I85PREP
⌘ K
AIL DALI C2 study materials
AIL DALI C2 study resources

AIL DALI C2 practice questions

One question at a time. Build your AIL DALI C2 understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The meeting has been pushed back to Thursday." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The meeting will happen earlier than Thursday.
  2. The meeting has been cancelled entirely.
  3. The meeting will be held in a different building.
  4. The meeting will now happen on Thursday. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrasal verb "push back" means to postpone to a later time, and the new time given is Thursday. Listeners should map the rescheduled day to the new date stated.

Question 2Listening comprehension

In a phone message: "Hi, it's Dana. I'm running about ten minutes late." What is Dana telling the listener?

  1. She will arrive later than planned. Correct answer.
  2. She is calling from a different city.
  3. She cannot come at all.
  4. She has already arrived.

Explanation

"Running late" is an idiom meaning to be behind schedule and therefore arrive later than expected. The stated delay of ten minutes confirms this.

Question 3Listening comprehension

A recorded announcement says: "Please have your ticket ready before you reach the gate." What are passengers asked to do?

  1. Prepare their ticket in advance. Correct answer.
  2. Show their ticket after boarding.
  3. Buy a ticket at the gate.
  4. Leave their ticket at the counter.

Explanation

"Have your ticket ready before you reach the gate" is an instruction to prepare it ahead of time. The key cue is "before," indicating advance preparation.

Question 4Listening comprehension

A weather broadcast says: "Expect scattered showers through the afternoon, clearing by evening." What does the forecast predict?

  1. No rain at any point.
  2. Steady rain all day.
  3. Intermittent rain that stops later. Correct answer.
  4. Rain in the evening only.

Explanation

"Scattered showers" means rain that is intermittent and not widespread, and "clearing by evening" means it will stop. Combining both cues gives the full prediction.

Question 5Listening comprehension

A colleague says: "I'll loop you in on the email thread." What will the colleague do?

  1. Print the emails for the listener.
  2. Delete the listener from the thread.
  3. Include the listener in the email conversation. Correct answer.
  4. Send the listener a separate letter.

Explanation

"Loop someone in" means to include them in a conversation or communication. In an email context it means adding them to the thread.

Question 6Listening comprehension

A store announcement says: "The store will close in fifteen minutes." What should shoppers understand?

  1. The store will reopen in fifteen minutes.
  2. They must leave the store immediately.
  3. They have a short time left to shop. Correct answer.
  4. The store is closed for the day already.

Explanation

The announcement gives a warning that closing is soon, meaning customers have a limited window to finish. It does not require immediate departure.

Question 7Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Let's table this discussion until next week." What does the speaker want to do?

  1. Postpone the discussion to next week. Correct answer.
  2. Cancel the discussion permanently.
  3. Continue the discussion right now.
  4. Shorten the discussion to one point.

Explanation

To "table" a discussion means to set it aside for later, and the stated time "until next week" confirms postponement. The idiomatic meaning overrides the literal furniture sense.

Question 8Listening comprehension

A guide says: "The museum is just around the corner from the station." Where is the museum?

  1. Far from the station.
  2. Across the country.
  3. Inside the station building.
  4. Very close to the station. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Just around the corner" is an idiom meaning very near. It describes proximity rather than an exact turn.

Question 9Listening comprehension

A manager says: "We need to touch base before the client arrives." What does the manager want?

  1. To prepare a written report.
  2. To cancel the client meeting.
  3. To meet briefly to check in. Correct answer.
  4. To contact the client first.

Explanation

"Touch base" means to make brief contact or check in with someone. The timing "before the client arrives" shows it is a short coordination meeting.

Question 10Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The proposal is still up in the air." What does this mean about the proposal?

  1. It has been rejected.
  2. It is undecided. Correct answer.
  3. It is already finished.
  4. It has been approved.

Explanation

"Up in the air" describes something unresolved or uncertain. The listener should infer that no final decision has been made.

Question 11Listening comprehension

A narrator says: "Had she left earlier, she would have caught the train." What actually happened?

  1. She left late and missed the train. Correct answer.
  2. She left early and caught the train.
  3. She left early but missed the train.
  4. She did not leave and missed the train.

Explanation

This third conditional describes an unreal past situation: she did not leave earlier, so she missed the train. The implication is that she left too late.

Question 12Listening comprehension

A receptionist says: "I'm afraid Mr. Okafor is tied up at the moment." What does this mean?

  1. He has finished for the day.
  2. He is waiting for a phone call.
  3. He is busy and cannot speak now. Correct answer.
  4. He is out of the office permanently.

Explanation

"Tied up" is an idiom meaning occupied or busy. The polite opener "I'm afraid" softens the message that he is unavailable right now.

