Money Management – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to a phone conversation between a customer and a bank emergency operator. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 How did the customer lose her credit card?
(A) Someone secretly stole it from her bag while she was walking.
(B) She accidentally forgot her wallet at a dining place.
(C) She dropped it on the floor while paying for her coffee.
2 What is the good news that the agent shares with Emma?
(A) The restaurant manager found her wallet and kept it safe.
(B) Her brand new credit card will arrive at her house tomorrow.
(C) Nobody has used her lost card to buy anything yet.
3 What will happen to Emma’s finances now?
(A) Her entire banking profile will be permanently closed.
(B) She will receive a new piece of plastic in the mail soon.
(C) She has to visit the bank in person to unlock her old card.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) She accidentally forgot her wallet at a dining place.
- Explanation: Emma says, “I think I left it at a restaurant an hour ago” (forgot her wallet at a dining place). Option (A) is a trap; she lost it, but she doesn’t mention a pickpocket stealing it from her bag while walking. Option (C) is a trap; coffee is mentioned later as her last purchase, not where she dropped the card.
2 Answer: (C) Nobody has used her lost card to buy anything yet.
- Explanation: Mark checks her account and says, “There are no strange charges,” meaning her money is safe and nobody has used it to buy anything. Option (A) is a trap; she actually went back to the restaurant and “it was gone.” Option (B) is a trap; her new card will arrive in “three to five business days,” not tomorrow.
3 Answer: (B) She will receive a new piece of plastic in the mail soon.
- Explanation: Mark assures her that they will “send a replacement card to your home address in three to five business days” (a new piece of plastic in the mail soon). Option (A) is a trap; Emma asks if she needs to close her whole bank account, and Mark explicitly says “No.” Option (C) is a trap; the old card is “locked” permanently, not going to be unlocked.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: National Bank Emergency Line, Mark speaking. How can I help you?
Emma: Hi, please help me! I can’t find my wallet anywhere. I think I left it at a restaurant an hour ago, but when I went back, it was gone. My main credit card is in there.
Mark: I understand you are stressed, but please stay calm. I will help you protect your money. I need to block that card immediately. Can I have your full name and date of birth?
Emma: It’s Emma Watson. Born on July 12th, 1995. Please freeze it before someone buys expensive things with it.
Mark: Okay, Emma. I have locked your credit card in our system. No one can use it now. Let me quickly check your recent activity… Good news. The last purchase was for coffee at 2 PM. There are no strange charges.
Emma: Oh, thank goodness. What should I do next? Do I need to close my whole bank account?
Mark: No, your bank account is perfectly safe. We will just send a replacement card to your home address in three to five business days.
Emma: Okay, that makes me feel much better. Thank you for your fast help, Mark.
Listening 2
Listen to a conversation between a car owner and a mechanic. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the main problem for Mr. Thomas?
(A) The mechanic cannot figure out what is wrong with the engine.
(B) He doesn’t have enough time to wait for the repairs to be finished.
(C) The required vehicle maintenance is much more expensive than he planned.
2 What alternative does the mechanic offer to lower the total cost?
(A) Using older, pre-owned materials instead of brand new ones.
(B) Removing the standard labor fee for his repair work today.
(C) Allowing the customer to pay the bill slowly over several months.
3 Why does Mr. Thomas ultimately choose the cheaper option?
(A) He plans to sell the vehicle in a few weeks anyway.
(B) He currently only needs the vehicle for his daily commute.
(C) He does not believe the original factory parts are actually better.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (C) The required vehicle maintenance is much more expensive than he planned.
- Explanation: Mr. Thomas says, “Eight hundred? Wow, that is way over my budget! I was not expecting such a huge bill” (more expensive than planned). Option (A) is a trap; Mike explicitly says the “engine is running perfectly now.” Option (B) is a trap; time is not his concern, money is.
2 Answer: (A) Using older, pre-owned materials instead of brand new ones.
- Explanation: Mike suggests a short-term solution: “I could install used parts instead” (older, pre-owned materials). Option (B) is a trap; Mike mentions the “labor fee” as part of the total cost, but doesn’t offer to remove it. Option (C) is a common real-world financial solution, but it is not mentioned in this audio.
