Predictions – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a postal worker. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does the customer need the package to arrive quickly?
(A) Because she is traveling to London on Friday.
(B) Because it is a birthday present for her sister.
(C) Because she wants to save money on shipping.
2 When will the package arrive if they use standard shipping?
(A) Thursday afternoon.
(B) Friday morning.
(C) Next Monday.
3 What does the customer finally decide to do?
(A) She pays extra for the express service.
(B) She uses the standard shipping.
(C) She decides not to send the package.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) Because it is a birthday present for her sister.
- Explanation: The customer says, “It’s a birthday gift for my sister, and her birthday is this Friday.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a trap using the word “Friday”, but she is not traveling; her sister’s birthday is on that day. Option (C) is the opposite of the truth (she actually pays more for express).
2 Correct Answer: (C) Next Monday.
- Explanation: The postal worker explicitly predicts: “if you use our standard shipping, I predict it will get there next Monday.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a “Number/Time Trap” – Thursday afternoon is the prediction for the express service, not the standard one. Option (B) is the day of the birthday.
3 Correct Answer: (A) She pays extra for the express service.
- Explanation: The customer says, “That’s perfect. I will pay for the express service, then.”
- Trap: Option (B) is the classic A2 “Twist”. Standard shipping was the first option discussed, but she rejects it because it’s too late. Option (C) is a plausible action if shipping is too expensive, but it doesn’t happen here.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hi, I need to send this package to London, please. When do you think it will arrive?
Postal Worker: Let me check. Well, if you use our standard shipping, I predict it will get there next Monday.
Customer: Oh no, that’s too late! It’s a birthday gift for my sister, and her birthday is this Friday.
Postal Worker: I see. In that case, you should use the express service. It costs a bit more, but it will definitely arrive by Thursday afternoon.
Customer: That’s perfect. I will pay for the express service, then.
Postal Worker: Great choice. And don’t worry, I’ll give you a tracking number so you can see exactly where it is.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a restaurant host and a customer. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 How long does the host predict the wait will be at first?
(A) 5 minutes.
(B) 20 to 30 minutes.
(C) An hour.
2 What did the customer almost decide to do?
(A) Wait inside for 30 minutes.
(B) Go home and cook dinner.
(C) Go to another restaurant.
3 What happens at the end of the conversation?
(A) The customer leaves to eat fast food.
(B) The customer agrees to wait a few minutes for a table.
(C) The customer gets a table immediately without waiting.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) 20 to 30 minutes.
- Explanation: The host clearly states, “I predict you will have to wait about 20 to 30 minutes for a table inside.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a “Number Trap”. 5 minutes is the wait time for the second table at the end of the conversation, not the first prediction. Option (C) is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (C) Go to another restaurant.
- Explanation: Because he is hungry, the customer says, “maybe we should just go to the fast-food place next door.”
- Trap: Option (A) is the host’s suggestion, but the customer rejects it because he is too hungry. Option (B) is a plausible alternative in real life, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (B) The customer agrees to wait a few minutes for a table.
- Explanation: The host offers a table in 5 minutes, and the customer says, “We will definitely wait for that one.”
- Trap: Option (A) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Going to the fast-food place was his plan a moment ago, but he changed his mind when a table opened up. Option (C) is incorrect because he still has to wait 5 minutes (the table isn’t ready immediately).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hi, good evening. I need a table for two, please.
Host: I’m sorry, sir. We are completely full right now. I predict you will have to wait about 20 to 30 minutes for a table inside.
Customer: 30 minutes? Oh no, we are really hungry. We wanted to eat here, but maybe we should just go to the fast-food place next door.
Host: Wait, sir! Good news. The couple at the window table is leaving right now. If you don’t mind sitting near the door, you can have their table in just 5 minutes.
Customer: Oh, that’s great! We will definitely wait for that one. Thank you so much.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a mechanic. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 When did the customer want the car to be ready at first?
(A) Today.
(B) Tomorrow morning.
(C) Wednesday afternoon.
2 Why does the mechanic predict it will take two days?
(A) Because she has too many cars to fix.
(B) Because she needs to order a new part.
(C) Because the car’s engine is missing.
3 What is the customer going to do tomorrow?
(A) Take the bus to work.
(B) Walk to the mechanic’s shop.
(C) Drive his car to work.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) Tomorrow morning.
- Explanation: The customer asks at the beginning: “Can you fix it by tomorrow morning?”
- Trap: Option (C) is a “Time Trap”. Wednesday afternoon is when the car will actually be ready, not when the customer wanted it at first. Option (A) is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (B) Because she needs to order a new part.
- Explanation: The mechanic says the belt is broken and “We don’t have this part in the shop right now” and then adds “I have to order a new part.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a plausible reason in real life when a mechanic is slow, but it is not mentioned in the audio. Option (C) is an exaggeration (the belt is broken, not the whole engine missing).
