Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Friendship

Getting Ready

What are the most important qualities in a friend? Check (✓) your answers and compare them with a partner.

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

appearance

family background

education

a sense of humor

intelligence

career goals

sensitivity

social skills

other: ________

Show answers

your own answers

Listening 1

People are describing their friends. What qualities are they talking about? Listen and circle the correct answer.

1)  a sense of humor

b sensitivity

2)  a family background

b career goals

3)  a social skills

b sense of humor

4)  a education

b family background

5)  a appearance

b intelligence

6)  a sense of humor

b appearance

Show answers & Transcript

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

Transcript

1)

I really like Allison. She’s such fun to be with. She always makes me laugh. Did she tell you the story about her first day of school? I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in whole life!

2)

I went out with this guy a couple of times, Ted Roberts. Maybe you know him. He’s okay, I guess, but the guy’s got no future. I think he just wants to spend the rest of his life surfing at the beach.

3)

Tony Lee asked me out the other night, and I said no. You know, he is really embarrassing to be with. Last time I went out to a party with him, he nearly got into a fight with someone. And then he wouldn’t leave the party, even after everyone else left.

4)

I’ve been out with Sandra Bronstein twice. She’s really an interesting person. I didn’t realize her father is a pretty well-known artist and her mother is a successful stockbroker. I’d really like to meet her parents sometime.

5)

Do you know Rod, the guy in our Spanish class? Anyway, he’s invited me out on a date. You know the guy I mean – he’s kind of thin, very tall, with long curly hair. And he’s got those dark brown eyes. Just type!

6)

I was stuck sitting next to Martha at a dinner party the other evening. No matter what I said or did, I couldn’t get her to laugh. I wonder why she is so terribly serious.

Listening 2

Task 1

People are giving invitations. Listen and number the pictures.

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Show answers

a 4   b 3   c 6   d 1   e 5   f 2

Task 2

Listen again. Circle the correct information about each invitation.

1)  a Lance refuses Dave’s invitation.

b The invitation is for Saturday.

     c  Lance will meet Dave’s parents on Saturday.

2)  a Paula already has plans.

b They will meet at the bookstore.

     c  The invitation is for Friday.

3)  a There will be free drinks and food.

b Rose refuses the invitation.

     c  Rose doesn’t think it will be fun.

4)  a Melissa accepts the invitation.

b Melissa has to study for a big exam.

     c  Melissa has to work late.

5)  a They will go downtown after class.

b They both need new shoes.

     c  The invitation is for next month.

6)  a The invitation is for Sunday.

b George likes these kinds of shows.

     c  They will go to the show in the morning.

Show answers & Transcript

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

Transcript

1)

A: Hello.

B: Oh, hello, Lance. This is Dave.

A: Oh, hi! How are you?

B: Fine, thanks. Hey, are you doing anything on Saturday?

A: Not really.

B: Well, some friends of mine are having a barbecue. Do you want to come with me?

A: Oh, that sounds like fun. What can I bring?

2)

A: Hello.

B: Hey, Paula. It’s Tina. I’m calling about next week. I wondered if you had anything planned for Wednesday.

A: No, not really. Why?

B: Well, there’s going to be a talk at the bookstore, by that guy whose book we read in class last semester. Remember?

A:  Oh, yeah. Sure. That sounds kind of interesting, and I don’t really have plans.

B:   Great! I’ll meet you at the bookstore Wednesday at 7.

3)

A:  Hi, Rose. How are you?

B:   Not bad. And you?

A:  Okay. Listen, are you interested in going to an art show on Sunday? A friend of mine is having an exhibition of her paintings. It’s the opening night – free drinks and food.

B:  Well, actually, I don’t have anything planned. It sounds kind of fun. Why not?

A: Well then, why don’t I pick you up at 6:30?

B: Okay. I’ll be ready and waiting.

4)

A: Hi, Melissa.

B:  Oh, hello, Suzie.

A: Do you have any plans for tonight? A few friends and I were thinking of going out for a pizza.

B:  Gee, I’d really love to. But I have to work late.

A: Oh, that’s too bad.

B:  Yeah. I really wish I could go.

5)

A: Doing anything after class?

