Last weekend – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two classmates and circle the correct answer for each question.
1 What did Lisa do on Saturday?
(A) She went shopping for a new jacket.
(B) She went to a rock concert.
(C) She bought tickets for a movie.
2 How did Lisa feel about the event on Saturday?
(A) She was a little disappointed.
(B) She thought the band played badly.
(C) She loved the rainy weather.
3 What did Lisa do on Sunday?
(A) She went to the cinema with her sister.
(B) She went out to the mall.
(C) She watched movies at home.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) She went to a rock concert.
- Explanation: Lisa says, “But my sister called and gave me two free tickets to a rock concert. So, I went there instead.” Option (A) is the trap; she planned to go shopping, but her plans changed (The Twist). Option (C) is incorrect because she got the tickets for free, and they were for a concert, not a movie.
2 (A) She was a little disappointed.
- Explanation: Lisa explicitly states, “Actually, it was a bit disappointing.” Option (B) is a trap; she mentions that “The band played really well,” so she didn’t think they played badly. Option (C) is incorrect because the rain is exactly what made her disappointed.
3 (C) She watched movies at home.
- Explanation: Lisa says, “I just stayed home and watched a couple of movies.” Option (A) is a trap; she watched movies, but she did it at home, not at the cinema. Option (B) is a trap using a location mentioned earlier in the conversation (the mall), but she did not go there.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hey, Lisa. How was your weekend?
Lisa: Oh, hi Tom. It was pretty good, thanks.
Tom: Did you go to the mall on Saturday? I remember you wanted to buy a new jacket.
Lisa: Well, I was planning to go shopping. But my sister called and gave me two free tickets to a rock concert. So, I went there instead.
Tom: Wow, lucky you! How was it?
Lisa: Actually, it was a bit disappointing. The band played really well, but it rained the whole time.
Tom: Oh, no. That’s too bad. So what did you do on Sunday?
Lisa: Um, I just stayed home and watched a couple of movies. I was too tired to go out again.
Listening 2
Listen to a girl talking to her grandfather about her weekend. Circle the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did Lily and her parents eat at the park?
(A) Sandwiches
(B) Fried chicken
(C) Pizza
2 Why didn’t they play badminton?
(A) They forgot their rackets.
(B) It was too windy.
(C) There were too many people.
3 What did Lily and her dad do at the park?
(A) They flew a kite.
(B) They played with a ball.
(C) They bought new rackets.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Fried chicken
- Explanation: Lily says her mom wanted to make sandwiches (Option A is a trap), but she was tired. Therefore, they bought fried chicken instead. Pizza (Option C) is not mentioned.
2 (B) It was too windy.
- Explanation: Lily says they brought the rackets, so they didn’t forget them (Option A is a trap). However, they couldn’t play because it was “much too windy.” Option C is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (A) They flew a kite.
- Explanation: Lily mentions that her dad bought a big red kite, and they “flew that instead.” They didn’t play with a ball (Option B), and they brought their old rackets, they didn’t buy new ones (Option C is a trap).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Grandpa: Hello, Lily! How was your weekend with your parents?
Lily: It was great, Grandpa! On Saturday afternoon, we went to Centennial Park for a picnic.
Grandpa: Oh, that sounds lovely. Did your mom make her delicious sandwiches?
Lily: Well, she wanted to, but she was really tired from work. So, we bought some fried chicken on the way there. It was actually really yummy!
Grandpa: Nice! And did you play badminton? I know you love it.
Lily: We brought the rackets, but it was much too windy. We couldn’t play at all. Fortunately, Dad bought a big red kite, so we flew that instead. It went up so high!
Grandpa: Sounds like a perfect Saturday.
Listening 3
Listen to the phone conversation between two friends, Sarah and Mark. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 What did Mark want to do on Saturday night?
(A) Clean his messy bedroom.
(B) Go to an Italian restaurant.
(C) Stay home and eat pizza.
2 What did Mark do during the afternoon?
(A) He cleaned his room and did the laundry.
(B) He went shopping for new clothes.
(C) He cleaned the kitchen and the living room.
3 Why didn’t Mark go to the cinema?
(A) Because he wanted to watch a soccer match.
(B) Because he didn’t like the action movie.
(C) Because he felt too tired to drive.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Go to an Italian restaurant.
- Explanation: Mark says, “I really wanted to go [to the restaurant] because I love pizza.” Option (A) is what he actually did because his room was a mess, not what he wanted to do initially.
2 (A) He cleaned his room and did the laundry.
