Listening Comprehension: Conversations Flashcards

A store employee says: 'That item is out of stock online, but we may have it in limited quantities in-store. I'd call ahead before making the trip.' What is the employee advising the customer?

Answer: The customer should phone the store to check availability before visiting.

The employee suggests calling first to confirm in-store availability before making the journey.

Two coworkers speak in the break room. Person A: 'Did you hear that the merger is official?' Person B: 'Yeah, but no one really knows what it means for our jobs yet.' What does Person B imply?

Answer: The merger was announced but its impact on employees is unclear.

Person B says 'no one really knows,' indicating the job implications are still uncertain.

A professor announces to a class: 'I'm moving Friday's quiz to the following Monday to give everyone more time to review.' How does this change affect students?

Answer: Students gain additional days to study before the quiz.

Moving the quiz to a later date gives students more time to prepare.

A neighbor knocks and says: 'I hate to bother you, but your music is carrying pretty loudly through the walls.' What is the neighbor doing?

Answer: Politely asking the person to lower the volume.

The neighbor is politely signaling that the music is too loud without making a direct demand.

A travel agent says: 'The direct flight saves you two hours, but it's $180 more than the connecting option. It really comes down to your budget and how much you value your time.' What is the agent helping the customer do?

Answer: Weigh the trade-off between cost and travel time.

The agent is presenting a cost-versus-convenience trade-off for the customer to decide.

A woman calls her bank and says: 'I noticed a charge on my statement that I don't recognize from last Tuesday.' The banker replies: 'I'll flag that transaction and open a dispute on your behalf.' What will the banker do?

Answer: Mark the suspicious charge and begin an investigation process.

'Flag' and 'open a dispute' mean the banker will mark the transaction and formally challenge it.

Two friends talk after a meeting. Friend A: 'I thought your idea was shut down pretty quickly.' Friend B: 'It stung a bit, but I think the feedback was fair.' What does Friend B suggest?

Answer: She found the criticism painful but recognizes it was valid.

'Stung a bit' means it was hurtful, but 'fair' shows she accepts the validity of the critique.