Contoh Soal Bahasa Inggris Listening: Tingkatkan Kemampuan Mendengar dan Pemahamanmu!

1. A woman is talking about her weekend plans. She says, ‘I’m going to visit my grandmother on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon, I’ll attend a concert. On Sunday, I plan to relax and read a book.’ What will she do on Saturday afternoon?

• Visit her grandmother
• Attend a concert
• Relax and read a book
• Go shopping

Answer: Attend a concert.

Explanation: The woman explicitly states, ‘in the afternoon, I’ll attend a concert’ for Saturday.

2. A weather report says, ‘Tomorrow’s forecast predicts sunny skies with a high of 28 degrees Celsius, but expect some scattered showers in the evening.’ What will the weather be like in the morning?

• Scattered showers
• Cloudy
• Sunny skies
• Heavy rain

Answer: Sunny skies.

Explanation: The report mentions ‘sunny skies’ for tomorrow’s forecast, implying the morning and most of the day before the evening showers.

3. Two friends are discussing their favorite hobbies. Mark says, ‘I love playing chess; it really makes me think.’ Lisa replies, ‘That’s interesting. I prefer something more active, like cycling.’ What is Lisa’s favorite hobby?

• Playing chess
• Reading books
• Cycling
• Watching movies

Answer: Cycling.

Explanation: Lisa clearly states, ‘I prefer something more active, like cycling’ as her hobby.

4. An announcement at an airport states, ‘Flight BA249 to London is now boarding at Gate 15. Passengers for flight BA249, please proceed to Gate 15 immediately.’ Which gate should passengers for London go to?

• Gate 10
• Gate 5
• Gate 20
• Gate 15

Answer: Gate 15.

Explanation: The announcement explicitly directs passengers for Flight BA249 to London to ‘Gate 15’.

5. A student is asking a librarian for help. Student: ‘Excuse me, where can I find books on ancient history?’ Librarian: ‘You’ll find them on the second floor, in the humanities section.’ Where are the ancient history books located?

• On the first floor
• In the science section
• On the second floor
• At the reception desk

Answer: On the second floor.

Explanation: The librarian states that the books are ‘on the second floor’.

6. In a conversation, John says, ‘I couldn’t come to the meeting yesterday because I had a sudden doctor’s appointment.’ Why was John absent from the meeting?

• He was busy with work
• He had a doctor’s appointment
• He was travelling
• He forgot about the meeting

Answer: He had a doctor’s appointment.

Explanation: John directly gives ‘a sudden doctor’s appointment’ as the reason for his absence.

7. A teacher is giving instructions. ‘Remember, your essays are due next Friday, not this Friday. Make sure to submit them before 5 PM.’ When is the essay deadline?

• This Friday
• Today
• Next Friday
• Next Monday

Answer: Next Friday.

Explanation: The teacher clarifies that the essays are due ‘next Friday, not this Friday’.

8. A commercial advertises a new coffee shop. ‘Come to ‘Morning Brew’ for the best coffee in town, located on Elm Street, right next to the city park.’ Where is ‘Morning Brew’ located?

• Near the train station
• On Main Street
• On Elm Street
• Inside the city park

Answer: On Elm Street.

Explanation: The commercial states the coffee shop is ‘located on Elm Street’.

9. A person is describing their commute. ‘I usually take the bus to work, but sometimes, when the weather is nice, I prefer to walk.’ How does the person usually go to work?

• By car
• By bus
• By train
• By walking

Answer: By bus.

Explanation: The person says, ‘I usually take the bus to work’.

10. You hear a voicemail message: ‘Hi Sarah, it’s Tom. I’m calling to confirm our dinner reservation for tonight at 7 PM at ‘The Italian Bistro’.’ What time is the dinner reservation?

• 6 PM
• 7 PM
• 8 PM
• 9 PM

Answer: 7 PM.

Explanation: Tom explicitly states ‘tonight at 7 PM’ for the reservation time.

11. A tourist asks for directions. Tourist: ‘Excuse me, how can I get to the museum?’ Local: ‘Go straight ahead for two blocks, then turn left. It will be on your right side.’ What is the second step in the directions?

