APTIS Listening Skills 2

Question 1

You hear a conversation between two colleagues discussing a project deadline. The man says he is 'snowed under' with work this week. What does this expression mean?

Accepted Answer

He is very busy and has too much to do

Answer

'Snowed under' is an idiomatic expression meaning to be overwhelmed with a large amount of work or tasks, making it difficult to cope.

Question 2

In an APTIS listening task, you hear a radio programme about environmental issues. The presenter says local authorities 'should have acted sooner' on pollution. What does this tell you about the presenter's opinion?

Accepted Answer

The presenter thinks local authorities responded too late

Answer

The phrase 'should have acted sooner' expresses regret or criticism about a past action, indicating the presenter believes the response came too late.

Question 3

You listen to a talk about healthy eating habits. The speaker mentions 'a balanced diet' several times. What is the speaker's main purpose in repeating this phrase?

Accepted Answer

To emphasise the importance of eating a variety of nutritious foods

Answer

Repeating a key phrase is a rhetorical strategy to reinforce the central message and help the audience remember the core idea.

Question 4

During a listening task, you hear two people discussing a film. One person says, 'I wasn't that impressed, to be honest.' What is this person expressing?

Accepted Answer

Mild disappointment with the film

Answer

The phrase 'wasn't that impressed' combined with 'to be honest' signals a polite but candid expression of mild disappointment or underwhelming experience.

Question 5

You hear an announcement at a train station: 'The 14:35 service to Manchester is running approximately twenty minutes behind schedule.' What should a passenger travelling to Manchester do?

Accepted Answer

Wait on the platform as the train will arrive about twenty minutes late

Answer

'Running behind schedule' means the train is delayed, and 'approximately twenty minutes' gives the estimated delay time, so passengers should wait.

APTIS - Aptis English Test Practice Test

APTIS - Aptis English Test Practice Test

APTIS Listening Skills 2