Music – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a spectator and a security guard. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the woman’s problem?
(A) She forgot her phone at home.
(B) She cannot find her concert ticket.
(C) She left her bag in her car.
2 Where did the woman look for her ticket?
(A) In her pockets and wallet.
(B) At the information desk.
(C) On her mobile phone.
3 What does the security guard tell her to do?
(A) Buy a new ticket at the desk.
(B) Go home and find the ticket.
(C) Give her phone number to the information desk.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) She cannot find her concert ticket.
- Explanation: The woman says clearly at the beginning: “Oh no! I can’t find my ticket.” Option (A) is a trap because the word “phone” is mentioned later, but she didn’t forget it. Option (C) is a trap; she mentions her bag (“I put it in my bag”), but she didn’t leave it in the car.
2 (A) In her pockets and wallet.
- Explanation: The woman states: “I checked my pockets and my wallet, but it is not there.” Option (B) is a trap because the information desk is where she will go next, not where she looked. Option (C) is the A2 Trap; the guard asks if she has an e-ticket on her phone, but she says she had a paper ticket.
3 (C) Give her phone number to the information desk.
- Explanation: The guard instructs her: “Just go to the information desk… Tell them your phone number…” Option (A) is the A2 Twist/Trap; she is worried about this, but the guard explicitly says, “you don’t have to buy a new one.” Option (B) is plausible in real life but is never mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Woman: Oh no! I can’t find my ticket. I am sure I put it in my bag this morning.
Man: Please calm down, miss. Did you buy a paper ticket or an e-ticket on your phone?
Woman: It was a paper ticket. I checked my pockets and my wallet, but it is not there. I don’t want to miss the concert!
Man: Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy a new one. Just go to the information desk over there. Tell them your phone number, and they will print a new ticket for you.
Woman: Oh, thank goodness. I will go there right now. Thank you so much!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a theater staff member and a woman. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why can’t the woman go inside?
(A) Because she arrived on the wrong day.
(B) Because she is 15 minutes late.
(C) Because the concert is canceled.
2 What is the reason for the problem tonight?
(A) The lead singer is sick.
(B) The theater is closed for cleaning.
(C) The band cannot find the theater.
3 What does the staff member tell the woman to do?
(A) Use the ticket for a show next week.
(B) Keep her ticket and return tomorrow for a refund.
(C) Call the theater tomorrow morning.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) Because the concert is canceled.
- Explanation: The staff member says, “…we have to cancel the show tonight.” Option (A) is the A2 Twist/Trap; the woman asks if she came on the wrong day, but the man says “No, you have the right date.” Option (B) is a math/time trap because the concert “starts in 15 minutes”, she is not late.
2 (A) The lead singer is sick.
- Explanation: The man explicitly states the reason: “…the lead singer got very sick this afternoon.” Options (B) and (C) are plausible reasons for a cancellation in real life, but they are completely unmentioned in the audio.
3 (B) Keep her ticket and return tomorrow for a refund.
- Explanation: The staff member instructs her clearly: “Please keep your ticket with you. You can come back here tomorrow, and we will give you all your money back.” Option (A) is a trap because the woman asks if she can use it next week, but the man says they don’t have a new date yet. Option (C) is a trap using the word “tomorrow,” but she has to “come back,” not call.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Man: Good evening, miss. I am very sorry, but you cannot go inside the hall tonight.
Woman: Oh? Why not? The concert starts in 15 minutes! Did I come on the wrong day?
Man: No, you have the right date. But unfortunately, the lead singer got very sick this afternoon. So, we have to cancel the show tonight.
Woman: Oh, that’s too bad! I was really excited about it. What should I do with my ticket? Can I use it for the concert next week?
Man: We don’t have a new date for the show yet. Please keep your ticket with you. You can come back here tomorrow, and we will give you all your money back.
Woman: Okay, I understand. I will come back tomorrow morning. Thank you.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a student and a music teacher. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the boy say he cannot go on stage?
(A) Because he is too nervous.
(B) Because his guitar string is broken.
(C) Because he forgot his music notes.
2 What was the boy doing when the problem happened?
(A) He was fixing his guitar.
(B) He was performing on the stage.
(C) He was practicing his song backstage.
3 How does the teacher solve the problem?
(A) She gives the boy her own guitar.
(B) She fixes the broken string for him.
(C) She tells him to sing without playing.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Because his guitar string is broken.
- Explanation: The boy explains the real problem: “…my guitar string broke!” Option (A) is the A2 Trap; the teacher asks “Are you too nervous?”, but the boy says, “No, it’s not that.” Option (C) is a plausible problem before a show, but it is never mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) He was practicing his song backstage.
