Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Celebrations

Getting Ready

Match each meal or party on the left with the correct description on the right. Compare your answers with a partner.

1) potluck dinner

2) birthday party

3) buffet

4) surprise party

5) barbecue

6) snack


a A small, quick meal or something eaten between meals

b A meal in which each guest brings a dish

c A meal in which food is cooked outside on a grill

d A party where a person is given gifts and a cake with candles on it

e A meal in which all the food is put out on a table and guests serve themselves

f A party that the guest of honor knows nothing about

Show answers

1) b   2) d   3) e   4) f   5) c   6) a

Listening 1

People are discussing parties. What kind of party are they talking about? Listen and circle the correct answer.

1)  a dinner party

b surprise party

2)  a potluck dinner

b barbecue

3)  a surprise party

b birthday party

4)  a buffet

b birthday party

5)  a buffet

b barbecue

6)  a potluck dinner

b buffet

Show answers & Transcript

1) a   2) a   3) b   4) a   5) b   6) a

Transcript

1)

A: Here we are. Can you turn on the light? hands are full.

B:  Sure.

C:  Surprise!

A: Happy anniversary, honey.

B:  And I thought you forgot!

2)

A: Are you going to Joe’s party?

B:  Yes, I am.

A: What are you going to bring?

B:  I’m going to bring a homemade pizza. How about you?

A: I think I’ll bring a dessert – maybe a chocolate cake.

3)

A: David, are you doing anything this Saturday?

B: Not a thing. Why?

A: Adam is turning 20, and I’m having a party for him. Can you come?

B: Sure! I can’t wait to see him try to blow out twenty candles!

A: Great! Show up at about 7:30.

4)

A: Are you going to Sarah’s party?

B: Yes, I am.

A: What kind of party is it?

B: Well, I heard she’s going to make dinner for everyone. The food will be served buffet style. I think.

A: Sounds nice.

5)

A:  Hi, Tom.

B:  Hi, Lisa.

A:  Hey, are you free on Saturday afternoon?

B:  Yeah. What do you have in mind?

A:  Well, I’m going down to the park with some friends. We’re going to grill some steaks down there. Why don’t you come?

B: Okay. Thanks. I’ll bring something to drink.

6)

A: Would you like to come for dinner tomorrow night? I’m having a few people over.

B: Yeah, sure. Is it potluck?

A: Yes, it is.

B: Okay. What should I bring?

A: Well, you could bring dessert if you want.

Listening 2

Task 1

People are talking at parties. Listen and number the pictures.

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Show answers

a 4   b 6   c 1   d 5   e 3   f 2

Task 2

Listen again. Circle the correct answer.

1)  a The cake is homemade.

b The cake came from a store.

     c  A friend brought the cake.

2)  a He’ll play now.

b He might play later.

     c  He doesn’t play.

3)  a He bought the game recently.

b He played the game all day.

     c  He doesn’t like the game.

4)  a She has brought the flowers for everyone.

b She has brought the flowers for the woman’s husband.

     c  She has brought the flowers for the woman.

5)  a He bought it.

b It was a present.

     c  He painted it himself.

6)  a The cat isn’t very friendly.

b The cat is very friendly.

     c  The cat is tired.

Show answers & Transcript

1) a   2) b   3) a   4) c   5) c   6) a

Transcript

1)

A: Mmm, this is really delicious. Did you make it yourself?

B: Yes, I did.

A: What’s it got in it?

B: Chocolate – and more chocolate.

2)

A: Do you play?

B: Yes, I do. Well, a little.

A: Why don’t you play something for us?

B: Maybe in a while, after I’ve met a few more people.

3)

A: I really like this new game!

B: It’s great! Thanks for bringing it to the party.

A: I could play it all day.

B: Oh yeah? But I guess we should give someone else a turn soon.

4)

A:  Welcome! I’m glad you could come.

B:  Thanks for inviting me. These are for you.

A:  Thank you. They’re lovely.

5)

A:  Oh, I like this. Who did it?

B:  I did.

A:  Really? I didn’t know you painted.

B:  Yes, I do, but this isn’t one of best.

6)

A:  He’s cute. What’s his name?

B:  Well, it’s a “she” really. Her name’s Fluffy.

A:  Can I hold her?

B:  Of course.

A:  Ouch! Why’d she do that?

Listening 3

Task 1

What did the people do at each party? Listen and circle the correct answer.

1) She ________


a played party games

b danced

    c sang songs

2) He ________


a watched a home movie

b danced

    c ate lots of food

3) She ________


a danced

b sang songs

    c met ole friends

4) He ________


a played games

b ate junk food

    c listened to music

Show answers

1) b   2) a   3) b   4) b

Task 2

Listen again. What phrase completes each statement? Write the correct letter.

1) The best thing was ____

2) The worst thing was ____

3) The best thing was ____

4) The worst thing was ____

a she learned some Spanish songs.

b there wasn’t enough food.

c no one brought music.

d the music.

Show answers & Transcript

1) d   2) b   3) a   4) c

Transcript

1)

Hey, what a great party that was! There were lots of interesting people there, and some really cute guys. I met one really nice guy named Tom – I think he’s going to call me next week. Anyway, the best thing was the music. Everyone danced a lot. I’m really glad we didn’t have to play party games or sing stupid songs. The food was good, too. We ate outside – you know, barbecue style.

2)

Sam’s party was terrible. We had to play all sorts of stupid games, like memorizing everyone’s name. Twenty questions I think. Then we watched a home movie of Sam’s vacation in Hawaii. Boring! Actually, I prefer parties where people just sit around and talk and eat, but we didn’t eat till very late. The worst thing was when we finally did eat, there wasn’t enough food. I was still feeling hungry when I left.

3)

I went to this party on Saturday night. When I arrived, I looked around and I didn’t know anyone there, but everyone was really friendly, and soon I got to know a lot of people. I really enjoyed self. I thought it was going to be a dance party, but no one really felt like dancing. We listened to some nice music, though. There were some guys from Spain there. One of them had a guitar and could play it really well. The best thing was he taught us some neat Spanish songs.

4)

I went to a school party on Friday. No one had really planned the party. That was the main problem. Also, I think we were all too tired after exams. The worst thing was no one brought any music. We just stood around talking and eating junk food. Someone said, “Let’s play some party games,” but no one wanted to play games. Everyone went home before 10:30.

Conversation Corner: Planning a celebration

Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A:  ____ __. ______. ______. want to do for Brandon’s birthday?

B:  Let’s have a party!

A:  ____ __. ______. ______. want to have it?

B:  How about Saturday night?

A:  Okay. Where do you ______. ______. ______. it?

B:  How about place?

A:  Sounds great. Now, ______. ______. ______. want to invite?

B: All of Brandon’s friends!

Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to reduce Wh + do you.

Show answers & Transcript

A:  Whatdoyou want to do for Brandon’s birthday?

B:  Let’s have a party!

A:  Whendoyou want to have it?

B:  How about Saturday night?

A:  Okay. Where do you want to have it ?

B:  How about place?

A:  Sounds great. Now, who do you want to invite?

B: All of Brandon’s friends!

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