Listening: A1

A request from your boss
Listen to some requests from a manager to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Write the sentences in the correct group.
There’s no hurry.

It’s important.

Take your time.

Do it when you have time.

Do this first.

This is a priority.

Urgent

Not urgent

Tasks
Task 1

Match the beginnings and endings of the phrases.

the customer

a meeting room

to the meeting

to the customer

a report

a presentation

1. send an email ……………………………………………
2. visit ……………………………………………
3. reserve ……………………………………………
4. invite people ……………………………………………
5. write ……………………………………………
6. give ……………………………………………
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Task 2

Write a number (1–4) to put the tasks in order of priority.
Visit the customer.
Send an email to the customer.

Reserve a meeting room.
Invite people to the meeting.

Discussion

Do you sometimes help other people with their work? What do you do for them?

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Transcript
Susanne: Hi, Mario. Can you help me prepare some things for the next month?
Mario: OK, sure. What can I help you with?
Susanne: I need to visit the customer in Germany. It's important.
Mario: What can I do to help?
Susanne: Can you send an email to the customer? Ask them when I can visit them next week.
Please do this first. It's a priority and very urgent.
Mario: Right. I'll do it today.
Susanne: Thanks. This next task is also important. Can you invite everyone to the next team
meeting?
Mario: Yes, I will.
Susanne: But first you need to book a meeting room. After that, please send everyone an
email about it.
Mario: Yes, of course.
Susanne: And finally, can you write a short report about our new project? I have to give a
presentation to our managers next month. Please do it when you have time – sometime in the

next two or three weeks. It's not too urgent.
Mario: Sure, no problem. I can do it this week.
Susanne: There's no hurry. Take your time.

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Listening: A1

A voicemail message
Listen to a voicemail message and answer the questions to practise your listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–h) with the words or symbols (1–8).
Words/Symbols

Definitions

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

……
……
……
……
……
……
……
……

a colleague
_
an office
a brochure
products
the price
@


things a company makes and sells
someone you work with
a place where people work at desks
underscore
the amount of money you pay for something
at
hyphen (or ‘dash’)
a small book with information about a product

Tasks
Task 1

Choose the best answer.
1. John works at Old Time Toys.
a. Yes
b. No
2. Marina wants …
a. product information, a brochure and prices.
b. to call John again later.
3. Marina’s number is …
a. 0208 6557621
b. 0208 6656721
4. Marina’s email address is …
a. marina.silva@oldtime_toys.com
b.

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Task 2

Write a number (1–6) to put the actions in the order they are mentioned.
Marina says that she needs some product information.
Marina introduces herself.
Marina leaves her email address.
Marina says how she got John’s phone number.
Marina asks for a brochure and prices.
Marina asks John to call her back.

Discussion

Do you ever make phone calls or leave voicemail messages in English?

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Transcript
John: Hi, this is John. Thanks for calling. I’m not here at the moment, so please leave a
message and I’ll call you back.
Marina: Hi, John, this is Marina Silva calling from Old Time Toys. Your colleague Alex gave me
your phone number. She said you can help me.

I need some information on your new products. Could you please call me when you are back
in the office? My phone number is 0-2-0-8, 6-5-5-7-6-2-1.
Also, can you please email me your new brochure and information about your prices? My
email address is Marina, that’s M-A-R-I-N-A, dot Silva, that’s S-I-L-V-A, at O-L-D-T-I-M-E hyphen
toys dot com.
Thanks a lot. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Listening: A1

Booking a table
Listen to someone booking a table in a restaurant to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Put the times in the correct group.
Half past eight

Half eight

Eight


Eight thirty

Eight o’clock

Seven thirty

7.30

8.00

8.30

Tasks
Task 1

Choose the best answer.
1. When is the table booked for?
a. Tonight
b. Tomorrow morning
c. Tomorrow night
2. When the woman says, ‘About eight, eight thirty’, what does she mean?
a. At eight o’clock
b. At half past eight
c. Between eight o’clock and half past eight

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3. What time is the first booking?
a. 7.30
b. 8.30
c. 9.00
4. How do you spell the person’s name?
a. Jamei
b. Jamie
c. Janie
5. Where will the table be now?
a. By the door
b. Close to the kitchen
c. In the corner
6. What time is the new booking?
a. 6.00
b. 7.30
c. 8.00

Task 2

Write a number (1–6) to put the questions in the same order as the telephone calls.
Is it possible to change the time?
What time would you like?
How many people is it for?
Can I make it for six people?
Can I book a table for tomorrow night?
Is eight OK for you?


