Predictions – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends in a car. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the problem with the car?
(A) It is driving too slowly.
(B) It is running out of gas.
(C) The engine is too hot.
2 What does Tom predict will happen if Mike drives slowly?
(A) They will reach the gas station safely.
(B) The car will stop immediately.
(C) They will find a safe place to park.
3 What actually happens at the end of the conversation?
(A) They walk five kilometers to the station.
(B) They safely arrive at the gas station.
(C) The car’s engine stops on the road.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) It is running out of gas.
- Explanation: Mike explicitly says, “We are going to run out of gas very soon.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a “Solution Trap”. Tom suggests driving slowly to save gas, but it is not the main problem. Option (C) is a common car problem in real life, but it is never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: (A) They will reach the gas station safely.
- Explanation: Tom is optimistic and says, “I think we will be okay if you drive slowly. Let’s try!” (meaning they will make it to the station).
- Trap: Option (B) is a “Person Trap”. This is Mike’s prediction, not Tom’s. Option (C) is a trap because Tom says “we can’t stop here”, but he doesn’t predict finding a parking space.
3 Correct Answer: (C) The car’s engine stops on the road.
- Explanation: At the end, the car makes a noise and Mike says, “The engine just stopped! We are not going anywhere.”
- Trap: Option (B) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. They planned and tried to reach the station, but failed. Option (A) uses the “five kilometers” mentioned earlier, but they decide to “call for help”, not walk.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Mike, look at the fuel gauge! It’s on the red line.
Mike: Oh no! I didn’t notice. We are going to run out of gas very soon.
Tom: There is a gas station five kilometers away. Do you think we will make it?
Mike: I’m not sure. I predict the car will stop before we get there.
Tom: But we can’t stop here. It’s too dangerous. I think we will be okay if you drive slowly. Let’s try!
Mike: Okay, I will keep driving.
(Sound: Car engine sputters and dies)
Mike: Oh, wait… The engine just stopped! We are not going anywhere.
Tom: Great. So your prediction was right. Now we have to call for help!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a couple in a park. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What does Leo predict at first?
(A) The left path goes to the parking lot.
(B) The right path goes to the parking lot.
(C) The left path goes to the lake.
2 What does Mia want to do before she sees the sign?
(A) Walk to the lake to rest.
(B) Look at the map on her phone.
(C) Ask a police officer for help.
3 What do they finally decide to do?
(A) Ask the police officer.
(B) Take the right path.
(C) Take the left path.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (A) The left path goes to the parking lot.
- Explanation: Leo clearly states his first prediction: “I predict the left path will take us to the parking lot.”
- Trap: Option (B) is the actual location of the parking lot, but not his first prediction. Option (C) is a trap because the left path does go to the lake, but Leo didn’t predict that.
2 Correct Answer: (C) Ask a police officer for help.
- Explanation: Mia is not sure about Leo’s prediction, so she suggests: “Maybe we should ask that police officer over there.”
- Trap: Option (A) uses the word “lake” from the audio, but she doesn’t want to go there. Option (B) is a plausible action when lost in real life, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (B) Take the right path.
- Explanation: After reading the sign, Leo changes his mind and says, “So we are going to walk to the right instead.”
- Trap: Option (C) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Going left was Leo’s original plan, but they rejected it after seeing the sign. Option (A) is also a rejected plan (Leo says “No, we don’t need to”).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: I am so tired. Are we lost? This park is very big.
Mia: I think so. Look, there are two paths here. Which way should we go?
Leo: Well, I predict the left path will take us to the parking lot. Let’s go left.
Mia: Are you sure? Maybe we should ask that police officer over there.
Leo: No, we don’t need to. I remember we walked past the lake earlier.
Mia: But wait! Look at that wooden sign under the tree. It says the lake is to the left, and the parking lot is to the right!
Leo: Oh, my mistake. The sign is definitely right. So we are going to walk to the right instead.
Mia: Thank goodness. Let’s go. I really want to go home.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between two roommates. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What does Sam predict at first?
(A) The power will be off until tomorrow.
(B) The power will be back by 7:00 PM.
(C) The power will take two hours to fix.
2 How does Alex know the real information about the power?
(A) He calls the electric company.
(B) He asks a neighbor outside.
(C) He reads a message on his phone.
3 What do they decide to eat for dinner?
(A) Cold sandwiches.
(B) Food from a restaurant.
(C) Hot food from the stove.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) The power will be back by 7:00 PM.
- Explanation: Sam clearly makes a prediction: “I predict it will be back by 7:00 PM.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a trap because “tomorrow morning” is the actual time the power comes back, not Sam’s first prediction. Option (C) is a “Number Trap” (Sam says an hour, not two).
2 Correct Answer: (C) He reads a message on his phone.
- Explanation: Alex says, “Wait, look at my phone. The electric company just sent a message.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a plausible action when the power goes out, but Alex doesn’t call them; he gets a message. Option (B) is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (A) Cold sandwiches.
