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ALPT B2 study materials
ALPT B2 study resources

ALPT B2 practice questions

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Question 1Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The train leaves at half past six, so we should be at the station by six." When does the train depart?

  1. 5:30
  2. 6:30 Correct answer.
  3. 7:30
  4. 6:00

Explanation

"Half past six" means thirty minutes after six o'clock, i.e. 6:30. The station arrival time of six is a separate detail about when the speakers plan to get there.

Question 2Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I'd rather take the earlier bus, if you don't mind." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Refusing to travel
  2. Expressing a preference politely Correct answer.
  3. Complaining about the schedule
  4. Asking for permission to drive

Explanation

"I'd rather" introduces a preference, and "if you don't mind" softens the request. The speaker is stating which bus they would prefer to take.

Question 3Listening Comprehension

A message says: "Leave the parcel with the concierge if I'm not back by five." What should the listener do if the speaker is away at five?

  1. Wait until the speaker returns
  2. Take the parcel home
  3. Call the speaker at five
  4. Give the parcel to the concierge Correct answer.

Explanation

The instruction is conditional: if the speaker has not returned by five, the parcel goes to the concierge. The condition is stated explicitly with "if".

Question 4Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "It's not that I dislike the plan; it's the timing that worries me." What is the speaker's concern?

  1. The timing Correct answer.
  2. The cost
  3. The people involved
  4. The plan itself

Explanation

The speaker explicitly contrasts disliking the plan with worrying about its timing. The clause after "it's" identifies the real concern.

Question 5Listening Comprehension

Announcement: "Passengers for Flight BA207 should proceed to Gate 14, boarding now." What are passengers told to do?

  1. Collect their luggage
  2. Wait in the lounge
  3. Go to Gate 14 Correct answer.
  4. Check in at the desk

Explanation

"Proceed to Gate 14" is a direct instruction to go to that gate for boarding. The other actions are not part of the announcement.

Question 6Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "Honestly, the film was nowhere near as good as the reviews suggested." What does the speaker think of the film?

  1. It was not reviewed
  2. It matched the reviews
  3. It was better than expected
  4. It was worse than expected Correct answer.

Explanation

"Nowhere near as good as" means considerably less good than the comparison point, here the reviews. So the film fell short of the reviews' praise.

Question 7Listening Comprehension

Instruction: "Please ensure all mobile phones are switched off before the performance begins." What must the audience do?

  1. Keep phones in bags
  2. Turn phones off Correct answer.
  3. Turn phones to silent
  4. Leave phones at home

Explanation

"Switched off" means powered down completely, which is stronger than silent mode. The instruction applies before the performance starts.

Question 8Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "I was going to book the tickets online, but the website kept crashing." Why did the speaker not book online?

  1. The tickets were too expensive
  2. The website failed repeatedly Correct answer.
  3. The speaker had no card
  4. The tickets were sold out

Explanation

"Kept crashing" indicates the website repeatedly stopped working, which prevented the booking. The other reasons are not stated.

Question 9Listening Comprehension

Woman: "Could you speak up a bit? I'm on a train and it's rather noisy." What does she want the man to do?

  1. Talk more loudly Correct answer.
  2. Send a message instead
  3. Call back later
  4. Repeat the question

Explanation

"Speak up" is a phrasal verb meaning to speak more loudly. The mention of noise on the train explains why she needs this.

Question 10Listening Comprehension

Man: "The workshop has been put off until Thursday." What happened to the workshop?

  1. It was moved earlier
  2. It was shortened
  3. It was moved later Correct answer.
  4. It was cancelled

Explanation

"Put off" means postponed, i.e. delayed to a later time. The new date, Thursday, confirms it has been rescheduled rather than cancelled.

Question 11Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." What does the speaker mean?

  1. They regret attending
  2. They missed it completely
  3. They nearly missed it
  4. They were glad to attend Correct answer.

Explanation

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world" is an idiom expressing that attending was very important and enjoyable. It conveys no regret.

Question 12Listening Comprehension

Receptionist: "I'm afraid Dr Lang is fully booked this morning, but I can fit you in at two." What is the receptionist offering?

  1. A cancellation
  2. A different doctor
  3. An afternoon appointment Correct answer.
  4. A phone consultation

Explanation

"Fit you in at two" offers an available slot at two o'clock, which is in the afternoon. The morning is stated to be full.

Question 13Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "It's a bit of a walk, so you might want to grab a taxi." What is the speaker implying?

  1. Walking is forbidden
  2. Taxis are cheap there
  3. The taxi rank is closed
  4. The distance is considerable Correct answer.

Explanation

"A bit of a walk" is a litotes-style understatement meaning the distance is fairly long. Suggesting a taxi reinforces that walking would be tiring.

