Listening Exercises B1 – Phone Messages

People are leaving phone messages. What kinds of messages are they? Listen and circle the correct answer.

Listen

1. a. congratulations

b. a suggestion

2. a. an invitation

b. an apology

3. a. an offer

b. a reminder

4. a. a request

b. an apology

5. a. a reminder

b. a suggestion

6. a. an invitation

b. congratulations

Answer & Transcript

Hey, George. This is Tim calling. I just wanted to say how happy I was to hear about your promotion. That’s great news. You really deserve it.

Hi, Terry. It’s Paula. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to come to your party. I heard it was really fun. Unfortunately, I came down with food poisoning and I just couldn’t make it.

Hello, this is the library calling for Mrs. Graham. This is just to remind you that several books you have borrowed are overdue.

This is Mr. Kent from St. Alban’s School. I’m calling for Tracy’s parents. Unfortunately, she has been absent from school again. Could you please call me back to clarify the situation?

Hey, it’s Wendy. It’s Andrea’s birthday on Friday. I was thinking maybe we could organize a surprise party for her. What do you think?

David, this is Rosie. How are you? Are you doing anything on Saturday? There’s a great jazz group in town. I know you’re into jazz, so I thought you might like to go.

Exercise 2 Listen

Task 1

People are leaving phone messages. Listen and number the pictures.

Task 2

Listen again. How does each caller sound? Circle the correct answer.

1. Louise sounds …. .

a. pleased

b. angry

c. apologetic

2. Mr. Norris sounds …. .

a. scared

b. apologetic

c. excited

3. Anne sounds …. .

a. apologetic

b. worried

c. pleased

4. Mr. Grant sounds …. .

a. angry

b. bored

c. apologetic

5. Judy Peterson sounds …. .

a. excited

b. angry

c. worried

6. Mrs. Brown sounds …. .

a. apologetic

b. scared

c. angry

Answer & Transcript

Rob, this is Louise calling. It’s 2:30. You said you’d meet me at 1:30 in front of the restaurant. Well, I’m not waiting any longer. And please don’t bother calling me again.

This is Mr. Norris from the carpet store. I’m afraid that we tried to get the stain out of your carpet but we haven’t been successful. Dry cleaning hasn’t helped, so unfortunately there isn’t anything more we can do about it. Would you be able to come in and get your carpet this week?

Paul, this is Anne. It’s 8 p.m., and I’m still tied up at the office, so I don’t think I’ll be able to join you for dinner. I feel really bad about it, but we’ll definitely have dinner tomorrow night. Promise! Bye.

This is Mr. Grant, in apartment 1201, calling for Mrs. West. I’m afraid I had a slight accident in the parking lot and did some damage to your car. I’m really sorry about it, but I’m sure that my insurance company will pay for the repairs. Please give me a call when you get in. You can reach me at 555-4026.

Hi, Donna. This is Judy Peterson calling. You’ll never guess where I am! I’m at the airport with Don and the kids. All five of us are here this time. Isn’t that great? Hope you’ve still got room for us! We’ll be at your place by six o’clock. Don’t worry about dinner. We can just send out for some pizza – our treat!

Hello, I’m calling the Burtons. This is Mrs. Brown, from across the street. Your dog got into my garden today and destroyed half my flowers. I’d say it’s going to cost about $250 to replace them. Not to mention my time and effort. Call me as soon as you get this message. The number is 916-5741.

Exercise 3 Listen

Task 1

People are leaving phone messages. Listen and correct the mistakes in each message.

Task 2

Listen again. Where is each person the caller asks for? Circle the correct answer.

1. a. at lunch

b. at a meeting

c. on vacation

2. a. at a meeting

b. at home

c. at lunch

3. a. in class

b. at lunch

c. at home

4. a. on vacation

b. at the mall

c. at the bank

Answer & Transcript

A: Hello, Computer Technologies.

B: Hello, could I speak to Pamela Gordon, please?

A: I’m sorry. She’s at a meeting right now and won’t be back until this afternoon. Can I take a message?

B: Yes, this is Ken Morita calling, from Island Travel.

A: Is that M-O-R-I-T-A?

B: That’s right. Ken Morita.

A: Got it. And can I have your telephone number, please?

B: Sure. It’s 834-5627.

B: Right again. Can you tell her that the time of her flight on Thursday has changed?

A: All right … flight time has changed …

B: Yes, her flight on Thursday now leaves at 10:30, not 9:45.

A: Okay. I’ll pass along the message.

