Practice English Listening A2 Exercises – What’s going on with you?

1 a   2 a   3 c

A

Sarah:   Hi, Mario! It’s good to see you! When you did arrive in town?

Mario:   A few hours ago. Just in time for our meeting this afternoon. How are you doing?

Sarah:   I’m good, thanks. What are you doing these days? Are you still in Quito?

Mario:   Yes, but my wife and I are looking for a new house. She’s six months pregnant, so we really need to find a bigger place.

Sarah:   Oh, wow! That’s so exciting! Congratulations.

Mario:   Thanks. I’ve been busy! I’m taking an online class now, too.

Sarah:   Oh, yeah? What kind of class are you taking?

Mario:   A programming class. I’m learning a lot about computer software.

Sarah:   That sounds interesting,

Mario:   It is. So, what’s going on with you?

Sarah:   Well, I’m taking a class, too. I’m studying Japanese! I want to visit Japan so I’m trying to learn the language.

Mario:   That’s really cool!

Sarah:   Yeah. Things have been busy at the Toronto office so I could use a break.

Mario:   Have you been to Japan before?

Sarah:   No, I haven’t. I want to go in the spring during sakura season.

Mario:   Sakura season?

Sarah:   Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms.

Mario:   I didn’t know that.

Sarah:   Yep. The cherry blossoms bloom around that time and they only last for a couple of weeks in each city. It’s supposed to be a fun time to visit.

Mario:   That sounds amazing. What part of Japan are you going to?

Sarah:   I plan to fly into Tokyo and will spend a few days visiting different parts of the city. I also hope to visit Kyoto. I want to see all of the shrines and temples.

Mario:   Sounds great. Take lots of pictures!

Sarah:   Definitely.

B

Sarah:   So, what are you doing these days?

Mario:   I’m taking an online class.

Sarah:   That’s great.

Mario:   Yeah, it’s pretty interesting. What’s going on with you?

Sarah:   Well, I’m studying Japanese.

Mario:   That’s really cool!

A

Sarah:   So, what else is new? How’s your family doing?

Mario:   They’re good, thanks. I am a little worried about my brother Eddie, though. He quit his job when his office moved to another city.

Sarah:   Really? I thought he liked his job.

Mario:   He did, but he didn’t want to drive two hours to get to the office.

Sarah:   Oh. Is he OK?

Mario:   Yeah, he’s fine. But he was pretty upset when he first heard the news.

Sarah:   That’s too bad. So, what’s he doing?

Mario:   He’s living with my parents now, and he’s looking for a new job.

Sarah:   Well, I’m sure he’ll find something soon.

Mario:   Thanks. I think so, too. So, what’s going on with you? How’s your husband doing?

Sarah:   Mark is doing well. He started his own business after he lost his job at the bank a while ago.

Mario:   I’m sorry to hear that. But wow, I mean, good for him! What kind of business?

Sarah:   A café.

Mario:   That’s a big change!

Sarah:   It is. But he’s an amazing cook. And he took some business classes before he opened the café.

Mario:   I’m happy for both of you. It’s a lot of work to own your own business.

Sarah:   Yeah, it is. I’m helping him when I can but I have my job at TSW, too. And our ten year-old son, and our dog . . .

Mario:   I don’t know how you do it all, Sarah.

Sarah:   I don’t know either! We’re having fun, but I don’t sleep a lot.

Mario:   Well, with my new baby coming, in a few weeks we both won’t be getting any sleep!

B

Sarah:   How’s your brother?

Mario:   OK. He quit his job when his office moved.

Sarah:   Oh. That’s too bad.

Mario:   Yeah. He’s doing alright. How’s your husband?

Sarah:   He’s great. He started his own business after he took some classes.

Mario:   Wow! Good for him.

1 a   2 a   3 c   4 b

A

Mario:   Do you have any plans for tonight? It is Friday after all. Do you want to go sightseeing? There’s always something interesting to see.

Sarah:   Sorry, I have plans. I’m meeting an old friend. Why don’t we do something tomorrow?

Mario:   Sure. What do you want to do?

Sarah:   Let’s go on a tour. Why don’t we try one of those bus tours?

Mario:   OK. That sounds great!

Sarah:   I think there’s a bus tour that starts in Chinatown. Why don’t we meet there?

Mario:   OK. Oh, and I want to get my mother in-law something. Do you need to go souvenir shopping, too?

Sarah:   Let me see.

Mario:   Wow. That’s a lot of key chains.

Sarah:   Wait.

Mario:   So you don’t need to go.

Sarah:   No, we can go. Let’s go after the tour. I need to get something for my husband and son.

