Life events – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a telephone conversation between two friends. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is Sarah calling Ben?
(A) To invite him to a restaurant.
(B) To cancel her birthday party.
(C) To thank him for a gift.
2 What did Sarah do this morning?
(A) She went to the doctor.
(B) She bought a birthday gift.
(C) She went to an Italian restaurant.
3 What is Sarah actually going to do tomorrow?
(A) Have a big party.
(B) Sleep all day.
(C) Celebrate with her friends.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Sarah calls to say she has “bad news” and tells Ben, “we have to cancel the party” (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because she mentions the Italian restaurant, but the party there is cancelled. Option C is a trap; Ben mentions a gift, but thanking him is not the main reason she called.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Sarah explicitly states, “I went to the doctor this morning” (Option A – Key). Option B is a trap because Ben is the one who bought a gift. Option C is a trap because the restaurant was the plan for tomorrow, not where she went this morning.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): Sarah says she “originally planned to have a big party” (Option A – Trap). However, because she has the flu, she changes her plan and says, “So, I’m just going to stay home and sleep all day tomorrow instead” (Option B – Key). Option C is a trap because they will celebrate “next month,” not tomorrow.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Ben: Hello?
Sarah: Hi Ben, it’s Sarah. I have some bad news.
Ben: Oh no, what’s wrong? Are you okay?
Sarah: Not really. I’m feeling terrible. I originally planned to have a big party for my 20th birthday tomorrow at the Italian restaurant.
Ben: Yeah, I know. I already bought a gift for you!
Sarah: Thank you, but we have to cancel the party. I went to the doctor this morning and I have a bad case of the flu.
Ben: Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.
Sarah: So, I’m just going to stay home and sleep all day tomorrow instead. We can celebrate next month.
Ben: No problem. Get well soon!
Listening 2
Listen to a student talking to a university staff member. Circle the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is wrong with the student’s certificate?
(A) His first name is wrong.
(B) His middle name is misspelled.
(C) His last name is missing.
2 When is the student’s job interview?
(A) Today
(B) On Friday
(C) In two weeks
3 What will the staff member give the student today?
(A) A new certificate
(B) A job application
(C) An official letter
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) His middle name is misspelled.
- Explanation: The student says his first name and last name are correct (Option A and C are traps), but his middle name is spelled wrong.
2 (B) On Friday
- Explanation: The student says, “I have a job interview this Friday.” Option A (today) is when he gets the letter. Option C (two weeks) is how long it takes to print a new certificate.
3 (C) An official letter
- Explanation: The staff member says it takes two weeks to print a new certificate (Option A is a trap). Because he needs something for his interview, she will give him “an official letter today”. Option B is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Student: Excuse me. I just picked up my graduation certificate, but there is a problem with it.
Staff: Oh, let me see. What is wrong?
Student: Well, my first name and last name are correct, but my middle name is spelled wrong. It says “David”, but it should be “Daniel”.
Staff: I apologize for the mistake. We can print a new certificate for you. However, it will take two weeks.
Student: Two weeks? Unfortunately, I have a job interview this Friday and I need to show it to them.
Staff: I understand. I can give you an official letter today to show your company, and you can get the new certificate later.
Student: That sounds good. Thank you!
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a passenger and an airport ticket agent. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the man traveling to Boston?
(A) To rent a new car.
(B) To attend a wedding.
(C) To work at the airport.
2 How is the man actually going to travel to Boston?
(A) By car.
(B) By train.
(C) By plane.
3 Which flight is the man going to take?
(A) The 10:00 AM flight.
(B) The 2:00 PM flight.
(C) The 4:30 PM flight.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The man says, “My best friend is getting married this evening” (Option B – Key). Option A is a trap because he mentions renting a car later, but that is not the purpose of his trip. Option C is a logical guess for an airport setting but is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (The Twist): The man says he “originally wanted to rent a car” (Option A – Trap). However, he changes his mind because it takes too long and says, “I really need to fly,” which means traveling by plane (Option C – Key). Option B is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation (Number Trap): This question tests three different times. The 10:00 AM flight is the one he missed (Option A – Trap). The 2:00 PM flight is full (Option B – Trap). The agent says there is one seat left on the 4:30 PM flight, and the man says “I’ll take it!” (Option C – Key).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Passenger: Excuse me, I just missed my flight to Boston! My best friend is getting married this evening. What can I do?
