Turn up
Listen once, then type what you hear.
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B1 English listening exercises
Follow a short everyday situation, then listen again for the words you missed. Start with a recording below or choose a B1 lesson from the library.
Try a short recording
The first dictation is free to try without an account. Choose an available accent, listen and type the words you hear.
Choose a starting lesson
Start with arrival and meeting phrases. Open Turn up for different meanings, Bump into for an unexpected meeting, or Head back for returning somewhere. These are starting suggestions, not a placement test.
Turn upA late guest can turn up at your door, lost keys can turn up under a sofa, and you can turn up the heating. Context separates arrival, discovery and a higher level.Bump intoIf you bump into an old friend, you meet unexpectedly. If you bump into a table, the surprise may hurt a little more.Head backYou have enjoyed the walk, but it is getting dark. Saying we should head back signals that it is time to start returning, not that you are already home.
What to focus on at B1
Listen for who is speaking, what happened and the main action. On the next replay, check small words around the verb. In turn up and bump into, the whole phrase carries the meaning.
After you check your answer
After checking your answer, explain the sentence in your own words. If most of it is unfamiliar, read the meaning first and return to the recording. If you understood it, replay once at normal speed before moving on.
Rip off
A dishonest seller might rip you off, while you might rip a label off a parcel. A person object signals cheating; a physical object often signals quick removal.
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Root words: understand word parts
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Rule out
A test may rule out one illness, but a doctor who cannot rule it out still thinks it is possible. The negative form reverses the practical message.
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Run into
You might run into an old friend, run into a technical problem, or run into another car. The object tells you whether the meeting is pleasant, difficult or physical.
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Run out of
If we run out of coffee, the coffee has run out. Both sentences describe an empty supply, but the subject and grammar are different.
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Said or Told: Choose the Right Verb
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Scamming the scammers
The investigator replies to scammers, but says ordinary people should hang up. Why are those two actions not contradictory?
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Sentence fragments: repair and practice guide
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Setting Up a Café: Which Opposite Fits?
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Show off
Someone can show off without an object to attract attention, or show off a new skill so other people admire it. One describes behaviour; the other highlights what is displayed.
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Sign up
You sign up for a photography course, but you sign up to bring snacks to its first meeting. The next word decides the pattern.
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Since or For: Choosing Time Words
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Singular Nouns: One Person or Thing
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Sink in
You can hear important news in one second but need much longer to feel that it is real. During that delay, the news is sinking in.
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Speak Clear English: Grammar for Daily Speech
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Speak English fluently: clear daily speaking steps
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Speaking in class: how to stay calm
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Spoken English exercises: everyday conversation practice
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Stand out
A yellow umbrella stands out in a crowd because it is easy to see. An excellent application stands out because its quality is better. Both attract attention for different reasons.
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Stative Verbs: Choosing the Correct Form
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Stubborn: meaning, tone, and alternatives
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Swapping a volunteer shift
Two volunteers discuss three time slots before agreeing on one swap. Which times belong to the final arrangement?
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Synonyms in English: Choose the Right Word
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TOEFL Study Response: Explain What You Hear
Start listeningBefore you begin
Is this a CEFR level test?
No. These lessons are grouped by their catalogue level. Use the examples and recordings to judge what you need to practice; completing a lesson does not certify your level.
Can I slow down the recording?
Yes. Use the slower playback control when you need another listen, then return to normal speed when you can follow the sentence.
Is every activity free?
The first guided dictation in each lesson is available as a free sample. Other activities may require membership. The lesson shows what is available before you start.