- Explanation: Mark explicitly mentions: “I spent the afternoon cleaning my room and doing the laundry.” Option (C) is a trap because it mentions “cleaning,” but the specific locations (kitchen, living room) are incorrect.
3 (C) Because he felt too tired to drive.
- Explanation: Mark says, “I thought about going to the cinema… But I was too tired to drive.” Option (A) is a trap; watching the soccer match was the result of being tired, not the reason he skipped the cinema.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Hi, Mark! How was your weekend? Did you go to that new Italian restaurant last night?
Mark: Oh, hi Sarah. Well, I really wanted to go because I love pizza. But when I looked at my bedroom, it was a total mess!
Sarah: Oh, no! So, did you spend the whole day cleaning?
Mark: Pretty much. Um, I spent the afternoon cleaning my room and doing the laundry. My clothes were everywhere!
Sarah: That sounds exhausting. Did you at least do something fun in the evening?
Mark: Well, I thought about going to the cinema to see the new action movie. But I was too tired to drive. So, I just stayed on the sofa and watched a soccer match on TV.
Sarah: Well, at least you have a clean room now!
Mark: That’s true, but I think I need another weekend to rest!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a brother and his younger sister. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 What gift did Lily give to her friend?
(A) A comic book.
(B) A video game.
(C) A board game.
2 Why didn’t Lily buy a book?
(A) Because the bookstore was not open.
(B) Because she didn’t have enough money.
(C) Because her friend doesn’t like reading.
3 What food did they eat at the party?
(A) Pizza.
(B) Burgers.
(C) Sandwiches.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) A board game.
- Explanation: Lily says, “So, I bought a cool board game instead.” Option (A) is a trap; she wanted to buy a comic book, but she couldn’t. Option (B) is a plausible distracter but is never mentioned.
2 (A) Because the bookstore was not open.
- Explanation: Lily explains her reason clearly: “I wanted to buy a comic book, but the bookstore was closed.” “Closed” means it was not open. Options (B) and (C) are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) Burgers.
- Explanation: Lily says, “So, we had a barbecue with some burgers.” Option (A) is the trap; they planned to order pizza, but the plan changed because the dad decided to cook outside. Option (C) is never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Brother: Hey, Lily. How was your friend’s birthday party on Saturday?
Sister: Oh, it was really fun! Most of our classmates were there.
Brother: That’s nice. What gift did you give him? A new book?
Sister: Well, I wanted to buy a comic book, but the bookstore was closed. So, I bought a cool board game instead. He loved it!
Brother: Great! And how was the food? Did you guys eat a lot of pizza?
Sister: We planned to order pizza, but his dad decided to cook outside. So, we had a barbecue with some burgers. It was delicious!
Brother: Sounds like a great weekend!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between two colleagues. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 What did Emma eat at the restaurant?
(A) Grilled salmon.
(B) Tomato pasta.
(C) Chicken salad.
2 Why didn’t Emma have the seafood?
(A) Because she doesn’t like fish.
(B) Because it was too expensive.
(C) Because the restaurant didn’t have any left.
3 What did Emma dislike about the restaurant?
(A) The food tasted bad.
(B) The service was very slow.
(C) The waiter was rude.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Tomato pasta.
- Explanation: Emma says, “So, I just had the tomato pasta instead.” Option (A) is the trap; she wanted the salmon, but she couldn’t get it (The Twist). Option (C) is never mentioned.
2 (C) Because the restaurant didn’t have any left.
- Explanation: Emma explains that she couldn’t get the salmon because “the waiter said they were sold out.” “Sold out” means the restaurant didn’t have any left. Options (A) and (B) are not mentioned in the audio.
3 (B) The service was very slow.
- Explanation: Emma complains, “But we waited almost an hour for our meals. The service was terribly slow.” Option (A) is a trap; she actually says the food was “delicious.” Option (C) is a plausible distracter about bad service, but she never said the waiter was rude, only slow.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Hey, Emma. Did you go to that new French restaurant on Sunday night?
Emma: Hi, Mark. Yes, I did. I went there with my husband.
Mark: Oh, nice! How was it? I heard their seafood is amazing.
Emma: Well, I really wanted to try the grilled salmon, but the waiter said they were sold out. So, I just had the tomato pasta instead.
Mark: That’s too bad. Was the pasta good, at least?
Emma: Actually, the food was delicious! But we waited almost an hour for our meals. The service was terribly slow. I don’t think I’ll go back.
Mark: Oh, that’s a shame. Thanks for letting me know!