Proficiency Test 2

Extract One - You hear part of a talk about negotiating with others.

• 1. The speaker says that both soft and hard ways of negotiating (B)
  1.  are more suitable in some situations than in others.
  2. tend to result in outcomes that were not anticipated.
  3. indicate a lack of confidence on the part of those using them.
• 2. The speaker says that principled negotiation involves  (C)
  1. accepting that life can be unfair.
  2. greater effort from both sides.
  3. the use of objective criteria.

Extract Two - You hear part of a radio programme about a pottery.

• 3. What does the reporter emphasise about the pottery?  (C)
  1. how seldom anyone visits it these days
  2. how deceptive its appearance is
  3. how much it seems to belong to a previous era
• 4. When describing the history of the pottery, Roly Curtis  (A)
  1. mentions a problem common to many potteries.
  2. refers to a mistake he believes was made.
  3. expresses support for what his father did.

Extract Three - You hear part of a radio programme about the stars of silent films.

• 5. The speaker says that Harold Lloyd became very successful because he (B)
  1. acted on a suggestion made by a colleague.
  2. changed the character he portrayed in films.
  3. became more ambitious than he had previously been.
• 6. The speaker says that Lloyd's career suffered because  (A)
  1. his character's attitude ceased to be appealing.
  2. he was reluctant to make films with sound.
  3. he lost confidence in his abilities as a performer.

• In 1835, William Sumner appeared in a publication called the (7) (National Commercial Directory)

• At the beginning of the 20th century, the Sumners' business sold (8) (wines and spirits) in addition to groceries.

• Mary found that a certain type of tea was good for (9) (indigestion)

• John was told that people would not wish to buy tea that resembled (10) (dust)

• John thought that the name he chose for the tea sounded like a word that was(11) (oriental)

• The name of the tea has a double 'p' because of a (12) (printer's error)

• To promote the tea, customers were offered a big (13) (jar of cream)

• John wanted people to know his tea came from the (14) (edge of the leaf)

• John was given an honour for his (15) (charitable work)

• 16 One reason why the family decided not to have a television was that (A)
  •  A the reception from the communal aerial was often poor.
  • B they did not think the satellite technician would do the job properly.
  • C linking up with the communal aerial was complicated.
  • D they preferred to enjoy the beauty of their new surroundings.

• 17 One thing that Miranda enjoyed about not having a television was (C)
  • A telling other people about what they did instead.
  • B returning to hobbies they had previously given up.
  • C observing the reaction of others when they found out.
  • D feeling more energetic during the evening.

• 18 Miranda says that one disadvantage of not having a television was (D)
  • A the fact that they could not follow their favourite series.
  • B a constant desire to be more up-to-date with the news.
  • C being unable to discuss topics they had previously discussed.
  • D feeling out of touch with what other people talked about.

• 19 What does Miranda say about getting connected again? (A)
  • A She felt it would be of some benefit to the whole family.
  • B She agreed because her attitude towards television had changed.
  • C She initially disagreed with her husband about doing so.
  • D She felt that they were doing so because they were lazy people.

• 20 Miranda says that since they got a television again, her children (B)
  • A are more able to distinguish good programmes from rubbish.
  • B sometimes refuse to watch it when she suggests they do so.
  • C have decided not to return to the habit of watching it.
  • D never watch it simply because they are feeling lazy.

• Stop the recording when you hear 'That's the end of Part 3: