Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 - From cover to cover

Exercise 1

1. Listen to the teacher talking to his class. Which of these is he talking about?

a new book a competition a website a writer

2. Read the sentences. Then, listen again. Are the sentences right (✓) or wrong (✗)?

1 If you’re under 12, you can enter the competition.

2 To win, you need to read more books than anyone else.

3 If you enter, you’ll have to buy lots of books.

4 The teacher will give the students all the instructions they need.

5 One of the prizes is a writing course.

6 You can see people’s opinions of books on the competition website.

7 You might save money if you buy a book from the website.

8 The website blog is written by teenagers who like writing stories.

Answer & Audioscript

1 The teacher is talking about a competition and a website.

2 1 ✗ (it’s open to anyone aged 12-15)

2 ✓

3 ✗ (you’ll be able to borrow all the books)

4 ✗ (the instructions are on the website)

5 ✓

6 ✓

7 ✓

8 ✗ (it is written by writers and book companies)

Audioscript

Teacher: Listen carefully everyone! I want to tell you about a fantastic competition you can enter over the summer. It’s called the Reading Challenge and it’s open to anyone aged 12 to 15. All you have to do is read as many books as you can over the summer – the winner is the person who reads the most! It doesn’t cost anything to enter, and you’ll be able to borrow all the books from school or your local library.

To enter the competition you need to go to the Reading Challenge website and enter your details. After you join, you’ll get all the instructions you need to get started. There are some great prizes – books, of course – but also a writing course, where you can learn how to turn your idea into an exciting story that other people will want to read!

Even if you don’t want to do the competition, the website is really useful. It has information about hundreds of books, and tells you what other readers thought of them, so it makes choosing a book really easy. There are lots of special offers and discounts on books too.

Another part of the website has games and quizzes on it, which are very popular. And there’s also a blog. This has really interesting articles about books and reading and is good, if you’re interested in writing your own stories. There’s lots of fantastic advice there from writers and book companies about what works and what doesn’t.

I hope lots of you will join. Jacob, what about you?

Jacob: Yes, sounds good!

Emma: Me too!

Teacher: Fantastic – I hope the rest of you feel the same. Let me know!

Exercise 2

1. Listen to a conversation about books and choose the correct answers.

1 Where is the conversation happening?

A in a library

B in a bookshop

2 Which person is having this conversation at work?

A the man

B the girl

2. Listen again and write one word or number for each answer.

1 The girl and her ……………… are going to South Africa.

2 The travel book shelves are next to the ……………… .

3 Today, one book will be cheaper if you get ……………… books.

4 The girl doesn’t know the ……………… of the book for her sister.

5 The girl will find Pictures for Life on the ……………… floor.

6 There is bigger bookshop on ……………… Street.

Answer & Audioscript

1 1 B 2 A

2 1 family 2 window 3 two/2 4 title 5 first 6 Market

Audioscript

Man: Hello, can I help you?

Girl: Oh yes, please. I’m looking for a book about South Africa. Can you tell me where I can find one?

Man: Er, do you mean a guidebook about places to see when you’re visiting South Africa?

Girl: That’s right. Me and my family are going there next month.

Man: Lucky you! You’ll find the books you want in the travel section.

Girl: Where’s that, please?

Man: On those shelves over there, by the window. Do you see where I mean?

Girl: Yes, I can see. Thank you.

Man: You’re welcome. And don’t forget: if you buy two books today, you’ll get one half price.

Girl: Oh yes. There is another book I might get, actually, for my sister. I’m not sure of the title, but it’s by Jan Blair. Do you know what her newest book’s called? It’s about photography.

Man: No, but I can find out. Come over to the computer and I’ll search for it.

Girl: OK, thanks.

Man: OK … Ah, Jan Blair’s new book is called Pictures for Life.

Girl: Great, thanks for that. And where will I find it?

Man: Her books are up on the first floor, right next to the stairs up to the second floor.

Girl: OK. But if my sister’s already bought the book herself, can I bring it back?

Man: Yes, you can bring it back here to Queen Street, or take it back to our larger shop on Market Street. You can do that any time in the next six weeks.

Girl: Great. Thanks for all your help.

Man: You’re welcome.