What is Liz's overall impression of her experience volunteering at the hostel in Lisbon?

It was a mix of positives and negatives.

It was primarily a learning opportunity.

She found it mostly enjoyable and pleasant.

The experience was overwhelmingly negative.

What concerns does Marta express about Liz's potential summer job?

She is concerned about the stress from the manager.

She thinks Liz will struggle to find any other work.

She worries about the toll of low pay.

She is worried Liz won’t enjoy living in Lisbon.

What specific issue does Marta recall Liz having with the manager, João?

João dismissed Liz's ideas for improving guest services.

João made Liz cover every 4 a.m. arrival herself.

João ignored Liz's suggestions for shift improvements.

What does Liz mean when she says, 'living in Lisbon for summer could be fun'?

She is excited about the opportunity to explore vibrant city life.

She believes it will improve her language skills.

She is primarily motivated by the financial benefits.

She thinks it will be a relaxing break from work.

What does Marta suggest Liz should prioritize when deciding on the job offer?

Her peace of mind and work-life balance.

The opportunity to meet new people.

The salary and benefits package.

What would make Liz more likely to accept the offer, according to the end of the conversation?

A guarantee of better shifts and the chance to negotiate conditions.

A higher salary than €800 a month.

Accommodation in the centre of the city.

A different manager replacing João.

Resources
Exams
B2 First
Test 3

B2 First listening test 3

Volunteering at a hostel in Lisbon

A conversation between two people, followed by six multiple-choice questions, in the format of the B2 First listening paper.

4:48 of audio · Speakers: Liz & Marta

How to do it

1.Listen to the whole thing once, without pausing and without reading the questions.
2.Read the questions and listen a second time. The real exam gives you two listenings.
3.Answer and submit. Don't open the transcript before you submit — that's the part that makes the test count.

Test audio

Questions

1.What is Liz's overall impression of her experience volunteering at the hostel in Lisbon?
It was primarily a learning opportunity.It was a mix of positives and negatives.She found it mostly enjoyable and pleasant.The experience was overwhelmingly negative.
2.What concerns does Marta express about Liz's potential summer job?
She is concerned about the stress from the manager.She thinks Liz will struggle to find any other work.She worries about the toll of low pay.She is worried Liz won’t enjoy living in Lisbon.
3.What specific issue does Marta recall Liz having with the manager, João?
João made Liz cover every 4 a.m. arrival herself.João ignored Liz's suggestions for shift improvements.João was rude to guests.João dismissed Liz's ideas for improving guest services.
4.What does Liz mean when she says, 'living in Lisbon for summer could be fun'?
She believes it will improve her language skills.She is primarily motivated by the financial benefits.She is excited about the opportunity to explore vibrant city life.She thinks it will be a relaxing break from work.
5.What does Marta suggest Liz should prioritize when deciding on the job offer?
The opportunity to meet new people.Her peace of mind and work-life balance.The chance to improve her CV.The salary and benefits package.
6.What would make Liz more likely to accept the offer, according to the end of the conversation?
A higher salary than €800 a month.Accommodation in the centre of the city.A guarantee of better shifts and the chance to negotiate conditions.A different manager replacing João.

Full transcript

Open it only after you've submitted.

Liz: I spent three weeks volunteering at this hostel in Lisbon. It was... well, a real mix, you know? The shifts were all over the place, inconsistent. I had to deal with guests arriving at four in the morning. Sometimes I'd finish a late shift at midnight and then have to be up again early. But, I mean, there were some good bits too. The city itself is amazing: vibrant, with lots of art and music. The weather was perfect, just as you'd want it. Now they've offered me a paid gig for the summer.

Marta: Paid? Really? I don’t know, Liz. You said the manager, João, was a nightmare. Is it truly worth dealing with him all summer? And those hours sound brutal. Imagine a whole summer of that, with little sleep and so much pressure. You were already exhausted just after those few weeks. Wouldn't it be better to find something less stressful and more relaxed, maybe closer to home?

Liz: Yeah, João was difficult, to say the least.

Marta: Right, you mentioned he was always changing shift schedules at the last minute. That alone sounds stressful enough to deal with in an unpaid role, let alone a paid one. Plus, those 4 a.m. arrivals sound like they'd get old fast. Sure, Lisbon is nice and vibrant, with all its charm, but summer could be better spent elsewhere, don't you think? I mean, unless the pay is really good... even then, your sanity might thank you for saying no. Think of the mental toll by the end of summer.

Liz: I hear you, but it's a paid opportunity during a time when finding work is tough. And living in Lisbon for summer could be fun. The pay's not huge—€800 a month—but it's something. Plus, having accommodation covered in the city counts for a lot.

Marta: Not exactly a fortune, though.

Liz: True, but it covers the basics like food and transport. Plus, the hostel’s right in the city center, close to everything.

Marta: But think about it. You said João was dismissive of your ideas. Remember that day he ignored your suggestion about managing guest complaints better? You had such a good plan, and he just brushed it off! If he’s still in charge, it might not be the best working environment. Are you really ready to put up with that all summer long? You deserve to be somewhere where your input is valued.

Liz: That's a fair point and, honestly, one that worries me.

Marta: And you didn't seem thrilled about the idea last week either. Remember when you called, tired and fed up?

Liz: I know, but Lisbon was so lively, and I really loved the—

Marta: The culture, right?

Liz: Yes! The cafés, and the people, honestly. I met a lot of interesting travelers. There was this group from Brazil who shared some amazing stories. The atmosphere was incredible. But you're right, working under João might complicate things. I guess the decision is more complicated than I first thought. Part of me wants to go for the experience, but another part... well, hesitates.

Marta: Decisions, decisions. It's a tricky one.

Liz: I just think it’d be useful to have something solid on my CV. It's not that easy to find paid work abroad, and this could open doors later.

Marta: True, but here's the thing. You're putting a lot on that line on your CV, and it sounds like you're overlooking the stress involved. An unpredictable manager like João could make the summer a lot more troublesome than just dealing with unfriendly guests; it might impact your entire experience there no matter how beautiful the city is.

Liz: I guess that's a risk I hadn't fully considered.

Marta: You don’t have to rush into it. Take your time, list all the pros and cons before deciding. It's summer, after all, not a lifetime.

Liz: Definitely. I'll think about it more. It’s just that the immediacy of paid work is tempting when travel's involved. It's all so appealing on the surface.

Marta: Yes, just remember your peace of mind counts too, Liz. It’s not all about money or travel.

Liz: You're right. Maybe I need to see what other opportunities are out there. I’ll keep thinking it over. Thanks for your perspective, Marta. It's really helped me see things more clearly.

Marta: Always here to help. You know that.

Liz: We’ll see. I might still take it if they guarantee better shifts, and maybe there's a chance to negotiate conditions. That would change things significantly.

Marta: Just don’t settle for less than you deserve. Make sure you get what you need from it.

More tests at this level

Test 1 — Deciding whether to renew the lease on their flat3:13
Test 2 — Bike repair delay4:09
Test 4 — Allowing a teenager to attend a music festival3:59

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