B: Nothing much.

A: Why don’t we go downtown and take a look at the new shoe store?

B: Great idea. I need some new gym shoes.

A: I don’t really need new shoes. I just love shoe shopping!

B: See you after class then.

6)

A: Hey, George, are you interested in going to the car show? It’s going on at the exhibition center.

B: Yeah, I like those kinds of shows. When is it?

A: It opens on Saturday morning.

B: How about we go in the afternoon? I want to sleep late.

A: That’s fine with me.

Listening 3

Task 1

People are giving invitations. What events are they talking about? Listen and circle the correct answer.

1)  a art show

b sports festival

     c   children’s concert

2)  a craft fair

b food fair

     c   farm show

3)  a a movie premiere

b restaurant opening

     c   ice-skating exhibition

4)  a restaurant opening

b book signing

     c   fashion show

5)  a car race

b football game

     c   marathon

6)  a flower show

b art show

     c   concert

Show answers

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

Task 2

Listen again. What reason does each person give for refusing the invitation? Write the correct letter.

1) He ____

2) She ____

3) She ____

4) He ____

5) She ____

6) She ____

a doesn’t like big crowds.

b thinks the writer’s books are boring.

c heard it’s going to be cold.

d was planning to watch a soccer game.

e just started a new diet.

f is only interested in famous artists.

Show answers & Transcript

1) d   2) e   3) a   4) b   5) c   6) f

Transcript

1)

A: I’d really like to see this. Kids from all over the country are participating. And the things they’re playing sound really difficult. There’s one kid who’s been playing the violin since he was two years old!

B: When is it?

A: Let’s see__ It’s Saturday afternoon.

B: I’d really like to see it, but I was planning to watch soccer on TV that day.

2)

A: Hey, this sounds interesting. You get to see how all sorts of unusual foods are prepared, and you get to try different dishes, too. They have chefs from Japan and India, from China, from Mexico, and from Italy, too. What do you think?

B:  Well, it does sound interesting, but I can’t. I’ve just started a new diet, so I can’t eat too much.

3)

A:  Let’s go and see this. I love these kinds of events. A lot of famous people are going to be there. All of the actors who are in it are coming to see it, and the director and producer are going to be there, too.

B:  Really?

A:  Yeah. We’d need to get to the theater early, though, to get a good view. Thousands of people always show up for these premieres.

B:  Actually, I’d rather not go. I don’t like big crowds.

4)

A: This event down at the bookstore could be interesting. It’ll be a chance to get a famous person’s autograph.

B: Oh, yeah? Are you into autographs?

A: Sure. It’s fun to meet famous people.

B: Yeah, but she’s not really one of favorite writers. In fact, I think her books are kind of boring.

5)

A: Let’s go and watch this tomorrow afternoon. It should be a good game. The home team just got two new really good players.

B:  But haven’t they lost a lot of games recently?

A:  Well, yeah. But they’re playing better now.

B:  Thanks for asking me, but I think I’ll stay home. I heard it’s going to be pretty cold tomorrow.

6)

A:  Let’s check out this exhibition at the gallery downtown. The artists seem pretty talented.

B:  Hmm. What artists? Any big names?

A:  No, not really. They’re all local artists.

B:  Well, thanks anyway, but I’m only interested in seeing works by famous artists.

Conversation Corner: Describing people

Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A: Do you know Sandra Thomas?

B: Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?

A: She’s in history class. I ________ She’s so funny.

B: I know. She makes me laugh all the time.

A: She seems ______ ______, ______ .

B: She really is smart. She gets As in all her classes. Have you met her brother and sister?

A: No, what are they like? Are they like Sandra?

B: Her brother’s completely different. He’s intelligent, but ______ ______ ______ at all.

Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to stress the correct words for emphasis.

Show answers & Transcript

A: Do you know Sandra Thomas?

B: Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?

A: She’s in history class. I really like her . She’s so funny.

B: I know. She makes me laugh all the time.

A: She seems very intelligenttoo .

B: She really is smart. She gets As in all her classes. Have you met her brother and sister?

A: No, what are they like? Are they like Sandra?

B: Her brother’s completely different. He’s intelligent, but he’s not friendly at all.

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