Welcome to our free open resource for B2 First Listening Part 1 about entertainment to give you practice so you feel confident when the B2 First exam day arrives.
B2 First Listening Part 1 (Entertainment)
1 You hear someone on the radio reviewing a play. Red Roses is a new play about a young Russian girl living in London who wants to become an actress but has to work on a flower stall to make a living. The story is powerful and moving. The acting, in general, is good too, although I found some of the characters slightly unbelievable. I think this was a problem with the way their parts were written rather than the way the actors performed. Overall, I recommend going to see the play. It lasts approximately two hours and is on for the rest of this week.
2 You hear two friends talking about learning something new.
Girl: I’d quite like to do something a bit unusual. Not a sport or a language, or anything like that- something a bit creative maybe, like a painting.
Boy: I agree. I already do basketball but I’ve probably got time for another hobby too. The problem is, I’m really not very good at painting. I’m about as good at it as I am at dancing!
Girl: In that case, an art class sounds just right for you. You’ll soon learn, and I really want to give it a try.
Boy: Well, all right then. It’ll be fun if we do it together.
3 You hear a young woman talking on the radio. My mother is an actress and my father is a film director, so I suppose they had a big influence on my career ambitions when I was young. I joined a drama class and got a few parts in TV commercials, but I was more interested in the script and the way it was directed than in acting. I’ve always been a keen reader, so I suppose I naturally thought about being an author. I wrote my first short story when I was about 15, and after that nothing could stop me. I didn’t do much acting after that.
4. You hear two friends talking.
Teenage boy: I fancy something to eat. What about you?
Teenage girl: Good idea. Shall we have something in the cafe? It looks really busy though. Or we could go outside- it’s a lovely sunny day.
Teenage boy: True, but will they let us back in again? I haven’t seen everything I want to see yet.
Teenage girl: Of course, they will. We’ve got tickets, haven’t we? People spend all day in these places, they can come and go as they please.
5 You hear a musician talking about his band. Of course, we had talent. Take our lead guitarist, for example- I don’t know anyone who can play like him. But talent isn’t enough if nobody notices you. Everything changed after we got our new manager, Lucy. Lucy had friends in the music industry, like record producers, and people on TV. She got us auditions, concerts and a lot of media coverage too. Then it all happened really fast. We went from performing in restaurants and at weddings to making headlines. Without Lucy, we would be nothing.
6 You hear a boy and girl talking about their plans.
Boy: It’s still raining. What do you want to do this afternoon?
Girl: We could play computer games. Or how about going round to Megan’s house?
Boy: Megan’s away this week. And I don’t really want to stay at home just because it’s raining.
Girl: I know! Dad can take us into the Metrocentre.
Boy: Cool! I need to buy some trainers, and there are some good shops there. Maybe there’s a film on at the cinema too.
Girl: There’s nothing good on this week, but I’m happy to go around town. I need to buy some things anyway.
7 You hear a tour guide talking to a group of tourists. Right, we’re going to stop in a minute to look at the Hollywood Bowl, probably the most famous outdoor concert arena in the United States. Some of the greatest names in music have performed there, like The Beatles. Now, when we get off the coach, we’ve got a group ticket, so you can just walk on through into the arena. Go right to the top for a great view of the famous Hollywood sign. After that, we’re going to meet back here at the coach and drive to Griffith Park, where we’ll go for a walk.
8 You hear a girl talking about singing in a competition. I was really nervous before the show. I’d been practising my song for ages. But practice isn’t everything, is it? As I walked out onto the stage in front of hundreds of people, I felt terrified! I knew people at school were watching me on TV too, and that made me even more nervous. Would they laugh at me the next day at school? My parents were in the audience though, so I tried to think about them instead. I couldn’t see them because of all the lights, but I knew they were there. That helped me a lot.
Here are the keywords and phrases covered in this B2 Listening Part 2 exercise:
- actors
- audience
- auditions
- career ambitions
- characters
- competition
- creative
- directed
- entertainment
- media coverage
- musician
- music industry
- outdoor concert arena
- performed
- record producers
- script
- talented
- TV commercials
- reviewing
B2 First Listening and Speaking Section
- Speaking Part 1
- Speaking Part 2
- Speaking Part 3
- Speaking Part 4
- Listening Part 1
- Listening Part 2
- Listening Part 3
- Listening Part 4
In this part you talk to the examiner about yourself and your life, e.g. your name, school, interests and future plans.
In this part, you talk about two photos on your own which you have to compare for about 1 minute. After you have finished, your partner will be asked a short question about your photo. When your partner has spoken about their photos for about 1 minute, you will be asked a question about their photos.
In this part you express ideas with your partner by looking at a discussion point that the examiner gives you.
This will be available soon.
In this part, you focus on general aspects of a topic with the examiner or you may involve your partner.
This will be available soon.
In this part, you will hear people talking in eight different situations.
In this part, you will hear someone being interviewed.
In this part, you will hear five people talking about different things.
In this part, you will hear an interview.
B2 First Use of English and Reading Section
- Use of English Part 1
- Use of English Part 2
- Use of English Part 3
- Use of English Part 4
- Reading Part 5
- Reading Part 6
- Reading Part 7
For this part, you practice vocabulary by using words with similar meanings, collocations, linking phrases, phrasal verbs, etc.
For this part, you practice grammar and vocabulary.
For this part, you practice vocabulary word-building by changing different words using a base word.
For this part, you have to express a message in different ways showing flexibility and resource in the use of language.
- B2 First Use of English Part 4
- B2 Key Word Transformation 1
- B2 Key Word Transformation 10
- B2 Key Word Transformation 2
- B2 Key Word Transformation 3
- B2 Key Word Transformation 4
- B2 Key Word Transformation 5
- B2 Key Word Transformation 6
- B2 Key Word Transformation 7
- B2 Key Word Transformation 8
- B2 Key Word Transformation 9
For this part, you practice how to understand the details of a text, including opinions and attitudes.
For this part, you practice how to understand the structure and follow the development of a text.
For this part, you practice how to find specific information in a text or texts.
B2 First Writing Section
Customs and Traditions explores how we celebrate our cultural identity across the globe. Entertainment and Leisure explores how we spent our free time. Environment and Nature explores the way humans and animals live, adapt and change on our planet. Exploring how different societies create roles for people to develop their skills and knowledge. Exploring how we learn and adjust to the world around us. . Exploring how we experience the world through our life journeys
- Book Crossword
- Computer Crossword
- Crime and Law Crossword
- Environment Crossword
- Fame Crossword
- Festivals and Celebrations Crossword
- Films Crossword
- Fitness Crossword
- Information Technology Crossword
- Language Crossword
- Lifestyles Crossword
- Medicine and Health Crossword
- Natural Environment Crossword
- Places and Buildings Crossword
- Synonyms Crossword
- Travel Crossword
- Work Crossword
- Air Pollution Word Search
- Airport Word Search
- Art Word Search
- Beliefs and Ideas Word Search
- Celebrations Word Search
- Conservation Word Search
- Crime and Law Wordsearch
- Education Word Search
- Feelings Word Search
- Films Word Search
- Food Production Word Search
- Habitat Word Search
- Health Word Search
- Information Technology Word Search
- Places and Buildings
- Pollution Word Search
- Shopping Word Search
- Speed and Movement Word Search
- Superfoods Word Search
- Teaching Word Search
- Work Word Search
- World Wildlife Fund Word Search
- Writers Word Search
We also provide free resources across the full range of levels to provide the tools to communicate in English well.
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