When you can't trust who you hear – C1 English Listening Test

1 What does Laura say about modern phone scams?

A. The scripts used by scammers have become more complex.

B. The technology required is beyond the reach of average criminals.

C. The scams succeed by exploiting a basic human instinct.

D. People are now less likely to recognise obvious pressure tactics.

2 When Alex first heard the familiar voice on the phone, he...

A. felt suspicious because the story was illogical.

B. was too emotionally overwhelmed to think critically.

C. noticed subtle differences in the way his brother spoke.

D. tried to verify the caller's identity immediately.

3 What is Alex's attitude towards his own reaction to the scam?

A. He is mad that he wasn't more cautious.

B. He feels he was targeted because of his vulnerability.

C. He regrets not having more advanced security tools.

D. He didn’t expect someone with his knowledge to be vulnerable.

4 According to Laura, why is it difficult for companies to intervene in scams?

A. Scammers are able to bypass most audio analysis software.

B. The detection tools are currently too expensive to use at scale.

C. They prioritise profit over the safety of their customers.

D. Legal protections for users can hinder quick action.

5 How has Alex’s behaviour changed since the incident?

A. He doesn't rush decisions when faced with urgent requests.

B. He avoids taking calls from any unrecognised numbers.

C. He relies on new technology to filter his family's calls.

D. He and his family members use code words to greet each other.

6 What is Laura's prediction for the future of AI voice scams?

A. Innovation in security will likely outpace the scammers' technology.

B. Public awareness will eventually reduce the scamming success rate.

C. The problem will continue to escalate as long as technology improves.

D. Scammers will eventually move on to even more sophisticated tactics.

When you can’t trust who you hear – C1 English Listening Test