Internet Safety – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the phone conversation between a customer and a bank representative, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the customer contacting the bank?
(A) He wants to report an unusual purchase on his credit card.
(B) He is concerned about a recent alert he got on his phone.
(C) He forgot the password needed to log into his account.
2 What did the text message ask the man to do?
(A) Call the bank’s customer service number immediately.
(B) Visit a local bank branch to confirm his identity in person.
(C) Follow a digital URL to fix the problem with his card.
3 What does the agent confirm about the man’s situation?
(A) His financial profile is perfectly safe and functioning.
(B) The bank sent the message by mistake and will fix it.
(C) He must change his login details because of the scammers.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer states he is calling because he received a “really worrying text message.” Option B uses the synonyms “concerned” for worrying and “recent alert on his phone” for text message.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap because the audio mentions “unusual activity,” but the customer is not reporting a purchase; he is asking about a message. Option C is a plausible banking issue, but he never mentions forgetting his password.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The man says the message included a “link to verify my identity and unlock the account.” Option C uses the synonym phrase “Follow a digital URL” to paraphrase clicking a link.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the man does call customer service, but the text message did not tell him to do this—he decided to do it himself. Option B is plausible, but the message did not ask him to visit the bank in person.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The agent checks his profile and says, “everything is completely normal. Your card is active.” Option A uses the synonym phrase “perfectly safe and functioning” to express this.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap because the agent explicitly states the message is a “scam” sent by “fraudsters,” not a mistake by the bank. Option C is a logical security step, but the agent only tells him to delete the text, not to change his password (since he never clicked the link).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Thank you for calling Global City Bank. My name is Lisa. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi Lisa. Um, I’m calling because I just received a really worrying text message. It says my debit card has been temporarily suspended due to unusual activity.
Agent: I understand that can be stressful, sir. Let me check your profile. Can I have your account number, please?
Customer: Sure, it’s 4589-22. The message also included a link to verify my identity and unlock the account. But, well, I wanted to call you first before clicking anything.
Agent: I’m very glad you did that. I am looking at your account right now, and everything is completely normal. Your card is active. That text message is actually a scam. Fraudsters send those to trick people into giving away their passwords.
Customer: Oh, wow. I almost tapped on it! It looked so official.
Agent: Yes, they can be very convincing. Please delete the text immediately. Remember, we will never send you a direct web link via SMS asking for your login details.
Customer: Understood. I will erase it right now. Thanks for your help!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a computer store employee, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the man looking for a security program?
(A) He wants to secure his company’s large database.
(B) He needs it for everyday family activities online.
(C) His laptop is currently infected with a dangerous virus.
2 Why does the assistant advise him NOT to buy the “Ultimate Pro” box?
(A) It is intended for commercial workplaces, not regular homes.
(B) It does not include protection against scam email messages.
(C) It is currently out of stock in the computer store.
3 What final concern does the customer have before purchasing?
(A) He is worried the software will require a monthly fee.
(B) He is afraid the program will affect the laptop’s speed.
(C) He wonders if the installation process will be too difficult.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says he bought a laptop for his family and they use it for “checking emails, paying bills online, and my kids watch some streaming videos.” Option B uses the phrase “everyday family activities online” to summarize this.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; “small businesses” and “databases” are mentioned in the audio, but that is exactly what the man does not need. Option C is a plausible reason to buy antivirus software, but he explicitly states he just bought a new laptop.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The employee tells him he doesn’t need “Ultimate Pro” because it is “designed for small businesses.” Option A uses the synonym phrase “intended for commercial workplaces.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap because the audio mentions blocking phishing (scam) emails, but that is a feature of the Standard version, not a missing feature of the Pro version. Option C is incorrect because she never mentions it being out of stock.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Right before buying, the customer asks, “will it slow down the machine?” Option B paraphrases this as affecting “the laptop’s speed.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; money is discussed earlier (“spend a hundred dollars”, “half the price”), but he doesn’t ask about a monthly fee at the end. Option C is a plausible concern for software buyers, but it is never mentioned in this conversation.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hi, I need some help. I just bought a new laptop for my family, and I want to get some security software. Um, there are so many options on this shelf, I have no idea where to start.