Question 14Listening Comprehension

Guide: "We'll break for lunch at noon and reconvene at one sharp." What does "at one sharp" mean?

  1. Exactly at one Correct answer.
  2. Whenever people arrive
  3. Shortly after one
  4. At about one

Explanation

"Sharp" after a time means precisely at that time, with no lateness allowed. It contrasts with the approximate "at noon".

Question 15Listening Comprehension

Man: "I can't make head or tail of these instructions." What is his problem?

  1. The instructions are too long
  2. He cannot understand them Correct answer.
  3. He disagrees with them
  4. He has lost the instructions

Explanation

"Can't make head or tail of" is an idiom meaning to be unable to understand something at all. Length or loss are not implied.

Question 16Listening Comprehension

Woman: "If I were you, I'd double-check the figures before the meeting." What is she doing?

  1. Refusing a request
  2. Giving advice Correct answer.
  3. Making a complaint
  4. Asking a question

Explanation

"If I were you, I'd..." is a standard structure for giving advice. It recommends an action rather than complaining or requesting.

Question 17Listening Comprehension

Announcement: "Due to engineering works, all services to the coast are running with delays of up to forty minutes." What is the effect of the engineering works?

  1. Services are faster
  2. Services are delayed Correct answer.
  3. Services use another route
  4. Services are cancelled

Explanation

The announcement states delays of up to forty minutes caused by engineering works. Cancellation or rerouting is not mentioned.

Question 18Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "The flat was spotless when we moved in, so I was shocked to find it in such a state last week." What does the speaker suggest about the flat last week?

  1. It was newly decorated
  2. It was very clean
  3. It was empty
  4. It was untidy Correct answer.

Explanation

"Spotless" sets up a contrast with "in such a state", an idiom meaning messy or in poor condition. The shock confirms the negative change.

Question 19Listening Comprehension

Man: "I'm snowed under with work this week, so I'll have to take a rain check on dinner." What is the man doing?

  1. Complaining about the weather
  2. Postponing the dinner Correct answer.
  3. Cancelling the dinner forever
  4. Asking for a refund

Explanation

"Take a rain check" means to decline an invitation now with the intention of doing it later. "Snowed under" explains he is very busy.

Question 20Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The proposal is sound in principle, but the figures don't add up." What is her view?

  1. The figures are correct but the idea is weak
  2. The whole proposal should be rejected
  3. She has not read the proposal
  4. The idea is good but the numbers are inconsistent Correct answer.

Explanation

"Sound in principle" approves the idea, while "don't add up" means the numbers are inconsistent. The "but" signals a contrast between the two judgments.

Question 21Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "You'd think they'd have warned us, wouldn't you?" What is the speaker expressing?

  1. Uncertainty about the schedule
  2. Gratitude for the warning
  3. Mild criticism of the organisers Correct answer.
  4. A factual question about warnings

Explanation

The tag question after "you'd think" is a rhetorical device expressing mild reproach. It implies the organisers should have given a warning.

Question 22Listening Comprehension

Man: "Had I known the deadline was Friday, I'd have started sooner." What does he mean?

  1. He started early but missed the deadline
  2. He knew the deadline and started early
  3. He has not started yet
  4. He did not know the deadline and started late Correct answer.

Explanation

The inverted third conditional "Had I known... I'd have started" describes an unreal past: he did not know, so he did not start sooner. The implication is he began later than ideal.

Question 23Listening Comprehension

Woman: "Far from being annoyed, the manager seemed almost pleased with the suggestion." What does the sentence say about the manager?

  1. She was annoyed by the suggestion
  2. She welcomed the suggestion Correct answer.
  3. She was confused by the suggestion
  4. She ignored the suggestion

Explanation

"Far from being annoyed" negates the expected reaction, and "almost pleased" confirms a positive response. The structure reverses an assumption.

Question 24Listening Comprehension

Speaker: "The figures are, shall we say, open to interpretation." What is the speaker implying?

  1. The figures were published late
  2. The figures may be misleading Correct answer.
  3. The figures are missing
  4. The figures are clear and reliable

Explanation

"Shall we say" is a hedging phrase, and "open to interpretation" suggests the figures can be read in more than one way, hinting they are unreliable or ambiguous. The hedging signals diplomatic criticism.

Question 25Listening Comprehension

Man: "Not only did she finish the report early, she also presented it to the board." What does the sentence emphasise?

  1. She refused to present
  2. The board wrote the report
  3. She finished the report late
  4. She did more than expected Correct answer.

Explanation

The "not only... but also" construction with fronted inversion adds emphasis to a second, unexpected achievement. It highlights that she exceeded expectations.

