Studying Abroad – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) Official identification, proof of studying, and a housing contract.

• The Key (Correct): The clerk asks for a “passport” (official identification), a “university enrollment letter” (proof of studying), and a “rental agreement” (housing contract).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because the clerk does not ask for his parents’ financial records. Option (C) mentions “five dollars”, but that is discussed later as a standard fee, not a deposit.
• Not mentioned: A student card is mentioned later to waive fees, but it wasn’t in the initial list of required documents.

2 (C) He will not have to pay any maintenance costs for the account.

• The Key (Correct): The clerk says they “completely waive the maintenance fee” and it is “totally free for up to four years” because he is a student.
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The “five dollars” charge applies to “standard accounts”, but his fee is waived. Option (B) is incorrect because it is completely free, not just a “small discount”.

3 (B) He will provide specific banking details to his parents for the transaction.

• The Key (Correct): The clerk tells the student to “send that information” (SWIFT code and account number = specific banking details) to his parents so they can process the “wire transfer” (transaction).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The bank does not send anything to the parents’ branch; the student must send the information. Option (C) is the opposite of the truth. The bank gives the SWIFT code to the student, not the parents.

Bank Clerk: Good morning. How can I help you today?

Student: Hi. Um, I’m an international student and I’d like to open a new bank account so I can get a debit card.

Bank Clerk: Certainly. To set that up, I’ll need to see your passport, your university enrollment letter, and a proof of your current address, like a rental agreement.

Student: I have all of those right here in my folder. By the way, are there any monthly charges for keeping the account active?

Bank Clerk: Well, our standard accounts usually cost five dollars a month. However, since you have a valid student ID, we completely waive the maintenance fee. It’s totally free for up to four years.

Student: Oh, that’s a relief! One more thing. My parents need to send me funds from back home. How does that work?

Bank Clerk: It’s quite straightforward. Once your account is open, I will give you a document with your SWIFT code and account number. You just send that information to your parents, and their local branch can process the international wire transfer.

Student: Great. Let’s go ahead and fill out the paperwork.

1 (B) The electricity and the internet connection.

• The Key (Correct): The agent says the student needs to set up his own accounts for “power and broadband.” (Paraphrased: power = electricity; broadband = internet connection).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because the agent explicitly states that “water and heating are included in your rent,” meaning the student does not pay for them separately.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible for an apartment, but maintenance and parking are never mentioned.

2 (A) Because they tend to ruin the items inside the flat.

• The Key (Correct): The agent explains that dogs and cats are prohibited because “they often damage the furniture.” (Paraphrased: damage = ruin; furniture = items inside the flat).
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect. The agent mentions dogs and cats, but does not mention anything about “noisy pets” or neighbors complaining.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a common real estate practice (pet deposit), but it is not discussed in the audio.

3 (B) He is slightly disappointed but agrees to sign the document anyway.

• The Key (Correct): Alex says “That’s a pity” (which shows he is slightly disappointed), but adds “it’s not a dealbreaker. Let’s proceed with the paperwork” (meaning he agrees to sign).
• The Trap: Option (A) is an extreme reaction. He is not angry and does not cancel the contract.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is completely fabricated. He actually wanted to adopt a cat, so he is not relieved by the rule.

Mr. Henderson: Welcome, Alex. Here is the lease agreement for the apartment on 5th Avenue. Have you read through it?

Alex: Thanks, Mr. Henderson. Um, before I sign, I have a few questions. First, regarding the initial payment, is the security deposit equal to one month’s rent?

Mr. Henderson: Yes, that’s correct. You’ll need to pay that upfront along with your first month. If you leave the place in good condition, it’s fully refundable.

Alex: Got it. And what about the monthly costs? Does the rent cover things like electricity, water, and internet?

Mr. Henderson: Well, the water and heating are included in your rent. However, you will need to set up your own accounts for power and broadband.

Alex: Okay, I can manage that. One last thing. I don’t have one now, but I might want to adopt a cat later this year. Is that allowed?

Mr. Henderson: Ah, I’m afraid the building has a strict policy. We only permit small birds or fish. Dogs and cats are completely prohibited because they often damage the furniture.

Alex: I see. That’s a pity, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Let’s proceed with the paperwork.

1 (A) He wants to avoid committing to a lengthy legal agreement.

• The Key (Correct): The student states he wants a prepaid SIM card because “I really don’t want to sign a long-term contract.” (Paraphrased: long-term contract = lengthy legal agreement).
• The Trap: Option (B) is incorrect. The clerk mentions “unlimited local minutes” later when describing the Basic Plan, but this is not the student’s goal.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a plausible reason for choosing prepaid, but the student never mentions his budget or being unable to afford regular packages.

2 (B) To get digital directions and communicate visually with his relatives.

• The Key (Correct): The student explains he needs data because he uses “navigation apps” to find his way, and makes “video calls to my family.” (Paraphrased: navigation apps = digital directions; video calls = communicate visually; family = relatives).
• The Trap: Option (C) is incorrect because the student explicitly says, “I rarely send regular text messages.”
• Not mentioned: Option (A) is a common use for high data, but streaming movies is never mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) It does not provide enough internet capacity for the student’s habits.

