Last weekend – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a cafe manager. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 Where did the customer sit on Saturday afternoon?
(A) Near the window.
(B) Outside on the patio.
(C) Next to the front door.
2 What did the customer drink at the cafe?
(A) Hot coffee.
(B) Orange juice.
(C) Iced tea.
3 What time did the customer leave the cafe?
(A) At 4:00 PM.
(B) At 4:30 PM.
(C) At 5:00 PM.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Outside on the patio.
- Explanation: The customer says, “So, I sat outside on the patio instead.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); the manager asks if he sat near the window, and he wanted to, but the tables were full. Option (C) is a plausible place to sit but is never mentioned.
2 (C) Iced tea.
- Explanation: The customer explains, “So, I ordered a glass of iced tea.” Option (A) is the trap; he usually drinks hot coffee, but he didn’t drink it this time because it was warm outside. Option (B) is a common cafe drink but is not in the audio.
3 (B) At 4:30 PM.
- Explanation: The customer states clearly, “But my friend called, so I stayed until 4:30 PM.” Option (A) is the trap; he planned to leave at 4:00 PM, but his plan changed. Option (C) is never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Manager: Hello. How can I help you?
Customer: Hi. I think I left my smartphone here last Saturday afternoon.
Manager: Oh, let’s see. Do you remember where you sat? Did you sit near the window?
Customer: Well, I wanted to sit near the window, but those tables were full. So, I sat outside on the patio instead.
Manager: Okay, the patio. And what did you drink? Did you have a hot coffee?
Customer: I usually drink hot coffee, but it was really warm outside. So, I ordered a glass of iced tea.
Manager: Alright. And what time did you leave?
Customer: I planned to leave at 4:00 PM to catch a bus. But my friend called, so I stayed until 4:30 PM.
Manager: Let me check the lost and found box… Ah, here is a phone. Is this yours?
Customer: Yes, that’s it! Thank you so much!
Listening 2
Listen to the phone conversation between a customer and a hairdresser. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 When was Lisa’s original appointment?
(A) On Saturday afternoon.
(B) On Sunday afternoon.
(C) On Tuesday morning.
2 Why didn’t Lisa go to the hair salon?
(A) Because she had to work late.
(B) Because she forgot the correct day.
(C) Because she went to a different salon.
3 When will Lisa get her haircut?
(A) On Sunday.
(B) On Monday.
(C) On Tuesday.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) On Saturday afternoon.
- Explanation: David says, “You had an appointment at 3:00 PM on Saturday…” Option (B) is the trap (The Twist); Sunday afternoon is when Lisa thought she had the appointment. Option (C) is the new appointment time.
2 (B) Because she forgot the correct day.
- Explanation: Lisa explains her mistake: “…so I thought my appointment was on Sunday afternoon.” This means she remembered the wrong day. Option (A) is a trap; she had a “busy week at work,” but she didn’t work late on the weekend. Option (C) is never mentioned.
3 (C) On Tuesday.
- Explanation: David offers, “I am free on Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM,” and Lisa agrees, “Tuesday at 10:00 AM is perfect.” Option (A) is the day of the phone call. Option (B) is a trap; Lisa wanted to come on Monday, but the salon is closed.
AUDIO SCRIPT
David: Hello, David’s Hair Salon. How can I help you?
Lisa: Hi, David. This is Lisa. I’m calling to say I am so sorry about yesterday.
David: Oh, hi Lisa. Yes, we waited for you. You had an appointment at 3:00 PM on Saturday, but you didn’t come.
Lisa: I know, I feel terrible! I had a very busy week at work, so I thought my appointment was on Sunday afternoon.
David: Oh, I see. Well, that happens sometimes. Don’t worry about it. Do you want to book another time?
Lisa: Yes, please. Can I come tomorrow, on Monday?
David: I’m sorry, but our salon is always closed on Mondays. However, I am free on Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM.
Lisa: Tuesday at 10:00 AM is perfect. See you then, and sorry again!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a driver and a security guard. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 When did the driver go to the supermarket?
(A) On Saturday morning.
(B) On Sunday morning.
(C) On Sunday evening.
2 Where did the driver park his car?
(A) In the underground garage.
(B) Behind the supermarket.
(C) In front of the supermarket.
3 What was the problem with the driver’s car?
(A) The door was scratched.
(B) A mirror was stolen.
(C) The window was broken.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) On Sunday morning.
- Explanation: The driver says, “So, I came on Sunday morning instead.” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); he wanted to go on Saturday, but he was sick. Option (C) is a distracter using the correct day but the wrong time.
2 (C) In front of the supermarket.
- Explanation: The driver clearly states, “So, I parked my car in front of the supermarket.” Option (A) is the trap; he planned to park in the underground garage, but it was full. Option (B) is a plausible location but is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (A) The door was scratched.
