Job description – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) She checked prices on a computer.

• Explanation: Emma says, “I used a computer to check prices.” Option (A) is a trap because the interviewer asks about answering the phone, but she says she didn’t do it. Option (C) is a plausible task for a shop worker, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (A) The manager

• Explanation: When asked about the phone, Emma clearly states: “The manager did that.” Option (B) is the trap. Option (C) is also a trap because “receptionist” is the job she is applying for now, not the person who answered phones at her old job.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Because she is used to talking to customers.

• Explanation: Emma says, “At the shop, I talked to customers all day, so I am very good at greeting people.” Option (A) is a trap: she worked at a clothes shop, not as a receptionist. Option (B) is a trap using the word “clothes,” but she didn’t make them.

Mr. Davis: Welcome, Emma. We are looking for a receptionist for our office. Can you tell me about your last job?

Emma: Well, I worked at a clothes shop for two years.

Mr. Davis: Oh, I see. Did you use a computer or answer the phone there?

Emma: I used a computer to check prices. But I didn’t answer the phone. The manager did that.

Mr. Davis: Right. Our receptionist has to welcome a lot of visitors every day. Are you comfortable with that?

Emma: Yes, definitely! At the shop, I talked to customers all day, so I am very good at greeting people.

Mr. Davis: That’s great to hear.

1 Correct Answer: (C) The security guard

• Explanation: The manager says, “…the security guard opens the door at 7 AM.” Option (B) is the trap because Alex asks if he should do it, but the manager says no. Option (A) is a plausible guess but is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Turn on the lights

• Explanation: The manager clearly instructs: “When you come in, please turn on all the lights.” Option (A) is a trap because it is discussed first, but Alex doesn’t actually do it. Option (C) is a trap because checking emails happens “After that”, making it the second task, not the first.

3 Correct Answer: (A) Answer the phone

• Explanation: Alex asks, “Do I need to answer the phone, too?” and the manager replies, “Not in the morning.” Options (B) and (C) are the exact tasks Alex is required to do.

Mr. Smith: Welcome to your first day, Alex. Let’s talk about your morning tasks.

Alex: Thanks, Mr. Smith. Should I open the front door when I arrive?

Mr. Smith: Well, I thought about having you do that, but the security guard opens the door at 7 AM. So, you don’t need to worry about it.

Alex: Okay, great. What is my first job then?

Mr. Smith: When you come in, please turn on all the lights. After that, you must check the customer emails.

Alex: Understood. Do I need to answer the phone, too?

Mr. Smith: Not in the morning. Just focus on the emails for now.

1 Correct Answer: (B) John

• Explanation: David clearly states, “I asked John to print them.” Option (A) is the trap because Chloe offers to do it first (“Should I print the documents now?”). Option (C) is incorrect because David is just delegating the task.

2 Correct Answer: (A) Call the clients

• Explanation: David tells Chloe, “I need you to call the clients…” and asks her to write the report “after you finish calling the clients.” Option (B) is a trap because David is the one meeting the manager. Option (C) is a trap because she will write the report, but it is her second task, not the first.

3 Correct Answer: (A) He has to meet the manager.

• Explanation: David explains, “I planned to do it myself. But I have to meet the manager now.” Option (B) is a trap using the printing task, which belongs to John. Option (C) is a plausible guess for someone not doing a task, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

David: Hi Chloe. We have a lot to do for the meeting today. Let’s divide the work.

Chloe: Sure, David. Should I print the documents now?

David: Actually, I asked John to print them. I need you to call the clients to confirm the time.

Chloe: Okay, no problem. I will call them right away. What about the sales report? Do you want me to write it?

David: I planned to do it myself. But I have to meet the manager now. So, can you write the report after you finish calling the clients?

Chloe: Yes, I can do that.

David: Great. Thank you, Chloe.

1 Correct Answer: (A) She answered customer emails.

• Explanation: Emily clearly says, “In the morning, I answered all the customer emails.” Option (B) is a trap because they talk about the report, but she didn’t finish it. Option (C) uses the word “internet” from the audio, but she didn’t fix it.

2 Correct Answer: (C) Because the office internet stopped working.

• Explanation: Emily explains she wanted to finish the report, “but the office internet stopped working.” Option (A) is a trap: she organized the files because she couldn’t do the report, it was not the reason she stopped writing it. Option (B) is a plausible guess for an end-of-day conversation, but it is not mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (B) She organized the paper files.

• Explanation: When Mr. Green asks what she did instead, Emily says, “I organized the old paper files in the cabinet.” Option (A) is a trap because she says, “I will write the report tomorrow morning.” Option (C) is a plausible office task, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

Mr. Green: Hi Emily. Before you go home, can you tell me what you finished today?

Emily: Sure, Mr. Green. In the morning, I answered all the customer emails.

Mr. Green: Great. Did you finish the weekly sales report?

Emily: I wanted to finish it after lunch, but the office internet stopped working. So, I couldn’t do it.

Mr. Green: Oh, I see. What did you do instead?

Emily: I organized the old paper files in the cabinet. I will write the report tomorrow morning.

Mr. Green: That’s fine. Thanks for your hard work today. See you tomorrow.

1 Correct Answer: (B) Tables and chairs

• Explanation: Mr. Brown says, “They also make smaller things for the inside of a house, like tables, beds, and chairs.” Option (A) is a trap because Leo mentions “computer”, but carpenters don’t make them. Option (C) is a plausible guess for a manual job, but carpenters work with “wood”, not metal.

2 Correct Answer: (B) A hammer

• Explanation: Mr. Brown corrects Leo by saying, “They use hand tools like hammers and saws.” Option (A) is the trap: Leo asks if they use a computer, but the teacher says they don’t usually use it for their main work. Option (C) is a tool for a painter, not mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Because he wanted to make boats.

• Explanation: Mr. Brown says, “He wanted to make wooden boats, so he moved to a town near the beach.” Option (A) is the trap: building big houses is what “many people think” carpenters do, not the father’s reason. Option (B) is a plausible guess (beach = swimming), but it is not mentioned in the text.

Mr. Brown: Good morning, class. Today, let’s talk about the job of a carpenter. A carpenter is a person who works with wood. Many people think carpenters only build big houses. But that is not true. They also make smaller things for the inside of a house, like tables, beds, and chairs. Leo, do you know what tools a carpenter uses every day?

Leo: Um… do they use a computer to draw?

Mr. Brown: Well, some might, but they don’t usually use computers for their main work. They use hand tools like hammers and saws. My father was a carpenter. He wanted to make wooden boats, so he moved to a town near the beach. It is a very interesting job!