Workplace Culture – B1 English Listening Exercis

1 (A) He does not know how to operate the updated reservation program.

• Explanation: Kevin states that he is “completely lost with the new booking software”. Option A paraphrases this perfectly as not knowing how to “operate the updated reservation program”.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. The “Boardroom” is mentioned, but Kevin is not physically lost looking for it; he is lost using the software. Option (B) is a plausible technical issue but is never mentioned.

2 (B) By selecting the required items directly on the online booking form.

• Explanation: Laura tells him to “check the boxes for any technical equipment you require” on the online form. Option B uses synonyms (“selecting the required items”) to express this action.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. He needs to send a direct message for the food, not to the IT team (the IT team will just see the form). Option (C) is a trap because the broken cable is a past issue he mentions, not something he needs to fix himself now.

3 (C) He should contact the cafeteria workers directly to make a request.

• Explanation: Laura says he needs to “send a direct message to the cafeteria staff”. Option C paraphrases this as “contact the cafeteria workers directly”.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is exactly what Laura tells him not to do (“you shouldn’t use the software” for catering). Option (B) is a plausible alternative if the company didn’t provide food, but it is not what he is instructed to do.

Kevin: Hi Laura, do you have a minute? I’m trying to arrange a space for a client presentation next Tuesday, but I’m completely lost with the new booking software.

Laura: No problem, Kevin. It’s actually quite straightforward. You just log into the intranet, click on the ‘Facilities’ tab, and select the ‘Boardroom’. That’s our biggest space.

Kevin: Ah, I see it now. Thanks. Um, I also need to make sure we have a working projector. The last time I used the small meeting room, the display cable was broken.

Laura: Don’t worry. There’s a section on the online form where you can check the boxes for any technical equipment you require. The IT team will see it and set everything up for you beforehand.

Kevin: Perfect. And what about hospitality? We’ll have four external guests coming, so I’d like to provide some hot beverages and maybe some biscuits.

Laura: For catering, you shouldn’t use the software. You need to send a direct message to the cafeteria staff at least 48 hours in advance. They’ll bring the tea and snacks right to the room.

Kevin: Got it. I’ll email them right away. Thanks for your help, Laura!

1 (C) She left confidential paperwork on top of her table.

• Explanation: Greg notices “folders left out on your workspace” that contain “client data” and tells her they must be locked away. Option C paraphrases this as leaving “confidential paperwork on top of her table”.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Sarah mentions she is “grabbing my coat,” but that is not the issue Greg is pointing out. Option (B) is plausible, and the word “cabinet” is mentioned, but she never lost her key.

2 (B) She thought the locking policy only applied to accounting records.

• Explanation: Sarah admits she “thought we only had to lock up the financial files.” Option B perfectly paraphrases “financial files” as “accounting records.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. The audio mentions “marketing reports,” but she wanted to leave them on her desk for tomorrow’s presentation, not throw them in the trash. Option (A) is a plausible assumption for someone dealing with security, but it is not mentioned in the dialogue.

3 (A) Turn the screen off entirely before going home.

• Explanation: Greg asks her to make sure her “computer monitor is completely powered down.” Option A uses synonyms (“turn the screen off entirely”) to capture this instruction.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap. Sarah says she “usually just let it go to sleep,” but Greg specifically tells her not to do that (“not just on sleep mode”). Option (C) is a common office practice but is completely absent from the audio.

Greg: Good evening, miss. Are you heading out for the day?

Sarah: Yes, finally! It’s been a long Monday. I’m just grabbing my coat.

Greg: Before you leave, I need to remind you about the company’s clean desk policy. Um, I see some folders left out on your workspace.

Sarah: Oh, those are just some marketing reports for tomorrow’s presentation. Is it a problem if I leave them out?

Greg: Actually, yes. Any documents containing client data must be securely locked away in your cabinet. It’s a very strict part of our information security rules.

Sarah: I didn’t realize that. I honestly thought we only had to lock up the financial files. I’ll put them in the drawer right now.

Greg: Thank you. Also, please make sure your computer monitor is completely powered down, not just on sleep mode.

Sarah: Got it. I usually just let it go to sleep, but I’ll shut it off entirely. There, all done. Have a good night, Greg!

Greg: You too. Have a safe trip home.

1 (A) By scanning their official employee identification card.

• Explanation: Nina says, “You just need to swipe your ID badge at the door to enter.” Option A paraphrases “swipe your ID badge” as “scanning their official employee identification card.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. Booking on the internet (intranet portal) is required for the yoga classes, not for general access to the fitness center. Option (B) is a trap because Dan asks if he needs to “pay a fee,” but Nina says it’s “completely complimentary” (free).

2 (B) Users are required to clean the equipment after exercising.

• Explanation: Nina instructs Dan to “wipe down the machines after you finish using them.” Option B uses synonyms (“clean the equipment”) to accurately reflect this rule.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The audio mentions “sandals,” but Nina explicitly says “no sandals… allowed.” Option (C) is a very plausible gym rule, but it is not mentioned in the audio (she only mentions sanitizing spray).

3 (B) Register online before the middle of the day.

• Explanation: Nina explains that Dan must “reserve your spot through the company’s intranet portal by noon.” Option B paraphrases “intranet portal” as “online” and “by noon” as “before the middle of the day.”
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Dan asks “Do I need to pay a fee here?”, but Nina confirms the classes are “completely complimentary” (free). Option (C) is a logical requirement for physical activities but is never mentioned in the conversation.

