Drill: Choose the Best Response

B1 Foundation Choose a Response

Instructions: skim the question stems, then press play and listen once, taking notes. Answer all 8 questions, check your score and error analysis — and only then open the study pack (transcript, vocabulary, paraphrases, model notes).

📦 Show transcript & study pack — only after you have answered

Full transcript

1. Woman: Would you mind if I opened the window? It's a little stuffy in here.
2. Man: Sorry I'm late — the traffic was terrible this morning.
3. Woman: Excuse me, where's the nearest copy shop?
4. Man: How did your presentation go this morning?
5. Woman: I'm afraid the copier is out of order again.
6. Man: I'd love to see that movie with you, but tonight just doesn't work for me. Can I take a rain check?
7. Woman: Could you put this book on hold for me until Thursday?
8. Man: The final exam will cover chapters six through ten.

Difficult vocabulary

stuffy	(of air in a room) warm and without freshness; uncomfortable to breathe
copy shop	a person or shop that makes copies of documents; by extension, the place offering this service
out of order	not working; broken (used of machines)
put on hold	to reserve a library item so that you can borrow it later
review	to study material again in preparation for a test

Important phrases

I'm afraid… — a polite way to introduce bad news ('I'm afraid the copier is broken')
I owe you one — an informal way to thank someone who has helped you: 'I owe you a favor'
take a rain check — to politely decline an invitation now but accept the chance to do it later

Paraphrases — what you heard vs what it means

You heard	It means
I'm afraid the copier is out of order again	the speaker politely reports that the photocopier is broken
How did your presentation go?	the speaker is asking whether your presentation was successful
Can I take a rain check?	the speaker asks to postpone an invitation to another time

Note-taking analysis — model notes

Choose a Response is about FUNCTION, not topic: what does the speaker want? Questions want an ANSWER. Offers want acceptance or refusal. Problems want help or sympathy. Match the real subject: a compliment about dinner gets thanks, not a recipe. Beware same-topic traps: talking about exams or offices does not make an option a response. Listen for tone: invitations, apologies and thanks each have their own natural reply.

Compare with your own notes: did you catch the main claim, the arrows (cause/effect), the contrasts and the compressed examples?

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