Life events – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a son and his mother. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 How did the boy’s driving test go?
(A) He failed because he couldn’t park the car.
(B) He passed even though he made a small mistake.
(C) He drove perfectly from the beginning to the end.
2 What kind of car is the boy planning to buy?
(A) A brand new sports car.
(B) An expensive family car.
(C) An old, inexpensive car.
3 What does the mother think about her son’s final decision?
(A) She thinks it is a good idea.
(B) She wants him to buy a new car.
(C) She thinks he is spending too much money.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The son says he “made a mistake while parking” but the examiner said his driving on the road was perfect, “so I passed.” Option A is a trap because he mentions a parking mistake, but he didn’t fail. Option C is wrong because his driving wasn’t 100% perfect (he made a parking mistake).
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: This question uses “The Twist” technique. The son says he wanted a new sports car (Option A – Trap), but it was too expensive. Therefore, his actual plan is to buy a “cheap, used car,” which is paraphrased as an “old, inexpensive car” in Option C.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: After the son says he will buy a cheap, used car, the mother replies, “That’s a very smart decision.” This means she thinks it is a good idea. Option C is a trap because the son is the one who talks about things being expensive, not the mother.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Mom, guess what? I finally passed my driving test this morning!
Mom: Oh, Leo, that’s wonderful news! I’m so proud of you. Was the test difficult?
Leo: Well, a little bit. I was really nervous at first. I actually made a mistake while parking the car, but the examiner said my driving on the main road was perfect, so I passed.
Mom: That’s great! So, are you going to buy a car now?
Leo: Yes! I originally wanted to get a brand new sports car. But, um, they are way too expensive. So, I’m going to look for a cheap, used car this weekend instead.
Mom: That’s a very smart decision, honey.
Listening 2
Listen to two sisters, Amy and Sophie, talking about their grandparents’ anniversary. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What gift will the sisters give to their grandparents?
(A) A new television.
(B) A photo album.
(C) A new camera.
2 Where will the anniversary party be held?
(A) At an Italian restaurant.
(B) At the grandparents’ house.
(C) At the sisters’ home.
3 What is Amy going to do for the party?
(A) She is going to buy a cake.
(B) She is going to make a cake.
(C) She is going to cook an Italian dinner.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Sophie suggests a television (Option A – Trap), but Amy says Uncle Tom already bought one. They finally agree to “make a special photo album” (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned in the dialogue.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Amy suggests a restaurant (Option A – Trap), but Sophie explains it is closed for repairs. She then says, “let’s just have a small dinner at our house” (Option C – Key). Option B is a distractor because it mentions a house, but it’s not the grandparents’ house.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Amy says, “I’ll bake a chocolate cake,” which means she will make it herself (Option B – Key). Option A is wrong because she isn’t buying it. Option C is a trap related to the earlier mention of the Italian restaurant.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Amy: Sophie, next week is Grandma and Grandpa’s 50th wedding anniversary. What should we buy for them?
Sophie: Well, I originally thought about a new television because theirs is so old.
Amy: That’s a good idea, but Uncle Tom already bought them a big one yesterday.
Sophie: Oh, I didn’t know that. Then let’s make a special photo album with all our family pictures instead.
Amy: Great! They will love it. And for the party, should we go to that Italian restaurant?
Sophie: I wanted to, but it’s closed for repairs next week. So, let’s just have a small dinner at our house.
Amy: Perfect. I’ll bake a chocolate cake for everyone!
Listening 3
Listen to two friends, Mark and Sarah, talking about a new baby. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What information is true about the baby?
(A) It is a girl named Emma.
(B) It is a boy weighing 3.5 kilograms.
(C) It is a boy weighing 5.3 kilograms.
2 When is Sarah going to see the baby?
(A) On Saturday morning.
(B) On Saturday evening.
(C) On Sunday.
3 Where will Sarah meet the baby and the mother?
(A) At the hospital.
(B) At Mark’s sister’s house.
(C) At a gift shop.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Mark clearly states that this is a “baby boy,” weighing “3.5 kilograms.” Answer A is incorrect because Emma is the name of the older sister (the mother). Answer C is a number reversal trap (3.5 vs 5.3).
