this. Option A is the Trap: Lisa mentions “another client” and “this morning”, but that client cancelled their application, meaning they did NOT rent it. Option C is not mentioned (Tom just saw it on the website).
2 Correct Answer: (C) The water supply.
- Explanation: Lisa clearly states that the rent “includes the building maintenance and the water supply”. Option C matches this information. Option A and Option B are Traps: Lisa explicitly mentions that Tom will “have to pay for your own electricity and internet connection”, meaning they are not included in the rent.
3 Correct Answer: (C) Visit the property to see it with his own eyes.
- Explanation: Tom asks to “look at the place in person”, and they schedule this for Thursday at 3:00 PM. Option C is a paraphrase of this action (look in person = see it with his own eyes). Option A is the Trap: He is just viewing the apartment, not signing the contract yet. Option B is also a Trap: He hopes to move in “by the end of the month”, not this Thursday.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Lisa: Hello, City Realty. Lisa speaking. How can I help you today?
Tom: Hi Lisa. My name is Tom. I’m calling about the two-bedroom apartment advertised on your website, the one on Maple Street. Is it still available?
Lisa: You’re in luck, Tom. Another client actually cancelled their application this morning, so yes, it is currently vacant. Are you looking to move in soon?
Tom: Yes, hopefully by the end of the month. The website says the monthly rent is twelve hundred dollars. Does that price cover all the utility bills?
Lisa: It includes the building maintenance and the water supply. However, you will have to pay for your own electricity and internet connection every month.
Tom: Okay, that seems reasonable to me. Could I come and look at the place in person?
Lisa: Absolutely. I have some free time this Thursday afternoon at 3:00 PM. Would that work for you?
Tom: Thursday at three is perfect. I’ll meet you at the front door.
Listening 2
Listen to a telephone conversation between a tenant and a maintenance worker. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the exact problem in Sarah’s apartment?
(A) The kitchen sink is completely clogged.
(B) Water is escaping from a broken pipe.
(C) The wooden floor in her bedroom is damaged.
2 How does Sarah describe the current situation?
(A) The kitchen floor is extremely wet.
(B) A small bucket is slowly filling with water.
(C) The main water supply has been turned off.
3 What does Mike instruct Sarah to do before he arrives?
(A) Move her heavy furniture out of the kitchen.
(B) Go down to the maintenance office to sign a form.
(C) Use cloths to remove water from the ground.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) Water is escaping from a broken pipe.
- Explanation: Sarah states that “the pipe under the kitchen sink is leaking heavily”. Option B uses synonyms to express this (escaping water = leaking heavily). Option A is the Trap: Mike asks if the drain is “blocked” (clogged), but Sarah explicitly says “No, it’s not the drain.” Option C is also a Trap: Mike mentions he doesn’t want water damaging the “wooden floorboards”, but this is in the kitchen, not the bedroom, and the floor isn’t necessarily permanently damaged yet.
2 Correct Answer: (A) The kitchen floor is extremely wet.
- Explanation: Sarah says “water is pouring out and the floor is completely soaked”. Option A paraphrases this perfectly (completely soaked = extremely wet). Option B is the Trap: Sarah mentions a bucket, but she says “it’s filling up very fast”, not slowly. Option C is a logical step in a plumbing emergency, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (C) Use cloths to remove water from the ground.
- Explanation: Mike tells Sarah to “use some old towels to dry the floor”. Option C uses synonyms to describe this action (cloths = old towels; remove water from the ground = dry the floor). Options A and B are not mentioned in the conversation.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mike: Building maintenance, Mike speaking. How can I help you today?
Sarah: Hi Mike, this is Sarah from apartment 305. I’m calling because I have a bit of a plumbing emergency in my kitchen.
Mike: Okay, Sarah. What exactly is going on? Is the drain blocked again?
Sarah: No, it’s not the drain. The pipe under the kitchen sink is leaking heavily. It started as a small drip yesterday, but now water is pouring out and the floor is completely soaked.