• Turn right
• Go straight ahead
• Turn left
• Ask another person

Answer: Turn left.

Explanation: The local advises, ‘Go straight ahead for two blocks, then turn left.’ The second step is to turn left.

12. A doctor is advising a patient. ‘You should get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and avoid strenuous activities for a few days.’ What should the patient avoid?

• Drinking fluids
• Eating food
• Sleeping
• Strenuous activities

Answer: Strenuous activities.

Explanation: The doctor’s advice includes ‘avoid strenuous activities for a few days’.

13. An interviewer asks, ‘What motivated you to apply for this position?’ The applicant replies, ‘I’ve always been passionate about marketing, and your company is known for its innovative campaigns.’ What is the applicant passionate about?

• Sales
• Finance
• Marketing
• Human Resources

Answer: Marketing.

Explanation: The applicant states, ‘I’ve always been passionate about marketing.’

14. A customer is complaining at a restaurant. ‘This soup is too salty, and it’s not even warm!’ What are the two main complaints about the soup?

• It’s too spicy and cold
• It’s too salty and not warm
• It’s too bland and hot
• It’s too sweet and cold

Answer: It’s too salty and not warm.

Explanation: The customer explicitly says, ‘This soup is too salty, and it’s not even warm!’

15. A mother is talking to her child. ‘Don’t forget to pack your lunch, your school uniform, and your homework for tomorrow.’ What item is NOT mentioned to be packed?

• Your lunch
• Your school uniform
• Your backpack
• Your homework

Answer: Your backpack.

Explanation: The mother mentions lunch, school uniform, and homework, but not the backpack itself.

16. In a news report, a reporter says, ‘A fire broke out in the downtown area last night, affecting three commercial buildings. Fortunately, there were no casualties.’ What happened in the downtown area?

• A protest
• A new building opening
• A fire
• A concert

Answer: A fire.

Explanation: The reporter clearly states, ‘A fire broke out in the downtown area last night.’

17. A friend asks, ‘Hey, did you watch the football match last night? It was quite exciting!’ The other friend replies, ‘No, I missed it. I was busy studying for my exam.’ Why did the second friend miss the match?

• He was working late
• He was sleeping
• He was studying for an exam
• He didn’t like football

Answer: He was studying for an exam.

Explanation: The second friend states, ‘I was busy studying for my exam’ as the reason for missing the match.

18. An automated message says, ‘Our office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. We are closed on weekends and public holidays.’ When is the office open?

• Seven days a week
• Only on weekends
• Monday to Friday
• Only on public holidays

Answer: Monday to Friday.

Explanation: The message explicitly states, ‘Our office hours are Monday to Friday’.

19. A chef is explaining a recipe. ‘First, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Then, mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. After that, add the wet ingredients.’ What is the first step in the recipe?

• Mix wet ingredients
• Bake the cake
• Preheat the oven
• Mix dry ingredients

Answer: Preheat the oven.

Explanation: The chef says, ‘First, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.’

20. In a short dialogue, a boy asks, ‘Mom, can I have some ice cream?’ His mom replies, ‘Only after you finish your vegetables.’ When can the boy have ice cream?

• Before dinner
• Right now
• After finishing his vegetables
• Tomorrow morning

Answer: After finishing his vegetables.

Explanation: His mom clearly states, ‘Only after you finish your vegetables.’

1. Listen to this short announcement: ‘Attention all passengers. Due to unforeseen technical issues, the train to Manchester, scheduled for 10:30 AM, will be delayed by approximately 45 minutes.’ What time is the train now expected to depart?

Answer: 11:15 AM.

Explanation: The original departure time was 10:30 AM, and it’s delayed by 45 minutes. So, 10:30 + 0:45 = 11:15.

2. In a podcast about healthy eating, the host mentions, ‘To maintain a balanced diet, it’s crucial to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.’ Name two food groups that are crucial for a balanced diet according to the host.

Answer: Fruits and vegetables (or lean proteins, or whole grains).

Explanation: The host explicitly lists ‘fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains’ as crucial components.

3. You hear a voicemail: ‘Hello, this is Dr. Smith’s office. Your appointment on Tuesday, October 24th, at 2 PM, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, October 25th, at 10 AM. Please call us if this time is not suitable.’ What is the new date and time of the appointment?

