Practice English Listening B1 Exercises – Boys’ night out

A

He clearly doesn’t like her, and implies that she is bossy / controlling.

B

1 T

2 F (He doesn’t have much free time. / His job keeps him busy.)

3 T

4 T

5 F (Jenny gave Rob the shirt he’s wearing.)

6 T

P = Paul, R = Rob

P   Bad luck, mate.

R   Nice shot.

P   I’ve had years of practice.

R   You used to play pool a lot at university.

P   You did, too.

R   Yeah. I don’t really have the time any more…

P   Or anybody to play with.…So what do you do in your free time?

R   The magazine keeps me pretty busy. And when I’m free, I’m usually with Jenny…

P   Tch. Your turn. Don’t blow it.

R   What is it?

P   I was just thinking about you.

R   What about me?

P   Do you remember the great times we had at uni? You had such crazy hair – last time I saw you it was blond!

R   Don’t remind me.

P   Those were the days. Look at you now, with your girlfriend and your nine-to-five job. If you don’t come back to London soon, you’ll become an all-American boy!

R   Come off it.

P   It’s true! I mean, just look at that shirt.

R   What’s wrong with my shirt?

P   You look like a businessman! Did you buy it?

R   Me? No. It was…it was a present from Jenny.

P   I thought so.

R   What does that mean?

P   It’s Jenny’s taste.

R   Yes, and I really like it.

P   Jenny seems to know what she wants – and she probably gets it.

R   That’s one of the things I like about her…Terrible.

P   You said it.

R   Sorry, Paul. We’ve got to go.

P   Oh come on, Rob. We haven’t even finished the game.

R   Another time. Jenny’s waiting for us.

P   Jenny. Right.

A

Paul and Rob decide to go and see Kerri playing in a gig.

Jenny says she has a busy day the next day.

She ends up going to Monica’s house.

B

1 P   2 J   3 P   4 J   5 J   6 P   7 R

P = Paul, R = Rob, J = Jenny, M = Monica

P   Oh, yeah. That was good. So! What shall we do now?

R   What do you want to do?

P   Well…I haven’t been on a dance floor for weeks now. I’ve got to move my body. Let’s go dancing.

J    I’m going running in the morning. Why don’t you join me?

P   No, thanks. I’m not very keen on running. But I’ve read about this place called Deep Space, where they play great music. We could go there.

J    A club?

P   Don’t you feel like dancing?

J    Not on a Wednesday night. What about going to the late show at MOMA?

P   MOMA? What’s that?

J    MOMA. It’s the Museum of Modern Art. There’s a Kandinsky exhibition.

P   That isn’t exactly my idea of a great night out.

J    What about staying in and watching a movie on TV?

P   I’m in New York. I can watch TV anywhere.

J    Who’s that?

R   It’s a text from Kerri. She’s doing a gig at the Bowery Ballroom.

P   Kerri who?

R   Kerri Johnson. I interviewed her last week.

P   Kerri Johnson? I’ve seen her play live. She’s cool. Do you like her, Jenny?

J   I have to admit I’m not crazy about her music…or her, for that matter.

P  I didn’t think so. So shall we go there?

R   Why not? Actually, Kerri’s staying very near here and she doesn’t know New York very well. We could meet her outside and go together.

P   That’s a great idea!

R   I’ll send her a text.

J    I think I might have an early night. You two can go on your own.

R   Are you sure you don’t mind?

P   Of course she doesn’t mind!

J    No, Rob, it’s fine. I have another busy day tomorrow. You do, too, actually.

R   I know, we’re meeting Don. I haven’t forgotten…Oh, it’s Kerri. She’s on her way now.

P   What are we waiting for? Let’s go!

***

M   Hello?

J     Hi, Monica – it’s not too late to call, is it?

M   Jenny! No, why? Are you OK?

J     I need to talk.

M   Can you come over? Why don’t you take a cab?

J     OK, thanks.

A

Rob and Jenny have a meeting with Don, but Rob hasn’t come in to work, because he isn’t feeling well.

B

1 terrible   2 a party   3 the meeting   4 important meeting

5 it won’t happen   6 is leaving   7 a professional

J = Jenny, R = Rob, D = Don

J    Rob?

R   Hi, Jenny.

J    Are you OK? Where are you, anyway?

R   I’m at home. I’m feeling terrible. We got back really late last night.

J    Why doesn’t that surprise me? You know, you’re not a student any more.

J    I know. There was a party after the gig – Kerri invited us, and of course Paul said yes.

J    And this morning’s meeting? In…ten minutes?

R   That’s why I’m calling. I’m not going to make it. I’m really sorry.

J    Rob! It’s a very important meeting! I’ll cover for you this time, but I won’t be able to do it again.

R   It won’t happen again. I promise. Anyway, Paul’s leaving.

J    He’s leaving?

R   That’s right. He’s off to Boston this afternoon.

J    Maybe that’s a good thing. I mean, it’s not that I don’t like Paul, but…

R   I know, I know…

J    I have to go. Talk to you later.

D   Jenny, have you seen Rob? I wanted to have a word with him before the meeting, and he isn’t even here.

J    I know. He just called to say he can’t make it.

D   He what?

J    I was with him last night. He wasn’t feeling very well. But it’s OK – he told me everything I need to know for the meeting.

D   Oh. OK, then.

J    You know Rob. He’s such a professional.