Practice English Listening A2 Exercises – Communicating

1

the party: 1, 2, 3;

people they know: 1;

money: 2;

where they live: 1, 2;

work: 2;

their interests: 3;

education: 1

2

Conversation 2: The woman doesn’t seem happy answering questions about money – she hesitates and then moves on.

Conversation 3: The man isn’t enjoying the party. At first, the woman answers but doesn’t ask questions. Then they don’t agree about a film the woman wants to see and the man tells her how the film ends!

A   It’s a nice day today.

B   Yes, it’s a perfect day for a birthday party. It’s great that so many people are here.

A   So, how do you know Ana?

B   We were at university together. We did the same course.

A   Oh right. What did you study?

B   English Literature. And you? How do you know Ana?

A   I’m her neighbour. I live in the house next door.

B   Really? It’s a lovely street.

A   I think so. So did you come …

C   How’s the food?

D   It’s great. The pizza is delicious. It’s always nice to get good food at a party … Err … So, do you live near here?

C   Yeah, I live down by the river. You know those flats …

D   Oh yeah! The new ones. They’re expensive! How much rent do you pay?

C   Err … not much. It’s not so … expensive … err …

D   So what do you do?

C   I work for a bank.

D   So, how much do you earn?

C   Erm, is that … er … over there … Sorry, I just have to speak to my friend, because …

E   What do you think of the party?

F   Yeah, it’s great. It’s really nice to meet all of Ana’s friends. You?

E   It’s all right, but the music is a bit boring.

F   Mmm.

E   I like your T-shirt. Is it for a football team?

F   No! At least I don’t think so!

E   So, do you play any sports?

F   No, not really. I don’t really like sport.

E   Well, what do you like then?

F   I prefer reading, or watching films.

E   Oh.

F   Yeah, so I might go to the cinema after the party. There’s a new film about a man who goes to Peru to visit his brother and …

E   Yeah, I saw that last week.

F   Oh. What was it like?

E   Oh, it’s an awful film. Really boring.

F   OK, well, I’d like to see it anyway. Perhaps I’ll like it.

E   No, I don’t think so. It’s a really strange story. And in the end, the man can’t find his brother and he just goes home again.

F   Oh, thanks a lot!

1

Tara: relationships and text messages;

Magda: plans and text messages;

Chris: important days and Facebook;

Mike: blogs and emails

2

Tara: unhappy, because her boyfriend ended their relationship by text message

Magda: happy, because it’s easy (and you don’t have to give a long explanation, with a lot of reasons, or have a difficult conversation)

Chris: unhappy, because it’s not very friendly just to write ‘happy birthday’ on someone’s wall and not send a card or give a present

Mike: unhappy, because his daughter rarely calls or sends postcards or letters

TARA   Last year, my ex-boyfriend told me he didn’t want to see me any more … by text message! What kind of person does that? It was horrible. I called him for days, but he didn’t answer. I think he just wanted me to go away. What an idiot.

MAGDA   When I want to plan something, I generally just send a text. It’s the same when I cancel – a text message is easier. You don’t need to give a reason or hear the other person’s voice. It’s better for everyone.

CHRIS   Birthdays are different now. I hardly ever get cards or presents from friends, or even my brother, and no one calls. Everyone just writes ‘happy birthday’ on my wall on Facebook. It’s not very friendly, in my opinion.

MIKE   My daughter is travelling around Asia at the moment. She’s writing a blog so we know what she’s doing. But she rarely calls. I’d love to get a postcard or a letter sometimes. Just to know she’s thinking about me.

1

The two women in the first picture (Annie and Rachel) already know each other’s names, (Annie? / Rachel!), but Annie and Mark in the second picture are meeting for the first time. (My name’s Mark. / Hi. Nice to meet you.)

2

1 T

2 F (really close to the centre)

3 F (six months ago – or eight months ago if Mark is right!)

4 T

5 F (to a café)

RACHEL   Annie?

ANNIE   Rachel!

R   Long time no see! How are you?

A   I’m great. What a lovely surprise! Great to see you!

R   Yeah! You too.

A   When did we last see each other?

R   Oh, I think it was about … six years ago! So … where are you living these days?

A   Oh, not far from here. I live on Hampton Street. Do you know it?

R   Yes, I do. That’s really close to the centre.

A   Mmm. How about you?

R   We live on Compton Road.

A   Oh – how nice!

MARK   My name’s Mark, by the way.

A   Hi. Nice to meet you.

M   Nice to meet you, too.

R   Sorry, yes – Mark’s my husband!

A   Husband – wow! That’s fantastic news. When did you get married?

R   Six months ago.

M   Eight months ago.

R   It was six, Mark.

A   Well, congratulations! I want to know all the details! Look – I’m going to the café down the street now to meet Leo, my boyfriend. Would you both like to come?

