Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Phone Messages

Getting Ready

Match the callers on the left with the messages on the right.

1) Pete’s Garage called

2) Tony and Sue called

3) A classmate called

4) The dentist’s office called

a to ask about yesterday’s homework.

b to say the estimate for repairs is $475.

c to invite you to a party on Saturday.

d to remind you of your appointment.

Show answers

1) b   2) c   3) a   4) d

Listening 1

People are leaving voicemail messages. Why are they calling? Listen and circle the correct answer.

1)  a to say congratulations

b to make a suggestion

2)  a to give an invitation

b to make an apology

3)  a to make an offer

b to give a reminder

4)  a to make a request

b to make an apology

5)  a to give a reminder

b to make a suggestion

6)  a to give an invitation

b to say congratulations

Show answers & Transcript

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

Transcript

1)

Hey, George. This is Sam calling. I just wanted to say how happy I was to hear about your promotion. That’s great news. You really deserve it.

2)

Hi, Terry. It’s Paula. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to come to your party. I heard it was really fun. Unfortunately, I got food poisoning and I just couldn’t make it.

3)

Hello, this is Dr. Simpson’s office calling for Mrs. Graham. This is just to remind you that you have an appointment on Friday at 2:30.

4)

This is Mr. Kent from Washington High School. I’m calling about Tracy. Unfortunately, she has been absent from school again. Could you please call me back to confirm that she has an excuse to miss school?

5)

Hey, it’s Wendy. It’s Andrea’s birthday on Friday. I was thinking maybe we could organize a surprise party for her. What do you think?

6)

David, this is Kayla. How are you? Are you doing anything on Saturday? There’s a great jazz group in town. I know you’re into jazz, so I thought you might like to go.

Listening 2

Task 1

People are leaving voicemail messages. Listen and number the pictures.

img

Show answers

a 4   b 6   c 3   d 5   e 1   f 2

Task 2

Listen again. How does each caller sound? Circle the correct answer.

1) Olivia sounds ________


a pleased

b angry

 c apologetic

2) Nathan sounds ________


a scared

b apologetic

 c excited

3) Anne sounds ________


a apologetic

b excited

 c please

4) Brandon King sounds ________


a angry

b bored

 c apologetic

5) Emily sounds ________


a excited

b angry

 c worried

6) Mrs. Parker sounds ________


a apologetic

b scared

 c angry

Show answers & Transcript

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

Transcript

1)

Rob, this is Olivia calling. It’s 2:30. You said you’d meet me at 1:30 in front of the restaurant. Well, I’m not going to wait any longer. And please don’t bother calling me again.

2)

Hi, this is Nathan from the computer store. I’ve been trying to repair your hard drive, but unfortunately. I’m unable to fix it. It looks like you’re going to have to get a new hard drive or a new computer. Let me know when you want to come in to pick up your laptop, and I can help you decide what to do next.

3)

Paul, this is Anne. It’s 8 p.m., and I’m still tied up at the office, so I don’t think I’ll be able to join you for dinner tonight. I feel really bad about it, but we’ll definitely have dinner tomorrow night. Promise! Bye.

4)

This is Brandon King, from apartment 1201, calling for Kelly. I’m afraid I had a slight accident in the parking lot and did some damage to your car. I’m really sorry about it, but I’m sure that insurance company will pay for the repairs. Please give me a call when you get in. You can reach me at 555-4026.

5

Hi, Donna. It’s me, Emily! You’ll never guess where I am! I’m at the airport with George and the kids. All four of us are here this time. Isn’t that great? Hope you’ve got enough room for us! We’ll be at your place by six o’clock. Don’t worry about dinner. We can just send out for some pizza – our treat.

6)

Hello, I’m calling for the Burtons. This is Mrs. Parker, from across the street. Your daughter got into yard today and picked half flowers. I’d say it’s going to cost about $250 to replace them. Not to mention time and effort. Call me as soon as you get this message. The number is 916-5741.

Listening 3

Task 1

People are leaving voicemail messages. Are these details correct or incorrect? Listen and check the correct answer.

Correct

Incorrect

1) caller: Julie

     phone number: 834-6627

     message: Please change your appointment to 10:30.

2) caller: Brian from the bank

     phone number: 447-7316

     message: The shoes you ordered will be in next week.

3) caller: Jeff Lee

     phone number: 627-6002

     message: He will be late to Spanish class tonight.