- Explanation: The boy states clearly what he was doing: “I was practicing my song backstage…” Option (A) is a trap because the word “fix” is mentioned, but he says he doesn’t have time to fix it. Option (B) is a trap because he hasn’t gone on the stage yet (he is supposed to go in five minutes).
3 (A) She gives the boy her own guitar.
- Explanation: The teacher offers her own instrument: “…you can use it right now. Here you go.” Option (B) is a trap because, as the boy mentioned, there is no time to fix the string. Option (C) is a logical solution in real life but is not mentioned in the conversation.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Boy: Ms. Allen! I have a big problem. I can’t go on stage in five minutes!
Woman: What’s wrong, Leo? Are you too nervous? Just take a deep breath.
Boy: No, it’s not that. I was practicing my song backstage, and my guitar string broke! I don’t have time to fix it.
Woman: Oh, I see. Please don’t panic. I was going to play my own acoustic guitar for the final song, but you can use it right now. Here you go.
Boy: Really? Thank you so much, Ms. Allen. You saved me!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a store clerk. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the problem with the customer’s headphones?
(A) They do not fit her phone.
(B) Only one side makes a sound.
(C) Both sides have no sound.
2 What did the clerk plan to do at first?
(A) Give the customer her money back.
(B) Give the customer a new pair of headphones.
(C) Send the headphones away to be fixed.
3 Why does the customer refuse to wait for two weeks?
(A) Because she is going on a trip tomorrow.
(B) Because she wants to buy a different brand.
(C) Because the factory is too far away.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Only one side makes a sound.
- Explanation: The customer says clearly: “…the left side works fine, but there is no sound on the right side.” Option (C) is a trap because the word “no sound” is mentioned, but it is only for the right side, not both. Option (A) is a plausible technical issue but is never mentioned.
2 (C) Send the headphones away to be fixed.
- Explanation: The clerk states his initial plan: “I was going to send them to the factory for repair.” (“repair” = “be fixed”). Option (B) is the A2 Twist/Trap; giving a new pair is his final decision, not his first plan. Option (A) is a logical customer service action but is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (A) Because she is going on a trip tomorrow.
- Explanation: The customer explains her hurry: “I need them for my vacation tomorrow!” (“vacation” = “trip”). Option (C) is a trap because the “factory” is mentioned by the clerk, but the distance is not the reason she can’t wait. Option (B) is an unmentioned distractor.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Clerk: Hi, how can I help you today?
Customer: Hello. I bought these headphones here yesterday to listen to music. Um, but they are broken.
Clerk: I am sorry about that. What is the problem with them?
Customer: Well, the left side works fine, but there is no sound on the right side when I plug them into my phone.
Clerk: Let me check. Ah, yes, the wire inside is broken. I was going to send them to the factory for repair. But it usually takes two weeks.
Customer: Two weeks? I cannot wait that long. I need them for my vacation tomorrow!
Clerk: I understand. In that case, I will just give you a brand new pair today.
Customer: Oh, perfect. Thank you very much!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation at a wedding party. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does the woman want the band to stop playing the song?
(A) Because the song is too loud for the guests.
(B) Because the bride and groom are ready for their first dance.
(C) Because the band is playing the music too slowly.
2 What song did the band play FIRST?
(A) “Perfect”.
(B) A fast dance song.
(C) “A Thousand Years”.
3 When did the bride and groom change their minds about the music?
(A) Yesterday.
(B) Right now.
(C) Last week.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Because the bride and groom are ready for their first dance.
- Explanation: The woman says: “…the bride and groom are walking to the floor for their first dance! You are playing the wrong song.” Option (A) is a logical guess at a party, but it is not mentioned. Option (C) is also an unmentioned distractor.
2 (C) “A Thousand Years”.
- Explanation: The band leader states what he was playing: “I thought they wanted to hear ‘A Thousand Years’.” Option (A) is the A2 Twist/Trap; “Perfect” is the correct song they will play next, not the one they played first. Option (B) is a trap using the word “dance” from the conversation.
3 (A) Yesterday.
- Explanation: The woman explicitly gives the time: “No, they changed their mind yesterday.” Option (B) is a trap because the dance is happening “right now”, but the decision was made earlier. Option (C) is a plausible time frame but is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Woman: Excuse me! You have to stop playing this song right now.
Man: Oh, really? What’s wrong? Isn’t this a good dance song for the guests?
Woman: It is, but the bride and groom are walking to the floor for their first dance! You are playing the wrong song.
Man: Oh no! I am so sorry. I thought they wanted to hear “A Thousand Years”.
Woman: No, they changed their mind yesterday. They want you to play the song “Perfect” instead. Can you play it?
Man: Yes, of course. I will tell the band to change the music to “Perfect” immediately.