Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Special Days

1 d   2 a   3 c   4 b

A 6   B 3   C 4   D 1   E 5   F 2

Transcript

1

This special day is always on the third Sunday in June. Families celebrate their dads with gifts like neckties, cologne, or a nice homemade meal.

2

This special day is usually celebrated on October 5 worldwide. It’s to honor and thank teachers for all their hard work, dedication, and contributions to their students and schools.

3

It’s on the second Sunday in May. Most children give their mom flowers or a gift to thank her for all she’s done for them. In some families, children bring their mothers breakfast in bed or take her out to dinner.

4

It’s on the evening of December 31st. Lots of people have parties that start late and go on until long after midnight.

5

This is a day in the spring when adults celebrate kids and spend the day with them. Sometimes the children get special gifts. In some countries kids are given free admission to museums and amusement parks.

6

This special day is on April 22nd. It celebrates the Earth’s natural environment. People get together to plant trees, clean up parks, or create community gardens.

1 Goes out         2 Goes out

3 Goes out         4 Stays home

5 Stays home    6 Stays home

1 a   2 b   3 a   4 c   5 b   6 c

Transcript

1

My best friend usually takes me out to dinner. We’ve been doing this since we were in high school, and it’s lots of fun. She pays for the meal, but I don’t let her buy me a present. Instead, I buy myself a present! That way I always get something I really want.

2

I usually invite my classmates to go out and party with me. About 10 of us get together. We start out at a restaurant, and then we go downtown. Last year we went to six different clubs in one night. It was wild! It’s the one time a year when my parents don’t care if I stay out late.

3

My two children always take me out to a restaurant for dinner. I’m glad they do that instead of spending a lot of money on presents. They’re still in school, so they can’t afford to buy expensive gifts.

4

I always celebrated my birthday when I was younger. I’d have a big party and invite everyone I knew. Sometimes I’d have more than 50 people at my place. Those were the days! I don’t do anything like that anymore. Since I turned 35. I’d rather not remind myself that I’m a year older. Now I just have a nice dinner at home with my family.

5

My parents let me invite all my friends over to my house for a party. Usually I have about 25 people over. We always have a lot of fun opening presents, watching videos, and singing along to the radio – stuff like that. My parents are great. They stay upstairs, and they don’t bother us.

6

Well, I always have a quiet birthday at home with my husband, George. He takes over the kitchen for the day and bakes a nice cake for me. I prefer that to going out to a restaurant.

1 Likes   2 Doesn’t like   3 Likes

4 Likes   5 Likes   6 Doesn’t like

1 b   2 a   3 b   4 c   5 c   6 c

Transcript

1

I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day. It’s one of my favorite days of the year. I love opening and reading those cards and trying to guess who they’re from. And last year I got a real valentine, too – you know, from someone who really liked me. That was so romantic.

2

I don’t know why people still play tricks on April Fool’s Day. Last year on April first, one of my co-workers played a really horrible trick on our office. He moved all the stuff on everyone’s desks around, so no one could find what they were looking for. It was a total waste of time.

3

Earth Day is really amazing. People spend their time helping each other and nature. Last year, my book club planted flowers around the kids’ playground in the park. Then we had a picnic with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I hope we do something just as special this year!

4

When I was a kid, we used to surprise my mom every Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed. We got up early and made a mess in the kitchen, but she always enjoyed it. At least I think she did! It was a great tradition and we had fun cleaning up the kitchen together.

5

Father’s Day is a special time for me. It’s great because I get to spend the whole day with my family. Last year, our whole family got together for a big dinner. They made my favorite meal, spaghetti and meatballs, and we had ice cream for dessert. We’re all big talkers, so everyone had funny stories to tell.

6

I don’t look forward to New Year’s Eve. Those parties are the worst. There’s way too much food, and you end up eating too much and staying up too late, and you feel terrible the next day. And the noise! Last year, the people next door had a huge, noisy party that went on till five in the morning!

A:   Hey, Alex. What’s up?

B:   Oh, nothing. I’m just planning for my dad’s sixtieth birthday.

A:   Wow. Your dad’s sixty already? He looks so young. I would have thought he was fifty years old.

B:   Ha! He’d love to hear that. Anyway, it’s a special occasion, so I want to plan a surprise party for him.

A:   That’s nice. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. So when’s the big day?

B:   On the thirtieth.

A:   That’s only two weeks away! You’d better start planning.