Mastering English: Listening, Writing, and Reading Drills

Posted on Feb 1, 2026 in English

Part B: English Language Skills Practice

Listening Comprehension: A Story About Senegal

Listen to Liam telling a story about travelling in Senegal. Number the events (A–F) in the order you hear them.

Exercise 1: Ordering Events

  1. (B) Liam went to university.
  2. (E) Liam and Mark decided to go travelling.
  3. (A) Liam and Mark flew with a pilot.
  4. (F) Mark needed to see a doctor.
  5. (C) Liam and Mark couldn’t fly home.
  6. (D) Liam and Mark got help from their families.

Exercise 2: Complete the Notes

Listen again. Complete the notes with a word or number.

  • Liam’s flight to Senegal was free because he worked at the airport.
  • Liam and Mark wanted to experience the music and food in Senegal.
  • At the airport, they added their names to a list for the flight.
  • They had good views of the places below them from the aeroplane.
  • Someone took them to stay in the village where his grandfather lived.
  • Only two flights a week returned to Gatwick airport.
  • The pilot didn’t let Mark fly because he was sick.
  • Liam and Mark had to wait for four days for the next flight home.

Writing Skills: Grammar and Storytelling

Exercise 3: Correcting Linking Phrases

Correct the mistake in the linking phrase in the sentences below.

  1. Original: A day I was working on my computer at home.

    Correction: One day I was working on my computer at home.

  2. Original: At the time they arrived, we had already eaten.

    Correction: By the time they arrived, we had already eaten.

  3. Original: As soon that I woke up, I jumped out of bed.

    Correction: As soon as I woke up, I jumped out of bed.

  4. Original: By the end, everyone was happy with the plan.

    Correction: In the end, everyone was happy with the plan.

  5. Original: After then, we were really exhausted.

    Correction: After that, we were really exhausted.

Exercise 4: Writing a Short Story

You have seen this advertisement on a website:

“I was walking along the street when I saw an old friend.”

Write your story in about 100 words.

Example Story 1 (Draft)

I was very happy. I said hello to her. We talked a little. She asked me about my life. I told her about my family. She told me about her job. We smiled and laughed. Then we said goodbye. It was a nice day.

Example Story 2 (Optimized)

I was walking along the street when I saw an old friend. I felt very happy and surprised. I said hello to her, and she smiled at me. We talked a little about our lives. She asked about my family and my studies. I told her I was doing well. She told me about her job and her city. We laughed and remembered school days together. Then we said goodbye and wished each other good luck. It was a nice and simple moment. This meeting made my day and helped me feel calm, thankful, and happy again today very much.

Reading Comprehension: The History of Dance

Read the article about the story of dance. Tick the ideas that are mentioned.

Exercise 5: Identifying Mentioned Ideas

  • 1. People have always performed difficult dances. [Not mentioned]
  • 2. Dance is important for different social events. [Mentioned] (1)
  • 3. Learning to dance is a popular activity in Britain. [Mentioned] (1)
  • 4. Flamenco is practised all over the world. [Not mentioned]
  • 5. Dance is as good as other forms of exercise. [Mentioned] (1)

Exercise 6: Answering Comprehension Questions

  1. What do the Indian cave paintings show? B. People dancing together.
  2. What does the author say about social occasions? C. It is not necessary to dance with someone else.
  3. According to the text, which type of dancing is like a sport? D. Breakdancing.
  4. What does the author say about flamenco? A. It’s a type of creative art as well as a type of dance.
  5. How does the author feel about dancing? B. It’s good for you in a number of different ways.

Speaking Practice: Conversation and Description

Exercise 7: Forming Questions

Make questions and ask your partner.

  1. Where / come from? Where do you come from?
  2. How / the place where you live / changed? How has the place where you live changed?
  3. What / do / last weekend? What did you do last weekend?
  4. What / doing / five o’clock yesterday? What were you doing at five o’clock yesterday?
  5. Have / seen / a good film / recently? Have you seen a good film recently?

Exercise 8: Describe the Picture

Describe the picture to your partner.

In the picture, I can see a woman standing in the street. She is holding a map and looks confused or worried. She might be lost and trying to find a place. The street looks quiet, and there are buildings and a phone box behind her. She is wearing a jacket, so it may be cold. I think she is in a city she doesn’t know very well.