Employee: Sure, I can definitely help with that. What kind of things do you mostly use the computer for?
Customer: Well, nothing too heavy. Just checking emails, paying bills online, and my kids watch some streaming videos. We don’t play online games or do any complex coding.
Employee: Ah, okay. In that case, you definitely don’t need this “Ultimate Pro” package. It’s quite expensive and it is designed for small businesses that manage large databases.
Customer: Oh, good. I was worried I had to spend a hundred dollars just to be safe.
Employee: Not at all. For basic home use, I highly recommend our “Standard Shield” version. It protects against malware, blocks phishing emails, and it’s half the price.
Customer: That sounds perfect for us. Just one thing… will it slow down the machine? My old computer always froze when the antivirus was running.
Employee: Hardly at all. It runs very quietly in the background. Let me grab a copy for you from the back.
Listening 3
Listen to the phone conversation between a parent and an internet service provider (ISP) agent, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is the woman calling the internet provider?
(A) She wants to restrict the type of content her children can see.
(B) She needs to purchase a new Wi-Fi router for her house.
(C) Her home internet connection has been completely cut off.
2 What did the mother initially think she had to do to solve the problem?
(A) Bring the children’s tablets to a local computer repair shop.
(B) Pay for an additional application to put on the devices.
(C) Create a brand new account on the company’s website.
3 According to the agent, what else can the “Family Safe” feature do?
(A) It can track exactly which websites the children visit every day.
(B) It can block inappropriate videos when the kids use mobile data.
(C) It can limit internet access during certain hours of the night.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The mother says she wants to make sure her kids “can’t access… inappropriate websites.” Option A uses the synonym phrase “restrict the type of content” to express this.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap because the word “router” is in the script, but she only looked at the router settings; she does not need to buy a new one. Option C is a plausible reason to call an internet company, but it is never mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The mother asks, “Do I need to buy a special software program for their tablets?” Option B paraphrases this as “Pay for an additional application.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option C is a trap. The agent does mention her “ConnectNet account on our website,” but he tells her to log into her existing account, not create a new one. Plus, this was the agent’s solution, not the mother’s initial thought. Option A is never mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The agent mentions that she can “set a schedule to turn off the Wi-Fi completely at bedtime.” Option C paraphrases this as limiting access “during certain hours of the night.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a plausible feature of parental controls, but the agent never mentions tracking the children’s history. Option B is a trap because the agent specifically says the filter only works on devices “connected to your home network,” not on outside mobile networks.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Thank you for calling ConnectNet. My name is Mark. How can I assist you today?
Mother: Hi Mark. Um, I need some help with my home internet. My kids are getting older, and they’re spending a lot of time online lately. I want to make sure they can’t access, well, you know, inappropriate websites.
Agent: I completely understand. You’re looking to set up parental controls on your home network.
Mother: Exactly. I tried looking at the router settings myself, but it was too confusing. Do I need to buy a special software program for their tablets?
Agent: Actually, you don’t need to purchase anything extra. We provide a free filtering service directly through your Wi-Fi router. It automatically blocks adult content on every single device connected to your home network.
Mother: Oh, that sounds perfect. How do I activate it?
Agent: It’s quite simple. Just log into your ConnectNet account on our website, go to the “Security” tab, and turn on the “Family Safe” feature. You can even set a schedule to turn off the Wi-Fi completely at bedtime.
Mother: That’s a great feature. I’ll log in and do that right now. Thanks for your help!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a customer service representative, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the customer contact the support team?
(A) He forgot the password to his newly created shopping account.
(B) He wants to know how the website protects his payment details.
(C) He noticed that internet criminals recently stole his money.
2 What does the representative say about the company’s database?
(A) It does not hold the real numbers of the customers’ credit cards.
(B) It frequently shares customer shopping history with advertising agencies.
(C) It was recently attacked by hackers who stole special digital tokens.
3 What is the customer’s final decision at the end of the call?
(A) He decides to cancel his current order and log out.
(B) He feels satisfied and is going to complete his transaction.
