News & Media – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (A) The specific language version he needs is currently unavailable.

• Explanation: Mary says they “sold out of the English edition”. Option A paraphrases this (English edition = specific language version; sold out = currently unavailable). Option B is not mentioned (they still have the French one). Option C is the Trap: The delivery arrives next Wednesday, but the issue already exists (it was just sold out this morning).

2 Correct Answer: (B) He needs the information for his academic studies.

• Explanation: Tom mentions he is “doing a research project for my university class”. Option B uses synonyms to express this (academic studies = university class). Option C is the Trap: The “French” version is mentioned in the audio, but Tom says his French isn’t very good, so he is not using it to improve his skills. Option A is a plausible topic for a magazine but is not what Tom is looking for.

3 Correct Answer: (C) The shop will keep a copy reserved for him to collect in person.

• Explanation: Mary explains that they will “save a copy behind the counter” and he can “come to pick it up”. Option C perfectly matches this process. Option A is the Trap: Tom mentions his “university”, but the shop won’t deliver it there; he has to pick it up. Option B is also a Trap: Mary explicitly says “There’s no extra fee” (no additional charge).

Tom: Hi there. I’m looking for the latest issue of Global Science magazine. Do you happen to have it in stock?

Mary: Um, let me check the international section for you. Ah, I’m afraid we just sold out of the English edition this morning. We still have the French one, though.

Tom: Oh, no, I definitely need it in English. I’m doing a research project for my university class and my French isn’t very good. Is there any way you could order a copy for me?

Mary: Well, the new delivery won’t arrive until next Wednesday. But if you want, I can set up a regular monthly subscription for you. That way, we’ll always save a copy behind the counter with your name on it.

Tom: That sounds perfect! How much does it cost to set that up?

Mary: There’s no extra fee for the service itself. You just pay the standard cover price when you come to pick it up each month.

Tom: Great. Let’s do that.

1 Correct Answer: (B) He wants to stop the interruptions caused by advertisements.

• Explanation: Mark says the “commercial breaks are getting a bit frustrating” and he wants an “ad-free experience”. Option B paraphrases this (interruptions caused by advertisements = commercial breaks). Option A is the Trap: The representative mentions “breaking news”, but she says the basic plan already gives him access to it. Option C is a common tech issue but is never mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (A) It allows users to save texts to read without an internet connection.

• Explanation: Sarah explains that with Premium, you can “download full articles to read offline”. Option A perfectly paraphrases this (save texts = download full articles; without an internet connection = offline). Option B is the Trap: The words “train ride” and “commuting” are used in the audio, but the app does not give away free train tickets. Option C is a plausible feature for a news app, but it is not mentioned here.

3 Correct Answer: (C) By using an online payment system.

• Explanation: Sarah says they accept “digital wallets like PayPal,” and Mark agrees that “PayPal works for me”. Option C uses a broader synonym (online payment system = digital wallets / PayPal). Option A is the Trap: Mark asks about “direct bank transfers”, but Sarah explicitly rejects it (“I’m afraid not”). Option B is not mentioned.

Mark: Hi, I’ve been using your news app for a while on the basic plan, but the commercial breaks are getting a bit frustrating. I’m thinking about upgrading. Can you tell me what the Premium package includes?

Sarah: Absolutely! With the basic plan, you get access to all breaking news, but as you mentioned, it includes advertisements. If you switch to Premium, you get a completely ad-free experience. Plus, you can download full articles to read offline, which is great for commuting.

Mark: Ah, reading offline sounds incredibly useful for my train ride to work. How much does it cost?

Sarah: It’s five dollars a month. However, if you commit to a whole year upfront, we offer a twenty percent discount.

Mark: That’s a good deal. Do you accept direct bank transfers?

Sarah: I’m afraid not. Currently, we only process payments through major credit cards or digital wallets like PayPal.

Mark: Okay, PayPal works for me. I’ll go ahead and set that up on the website.

1 Correct Answer: (A) The library only keeps recent printed materials on display.

• Explanation: The librarian says that their “physical copies only go back about five years”. Option A paraphrases this perfectly (physical copies = printed materials; go back about five years = recent). Option B is a plausible guess if someone is lost, but it is not mentioned. Option C is the Trap: It is a common reason for not finding a book, but the real reason here is the publication date.

2 Correct Answer: (C) By entering his university identification code on a computer.

• Explanation: The librarian tells Leo to “type your student ID number to log in”. Option C uses synonyms to express this (type = enter; student ID number = university identification code). Option A is the Trap: Leo asks if he needs a “special password”, but the librarian says “Not at all”. Option B is also a Trap: The librarian mentions “computers by the window”, meaning the library’s desktop computers, not Leo’s personal laptop.

3 Correct Answer: (B) It is permitted, provided that the user pays a small fee.

• Explanation: The librarian says “Yes, but printing isn’t free” and mentions a cost of “ten cents per page”. Option B paraphrases this (Yes = permitted; pay ten cents = pay a small fee). Option A is the exact opposite of what the librarian says. Option C is the Trap: The word “free” is used in the audio, but the librarian says it isn’t free.

