Listening Skills Flashcards

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

Answer: Every two weeks

'Fortnightly' is a common British English word meaning every two weeks or once every fourteen days.