Discussion

What’s your favourite kind of restaurant?

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Transcript
Staff: Hello, Gino’s.
Jamie: Hi. Can I book a table for tomorrow night, please?
Staff: How many people is it for?
Jamie: Four.
Staff: And what time would you like?
Jamie: About eight, eight thirty, please?
Staff: Let’s see ... We’re pretty busy tomorrow, so I can do half past seven, or nine.
Jamie: Oh. OK, then. Half seven, please.
Staff: And what name is it?
Jamie: Jamie.
Staff: J-A- ...?
Jamie: M-I-E
Staff: OK, so that’s a table for four at half past seven tomorrow evening.
Jamie: Great. Thanks! Bye.
Staff: Bye.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Staff: Hello, Gino’s.
Jamie: Hi, I called earlier to book a table for four and I was wondering if I can make it for six

instead?
Staff: What name was it?
Jamie: It’s Jamie.
Staff: Table for four. At half past seven. So you want to change it to six o’clock?
Jamie: No, sorry. Can I make it for six people?
Staff: Oh, I see. Sorry! That shouldn’t be a problem. I can move you to a bigger table but it will
be nearer the kitchen. Is that OK?
Jamie: No problem. Is it possible to change the time as well? Make it a little bit later?
Staff: Ah ... yeah, we can. Is eight OK for you?
Jamie: Perfect, thanks!
Staff: Lovely. See you tomorrow, then.
Jamie: Thanks! Bye!

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Listening: A1

Business cards
Listen to four people talk about their jobs to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task


Match the definitions (a–h) with the vocabulary (1–8).
Vocabulary

Definition

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

…… lead programmer
…… a manager
…… an intern
…… Ltd
…… a director
…… a temporary job
…… a doctorate

…… medical equipment

a person who works in a job to get experience
machines that doctors use
a job that is not for a long time
the main programmer
a person who leads other people in a company
the highest level of university education
the person at the top of a company
‘Limited’, a kind of company that has private owners

Reading text: Business cards
1

2

Dr Peter Miller
Sales Director
DX Medical Equipment Ltd

Alessandro Rossi
Lead Programmer
*Space10 Designs*

3

4

Megumi Tanaka
>> Product Manager

>>> Global Engineering Consults

Andres Mulligan Jr
Intern, R&D team
MaXtin Ltd

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Tasks
Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Answer
True
True
True
True
True

True

Peter Miller is not a medical doctor.
Peter sells machines for hospitals and doctors.
Starlight is the name of Alessandro’s company.
Alessandro is the manager of the company.
Megumi thinks her real name is difficult to say.
Andres is not a permanent member of the team.

False
False
False
False
False
False

Task 2

Match the sentences to the people who said them.
Andres Mulligan Jr

Dr Peter Miller

Megumi Tanaka

Alessandro Rossi

1. ……………………………………………… My doctorate was in electronic engineering.
2. ……………………………………………… I’m the project leader.
3. ……………………………………………… I use another name when I’m working internationally.

4. ……………………………………………… I’m happy to be joining this team for the next few months.

Discussion

Which information do people have on their business cards in your country?

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Transcript
A

A: Hello, Doctor Miller. It’s nice to meet you.
B: Please call me Peter.
A: OK. Are you a medical doctor? It must be helpful when you sell medical equipment.
B: Actually, no. My doctorate was in electronic engineering, but it’s still helpful for me when I
sell our equipment.

B

Good morning, everyone. I’m happy to be here today to tell you about our new project. My
name is Alessandro Rossi. I’m the project leader on the Starlight programming project.

C

Pleased to meet you. Here’s my card. My real name is Megumi Tanaka, but people who are not

from my country think it’s difficult to say my name, so I use another name, Meg, when I’m
working internationally.

D

Hello, everyone. My name’s Andres Mulligan. I’m very happy to be joining this team for the
next few months and learning more about research and development.

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Listening: A1

Finding the library
Listen to a conversation about the university library to practise and improve your listening
skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).
Vocabulary

Definitions


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

a. a place where people can use or borrow books, newspapers,
CDs, etc.
b. something you wear over ears to listen to music
c. the process of writing down students’ information at start of
the academic year
d. a big room with many seats where students listen to
teachers
e. a room or building where people work
f. a talk to teach many people about a subject

…… registration
…… a library
…… a lecture
…… headphones
…… an office
…… a lecture theatre

Tasks
Task 1

Write a number (1–4) to put the events in the order you hear them.
The librarian gives the student an application form.