Agent: Let me check. I’m sorry, sir. The 10:00 AM flight just left.
Passenger: Are there any other flights today? I originally wanted to rent a car and drive there. But, it takes too long. I really need to fly.
Agent: Well, we have a flight at 2:00 PM, but it is completely full. However, there is one seat left on the 4:30 PM flight.
Passenger: That’s perfect. I will arrive just in time for the party. I’ll take it!
Agent: Okay, I will book that for you right now.
Listening 4
Listen to a telephone conversation between a customer and a moving company agent. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What time did David originally want the moving truck to arrive?
(A) At 9:00 AM.
(B) At 11:00 AM.
(C) In 20 minutes.
2 Why is David calling the company?
(A) To book a truck for tomorrow.
(B) To report a bad car accident.
(C) To complain that the truck is late.
3 Which road did the truck driver take?
(A) The highway.
(B) The small city roads.
(C) The mountain roads.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation (Number Trap): The agent confirms, “You originally booked the truck for 9:00 AM” (Option A – Key). Option B (11 o’clock) is a trap because that is the current time, not the original booking time. Option C is a trap because 20 minutes is when the truck will arrive in the future.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: David says he has been “waiting for two hours” and asks “What happened?”, which means he is complaining that the truck is late (Option C – Key). Option A is a plausible reason to call a moving company, but it is not mentioned. Option B is a trap because the agent mentions an accident, but David is not calling to report it.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): The agent says the driver “originally planned to take the highway” (Option A – Trap). However, because of an accident, he “took the small city roads instead” (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned in the audio at all.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Agent: Fast Movers Company. How can I help you?
David: Hi. My name is David. I’m waiting for your moving truck at my old house. It’s already 11 o’clock!
Agent: Let me check, David. Ah, yes. You originally booked the truck for 9:00 AM. I am so sorry.
David: I’ve been waiting for two hours! What happened?
Agent: Well, the driver originally planned to take the highway. But, there was a bad accident this morning. So, he took the small city roads instead.
David: Oh, I see. When will he arrive?
Agent: He will be there in twenty minutes.
David: Okay. I’ll wait outside.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a hotel guest and a receptionist. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What did the man lose?
(A) His room key.
(B) His wedding ring.
(C) His swimming suit.
2 Where did the man actually leave his item?
(A) In the hotel bathroom.
(B) At the swimming pool.
(C) In the hotel restaurant.
3 Who is the receptionist going to call to help the man?
(A) The cleaning staff.
(B) The security team.
(C) The hotel manager.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The guest says at the very beginning, “I lost my wedding ring!” (Option B – Key). Option A is a logical guess for a hotel problem but is not mentioned. Option C is a trap because he mentions “swimming” later, but he didn’t lose his suit.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): The guest says he “originally thought I left it in my hotel bathroom” (Option A – Trap). However, he uses “But” to show a change: he checked and it wasn’t there. He finally remembers that he left it at the “swimming pool” (Option B – Key). Option C is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation (The Twist): The receptionist says she could ask the “cleaning staff” (Option A – Trap). However, because the ring is expensive, she says, “So, I will call the security team to help you right now” (Option B – Key). Option C is a plausible distractor but is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Guest: Excuse me, I have a big problem. I lost my wedding ring!
Receptionist: Oh no, sir. When did you lose it?
Guest: Well, I originally thought I left it in my hotel bathroom this morning. But, um, I checked everywhere and it’s not there. Then I remembered, I took it off before I went swimming.
Receptionist: I see. So you left it at the swimming pool?
Guest: Yes. I put it on a white chair near the water. Can you help me?
Receptionist: Of course. I could ask the cleaning staff to look for it. But, it is a very expensive item. So, I will call the security team to help you right now.
Guest: Thank you. I am in room 402.