Relationships – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) He creates visual artwork.

• Explanation: Mark says he is “doing graphic design now,” which means he creates visual artwork.
• Trap: Option A is wrong because he mentions “working in retail” as a past job, not his current one. Option C is not mentioned.

2 (C) He wanted to remain close to his relatives.

• Explanation: Mark explains that his sister had a baby, so he decided to “stay local to be near my nephew.” This matches the meaning of remaining close to relatives.
• Trap: Option A is incorrect. He mentions he “looked at some apartments there,” but that wasn’t the reason he stayed. Option B is plausible in real life but not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) In about two weeks.

• Explanation: Mark suggests meeting “next week,” but Sarah is busy and suggests “the week after” (which means in two weeks). Mark agrees by saying “Sounds like a plan.”
• Trap: Option A is wrong because Sarah rejects meeting next week due to wedding planning. Option C is a distractor because she mentions her wedding, but they are meeting long before it happens.

Mark: Sarah? Oh my goodness, I haven’t seen you in ages!

Sarah: Mark! Wow, what a surprise. It’s been, what, five years since graduation? How have you been?

Mark: Pretty good, actually. I was working in retail for a while, but, um, I recently switched careers. I’m doing graphic design now.

Sarah: That’s fantastic! You always had a talent for drawing. Did you end up moving to Chicago? I remember you were talking about it.

Mark: Well, I seriously considered it, and even looked at some apartments there. However, my sister had a baby last year, so I decided to stay local to be near my nephew. Family is more important, you know?

Sarah: Absolutely. I completely understand. I’m actually still living in my old neighborhood, but I’m getting married next spring!

Mark: Congratulations! That’s wonderful news. We really need to catch up properly. Let’s grab dinner sometime next week.

Sarah: I’d love to, but next week is packed with wedding planning. How about the week after?

Mark: Sounds like a plan. Here, let me give you my new number.

1 (B) She is very excited and happy.

• Explanation: Chloe mentions she gets “butterflies in my stomach” and hasn’t felt this way in a long time. In English, having “butterflies” in this context means being excited and nervous in a positive way about a romantic interest.
• Trap: Option A is wrong because she is the opposite of bored. Option C is wrong because her feelings are very clear.

2 (B) She is worried about meeting Liam’s family.

• Explanation: Chloe says she is “terrified of making a bad impression” because she is having lunch with his parents. Paraphrasing: “parents” = “family”.
• Trap: Option A is not mentioned in the script. Option C is wrong because she hasn’t bought the gift yet, so she isn’t worried about them not liking it specifically, but about the meeting in general.

3 (B) A bouquet of flowers.

• Explanation: Anna suggests bringing “some flowers or a box of chocolates.” Chloe agrees that flowers are a “safer choice.”
• Trap: Option A (Wine) was Chloe’s original idea, but she rejected it after hearing Anna’s advice. Option C is not mentioned.

Anna: Hey, Chloe! You look absolutely radiant today. What’s the big secret?

Chloe: Well, um, to be honest, it’s about that guy I mentioned a while ago—Liam. We’ve officially started seeing each other.

Anna: That’s fantastic news! I’m so happy for you. How are things going so far?

Chloe: He’s incredibly considerate. Actually, every time we hang out, I still get those butterflies in my stomach. It’s been a long time since I felt this way about someone.

Anna: I can tell! But… you also look a bit anxious. Is something bothering you?

Chloe: You’re so sharp! Actually, he’s invited me to have lunch with his parents this Sunday. I’m terrified of making a bad impression or saying something wrong.

Anna: Oh, don’t stress too much. Just be polite and perhaps bring a small token, like some flowers or a box of chocolates. It shows you’re thoughtful.

Chloe: That’s a great suggestion. I was originally thinking of buying a fancy bottle of wine, but I think flowers are a much safer choice. Thanks, Anna!

1 (B) Chloe borrowed his property without asking.

• Explanation: Liam says Chloe took his stuff “without even sending a quick text” and mentions it’s the third time.
• Trap: Option A is wrong because the headphones aren’t broken, just misplaced. Option C is a distractor; he has a presentation, but she didn’t forget to wake him up.

2 (C) She was in a hurry and forgot to ask for permission.

• Explanation: Chloe explicitly states: “I was in such a rush to catch the bus that it completely slipped my mind to ask.” In B1, “in a rush” is a synonym for “in a hurry.”
• Trap: Option A is a “cú lừa” (trap). She mentions being annoyed about chores, but the immediate reason she didn’t ask was because she was in a rush.

3 (B) Liam agrees to clean the house to apologize for his laziness.

• Explanation: At the end, Liam says: “I’ll handle all the cleaning this weekend to make up for it.” This is a way of apologizing for being “lazy with the kitchen.”
• Trap: Option A is wrong because Liam (not Chloe) will do the chores. Option C is not mentioned.

Liam: Chloe, have you seen my noise-canceling headphones? I’ve been looking for them for twenty minutes!