Mario:   But who are all those souvenirs for then?

Sarah:   They’re all for me, Mario!

Mario:   Oh, right! OK.

Sarah:   After we go souvenir shopping, do you want to go to dinner? My husband told me about this great restaurant in Chinatown.

Mario:   Sounds like a plan. He is a chef now after all.

Sarah:   Why don’t I make a reservation? Oh, my goodness!

Mario:   What?

Sarah:   They’re completely booked! We can get a reservation next month if you want to go then!

B

Mario:   Do you want to go sightseeing tonight?

Sarah:   Sorry, I have plans. Why don’t we do something tomorrow?

Mario:   Sure. What do you want to do?

Sarah:   Let’s go on a tour.

Mario:   OK. That sounds great.

A

b

B

1 a   2 b   3 a   4 b   5 c

DO FRIENDSHIPS WORK AT WORK?

Many people around the world spend a lot of time at work. In fact, they spend more time with co-workers than with friends and family. With all the time we spend at our jobs, does it make a difference to us or to our employers if we become friends with our co-workers?

Research shows that employees are 50 percent happier with their jobs when they have friends at work. And for that reason, they’re more likely to work harder and be loyal to their companies. A recent article in the Harvard Business Review highlights the importance of friendships in the workplace. According to the article, “Friendships at Work,” these friendships help to create “a common sense of purpose and the mentality that we are in it together.”

Many companies are starting to see the value of friendships in the workplace and have thought of some interesting ways to help build these friendships. For example, Zappos, the online shoe company, has a very special way to make sure its employees think about friendship. Every time employees log on to their computers, they see a picture of another employee. Then they are asked some questions. How well do you know this person? Do you just say hello? Do you spend time together after work? Are you really good friends? In this way, Zappos asks employees to think about the other people in the office. “My hope,” says Zappos owner Tony Hsieh, “is that we can have more employees who plan to be close friends.” The company also encourages everything from cookouts to bowling parties. They believe that people who know each other better will work together better.

Other companies also work hard to help their employees make friends. Google is famous for encouraging friendships at work. The company has game rooms, a rock climbing wall, a gym, and a swimming pool. They even have restaurants with free food so that employees can spend time together. Employee Camille James moved from Tokyo to California to work for Google. She belongs to a bowling team and a salsa dance group at the company. She says that they help “break down the walls” that can happen in a large organization.

Research shows that people stay longer at companies and are better employees when they have friends at work. So, when you’re looking for your next job, look for a company that encourages people to have friends at work. You will probably like your job more, and you’ll be a better employee!

Possible answer:

A

Yu is talking about what he’s been doing lately.

B

1   He’s studying engineering and working in a lab.

2   He’s not living with his parents anymore. He’s living in the dormitory at the university.

3   spends time with his friends: plays cards, sings karaoke

Hi everyone! It’s Yu. Here’s what I’ve been up to lately. I’m still studying engineering, but I’m also working at a lab on the weekends. Here’s the lab. I’m not living with my parents anymore. I’m living in the dormitory at the university. Here’s a picture of my dorm room. On the weekends, I love spending time with my friends. We like to play cards or sing karaoke. What’s going on with you these days?

1 A:   What are you doing next summer?

   B:   I’m visiting my family in Mexico.

2 A:   Is Alex still living in Miami?

   B:   No, he’s teaching English in Japan for a month.

3 A:   Can Susie join us for dinner later?

   B:   No, she’s playing chess at the center tonight.

4 A:   Why isn’t Mark here?

   B:   He’s working at the café.

5 A:   Are Brian and Kathy still looking for a new house?

   B:   Yes. They’re still living in an apartment in the city.

6 A:   Are you busy at the moment?

   B:   A little. I’m finishing my homework.

7 A:   What’s Karen doing these days?

   B:   She’s working at her parent’s restaurant this summer.

8 A:   When are you leaving for your vacation?

   B:   In two weeks.

A:   What do you want to do tonight?

B:   Why don’t we go to a concert?

A:   Let’s not go to a concert. They are so loud! I want to do something quiet.

B:   OK. Why don’t we go on a walking tour of the city?

A:   No, it’s too cold. Let’s do something indoors.

B:   Hmm. Let me think. Do you like art? Why don’t we go to a museum?

A:   I don’t really like museums.

B:   OK. I know! Let’s go shopping.

A:   OK, sounds great. Do you want to have dinner first? Let’s go to a sushi place.

B:   We always get sushi. Let’s not have sushi again.

A:   Why don’t we try that new French restaurant?

B:   Perfect!