• The Key (Correct): The clerk says the Basic Plan only gives “5 gigabytes of data” and warns that “That won’t be enough for daily video chats.” (Paraphrased: 5 gigabytes won’t be enough = does not provide enough internet capacity).
• The Trap: Option (B) uses the phrase “neighboring countries”, but this is a feature of the Global Surf package, not the Basic Plan.
• Not mentioned: Option (A) is a trap. The clerk says the amount of data (capacity) is too low, not that the speed of the Basic Plan is too slow.

Clerk: Hi there, welcome to Mobile Connect. How can I help you today?

Student: Hi, um, I just arrived in the country for my studies, and I need a local phone number. I’m looking for a prepaid SIM card. I really don’t want to sign a long-term contract.

Clerk: Sure, a pay-as-you-go plan is usually best for international students. What do you mainly use your phone for? Calling, texting, or browsing the internet?

Student: Well, I rarely send regular text messages. I really need a massive data allowance. I use navigation apps constantly to find my way around the city, and I make long video calls to my family back home every evening.

Clerk: I see. Well, we have the “Basic Plan” which gives you unlimited local minutes, but only 5 gigabytes of data. That won’t be enough for daily video chats. I highly recommend the “Global Surf” package. It offers 60 gigabytes of 5G speed, plus free roaming in neighboring countries.

Student: That sounds perfect. Is it easy to set up?

Clerk: Very easy. Just hand me your passport, and we can activate it in about five minutes.

1 (B) Services related to teeth and vision.

• The Key (Correct): The staff explicitly states that “dental work and eye tests are not part of this package.” (Paraphrased: dental work = teeth; eye tests = vision; not part of this package = excluded).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because the plan does include “mental health support” (psychological issues).
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is plausible for a student insurance policy, but sports injuries are never mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) Patients must reserve a meeting time beforehand.

• The Key (Correct): The staff tells the student that “we require students to book a consultation in advance.” (Paraphrased: book a consultation = reserve a meeting time; in advance = beforehand).
• The Trap: Option (B) is the opposite of what is required. The student asks if he can just “walk in” (arrive without warning), but the staff says they “prefer that you don’t” unless it is a critical emergency.
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a standard medical procedure, but submitting health records is not discussed here.

3 (B) By using the school’s online patient platform.

• The Key (Correct): The staff suggests logging into the “university website” where there is a “patient portal”, and the student agrees, saying “I’ll definitely use the website then.” (Paraphrased: university website/portal = school’s online platform).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect. The student asks “Should I call the office?”, and while the staff says he can, he ultimately decides the website is “much faster.”
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is completely fabricated. Emailing the staff is not offered as an option.

Staff: Hello, welcome to the University Health Center. How can I help you today?

Student: Hi. Um, I’m a new international student, and I have some questions about the mandatory health insurance plan. Does it pay for all types of medical treatments?

Staff: Not exactly. The basic plan covers general sickness, like if you catch the flu, and it also includes mental health support. But unfortunately, dental work and eye tests are not part of this package. You’d have to pay extra for those.

Student: Oh, that makes sense. I’ll just stick to the basic plan for now. Also, if I feel unwell, can I just walk in here and see a doctor?

Staff: We actually prefer that you don’t. Unless it’s a critical emergency, we require students to book a consultation in advance.

Student: I see. How do I do that? Should I call the office?

Staff: You can, but the quickest way is to log into the university website. There’s a patient portal where you can choose an available time slot.

Student: Great, I’ll definitely use the website then. It seems much faster. Thanks for the information!

1 (B) To submit a request to stay for another academic year.

• The Key (Correct): The student states he needs to “apply for an extension for my second year.” (Paraphrased: apply for an extension = submit a request to stay; second year = another academic year).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because he is applying for his second year, not his “very first year” (brand new visa).
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is a plausible reason to visit immigration, but losing a passport is never mentioned.

2 (A) It must be a certified physical document from the university.

• The Key (Correct): The officer says, “we require an official copy stamped by the school registry. A digital printout won’t be accepted.” (Paraphrased: official copy stamped = certified physical document).
• The Trap: Option (C) is incorrect. The student can access it online (“download my transcript from the student portal”), but the officer says that format is not allowed. Option (B) uses the word “grades,” but there is no mention of his grades being low.

3 (B) A written statement confirming they will pay for his daily needs.

• The Key (Correct): The officer says that if he uses his parents’ account, he must attach a “formal letter from them stating they will cover your living expenses.” (Paraphrased: formal letter = written statement; cover living expenses = pay for his daily needs).
• The Trap: Option (A) is incorrect because the officer asks for bank statements from the last “three months,” not “three years.”
• Not mentioned: Option (C) is completely fabricated. A meeting with the parents is not required.

Officer: Next, please. How can I help you today?

Student: Good morning. My current student visa expires at the end of next month, and I need to apply for an extension for my second year. Could you tell me what documents are required?

Officer: Certainly. First, you must provide an updated confirmation of enrollment from your university. We also need your academic record from the past year.

Student: Oh, you mean my grades? I can just download my transcript from the student portal right now.

Officer: Actually, we require an official copy stamped by the school registry. A digital printout won’t be accepted.

Student: I see. I’ll go to the registry office this afternoon then. What else do I need?

Officer: You must show proof that you can support yourself financially. This means providing bank statements from the last three months.

Student: Does it have to be my personal bank account? My parents transfer money to me every semester.

Officer: It can be your parents’ account, but in that case, you must attach a formal letter from them stating they will cover your living expenses.

Student: Got it. Thank you for your help.