The student asks someone for directions.
The student asks to borrow some books.
The librarian explains the rules.

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Task 2

Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
fifty
quietly

off
food

office
six

card
two

lecture

1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

The big building is the ……………………………… theatre.
The library is next to the registration ……………………………… .
You need a library ……………………………… if you want to borrow books.
You can take out ……………………………… books.
You can keep library books for ……………………………… weeks.
For every late day, you have to pay ……………………………… pence.
Mobile phones must be switched ……………………………… and you cannot have ………………………………
or drink.
8. Please speak ……………………………… in the library.

Discussion

Do you have a local library? How often do you go there? What do you do there?

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Transcript
Student: Hi. Excuse me.
Student B: Yes?

Student: Where’s the library?
Student B: The library? It’s next to the registration office.
Student: Ah ... sorry, I’m new. Where’s the registration office?
Student B: No problem. See the big building over there?
Student: Yes.
Student B: OK, so that’s the lecture theatre. Next to that, on the right, is the registration
office. And next to that is the library.
Student: I see. Thanks!
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Student: Hello?
Librarian: Hello.
Student: Is this the library?
Librarian: Yes, it is. Quiet, please.
Student: Oh, sorry. Thank you.
Librarian: Can I help you?
Student: Er, yes, please. I want to borrow some books. What do I need?
Librarian: You need a library card. Here’s the application form. You can take up to six books
maximum today.
Student: OK. Six books.
Librarian: Yes. You have two weeks to read the books. Then you bring them back.
Student: And if I’m late?
Librarian: For every day you are late there is a fee of fifty pence.
Student: OK, 50p a day. Anything else?
Librarian: Mobile phones must be switched off in the library. You can bring your laptop, but
please use headphones to watch videos or listen to music.
Student: OK, great.
Librarian: And you can’t bring food or drink.
Student: No food, no drink. And ...?
Librarian: And please speak quietly! People are working here.
Student: Oh! Oh, OK. Thank you.

Librarian: You’re welcome.

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Listening: A1

Organising a group project
Listen to people organising a group project and answer the questions to practise and improve
your listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the times (a–f) with the words (1–6).
Words

Times

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

…… Three till five
…… Four o’clock
…… Before ten
…… After ten
…… Ten to five
…… Twenty to eight

9.30
7.40
4.50
10.15
4.00
3.00–5.00

Tasks
Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

They want to start the project soon.
The first meeting will be for two hours.
Mornings before ten are good for everyone.
Everyone is free at four.
They’re going to have the meeting in the library.
Robert will leave the meeting before 5 p.m.

© 2019 British Council

Answer
True
True
True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False
False

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Task 2

Match the sentences (a–d) that mean the same thing (1–4).
Sentences

Sentences

1.
2.
3.
4.

a. I’m free every day at four.
b. I’m free at four.
c. I’m not free at four.
d. We’re going to meet at four.

…… I can do 4.
…… I can’t do 4.
…… I can always do 4.
…… We all agree to meet at 4.

Discussion

Where do you like to study with friends?

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Transcript
Cara: So for our group project, do you want to start this week?
Selim: Yeah, I want to start early so we have enough time.
Robert: Me too, but I’ve got a big maths project too.
Cara: How about we meet first to plan what we’re going to do? Just for an hour.
Robert: Good idea, Cara.
Cara: When are you free?
Robert: I can always do mornings before 10.
Cara: Robert … Uh …
Selim: I’m sleeping before 10!
Robert: OK! OK, so when are you two free?
Cara: Wednesdays are good for me. But not very early, please!
Selim: I can’t do the mornings on Wednesdays but I have 3 till 5 free.
Robert: I can do 4 o’clock, just before my maths class.
Cara: Great, 4 then. Where shall we meet?
Selim: The library?
Robert: I don’t know. The library isn’t a good place for a planning meeting as we can’t talk in
there.
Cara: How about the university café? It’s near the library. We can talk in there. And eat cake.
Selim: Cake is good.
Robert: OK, so Wednesday at the café. I need to leave at ten to five to go to my maths class.
Cara: No problem. Planning will take less than an hour.
Selim: OK! See you Wednesday for cake.
Robert and Cara: See you, Selim!


