Practice English Listening A2 Exercises – Now and then

A

Conversation 1: mobile phone

Conversation 2: music player, computer, mobile phone

B

Possible answers:

1   Natalie: sometimes she uses it, sometimes she doesn’t.

     Paula: couldn’t live without it, always has it with her.

2   When he goes out he always has it in his coat pocket. It helps him relax, makes him feel good.

3   He’s not interested in them. He has an iPod, a mobile phone.

NATALIE   It’s really strange about mobile phones these days. I know I have a funny relationship with mine because sometimes I will use it every day and then I’ll go for three weeks when I just leave it at home and I don’t bother with it. What about you?

PAULA   How, how do you communicate with people when you, er, leave your mobile behind?

N   The funny thing is, I don’t. I quite like just to leave it in the house and have nobody call me.

P   I think, I don’t know, I think I would die without my mobile phone.

N   Really?

P   If I, the, the few times that I, I, forget it I just feel naked without it. I, I become desperate. I need to have my mobile phone with me … erm …

N   Is that for someone to contact you or for you to send messages?

P   I don’t know. It’s just the fact that I need it with me all the time.

 

METIN   I have an old iPod which I only use for music. I always leave it in my coat pocket so when I go out, I know I have it. I use it all the time … on the way to work, on the bus, when I go shopping … The other day it was hot so I felt my coat at home and forgot my iPod. I was so bored … and also kind of nervous. I really need my music to relax.

FABIO   Wow, interesting! I have an iPod, too, but I hardly ever use it. It was just a waste of money.

M   Really? I couldn’t live without mine.

F   Well, to be honest, I’m just not interested in electronic gadgets, machines and stuff. I don’t even have a computer at home. I don’t know how to use them.

M   You’re joking!

F   No. It makes life easier, not having that stuff.

M   No way! It would make life more difficult for me. I mean, how do you live without the Internet?

F   It’s easy … Actually, I have a mobile phone. My company gave it to me and I use it for my job. Well … and to call friends, sometimes. And check the football scores. But that’s it!

M   Hm.

A

Call 1:

1   She has $2,225 in her account.

2   She thinks the $2,000 paid in yesterday is her annual bonus.

Call 2:

1   Her husband.

2   He should call her. She’s got some good news.

Call 3:

1   She’s got a bonus of $2,000.

2   Go on holiday to Norway in May.

B

A cheque was paid into Christine’s account by mistake.

The bank will take the money out of Christine’s account.

Call 1

BANK ASSISTANT   You’re through to Alan at Interbank. How can I help you?

CHRISTINE   Oh, hello. Can I check how much is in my account, please?

B   Of course. I’ll just have to ask you a few questions, for security. …

B   OK, that’s fine. Erm, your bank balance is two thousand, two hundred and twenty-five dollars and fifty-three cents.

C   How much?

B   Two thousand, two hundred and twenty-five dollars and fifty-three cents.

C   I don’t understand. I thought I only had about two hundred. Was a large amount paid in recently?

B   Er … Yes, two thousand dollars was paid in yesterday.

C   Really? That’s odd. It must be my annual bonus. I was expecting it … but not that much.

B   Er … is there anything else I can help you with today?

C   No, no. Thanks very much. You’ve made my day!

Call 2

RECEPTIONIST   Good morning, ABC Investments. How can I help you?

C   Can I speak to John Andrews, please?

R   Yes, who’s calling?

C   It’s Christine, his wife.

R   Just a moment, please.

R   Hello, Christine? I’m sorry, but John isn’t here at the moment. I think he’s at lunch.

C   Oh. Do you know when he’ll be back?

R   No, sorry, but he shouldn’t be too long. Do you want me to take a message?

C   Er, yes, please. When he comes back, could you ask him to call me? Tell him I’ve got some good news!

R   All right, I will. Bye.

Call 3

JOHN   Hello?

C   Hello, John? It’s Christine.

J   Hi. Listen, the reception’s really bad here. I’ll call you back in a second. OK?

C   Yeah, OK.

J   Christine? Can you hear me now?

C   Yeah, that’s better. Listen, I’ve got some great news. I’ve got my bonus!

J   Oh, really? How much is it this time? 200? 300?

C   No. That’s what’s so amazing! It’s 2,000!

J   2,000! You’re joking! Are you sure they haven’t made a mistake?

C   Thanks a lot!

J   No, I’m sure you’ve earned every cent. Wow! We could book that holiday in Norway!

C   That’s why I’m calling. I checked flights to Norway in May and they’re a really good price. Shall I book them?

J   Er, well … maybe we should talk about it tonight …

C   Come on, John. We’ve thought about it for years! We’ll never get another chance like this.

J   OK, OK. Go ahead and book. Listen, I’ve got to go but I’ll call you back later, OK?

C   OK. Speak to you later.

 

Call 4

CHRISTINE   Hello?

BANK MANAGER   Oh, hello. Is that Christine Andrews?

C   Yes.

B   Oh, hello. This is Paul Jennings from Interbank. Is this a good time to talk?

C   Yes, it’s fine.

B   I’m afraid we’ve made a mistake on your account, number 12807747.

C   Oh, no. What’s happened?

B   Unfortunately, a cheque for a different C Andrews was paid into your account by mistake. The person has the same name and almost the same account number. Only one number is different. We’re very sorry but I’m afraid this was a computer error.

C   Ah. Well, that explains it.

B   So, we’ll make the necessary arrangements and the money will leave your account today.

C   Erm, well, hold on minute. Unfortunately, I’ve booked a holiday with the money, so I’ll, er, need to call the holiday company to cancel. I don’t …

1   Regular time

2   a   They take their time.

     b   They arrive 30–40 minutes later than the meeting time.

3   She’s usually in a hurry and arrives on time.

LEONARDO   In Costa Rica, if you have a meeting, er, people always ask you, OK, is it going to be Costa Rican time or regular time, ‘cos if it is Costa Rican time, you’re supposed to get there like maybe thirty or forty minutes later. I think that Costa Rican time exists because people are never in a hurry, people take their time having their breakfast, erm, and you take your time having your lunch and maybe you go to work and you start talking with friends and colleagues and there’s never a hurry for anything.

MEGAN   I also find that because I’m in a hurry to get where I’m going I’m usually right on time and I have to get used to the fact that, erm, everybody else is going to be getting to the meeting a little bit more slowly and that things will probably start after we’ve had a coffee and a chat as opposed to right on time.