Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Phone Messages

Getting Ready

Do you use your phone often? Think about the questions below. Discuss your answers with a partner.

1) How many phone calls do you make a day?

2) How many phone calls do you receive a day?

3) Who do you call most often?

4) How many text messages do you send a day?

5) How many text messages do you receive a day?

6) Who do you text most often?

7) What else do you use your cell phone for?

8) Do you prefer making phone calls or texting? Why?

Show answers

your own answers

Listening 1

Listen to the messages on Lara’s voicemail. Complete the information about each call.

1   Important Message

Name of caller:

Telephone number:

Best time to call:

David

________.

after ________.


2   Important Message

Name of caller:

Telephone number:

Best time to call:

Sarah

________.

between ____ and ____

3   Important Message

Name of caller:

Telephone number:

Best time to call:

Peter

________.

between ____ and ____

Show answers & Transcript

1) telephone number: 981-2146

  best time to call: 9:00

2) telephone number: 461-5793

  best time to call: 6:00 – 7:00

3) telephone number: 391-6451

  best time to call: 2:00 – 6:00

4) telephone number: 536-8775

  best time to call: Saturday (morning or afternoon)

Transcript

1)

Hi. This is David. Remember me? We met at Bob’s party. David – you know – the one with curly blond hair and green eyes? Anyway, just calling to say hello. I’d love to see you again. Can you call me tonight? number is 981-2146. I’ll be home after 9:00. Thanks. Bye.

2)

Hi, Lara. This is Sarah calling. Sorry I missed you. I’ve got some really interesting news. It’s about that cute blond guy we met at the party. Why don’t you call me? I’m at mom’s place. The number is 461-5793. Try to call me between 6:00 and 7:00 tonight. Bye.

3)

Hello, I’m calling for Lara. name’s Peter Rogers. That R-O-G-E-R-S, from Morning Star Travel. I’m calling about your plane reservations. Please call me back at 391-6451. The best time to reach me is between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. Thanks.

4)

Hello. This is Linda Wong. Lara, could you call me on Saturday, in the morning or afternoon? Do you have number? In case you don’t, it’s 536-8775. Thanks. Bye.

Listening 2

Task 1

Listen to these messages on Andre’s voicemail. Circle the correct message.

1)  a Pick up the car on Tuesday morning.

b Pick up the car on Friday afternoon.

2)  a ABC Express will deliver a package tomorrow.

b ABC Express delivered a package today.

3)  a Susan is inviting Andre to a party on Saturday.

b Susan is telling Andre she will come to his party.

4)  a The shirt has arrived.

b the shirt hasn’t arrived yet.

5)  a Kathy cannot go to dinner.

b Kathy can go to dinner after work.

6)  a Dr. Costello can give Andre a dental appointment on Thursday.

b Dr. Costello can give Andre a dental appointment on Tuesday.

Show answers

1) b   2) b   3) a   4) a   5) a   6) b

Task 2

Listen again. Does the caller want Andre to call back or will the caller phone again later? Check (✓) the correct answer.

4   Important Message

Name of caller:

Telephone number:

Best time to call:

Linda Wong

________.

________.

Andre should return the call.

The caller will telephone Andre.

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

Show answers & Transcript

1) Andre should return the call.

2) Andre should return the call.

3) The caller will telephone Andre.

4) Andre should return the call.

5) The caller will telephone Andre.

6) Andre should return the call.

Transcript

1)

Hello. This is Jim from Jim’s Auto Repair. I’m calling about your car. I’m afraid it’s not going to be ready until Friday. You can pick it up any time after four. By the way, the car radio isn’t working properly. Do you want us to fix that, too? Please give us a call today to confirm.

2)

Hi. This is your neighbor Pat. ABC Express tried to deliver a package today, but you weren’t home, so they left it with me. If you like, I’ll bring it over tonight around 8 o’clock. Let me know if you’ll be home.

3)

Hi, Andre. This is Susan. I’d like to invite you to birthday party on Saturday. I hope you can come. Bring a friend if you like. I’ll be out till late tonight, so I’ll be in touch tomorrow to give you more details. Bye.

4)

This is Classic Clothes. The shirt you ordered is in. Please come by and pick it up. Or if you like, we can send it to your office. Please let us know which you prefer.

