Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – The latest technology

1 A   2 B   3 A   4 C   5 C

Audioscript

You will hear Ella asking her friend Andy about his new computer.

Ella:   Nice new laptop, Andy! When did you get it?

Andy:   Yesterday. My old one broke a month ago and last week, Dad agreed to buy me this.

Ella:   Where did he get it? I need a new computer too.

Andy:   He asked a friend for advice and then bought it online. It was cheaper than buying it in a shop.

Ella:   Really? How much was it?

Andy:   £250. There were cheaper ones, starting at £150. The most expensive ones were over £2,000!

Ella:   Wow, that’s a lot! And has it got everything you need?

Andy:   Almost. I can print on the printer downstairs, and I don’t need a mouse. But I’d like to get a better camera for it.

Ella:   Good idea. So what do you use the computer for?

Andy:   Most things. I can’t play my computer games on it, though. It hasn’t got enough memory. But I do my homework on it, and chat to my friends on the internet.

Ella:   So you’re happy with it?

Andy:   Very! It’s got a nice big screen and the keyboard is really comfortable to use. But the speakers are the best thing about it. My music sounds great on them!

Ella:   Brilliant!

1 B   2 A   3 C   4 B   5 A

Audioscript

You will hear Matt talking to his friend Sara about a technology festival.

Matt:   Hi, Sara. Would you like to go to the Technology Festival with Amelia and me on Sunday?

Sara:   Yes! I love computers. Is it in the shopping centre near the station?

Matt:   Not this year. It’s in the library. You know they’ve got three big rooms.

Sara:   That’s good. It’s not far from my house. What’s in the festival? Have they got any robots?

Matt:   Yes, my dad says there are robots that walk and talk.

Sara:   Wow! I saw an amazing robot online. It can clean the house and make food.

Matt:   But robots can’t do your homework for you!

Sara:   I know. I’d like a robot to do my English homework! Let’s go to the festival. How much will it cost? It was £8 last year.

Matt:   Last year it was only £6, Sara. This year it’s £10.

Sara:   Can we buy things at the festival?

Matt:   I think so. I’d like a new camera, but I haven’t got much money. I got a really good mouse last year.

Sara:   I need a new mouse. What about computer games? Do you want a new computer game?

Matt:   Not now. My mum bought me one for my birthday.

Sara:   OK. So, when shall we meet?

Matt:   Well, the festival starts at 11 o’clock, so let’s meet outside your house at a quarter to eleven and walk there together. Amelia is coming later, at about 12 o’clock, because she has tennis lessons in the morning.

1   1 a   2 b

2    1 ✓

      2 ✓

      3 ✗ She is working on her blog.

      4 ✗ She thinks it is easy.

      5 ✓

      6 ✗ The blog is on cats and David doesn’t have a cat, just a dog and a hamster.

Audioscript

David:   Hello Mrs Wilson. Uhm, is Katie home?

Katie’s mum:   Oh, hello David, nice to see you. Please come in. She’s in the living room working on her blog. She’s waiting for you.

David:   Thanks, Mrs Wilson. Hiya Katie. Katie? Katie?

Katie:   Ah, oh, hi David. Sorry! I’m working on my blog.

David:   Great! How’s it going?

Katie:   It’s going well.

David:   Is it easy to do?

Katie:   Yes, for someone like you! You’re good at using computers, David. To start a blog, all you have to do is choose a platform, a title, a design and a topic, and you’re ready.

David:   Wow! That sounds OK! You’re not posting your address on your blog, are you?

Katie:   No, it isn’t safe to post personal information.

David:   Phew! Is your blog about music? I know you like music.

Katie:   No, it’s not. I like music but my blog is about cats. Look, I’m going to post some photos of my cousin’s cat.

David:   It looks good. I like the design and the colours. Um. Yeah. Cute cat. I don’t like cats. Is it difficult to organise your ideas?

Katie:   A little! That’s why I have a notebook here next to the computer. Look at my list of posts. I’m going to write a post about my neighbour’s cat soon. I have a video of my piano teacher’s cat too.

David:   Hmmm, more cats? You can do a blog post on my dog or my hamster when you want!

Katie:   No, sorry David, only cats!

David:   OK, OK, I get it. Do you want a lot of people to follow your blog?

Katie:   No, my blog is just for my friends and family. Look, some friends and family are following me and reading my posts. Here’s the list. They can leave comments or share links.

David:   Let’s see. Hey! There are some nice comments about your photos, Katie.

Katie:   Yes, there are.

David:   That’s great!

Katie:   It is! Thanks. So, what will your blog be about?

1 C   2 B   3 A   4 B   5 A

Audioscript

1   Listen to two friends talking together in a shop. Why does Ruby want to buy the sunglasses?

Emily:   Aren’t those sunglasses too expensive Ruby?

Ruby:   Mm, £20 is a lot of money – it’s more than I wanted to spend. But they fit me really well. The others are all too small.

Emily:   OK. But are you sure you want black again? These are quite similar to your old ones.

Ruby:   Well, all the nice bright ones are really uncomfortable to wear.

2   Listen to a man a girl talking about what they want to eat. Where are they?

Father:   What do you want eat Anna? There are burgers, fish dishes, curry …

Anna:   I’d like to try lots of different things. The price of the ticket includes three small plates of food, doesn’t it?

Father:   Yes. Shall we start with a small plate of curry?

Anna:   Then we can walk around and find something else to have.

3   Listen to a boy talking to a girl about his laptop. What does the girl offer to do?

Emily:   What’s the matter Lucas? You look really annoyed!

Lucas:   Oh hi, Emily. Yeah – my laptop’s not working. I’ve tried all the usual things and I can’t get it to start.

Emily:   Oh no! Well, we’ve got a couple of spare ones at home. You can borrow one of those while yours is in the repair shop.

Lucas:   Thanks Emily!

4   Listen to a message in a shopping centre. What change do customers need to know about?

Shop announcer:   Thank you for visiting Green Wood Shopping Centre. Please note that from today our business hours are different. All shops stay open until 10 pm. That gives you two extra hours of shopping! Also, don’t forget that today is the last day of the big sale at Parker’s Department Store. So go there today and get a great discount!

5   Listen to a girl talking about a party. What did she like about it?

Anna:   Hi Jessica. I’m ringing to tell you about the party last night. We all missed you! We went to that new pizza restaurant in town. The party room was a bit small and dark and the music was so loud! But the pizzas were delicious – the nicest I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back and have another one!