Mike: I see. That sounds serious. We don’t want water damaging the wooden floorboards. Can you place a large bucket under the pipe for now?
Sarah: I’ve already done that, but it’s filling up very fast. Could you please send someone up to fix it immediately?
Mike: Absolutely. I’ll grab my tools and be at your door in about ten minutes. Just try to use some old towels to dry the floor while you wait.
Sarah: I will. See you soon, Mike.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What kind of internet plan does the customer want?
(A) A high-speed plan for playing video games.
(B) A standard package for basic daily activities.
(C) A premium plan for a large family.
2 Why can’t the customer accept the Thursday morning appointment?
(A) She has an appointment with the doctor.
(B) She has some work responsibilities to attend to.
(C) She will be moving into the house that day.
3 When will the technician come to set up the internet?
(A) Thursday at 10:00 AM.
(B) Friday at 10:00 AM.
(C) Friday at 2:00 PM.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) A standard package for basic daily activities.
- Explanation: The customer says she and her husband only use the internet for “checking emails, watching some streaming shows” and want something “nothing too intense.” Therefore, a standard package fits her needs.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is wrong because the agent mentions “heavy gaming”, but the customer implies she doesn’t need it. Option (C) is wrong because she only lives with her husband, not a large family.
2 (B) She has some work responsibilities to attend to.
- Explanation: The customer says, “I have a meeting at work then.” Option (B) is a paraphrase of this reason.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is completely not mentioned. Option (C) is a distractor; she “just moved into a new house”, but that is not the reason she rejects Thursday morning.
3 (C) Friday at 2:00 PM.
- Explanation: The customer suggests “Friday afternoon? Say, 2 PM?” and the agent confirms, “Yes, Friday at 2 PM works.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option (A) is the trap. Thursday at 10 AM was the agent’s first suggestion, but it was rejected by the customer. Option (B) mixes up the days and times.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Good morning, FastConnect Internet. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi, yes. Um, I just moved into a new house and I need to set up an internet connection.
Agent: Congratulations on your new home! I can certainly help with that. First, could I get your new address?
Customer: Sure, it’s, ah, 42 Maple Street. It’s in the Greenfield neighborhood.
Agent: Got it. Now, we have a few different packages. Are you looking for something for heavy gaming, or just standard browsing?
Customer: Well, it’s just for my husband and me. We mainly use it for checking emails, watching some streaming shows in the evening… so, nothing too intense. A standard plan would be perfect.
Agent: Excellent. Our “Everyday Family” plan sounds ideal for you. It’s quite reliable. Now, we need to schedule a technician to install the router. They are available this Thursday morning, around 10 AM.
Customer: Thursday morning? Hmm, I have a meeting at work then. How about Friday afternoon? Say, 2 PM?
Agent: Let me check… Yes, Friday at 2 PM works. The technician will call you before arriving.
Customer: That’s great. Thank you!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the man calling the power company?
(A) To ask for a technician to fix his broken heater.
(B) To complain about a surprisingly expensive energy charge.
(C) To pay his monthly utility fee over the phone.
2 What reason does the man give to prove the charges must be wrong?
(A) He didn’t use his heater at all during the winter.
(B) He was away from his home for several days last month.
(C) He recently replaced his old meter with a new one.
3 What is the solution agreed upon at the end of the conversation?
(A) The company will estimate his bill based on previous months.
(B) An expert will visit his house to check the equipment.
(C) The man will receive an immediate refund for his payment.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To complain about a surprisingly expensive energy charge.
- Explanation: The man calls to complain that his “latest statement” is “triple what I usually pay” (paraphrased as “surprisingly expensive energy charge”).
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. He mentions using his heater, but he does not ask anyone to fix it. He wants them to check the electricity meter.
2 (B) He was away from his home for several days last month.
- Explanation: The man says, “I was actually out of town for a whole week last month.” Option (B) correctly paraphrases “out of town” as “away from his home” and “a whole week” as “several days.”
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The audio mentions the heater, but the man clearly states he did use it (“we’ve used the heater a bit more”), not that he didn’t use it at all.
