Listening: Catching Up After Years | Intermediate English Course 1

Listening Task

Follow the Timeline

Maya and Ethan were close friends in high school, but they have not had a long conversation for years. Now they meet again and share what has happened in their lives.

Audio conversation

Two American English voices: Maya and Ethan.

Listening strategy: do not choose an answer because one word sounds familiar. Compare dates, reasons, feelings, and results before choosing.

Cafe table with coffee cups, photos, and a visual timeline — Use the details to rebuild each person's timeline.

Comprehension Check

Answer the 20 Questions

1. Why do Maya and Ethan meet at the cafe?

They are planning a school reunion for their whole class They want to catch up after not talking properly for years They need to prepare a business presentation together

2. What was Maya's first big event after graduation?

She opened a cafe with her cousin She moved back to her hometown immediately She moved to Denver for a marketing internship

3. How did Maya feel during her first month in Denver?

Excited but lonely Angry because she disliked marketing Relaxed because everything was easy

4. What helped Maya feel more connected in Denver?

A weekend cooking class at the university A small design club after work A sports team organized by her landlord

5. What happened to Maya's company later?

It closed suddenly It promoted her to manager It sent her abroad for a year

6. What did Maya do after she moved back home?

She stopped working to travel for six months She prepared for a restaurant competition She helped her mother improve an online store

7. Why did Ethan postpone one college semester?

He wanted to join Maya in Denver His father got sick and the family needed help He failed all his classes and had to restart

8. Where did Ethan spend many long days during that period?

At his family's restaurant At a hospital office as a receptionist At a community theater downtown

9. What did Ethan eventually realize about that difficult semester?

It proved college was not useful for him It was mostly a waste of time It taught him responsibility and organization

10. When did Ethan return to classes?

During the previous summer In January After the next graduation ceremony

11. What recent goal has Ethan started working on?

Training for a ten-kilometer race Writing a cookbook with his father Learning to repair bicycles professionally

12. Where does Maya work now?

At the same Denver company At Ethan's family restaurant At a community center

13. What does Maya interview people about?

Their favorite restaurants and recipes Their opinions about local sports teams Their stories and neighborhood memories

14. Which idea do both friends seem to share?

Every plan has worked exactly as expected Unexpected changes can still teach useful lessons It is better not to talk about difficult moments

15. What do Maya and Ethan promise to do next?

Meet again next month and share one new goal Move to the same city before summer Record a podcast about their whole friendship

16. Which follow-up question does Ethan ask Maya?

Why did you stop talking to everyone from school? Did you ever want to become a nurse? What changed after the company closed?

17. Why is the conversation a good model for the written activity?

The speakers organize events in clear chronological order The speakers avoid personal details completely The speakers only discuss future vacations

18. What does Maya say a good catch-up conversation should not be?

A timeline with specific details A competition about who is more successful A friendly conversation with questions

19. What does Ethan say about listening to Maya's timeline?

It makes him feel confused about her choices It proves she should move back to Denver It helps him understand why each change mattered

20. What is the best summary of the conversation?

Two friends argue about who made better decisions Two friends reconnect by sharing ordered life experiences Two classmates plan a trip without discussing the past

Teacher / Admin

Transcript and PDF

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Speaking connection

Use the audio as a model

Now prepare your own five-event timeline and speak with your partner for five to seven minutes.

Open written activity Back to Practice Lab