Life events – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a conversation between a bank teller and a customer. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the customer at the bank?
(A) To ask for a loan to buy a house.
(B) To update his home address.
(C) To open a new bank account.
2 What did the customer do?
(A) He rented a large apartment in the city.
(B) He bought a small house in the suburbs.
(C) He sold his old house to a friend.
3 What does the customer want the bank to send to his new address?
(A) A new credit card.
(B) A letter from the bank manager.
(C) A new account book.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer clearly says at the beginning, “I need to change my home address on my account” (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because he mentions buying a house, but he already bought it and is not asking for a loan. Option C is a logical guess for a bank visit but is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): The teller asks if he rented an apartment, and the customer says he “originally wanted to rent a bigger apartment” (Option A – Trap). However, he uses “But” to show a change of plan: he found a little house and “bought it instead” (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: After giving his new address, the customer asks, “Can you send my new credit card there?” (Option A – Key). Options B and C are plausible things a bank might send, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Bank Teller: Good morning. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi. I need to change my home address on my account. I just moved.
Bank Teller: Congratulations on moving! Did you rent a new apartment?
Customer: Well, I originally wanted to rent a bigger apartment in the city center. But, I found a beautiful little house in the suburbs, so I bought it instead.
Bank Teller: That’s wonderful news! Buying a house is a big step. What is your new address?
Customer: It’s 42 Maple Street. Can you send my new credit card there?
Bank Teller: Yes, of course. I’ll update the system right now.
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between an engaged couple (Mark and Lisa) and a hotel manager (Mr. Evans). For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 When is the couple going to get married?
(A) In the summer.
(B) In October.
(C) Next year.
2 How many guests are they going to invite?
(A) 50 guests.
(B) 100 guests.
(C) 150 guests.
3 What kind of food will they have at their wedding?
(A) Italian food.
(B) Traditional seafood.
(C) Fast food.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The manager asks if the wedding is for “this summer” (Option A – Trap), but Lisa corrects him and says, “we are planning our wedding for October” (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist & Number Trap): Mark says they “originally thought about inviting just 50 people” (Option A – Trap). However, because their families are large, they are “inviting 100 guests instead” (Option B – Key). Option C is a trap because 150 is the maximum capacity of the hall, not the number of guests.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): Lisa asks about “Italian food” (Option A – Trap). The manager says they have it, but suggests the “traditional seafood menu”. Mark agrees and says, “we both love seafood. Let’s go with that” (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mr. Evans: Good morning! Welcome to the Star Hotel. Are you looking for a wedding venue for this summer?
Lisa: Hello. No, actually, we are planning our wedding for October.
Mr. Evans: Ah, October is a beautiful month. How many guests are you expecting?
Mark: Well, we originally thought about inviting just 50 people. But, both of our families are very large, so we are inviting 100 guests instead.
Mr. Evans: That is no problem. Our main hall can hold up to 150 people.
Lisa: That’s great! And what about the food? Do you serve Italian food?
Mr. Evans: We do have an Italian menu, but our traditional seafood menu is the most popular for weddings.
Mark: Perfect, we both love seafood. Let’s go with that.
Mr. Evans: Wonderful. I will show you the main hall now.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a clerk and a customer. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the woman talking to the clerk?
(A) To book a flight to Japan.
(B) To get a new ID card.
(C) To apply for a passport.
2 Where did the woman get the photos she gives to the clerk?
(A) From her home.
(B) From her friend.
(C) From a photo shop.
3 When will she receive her passport?
(A) This morning.
(B) In two weeks.
(C) Next month.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: At the beginning, Emma clearly says, “I need to apply for a passport” (Option C – Key). Option A is a trap because she mentions going to Japan, but she is not booking a flight. Option B is also a trap because the clerk asks for her ID card, but she is not applying for a new one.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): Emma says she “originally brought some photos from home” (Option A – Trap). However, they were the wrong size. Therefore, she “took new photos at the photo shop this morning” and gave those to the clerk (Option C – Key). Option B is wrong because her friend only gave her advice, not the photos.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: At the end of the conversation, the clerk says, “Your new passport will arrive in two weeks” (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because “this morning” is when she took the photos. Option C is a trap because “next month” is when she will travel to Japan.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Clerk: Next, please! Hello, how can I help you today?