Question 26Listening Comprehension

Man: "I'm afraid the train is running twenty minutes late." What does the man mean?

  1. The train is cancelled.
  2. The train will arrive twenty minutes late. Correct answer.
  3. The train is on time.
  4. The train has already left.

Explanation

The phrase "running twenty minutes late" means the train is delayed by twenty minutes. It indicates a delay, not a cancellation or on-time status.

Question 27Listening Comprehension

Woman: "Could you give me a hand with these boxes?" What does the woman want?

  1. To borrow the man's hand.
  2. A box for herself.
  3. Help carrying the boxes. Correct answer.
  4. To give the man a box.

Explanation

The idiom "give me a hand" means to help someone. She is asking for assistance with the boxes.

Question 28Listening Comprehension

Announcement: "The museum will be closed for refurbishment from Monday until further notice." What does the announcement say about the museum?

  1. It is closed from Monday indefinitely. Correct answer.
  2. It is closed only on Monday.
  3. It is closed for one week.
  4. It will reopen next Monday.

Explanation

"Until further notice" means the closure will continue for an unspecified period, starting Monday. It does not specify a reopening date.

Question 29Listening Comprehension

Man: "I'd rather you didn't mention this to anyone." What is the man asking?

  1. To keep the matter private. Correct answer.
  2. To mention it later.
  3. To write it down.
  4. To tell everyone.

Explanation

"I'd rather you didn't mention this" is a polite way of asking someone not to tell others. It implies confidentiality.

Question 30Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The concert was sold out, so we ended up going to the cinema instead." What did they do?

  1. They stayed at home.
  2. They bought concert tickets.
  3. They went to the cinema. Correct answer.
  4. They went to the concert.

Explanation

The phrase "ended up going to the cinema" indicates their final action was going to the cinema. The concert was not possible because it was sold out.

Question 31Listening Comprehension

Man: "Take the second turning on the right after the bridge." What is the man doing?

  1. Giving directions. Correct answer.
  2. Asking for directions.
  3. Talking about a turning point.
  4. Describing a bridge.

Explanation

The instruction about which turning to take is a clear direction. He is telling someone how to get somewhere.

Question 32Listening Comprehension

Woman: "I'm afraid I can't make it to the meeting tomorrow." What does the woman mean?

  1. She cannot attend the meeting. Correct answer.
  2. She will be late for the meeting.
  3. She will organise the meeting.
  4. She has forgotten the meeting.

Explanation

"Can't make it" is an idiom meaning unable to attend. She is saying she will not be able to go to the meeting.

Question 33Listening Comprehension

Man: "The weather forecast says it's going to clear up later." What does the man mean?

  1. It will rain later.
  2. The weather will improve. Correct answer.
  3. The forecast is unclear.
  4. It will be cloudy all day.

Explanation

"Clear up" means the weather will become brighter or stop raining. He is saying it will improve later.

Question 34Listening Comprehension

Woman: "I was under the impression that the deadline was next week." What does the woman mean?

  1. She believed the deadline was next week. Correct answer.
  2. She knows the deadline is next week.
  3. She missed the deadline.
  4. She set the deadline for next week.

Explanation

"Under the impression" means to believe something, often mistakenly. She is stating her belief about the deadline.

Question 35Listening Comprehension

Man: "It's not so much the cost that bothers me as the time it will take." What is the man's main concern?

  1. The time required. Correct answer.
  2. Neither cost nor time.
  3. The cost.
  4. Both cost and time equally.

Explanation

The structure "not so much X as Y" emphasises Y over X. Here, the time is the greater concern, not the cost.

Question 36Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The shop was supposed to open at nine, but it was still closed at half past." What happened?

  1. The shop opened late. Correct answer.
  2. The shop never opened.
  3. The shop opened on time.
  4. The shop closed at half past nine.

Explanation

The shop was expected to open at nine but was still closed at 9:30, so it opened later than planned. The sentence implies a delay.

Question 37Listening Comprehension

Man: "If you ask me, they should have consulted the residents before going ahead with the plan." What is the man doing?

  1. Offering to help.
  2. Expressing uncertainty.
  3. Asking for information.
  4. Criticising a decision. Correct answer.

Explanation

"If you ask me" introduces a personal opinion, and "should have consulted" criticises a past action. He is expressing disapproval of the decision.

Question 38Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The lecture was interesting up to a point, but it went on a bit." What does she think of the lecture?

  1. It was too short.
  2. It was not interesting at all.
  3. It was entirely interesting.
  4. It was partly interesting but too long. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Up to a point" means partly, and "went on a bit" means it was too long. She has mixed feelings: some interest but excessive length.

Question 39Listening Comprehension

Man: "I wish I had taken your advice about the investment." What does the man mean?

