Catching the Train to Oakford
About this practice test
Practise A1 English listening with a station announcement about a train time, platform, journey length and ticket office location.
What you’ll practice
Understanding detail
Follow specific information and examples.
Interpreting ideas
Identify main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
5 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- A1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Single choice
How to approach this practice
Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.
Station information
Read the transcript
Good morning. Here is some information for people going to Oakford. The next train to Oakford leaves at ten fifteen. Please go to platform three. The train takes twenty minutes to get to Oakford. You can buy your ticket at the ticket office next to the main door. A ticket costs six pounds. Please keep your ticket with you for the journey. There is a small cafe opposite the ticket office. The cafe is open now. Thank you, and have a good journey.
-
Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What time does the next train to Oakford leave?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Ten fifteen
- Ten fifty
- Ten thirty
- Ten o'clock
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Ten fifteen
The announcement says ten fifteen. Ten fifty sounds similar, but it is a different time.
The next train to Oakford leaves at ten fifteen.
-
Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which platform should passengers go to?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Platform two
- Platform four
- Platform one
- Platform three
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Platform three
Passengers are told to go to platform three.
Please go to platform three.
-
Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
How long is the train journey?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Twenty minutes
- Thirty minutes
- Forty minutes
- Ten minutes
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Twenty minutes
The journey to Oakford takes twenty minutes.
The train takes twenty minutes to get to Oakford.
-
Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Where is the ticket office?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Behind the cafe
- Next to the main door
- On platform three
- Beside the cafe door
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Next to the main door
The ticket office is next to the main door. The cafe is opposite the ticket office.
You can buy your ticket at the ticket office next to the main door.
-
Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
How much is a train ticket?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Ten pounds
- Twenty pounds
- Six pounds
- Three pounds
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Six pounds
A ticket costs six pounds. Twenty is the journey time in minutes.
A ticket costs six pounds.
What to review next
Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.
Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?
The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.