Emma: Hi. I need to apply for a passport. I’m going to Japan next month!
Clerk: How exciting! Do you have your application form and your ID card?
Emma: Yes, here they are.
Clerk: Great. Now, I need two photos of you.
Emma: Well, I originally brought some photos from home. But my friend said they were the wrong size. So, I took new photos at the photo shop this morning.
Clerk: Let me see. Yes, these are perfect. The fee is 50 dollars.
Emma: Can I pay with a credit card?
Clerk: Yes. Your new passport will arrive in two weeks.
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between a father and a bank teller. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the father giving his son for his birthday?
(A) A big toy car.
(B) A savings account.
(C) A new ID card.
2 Why did the father change his mind about the gift?
(A) Because the toy was too expensive.
(B) Because his son already has lots of toys.
(C) Because his son is going to university soon.
3 How much money will the father add to the account every month?
(A) 50 dollars.
(B) 100 dollars.
(C) 150 dollars.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): The father says he “originally wanted to buy him a big toy car” (Option A – Trap). However, he changed his mind and says, “So, I decided to save money… instead” by opening a savings account (Option B – Key). Option C is a trap because the ID card is what the bank teller asks for at the end.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The father explicitly states, “But, he already has too many toys” (Option B – Key). Option A is a plausible guess but is not mentioned. Option C is a trap; he is saving for university, but his son is only one year old (“first birthday”), so he is not going to university soon.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The father says, “I want to add 50 dollars every month” (Option A – Key). Option B (100 dollars) is a number trap; that is the amount he is putting in today to start the account, not the monthly amount.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Bank Teller: Good morning, sir. How can I help you today?
Father: Hi. It’s my son’s first birthday today! I want to open a savings account for him.
Bank Teller: Oh, happy birthday to him! That is a very nice gift.
Father: Thank you. Well, I originally wanted to buy him a big toy car. But, he already has too many toys. So, I decided to save money for his university instead.
Bank Teller: That’s a very smart idea. How much would you like to put in the account today?
Father: I’ll start with 100 dollars. And I want to add 50 dollars every month.
Bank Teller: Perfect. I just need your ID card to start.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a car dealer and a customer. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the customer at the car shop?
(A) To take a driving test.
(B) To buy his first car.
(C) To sell an old car.
2 What kind of car does the customer want to buy now?
(A) A big, new SUV.
(B) A fast sports car.
(C) A cheap, used car.
3 Why does the customer want a small car?
(A) Because parking is difficult at his apartment.
(B) Because it is much cheaper than a sports car.
(C) Because his favorite color is blue.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The customer clearly says, “I want to buy my first car” (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because he mentions his driving test, but he already “passed” it last week. Option C is a logical guess for a car shop but is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): The customer says he “originally wanted to buy a big, new SUV” (Option A – Trap). However, because of the price, he changed his mind and is looking for a “cheap, used car instead” (Option C – Key). Option B is a trap because the dealer asks if he wants a sports car, but he says no.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The customer explicitly states, “I need something small because parking at my apartment building is very difficult” (Option A – Key). Option B is a plausible guess but not the specific reason he gives for wanting a small car. Option C is a trap because the dealer mentions a “blue car” after the customer explains what he needs.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Dealer: Hello, welcome to City Cars. How can I help you today?
Customer: Hi. I just passed my driving test last week, so I want to buy my first car.
Dealer: Congratulations! Are you looking for a new car or a used car?
Customer: Well, I originally wanted to buy a big, new SUV. But, they are way too expensive for me. So, I am looking for a cheap, used car instead.
Dealer: We have many good used cars here. Do you want a family car or a sports car?
Customer: Actually, I need something small because parking at my apartment building is very difficult.
Dealer: I see. Let me show you a small, blue car we just got yesterday.