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Listening: A1

Shopping for clothes
Listen to a conversation in a shop to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Write the words in the correct group.
jumper

green

black

large

red

shirt


trousers

skirt

extra large

medium

blue

small

Size

Colour

Clothes

Tasks
Task 1

Put the questions in the order that you hear them.
Where are the changing rooms?
Would you like a bag for that?
What size do you need?
Can I help you?
How much is this?
Can I pay by credit card?


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Task 2

Match the answers with the questions.
Yes, you can. Of course.

It’s £29.

I’m just looking, thanks.

Yes, please.

They’re over there.

Extra small, please.

1. Can I help you? …………………………………………………………………
2. Where are the changing rooms? …………………………………………………………………
3. What size do you need? …………………………………………………………………
4. How much is this? …………………………………………………………………
5. Can I pay by credit card? …………………………………………………………………
6. Would you like a bag for that? …………………………………………………………………

Discussion


Do you enjoy shopping? How often do you go shopping for clothes or shoes?

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Transcript
1

Shop assistant: Hello, can I help you?
Customer: I’m just looking, thanks.

2

Customer: Excuse me?
Shop assistant: Yes?
Customer: Where are the changing rooms?
Shop assistant: They’re over there. Behind you.
Customer: Thank you.

3

Customer: Hi. Excuse me again. Do you have this jumper in black?
Shop assistant: Yes, just a moment. What size do you need?
Customer: Extra small, please.
Shop assistant: Here you are.


4

Customer: How much is this?
Shop assistant: It’s £29.
Customer: Can I pay by credit card?
Shop assistant: Yes, you can. Of course.

5

Shop assistant: Would you like a bag for that?
Customer: Yes, please.

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Listening: A1

The first English class
Listen to a professor give information about a new course to practise and improve your
listening skills.

Before listening
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task


Write a number to put the words in each list in the correct order.
Days of the week
1–7

Ordinal numbers
1–5

Ordinal numbers
6–10

Thursday

third

eighth

Saturday

fifth

sixth

Sunday

first

seventh

Friday


fourth

tenth

Monday

second

ninth

Wednesday
Tuesday

Months of the year 1–6

Months of the year 7–12

May

November

March

July

April

October


January

December

June

August

February

September

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Tasks
Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.

This is an English course.
There are three classes every week.
The class begins in May.
There is a book for the course.
The students need the teacher’s book.
Photocopies of the book are not allowed.
The first class is next Monday.
The next class is on Tuesday.

Answer
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False


Task 2

Circle the best answer.
1. What is the teacher’s name?
a. Lindsay Black
b. Lindsey Black
c. Linsey Black
2. What room is the class in?
a. Room 13
b. Room 30
c. Room 33
3. What days is the class?
a. Monday and Tuesday
b. Monday and Wednesday
c. Monday and Thursday
4. How long is the class?
a. One hour
b. One hour and a half
c. Two and a half hours
5. When is the teacher’s office hour?
a. On Monday and Wednesday
b. Room 7B
c. Friday at 18.00

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6. What date does the course begin?
a. Monday 13 March
b. Monday 30 March
c. Monday 13 May

Discussion

Do you have an English class? When is it? Where is it?

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Transcript
Hello, everyone. Hello! It’s nice to see you all here. Welcome to British Life and Language. I am
your teacher. My name is Lindsay Black. That’s L-I-N-D-S-A-Y Black. Before we begin, some
information about the class.
Our class is in room 13, on the first floor. When you go upstairs, turn left to find the room.
Again, that’s room 13.
We have class twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday. Our class begins at 4.30 p.m. and
lasts 90 minutes, so we finish at 6 p.m. That’s 4.30 to 6. Please arrive on time, OK?
Also, I have an office hour if you have questions. I’m in office 7B on the second floor. My office
hour is Friday at 6 p.m. So, if you have any questions or problems or want to talk to me, it’s
Friday at 6 p.m. in office 7B.
We begin next week, on March the 13th. That’s Monday, March the 13th. The course ends on
May the 20th. May the 20th is the last day.

I think that’s all ... Oh, one more thing. For this course you need the book. Here it is: British Life
and Language Level 1 Student’s Book. So, please get a copy of the book. I don’t want to see
any photocopies of the book, thank you! Remember, it’s level 1 student’s book. Don’t buy the
teacher’s book.
I think that’s all, everyone. I look forward to working with you. See you next Monday!

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