5)

Ander. Hi. This is Kathy. Sorry I missed you. Thanks for your invitation to dinner tomorrow. It sounds lovely, but unfortunately I can’t go. I have to work late. I’ll try you tomorrow morning again before 9:00. Bye

6)

This is Dr. Costello’s office. We’re calling about your dental appointment. We can’t give you an appointment on Thursday, but we can give you one next Tuesday. Please give us a call to confirm.

Listening 3

Task 1

Daniel is listening to messages on his voicemail at work. Is each statement true or false? Listen and check (✓) the correct answer.

True

False

1)  a The message is from an airline company.

b The flights are confirmed.

     c Free transportation to the hotel is available.

     d The driver should not be tipped.

2)  a The message is from the mailroom.

b The package is waiting.

     c The mailroom will deliver the package.

     d He received a letter.

3)  a The invitation is for dinner.

b He wants to go to a Mexican restaurant.

     c He suggests a boat trip after the meal.

     d He will call again later.

4)  a The shirts can be picked up now.

b The store is open until 9:00 p.m.

     c The cost is $29.

     d You can pay by check or credit card.

Show answers

1) False, True, True, False

2) True, True, False, False

3) False, False, True, False

4) True, True, False, False

Task 2

Listen again. What is each caller’s phone number? Write the answers.

1) Mary ____________

2) Peter ____________

3) Mike ____________

4) Mrs. Jones ____________

Show answers & Transcript

1) 878-1990      2 44

3) 754-9367      4 468-3114

Transcript

1)

Hi. This is Mary from Gold Coast Travel Agency. We’ve confirmed your flights for you. We’re e-mailing your itinerary to you, so you should be receiving it any minute. We’ve also booked you for three nights in the Paradise Inn, right on the beach. The hotel has a shuttle bus that takes you from the airport to the hotel, and it should be waiting for you outside the baggage claim area. It’s a complimentary shuttle, so you don’t have to pay for the trip, although we recommend you tip the driver. A few dollars for each bag should be fine. All right? Call me at 878-1990 when you get this message.

2)

Hey, this is Peter from the mailroom. There’s a package here waiting for you, so when you get a chance, could you come down and pick it up? Actually, it’s after five o’clock, so I guess we’re closed now. I’ll leave the package for you at the front desk, with the receptionist. Just pick it up tomorrow from her. Oh, I almost forgot. That letter you were waiting for, the urgent one with the legal documents? I’m sorry to tell you it hasn’t arrived yet. If you want to check again tomorrow morning, just give me a call at extension 44.

3)

Hi, this is Mike. Hope you’re not working too hard down there! Anyway, I was calling to ask you something. Would you like to have lunch with me? I want to take you to lunch at a great Italian restaurant near the harbor. They serve this really amazing vegetarian lasagna, and the service is really great – helpful and polite. Then, after lunch, I was thinking maybe we could take a boat trip on the river. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. Anyway, give me a call on Thursday and let me know if you’re free. number is 754-9367.

4)

Hi, this message is for Dan. This is Mrs. Jones from Sunshine Dry Cleaners. The shirts you left with us on Friday are ready now. Please pick them up from the store any time on Monday. We’re open until 9:00 p.m. In case you don’t remember, we’re on the corner of Elm Street and Highway 31, next to the movie theater. The total cost for the shirts is $25.99. We don’t take checks, but you can pay by credit card or cash. If you have any questions, please call me. The number is 468-3114.

Conversation Corner: Saying phone numbers

Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A:  Mike called today. He wants to go to the restaurant with us tonight.

B:  Did he leave his number?

A:  Yes. It’s ________ He also asked us to invite Lisa.

B:  Did he leave her number?

A:  No, but I have it memorized. It’s ________

B:  Got it. We should call the restaurant, too. I think their number is ________

Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to use the correct intonation.

Show answers & Transcript

A:  Mike called today. He wants to go to the restaurant with us tonight.

B:  Did he leave his number?

A:  Yes. It’s 645-760-3950 . He also asked us to invite Lisa.

B:  Did he leave her number?

A:  No, but I have it memorized. It’s 760-3950 .

B:  Got it. We should call the restaurant, too. I think their number is 858-7869 .

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