Leo: Excuse me, I need some help. I’m trying to find an old news report for my history project, but I can’t seem to locate it on the shelves.

Librarian: Well, our physical copies only go back about five years. What exactly are you looking for?

Leo: Um, it’s an article from a local newspaper published back in 2010 about the city’s old train station.

Librarian: Ah, I see. For anything older than 2019, you’ll need to access our digital archives. Have you used the library’s database before?

Leo: No, I haven’t. Do I need a special password?

Librarian: Not at all. Just go to any of the desktop computers by the window. Click on the “Media Archives” icon on the screen, and then type your student ID number to log in. After that, you can filter your search by the specific year and topic.

Leo: Okay, that sounds pretty straightforward. Can I print the article once I find it?

Librarian: Yes, but printing isn’t free. You’ll need to pay ten cents per page at the front desk.

Leo: Understood. Thanks for your help!

1 Correct Answer: (A) To ask the host to play a specific piece of music for a family member.

• Explanation: Kevin asks the host to “play ‘Walking on Sunshine'” (a specific piece of music) as a dedication for his “aunt” (a family member). Option B is the Trap: The audio mentions “afternoon” and his “way home from work” (commute), but he says he listens every day; he is not complaining. Option C is a plausible radio activity, but it is not mentioned.

2 Correct Answer: (B) She is reaching a significant age milestone today.

• Explanation: Kevin says his aunt is “turning fifty today” and says “Happy half-century”. Option B paraphrases this fact. Option A is the Trap: Listening to the radio on the way home is what Kevin does, not his aunt. Option C is also a Trap: Kevin is calling from “downtown”, but the aunt did not move there.

3 Correct Answer: (B) Share a brief public greeting for his relative.

• Explanation: The host asks if Kevin has a “quick message you want to broadcast to her”. Option B uses synonyms to express this (brief = quick; public greeting = message to broadcast; relative = her/aunt). Option A is the Trap: “Classic tune” is mentioned in the audio, but the host doesn’t ask Kevin to sing it. Option C is not mentioned.

Radio Host: Welcome back to 98.5 City FM. We’ve got our next caller on the line. Hello, who’s speaking and where are you calling from?

Kevin: Hi! This is Kevin. Um, I’m calling from downtown. I listen to your broadcast every single afternoon on my way home from work.

Radio Host: Thanks for tuning in, Kevin! So, what can we do for you today? Do you have a special track in mind?

Kevin: I sure do. Well, I’d love it if you could play “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves. It’s a dedication for my aunt, Sarah. She is turning fifty today, and she absolutely adores that classic tune.

Radio Host: What a wonderful milestone! Fifty is a big deal. Do you have a quick message you want to broadcast to her before I spin the record?

Kevin: Just want to say: Happy half-century, Aunt Sarah! We are so grateful for everything you do for the family, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend.

Radio Host: That’s beautiful, Kevin. Alright listeners, here is “Walking on Sunshine”, going out specially to Sarah.

1 Correct Answer: (C) By adding their name to an internet-based queue.

• Explanation: Mark states that people need to “put your name on our online waitlist”. Option C perfectly paraphrases this (internet-based = online; queue = waitlist). Option A is the Trap: The audio mentions “admission”, but Mark explicitly says they “don’t charge” (it is free), so you cannot purchase a pass. Option B is a plausible real-life action but is not mentioned in the audio.

2 Correct Answer: (B) Providing an official document that proves who you are.

• Explanation: Mark tells Emily that when she arrives at the studio, she “must present a valid government-issued ID”. Option B uses synonyms to express this requirement. Option A is the Trap: “Email” and “create a profile” are mentioned, but that is only for signing up at home, not what you do at the studio. Option C is plausible but never mentioned.

3 Correct Answer: (C) Guests should choose neat, unbranded outfits.

• Explanation: Mark says the producers prefer “smart casual attire” (neat) and specifically asks for “no logos” (unbranded). Option C matches this description. Option B is the Trap: Emily asks if she can wear her “favorite sports team jersey”, but Mark rejects the idea. Option A is incorrect because “smart casual” is not as strict as formal suits or evening dresses.

Mark: Good afternoon, Channel 7 audience relations. How can I help you today?

Emily: Hi! Um, I was hoping to get some information about becoming an audience member for Late Night with Jimmy. I heard the passes are completely free.

Mark: That’s correct. We don’t charge for admission. However, due to high demand, you can’t just walk in. You need to put your name on our online waitlist.

Emily: Oh, I see. Do I need to provide any special documents to sign up?

Mark: Just a standard email address to create a profile on our website. But, ah, when you actually arrive at the studio on the day of the recording, you must present a valid government-issued ID.

Emily: Got it. And what about the dress code? Can I wear my favorite sports team jersey?

Mark: Well, the producers actually prefer smart casual attire. So, no logos, shorts, or ripped jeans, please. We want the crowd looking sharp for the cameras.

Emily: Understood. I’ll head over to your website and register right now. Thanks!