Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Getting together

1

1 friends   2 going out for dinner   3 yes

2

Tuesday: drinks/Jen

Thursday: movie/Mel

Saturday: Joe arrives

Lauren   Hello?

Amy   Hi, Lauren. It’s Amy.

Lauren   Oh, hello, Amy. Long time no see!

Amy   I know … sorry … you know how it is … I’m working and studying – always busy! So, I was wondering … would you like to go out for dinner some time?

Lauren   Yes, good idea. I’d love to.

Amy   Okay, how about Tuesday?

Lauren   Oh, sorry. I can’t on Tuesday. I’m meeting Jen for drinks.

Amy   Well, how about Thursday then? That’s a good day for me because I’m not working.

Lauren   … uh … no, I can’t, I’m afraid. I’m going to a movie with Mel on Thursday evening.

Amy   Ooh, well. You’re so popular! … Well, how about Saturday? Can you do Saturday?

Lauren   Oh, Amy. Look … I’m really sorry … Joe’s coming on Saturday … you know, my brother … I can’t change it because he’s only in town for a couple of days …

Amy   Well, that leaves Sunday. Are you by any chance free on Sunday?

Lauren   Well … I don’t usually go out on Sunday. I like to have an early night, you know … but maybe just this once … Oh, sure, why not? I really do want to see you.

Amy   Great! Sunday it is then! How about trying that new Italian restaurant on 9th Avenue? So what time …

1

1 Nita and Sarah   2 friends

3 Sarah’s personal ad and her date next weekend

2

1 True   2 False   3 False   4 True   5 True

Sarah   Nita, hi, it’s Sarah.

Nita   Hi, Sarah. How are you? Great to hear from you!

Sarah   Well, I’m great actually … I’m really excited.

Nita   Excited? Why?

Sarah   Well, I placed a personal ad in Time Out last week … You know, an ad for meeting someone to go out with.

Nita   A personal? You did?

Sarah   Yeah … and I got five replies …

Nita   Five replies … really? But were they any good?

Sarah   Well, this one guy, Jack … he sent a photo, and he’s really good-looking!

Nita   Really?

Sarah   Yes, and he called, and we had a long phone conversation. He asked me out, and I’m going to meet him next weekend.

Nita   Next weekend! Wow! What are you going to do?

Sarah   I don’t know. He said it’s a surprise. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll fall in love, and then maybe we’ll get married – I hope so!

Nita   Whoa, Sarah! Slow down a bit! You haven’t even met him yet! I mean, he’s good-looking, but what if you don’t like him?

Sarah   I’m sure I’ll like him. He sounded really nice on the phone. And anyway …

1   long time no see

2   for a couple of days

3   how about going for a drink tonight

4   have an early night

5   What about in a few weeks?

6   I’m afraid I’m out of town

7   go out for coffee

8   go out for lunch

9   go shopping

A   Hey Gill, long time no see.

B   Hi Ben, great to see you.

A   What have you been doing lately? Are you still working at the bank?

B   Yes, I’ve been there for about a year now, but I’m on vacation right now. I’m going to the beach for a couple of days. I’m leaving tomorrow.

A   Wow, sounds great. Well then, how about going for a drink tonight to catch up some more?

B   Actually, I’m planning to have an early night because we’re leaving around 7 o’clock in the morning. It’s a long drive to San Pedro Beach.

A   Yes, it is.

B   What about in a few weeks? I’m back in town on the 16th.

A   I’m afraid I’m out of town then, myself. I have a business trip to Europe coming up.

B   Okay, well, are you busy right now? We could go out for coffee, or go out for lunch.

A   Great! I can go shopping later. What would you like to eat?

B   Well, do you like Italian food? We could go for pizza.

A   Mmm, sounds great, in fact, I know a good place on the next block.

1 Julia   2 Ben   3 Julia   4 Ben

5 Ben   6 Julia   7 Julia   8 Ben

A   Well, Julia, what do you think will happen in the future?

B   I’m not sure Ben – no one can be absolutely certain about the future, of course, but I think it’s probably fair to say that most people will speak English, because it’s the international language of communication.

A   I think you’re right, but I also think that there are other really important languages that are spoken by people all over the word, like French, German, and Spanish. I imagine that most people will speak another language too.

B   I’m not so sure. Maybe if they need it for their jobs. I think computer technology will be very advanced. I think computers will be able to do all sorts of things like operate your washing machine and turn on your TV.

A   I agree. I also think that most married women will go to work and their husbands will stay at home and watch the children. I think the government will actually stop couples from having more than two children, like they do in China.

B   No way, they couldn’t do that. Hm. What else? I don’t think there’ll be any journalists because newspapers will disappear – we’ll be able to get all the news we need from computers.

A   Yes, maybe, but you still need journalists, even if the news comes from computers. What about schools? I think economics will become the most important subject taught in school.

B   No, I don’t agree at all. I think computer technology will. I mean, think about how important computers are in the world today.

1 True   2 False   3 False   4 True

5 False   6 False   7 True   8 False

A   Hey Jamie, tell me about your trip. Where are you going to fly from?

B   I’m going to fly from JFK airport.

A   What’s your first stop?

B   Well, I’m going to visit London first because I’ve heard it’s great in the summer. I’m going to take a boat trip down the river Thames!

A   Wow. What are your plans after that?

B   I’m going to stay there for a week and after that I’m going to take a train to Paris. Apparently it only takes three hours. When I arrive, I’m going to eat lots of French food!

A   You lucky thing … so how about after Paris?

B   I’m going to rent a car and drive to Switzerland. When I get there, I’m going to buy the best chocolate I can find!

A   Sounds great. So what’s your final destination?

B   After that, I’m going to fly to Italy. By the time I get there, the weather will be perfect, so I’m going to look for a quiet beach an do some sunbathing before I fly back.

A   Well, I hope you have a great time.

B   Thanks, I will!