Answer: Wednesday, October 25th, at 10 AM.

Explanation: The message clearly states the appointment ‘has been rescheduled to Wednesday, October 25th, at 10 AM’.

4. A tour guide is speaking to a group of tourists: ‘Our next stop is the ancient temple, which was built over 1,000 years ago. We will spend about an hour there before heading to the market.’ How old is the ancient temple?

Answer: Over 1,000 years old.

Explanation: The tour guide states the temple ‘was built over 1,000 years ago’.

5. Two colleagues are talking about their project. Sarah: ‘I think we should focus on the budget first.’ David: ‘No, I believe outlining the timeline is more important right now.’ What is David’s priority for the project?

Answer: Outlining the timeline.

Explanation: David states, ‘I believe outlining the timeline is more important right now.’

1. Imagine you are listening to a lecture about the impact of social media on mental health. The speaker discusses both positive aspects (e.g., connection, support groups) and negative aspects (e.g., cyberbullying, comparison culture). Summarize the main points of the lecture, discussing at least two positive and two negative impacts.

Answer: The lecture on social media’s impact on mental health highlights a dual nature, presenting both beneficial and detrimental effects. On the positive side, social media platforms can foster a sense of connection, allowing individuals to stay in touch with friends and family across distances. They also facilitate the formation of online support groups, providing communities for people sharing similar experiences or struggles. However, the lecture also emphasizes several negative impacts. One significant concern is cyberbullying, which can lead to severe emotional distress and anxiety among victims. Another key negative aspect is the ‘comparison culture,’ where users constantly compare their lives to curated, often unrealistic, portrayals of others’ lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and depression. Overall, the lecture suggests that while social media offers opportunities for connection and support, its potential for harm, particularly through cyberbullying and fostering unhealthy comparisons, requires careful consideration and responsible use.

Explanation: This essay question requires students to synthesize information from a described lecture. The answer should cover both positive (connection, support) and negative (cyberbullying, comparison) aspects as requested, demonstrating comprehension and ability to summarize key themes.

2. You hear a panel discussion on renewable energy sources. One panelist argues for solar power’s scalability and decreasing costs, while another emphasizes the reliability of geothermal energy. A third discusses the potential of offshore wind farms. Compare and contrast the arguments presented by the panelists regarding the advantages of solar, geothermal, and wind energy.

Answer: The panel discussion presented compelling arguments for three distinct renewable energy sources: solar, geothermal, and offshore wind. The first panelist championed solar power, highlighting its significant scalability, meaning it can be deployed from small-scale residential systems to large utility-scale projects. A key advantage mentioned was its continuously decreasing cost, making it an increasingly economically viable option. In contrast, the second panelist focused on geothermal energy, stressing its primary advantage of reliability. Unlike solar or wind, geothermal provides a constant, base-load power supply, unaffected by weather conditions or time of day. The third panelist advocated for offshore wind farms, emphasizing their immense potential to generate large quantities of clean energy, often in locations with consistent, strong winds not found inland. While solar benefits from widespread applicability and cost reduction, and geothermal from its unwavering reliability, offshore wind offers a distinct advantage in harnessing powerful maritime resources. All three contribute to reducing carbon emissions, but their specific strengths lie in their unique operational characteristics and resource dependencies.

Explanation: This question assesses the ability to extract and compare detailed arguments from an extended discussion. The answer should clearly differentiate the advantages of each energy source mentioned and show a comparative understanding.

3. Listen to a short story about a character named Maya who overcomes a personal fear of public speaking by joining a debate club. Describe Maya’s journey and how her actions led to her success.

Answer: Maya’s journey to overcome her fear of public speaking was a testament to her determination and strategic actions. Initially, Maya suffered from intense anxiety at the mere thought of speaking in front of an audience, often avoiding situations that required her to present. Recognizing this as a significant obstacle, she made a proactive decision to confront her fear head-on by joining her school’s debate club. This was a crucial first step, as it placed her in an environment where public speaking was central, yet supportive. Within the club, Maya started with small, manageable steps: first, observing others, then speaking only a few sentences during practice sessions. She actively sought feedback from more experienced members and coaches, using their constructive criticism to refine her delivery and content. Through consistent practice, active participation in debates, and gradually increasing her exposure to audiences, Maya slowly built her confidence. Her success wasn’t instantaneous but a result of persistent effort, willingness to learn, and embracing challenging situations, ultimately transforming her initial fear into a newfound skill and confidence.

