Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Vacations

A

1 four   2 yes

B

1 a) M; b) W   2 b) M; a) W   3 c) M, W   4 a) M; b) W

5 a) M, W   6 b) M, W   7 c) M, W

Audioscript

M = Man   W = Woman

M:   So, on vacation, how do you like to travel? By plane, train or car?

W:   Well, I don’t like airports, so put “train”. I hate traveling by car.

M:   Me, too. I put “plane” because, well, planes are faster than trains.

W:   Not always! OK, number two. It says, “I like staying in a) a hotel, b) a self-catering apartment or c) a tent.”

M:   Forget the tent! Uh, in an apartment. And you?

W:   In a hotel.

M:   Really? A hotel’s more expensive than an apartment!

W:   Yeah, but it’s more comfortable. Hmm … next question. Do you prefer relaxing on a beach, doing something athletic or going sightseeing?

M:   What does it mean – something athletic?

W:   Uh, playing tennis or maybe golf.

M:   No, thank you! Not on vacation. But I hate staying on the beach all day. Boring!

W:   OK – there’s one we answered the same. So we agree about that.

M:   Yeah, sightseeing’s de­finitely more interesting than the beach!

W:   Right. When do you like going on vacation: In the spring, summer or winter?

M:   In spring – I never go on vacation in winter, but I don’t really like very hot weather. Tourist places are more crowded in summer.

W:   True. But the weather’s better. Summer’s hotter than spring. I love hot weather.

M:   Well, we don’t agree there. Anyway, next question. What do you like eating local dishes, the food you usually eat or fast food?

W:   Local dishes, I think. You?

M:   De­finitely!

W:   Hmm, interesting. Next, At night I like going for a walk, going to a restaurant or going to a nightclub.

M:   Uh, going to a restaurant.

W:   Oh, good. Me, too. I don’t like noisy places.

M:   Yes, I agree. Restaurants are quieter, more relaxing. But I like going for a walk, too, sometimes, so I’m not sure. OK, let’s say “going to a restaurant”.

W:   And the last question, how long is your ideal vacation?

M:   Three months.

W:   You can’t have three months! The answer is “a weekend, a week or a month”.

M:   OK, a month then.

W:   Me, too!

M:   Maybe we can travel together …

C:   Ss look at their quiz answers again and compare them with the man and woman’s answers. If they get four or more answers the same, they are good travel partners – though Ss may have different opinions!

a) “It was Turpan, China.”

b) “The Bibi-Khanym Mosque.”

c) “Arriving in Istanbul.”

d) “About 150 kilometers, in western China.”

e) “The mountains in Kyrgyzstan.”

f) “Iran; the people there were so kind.”

Audioscript

I = Interviewer   J = Jeff

I:   So, Jeff, a few questions about the trip. What was the coldest place you visited?

J:   The coldest place was in the mountains in Kyrgyzstan. There was lots of snow, too.

I:   Really? And what was the hottest place?

J:   Well, it was Turpan, China. I think it was over one hundred and twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

I:   Oh, was it? And what was the friendliest place?

J:   That’s an impossible question. I can’t say. We met so many fantastic people. I think Iran – the people there were so kind. Perhaps that was my biggest surprise.

I:   OK. What was the longest you traveled in one day?

J:   One day we traveled about ninety-three miles in Western China. That was a long day!

I:   Very! So what was the most beautiful building you saw?

J:   There were some great ones in all of the countries, but my favorite building was the Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Uzbekistan. I think it’s the most beautiful building in the world.

I:   Wow! So what was the most amazing experience of the journey?

J:   Arriving in Istanbul after seven thousand ­five hundred miles. Amazing!

A

1 L   2 C

B

1 Can   2 tell   3 how to get to   4 Is there   5 near

C

a) 6   b) 3   d) 4   e) 7   f) 2   g) 5

Audioscript

W = Woman   M = man

1

W:   Excuse me.

M:   Yes?

W:   Can you tell me how to get to the Air and Space Museum?

M:   Yeah. You go straight on this pedestrian street. And, can you see those sculptures?

W:   Yes.

M:   Well, turn right at the corner after the Sculpture Garden.

W:   Turn right?

M:   Yes. Then you go past some grass, that’s the middle of The National Mall, and you’ll arrive at the intersection of 7th street and Jefferson Drive. On your right, you’ll see a large cylindrical building. That’s the Hirshhorm Museum. You can’t miss it.

W:   OK.

