Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Small Talk

Getting Ready

Do you use these expressions to greet someone you know or to introduce yourself to someone you don’t know? Check (✓) the correct answer.

Greet

Introduce

1) I don’t think we’ve met.

2) Hi! I haven’t seen you for a long time!

3) Hello. name’s Kate.

4) Hi, nice to see you again.

5) Hi. I’m Don. I just started working here.

6) Betsy! How are you doing?

7) Hey, aren’t you in class? I’m Tom Crane.

Show answers

Introduce: 1, 3, 5, 7

Greet: 2, 4, 6

Listening 1

People are talking at a party. Have they met before? Listen and check (✓) the correct answer.

Have met

Haven’t met

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

Show answers & Transcript

1) Haven’t met     2 Have met

3) Haven’t met     4 Have met

5) Have met      6) Haven’t met

Transcript

1)

A: Hi. I don’t think we’ve met, have we?

B: No, I don’t think so. name’s Mia.

A: Nice to meet you, Mia. I’m Tim Clark.

2)

A: Hey, you’re Mike Thompson, right?

B: That’s right. And you’re Jenny.

A: Yeah! Jenny Lindsay.

B: Yeah, right. We met at Jake’s wedding.

A: It’s great to see you again!

B: Great to see you, too!

3)

A: Haven’t we met somewhere?

B: No, I don’t think so.

A: Aren’t you Kevin Grant.

B: No, name is Greg. Greg Brown.

A: Oh, I’m sorry. I was positive we’d met before.

4)

A: Jeff! Hi. Remember me?

B: Sue? Sue Thomas?

A: That’s right. We were in that computer class together.

B: Yeah. Boy, was that class boring!

A: Sure was. So how’ve you been?

B: Pretty good, thanks.

5)

A: Oh, hi. You’re Jonathan, aren’t you?

B:  Yes, and you’re Wendy.

A: Yeah. We met at the conference in Hawaii last summer.

B:  Right. Nice to see you again.

A: Nice to see you, too.

6)

A: Hi! Don’t we work in the same building?

B:  Yes, I think we do.

A: I’m Gary James. I’m in accounting.

B:  Hi. I’m Lynn Williams. I’m in marketing.

Listening 2

Task 1

People are making small talk. What are they talking about? Listen and circle the correct answer.

1)  a clothes

b school

     c work

2)  a work

b school

     c friends

3)  a the weather

b a vacation

     c health problems

4)  a school

b work

     c a new boyfriend

5)  a school

b work

     c apartment

6)  a work

b family

     c school

Show answers

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

Task 2

Listen again. Does the last speaker want to continue or end the conversation? Check (✓) the correct answer.

Continue

End

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

Show answers & Transcript

End the conversation: 1, 3, 5

Continue the conversation: 2, 4, 6

Transcript

1)

A:  Hey, Annie, that looks really nice on you. Is it new?

B:  Yeah, I got it on sale at George Brothers Department Store. I never miss their sales. They’ve got really good prices.

A: Well, you made a good choice. That color looks great.

B:  Thanks.

A: Oh! Look at the time. I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve got to run. Good seeing you!

2)

A: What are you taking this year?

B:  Mostly literature courses.

A: Oh, really. Are they any good?

B:  Some of them are. Except for Professor Scott’s class. I mean, the books are interesting, and the lectures are great, but his tests are so hard.

A: Really? Are they essay or short answer tests?

3)

A: What an awful month we are having.

B: It’s pretty bad, isn’t it? So hot and humid. It’s hard to sleep at night, too. I wish I had air conditioning.

A: Me, too.

B: Funny, it’s not usually this hot in the fall.

A: That’s true. Well, I think I’m going to get some more chips. Enjoy the party!

4)

A: So tell me, Kim. What’s he like?

B: Well, he’s really fun to be with. He always says funny things and makes me laugh.

A: He sounds really nice.

B: He is. And he’s always giving me little presents. But I guess the gifts will stop when he knows me better.

A: Yeah, probably. So how long have you known him, anyway?

5)

A: So, are you still doing the same thing, David?