Question 13Listening comprehension

A podcast host says: "Sales figures were flat last quarter, whereas the year before they had soared." What comparison is made?

  1. Sales were steady after an earlier strong rise. Correct answer.
  2. Sales were steady in both periods.
  3. Sales rose sharply both quarters.
  4. Sales fell sharply after a steady year.

Explanation

"Flat" means unchanged or steady, while "soared" means rose sharply. The contrast word "whereas" signals the shift from strong growth to stability.

Question 14Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "I'd rather you didn't mention the budget in the meeting." What is the speaker's preference?

  1. Increase the budget first.
  2. Discuss the budget openly.
  3. Send the budget by email.
  4. Avoid raising the budget topic. Correct answer.

Explanation

"I'd rather you didn't" expresses a polite preference against an action. The listener should understand that the budget should not be discussed.

Question 15Listening comprehension

A radio report says: "The company has neither confirmed nor denied the merger talks." What is the company's position?

  1. It has announced the merger.
  2. It has confirmed the talks only.
  3. It has given no clear answer. Correct answer.
  4. It has denied the talks only.

Explanation

The correlative "neither...nor" means both actions were not taken, so no confirmation or denial was given. The result is an unclear, noncommittal position.

Question 16Listening comprehension

A voicemail says: "Could you give me a ring back when you get a chance?" What is being asked?

  1. To buy a ring.
  2. To visit the office.
  3. To send a text message.
  4. To return the phone call. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Give me a ring" is a common idiom meaning to call someone on the phone. "Ring back" specifies returning the call.

Question 17Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "The results were, to put it mildly, surprising." What is the speaker's attitude?

  1. The results were completely ordinary.
  2. The results were very unexpected. Correct answer.
  3. The results were exactly as expected.
  4. The results were mildly interesting.

Explanation

"To put it mildly" is a hedging phrase that understates something stronger. It signals the speaker found the results highly surprising, not just a little.

Question 18Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "If I were you, I'd hold off on signing the contract." What advice is given?

  1. Sign the contract immediately.
  2. Wait before signing the contract. Correct answer.
  3. Ask someone else to sign it.
  4. Read the contract aloud.

Explanation

"Hold off" means to delay or wait. The advice, framed with "If I were you," is to postpone signing rather than proceed now.

Question 19Listening comprehension

A news reader says: "The strike is set to go ahead despite last-minute talks." What does this indicate?

  1. The strike has already ended.
  2. The talks have replaced the strike.
  3. The strike will probably still happen. Correct answer.
  4. The strike has been called off.

Explanation

"Set to go ahead" means something is expected to proceed as planned. "Despite" shows the talks did not change the plan.

Question 20Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Not only did she finish the report, but she also presented it to the board." What does the speaker emphasize?

  1. She only presented the report.
  2. She failed to finish the report.
  3. She avoided presenting to the board.
  4. She did two impressive things. Correct answer.

Explanation

The "not only...but also" construction highlights two achievements, with emphasis on the second. Inversion after "not only" is a stylistic cue that both actions occurred.

Question 21Listening comprehension

A colleague says: "I could have sworn I sent that file yesterday." What does the speaker imply?

  1. The speaker now doubts the file was sent. Correct answer.
  2. The file was sent to the wrong person.
  3. The speaker is certain the file was sent.
  4. The file was definitely never created.

Explanation

"Could have sworn" expresses past certainty that is now being questioned by new evidence. The modal perfect signals the speaker's confidence has been shaken.

Question 22Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The new policy is a double-edged sword." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The policy is clearly harmful.
  2. The policy has both benefits and drawbacks. Correct answer.
  3. The policy is clearly beneficial.
  4. The policy is too complex to understand.

Explanation

A "double-edged sword" is an idiom for something with both positive and negative consequences. The metaphor implies mixed effects.

Question 23Listening comprehension

A narrator says: "Little did he know the decision would haunt him for years." What does this convey?

  1. He fully understood the consequences at the time.
  2. He would forget the decision quickly.
  3. He made the decision many years ago.
  4. He would later regret the decision. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Little did he know" signals the character was unaware of future consequences, and "haunt" indicates lasting regret. Together they foreshadow regret.

Question 24Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Far from being a setback, the delay gave us time to refine the design." What is the speaker's view of the delay?

  1. It seriously harmed the project.
  2. It was a valuable opportunity. Correct answer.
  3. It had no effect on the project.
  4. It caused the project to be cancelled.

Explanation

"Far from being a setback" explicitly rejects the negative framing, and the clause that follows presents the delay as beneficial. The structure contrasts expected and actual views.

Question 25Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Had it not been for her intervention, the deal would have collapsed." What does the speaker suggest?