3 Answer: (B) He currently only needs the vehicle for his daily commute.
- Explanation: Mr. Thomas decides on the used parts by saying, “Honestly, I just need the car to drive to work right now” (daily commute). Option (A) is a trap; he plans to “save up for the brand new ones next year,” so he intends to keep the car. Option (C) is a trap; he doesn’t question the quality of the new parts, he just doesn’t have the “extra cash” for them.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mike: Hello, Mr. Thomas. I have finished checking your car. The engine is running perfectly now, but I found another issue. You urgently need to replace all four brake pads.
Mr. Thomas: Oh, I see. How much will that add to the total cost?
Mike: If we use the original factory parts and include the labor fee, it will be exactly eight hundred dollars.
Mr. Thomas: Eight hundred? Wow, that is way over my budget! I was not expecting such a huge bill this month. Is there any way to keep the price down?
Mike: Well, there is a short-term solution. I could install used parts instead. They are perfectly safe and cost exactly half the price. However, they will probably only last for about a year.
Mr. Thomas: A short-term solution… Honestly, I just need the car to drive to work right now. I don’t have the extra cash. Let’s go with the cheaper option today, and I will save up for the brand new ones next year.
Mike: I completely understand. I will order the cheaper materials right away and call you when it’s ready.
Listening 3
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a supermarket cashier. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the customer’s main problem?
(A) He does not have enough money in his bank account to buy groceries.
(B) He forgot to bring his physical payment method with him to the store.
(C) He is complaining to the cashier about the total price of the items.
2 Why can’t the customer use his smartphone to pay for his shopping?
(A) The shop’s digital payment system is currently not working.
(B) His mobile phone battery died before he reached the counter.
(C) The cashier does not know how to use the modern e-wallet application.
3 What does the cashier agree to do to help the customer?
(A) Cancel the entire order and put all the groceries back on the shelves.
(B) Offer a special discount because of the technical issue with the scanner.
(C) Hold the customer’s unbought items while he goes home to get his money.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) He forgot to bring his physical payment method with him to the store.
- Explanation: The customer says, “I can’t find my wallet… I think I left it on my kitchen table” (forgot to bring his physical payment method). Option (A) is a trap; he has money, he just forgot his wallet. Option (C) is a trap; he is apologizing, not arguing or complaining about the $45.50 total.
2 Answer: (A) The shop’s digital payment system is currently not working.
- Explanation: The cashier explains that the “scanner for mobile payments is actually broken today” (the digital payment system is currently not working). Option (B) is a trap; his phone is fine because he says “I have a digital wallet on my smartphone.” Option (C) is not mentioned.
3 Answer: (C) Hold the customer’s unbought items while he goes home to get his money.
- Explanation: The customer asks to “leave my shopping bags here” while he runs home to grab his wallet, and the cashier agrees: “I will keep your items safely behind the counter until you return.” Option (A) is a trap; the cashier does not cancel the order or return the items to the shelves. Option (B) is a trap; there is no discount offered.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Cashier: Alright, that will be forty-five dollars and fifty cents, please. Would you like to pay by cash or credit card?
Customer: Let me just get my… Oh no. I’m so sorry. I can’t find my wallet anywhere in my bag. I think I left it on my kitchen table.
Cashier: That’s completely fine, sir. Please don’t panic. Take your time to check your pockets again.
Customer: It’s definitely not here. Is there any way I can pay using a mobile app? I have a digital wallet on my smartphone.
Cashier: I am very sorry, but our store’s scanner for mobile payments is actually broken today. We can only accept physical cards or cash right now.
Customer: Oh, I see. In that case, is it possible to leave my shopping bags here for a few minutes? I live just across the street. I can run home, grab my wallet, and come right back.
Cashier: Of course. I will keep your items safely behind the counter until you return. Take your time, there is no rush. Just come straight to my lane when you get back.
Customer: Thank you so much for understanding! I will be back in five minutes.
Listening 4
Listen to a conversation between a bank customer and a security guard. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the main issue the customer is experiencing?
(A) She forgot her secret PIN while trying to pay for her groceries.
(B) The outdoor cash dispenser did not return her physical card.
(C) The security guard stopped her from entering the main glass door.
2 What was the customer doing when the machine broke down?
(A) She was attempting to take paper money out of her account.
(B) She was transferring funds online to pay for her daily food.
(C) She was trying to print a receipt for a previous transaction.
3 What does the security officer instruct the customer to do next?
(A) Wait outside until the broken machine automatically restarts.
(B) Provide her identification and fill out a written document inside.
(C) Call the bank’s emergency hotline from her mobile phone immediately.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) The outdoor cash dispenser did not return her physical card.
