English Listening Exercises for A2 – Problems, problems!

1. Choose the correct verb.

1) We should domake a plan for the weekend.

2) Can you havetell a word with your sister?

3) You should givemake her a call and apologise.

4) Don’t keeptake offence. It was only a joke!

5)madetook an excuse and left the party early.

6) Is it always wrong to maketell a lie?

7) I’m really tired. Can we dotake a break now?

8) I nearly always givetell the truth.

Show answers

1) make   2) have   3) give   4) take   5) made   6) tell

7) take   8 tell

2. Complete the advice with should or shouldn’t and the verbs below.

feel      go      invite      listen      look      open      spend      tell

1) ‘It’s really hot in here.’ ‘We should open a window.’

2) ‘ ears are hurting.’ ‘You ________. ________. to loud music so often.’

3) ‘I think we’re lost.’ ‘Yes. We ________. ________. at a map.’

4) ‘I only got 68% in exam.’ ‘You ________. ________. disappointed. That’s a good mark!’

5) ‘I really like the girl next door.’ ‘We ________. ________. her to our party.’

6) ‘Do you like Reece’s new shirt?’ ‘No – but I don’t think you ________. ________. him that.’

7) ‘ science project isn’t very good.’ ‘Maybe you ________. ________. more time on it.’

8) ‘I don’t feel well.’ ‘You ________. ________. to bed early.’

Show answers

2) shouldn’t listen   3 should look   4) shouldn’t feel

5) should invite   6) should tell   7) should spend

8) should go

3. Write advice for these problems. Use I think / I don’t think you should ___ and your own ideas.

1) best friend gave me a T-shirt for birthday, but I hate it.

  __________

  __________

2) I want to go to the cinema this weekend, but I haven’t got any money.

  __________

  __________

3) I borrowed a DVD from friend, but I’ve lost it.

     ________

     ________

Show answers

your own answers

Listening Strategy

You do not have to understand every word in a listening task. Focus on the general meaning and try not to be distracted by words you do not understand.

4. Read the Listening Strategy. Then listen to three short dialogues. For each one. Choose the best summary of the general meaning (a or b).

1) Ellie is upset because


a she can’t take part in the school show.

b she can’t go to a family wedding.

2) Daisy is excited because


a she likes seeing her cousin.

b her cousin has got a present for her.

3) James is worried because


a he isn’t ready for his music exam.

b he can’t finish his homework in time.

Show answers

1) a   2) b   3) a

Transcript

1)

Ben Hi Ellie. How are you?

Ellie Oh, I’m OK, thanks.

b You don’t sound very happy.

e Well, to be honest, I’m a bit upset about the school show. It doesn’t look like I can be in it this year.

b Why not?

e Because a relative of mine is getting married – and the wedding is on the same night as the first performance.

b That’s bad luck!

e I know.

2)

Leo   Hi, Daisy. What are you up to?

Daisy I’m reading an email from cousin in Canada. He’s planning to visit us next month! I can’t wait ___

l That’s good news. But I didn’t think you got on with him that well.

d I don’t. But he’s OK.

l I don’t understand. You seem really excited ___

d I know. Because he’s bringing me a DVD of the new Twilight film. It isn’t in the shops here, only in America.

l Oh, OK. Now I see. Fantastic!

d I know!

3)

Molly Hi James. What’s wrong?

James Oh, nothing. I’m fine, really – just a bit worried.

m Why’s that?

j I’ve got a piano exam this afternoon and I don’t think I’m ready for it. I need to practise more.

m Can’t you practise now? It’s only ten o’clock in the morning. You’ve got loads of time.

j The problem is, I’ve got to finish homework before lunch!

m Oh dear. Can I help at all?

j No, it’s OK. I just need to concentrate. See you later!

5. Listen to four dialogues (A-D). Match the dialogues with sentences 1-5 below. There is one extra sentence.

The person with the problem:

1) agrees that it is not necessary to tell the truth about it.   ____.

2) agrees to follow the advice, but feels upset.   ____.

3) asks for advice, but decides not to follow it.   ____.

4) gets angry when their friend gives advice.   ____.

5) does not get any advice from their friend.   ____.

Show answers

a 5   b 1   c 3   d 2

6. Listen again. Complete the missing words in these lines from the dialogues.

Dialogue A

1) I ________. ________. ________. what to do.

2) Oh dear – I ________. ________. problem.

Dialogue B

3) You ________. ________. very happy!

4) I ________. ________. right, Daniel.

Dialogue C

5) Can I ________. ________. something?

6) Just talk to him – ________. ________. advice.

Dialogue D

7) I’ve got ________. ________. with Facebook page.

8) No, I ________. ________. you should do that.

Show answers

1) see your   2 just don’t know   3) don’t sound

4) guess you’re   5) ask you   6) that’s

7) this problem   8 don’t think

Transcript


a

Sophia Hi, Charlie. You don’t look very happy. Is there a problem?

Charlie Well, yes. I just don’t know what to do.

s Tell me about it.

c Well, you know I’m in the basketball team ___

s Yes. You’re really good!

c Well, I want to stop playing.

s Stop playing? Why?

c I haven’t got time. I’ve got too much schoolwork this year.

s So ___ what’s the problem?

c I feel bad about leaving the team in the middle of the year.

s Why don’t you talk to your team-mates about it?

c I talked to them yesterday. They were really upset! They say they need me in the team.

s Oh dear – I see your problem.

c What can I do?

s I don’t know. Sorry!

b

Maisie Hi, Daniel.