A: Good afternoon. First National Bank.

B: Yes, is Jane Taylor there please?

A: I’m sorry, she’s at lunch right now.

B: Could I leave a message for her?

A: Yes, of course.

B: This is Brian from the bookstore.

A: All right. Can I have your phone number?

B: That’s right. Please tell her that the book she ordered is in today, and she can pick it up anytime.

A: Okay, Brian. Got it. I’ll give her the message just as soon as she gets back from lunch.

A: Hello. Chicago Language Center.

B: Yes, can I speak to Mr. Garcia, please?

A: He’s teaching a class right now. Would you like to leave a message?

B: Sure, my name is Jeff Leigh. I’m in his 7:30 Spanish class, but I can’t make it tonight.

A: Hold on. Is that spelled L-E-E?

B: Actually, it’s L-E-I-G-H.

B: And my number is 627-6082.

A: Is that 627-6082?

B: Right. Anyway, I can’t come to Spanish class tonight because I have to work late on a big project. Can you tell that to Mr. Garcia, please?

A: Hello, Benny’s Cafe.

B: Hi. Is Benny there?

A: No, he just stepped out to the bank.

B: Oh. Could you give him a message, please?

B: This is Rosie Brown from Pet Word.

A: Did you say Pet World?

B: That’s right. And I’m Rosie Brown. The number here is 867-5309.

B: Right. He was talking about bringing his dog in for a shampoo and haircut. Please tell him he can come on Saturday morning, around 11 o’clock.

A: Okay. Come on Saturday morning, 11 a.m., shampoo and haircut. That’s for Benny’s dog, and not for Benny, right?

A: I’ll tell him as soon as he gets back from the bank.

Exercise 4

Deborah is listening to messages on her voicemail. How does each caller sound? Listen and check the correct answer.

Listen

1. Sally

2. Tim

3. John

4. Kathy

5. Frank

Answer & Transcript

1 Apologetic

2 Pleased

3 Pleased

4 Apologetic

5 Angry

Hi. This is Sally. You know that book I borrowed from you last week? Well, my dog chewed it up. I’m really sorry. In fact, I’m at the bookstore right now, buying you another one.

Hi, this is Tim calling. Guess what! I’m a father! We just had a baby girl! Her name is Elizabeth Isadora, and she and Lesley are doing just fine.

This is John Blackmore from City College. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the graduate program. Congratulations!

Hi, this is Kathy. I know you have plans this evening, but my car broke down on the highway and I need a ride. Could you call me on my cell phone when you get in? Thanks. I’m so, so, sorry to ruin your plans.

It’s Frank. I’m at the movie theater. Where are you? I’ve been waiting for you at the ticket booth for 45 minutes. If you don’t show up soon, I’m going home!

Exercise 5

Listen to the phone conversations and complete the message pads.

Listen

WHILE YOU WERE OUT

Company: Healthy Planet

Message: Your order has arrived.

WHILE YOU WERE OUT

To: Chef Michael

Message: Call her back immediately.

Answer & Transcript

Company: Healthy Planet

Phone number: 439-2541

Message: Your order has arrived.

To: Chef Michael

Company: Smith Bank

Phone number: 498-3947

Message: Call her back immediately.

A: Hello, Fresh Foods, may I help you?

B: Yes, may I speak to Bess Carter, please?

A: I’m sorry, she’s at lunch now. May I take a message?

B: Yes, this is Susan calling from Healthy Planet.

A: That’s Susan, S-U-S-A-N?

B: That’s right. Could you tell her that her order has arrived?

A: Okay. And may I have your phone number?

B: Sure. It’s 439-2541.

A: 439-2541. Okay. I’ll give Bess the message.

A: Good evening, Bluebird Restaurant. May I help you?

B: Yes, may I speak to the chef, please?

A: I’m sorry, Chef Michael is cooking right now. Could I take a message?

B: Yes, this is Mrs. Smith from Smith Bank. I ate at the restaurant last night and –

A: Slow down, slow down. That’s Mrs. Smith, S-M-I-T-H? From Smith Bank, S-M-I-T-H?

B: Yes. S-M-I-T-H. Now as I was saying, I ate at the restaurant last night, and I’ve been sick all day. Could you please have the chef call me back immediately?

A: Okay, what’s your number?

B: 498-3947. Did you get that? It’s 498-3947.

A: Yes, I got it. I’ll give the chef your message.

Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Phone Messages
Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – World
Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – History
Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Communities
Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Success
Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Emotion