4) caller: Jessica Brown from Kim’s Salon

     phone number: 867-5539

     message: You can come in on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. for a haircut.

Show answers

1) Correct: caller, message

2) All incorrect

3) All incorrect

4) All incorrect

Task 2

Listen again. Where is the person each caller asks for? Circle the correct answer.

1)  a at lunch

b in a meeting

     c on vacation

2)  a in a meeting

b at home

     c at lunch

3)  a in class

b at lunch

     c at home

4)  a on vacation

b at the mall

     c at the bank

Show answers & Transcript

1) b   2) c   3) a   4) c

Transcript

1)

A: Hello, Computer Technologies.

B:  Hello, could I speak to Pamela Gordon, please?

A: I’m sorry. She’s in a meeting right now and won’t be available until this afternoon. Can I take a message?

B:  Yes, this is Julie calling, from Dr. Beekman’s office.

A: Is that J-U-L-I-E or J-U-D-Y?

B:  It’s Julie, J-U-L-I-E.

A: Got it.

B:  Great. Please let her know that we’d like to change her appointment on Thursday from 9:45 to 10:30.

A: All right__ needs to change appointment time__ And your phone number, please?

B: It’s 834-5627.

A: 5-6-2-7.

B: That’s right.

A: Okay. I’ll pass along the message.

2)

A: Good afternoon. First National Bank.

B: Yes, is Jane Taylor there, please?

A: I’m sorry, she’s at lunch right now.

B: Could I leave a message for her?

A: Yes, of course.

B: This is Brian from Jim’s Shoes.

A: All right. Can I have your phone number?

B: It’s 477-3316.

A: 477-3316?

B: That’s right. Please tell her that the shoes she ordered are in, and she can pick them up anytime.

A: Okay, Brian. Got it. I’ll give her the message just as soon as she gets back from lunch.

B: Thank you.

3)

A: Hello. Chicago Language Center.

B: Yes, can I speak to Mr. Garcia, please?

A: He’s teaching a class right now. Would you like to leave a message?

B: Sure, name is Jeff Leigh. I’m in his 7:30 Spanish class, but I’m not going to be able to make it tonight.

A: Hold on. Is that spelled L-E-E?

B: Actually, it’s L-E-I-G-H.

A: Ah, okay.

B: And number is 627-6082.

A: Is that 627-6082?

B: That’s right. Anyway, I can’t come to Spanish class tonight because I have to work late. Can you tell Mr. Garcia that, please?

A:  Sure.

B:  Thanks.

4)

A:  Hello. Benny’s Cafe.

B:  Hi. Is Benny there?

A:  No, he just stepped out to the bank.

B:  Oh. Could you give him a message, please?

A:  Sure.

B:  This is Jessica Brown from Pet World.

A:  Did you say Pet World?

B:  That’s right. And I’m Jessica Brown. The number here is 867-5309.

A:  867-5309.

B:  Right. He was talking about bringing his cat in for a shampoo and a haircut. Please tell him he can come on Saturday morning, around 11 o’clock.

A: Okay. Come on Saturday morning, 11 a.m., shampoo and haircut. That’s for Benny’s cat and not for Benny, right?

B: Correct.

A: I’ll tell him as soon as he gets back from the bank.

B: Thanks a lot.

Conversation Corner: Leaving a message

Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A: Hi, Michelle. This is Sam. ______. ______. ______. with Ben?

B: Hi, Sam. No, I’m sorry. He’s not home right now.

A: Do you know when he’ll be back?

B: He’s ______. ______. ______. out for several hours. Do you want to leave a message?

A: Yeah, thanks. I’m supposed to meet Ben at Cafe Joan for lunch at noon tomorrow. But I have a doctor’s appointment, so ______. ______. ______. be a few minutes late.

B: Do you know what time you’re going to be there?

A: I’ll try to get there as soon as I can. I ______. ______. ______. by 12:30.

Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to reduce going to and want to.

Show answers & Transcript

A: Hi, Michelle. This is Sam. Can I speak with Ben?

B: Hi, Sam. No, I’m sorry. He’s not home right now.

A: Do you know when he’ll be back?

B: He’s going to be out for several hours. Do you want to leave a message?

A: Yeah, thanks. I’m supposed to meet Ben at Cafe Joan for lunch at noon tomorrow. But I have a doctor’s appointment, so I’m going to be a few minutes late.

B: Do you know what time you’re going to be there?

A: I’ll try to get there as soon as I can. I should be there by 12:30.