Keep the contrast
Listen for words such as but and although. Check how the words that follow change the message.
Focused listening library
B2 listening lesson library
Browse upper-intermediate lessons by topic, accent, and length. Practise connected speech, phrasal verbs, and implied meaning.
Where can I find B2 English listening practice?
You can practise B2 English listening on MicroEnglish, which has more than 150 short, listening-first lessons. The B2 library brings together micro-listenings on grammar, vocabulary, phrasal verbs and word meanings, with topics including connected speech and implied meaning. Lessons are in British English and end with dictation practice. Browse the library by topic, accent and length to find a lesson that suits your practice.
- The library contains more than 150 B2 lessons.
- Lessons are short and listening-first.
- Topics include grammar, vocabulary and phrasal verbs.
A ballpark guess
A ballpark guess is a rough numerical estimate based on general knowledge to help people make early plans.
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Above board
Above board describes actions or deals that are honest and legal, with nothing hidden.
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Ad Hoc: Meaning and Daily Use
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Adjective clauses: choose the right word
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Adverse or Averse: Choose the Right Word
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Aesthetic or Ascetic: Style or Strict Discipline
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Albeit Meaning: Use Clear Formal Contrasts
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Allusion or Illusion: How to Choose
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Although, though, even though: Connect contrasting ideas
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Ambiguous Meaning: Clarify Two Different Readings
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Amicable meaning: use and combinations
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Arbitrary: Meaning and Everyday Use
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At first glance
At first glance introduces how something appears when first seen before a closer look reveals new facts.
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Attitude Adverbs: A Practical Guide
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Backlog
You answer five old emails, but twelve more are still waiting. What do you call the work that has built up behind you?
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Bend the rules
Bend the rules means to relax or ignore a rule in a particular situation. The speaker presents the exception as small, but others may see it as unfair.
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Born or Borne: Choosing the Right Form
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Breathing down my neck
Breathe down someone's neck means to watch someone closely in a stressful way, or to approach quickly as an urgent deadline.
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Burn phrasal verbs: clear everyday usage
Compare burn down, burn out, burn through, burn off, and burn up. Learn how each phrase changes the meaning of burn.
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By the book
Following set rules, laws, or standard steps strictly without taking shortcuts.
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Capitalism Meaning: Talking About Economic Systems
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Capricious Meaning: Unpredictable Changes
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Caveat Meaning: One Condition to Remember
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Come out of your shell
Come out of your shell means to become less shy and more willing to talk with other people.
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How this practice helps
Follow the main message and the details that change it: a contrast, a reason, or an expression that is not literal.
Use the examples to check meaning, then listen again for the exact wording.
Practice at your level
Practise with support, try a test, then review the words you missed.
Review exact wording
A missed word may change the grammar or only the detail. Compare your answer with the transcript to see which happened.
Compare available accents
Once the wording is familiar, choose another voice offered for that clip. Listen for what becomes harder or easier.
