Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Buying things

1 B   2 C   3 A   4 B   5 C

Audioscript

1   Two friends are talking at the shopping centre. Why is the boy at the shopping centre?

Girl 1:   Hi, Chris. What are you doing here at the shopping centre? You usually do all your shopping online.

Chris:   Well, not today. I need to go to one of the shops here.

Girl 1:   Why? Do you need to look at something in the computer shop?

Chris:   No. My computer’s fine, but I read there’s a great new clothes shop here.

2   A boy, Adam, is talking about shopping. What did he buy?

Adam:   Guess what? I was in the market yesterday doing some shopping for my mum. She wanted me to buy some fruit and some bread. I got the bread first and then on the way into the fruit shop, a dog jumped up, took the bread in its mouth and ran away!

3   A woman is talking to her daughter about a present for her son, Matt. What is the present?

Mum:   Emily, when you go to the shops today, please can you collect Matt’s birthday present for me? It’s not very big, so you can put it in your school bag. He has lots of jumpers, but this one is different. I hope he likes it.

Emily:   OK Mum. Where do I need to go?

4   Two friends are talking at one of the friend’s houses. What is the boy doing?

Boy:   Did you find that information for our history project?

Girl:   No, I don’t know where the list of websites is. Have you got it?

Boy:   Yes, in my homework diary. Anyway, look at this site. These are the shoes I like. And they’ve got my size.

Girl:   Well, buy them quickly. Then we can find the website for school.

5   A teacher is talking to the class about a school trip. What is he telling them to do?

Teacher:   So, class, please don’t forget about tomorrow’s trip. Make sure you arrive at school at the usual time. It’s warm at this time of year and you usually wear T-shirts and shorts, but it isn’t warm by the lake so don’t forget to bring a jacket.

1 B   2 C   3 A   4 B   5 A

Audioscript

1   You will hear Katie talking about a present for her mother. What did she buy?

Katie:   I went out on Saturday to buy Mum’s birthday present. I wanted to get her some sunglasses, but they were very expensive. There were some chocolates in the sweet shop but I got her chocolates last year, so I went to the bookshop to get that new book by her favourite author.

2   You will hear two friends talking during their lunch break. What do they decide to do together after school?

Girl:   Do you want to come to my house after school? We can finish the history project.

Boy:   I can’t today. I have to go to my swimming class at six. But we can go to the library and take out that book about the Romans.

Girl:   That’s a good idea. Then you can go to the pool afterwards.

3   You will hear a man talking to his daughter. What does his daughter want to buy?

Girl:   Dad, you know we have the school party next week?

Dad:   Yes, what do you want?

Girl:   Well, I’ve got a new red dress and black jacket but I’ve only got trainers or my old blue shoes and they’re ancient. I really want some black ones. Can you come shopping with me?

Dad:   OK.

4   You will hear a teenager talking to his mother. What does he want to do?

Boy:   Mum, you know my old bike?

Mum:   Yes, the one in the garage.

Boy:   Well, I think I can repair it and find someone to buy it.

Mum:   That’s a good idea. You don’t ride it anymore. Then you can use the money for your holiday.

5   You will hear a boy talking to a shop assistant. Why does he buy the yellow T-shirt?

Boy:   Excuse me. I’d like a T-shirt, please.

Assistant:   Do you like this blue one?

Boy:   Well, I like it but it’s very big. It’s for my brother. He’s only eight.

Assistant:   Ah, this one is smaller. It’s £10.

Boy:   I’ve only got £7.

Assistant:   There’s a bright yellow one here. It’s £5.

Boy:   That’s great!

1   1 c   2 b

2   1 e   2 a   3 h   4 d   5 b   6 g   7 c   8 f

Audioscript

Gemma:   Hi. My name’s Gemma. We’re doing a shopping survey in class. Can I ask you some questions?

Leo:   Sure.

Gemma:   OK, first of all, what’s your name and how old are you?

Leo:   My name’s Leo and I’m thirteen years old.

Gemma:   Great. Thanks. Now, let’s see. Where do you normally shop?

Leo:   I like going to small shops, but I normally go to the shopping centre at weekends.

Gemma:   Why do you go to the shopping centre?

Leo:   I like meeting my friends there and I like window shopping.

Gemma:   Perfect. OK. Last question. What do you usually buy at the shopping center?

Leo:   Hmmm. I haven’t got a lot of pocket money and I don’t usually spend a lot of money. I sometimes buy a music magazine or some sweets.

Gemma:   Thanks for your time, Leo.

Leo:   No worries. Bye

Gemma:   Bye.

Gemma:   Hi Mum! Can I ask you a couple of questions for a survey?

Mum:   Ok. Go ahead.

Gemma:   I know your name and how old you are.

Mum:   Yes, you do.

Gemma:   Next question. Where do you normally shop?

Mum:   As you know, I love going to the Farmer’s Market. I go on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Gemma:   Why do you go to the Farmer’s Market?

Mum:   Well, I like helping local farmers and the prices are good.

Gemma:   OK. Last question. What do you usually buy at the Farmer’s Market?

Mum:   I always buy fresh fruit and vegetables. I sometimes buy cheese. Your dad loves the cheese from the market.

Gemma:   Me too!

Mum:   That’s true!

Gemma:   Thanks Mum.

Mum:   That’s OK. Now, can you help me do the washing up, please?