Listening Exercises B1 – Small Talk

1.

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

B:   No, I don’t think so. My name’s Donna.

A:   Hi, nice to meet you, Donna. I’m Tim Clark.  

2.

A:   Hey, you’re Bob Thompson, right?

B:   That’s right. And you’re Jenny.

A:   Yeah! Jenny Lindsay.

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

A:   Hey, you look great!

B:   Well, so do you!

3.

A:   Haven’t we met somewhere?

B:   No, I don’t think so.

A:   Aren’t you Kevin Grant?

B:   No. No, my name’s 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 course together.

B:   Yeah. Boy, was that boring!

A:   Sure was. So how have you been?

B:   Oh, not bad, 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.

1.

A:   Hey, Anne, 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 have 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. It was 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 tests are pretty easy. But he tries to be funny all the time, and his jokes are really awful.

A:   Really? What kind of jokes does he tell?

3.

A:   What an awful month we’re 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 no usually this hot in the fall.

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

4.

A:   So tell me, Maggie. What’s he like?

B:   Well, he’s really fun to be with. He always makes me laugh. That’s what I like most about him.

A:   He sounds really nice.

B:   He is. And he’s always giving me little presents. But I guess that 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, like 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! Exciting news! My sister’s going to get married next month.

A:   Really? You mean Jenny?

B:   That’s right. 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 has he been doing lately?

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 it’s very 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 on video.

3.

I have two children, a boy and a girl. They’re both going to school, so they keep us very busy. My 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 like 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 has 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 not a very big town, but I enjoy living there. It’s not far from the Great Barrier Reef. I’m sure you’ve heard of that, because it’s one of the most famous places in Australia. You should go there sometime.

1 work   2 family   3 vacations   4 the weather   5 family

Transcript

1.

A:   So how are things at the office, Mike?

B:   Not too bad, but we’re all pretty busy right now. We have a big meeting next week, so everyone is working late.

2.

A:   Hi, Margaret. I haven’t seen you for a long time. How’s everyone at home?

B: Well, Teresa’s married now, so we don’t see her much. And my other sister is still in high school. She has a boyfriend now!

3.

A:   Hi, Roberta. How was your winter break?

B:   It was really a lot of fun. I went skiing with my friends up in Canada.

4.

A:   Have you been outside yet?

B:   No. Why?

A:   It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, and there’s a nice breeze. It’s just fantastic.

5.

A:   Hi, Wendy. How is everyone?

B:   Well, George just got a new job, working for the government. And the kids are all in school now, so I have a little more time for myself.

1 False   2 True   3 False   4 True   5 False

Transcript

A:   Excuse me, are you Mrs. Brady?

B:   Why yes, I am. How do you know my name?

A:   You were my English teacher way back in 1987.

B:   Oh, yes, now I remember you. You’re Tim. Tim Allen, right?

A:   That’s right! You’ve got a great memory.

B:   I never forget a face. What are you doing these days?

A:   Well, I’m a teacher myself now. I teach English at City College.

B:   Oh, that’s wonderful. I’d love to hear more about it, but I’ve got to run. I’m late for my next class. I’m still teaching here at the university. It was nice seeing you again!

A:   Nice seeing you, too!