  1. Her intervention caused the collapse.
  2. The deal collapsed despite her help.
  3. She had nothing to do with the deal.
  4. Her intervention saved the deal. Correct answer.

Explanation

This inverted third conditional expresses an unreal past: without her intervention, the deal would have failed. It implies her action prevented the collapse.

Question 26Listening comprehension

A gate agent announces: "Flight 208 will now board from gate C12 instead of C4." What should passengers do?

  1. Go to gate C12 to board Correct answer.
  2. Check in again at the main desk
  3. Ask for a seat reassignment
  4. Wait at gate C4 for the flight

Explanation

The announcement states a change of boarding location, so the relevant action is to go to the newly named gate. 'Instead of' signals that C4 is no longer the boarding point.

Question 27Listening comprehension

A woman says: "I was about to call you when you walked in." What does she mean?

  1. She had already called him earlier
  2. She prefers talking in person
  3. She forgot his phone number
  4. She was planning to call but had not yet Correct answer.

Explanation

'Was about to' describes an action that was intended or imminent but not yet carried out. The arrival interrupted the plan before the call happened.

Question 28Listening comprehension

A man says: "The meeting has been pushed back to three o'clock." When is the meeting now?

  1. It already happened
  2. At two o'clock
  3. It was cancelled
  4. At three o'clock Correct answer.

Explanation

'Pushed back' means postponed to a later time, and the new time given is three o'clock. The original time is no longer valid.

Question 29Listening comprehension

A shop assistant says: "We're out of the blue model, but I can order it for you." What is the assistant offering?

  1. A refund for a previous purchase
  2. A repair of the customer's item
  3. To order the item the customer wants Correct answer.
  4. A discount on a different model

Explanation

The assistant confirms the item is unavailable in store and offers to order it. The offer addresses the customer's original request rather than substituting it.

Question 30Listening comprehension

A weather presenter says: "Expect showers to clear by mid-morning, with sunshine developing later." What will the weather be like later in the day?

  1. Foggy
  2. Rainy throughout
  3. Snowy
  4. Sunny Correct answer.

Explanation

The forecast says the showers will clear and sunshine will develop, so later conditions are sunny. The rain is described as temporary.

Question 31Listening comprehension

A teacher says: "Please hand your essays in by Friday at the latest." What is the deadline?

  1. Monday
  2. Whenever students finish
  3. The end of term
  4. Friday Correct answer.

Explanation

'By Friday at the latest' sets Friday as the final acceptable submission day. 'At the latest' marks the outer limit of the deadline.

Question 32Listening comprehension

A doctor says: "Take one tablet twice a day after meals." How often should the patient take the tablet?

  1. Once a day
  2. Every four hours
  3. Only when in pain
  4. Twice a day Correct answer.

Explanation

The instruction 'twice a day' specifies the frequency directly. 'After meals' adds timing but does not change the count.

Question 33Listening comprehension

A tour guide says: "We'll stop for lunch at noon and set off again at one." How long is the lunch break?

  1. Three hours
  2. Two hours
  3. One hour Correct answer.
  4. Half an hour

Explanation

The break runs from noon to one o'clock, which is one hour. Subtracting the start time from the restart time gives the duration.

Question 34Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The figures for March are missing, so the quarterly total is only an estimate." Why is the total described as an estimate?

  1. The figures were calculated twice
  2. The report was submitted late
  3. One month's data is unavailable Correct answer.
  4. The quarter has not ended yet

Explanation

The speaker links the estimate to missing March data, which prevents an exact total. The stated cause is the absent month, not the calendar.

Question 35Listening comprehension

A colleague says: "I'll be in the Berlin office until Thursday, then back at head office." Where will the colleague be on Friday?

  1. At head office Correct answer.
  2. On holiday
  3. At a client site
  4. In Berlin

Explanation

The stay in Berlin ends on Thursday, and the speaker returns to head office afterwards. Friday therefore falls in the head-office period.

Question 36Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The software update was supposed to fix the login problem, but users are reporting the same error." What does the speaker report?

  1. The update solved the problem
  2. The problem persists after the update Correct answer.
  3. Users cannot access the software at all
  4. The update was never released

Explanation

'Supposed to fix' signals an expected outcome, and the following clause reports that the error continues. The contrast word 'but' marks the failure of the fix.

Question 37Listening comprehension

A customer says: "I ordered the large, not the medium - could you check the receipt?" What is the customer suggesting?

  1. The delivery was late
  2. The item was damaged
  3. The price was too high
  4. The wrong size was supplied Correct answer.

Explanation

By contrasting the ordered size with another, the customer implies the wrong size was provided. The request to check the receipt supports a claim about the order.