  1. He ignored the advice and is happy.
  2. He is giving advice now.
  3. He regrets not following the advice. Correct answer.
  4. He is glad he followed the advice.

Explanation

"I wish I had" expresses regret about a past action. He regrets not having taken the advice.

Question 40Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The manager wants the report by Friday at the latest." What does the woman mean?

  1. The report is already finished.
  2. The report is optional.
  3. The report is due no later than Friday. Correct answer.
  4. The report is due after Friday.

Explanation

"By Friday at the latest" means the deadline is Friday and cannot be extended. The report must be submitted on or before Friday.

Question 41Listening Comprehension

Man: "The restaurant is a bit out of the way, but the food is well worth the journey." What does the man mean?

  1. The journey is too long.
  2. The food is good enough to justify the distance. Correct answer.
  3. The food is not worth the trip.
  4. The restaurant is easy to find.

Explanation

"Out of the way" means remote, but "well worth the journey" means the quality justifies the effort. He recommends it despite the distance.

Question 42Listening Comprehension

Woman: "I didn't realise the exhibition was on until next month." What does the woman mean?

  1. She has already seen the exhibition.
  2. She knew the exhibition was next month.
  3. She is not interested in the exhibition.
  4. She thought the exhibition had already ended. Correct answer.

Explanation

"I didn't realise... until next month" indicates she was unaware the exhibition continues until next month, implying she thought it was over. The stress is on her mistaken belief.

Question 43Listening Comprehension

Man: "The new system is supposed to save time, but in practice it seems to create more work." What is the man's view?

  1. The system is not achieving its purpose. Correct answer.
  2. The system reduces workload.
  3. The system saves time as intended.
  4. The system is not yet in use.

Explanation

The contrast between "supposed to" and "in practice" shows the system is not delivering the expected benefit. He thinks it creates more work instead of saving time.

Question 44Listening Comprehension

Woman: "Had it not been for your help, I would never have finished the project on time." What does the woman mean?

  1. The man's help was essential. Correct answer.
  2. She finished without help.
  3. The man's help was unnecessary.
  4. She did not finish on time.

Explanation

The third conditional "Had it not been for..." means without the help, the result would have been different. She is saying his help was crucial.

Question 45Listening Comprehension

Man: "The instructions were clear enough; it's just that nobody bothered to read them." What is the man suggesting?

  1. Everyone read the instructions carefully.
  2. The instructions were adequate but ignored. Correct answer.
  3. The instructions were badly written.
  4. There were no instructions.

Explanation

"Clear enough" means they were sufficiently clear, and "nobody bothered to read them" means people ignored them. He blames the people, not the instructions.

Question 46Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The company is said to be on the verge of a major breakthrough." What does the woman mean?

  1. The company has already had a breakthrough.
  2. There will never be a breakthrough.
  3. The company is failing.
  4. A breakthrough is likely very soon. Correct answer.

Explanation

"On the verge of" means very close to something happening. "Is said to be" reports what people believe, so a breakthrough is expected soon.

Question 47Listening Comprehension

Man: "Not that I don't trust you, but I'd feel happier if we had it in writing." What is the man doing?

  1. Accusing the woman of lying.
  2. Politely asking for written confirmation. Correct answer.
  3. Offering to write a contract.
  4. Refusing to proceed.

Explanation

The phrase "Not that I don't trust you, but..." softens a request. He wants written confirmation for reassurance, not because he distrusts her.

Question 48Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The proposal was met with a lukewarm reception, to put it mildly." What does the woman mean?

  1. The proposal was rejected outright.
  2. The proposal was not discussed.
  3. The proposal was warmly welcomed.
  4. The proposal was received poorly. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Lukewarm reception" means little enthusiasm, and "to put it mildly" suggests the reality was even worse. So the proposal was received poorly, though not necessarily rejected outright.

Question 49Listening Comprehension

Man: "She's not so much inexperienced as unwilling to take advice." What does the man mean?

  1. Her main problem is lack of experience.
  2. She is both inexperienced and unwilling.
  3. Her main problem is reluctance to listen. Correct answer.
  4. She is experienced and willing.

Explanation

The "not so much A as B" construction shifts emphasis from A to B. He is saying her unwillingness is the real issue, not her inexperience.

Question 50Listening Comprehension

Woman: "The figures, while not exactly wrong, are somewhat misleading." What is the woman implying?

  1. The figures are perfectly accurate.
  2. The figures are missing.
  3. The figures give a false impression. Correct answer.
  4. The figures are completely false.

Explanation

"While not exactly wrong" concedes technical accuracy, but "somewhat misleading" means they create a false impression. She is not saying they are false, but that they distort the truth.