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist Technique): Sarah asks if they can visit on Saturday (Saturday – Trap), but Mark explains that they will be going home on Saturday morning, so he suggests visiting on “Sunday instead.”
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Since the baby is discharged on Saturday, Mark invites Sarah to “come to our house.” Answer A is a trap because Sarah initially intended to go to the hospital but changed her plans.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Guess what! My sister Emma finally had her baby yesterday!
Sarah: That’s amazing news, Mark! Is it a boy or a girl?
Mark: It’s a healthy baby boy. He weighs 3.5 kilograms and his name is Oliver.
Sarah: Oh, Oliver is a lovely name. I’d love to see him. Can I visit them at the hospital this Saturday?
Mark: Well, the doctor said they can go home on Saturday morning. So, why don’t you come to our house on Sunday instead?
Sarah: That’s a good idea. It’ll be more comfortable. I’ll bring a small gift for the little one.
Mark: Great! See you then.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between two neighbors. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Who is David?
(A) A professional mover.
(B) Sarah’s brother.
(C) A new neighbor.
2 How did David move his furniture?
(A) He paid a moving company to do it.
(B) He did it with a family member.
(C) He did it all by himself.
3 How long did it take to finish the move?
(A) Two days.
(B) Five days.
(C) One week.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: Sarah says “Welcome to our street” and David introduces himself as the person moving in, which makes him the new neighbor. Option B is a trap because David mentions his brother, but they are not Sarah’s brother.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): David mentions he “originally planned” to hire professionals (Option A – Trap), but because it was expensive, he and his brother (family member) did it “ourselves instead” (Option B – Key). Option C is wrong because he had help from his brother.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: David says they “thought it would only take two days” (Option A – Trap), but then uses the word “but” to introduce the reality: “it actually took five” (Option B – Key). Option C is a distractor because he mentioned “this past week”, but the specific number of days was five.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mrs. Green: Hi there! I’m Sarah from next door. Welcome to our street!
Mr. Clark: Oh, hello Sarah! I’m David. It’s nice to meet you. Please excuse the mess, um… moving has been so exhausting this past week.
Mrs. Green: I can imagine! Moving is never easy. Did you hire a professional moving company?
Mr. Clark: Well, I originally planned to call one. But, they were very expensive. So, my brother and I decided to move everything ourselves instead.
Mrs. Green: Oh dear, that sounds like a lot of hard work!
Mr. Clark: It was! We thought it would only take two days, but it actually took five. I’m just glad it’s finished now.
Mrs. Green: Well, welcome again!
Listening 5
Listen to a husband and wife talking about adopting a dog. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What kind of dog are they going to adopt?
(A) A little puppy.
(B) A five-year-old dog.
(C) A very big dog.
2 Why did the man change his mind about getting a puppy?
(A) Because puppies are too expensive.
(B) Because they don’t have time to train a puppy.
(C) Because the shelter didn’t have any puppies.
3 What is Tom going to do tonight?
(A) Buy food for the dog.
(B) Visit the animal shelter.
(C) Train the new dog.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): Lisa asks if they are getting a “little puppy” (Option A – Trap), and Tom says he originally wanted one. However, he changes his mind and says he wants a “five-year-old dog” named Max (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Tom explains that puppies “need a lot of training,” but they “both work all day.” This means they don’t have the time to train a young dog. Option A and C are logical guesses but are never mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: At the end of the conversation, Tom says, “I’ll go to the supermarket and buy some dog food tonight” (Option A – Key). Option B is a trap because they will visit the shelter tomorrow morning. Option C is wrong because Max is already trained.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: I’m so excited about going to the animal shelter tomorrow, Lisa.
Lisa: Me too, Tom! Are we still getting a little puppy?
Tom: Well, I originally wanted a puppy. But they need a lot of training, and we both work all day.
Lisa: That’s true. So, what should we do?
Tom: I saw a picture of a five-year-old dog on the shelter’s website. His name is Max, and he is already trained.
Lisa: Oh, getting an older dog is a much better idea! Let’s go see Max tomorrow morning.
Tom: Perfect. I’ll go to the supermarket and buy some dog food tonight.