- Explanation: The driver explains, “…another car scratched my car door!” Option (B) is the trap; the security guard asks if his mirror was stolen, but the driver says, “No, my mirror is fine.” Option (C) is a common car problem but is never mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Security Guard: Hello, sir. Can I help you? You look a bit worried.
Driver: Hi. Yes, I need to report a problem. I wanted to go shopping here on Saturday, but I was sick. So, I came on Sunday morning instead.
Security Guard: Okay. Did something happen to your car?
Driver: Yes. I planned to park in the underground garage, but it was full. So, I parked my car in front of the supermarket.
Security Guard: I see. Did someone steal your mirror? We had a thief here last week.
Driver: No, my mirror is fine. But when I came out, I saw that another car scratched my car door!
Security Guard: Oh no. Did you see the other car? Was it a big truck?
Driver: I didn’t see it. But a woman told me it was a small white car.
Security Guard: Alright. Let me check the security cameras for you.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between two friends. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 Why was Mark’s train delayed?
(A) Because he arrived late.
(B) Because the train broke down.
(C) Because it rained heavily.
2 Where did Mark wait for the train?
(A) Inside the coffee shop.
(B) Outside in the rain.
(C) Inside the train station.
3 What did Mark do when he finally arrived?
(A) He took some medicine for his cold.
(B) He went straight to bed.
(C) He went to a coffee shop.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) Because it rained heavily.
- Explanation: Mark explicitly says, “…but it rained heavily. So, the train was delayed.” Option (A) is the trap; Sarah asks if he missed the train, but he says he arrived early. Option (B) is a common reason for a delay, but it is not mentioned.
2 (B) Outside in the rain.
- Explanation: Mark explains his situation: “So, I just stood outside in the rain for three hours!” Option (A) is the trap (The Twist); Sarah asks if he waited inside the coffee shop, and he wanted to, but it was full. Option (C) is a plausible distracter, but he specifically says he stood outside.
3 (B) He went straight to bed.
- Explanation: Mark states clearly at the end: “I just went straight to bed when I arrived.” Option (A) is the trap; Sarah asks if he caught a cold, but he says “No, luckily I didn’t.” Option (C) uses a location from earlier in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Hey, Mark. How was your weekend trip to the city on Saturday night?
Mark: Hi, Sarah. It was terrible!
Sarah: Oh no. What happened? Did you miss your train?
Mark: No, I actually arrived at the station early. I wanted to catch the 7 PM train, but it rained heavily. So, the train was delayed.
Sarah: That’s awful. Did you wait inside the coffee shop?
Mark: Well, I wanted to, but it was completely full. So, I just stood outside in the rain for three hours!
Sarah: Three hours? That’s too bad. Did you catch a cold?
Mark: No, luckily I didn’t. But I was really tired. I just went straight to bed when I arrived.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between two colleagues. Then, circle the correct answer for each question.
1 What did Alex think Sam did on Saturday night?
(A) He stayed home in bed.
(B) He went to a pop concert.
(C) He bought a concert ticket.
2 Why didn’t Sam go to the concert?
(A) Because he lost his ticket.
(B) Because he had to work.
(C) Because he was sick.
3 Who went to the concert in the end?
(A) Sam’s sister.
(B) Sam.
(C) Alex.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He went to a pop concert.
- Explanation: Alex asks, “I heard you went to that big pop concert on Saturday night.” This is what Alex thought (the rumor). Option (A) is the trap; staying home is what Sam actually did, not what Alex thought. Option (C) is a true fact, but it’s not the rumor.
2 (C) Because he was sick.
- Explanation: Sam explains his reason: “I woke up with a terrible fever and a sore throat.” This means he was sick. Option (A) is the trap; Alex asks if he lost his ticket, but Sam says “No.” Option (B) is never mentioned.
3 (A) Sam’s sister.
- Explanation: Sam says, “Yeah, I gave it to my younger sister. She went with her friends…” Option (B) is the trap; Sam wanted to go but couldn’t. Option (C) is the other speaker, who didn’t go.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Alex: Hey, Sam. How was your weekend? I heard you went to that big pop concert on Saturday night. Was it good?
Sam: Hi, Alex. Actually, no. I really wanted to go, and I even bought a ticket last month.
Alex: Oh? So, what happened? Did you lose your ticket?
Sam: No, I didn’t. On Saturday morning, I woke up with a terrible fever and a sore throat. So, I just stayed home in bed all day instead.
Alex: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Did you give your ticket to someone else?
Sam: Yeah, I gave it to my younger sister. She went with her friends and loved the concert.
Alex: Well, I hope you are feeling better now.