(C) He asks the representative to delete his account immediately.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says, “before I type in my credit card details, I have a quick question about security.” Option B paraphrases this as wanting to know how the website protects his payment details.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a plausible reason to call support, but he never mentions forgetting a password. Option C is a trap because he mentions “hackers stealing my financial information,” but he is worried about this happening in the future; it has not actually happened yet.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The representative explains that “your actual card number is never stored directly in our company’s database.” Option A uses the synonym “does not hold” to express this.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap because the audio mentions “shopping history” and “advertising companies,” but the representative explicitly says they never share this information. Option C is incorrect because the company was not recently attacked; they only discussed hacking as a hypothetical situation.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer says, “That makes me feel a lot better. I’ll go ahead and finish my order now.” Option B uses the synonyms “satisfied” and “complete his transaction.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A and Option C are traps. Because the customer feels safe after the explanation, he continues with his purchase rather than canceling his order or deleting his account.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Rep: Welcome to EasyShop customer support. My name is Chloe. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi Chloe. I’m setting up my new account, and I’m at the checkout page. But, um, before I type in my credit card details, I have a quick question about security.
Rep: Of course. What would you like to know?
Customer: Well, if I save my payment method here, does your website actually keep my card number on your servers? I’m a bit worried about hackers stealing my financial information.
Rep: I completely understand your concern. You don’t need to worry. We use a secure, encrypted payment gateway. That means your actual card number is never stored directly in our company’s database.
Customer: Oh, I see. So if someone hacks your website, they can’t get my money?
Rep: Exactly. We only keep a special digital token that lets you buy things faster next time. Plus, according to our privacy policy, we never share your email or shopping history with outside advertising companies.
Customer: That makes me feel a lot better. I’ll go ahead and finish my order now. Thanks for the explanation!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a library user and a librarian, and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the librarian stop the man from leaving?
(A) He forgot to pay for the documents he just printed.
(B) She wants to ensure his personal information remains secure.
(C) He accidentally left his bag next to the computer terminal.
2 What mistake did the man make before talking to the librarian?
(A) He assumed that exiting the application was sufficient to protect his account.
(B) He clicked “yes” when the computer asked to save his login details.
(C) He left his private messages open on the screen for everyone to see.
3 What is the librarian’s advice regarding the pop-up message?
(A) Always write the information down on a piece of paper instead.
(B) Decline the offer to store his login credentials on the device.
(C) Ask a member of the library staff to verify the network first.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The librarian stops him to ask if he remembered to “sign out of your accounts” to protect his “private messages.” Option B uses the synonym phrase “ensure his personal information remains secure.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; printing is mentioned, but she doesn’t ask him for money. Option C is a trap because the word “bag” is in the audio, but the man is currently packing it, not leaving it behind.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The man says, “I just closed the internet window. Isn’t that enough?” Option A paraphrases this as assuming “exiting the application was sufficient.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap; the librarian warns him about the pop-up box, but the man never says he actually clicked “yes.” Option C is incorrect because he did close the window, so his messages were not left open on the screen (though they were still accessible).
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The librarian tells him to “always click ‘never'” when the computer asks to remember his information. Option B paraphrases this as “Decline the offer to store his login credentials.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a plausible internet safety tip, but it is not mentioned in this dialogue. Option C is a trap; the librarian mentions “public networks,” but she doesn’t tell him to ask the staff to check them.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Reader: Excuse me, I’m all done with terminal number four.
Librarian: Great. Did you manage to finish printing your documents?
Reader: Yes, thank you. I’ll just pack up my bag and head out now.
Librarian: Wait just a moment. Before you leave, did you remember to sign out of your accounts?
Reader: Oh, I just closed the internet window. Isn’t that enough?
Librarian: Actually, no. On these shared machines, simply exiting the application doesn’t always end your session. The next person who sits down could easily open the browser again and have full access to your private messages.
Reader: Oh wow, I didn’t realize that. I’ll go back and click “sign out” right now.
Librarian: Please do. And one more thing: whenever you type in your login details, a little box often pops up asking if you want the computer to remember the information for next time. Make sure you always click “never” on public networks.
Reader: Right, otherwise anyone could just log in as me later. Thanks for catching that, I really appreciate the warning!