3.3 Listening Tarea 3: One Conversation – Man, Woman or Neither
Key Takeaways
Tarea 3 is one conversation between two people (items 13–18), played twice, with 30 seconds to read the statements first.
Each statement refers to the man (A), the woman (B) or neither (C); there is no 'both' option.
'Neither' answers usually involve a third person, an offer that is not taken up, or the opposite of what was said.
Ask who each statement is about, not who spoke the words: a compliment from one speaker can describe the other.
Quick Focus: Listening Tarea 3 is one conversation between two people (items 13–18). The official model uses friends named Manuel and Olga. For each of six statements you decide whether it refers to the man (A), the woman (B) or neither of them (C). The conversation is 225–275 words long and played twice. You get 30 seconds to read the six statements first.
What the Official Specification Says
| Parameter | Official detail |
|---|---|
| Items | 6 (items 13–18) |
| Input | One conversation between two people, 225–275 words |
| Content | Exchanging simple personal information: news, relevant aspects of daily life, suggestions or appointments |
| Domain | Personal |
| Answer format | Each statement refers to the man, the woman or neither |
| Playback | Twice, spoken clearly and slowly |
There is no "both" option. If both speakers do or say something, the statement cannot be about only one of them, so the test writers avoid such statements. Your three choices are always A, B or C as shown in the instructions: Indique si los enunciados se refieren a Manuel (A), a Olga (B) o a ninguno de los dos (C).
Why "Neither" Is the Hardest Option
Most errors come from option C. A statement about neither usually uses a topic that is mentioned, but:
- it is said about a third person (a friend, a sister, a colleague);
- it is offered but not done (¿Quieres venir? – No puedo);
- it is the opposite of what either speaker says.
Model exam illustration. Manuel asks Olga to buy fruit for him because she is going to her friend María José's house to help her study English. So who helps someone study? → Olga; who has an exam tomorrow? → neither (it's María José); who is going to the supermarket? → Manuel. Olga says she has no money on her and needs to go to the bank; Manuel says he went to the bank yesterday and took out cash. So who went to the bank yesterday? → Manuel; who has no cash? → Olga.
Tracking Two Speakers
- Use the 30 seconds well. Read all six statements and underline the key verb and time: va a ir, fue ayer, cocina bien, no tiene dinero.
- Fix the voices. The two speakers greet each other by name at the start (¡Hola, Olga!). Write M and O (or whatever their initials are) in the margin.
- Mark as you listen. On the first listening, pencil M, O or ✗ (neither) next to each statement.
- Use the second listening for the statements you are unsure of, especially possible "neither" cases.
- Transfer. After the second listening you get 30 seconds to complete the answer sheet.
The statements usually follow the order of the conversation, but they don't always do so strictly. Don't give up on a statement just because the conversation has moved on.
Language That Decides "Who"
First-person statements
The speaker talks about himself or herself: Yo fui ayer al banco → the man, if he says it. Tengo que pasar por el banco → the woman, if she says it.
Offers, requests and invitations
| Sentence | Who does the action? |
|---|---|
| ¿Podrías comprarme unas cosas? (Manuel) | Olga will buy; Manuel asks |
| Te preparo algo un día (Manuel to Olga) | Manuel will cook |
| Me va a invitar María José (Olga) | María José pays, so it's neither of the two speakers |
Agreement and disagreement
- A mí también / yo también: both agree.
- A mí tampoco / yo tampoco: both share a negative idea.
- Pues yo no / pues a mí sí: the second speaker disagrees.
When both agree, check the exact wording of the statement: it may still point to only one speaker because of a detail (el arroz no es mi mejor plato is said only by Manuel).
Compliments and opinions about the other person
¡Pero si cocinas de manera increíble! (Olga about Manuel) means Manuel cooks well, even though Olga said it. Always ask who is the statement about?, not who spoke the words?
Typical Topics
- Errands and favours: shopping lists (un kilo de tomates), picking up something, lending money.
- Plans and appointments: he quedado con…, ¿quedamos…?, mañana tengo un examen.
- Food and invitations: favourite dishes, restaurants, cooking.
- News from daily life: a new job, a trip, a move, a problem at work.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing the speaker who said a sentence rather than the person it is about.
- Forgetting third people mentioned in the conversation, who are the source of "neither" answers.
- Treating an offer as an action (¿Quieres que te ayude? does not mean help was given).
- Missing a small negation: no llevo ni un euro, nunca tengo tiempo.
A Quick Self-Test Routine
Take any two-person dialogue from a Spanish course book or podcast that lasts about two minutes. Before listening, write six statements about it yourself: two about the man, two about the woman and two about neither (a friend they mention, or an offer that is refused). Listen twice and mark A, B or C. Then check the transcript and ask which statements caught you out. Most learners find that their errors are on the "neither" statements, so write more of those until you can spot them reliably.
In Listening Tarea 3, what are the possible answers for each statement?
The man, the woman, or both of them.
True, false, or not mentioned.
The man, the woman, or neither of them.
One of ten written statements.
In a conversation, Olga says: «He quedado con María José para ayudarla a estudiar inglés, porque mañana tiene un examen.» Who does the statement «Tiene un examen mañana» refer to?
Neither of them, because the exam belongs to María José, a third person.
Olga, because she is the one who mentions the exam.
The man, because he will study with María José.
Both speakers, because they are both students.
Olga says to Manuel: «¡Pero si cocinas de manera increíble!» Who does the statement «Cocina muy bien» refer to?
Olga, because she said the sentence.
Neither, because it is only an opinion.
Both, because they both like food.
Manuel, because Olga is saying that he cooks very well.
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.