Listening Exercises B2 – Socializing

Starting a conversation

1. Listen and complete these expressions you can use to start a conversation.


a What ________ to at the weekend?

b How’s ________?

c Did you ________ last night?

d It’s ________, hasn’t it?

e So, how ________?

f Wow! ________

Show answers

a did you get up

b work going

c see the news

d been hot today

e are the family

f like your jacket

Transcript


a What did you get up to at the weekend?

b How’s work going?

c Did you see the news last night?

d It’s been hot today, hasn’t it?

e So, how are the family?

f Wow! I like your jacket.

2. Listen and match each response (1-6) with a conversation starter (a-f) in Exercise 1.

1) ___2) ___3) ___4) ___5) ___6) __

Answer & Transcript

1 c   2 e   3 a   4 f   5 d   6 b

Transcript

1) Yeah, terrible, wasn’t it? I can’t believe all the damage that hurricane caused.

2) They’re all fine, thanks. Julie, that’s youngest, has just started primary school.

3) Nothing much. I wanted to play tennis on Sunday, but the weather wasn’t any good.

4) Thanks! I bought it last Saturday. It was in the sale.

5) Yeah. Great weather for being outside. Shame I had to work all day!

6) It’s going well, thanks. I got promoted last month, actually.

Making small talk

1. Kerri, from Ireland, is at a party in a friend’s home. Listen to two conversations (A and B) she has with people she meets. Circle the correct answer.

Who ___


a talks about himself?                  Tim / Nick

b responds to information?        Tim / Nick

c doesn’t ask questions?             Tim / Nick

d shows interest?                          Tim / Nick

e asks lots of questions?              Tim / Nick

Show answers

a Tim   b Nick   c Tim   d Nick   e Nick

2. Which conversation is more successful? Why? Listen again and note your idea.

____________

____________

Answer & Transcript

Nick’s conversation is more successful because he asks lots of questions, responds to information and sounds interested.

Transcript


a

Tim:     Hi, I’m Tim.

Kerri:     Hi, I’m Kerri. I’m a friend of Michael’s.

Tim:     Right ___ Great party.

Kerri:     Yes, it is.

Tim:     I like the music.

Kerri:     Me too.

Tim:     I’m in a band, actually.

Kerri:     Oh, really?

Tim:     Yes, we’re quite good. Rock and roll.

Kerri:     Hmm, really?

Tim:     Yes, we play in pubs and places. I’m free tonight, though. There was a cancellation.

Kerri:     I see. Oh, I think I see a friend over there. Nice talking to you, Tim.

Tim:     Oh, right. Er yeah. Cheers, then.

b

Nick:     Hi, I’m Nick.

Kerri:     Hi, I’m Kerri. I’m a friend of Michael’s.

Nick:     Me too. So, how do you know Michael?

Kerri:     We work in the same department.

Tim:     Oh, I see. How long have you worked there?

Kerri:     Nearly a year.

Tim:     Great. Are you enjoying it?

Kerri:     It’s OK. Every day’s different you, you know.

Nick:     Sounds good. Great party, isn’t it?

Kerri:     Yeah, it’s really good.

Nick:     Sorry for asking but ___ is that an Irish accent?

Kerri:     Yes, I come from Dublin originally.

Nick:     Do you? That’s great. They say it’s a really fun city.

Kerri:     Yes, it is. Have you ever been to Dublin?

Nick:     No, but I’ve always wanted to go. It’s not expensive, is it?

Kerri:     Well, prices have been going up ___

Understanding irony

1. Listen and complete conversation a and b


a

Emma:   Oh no. It’s ________!

Tony:   Great. I was going to ________ this afternoon.

b

Julie:   It said on the news that ________ are going to fall.

Frank:   Really? That’s great. I’ve just bought a ________

Show answers

a raining; play golf

b property prices; new flat

2. Look at each conversation again and tick your answers.

a How do Tony and Frank both feel?

   pleased     relieved     disappointed     excited

b When they say Great / That’s great, what do they mean?

     ‘How wonderful!’

     ‘Oh no. That’s terrible!’

     ‘I’m not interested.’

Answer & Transcript

a disappointed      b ‘Oh no. That’s terrible’

Transcript

a Emma:     Oh no. It’s raining!

  Tony:     Great. I was going to play golf this afternoon.

b Julie:     It said on the news that property prices are going to fall.

     Frank:     Really? That’s great. I’ve just bought a new flat.

3. Now listen to three more conversations and match each conversation (a-c) to one of the pictures (1-3) below.

img

Show answers

a 2   b 1   c 3

4. Listen again and match each expression you hear with a conversation.

What a pity!

That’s marvellous!

How exciting!

Conversation a

Conversation b

Conversation c

Show answers

What a pity!   c

That’ marvellous!   a

How exciting!   b

5. Listen again. What does each speaker really mean?


a I’m pleased about that.

b How boring!

c What a disaster!

What a pity! ____

That’s marvellous! ____

How exciting! ____

Answer & Transcript

What a pity!   a

That’s marvellous!   c

How exciting!   b

Transcript

a

A:     Henry. Will you please hurry up? It’s nearly half past eight.

B:     Sorry. I can’t find the car keys.

A:     Oh, that’s marvellous. Now I’m going to be late for job interview.

b

A:     Is there anything on TV tonight?

B:     Not really. Just a black and white film, and I think we’ve seen it.

A:     How exciting. I don’t know why we bother having a television.

c

A:     I’m full. I don’t want dessert, thanks.

B:     Oh, what a pity. I’ll have to eat this chocolate cake all by self.

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