Dan: Hi there. I’m a new employee here. I wanted to ask about the company fitness center. What are the operating hours?

Nina: Welcome to the team! The facility is available to all staff from 6 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday. You just need to swipe your ID badge at the door to enter.

Dan: Great. Are there any specific rules I should be aware of?

Nina: The main regulation is to wipe down the machines after you finish using them. We provide sanitizing spray in the corners. Oh, and please wear proper athletic shoes—no sandals or bare feet allowed on the exercise floor.

Dan: That makes perfect sense. I also heard there are evening yoga sessions. How do I join those? Do I need to pay a fee here?

Nina: The classes are completely complimentary for all workers! They take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays right after work. However, spaces are limited, so you must reserve your spot through the company’s intranet portal by noon on the day of the class.

Dan: Excellent. I’ll check the portal later today. Thanks for your help!

1 (B) His communication software closes unexpectedly when adding documents.

• Explanation: The script uses paraphrasing. Peter says his “email client” (communication software) “keeps crashing” (closes unexpectedly) when he tries to “attach a large PDF file” (adding documents).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The word “server” is mentioned by Rachel (“working on a server update”), but it is not Peter’s problem. Option (C) is a plausible IT issue but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) Register his technical issue on the internal company platform.

• Explanation: Rachel asks if he has “submitted an official support request on the portal” and later tells him to “log into the intranet, fill out a quick form”. Option C perfectly paraphrases this action.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. Rachel asks him to wait because she is working on a “server update”, not fixing “another employee’s laptop”. Option (B) is a plausible action, but Rachel says she will “remote into your computer” (fix it via network), so he doesn’t need to bring it anywhere.

3 (B) It helps the IT team organize their workload and document the fixes.

• Explanation: Rachel explains that the system helps them “prioritize tasks” (organize their workload) and “keeps a record of the solutions” (document the fixes).
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (C) is a trap. Peter originally thought calling would be “faster”, but the ticketing system is required for tracking, not necessarily for speed. Option (A) is a logical business assumption but is not stated in the conversation.

Peter: Hi Rachel. It’s Peter from the sales department. Do you have a quick minute?

Rachel: Hi Peter. Sure, what’s going on?

Peter: Well, I’ve been having some trouble with my email client since this morning. Um, it keeps crashing every time I try to attach a large PDF file to my messages. I have an urgent proposal to send. Can you come over and fix it really quick?

Rachel: I see. I’d love to help you sort that out, but I’m currently working on a server update. Have you submitted an official support request on the portal yet?

Peter: A support ticket? No, I haven’t. I figured it would be faster just to give you a call.

Rachel: I understand, but company policy requires us to track all technical issues through the ticketing system. It helps us prioritize tasks and keeps a record of the solutions.

Peter: Ah, right. I completely forgot about the new procedure.

Rachel: No worries. Just log into the intranet, fill out a quick form describing the error, and I’ll get a notification immediately. I’ll remote into your computer as soon as I finish this update.

Peter: Fair enough. I’ll do that right now. Thanks, Rachel.

1 (B) To improve collaboration and talking between employees.

• Explanation: Alex states that they removed cubicles to “encourage better teamwork and communication among the staff”. Option B uses synonyms (“improve collaboration and talking”) to express this exact idea.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is a trap. The lobby is described as “impressive”, but that is not the reason for the open-plan office. Option (C) is a plausible business reason for open spaces, but it was never mentioned in the audio.

2 (A) It consists of separate, closed workspaces.

• Explanation: Mr. Carter mentions that his company still uses “traditional private offices”. Option A accurately paraphrases this as “separate, closed workspaces”.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (B) is a trap because Mr. Carter uses the words “spacious and modern” to describe Alex’s office, not his own. Option (C) is a trap because the word “remodel” is used in the audio, but it refers to what Alex’s company did to their lobby last year, not Mr. Carter’s company.

3 (B) Put down his personal details in a logbook.

• Explanation: Alex asks Mr. Carter to “write your name and the time of your arrival in this visitor register”. Option B perfectly paraphrases “visitor register” as “logbook” and writing his name as putting down “personal details”.
• Why the trap is wrong: Option (A) is exactly what the trap is designed for. Mr. Carter asks if he needs to leave his “ID card”, but Alex explicitly says “No”. Option (C) is a very common security procedure (taking a photo for a badge), making it a plausible distractor, but it is absent from the dialogue.

Alex: Good morning! You must be Mr. Carter from the Sterling Agency. Welcome to our headquarters! I’m Alex.

Mr. Carter: Good morning, Alex. Yes, that’s me. Thank you for having me. Wow, this lobby is quite impressive.

Alex: Thank you! We actually remodeled it last year. As you can see through those glass doors, our entire office features an open-plan layout. We removed all the individual cubicles to encourage better teamwork and communication among the staff.

Mr. Carter: It certainly looks very spacious and modern. My company still uses traditional private offices, so this is quite a change.

Alex: It takes a little getting used to, but we love it. Anyway, before I take you to the meeting room, I need you to complete a quick security procedure. Could you please write your name and the time of your arrival in this visitor register?

Mr. Carter: Of course. Do I need to leave my ID card with you?

Alex: No, just your signature is fine. I’ll give you a temporary guest badge to wear while you’re inside.

Mr. Carter: Alright, all signed.

Alex: Perfect. Let’s head upstairs.