Chloe: Oh, um, they’re in my room, Liam. I needed them for my study session at the library earlier.

Liam: Again? Chloe, this is the third time this week you’ve taken my stuff without even sending a quick text. I actually needed them for an important online presentation ten minutes ago!

Chloe: I’m really sorry. I was in such a rush to catch the bus that it completely slipped my mind to ask.

Liam: It’s just frustrating. It feels like you don’t respect my boundaries.

Chloe: Well, to be honest, I was also feeling a bit annoyed because you skipped your turn to do the dishes twice this week. I thought if I’m doing your chores, I could use your things.

Liam: Wait, chores and personal property are two different things! But… you’re right, I have been lazy with the kitchen lately. I’ve just been so stressed with work.

Chloe: I get it. I shouldn’t have taken them without permission, though. I’ll bring them back right now.

Liam: Thanks. And tell you what, I’ll handle all the cleaning this weekend to make up for it.

Chloe: That sounds fair. Deal!

1 (B) At an indoor dining venue.

• Explanation: The mom says they decided to “book a private room at the Italian restaurant downtown.” An indoor dining venue is a paraphrase for a restaurant.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. Leo suggests a “backyard barbecue” (which means eating in the garden), but the mom rejects this idea because of the heavy rain forecast. Option C is not mentioned.

2 (C) He has work-related commitments.

• Explanation: The dad explains that Uncle John has a “major business conference he can’t miss.” Paraphrasing: business conference = work-related commitments.
• Trap: Option A is incorrect. The dad mentions flights (“bought her tickets”), but this was about Aunt Martha, not a problem for Uncle John. Option B is not mentioned.

3 (A) Create online cards for the guests.

• Explanation: The mom asks Leo to “design the digital invitations,” which means creating online cards.
• Trap: Option B is a trap because calling the relatives in California was a task the Dad already did. Option C is a distractor because the Dad mentions giving the restaurant a headcount, but it’s not the task assigned to Leo.

Dad: Alright everyone, we need to finalize the plans for your grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary next month.

Leo: Are we still doing a backyard barbecue? I think Grandpa would really love that.

Mom: We seriously thought about it, Leo. But the weather forecast predicts heavy rain that whole weekend. So, we’ve decided to book a private room at the Italian restaurant downtown instead.

Leo: Oh, that makes sense. Have we invited Aunt Martha and Uncle John? They live in California, so they’ll need time to book flights.

Dad: I actually called them yesterday. Aunt Martha is thrilled and has already bought her tickets. Uncle John, unfortunately, has a major business conference he can’t miss, so he won’t be able to make it.

Mom: It’s a shame he can’t come, but at least your aunt will be here. Leo, can you help me design the digital invitations for the rest of the local relatives?

Leo: Sure, Mom. I can get started on those right after dinner. Do we want them sent out by this Friday?

Dad: Yes, that would be perfect. We need to give the restaurant an exact headcount soon.

1 (B) She thinks set-ups by friends are often uncomfortable.

• Explanation: Emma says that “blind dates are usually super awkward.” In this context, a blind date organized by friends is a “set-up,” and “uncomfortable” is a synonym for “awkward.”
• Trap: Option A is wrong because “colleague” is mentioned as Ryan’s relationship to Jake and Mia, not Emma. Option C is a trap because the audio mentions volunteering, but that is not her reason for refusing.

2 (B) They enjoy taking pictures in nature.

• Explanation: Jake mentions that Ryan is obsessed with “outdoor photography, just like you.” Taking pictures in nature is a paraphrase of outdoor photography.
• Trap: Option A is incorrect. Ryan works with Jake and Mia, not Emma. Option C is plausible in real life but is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) The friends will meet for a relaxed group beverage.

• Explanation: Jake suggests “grabbing coffee” and calls it a “casual group thing.” A relaxed group beverage perfectly paraphrases this idea.
• Trap: Option A is a trap. They both like hiking, but that is not the plan for this weekend. Option B is wrong because Emma jokingly says they “owe me dinner” only if the date goes terribly, which is a future condition, not the plan for this weekend.

Jake: Emma, Mia and I have a little proposition for you. We know you’ve been complaining about being single lately.

Emma: Oh no, what are you two plotting?

Mia: Hear us out! We have a colleague named Ryan. He’s exactly your type, and we think you two would be a great match.

Emma: I don’t know, guys. To be honest, blind dates are usually super awkward. I’d rather just meet someone naturally.

Jake: But you never go out! And Ryan is really easygoing. Plus, guess what? He is completely obsessed with hiking and outdoor photography, just like you.

Mia: Yeah, and he even volunteered at that animal rescue center you love. He’s not some random stranger; we can vouch for him.

Emma: Hmm, outdoor photography, huh? And he likes dogs?

Jake: Yes! Look, we’re all grabbing coffee this Saturday. Just come hang out. No pressure, it’s just a casual group thing. If you don’t click, you never have to see him again.

Emma: Alright, fine. A quick coffee sounds okay. But if this goes terribly, you both owe me dinner!