VEPT Listening Comprehension: Conversations 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A supervisor tells an employee: 'I need this revised and on my desk by end of day — no exceptions.' What tone is the supervisor using?
- Casual and flexible about the deadline.
- Firm and non-negotiable about the deadline. (Correct answer)
- Uncertain about when the work is due.
- Encouraging the employee to take more time if needed.
Correct answer: Firm and non-negotiable about the deadline.
'No exceptions' signals a strict, non-negotiable deadline with no room for extension.
Question 2: A man tells his roommate: 'I wouldn't count on getting your deposit back — I've heard the landlord always finds something to hold back.' What is the man warning about?
- The landlord is very generous with security deposit refunds.
- The landlord commonly finds reasons to keep part or all of the deposit. (Correct answer)
- The roommate forgot to pay the security deposit at move-in.
- The deposit will be returned automatically at the end of the lease.
Correct answer: The landlord commonly finds reasons to keep part or all of the deposit.
'Always finds something to hold back' means the landlord typically keeps some or all of the security deposit.
Question 3: At a conference, a speaker says: 'I'll keep my remarks brief so we have plenty of time for questions.' What does the speaker plan to do?
- Cancel the question-and-answer session to save time.
- Speak at length to cover all important points.
- Give a short presentation to allow time for audience questions. (Correct answer)
- Ask the audience to submit questions in writing only.
Correct answer: Give a short presentation to allow time for audience questions.
The speaker intends to speak briefly so that the audience can ask questions afterward.
Question 4: A mother says to her teenage son: 'If you finish your homework before dinner, you can use your phone afterward — deal?' What is the mother proposing?
- She is taking away the son's phone permanently.
- She is offering phone use as a reward for completing homework first. (Correct answer)
- She is asking the son to do homework and use his phone simultaneously.
- She is cancelling dinner until the homework is done.
Correct answer: She is offering phone use as a reward for completing homework first.
The mother is setting a condition: finish homework first, then earn phone privileges.
Question 5: Two coworkers discuss a project. Coworker A: 'Do you think we'll hit the deadline?' Coworker B: 'It's going to be tight, but I think we can pull it off if everyone stays focused.' What does Coworker B believe?
- The deadline is impossible to meet and should be extended.
- The team can meet the deadline if they remain concentrated and on task. (Correct answer)
- The project will easily be finished ahead of schedule.
- The team should stop working and ask for a new deadline.
Correct answer: The team can meet the deadline if they remain concentrated and on task.
'Tight' means barely possible, and 'pull it off' means to succeed despite difficulty.
Question 6: A customer service agent says: 'I completely understand your frustration, and I want to make this right for you.' What is the agent trying to do?
- Dismiss the customer's complaint and end the call.
- Acknowledge the customer's feelings and resolve the issue. (Correct answer)
- Transfer the customer to a different department.
- Offer the customer a refund without hearing the complaint.
Correct answer: Acknowledge the customer's feelings and resolve the issue.
'Understand your frustration' shows empathy, and 'make this right' signals a commitment to resolving the problem.
Question 7: A woman tells her colleague: 'I've been burning the candle at both ends this week — early mornings, late nights, the works.' What does this mean?
- She has been working very long hours and is exhausted. (Correct answer)
- She has been sleeping more than usual this week.
- She lit candles at her desk to work through a power outage.
- She finished all her work early and is now relaxing.
Correct answer: She has been working very long hours and is exhausted.
'Burning the candle at both ends' is an idiom meaning working extremely long hours without enough rest.
VEPT Listening Comprehension: Conversations 5
A supervisor tells an employee: 'I need this revised and on my desk by end of day — no exceptions.' What tone is the supervisor using?