3 (B) An expert will visit his house to check the equipment.
- Explanation: The representative promises to send “a technician to inspect the device.” Option (B) paraphrases this perfectly.
- Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap because the representative mentions “an estimated figure” as something they occasionally do, but notes that his current bill is an “actual reading.” Option (C) is a trap because they will only adjust the charges if they find an error on Thursday, not immediately right now.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hi, yes. Um, I’m calling about my latest statement. The amount is… well, it’s absolutely ridiculous. It’s almost triple what I usually pay!
Representative: Good morning. I understand that can be frustrating, sir. Let me pull up your account. Could I have your address, please?
Customer: It’s 42 Maple Street. I mean, I know the weather has been getting colder and we’ve used the heater a bit more lately, but there’s no way we consumed this much energy. I was actually out of town for a whole week last month!
Representative: Ah, I see your details here. Well, occasionally, if the automated reader fails, we use an estimated figure based on previous winters. However, this looks like an actual reading.
Customer: That can’t be right. Is it possible the equipment is faulty? Could someone come out and take a look at the meter? I’m worried it’s broken or the numbers were misread.
Representative: It’s certainly possible. I can send a technician to inspect the device this Thursday. If we find an error, we will adjust your charges immediately.
Customer: Great. Thursday works for me. Thank you.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a renter and an insurance agent. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the man calling the insurance agency?
(A) To rent a new, fully furnished apartment.
(B) To buy an insurance policy for his personal belongings.
(C) To report that someone broke into his home.
2 What specific items is the caller most worried about protecting?
(A) His computer and family jewelry.
(B) Expensive furniture and everyday clothing.
(C) Kitchen equipment and a new vehicle.
3 Which insurance option does the caller finally choose?
(A) The premium package.
(B) Only the standard plan without any changes.
(C) The basic plan with an extra add-on.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Key: (B) To buy an insurance policy for his personal belongings.
- Explanation: He says he is looking for “coverage… just in case something happens to my stuff”. “Stuff” means “personal belongings”.
- Why traps are wrong: Option (A) is wrong because he already “moved into a new apartment” (he is not looking to rent one now). Option (C) is plausible but not mentioned; he is preparing for the future (“just in case”), not reporting a past crime.
2 Key: (A) His computer and family jewelry.
- Explanation: He mentions a “high-end laptop” (computer) and “valuable necklaces from my grandmother” (family jewelry / family heirlooms).
- Why traps are wrong: Option (B) is wrong because he explicitly says “I don’t have a lot of expensive furniture”. The agent mentions clothing, but that is not what he is most worried about. Option (C) is completely unmentioned.
3 Key: (C) The basic plan with an extra add-on.
- Explanation: The agent suggests adding a “specific rider to the basic plan” (an extra add-on). The man says “if I can just upgrade the standard one… I think I’ll go with that.”
- Why traps are wrong: Option (A) is a trap. He says “Initially, I thought the premium plan would be best…” but he changes his mind. Option (B) is wrong because the standard plan alone doesn’t cover his valuable necklaces fully.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Insurance Agent: Good morning, Secure Homes Insurance. How can I help you today?
Renter: Hi, um, I recently moved into a new apartment, and I’m looking for some coverage… you know, just in case something happens to my stuff.
Insurance Agent: Ah, I see. You’re looking for a renter’s policy. Are you interested in our premium package or the standard one?
Renter: Well, I don’t have a lot of expensive furniture. But I do have a high-end laptop for work, and some valuable necklaces from my grandmother. I mainly want to make sure those are protected against break-ins or, ah, fire.
Insurance Agent: Got it. The standard plan covers basic electronics and clothing, but there’s a strict limit on valuables. If you want full protection for the family heirlooms, you’ll need to add a specific rider to the basic plan. It’s a bit extra each month, but it gives you peace of mind.
Renter: Hmm… Initially, I thought the premium plan would be best, but if I can just upgrade the standard one for those specific items, I think I’ll go with that.
Insurance Agent: Excellent choice. Let me pull up the paperwork for that option.