- Explanation: Because they can’t wait, Alex says, “let’s just eat those cold sandwiches in the fridge instead.”
- Trap: Option (C) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Cooking hot food on the stove was their original plan when they thought the power would come back at 7:00 PM. Option (B) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Alex: Oh no, the lights went out! It’s completely dark.
Sam: Yeah. Let me light some candles. I’m so hungry.
Alex: Me too. But we can’t use the electric stove now. When do you think the power will come back?
Sam: It usually takes an hour. I predict it will be back by 7:00 PM. We can cook dinner then.
Alex: Wait, look at my phone. The electric company just sent a message. They said the power will be off until tomorrow morning!
Sam: Tomorrow morning?! We can’t wait that long to eat.
Alex: So, let’s just eat those cold sandwiches in the fridge instead.
Sam: Good idea. I’ll get them.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a passerby and a cyclist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What does the woman predict about the bicycle?
(A) It will cost a lot of money to fix.
(B) The man won’t be able to ride it.
(C) The front wheel will fall off.
2 What is the man’s plan after he sees the broken wheel?
(A) To leave the bicycle on the street.
(B) To walk five kilometers to his house.
(C) To carry the bike to the bus stop.
3 How will the man get home at the end of the conversation?
(A) He will ride the bus.
(B) He will walk.
(C) The woman’s brother will drive him.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) The man won’t be able to ride it.
- Explanation: The woman points at the wheel and says, “I predict you won’t be able to ride this bike today.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a very plausible thought in real life when something breaks, but it is never mentioned. Option (C) is an exaggeration; the wheel is “bent” (cong), not falling off.
2 Correct Answer: (C) To carry the bike to the bus stop.
- Explanation: Realizing the bike is broken, the man says, “Well, I guess I am going to carry it to the bus stop.”
- Trap: Option (B) is a trap. He mentions “Walk for five kilometers?” later as a frustrated question, but it wasn’t his actual plan. Option (A) is not mentioned.
3 Correct Answer: (C) The woman’s brother will drive him.
- Explanation: The woman offers a solution: “My brother has a large truck… He will drive you and your bike home!”
- Trap: Option (A) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Taking the bus was his plan, but the woman warned him the driver wouldn’t allow a broken bike on board. Option (B) is the rejected idea because it is too far.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Woman: Oh my! Are you okay? Let me help you stand up.
Man: Ouch… Thanks. I just have a small cut on my knee, but I am fine. I will just get back on my bike and ride home.
Woman: Wait, I don’t think you can. Look at your front wheel. It is completely bent! I predict you won’t be able to ride this bike today.
Man: Oh no! You are right. It won’t move. Well, I guess I am going to carry it to the bus stop.
Woman: Actually, the driver won’t let you take a dirty, broken bike on the bus!
Man: So what should I do? Walk for five kilometers?
Woman: Don’t worry. My brother has a large truck, and he lives on this street. Let me call him. He will drive you and your bike home!
Man: Really? That is so kind of you. Thank you very much!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a husband and a wife. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where did the husband leave the keys?
(A) In his pocket.
(B) On the kitchen table.
(C) In the living room.
2 What does the wife predict about the locksmith?
(A) He will ask for a lot of money.
(B) He will arrive very quickly.
(C) He will break the window.
3 How will they get into the house at the end?
(A) The husband will climb through a window.
(B) They will wait for the locksmith.
(C) They will sleep outside the house.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: (B) On the kitchen table.
- Explanation: The husband clearly says, “I left them on the kitchen table.”
- Trap: Option (C) is a “Location Trap” because the living room is mentioned later (the living room window is open), but the keys are not there. Option (A) is a plausible guess in real life, but not mentioned.
2 Correct Answer: (A) He will ask for a lot of money.
- Explanation: The wife predicts, “it will be very expensive. They usually charge over 100 dollars…”
- Trap: Option (C) is a trap using the word “window”, but the locksmith doesn’t break it; the window is already open. Option (B) is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: (A) The husband will climb through a window.
- Explanation: The husband sees the open window and says, “I can climb inside and open the door…”
- Trap: Option (B) is the classic A2 “Twist” trap. Calling the locksmith was their original plan because they thought they had no choice, but they changed their mind when they saw the open window. Option (C) is what happens if you can’t get in, but they found a way.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Wife: Oh no! The front door is locked. Do you have the keys?
Husband: No, I left them on the kitchen table. It’s almost midnight! What are we going to do?
Wife: We need to call a locksmith. But I predict it will be very expensive. They usually charge over 100 dollars for late-night calls.
Husband: I agree. It will cost a lot of money, but we have no choice. Let me get my phone.
Wife: Wait! Look at the living room window. It’s open!
Husband: Really? That’s great! I can climb inside and open the door from the inside.
Wife: Be careful! So, I guess we won’t need to call the locksmith after all.