A2 Listening Practice: Directions, Audio and Answers

This A2 directions listening lesson includes original two-voice audio, a transcript and ten questions with explained answers. Maya asks Sam how to reach the public library; listen for turns, landmarks and journey times. The recording has a clear pace, and you do not need the cover image or a map to answer.

How to use this lesson

1. Listen once without reading the transcript. Identify where Maya wants to go.

2. Read the ten questions, then listen again and note the route, landmarks, and time.

3. Write your answers before opening the answer section.

4. Check the transcript and explanations, then replay any part you missed.

5. Say the main directions aloud in your own words.

Useful vocabulary

Listen before reading

The audio player and transcript are in the “Asking for directions” section below the questions. Listen first, without reading the transcript. Listen for actions and places together: where to turn, where to cross, and what to look for. A number may describe only part of the journey, so check which journey time the speaker means. Open the audio player.

Practice: ten comprehension questions

Listening questions (1–10)

Choose A, B, or C using the recording only. You do not need the image or a map to answer.

Asking for directions

Read this after your first listening attempts. Maya asks for help; Sam gives the directions.

Answers and explanations

Complete each exercise and choose Check my answers to reveal its answers and explanations. You can also open the complete answer key below for self-study.

Show the complete answer key (1–10)

1. The public library — Maya asks how to get to the public library. Audio evidence: “could you tell me how to get to the public library?”

2. Market Street — Sam's first instruction names Market Street. Audio evidence: “Go straight along Market Street”

3. Red — The supermarket is the first turning landmark and is described as red. Audio evidence: “the red supermarket”

4. Turn left into Oak Road — Sam tells Maya to turn left at this landmark. Audio evidence: “At the supermarket, turn left into Oak Road.”

5. At the traffic lights — Sam explicitly says not to cross at the supermarket, but at the traffic lights. Audio evidence: “Walk along Oak Road to the traffic lights, then cross the road there.”

6. A small park — Sam describes the park on her left. Audio evidence: “You will see a small park on your left.”

7. Opposite it — Sam states the relative position directly. Audio evidence: “the library will be on your right, opposite the park.”

8. A pharmacy and a bank — The library is between these two places. Audio evidence: “It is between a pharmacy and a bank.”

9. About eight minutes — Two minutes is only the walk to the supermarket; eight minutes is the whole route. Audio evidence: “It takes about eight minutes to walk from here.”

10. No, she can walk — Sam answers the bus question directly and gives the walking time. Audio evidence: “No, you do not need a bus.”

Check the route

The route is: go straight along Market Street to the red supermarket; turn left into Oak Road; walk to the traffic lights and cross there; continue with the park on the left and look for the library on the right. The library is opposite the park, between a pharmacy and a bank.

The first part takes about two minutes, but the whole walk takes about eight minutes. The blue sign belongs to the library. These details help you check that you have followed the whole conversation.

Review your result

Choose Check my answers to see your score out of ten and read the explanations. Use Try again after replaying the evidence for the questions you missed. This is a self-study comprehension check, not a CEFR assessment. Aim to understand the spoken information rather than memorise the answer letters.

Speaking follow-up

Practise asking: “Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the library?” Then give directions to a place you know using go straight, turn left or right, and one landmark. If an instruction is unclear, ask “Should I cross the road there?” or repeat the directions to confirm.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the audio and transcript?

Use the audio player in the Asking for directions section below the questions. Try listening without reading first, then use the transcript to check the words and replay details you missed.

Which words help me follow directions in English?

Listen for actions such as go straight, turn left and cross the road, then connect each action to a landmark. Opposite means facing something across from it; between places something with one landmark on each side.

Is this an official A2 listening exam?

No. It is an original self-study dialogue voiced with two computer-generated Kokoro voices. The ten questions check understanding of this recording; the score does not certify a CEFR level.

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