Inventions – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) They will greatly reduce the loud sounds made by the aircraft.

• Explanation: Emma says the headphones will “significantly decrease the cabin noise” and the user will “barely notice the aircraft’s engines.” Option (B) is a direct paraphrase of this. Option (A) is a trap; the headphones reduce engine noise, but the audio never claims they silence all conversations. Option (C) is a trap; David mentions traveling “overseas” (long flights), not short domestic ones.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Around thirty hours.

• Explanation: Emma clearly states, “with the sound reduction feature turned on, you’ll get about thirty hours of playback.” Option (C) is a trap; 40 hours is the battery life without the special feature turned on. Option (A) is a trap; “five” is mentioned in the audio, but it refers to the seconds needed to press the button, not the battery life.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Press and hold a switch until a colored light appears.

• Explanation: Emma instructs David to “hold down the main power button for five seconds until a little light flashes blue.” Option (A) uses synonyms (“switch” for “button”, “colored light” for “light flashes blue”). Option (B) is a trap; the device is “completely wireless,” and David says he struggles with cables (wires). Option (C) is a trap; opening the settings menu is the second step, not the first.

David: Hi, I’m looking at these new “QuietPro” headphones. Are they a good invention for traveling?

Emma: Absolutely, sir. They feature our latest active sound reduction technology. It’s especially effective for continuous, low-frequency sounds.

David: So, if I wear them on a flight, will they actually block out the engine roar? I travel overseas a lot for work.

Emma: Yes, they will significantly decrease the cabin noise. You’ll barely notice the aircraft’s engines.

David: Perfect. What about the power? How long do they last before I need to plug them in again?

Emma: If you use them continuously with the sound reduction feature turned on, you’ll get about thirty hours of playback. Without that feature, they can last up to forty hours.

David: That’s plenty of time. One last thing, I always struggle with cables. How do these link to my smartphone?

Emma: It’s completely wireless. You just hold down the main power button for five seconds until a little light flashes blue. After that, you just select the headphones from your phone’s settings menu.

David: Sounds simple enough. I’ll take a pair in black.

1 Correct Answer: (B) He finds its control panel too complicated to understand.

• Explanation: Mark says the machine “looks like a spaceship with all these flashing buttons” and he is “completely lost.” Option (B) correctly paraphrases this feeling of confusion. Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap; the buttons are flashing normally, the machine is not broken.

2 Correct Answer: (A) A specific type of coffee with minimal sweetness.

• Explanation: Mark asks for a Cappuccino (a specific type of coffee) and says, “Just a very small amount of sugar, please.” Option (A) uses “minimal sweetness” as a synonym for “very small amount of sugar”. Option (B) is a trap; he wants a Cappuccino, not black coffee. Option (C) is a trap; he doesn’t mention hot chocolate.

3 Correct Answer: (C) By turning a small knob on the side to the lowest setting.

• Explanation: Elena tells him to look at the “little round dial on the right side” and “turn it down to level one.” Option (C) uses synonyms (“small knob” for “little round dial”, “lowest setting” for “level one”). Option (A) is a trap; the main digital screen is used to select the ‘Beverage’ menu, not the sugar. Option (B) sounds like a normal way to add sugar in real life, but it is not how this automatic machine works.

Mark: Excuse me. Could you help me with this new automated coffee maker in the lounge? It looks like a spaceship with all these flashing buttons. I’m completely lost.

Elena: Of course, sir. It’s a recent invention we installed last week, and it can be a bit overwhelming at first. What kind of drink would you like to have?

Mark: Well, I’m hoping to get a Cappuccino, but I don’t want it too sweet. Just a very small amount of sugar, please.

Elena: No problem at all. First, you need to place your cup on this silver tray at the bottom. Then, look at the main digital screen and select the ‘Beverage’ menu. You’ll see the Cappuccino picture right in the middle.

Mark: Okay, I see it. And what about the sweetness?

Elena: Before you hit ‘Start’, you have to adjust the flavor settings. See this little round dial on the right side? Turn it down to level one. That will ensure you only get a tiny bit of sweetener.

Mark: Ah, I understand. Turn the dial to level one, then press start. Thank you so much!

Elena: You’re very welcome. Enjoy your coffee!

1 Correct Answer: (B) In 1973.

• Explanation: David says, “the actual invention and the very first wireless call happened… in 1973.” Option (B) is the correct key. Option (A) is a trap; 1983 is mentioned, but that was when it “became available to the public,” not when it was invented. Option (C) is plausible for technology but not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It was slightly heavier than one kilogram.

• Explanation: The guide states that the phone weighed “just over one kilogram—about 1.1 kilograms.” Option (A) paraphrases “just over” as “slightly heavier.” Option (B) is a trap; Anna says it “looks more like a brick,” but they do not compare its exact weight to a real brick. Option (C) is the opposite of the truth.

3 Correct Answer: (C) It required almost half a day to fully recharge.

• Explanation: David explains, “You had to plug it into the power for ten hours.” Option (C) uses paraphrasing (“almost half a day” = ten hours, “fully recharge” = plug it into the power). Option (A) is a trap; 10 hours is for charging, the talking time was only 30 minutes. Option (B) is a common issue with old batteries but is never mentioned in the audio.