R   Yeah, that sounds good.

A   Brilliant! Let’s go.

3

sports, plans for next week/weekend, jobs, family

4

1   They’re going to a wedding next weekend. Rachel has a lot of work to do in the shop.

2   She’s a florist/businesswoman.

3   Tina

4   It’s boring.

5   He works in marketing.

6   She’s going to visit her brother, Dan.

7   Rachel needs to get back to the shop.

8   She suggests they should meet up for Leo’s birthday in a couple of weeks.

MARK   Do you play much sport?

LEO   Not really. I occasionally watch the rugby on TV, but I’m not a big sports fan.

MARK   Did you see the match at the weekend?

RACHEL   Oh, not sport again!

ANNIE   So, do you have any exciting plans for next week?

M   Well, er …

R   No, not really. Just work. I’ve got a lot to do in the shop this week, because we’re going to a wedding next weekend.

A   Oh, the shop? What do you do?

R   I’m a florist.

A   What a great job! Where’s the shop?

R   Not far from here. I’ll show you some time.

A   That would be great! And are you the manager, or …

R   Well, not really – it’s my shop.

A   Wow. That’s amazing! So you’re a businesswoman! Do you work on your own?

R   No, I have someone to help. Tina. She comes in for a few hours every day.

A   Oh, that’s good.

R   How about you? What do you do?

A   Oh, marketing. Boring!

R   Same as Mark. He works in marketing.

A   Oh, I’m sorry. I find it boring.

R   Do you have any plans for the weekend?

A   Actually, yes. I’m going to visit my brother, Dan.

R   Oh, I remember Dan. How is he?

A   He’s fine. He’s married now. To Martina.

R   Anyway, we really must go. I need to get back to the shop.

A   Yeah, of course.

M   It was really nice to meet you.

A   Yeah, you too.

L   Nice to meet you, Mark.

R   It was great to see you again, Annie.

A   Yeah! We must meet up soon!

R   Definitely!

A   Actually, it’s Leo’s birthday in a couple of weeks. Perhaps we can meet then.

R   OK, great. I’ll give you a call. And say hello to Dan for me!

1

Chris

2

1   She forgets.

2   She gets worried and wants to know what he’s doing.

3   hardly ever – only if it’s something important

4   when she meets them

5   when he has a particularly good photo

CHRIS   So, are you good about keeping in touch with people?

NINA   Er, not much. I always plan to write to people, but then I forget. I send emails to my parents sometimes, about once a month, but more often I get emails from them saying ‘Are you OK? We haven’t heard from you for a long time.’ Then I always send them a quick email and tell them what I’m doing. How about you?

C   Oh, I like keeping in touch. I think it’s important to keep in touch with your family. I write emails to my parents sometimes, but I also phone or Skype. I phone my mother every weekend.

N   Every weekend!

C   Yes, she gets worried about me and she wants to know what I’m doing.

N   I hardly ever phone my parents. I wait until I go and see them, and talk to them then.

C   Don’t you ever phone them to have a chat?

N   No, I only phone if it’s something important. You don’t have to be in touch with people all the time.

C   What about friends? Surely you keep in touch with friends?

N   Not very much, maybe I should do. I send texts or messages sometimes, but that’s about all. I always think if you have good friends you can talk about everything when you meet. It’s more fun to tell people your news when you can have a real conversation.

C   Oh well, I often send messages and photos to people so they know I’m thinking about them. And sometimes, when I have a particularly good photo, I send it to everyone by email. I think it’s a nice thing to do …

PRESENTER   When you move to a new school or town or start at university, it’s important to make new friends. But it isn’t easy. On today’s programme new students at Princeton University tell us about how they are making friends during the first few weeks of term. First up is Richard.

RICHARD   I don’t particularly like going to parties and I hardly ever go to bars and discos so it was difficult for me to make friends. I like people who I have something in common with so I joined the university walking club. We meet every Sunday and normally go for a walk into the forests or by the river near the university. It’s good fun and I talk to lots of people.

PR   Joining a club is a great way to meet new people. But there are other ways. Let’s hear from Sophia, a nineteen-year-old student.

SOPHIA   I’m studying Drama so I like talking to people. I’m not particularly interested in joining a club, as I generally prefer to meet people who like lots of different things. I posted a message on an online student network saying ‘I’m looking for some friends. No rude or serious people. We can meet for a drink in the students’ café every Tuesday.’ About 10 people come each week. It’s great fun and everyone is different.

PR   But if you don’t want to start your own group, there are other ways. Over to Peter.

PETER   I don’t really like using Facebook to make friends. I’m living in a large student house with about thirty other people so in the first week I knocked on everyone’s bedroom door and said hello. Everyone here is friendly. Now I’m rarely on my own and there is often someone to talk to or go out with in the evenings.