ALCPT Listening Comprehension Dialogues — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a dialogue, Speaker A says: 'I can't make it to the meeting at three.' Speaker B replies: 'How about we push it back an hour?' What does Speaker B suggest?
- Canceling the meeting
- Rescheduling the meeting to four o'clock (Correct answer)
- Having the meeting earlier
- Attending the meeting without Speaker A
Correct answer: Rescheduling the meeting to four o'clock
'Push it back an hour' means to delay something by one hour. Since the original time was three o'clock, moving it back one hour means the new time would be four o'clock.
Question 2: Speaker A: 'Did you turn in your report?' Speaker B: 'I was about to, but the printer ran out of ink.' What happened to Speaker B's report?
- It was submitted on time
- It was not submitted because of a printer problem (Correct answer)
- It was submitted electronically
- It was lost
Correct answer: It was not submitted because of a printer problem
'Was about to' indicates that the action had not yet been completed. The printer running out of ink prevented Speaker B from printing and therefore submitting the report.
Question 3: Speaker A: 'The sergeant said we need to be at the field by 0600.' Speaker B: 'Roger that. I'll set my alarm for 0500.' Why does Speaker B set the alarm for 0500?
- The sergeant changed the time
- Speaker B wants extra time to prepare before arriving (Correct answer)
- Speaker B misheard the time
- The field is far away and requires no preparation
Correct answer: Speaker B wants extra time to prepare before arriving
Speaker B sets the alarm one hour before the required arrival time of 0600, which allows time to get ready and travel to the field. This shows good military planning and punctuality.
Question 4: Speaker A: 'Have you been to the new commissary yet?' Speaker B: 'Not yet. I hear it's much bigger than the old one.' What can be inferred about Speaker B?
- Speaker B has visited the new commissary
- Speaker B has only heard about the new commissary from others (Correct answer)
- Speaker B prefers the old commissary
- Speaker B does not know what a commissary is
Correct answer: Speaker B has only heard about the new commissary from others
'Not yet' means Speaker B has not visited, and 'I hear' indicates that the information comes from what others have told Speaker B, not from personal experience.
Question 5: Speaker A: 'I thought the exam was going to be difficult.' Speaker B: 'It was a piece of cake!' What does Speaker B mean?
- There was cake served at the exam
- The exam was very easy (Correct answer)
- The exam included questions about food
- The exam was difficult but enjoyable
Correct answer: The exam was very easy
'A piece of cake' is an English idiom meaning something is very easy. Speaker B is saying that contrary to Speaker A's expectation, the exam was not difficult at all.
Question 6: Speaker A: 'Could you give me a hand with these boxes?' Speaker B: 'Sure, where do you want them?' What did Speaker A ask for?
- A handshake
- Directions to a location
- Help carrying the boxes (Correct answer)
- Permission to move the boxes
Correct answer: Help carrying the boxes
'Give me a hand' is an idiom meaning to help someone. Speaker A is requesting assistance with carrying or moving boxes, and Speaker B agrees by asking where they should go.
ALCPT Listening Comprehension Dialogues
In a dialogue, Speaker A says: 'I can't make it to the meeting at three.' Speaker B replies: 'How about we push it back an hour?' What does Speaker B suggest?