Explanation: This question requires students to narrate a character’s journey based on a described plot. The answer should detail the problem, the solution taken, and the process leading to success, showing comprehension of narrative elements.

4. A radio program discusses the benefits of reading physical books versus e-books. The host mentions better retention and reduced eye strain for physical books, while e-books offer portability and cost-effectiveness. Discuss your preference, supporting your choice with arguments inspired by the discussion.

Answer: While both physical books and e-books offer distinct advantages as highlighted in the radio program, I personally lean towards preferring physical books. The program mentioned that reading physical books often leads to better information retention, a point I find highly compelling, especially for academic or complex subjects where deep understanding is crucial. The tactile experience of turning pages and the absence of screen glare also contribute to a more focused and less straining reading session, which the host implied could reduce eye strain. Although e-books offer undeniable portability and are often more cost-effective, I find the sensory experience of a physical book – the smell of paper, the feel of the binding, and the visual satisfaction of seeing progress through turned pages – to be more engaging and less distracting. For me, these elements enhance the overall reading experience, making it more enjoyable and conducive to deeper comprehension, outweighing the convenience offered by e-books.

Explanation: This question asks students to state a preference and justify it using points from the described discussion. The answer should clearly state a choice (physical or e-book) and incorporate at least two reasons mentioned in the ‘listening’ context.

5. You are listening to an interview with an environmental activist who argues for reducing plastic consumption by supporting local businesses and using reusable alternatives. Explain the activist’s main argument and suggest three practical ways individuals can contribute.

Answer: The environmental activist’s main argument centers on the critical need to reduce plastic consumption to protect our planet. They advocate for a two-pronged approach: first, by actively supporting local businesses, which often have shorter supply chains and fewer packaging requirements compared to large corporations; and second, by consistently opting for reusable alternatives in daily life. The underlying idea is that individual choices, collectively, can significantly diminish the demand for single-use plastics and thereby reduce plastic waste and its environmental impact. To contribute to this goal, individuals can implement several practical changes. Firstly, always carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup to avoid purchasing bottled drinks or disposable coffee cups. Secondly, bring reusable shopping bags to stores and markets, even for small purchases, to minimize reliance on plastic bags. Thirdly, explore options like solid shampoo bars, refillable cleaning products, or buying produce without plastic packaging from local markets, thereby eliminating common plastic items from daily routines.

Explanation: This question requires students to explain an argument heard and then provide practical applications. The answer should clearly state the activist’s core message and list three specific, actionable steps individuals can take.

1. Listen to four different people talking about their favorite types of music. Match each person to their preferred music genre. (Assume: Speaker 1 mentions classical symphonies. Speaker 2 talks about catchy pop songs. Speaker 3 enjoys heavy guitar riffs and drumming. Speaker 4 describes relaxing jazz tunes.)

Answer: Speaker 1 prefers Classical; Speaker 2 prefers Pop; Speaker 3 prefers Rock; Speaker 4 prefers Jazz.

Explanation: The ‘listening’ context provides direct clues for each speaker’s preference: Speaker 1 (classical symphonies), Speaker 2 (catchy pop songs), Speaker 3 (heavy guitar riffs and drumming = Rock), Speaker 4 (relaxing jazz tunes).

2. You hear a news report about several events that happened yesterday. Match each event with the time it occurred. (Assume: The charity marathon started at 7 AM. The local council meeting was held at 2 PM. The evening market opened at 5 PM. The fireworks display began at 9 PM.)

Answer: Charity Marathon: 7 AM; Local Council Meeting: 2 PM; Evening Market: 5 PM; Fireworks Display: 9 PM.

Explanation: The ‘listening’ context explicitly states the time for each event: Marathon (7 AM), Council Meeting (2 PM), Evening Market (5 PM), Fireworks (9 PM).