B1 English Listening Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At a pharmacy, the pharmacist tells you: 'This antibiotic should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before food or two hours after. Complete the full course even if you feel better.' Why must you finish all the tablets?
- Because the pharmacist needs to sell the full box
- To prevent the infection from returning and reduce antibiotic resistance (Correct answer)
- Because unused tablets cannot be returned for a refund
- So your doctor can prescribe a different antibiotic next time
Correct answer: To prevent the infection from returning and reduce antibiotic resistance
Completing a full course of antibiotics ensures the infection is fully treated. Stopping early can allow bacteria to survive and develop resistance, making future infections harder to treat.
Question 2: During a parent-teacher evening, the teacher says: 'Your daughter is performing above expected levels in maths and reading, but she needs to develop her confidence in speaking in front of the class. I'd suggest encouraging her to share stories at home.' What area needs improvement?
- Her reading comprehension
- Her mathematical ability
- Her confidence in speaking publicly (Correct answer)
- Her written work and spelling
Correct answer: Her confidence in speaking publicly
The teacher specifically identifies speaking in front of the class as the area needing development, while praising her maths and reading performance.
Question 3: You overhear a conversation at a community centre: 'The council has agreed to fund the new playground equipment, but only if we can demonstrate sufficient community interest. We need at least 200 signatures on the petition by the end of the month.' What is needed for the playground to be funded?
- Payment from local residents
- 200 or more petition signatures before the month ends (Correct answer)
- Permission from the school
- A vote at the next council meeting
Correct answer: 200 or more petition signatures before the month ends
The speaker clearly states that 200 signatures on a petition are needed by month's end to demonstrate community interest and secure council funding.
Question 4: A recorded message when you call the council says: 'Press 1 for Council Tax enquiries, press 2 for housing benefit, press 3 for waste collection and recycling, press 4 for planning applications, or hold for an operator.' You want to report a missed bin collection. Which number should you press?
- Press 1
- Press 2
- Press 3 (Correct answer)
- Press 4
Correct answer: Press 3
Bin collection falls under 'waste collection and recycling,' which is option 3. Council Tax, housing benefit, and planning applications are separate services.
Question 5: At a job interview, the interviewer says: 'We offer 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays, a contributory pension scheme, and after a qualifying period of six months, private health insurance.' When would you become eligible for health insurance?
- Immediately when you start the job
- After your probation period ends
- After six months of employment (Correct answer)
- After one full year of service
Correct answer: After six months of employment
The interviewer specifies a 'qualifying period of six months' before private health insurance begins. The other benefits (leave and pension) appear to start immediately.
Question 6: A neighbour tells you: 'The bins have changed again — general waste is now collected fortnightly instead of weekly, but food waste is still every week. They've also added a separate collection for small electrical items on the first Monday of each month.' How often is general waste now collected?
- Every week
- Every two weeks (Correct answer)
- Once a month
- Only on Mondays
Correct answer: Every two weeks
'Fortnightly' is a common British English word meaning every two weeks or once every fourteen days.
B1 English Listening Skills 2
At a pharmacy, the pharmacist tells you: 'This antibiotic should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before food or two hours after.
Complete the full course even if you feel better.' Why must you finish all the tablets?