Daniel Oh, hello Maisie. How are you?

m Oh ___ OK, I suppose.

d You don’t sound very happy!

m Well, I’ve got this problem.

d What is it?

m aunt gave me two tickets to a One Direction concert. It was for birthday.

d But you hate One Direction!

m I know. That’s the problem! I don’t want to go to the concert.

d sister loves One Direction. You can give the tickets to her ___

m But what can I tell aunt? Do you think I should tell the truth?

d Hmm. No, I don’t. Just say you went to the concert and enjoyed it.

m Really? Is that OK?

d I think it is, yes. I mean, you don’t want your aunt to be upset, do you?

m No. I guess you’re right, Daniel.

c

Emma Hello, Luke. Can I ask you something?

Luke Yes, of course. What is it?

e Well, it’s about science project. We have to hand it in tomorrow – and I only started it today!

l Oh dear. Why?

e Well, I was ill last week. Remember? And then I had a lot of other homework __I need more time!

l Talk to Mr Woods, then. Ask for more time.

e But last project was late too. And Mr Woods was really cross with me! So I don’t want to ask for more time.

l You haven’t got a choice. You can’t finish it before tomorrow, can you?

e Well, if I look for something on the internet ___

l Something to copy? No, I don’t think you should do that. Just talk to him – that’s advice.

e I can’t. You don’t understand!

l What are you doing now?

e I’m looking for science projects on the internet.

d

Alice Hi, George. How are things?

George Oh, hello Alice. Hmm. Not too good, really.


a Oh no. What’s the matter?

g Well, I’ve got this problem with Facebook page. I put a photo on it – it’s a photo of me on holiday.


a Yes. So what?

g Well, a few people made comments. They weren’t very nice comments.


a Oh well. That happens sometimes.

g I was really upset.


a You shouldn’t be upset. Just forget about it. People do things like that. It isn’t nice, but it happens. Don’t let it worry you.

g Should I make a complaint to Facebook?


a No, I don’t think you should do that. But you should delete the comments. And maybe take the photo down too.

g OK. I can do that now. Thanks for the advice. But I still feel bad.

Extra exercises

Strategy

Read through the options in the task carefully before listening. Try to predict what kind of text you think you will hear: a conversation, an announcement, part of a talk, part of a radio show, an advert, a telephone message, etc. This will help you to better understand what the text is about.

1. Read the Strategy. Then read the questions and answers in exercise 2 and try to predict what types of text you are going to hear.

Show answers

1) B  2)3)4) B  5)6) B

2. You will hear six texts twice. Choose the correct answer (A-D).

1) What is the speaker giving advice about?


a making life decisions

b studying for tests

c improving your work

d planning your time

2) What is true about A?


a She’s leaving her family.

b She’s starting work.

c She’s leaving her home town.

d She’s going on holiday.

3) The presenter is asking for opinions about


a a news story.

b a holiday.

c a charity.

d a new lottery.

4) What does Lucy do?


a give advice

b ask about an event

c recommend a style of music

d remind someone about an event

5) What is the speaker advertising?


a the best bands to see in August

b the range of food to buy at music events

c different places to make money in the summer

d the chance to work at a music festival

6) Who is the speaker?


a a student discussing schoolwork

b a teacher giving advice on a trip

c a tour guide welcoming visitors

d a weather presenter on television

Show answers

1) B  2)3)4) B  5)6) B

Transcript

1)

Many students get very stressed about exams, but there are ways to beat that stress. The first thing you should do is to decide on a routine and a timetable for study and relaxation. When you’re working, don’t be tempted by computer games, or by checking emails and text messages. Look after your health: eat and sleep properly and get regular exercise. What you do after the exam is important too. Don’t get stressed about how well you’ve done. Walk out of the exam room, and move on.

2)

Sam Hello, A. What’s up? You look sad.


a Well, I am. mum and dad have decided to move to Brighton. They’re going to open a gift shop there.

s Brighton? I love Brighton. It’s got a fantastic beach, and loads of great shops and cafés.


a Yeah, but I’ve always lived here, and I’ve got to go to a new school. I’m going to really miss you, and all other friends.

s I’m going to miss you too, A, but Brighton isn’t far. We can visit you.


a Promise?

s Yes, of course. Don’t worry.

3)

Hello and welcome. Today, we’re talking about Sarah Powers, who recently won a million pounds on the lottery. Now, what do you think she did with all that money? Did she go on a fantastic holiday or buy a new house? No, she didn’t. Sarah gave ALL of the money away to charity. She said she didn’t need money – she was happy with her life. So what do you think about that? We want to know your views. Phone us on the usual number and tell us ___ (fade)

4)

Lucy Hi, Ben. How was your family party?

Ben Oh, hi, Lucy. Well, it was OK, but ___

l What happened?

b Well, first of all, we were late. The car wouldn’t start, and dad started getting really anxious. In the end we got a taxi.

l That sounds OK.

b Yes, but then they played all this really old music at the party, from the eighties, and ___

l Don’t tell me – your mum and dad started dancing!

b Yes. I was so embarrassed.

l I know what you mean. parents do that too!

b It’s horrible, isn’t it?

5)

Can’t afford a ticket for Reading Festival this year? We may have the solution. We’re looking for young people to come and help us organise one of the best festivals in Britain. There are lots of jobs available, including working on the food stalls, directing traffic in the car park, and picking up rubbish from the site. We pay competitive rates. And even better than that ___ you can see all your favourite bands for free! You must be over eighteen, and available on the last weekend in August.

6)

Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re looking forward to the day ahead. I’m afraid the weather’s not going to be brilliant. The forecast is for rain and wind, so please make sure you’ve got your waterproof clothing with you. I recommend waterproof trousers as well as your jacket. Don’t forget you will also need to collect some water from the river. I hope you’ve got your notebooks and pens. There’s no need to bring your science project notes from last lesson. You can update those when we get back to school next week.

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