Studying Abroad – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (A) He packed too much cold-weather clothing.

• The Key (Correct): The mother points out that he packed four “heavy winter coats” (paraphrased in the option as “cold-weather clothing”), which is making the bag impossible to zip.
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect because he wants to put his books and camera equipment in the extra space later, but they are not the reason the bag is currently overweight.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible in a real-life scenario, but the mother only suggests adding the snacks after he removes the coats.

2 (C) Pack a single coat and buy the rest after arriving.

• The Key (Correct): The mother suggests he “take one for the first few weeks, and purchase more suitable ones when you arrive,” and Leo agrees to “leave three behind.”
• The Trap: Option (A) was Leo’s original intention, but he changed his mind. Option (B) is a distractor because he does not leave all of them at home; he takes exactly one.

3 (B) He wants to avoid extra airline charges for heavy bags.

• The Key (Correct): Leo explicitly states that “paying overweight baggage fees isn’t worth a few packs of noodles.” “Overweight baggage fees” is paraphrased as “extra airline charges.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. He never says he dislikes the food; in fact, he says “I really appreciate it.”
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible for a health-conscious student, but health or the quality of Canadian food is never discussed.

Leo: Mom, I can’t zip my suitcase. It’s definitely over the 23-kilo limit!

Mom: Well, let’s see what you have in here. Oh, Leo, do you really need all these heavy winter coats? You packed four of them!

Leo: I’m moving to Canada, Mom. It gets freezing there.

Mom: I know, but they take up so much room. Why don’t you just take one for the first few weeks, and purchase more suitable ones when you arrive? They probably sell better winter gear there anyway.

Leo: Hmm, yeah, that makes sense. I’ll leave three behind. That frees up a lot of space.

Mom: Great. Now you have room for all this dried food I bought you! I’ve got dried mangoes, instant noodles, and some local coffee.

Leo: Mom, I really appreciate it, but I can find Asian groceries in Toronto easily. I’d rather use this extra space for my favorite books and my camera equipment.

Mom: Are you sure? You’ll miss my cooking!

Leo: I will, but paying overweight baggage fees isn’t worth a few packs of noodles.

Mom: Fair enough. Let’s take the food out and weigh this bag again.

1 (B) He is worried the aroma of his daily drink might annoy Jin.

• The Key (Correct): Mateo says he brews coffee every morning and hopes “the smell won’t bother you.” (Paraphrased: smell = aroma, bother = annoy, coffee = daily drink).
• The Trap: Option (A) is plausible because he says he is an “early bird,” but he never mentions making noise.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is not mentioned at all.

2 (A) He has to attend lessons early the next day.

• The Key (Correct): Jin states, “I usually have morning classes, so I try to be in bed by 11 PM.” (Paraphrased: morning classes = attend lessons early).
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect because it is Mateo, not Jin, who says “I prefer studying at the library.”
• Not mentioned: Option (C) sounds like a logical reason for an international student, but calling family is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) They will take turns doing the household chores on a weekly basis.

• The Key (Correct): Mateo suggests they “alternate every week,” which means to “take turns… on a weekly basis.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because Mateo offers to do both vacuuming and taking out the trash for the first week, not permanently split the tasks this way.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible, but they agree to alternate weeks, not clean together on weekends.

Mateo: Hi, you must be Jin. I’m Mateo. I just got here.

Jin: Hey Mateo, nice to meet you. I arrived yesterday. Where are you from?

Mateo: I’m from Colombia. I actually brought some amazing local coffee from my hometown. I usually brew a fresh pot every morning. Um, I hope the smell won’t bother you.

Jin: Not at all! I love coffee. I’m from South Korea, by the way. I brought lots of spicy snacks, so we can definitely share.

Mateo: Sounds great. Well, since we’re sharing this space, should we set a few ground rules?

Jin: Definitely. Umm, I usually have morning classes, so I try to be in bed by 11 PM. Is that okay with you?

Mateo: That works for me. I’m quite an early bird myself. I prefer studying at the library anyway, so the room will be completely quiet at night.

Jin: Perfect. And what about cleaning? Should we divide the work?

Mateo: How about we alternate every week? I can do the vacuuming and take out the trash this week, and you take the next?

Jin: Deal. I think we’re going to get along just fine!

1 (B) He is wearing a special item of clothing borrowed from a friend.

• The Key (Correct): The son says, “my roommate lent me a thermal jacket.” (Paraphrased: roommate = friend, lent me = borrowed, thermal jacket = special item of clothing).
• The Trap: Option (C) is incorrect. He mentions the “airport” and “shock,” but he didn’t buy a coat there.
• Not mentioned: Option (A) is plausible for someone who hates the cold, but it is not mentioned.

2 (B) He finds the meals provided at the university rather tasteless.

• The Key (Correct): He describes the cafeteria food as “pretty bland,” which means it has no strong flavor or is “tasteless.” Because of this, he went to an Asian grocery store to cook for himself.
• The Trap: Option (C) mentions his “roommate”, but the roommate is only mentioned earlier regarding the jacket. He is cooking for himself (“make myself a familiar meal”).
• Not mentioned: Option (A) is a common reason for students to cook, but the cost of the food is never discussed.

3 (C) He is feeling positive and appreciates his new self-reliance.

