Learning languages – A2 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Two times.

• Explanation: The examiner clearly states, “…you will hear every recording two times.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). The examiner says, “You might think you only hear it once,” but clarifies that this is not true. Option (C) was not mentioned.

2 (B) By putting a cross in the box.

• Explanation: The instruction is to “…put a cross in the box next to A, B, or C.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the main trap. Students usually circle answers, but the examiner explicitly says, “Please do not circle the correct answer.” Option (C) was not mentioned.

3 (B) A pencil.

• Explanation: The examiner tells the students, “…you must use a pencil.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The audio mentions a pen, but tells the students not to use it (“Do not use a pen”). Option (C) is a plausible guess but was not mentioned.

Examiner: Attention, please. Welcome to the A2 English Listening Test. Before we start, please read the questions carefully. You have one minute to do this. For each question, you will hear a short audio clip. You might think you only hear it once, but don’t worry, you will hear every recording two times.

Now, look at your answer sheet. Please do not circle the correct answer. Instead, you must put a cross in the box next to A, B, or C. Also, if you make a mistake, erase it completely. Do not use a pen for this test; you must use a pencil. Are you ready? Let’s begin Part 1.

1 (B) On Friday afternoons.

• Explanation: Alex clearly states the new schedule: “Now, we meet every Friday afternoon.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). The club “originally” met on Wednesday mornings, but they changed the time. Option (C) is a mix of the wrong time and right day.

2 (B) Because many students had classes.

• Explanation: Alex explains the reason for the change: “But we noticed that many students were busy with their classes.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a plausible guess, but the president (Alex) wasn’t the one who was busy; the students were. Option (C) is the trap because watching movies is what they do at the club, not the reason they changed the time.

3 (C) Play games and watch movies.

• Explanation: Alex tells the students about the fun activities: “We play vocabulary games and watch English movies together.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. Alex says, “You might think we just sit in a room and study grammar rules… Well, don’t worry!” meaning they do not do this. Option (B) was not mentioned.

Alex: Hello everyone! My name is Alex, and I’m the president of the school’s English Club. I’m here to invite you to join us. Originally, our club met on Wednesday mornings. But we noticed that many students were busy with their classes. So, we changed the schedule. Now, we meet every Friday afternoon.

You might think we just sit in a room and study grammar rules from a textbook. Well, don’t worry! We actually do fun activities. We play vocabulary games and watch English movies together. It’s a fantastic way to practice your speaking skills. If you want to make new friends and learn, please come to Room 204 this week. See you there!

1 (B) Five minutes.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly says, “With our new app… you only need five minutes a day.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). The speaker says many people think they need an hour, but says “that is not true!” Option (C) is a trap using the number “ten,” which refers to the number of words, not the time.

2 (C) Ten new words.

• Explanation: The advertisement clearly states: “Every day, the app teaches you ten new words.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a plausible guess for a language app, but grammar is not mentioned. Option (B) is a trap because the audio mentions practicing “on your phone,” but the app doesn’t teach you how to use the phone.

3 (B) It is completely free.

• Explanation: The announcer gives a special offer: “But if you download it today, it is completely free!”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The app was “originally” ten dollars a month, but the price changed for today. Option (C) uses the number “five” (from five minutes) to confuse the listener.

Announcer: Do you want to learn a new language, but you are too busy? Many people think they need to study for an hour every day. However, that is not true! With our new app, “WordMaster,” you only need five minutes a day. You don’t need to carry heavy books anymore. You can practice on your phone while you wait for the bus.

Every day, the app teaches you ten new words. Originally, the app was ten dollars a month. But if you download it today, it is completely free! Start learning English, Spanish, or French now. Download “WordMaster” today!

1 (B) Because he loves anime and sushi.

• Explanation: The speaker clearly states his current reason: “But now, my reason is very simple. I just really love watching anime and eating sushi!”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). Working in Tokyo is what “many people” do, and what he wanted to do “when I was younger,” but it is not his reason now. Option (C) was not mentioned.

2 (B) One year ago.

• Explanation: The speaker says, “I started studying exactly one year ago.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. “Last month” is when he joined the language class, not when he started learning. Option (C) is a trap related to the phrase “when I was younger,” but he didn’t start learning back then.

3 (A) By taking a class at a language center.

• Explanation: He explains his current method: “So, last month, I joined a language class near my house.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is the trap (The Twist). Using a free app is what he did “at first,” but he stopped because it was too difficult to practice speaking. Option (C) is a plausible guess related to anime, but it is not his study method.

Podcaster: Hello everyone, welcome to my podcast! Today, I want to talk about why I am learning Japanese. Many people learn it because they want to work in Tokyo. I wanted to do that too when I was younger. But now, my reason is very simple. I just really love watching anime and eating sushi!

I started studying exactly one year ago. At first, I used a free app on my phone. However, it was too difficult to practice speaking alone. So, last month, I joined a language class near my house. It is much better!

1 (B) In Room 305.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly gives the new location: “…your teacher is moving the class to Room 305 on the third floor.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap (The Twist). Room 201 is where the class was “originally” scheduled, but the announcer says, “please do not go to Room 201.” Option (C) was not mentioned.

2 (C) Because the air conditioner is broken.

• Explanation: The announcer explains the problem clearly: “However, the air conditioner in that room is broken today…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. The third floor is mentioned as the new location, but it is not the reason for the change. Option (A) is a plausible reason for changing a room, but it was not mentioned.

3 (B) In ten minutes.

• Explanation: The announcer tells the students exactly when to expect the lesson to begin: “Your class will start in ten minutes…”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is the trap. The students need to “go upstairs right now,” but the class itself doesn’t start right now. Option (C) was not mentioned.

Announcer: Attention all students. This is an important announcement for the Basic English Communication class. Originally, your class was scheduled in Room 201 on the second floor. However, the air conditioner in that room is broken today, and it is much too hot to study there. So, please do not go to Room 201.

Instead, your teacher is moving the class to Room 305 on the third floor. Please go upstairs right now. Your class will start in ten minutes, so you still have time to find the new room. Thank you for your understanding.