- Explanation: Sarah complains that “the machine is not giving my credit card back” (the cash dispenser did not return her physical card). Option (A) is a trap; she mentions her “PIN” and “grocery shopping,” but she didn’t forget her password. Option (C) is a trap; the “glass door” is just a location marker for the ATM, and the guard is actually helping her.
2 Answer: (A) She was attempting to take paper money out of her account.
- Explanation: Sarah states, “I was trying to withdraw some cash” (take paper money out of her account). Option (B) is a trap; she needed the cash for grocery shopping, but she was not doing an online fund transfer. Option (C) is never mentioned.
3 Answer: (B) Provide her identification and fill out a written document inside.
- Explanation: James tells her to go inside, “show your personal ID” (provide identification) and “complete a short paper form” (fill out a written document). Option (A) is a trap; the machine is broken, but he doesn’t tell her to wait for a restart. Option (C) is a common real-world solution, but in this case, the branch is open so she can just walk inside.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Excuse me, sir? Could you help me, please? There is a huge problem with the ATM outside.
James: Good morning, miss. I am the security officer here. What exactly happened?
Sarah: I was trying to withdraw some cash for my grocery shopping. I entered my PIN, but suddenly the screen turned black. Now, the machine is not giving my credit card back. It just kept it inside!
James: I see. Which machine were you using? The one on the left or the right?
Sarah: The one on the left, next to the main glass door.
James: Ah, yes. It seems that machine is having a technical error today. Don’t worry, your money and your card are completely safe.
Sarah: That is a relief. But how can I get my card back?
James: Because the branch is open right now, you can just walk inside and go to counter number three. You will need to show your personal ID and complete a short paper form. The bank staff will open the machine and return your card shortly.
Sarah: Thank you so much for the clear instructions. I will go inside right away.
Listening 5
Listen to a conversation between a customer and a support agent. For each question, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the customer contacting the support center today?
(A) To upgrade her current movie package to a better one.
(B) To ask about a regular automatic payment she did not expect.
(C) To report that someone stole her credit card to buy cinema tickets.
2 What mistake did the customer make last month?
(A) She only removed the extra features instead of the whole service.
(B) She completely forgot to pay her monthly internet bill on time.
(C) She accidentally shared her password with her friends.
3 How does the customer service agent solve the problem?
(A) He gives her a free month of movies to apologize for the system error.
(B) He tells her to contact her local bank immediately to block the credit card.
(C) He promises to return her money and completely close the account.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) To ask about a regular automatic payment she did not expect.
- Explanation: Sarah says she saw a “fifteen-dollar charge… I canceled my subscription last month!” (asking about an automatic payment she did not expect). Option (A) is a trap; she is trying to cancel the service, not upgrade it. Option (C) is a trap; she mentions her “credit card” and “movies,” but it was an automatic online payment, not a physical theft for cinema tickets.
2 Answer: (A) She only removed the extra features instead of the whole service.
- Explanation: David explains that she only canceled the “premium sports add-on” (extra features) but her “basic movie membership remained active” (instead of the whole service). Option (B) is a trap; the issue is about overpaying a subscription, not forgetting an internet bill. Option (C) is never mentioned in the audio.
3 Answer: (C) He promises to return her money and completely close the account.
- Explanation: David says, “I will process a full refund… and I will permanently close your account” (return her money and completely close the account). Option (A) is a trap; he mentions she hasn’t watched movies, but he doesn’t give her a free month. Option (B) is a trap; he handles the refund directly on his system, so she doesn’t need to call her bank to block the card.
AUDIO SCRIPT
David: Welcome to CineStream Customer Support. My name is David. How can I help you today?
Sarah: Hi David. I am looking at my credit card statement right now, and I just saw a fifteen-dollar charge from your company. I don’t understand because I canceled my subscription last month!
David: I’m sorry for the confusion, ma’am. Let me pull up your account… Ah, I see what happened. Last month, you successfully canceled the premium sports add-on. However, your basic movie membership remained active in our system. That is why the automatic payment was taken today.
Sarah: Oh no! I thought I clicked the button to delete everything. I haven’t watched any movies on your platform for weeks. Is there any way I can get my money back?
David: Normally, we do not offer refunds for accidental renewals. But since you haven’t used the service at all this billing cycle, I will make an exception. I will process a full refund to your card right now, and I will permanently close your account so you won’t be charged again next month.
Sarah: Thank you so much, David. I really appreciate your help!