Listening practice
Train Station Announcements: B1 Listening
A delay, a change of train and other notices on platform four.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- B1
- Skill
- Listening
- Time
- 25 min
- Format
- Interactive
- Listening
- Monologue
The voice is your device's built-in speech synthesis, not a recording, so it sounds different on every phone, tablet and computer. Dialogues use two voices where the device has them. The transcript is always one tap away.
1. Before you listen
Read the question, then listen to the whole script once and choose the answer.
2. Listen
Play the whole script or one line at a time. Try the questions before you open the transcript.
Transcript
- Line 1 · Transcript hidden
- Line 2 · Transcript hidden
- Line 3 · Transcript hidden
- Line 4 · Transcript hidden
- Line 5 · Transcript hidden
- Line 6 · Transcript hidden
3. Listen for detail
Listen again and answer the five questions.
4. Dictation
Play each sentence and type the missing words. Capital letters and punctuation don't matter.
- 1.The eight fifteen service to Manchester Piccadilly is delayed by .
- 2.This is a signal problem near Birmingham.
- 3.We apologise for this may cause.
- 4.Hot drinks and snacks are available from the shop in the .
- 5.Finally, please keep your bags with you .
5. Your turn to speak
Imagine your train or bus is late and you're going to miss something important. Phone the person waiting for you: explain what happened and what you'll do now.
Printable worksheet
The tasks, the transcript and an answer key on a separate page.
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A. Before you listen
What is the main reason for the announcement?
- ☐ a) All trains are moving to a new platform
- ☐ b) The station is closing early
- ☐ c) A train is late
B. Listen for detail
- How late is the Manchester train?☐ a) About fifteen minutes☐ b) About twenty minutes☐ c) About twenty-two minutes
- What has caused the delay?☐ a) Bad weather☐ b) A missing driver☐ c) A problem with a signal
- Passengers going to Stockport can change trains at Crewe.☐ a) True☐ b) False
- The café on platform one is open as usual.☐ a) True☐ b) False
- Where should passengers with bicycles travel?☐ a) In the last coach☐ b) In any coach☐ c) In the first coach
C. Dictation: write the missing words
- The eight fifteen service to Manchester Piccadilly is delayed by .
- This is a signal problem near Birmingham.
- We apologise for this may cause.
- Hot drinks and snacks are available from the shop in the .
- Finally, please keep your bags with you .
D. Speaking
Imagine your train or bus is late and you're going to miss something important. Phone the person waiting for you: explain what happened and what you'll do now.
Transcript
Good morning. This is an announcement for passengers waiting on platform four.
The eight fifteen service to Manchester Piccadilly is delayed by approximately twenty minutes. This is due to a signal problem near Birmingham. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Passengers travelling to Stockport may wish to take the eight twenty-two service to Liverpool, which is now standing at platform two, and change at Crewe.
Please note that the café on platform one is closed this morning for repairs. Hot drinks and snacks are available from the shop in the main entrance hall.
May we also remind passengers that the first three coaches of the Manchester train are for first-class ticket holders only. Passengers with bicycles should use the last coach.
Finally, please keep your bags with you at all times. Bags left unattended may be removed. Thank you for travelling with us.
Key phrases are in bold.
Answer key
- A. c) A train is late
- B. 1 b) About twenty minutes · 2 c) A problem with a signal · 3 a) True · 4 b) False · 5 a) In the last coach
- C. 1 approximately twenty minutes · 2 due to · 3 any inconvenience · 4 main entrance hall · 5 at all times