Listening: A1

Meeting people at a dinner

Listen to introductions at a dinner party 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
Choose the TWO correct answers. One answer is not correct.

1. How are you?

a. Am fine.
b. Fine.
c. I’m fine.
2. Nice to meet you.
a. Nice to meet you.
b. Nice to meet you too.
c. Thank you.
3. Do you know Jack?
a. I know.
b. No, I don’t.
c. Yes, I know him.
4. Do you remember?
a. Yes, do.
b. Yes, I do.
c. Yes, I remember.
5. Would you like a drink?
a. Good idea.
b. How are you?
c. Yes, please.
6. Here you are.
a. Thanks.
b. Thank you.
c. You’re welcome.

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

Tasks

Task 1
Write a number (1–6) to put the sentences in the order that you hear them.

My name isn’t Alison.

Do you know Alyssa?

Nice to meet you too.

Do you remember?

Alyssa was there.

Would you like a drink?

Task 2
Are the sentences true or false?

Answer
1. Julian remembers Alyssa. True False
2. Ben is Alyssa’s brother. True False
3. They were at Ben’s wedding. True False
4. The wedding was in February. True False
5. Julian says the wrong name. True False
6. Alyssa doesn’t want a drink. True False

Discussion
How often do you meet new people?

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

Transcript
Charles: Hello, Julian.
Julian: Hello, Charles. How are you?
Charles: I’m fine. Fine. Julian, do you remember Alyssa?
Julian: No, I don’t.
Charles: She’s Ben’s sister. Do you remember? We were all at Ben’s wedding together.
Julian: Ah, yes, I do – in that old castle. Was it in January?
Charles: Yes, it was! Alyssa was there.
Alyssa: Hello. Nice to meet you … again.
Julian: Hello, nice to meet you too, Alison.
Alyssa: I’m not Alison.
Julian: What?
Alyssa: My name isn’t Alison. It’s Alyssa.
Julian: I’m sorry. Nice to meet you, Alyssa.
Charles: Good. Would you like a drink?
Julian: Good idea.
Alyssa: Yes, please.
Charles: Here you are.
Alyssa and Julian: Thanks!

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

 Listening: A2
An invitation to a party
Listen to some phone messages with directions 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 correct words below each picture.

go straight turn right go down go past take the exit turn left
(the road) (the trees)

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

……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ………………………

Tasks

Task 1
Write the sentences in the correct group.

The message was at a quarter to four. The woman says thank you for the card.

The woman describes the house. The woman gives directions.

The woman talks about a swimming pool. The woman talks about a bus.

Message 1 Message 2

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

Task 2
Circle the best answer.

1. She is having a party for ...

a. her family.
b. her very good friends.
c. everybody at work.

2. The party is at ...

a. the swimming pool at her house.
b. her cousin’s house.
c. work.

3. To get to the party, drive ...

a. straight on Forest Road.
b. right on Forest Road.
c. left on Forest Road.

4. The motorway exit you need is ...

a. 3A.
b. 13A.
c. 30A.

5. The house is the first big house ...

a. on the right.
b. on the left.
c. down at the end of the road.

6. If you go by public transport, take …

a. bus 18 to Brownsville.
b. bus 80 to Forest Road.
c. bus 80 to Brownsville.

7. The woman received the birthday card ...

a. this morning.
b. last night.
c. yesterday morning.

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

8. If you take a bus, ...
a. you can walk from the town to the house.
b. somebody will drive you from the town to the house.
c. there is a bus stop outside the house.

Discussion
Is it easy to get lost in your town? Have you ever given directions to a visitor?

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

Transcript
Automated message: You have two new messages. Message number one, received today at
3.45 p.m.
Hi, it’s me. How’s it going? I guess you’re at work and you don’t have your phone on, right?
First of all, thank you, THANK YOU for the birthday card and message. I received it this
morning. That’s so nice of you. I’m organising a little party for my birthday. It’s nothing very
big – only a few of my best and closest friends. That means you too! We’re going to have it at
my cousin’s house. She lives in the countryside in a nice big house with a swimming pool. I’d
love to see you there. It’s going to be this Friday. I’ll send you the instructions on how to get
there later, OK?
Anyway, have fun at work. Don’t work too hard, OK? Talk soon.

Automated message: You have two new messages. Message number two, received today at
5.15 p.m.
Aw, you’re still not answering your phone! OK, here are the instructions to get to my cousin’s
house for the party. Are you going to take your car? If you take the car, drive straight on
Forest Road until you get to the motorway. Drive past Brownsville and take exit 13A. That’s
13A. You drive down the road there and turn left. It’s the first big house on the right. OK? If
you’re taking a bus, you can get the number 80 to Brownsville. Call me when you get there
and somebody can pick you up in a car. I can’t wait. This is going to be so great!

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish