B1 · LISTENING PRACTICE
Listen closely.
Make sense of more.
Use these eight messages alongside the units. Each has normal and slower playback, a transcript and answers. They use an American English device voice; they are not prerecorded audio files. If playback is unavailable, read for support and leave listening unassessed.
Message 1: Solve an Everyday Problem
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
The library is closed this Saturday. Our reading club can use the community room at eleven. It has twenty seats and is free. Please check whether everyone can reach it from the bus stop before we confirm the booking.
- Which place and time are proposed?
- What needs checking?
Transcript — open after listening
The library is closed this Saturday. Our reading club can use the community room at eleven. It has twenty seats and is free. Please check whether everyone can reach it from the bus stop before we confirm the booking.
Listening answers and reasons
The community room at eleven. Whether everyone can reach it before confirming.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 2: Coordinate Work and Study
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
Aya can now send the list on Thursday at nine. Ben needs it by ten, so there is still one hour. Please tell the team early if the list may be late. Nobody has confirmed the room yet.
- How much time remains before Ben’s deadline?
- What is still unconfirmed?
Transcript — open after listening
Aya can now send the list on Thursday at nine. Ben needs it by ten, so there is still one hour. Please tell the team early if the list may be late. Nobody has confirmed the room yet.
Listening answers and reasons
One hour. The room.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 3: Explain Experiences and Set a Goal
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
Last year I avoided asking questions in meetings. Since I joined the garden group, I have become more confident. This week I plan to prepare one short question before each meeting. I will check whether I actually ask it.
- What has changed?
- What action is planned?
Transcript — open after listening
Last year I avoided asking questions in meetings. Since I joined the garden group, I have become more confident. This week I plan to prepare one short question before each meeting. I will check whether I actually ask it.
Listening answers and reasons
Confidence about asking questions. Prepare and ask one question.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 4: Understand Information and Check a Claim
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
The notice changes the room, not the time. We still begin at ten. A chat message says the class is canceled, but the notice does not say that. I am calling the center before I share any cancellation news.
- What stays unchanged?
- Is cancellation confirmed?
Transcript — open after listening
The notice changes the room, not the time. We still begin at ten. A chat message says the class is canceled, but the notice does not say that. I am calling the center before I share any cancellation news.
Listening answers and reasons
The ten o’clock start. No.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 5: Read to Learn and Take Notes
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
I wrote three key phrases and a situation for each. Tomorrow I will close my notes and try new examples. Next week I will see what I still remember. I chose three because I have only ten minutes today.
- Why only three phrases?
- What happens tomorrow?
Transcript — open after listening
I wrote three key phrases and a situation for each. Tomorrow I will close my notes and try new examples. Next week I will see what I still remember. I chose three because I have only ten minutes today.
Listening answers and reasons
Limited time: ten minutes. New examples without looking at notes.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 6: Write Useful Emails
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
Please send the presentation titles by Thursday at noon. We need them to print Friday's program. If that time is difficult, send an update with a workable time. The order of speakers has not been agreed.
- What is the deadline?
- What is not final?
Transcript — open after listening
Please send the presentation titles by Thursday at noon. We need them to print Friday’s program. If that time is difficult, send an update with a workable time. The order of speakers has not been agreed.
Listening answers and reasons
Thursday at noon. The speaker order.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 7: Disagree, Clarify and Suggest
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
I thought you wanted a shorter session. Now I understand that you want to start later and keep the full hour. Half past six would finish at half past seven. Let's ask the rest of the group before we decide.
- What misunderstanding is corrected?
- What is the next step?
Transcript — open after listening
I thought you wanted a shorter session. Now I understand that you want to start later and keep the full hour. Half past six would finish at half past seven. Let’s ask the rest of the group before we decide.
Listening answers and reasons
Later start, not a shorter session. Ask the rest of the group.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.
Message 8: Plan a Shared Learning Activity
Listen for meaning
Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.
Listen in American English
Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.
Our Sunday activity runs from eleven to noon. Paper and enlarged pictures cost fifteen dollars from our twenty-dollar budget. Sam can set up chairs. We still need volunteers to welcome people and clean up.
- How much money remains?
- Which jobs are open?
Transcript — open after listening
Our Sunday activity runs from eleven to noon. Paper and enlarged pictures cost fifteen dollars from our twenty-dollar budget. Sam can set up chairs. We still need volunteers to welcome people and clean up.
Listening answers and reasons
Five dollars. Welcome and cleanup.
If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.