Question 38Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The workshop is aimed at beginners, though experienced users may still pick up a few tips." Who is the main audience?

  1. Managers
  2. Experienced users
  3. Trainers
  4. Beginners Correct answer.

Explanation

'Aimed at' identifies the primary target group, which is beginners. The mention of experienced users is a secondary, concessive point marked by 'though'.

Question 39Listening comprehension

A receptionist says: "The manager is in a meeting until two, but I can book you in for half past." What is the receptionist doing?

  1. Cancelling an existing booking
  2. Transferring the call to the manager
  3. Arranging a later appointment Correct answer.
  4. Refusing the visitor entirely

Explanation

The receptionist explains the manager's unavailability and offers a specific later time. That constitutes arranging an appointment rather than a refusal.

Question 40Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The train was delayed, which is why I missed the opening remarks." What caused the speaker to miss the beginning?

  1. A wrong address
  2. A late train Correct answer.
  3. A forgotten ticket
  4. A cancelled taxi

Explanation

'Which is why' explicitly links the delay to the missed opening. The cause stated is the train delay.

Question 41Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "We've had twice as many applicants this year as last year." How do the numbers compare?

  1. Double last year's figure Correct answer.
  2. Half as many as last year
  3. The same as last year
  4. Slightly fewer than last year

Explanation

'Twice as many' means the current number is two times the previous one. That is the same as double last year's figure.

Question 42Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Although the venue was smaller than advertised, the acoustics were excellent." What is the speaker's overall impression?

  1. Indifferent to the event
  2. Mixed but positive on sound Correct answer.
  3. Confused about the location
  4. Entirely negative

Explanation

The concessive 'although' concedes a drawback, while the main clause praises the acoustics. The overall impression therefore balances a negative point with a strong positive one.

Question 43Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The report needs to be finalised before it goes to the board, so hold off on circulating it." What should the listener do?

  1. Present it to the board personally
  2. Rewrite the report from scratch
  3. Send the report now
  4. Wait before distributing it Correct answer.

Explanation

'Hold off on' means delay or refrain from an action, and the action named is circulating the report. The listener should therefore wait.

Question 44Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The café is on the second floor, directly above the bookshop." Where is the café?

  1. Above the bookshop Correct answer.
  2. Below the bookshop
  3. Next to the bookshop
  4. Across from the bookshop

Explanation

'Directly above' gives the vertical relationship between the café and the bookshop. The café occupies the floor over the shop.

Question 45Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "I wouldn't count on the supplier delivering on time - they've been late three times this quarter." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Warning against relying on punctual delivery Correct answer.
  2. Confirming the supplier is reliable
  3. Offering to contact the supplier
  4. Praising the supplier's record

Explanation

'Wouldn't count on' advises against depending on something, and the evidence of repeated lateness supports the caution. The speaker is warning, not reassuring.

Question 46Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The new hires have settled in faster than we anticipated, which has taken some of the pressure off the team." What is the effect described?

  1. The new hires are struggling
  2. The workload burden has eased Correct answer.
  3. The team is under more pressure
  4. The team has grown smaller

Explanation

'Taken some of the pressure off' means the burden has been reduced. The fast settling-in of new staff is presented as the cause of that relief.

Question 47Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "It's not that the plan is flawed; it's that we lack the resources to carry it out." What is the speaker's point?

  1. Resources are plentiful
  2. The plan itself is badly designed
  3. The plan should be abandoned
  4. The obstacle is resources, not design Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'not that... it's that' structure explicitly rejects one explanation and substitutes another. The speaker locates the problem in resources rather than in the plan's quality.

Question 48Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Rarely have I seen a team respond to feedback so constructively." What does the speaker convey?

  1. The team received very little feedback
  2. The team usually ignores feedback
  3. The team's response was unusually good Correct answer.
  4. The team reacted defensively

Explanation

Fronted 'rarely' with inversion emphasises how uncommon the behaviour is, and 'constructively' marks it as positive. The speaker is praising an exceptional response.

Question 49Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Given how tight the schedule is, we may as well start the review now rather than wait for the final data." What does the speaker suggest?

  1. Waiting until all data arrives
  2. Beginning the review immediately Correct answer.
  3. Extending the schedule
  4. Cancelling the review

Explanation

'May as well' proposes doing something as the sensible option in the circumstances. The comparison 'rather than wait' confirms starting now.

Question 50Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The proposal was met with a lukewarm reception, to say the least." What does the speaker imply?

  1. The proposal was never discussed
  2. The proposal was enthusiastically welcomed
  3. The response was even cooler than stated Correct answer.
  4. The audience was absent

Explanation

'To say the least' signals that the description understates the reality, so the reception was worse than 'lukewarm'. The phrase intensifies rather than softens.