David: Welcome to the communications exhibit, everyone. Right here in this glass display, we have a replica of the world’s very first mobile phone.

Anna: Wow, it’s absolutely massive! It looks more like a brick than a phone. Um, when exactly was this created? Was it in the 1980s?

David: Well, it became available to the public in 1983, but the actual invention and the very first wireless call happened a decade earlier, in 1973. A man named Martin Cooper made that historic call.

Anna: 1973? That’s older than I thought. And how heavy is that thing? It looks like you’d need strong arms to carry it around all day.

David: You’re not wrong! It weighed just over one kilogram—about 1.1 kilograms, to be precise.

Anna: A little over a kilo? That’s crazy. My current smartphone weighs just a few grams. Did the battery last a long time, at least?

David: Not at all. You had to plug it into the power for ten hours just to get thirty minutes of talking time!

Anna: Unbelievable. Technology has certainly come a long way.

1 Correct Answer: (B) By pushing a specific button on the steering area.

• Explanation: Maria says, “Just press and hold this green switch on the left handlebar.” Option (B) uses synonyms (“pushing” for “press”, “specific button” for “green switch”, and “steering area” for “handlebar”). Option (A) is a trap; Ben asks if he should “start pedaling,” but Maria says “Actually, no.” Option (C) is plausible for renting vehicles but is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It can cover twice the distance before needing a recharge.

• Explanation: Maria states that the older models could do 20 kilometers, but the new ones can ride for up to 40 kilometers. 40 is double (twice) 20. Option (A) correctly paraphrases this mathematical fact. Option (C) is a trap; 20 kilometers is the limit of the older models, not the new ones. Option (B) is not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Manually pedal the machine to get back to the shop.

• Explanation: Maria explains that if the power runs out, it “becomes a traditional bicycle,” and the rider must “use your own physical strength to return.” Option (C) paraphrases this idea as “manually pedal the machine.” Option (A) is a trap; Ben asks if he needs to call for a rescue, but Maria says “Not at all.” Option (B) is a trap; Maria mentions a flat tire, but she says you should call the shop if that happens, not fix it yourself.

Ben: Hi there. I’d like to rent one of these electric bikes for the afternoon. But I’ve never used an invention like this before. How do I get the motor running? Do I just start pedaling?

Maria: Hello! Welcome. Actually, no. Before you move your feet, you need to activate the battery. Just press and hold this green switch on the left handlebar until the display lights up.

Ben: Oh, I see. That’s easy. And how far can I travel before the power runs out?

Maria: Well, our older models could only do about 20 kilometers. However, these new ones have upgraded batteries. You can comfortably ride for up to 40 kilometers on a full charge.

Ben: That’s more than enough for exploring the city center. But, um, what should I do if the battery completely dies while I’m far away? Do I need to call you for a rescue?

Maria: Not at all. If the power runs out, the motor just stops assisting you. It becomes a traditional bicycle, so you simply use your own physical strength to return. Of course, if you get a flat tire, then you should definitely call us!

Ben: Perfect. Let’s do the paperwork.

1 Correct Answer: (B) They do not need any prior programming knowledge.

• Explanation: Chloe states that they “don’t expect the students to know any coding before they join.” Option (B) paraphrases “know any coding” as “prior programming knowledge.” Option (A) is the exact opposite of what the receptionist says. Option (C) sounds like a plausible requirement for a tech class, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Move around the room while avoiding obstacles.

• Explanation: Chloe explains that the robot will “navigate around objects on the floor without crashing.” Option (A) uses synonyms (“Move around” for “navigate”, “avoiding obstacles” for “without crashing”). Option (B) is a trap; the father mentions he wants it to “walk,” but Chloe specifies the robot is equipped with “wheels,” not legs. Option (C) is a trap; the word “sensors” is mentioned, but they are not used for cleaning.

3 Correct Answer: (C) A portable computer to use during the lessons.

• Explanation: Chloe tells Mr. Harris that his son “just needs to bring his own personal laptop.” Option (C) paraphrases “laptop” as “portable computer.” Option (A) is a trap; Chloe explicitly says the registration fee covers all the tools. Option (B) is also a trap; the electronic components are already included in the fee.

Mr. Harris: Hi, I’m interested in the “Build Your First Robot” class for my son. He’s twelve years old, but he has absolutely no background in writing software. Is this course suitable for him?

Chloe: Hello! Yes, definitely. This is an introductory course. We don’t expect the students to know any coding before they join. Our instructors will teach them the basic commands from scratch.

Mr. Harris: That’s a relief. And what exactly will they make? He really wants to build a machine that can walk around the house.

Chloe: He will love this class then! By the end of the four-week program, each student will have assembled a small mechanical figure equipped with wheels and sensors. It will be able to navigate around objects on the floor without crashing.

Mr. Harris: Sounds brilliant. Do I need to buy any special tools or equipment for him to bring?

Chloe: No, the registration fee covers all the electronic components and tools. He just needs to bring his own personal laptop.