M:   There are always a lot of walking tours there. Turn left on Jefferson Drive, and it will be on your right side with a large pointed silver sculpture on top.

W:   Thanks. So it’s at the corner after the Sculpture Garden and then past some grass, and then it’s on the left, on Jeff … ?

M:   Jefferson Drive.

W:   Jefferson Drive. Right, thanks.

M:   No problem.

2

W:   Excuse me, is the Capitol near here?

M:   Uh. let me think. Yes, the Capitol is at one end of The National Mall. But it’s not very close.

W:   Can you tell me how to get there?

M:   I think the easiest way is, uh … OK, go straight here for three blocks. Then turn left. The name of the street is 3rd Street.

W:   3rd Street.

M:   Yes, and keep walking. Go past the East Building of the National Gallery of Art on the left. The next street is a diagonal. Go left at the corner. I think it’s Pennsylvania Avenue.

W:   Pennsylvania Avenue. OK.

M:   Go straight for a short block. Then turn left on 1st Street. The Capitol is on the right. You can’t miss it. It’s really big.

W:   Can I just check the ­first part? So straight here for three blocks, then turn right after the East Building of the National Gallery of Art.

M:   No, turn left.

W:   Turn left and after a short block go left onto 1st.

M:   Yes.

W:   Uh, can you repeat the last part?

M:   OK, at the East Building of the National Gallery of Art go left.

W:   OK, and then the Capitol is on the right.

M:   Yes.

W:   How far away is it?

M:   Oh, about twenty minutes from here.

W:   Thanks very much.

M:   You’re welcome.

Where is it? (East of Massachusetts)

What can you ­find or see there? (water, boats, sailboats, historic and interesting places.)

Why do you like it? (I can sit there, have a coffee sail or watch people on the boats or by the water.)

Audioscript

OK, so this place is in Massachusetts. Boston is in the in the east of Massachusetts and most tourists don’t know about it. It’s called; The Cradle of Liberty, which derives from its role in the American Revolution. There are lots of boats and historical and interesting places. There are lots of good restaurants and cafés next to the water. I like it because I can sit there, have a coffee and watch people on the boats or by the water. Boston is a lovely place in the daytime or at night. And it’s one of the best places to take pictures. You can take a picture of the sailboats or the water or the people. Some of the people are very interesting. I think the best time to take a picture is in the early morning or in the early evening because it’s really quiet and the light is beautiful.

A

His train goes from Moscow.

B

2 T   3 T   4 F   5 F   6 F   7 T   8 T

Audioscript

Hello. It’s 9:48 a.m. on Monday December the second. I’m Nick Young, and I’m on the Trans-Siberian train. Welcome to my audio diary. First of all, some facts: The Trans-Siberian is the longest train journey in the world. It’s five thousand seven hundred and seventy eight miles and takes seven days. So, this is day one. We left the city an hour ago, and I’m here in my compartment. It’s very comfortable, with two beds, one for me and one for Anton. Anton’s from Sweden, and he’s very friendly. He doesn’t speak much English, but that’s not a problem.

…

Hi, Nick here. It’s day three, and we’re in Siberia. Out of the window you can see snow and forests and small villages for mile after mile. It’s beautiful. About every two hours the train stops at a small station, and there are women selling bread, fish, fruit or vegetables. We often buy food for lunch or dinner. When we get back on the train, we chat and read and have more cups of tea. Then we have lunch and then dinner, and then we go to bed. It’s all very relaxing.

…

Hi there. This is my last audio diary on this journey. In one hour, we get into Vladivostok station! Last night, the Russian lady in the carriage next door had her fiftieth birthday party. It was crowded, but we had a good time! So what do I think about the Trans-Siberian train? Fantastic! And my best memories? Great dark forests, small Russian villages, and some good new friends. I really think this is the best journey of my life!

1   A:   So, the park’s between the movie theater and the pharmacy.

      B:   No, it’s behind the movie theater and the pharmacy.

2   A:   So, the supermarket’s between the movie theater and the pharmacy.

      B:   No, it’s between the movie theater and the post office.

3   A:   So, the movie theater is the fourth building on the left.

      B:   No, it’s the third building on the left.

4   A:   So, the café is the fourth building on the left.

      B:   No, it’s the fourth building on the right.

5   A:   So, the post office is across from the bank.

      B:   No, it’s across from the museum.

6   A:   So, the town hall is across from the bank.

      B:   No, it’s next to the bank.