B:  Yeah, I am, unfortunately. I wish I was doing something more challenging.

A: So why don’t you look for something else?

B:  I really should. I feel stuck in that office because I’m not moving ahead. That’s the worst thing about it.

A:  Well, good luck to you. If I hear about any jobs, I’ll let you know.

6)

A:  So, everybody’s fine at home, Sarah?

B:  Yes, they are, thanks. Oh, some exciting news! sister Jenny’s getting married!

A:  Really? When?

B:  Next month. She’s marrying a guy she met when she was studying in Canada, and we’re all going to Toronto for the wedding. It’ll be fun.

A: Sounds great. And how about your brother? What’s he been doing lately?

Listening 3

Task 1

People are making small talk. What question are they answering? Circle the correct answer.

1)  a Are you here on vacation?

b Do you like living here?

2)  a Do you think English is difficult?

b Why are you studying English?

3)  a How old are your children?

b How many children do you have?

4)  a What kind of work do you do?

b What kind of work would you like?

5)  a When did you arrive?

b Have you been having fun here?

6)  a Where did you go on vacation?

b Where are you from?

Show answers

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

Task 2

Listen again. Circle the best response.

1)  a I’m glad you like it here.

b That’s too bad.

 c Me, neither.

2)  a I like those DVDs, too.

b Why don’t you like them?

 c I agree. They’re terrible.

3)  a Thanks anyway.

b I agree. Two is enough.

 c I’m glad you and your husband agree.

4)  a Thanks. I’d love to.

b Sorry. I’m busy that day.

 c I’d love to see your house.

5)  a You’ll love the beach.

b What kind of car will you buy?

 c Good idea. The scenery is great there.

6)  a Yeah, I think I will.

b Really? Why not?

 c You’re right. I shouldn’t go there.

Show answers & Transcript

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

Transcript

1)

Yes, I do. I really enjoy living here. So far everything has been fine. The downtown area is really pretty, and I love all the cafes and restaurants there. The other thing I like is that the town’s small, so it’s easy to get to know people.

2)

Yes, I do. It’s a very difficult language to learn, but I guess all languages are difficult. I tried to learn Japanese once, and it was really hard. These days, though, it’s easier to learn a foreign language because you can buy some fantastic courses online and on DVD.

3)

I have two children, a girl and a boy. They’re both going to school, so they keep us very busy. husband comes from a big family and would love to have more children, but I think two is enough.

4)

I have a small design company. We design menus, calendars, and things like that. There are just three of us in the company. Last year was a very quiet year for us, but it looks as if business is really improving this year. Would you like to visit our office sometime?

5)

Oh yeah, I’ve been having a great time since I arrived. Everyone’s been very helpful, and I’ve made some wonderful new friends. I still have a few more days here, so I’m thinking of renting a car and driving up to the mountains.

6)

I’m from a town called Cairns, on the northeast coast of Australia. It’s a small town, but I enjoying living there. It’s not far from the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the most famous places in Australia. You should go there sometime.

Conversation Corner: Seeing someone you know

Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A: Hi, haven’t we met before?

B:  Yeah, I think we met a Kate’s wedding.

A: That’s right! Have _____________ _____________ _____________ lately?

B:  No, I haven’t seen her in months. But I _____________ _____________ _____________ husband last week.

A: Oh, really? _____________ _____________ _____________?

B:  He’s doing really well. He told me that he got a great new job.

A: I’m _____________ _____________ hear that. Well, I’ve got to go, but it was great to see you.

B:  Yeah, you, too! If you see John again, _____________ _____________ _____________ said hello.

Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to reduce the h sound.

Show answers & Transcript

A: Hi, haven’t we met before?

B:  Yeah, I think we met a Kate’s wedding.

A: That’s right! Have you seen her lately?

B:  No, I haven’t seen her in months. But I talked with her husband last week.

A: Oh, really? How’s he doing ?

B:  He’s doing really well. He told me that he got a great new job.

A: I’m happy to hear that. Well, I’ve got to go, but it was great to see you.

B:  Yeah, you, too! If you see John again, tell him I said hello.

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