3 Correct Answer: (A) Take the bus to work.
- Explanation: At the end, the customer says: “I guess I will take the bus to work tomorrow.”
- Trap: Option (C) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Driving to work was his original plan, but because the car needs two days to be fixed, he has to change his plan. Option (B) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Customer: Hello. My car is making a strange noise. Can you fix it by tomorrow morning? I really need it for work.
Mechanic: Let me look at the engine. Hmm… okay, I see the problem. Usually, I can fix this in one day.
Customer: Oh, that’s good news!
Mechanic: But wait… look at this belt here. It’s completely broken! We don’t have this part in the shop right now.
Customer: Oh no. So, what is your prediction? When will it be ready?
Mechanic: I have to order a new part. So, I predict it will take two days. Today is Monday, so you can pick it up on Wednesday afternoon.
Customer: Two days? That’s too bad. I guess I will take the bus to work tomorrow.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a passenger and a station staff member. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the train to London delayed?
(A) Because there is an accident.
(B) Because of heavy snow.
(C) Because the train is broken.
2 What time does the passenger predict the train will arrive?
(A) 10:15
(B) 10:30
(C) 10:45
3 What does the passenger decide to do while waiting?
(A) Go to the cafe to buy coffee.
(B) Read a book in the waiting room.
(C) Walk to the other side of the station.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) Because of heavy snow.
- Explanation: The staff member clearly states, “There is heavy snow on the tracks right now.”
- Trap: Options (A) and (C) are plausible real-life reasons for a delayed train, but they are never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (C) 10:45.
- Explanation: The train was originally scheduled for 10:30, and the staff predicts a 15-minute delay. The passenger confirms: “So it will arrive at 10:45.”
- Trap: Option (B) 10:30 is the original departure time, not the new predicted time. Option (A) 10:15 is a “Number Trap” (misusing the number 15 from “15 minutes late”).
3 Correct Answer: (B) Read a book in the waiting room.
- Explanation: The passenger thinks walking to the cafe is too risky, so he says, “I will just read my book in the waiting room instead.”
- Trap: Option (A) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Buying coffee was his original idea, but he changed his mind after talking to the staff. Option (C) is what the staff warned him not to do.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Passenger: Excuse me. The screen says the 10:30 train to London is delayed. What is happening?
Staff: Yes, sir. There is heavy snow on the tracks right now. I predict the train will be at least 15 minutes late.
Passenger: Oh, I see. So it will arrive at 10:45. Do I have time to go to the cafe and buy a hot coffee?
Staff: Well, the cafe is on the other side of the station. It takes 10 minutes just to walk there. You might miss the train if it arrives early.
Passenger: You’re right. That’s too risky. I will just read my book in the waiting room instead.
Staff: Good idea. I will make an announcement when the train is here.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a doctor and a patient. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What does the doctor predict will happen tomorrow morning?
(A) The patient will start coughing more.
(B) The patient’s fever will be gone.
(C) The patient will need to buy more medicine.
2 What did the patient want to do tomorrow evening?
(A) Go to a birthday party.
(B) Watch movies in bed.
(C) Go to work.
3 Why does the doctor tell the patient to stay home?
(A) Because the medicine will make him very tired.
(B) Because he can give the flu to other people.
(C) Because his fever will get worse at the party.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) The patient’s fever will be gone.
- Explanation: The doctor explicitly states, “I predict your fever will be gone by tomorrow morning.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a trap using the word “cough”, which the patient has, but the doctor doesn’t predict it will get worse. Option (C) is not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (A) Go to a birthday party.
- Explanation: Upon hearing he will feel better, the patient asks, “So, I can go to my friend’s birthday party tomorrow evening?”
- Trap: Option (B) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Watching movies is his final plan after the doctor tells him to stay home, but it is not what he wanted to do at first. Option (C) is a common real-life situation but isn’t mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (B) Because he can give the flu to other people.
- Explanation: The doctor explains the reason: “You will feel better, but you can still make other people sick.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a very logical reason in real life when taking medicine, but the doctor never mentions it. Option (C) contradicts the doctor’s prediction that the fever will be gone.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Patient: I feel terrible, Doctor. I have a bad cough and a high fever.
Doctor: Let me check… Yes, you have the flu. Here is some medicine. Take it after dinner. I predict your fever will be gone by tomorrow morning.
Patient: That’s great news! So, I can go to my friend’s birthday party tomorrow evening?
Doctor: No, you can’t do that. You will feel better, but you can still make other people sick. You must stay home and rest for three more days.
Patient: Oh, I understand. I will call my friend and cancel. I guess I will just watch movies in bed instead.
Doctor: That is a much better plan. Drink lots of water, too!