• The Key (Correct): The mother says he sounds “upbeat” (positive), and he confirms by saying he is “really enjoying the independence” (self-reliance).
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect. He says “I miss you guys a lot”, but he immediately contrasts it with “But I’m really enjoying…”, showing he is not overcome by loneliness. Option (A) is also a trap; he mentions a “shock” at the airport, but he is not miserable now.

Mom: Hi, honey! Oh, it’s so good to see your face. How are things over there? Are you surviving the freezing temperatures?

Son: Hi, Mom! Yeah, I’m doing okay. Honestly, stepping out of the airport was a shock. The wind was brutal. But, um, my roommate lent me a thermal jacket, so I actually feel quite warm now when I go outside.

Mom: Oh, that’s a relief. What about the meals? Are you eating properly? You always complain about Western food.

Son: Well… the cafeteria food is pretty bland, to be honest. Everything is just boiled potatoes and roasted meat. But don’t worry! I found a small Asian grocery store near the campus today. I bought some ingredients and I’m going to make myself a familiar meal tonight.

Mom: That makes me feel much better. You sound very upbeat, despite the challenges.

Son: I am! I mean, I miss you guys a lot, of course. But I’m really enjoying the independence.

1 (A) He was unable to purchase his food and clothes.

• The Key (Correct): Leo went to buy “groceries and a new winter jacket” (paraphrased as “food and clothes”) but everything was “shut” (closed), meaning he was unable to purchase them.
• The Trap: Option (C) is incorrect. He mentions that back home the malls are “packed” (crowded), but he is not annoyed by crowds here; he is annoyed because the stores are closed.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a common problem for international students, but getting lost is never mentioned.

2 (B) Customers should buy things early in the day on weekends.

• The Key (Correct): Maya advises that “You basically have to do all your errands on Saturday mornings.” (Paraphrased: Saturday mornings = early in the day on weekends).
• The Trap: Option (C) is incorrect because the stores are not closed for the entire weekend, they just close early (“by the late afternoon on weekends”).
• Not mentioned: Option (A) is plausible in modern times, but shopping online is not discussed in the audio.

3 (C) He did not include an additional fee for the service.

• The Key (Correct): Leo forgot that “gratuity” (a tip) is mandatory, and Maya asks if he forgot to leave “a little extra money.” (Paraphrased: gratuity/extra money = additional fee for the service).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. Leo says he “paid the exact amount on the bill,” which means he had enough money for the food, just not the tip.
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a plausible reason for a waiter to look strangely at a customer, but Leo never complained about the quality.

Maya: Hey, Leo. You look exhausted. What happened?

Leo: Ugh, I just walked all the way to the city center to buy some groceries and a new winter jacket, but everything was shut!

Maya: Really? But it’s only 5 PM on a Sunday.

Leo: Exactly! Back home, the malls are packed until 10 PM. Here, it seems like the whole town goes to sleep by the late afternoon on weekends. It’s so frustrating.

Maya: Oh, I know. It took me a few weeks to get used to their business hours. You basically have to do all your errands on Saturday mornings.

Leo: Yeah, lesson learned. And don’t even get me started on eating out. I went to a cafe yesterday, paid the exact amount on the bill, and the waiter gave me a really weird look.

Maya: Ah… did you forget to leave a little extra money on the table?

Leo: I did! I completely forgot that gratuity is practically mandatory here. I felt so embarrassed when I realized it later.

Maya: Well, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s all part of the culture shock, right?

1 (B) Because they want to avoid the poor weather conditions expected tomorrow.

• The Key (Correct): Diego agrees to the gallery because “the forecast predicted heavy rain tomorrow.” (Paraphrased: heavy rain = poor weather conditions).
• The Trap: Option (A) uses the word “maintenance”, but in the audio, the maintenance is happening on the subway tracks, not at the gardens.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) mentions “historical exhibits” which Sakura wants to see, but doing a school project is never mentioned.

2 (C) They will take the express bus service.

• The Key (Correct): Liam suggests that “catching the express bus would be much faster,” and Sakura agrees by saying “The bus it is, then.”
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. Liam looks at the subway (underground train) map initially, but they reject it because of “major delays.”
• Not mentioned: Option (B) is a logical way to travel, but taxis are not discussed in the conversation.

3 (A) It is quite costly but provides large amounts of food.

• The Key (Correct): Diego describes the restaurant as “slightly expensive” (quite costly) but adds that “the portions are huge” (provides large amounts of food).
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect because the restaurant was recommended by Diego’s roommate, not his university professor.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible, but slow service is never mentioned in the audio.

Liam: Hey guys, we finally have a free weekend. We should definitely explore the city!

Sakura: That’s a great idea. I’d love to visit the National Art Gallery. I read that the historical exhibits are amazing.

Diego: Well, I was actually thinking about going to the Botanical Gardens. But honestly, the gallery is probably a safer choice since the forecast predicted heavy rain tomorrow. How should we get there?

Liam: Let me look at the subway map on my phone. Um, we could take the Blue Line, but it says there are major delays due to track maintenance. So, catching the express bus would be much faster.

Sakura: The bus it is, then. And after looking around the gallery, we have to try some local food. I really want to eat that traditional fish stew everyone talks about.

Diego: Oh, I know just the spot! There’s a highly-rated restaurant right across from the gallery. It’s slightly expensive, but my roommate said the portions are huge and the flavor is incredible.

Liam: Awesome. Let’s meet at the main bus station at 10 AM tomorrow!