Month: July 2017

• ExtractOne - You hear two people discussing climate change.

• 1 How did the man feel after watching a TV debate on the subject? (B)
  • A alarmed by the strength of feeling among the speakers
  • B dismayed by some of the speakers' level of knowledge
  • C surprised by the number of speakers taking part

• 2 The woman thinks that articles about climate change should (C)
  • A be written by scientists.
  • B include some humour.
  • C be authenticated by specialists.

• ExtractTwo - You hear two pilots taking part in a discussion programme about an aerobatics team in which they fly.

• 3 How does the man feel about the new training season? (B)
  • A concerned about his ability to learn new skills
  • B satisfied that his efforts have been worthwhile
  • C worried about the number of hours he has to put in

• 4 What does the woman think about the forthcoming world championships? (A)
  • A She has confidence in the ability of certain team members.
  • B She's convinced that the team will do better than last year.
  • C She suspects that pilots have been given unrealistic targets.

• ExtractThree - You hear two friends talking about online book reviews.

• 5 The woman reveals her belief that (B)
  • A websites should monitor contributions.
  • B reading such reviews is a waste of time.
  • C those who write reviews are unscrupulous.

• 6 How does the man think he benefits from writing online reviews? (C)
  • A It allows him to share his opinions.
  • B It gives him practice in writing skills.
  • C It makes him read the books more closely.

• ^{15 Sarah thinks board games are becoming more popular partly (B)}
  • A as a consequence of their basic simplicity.
  • B as a reaction to the dominance of technology.
  • C because they mirror already popular gaming activities.
  • D because people are constantly searching for new hobbies.

• 16 Ed thinks game playing will grow in this century  (D)
  • A as a result of people having more leisure time.
  • B as a way of enhancing personal relationships.
  • C as a means of coping with increasingly stressful lives.
  • D as a reflection of fundamental changes taking place in society.

• 17 In Sarah's opinion, what is the main attraction of board games? (C)
  • A the challenges they pose to players
  • B the memories they evoke of the past
  • C the environment in which they take place
  • D the competitive element in the way they are played

• 18 When asked if board-gaming is a world-wide phenomenon, Ed (D)
  • A explains a trend which is likely to change.
  • B highlights the importance of advertising and marketing.
  • C mentions the huge variety of games available globally.
  • D emphasises the differences that exist between parts of the world.

• 19 Sarah sees the Game of the Year award as (A)
  • A a useful marketing tool.
  • B crucial as a way of promoting variety.
  • C important in keeping consumers informed.
  • D a positive development for younger players.

• 20 When talking about their own collections of board games, Ed and Sarah agree that (D)
  • A some are likely to prove an investment.
  • B many are beautifully manufactured.
  • C collectors sometimes regret their purchases.
  • D throwing games away isn't advisable.

• 1 The man thinks the essential component of a holiday is (C)
  • A physical activity.
  • B the opportunity to travel.
  • C mental stimulation.
• 2 He feels that one benefit of doing archaeology on holiday is that it (C)
  • A provides him with the excitement of discovery.
  • B adds to the sum of his knowledge.
  • C helps him to be more tolerant.

ExtractTwo - You hear two colleagues talking about time management.

• 3 They agree that being late (B)
  • A is a growing trend.
  • B is a difficult habit to break.
  • C can be amusing when it affects others.

• 4 In the woman's opinion, people who fail to arrive on time (C)
  • A are often completely unaware of the problems they cause.
  • B generally have a relaxed attitude to life.
  • C are putting their career prospects at risk.

ExtractThree - You hear two friends talking about a historical novel they have read.

• 5 The woman thinks the novelist manages to (C)
  • A create a credible background.
  • B exploit a strong story line.
  • C depict well-drawn characters.

• 6 The friends agree that this historical novel (A)
  • A gives a successful insight into the past.
  • B provides an escape from the present.
  • C presents a highly subjective view of events.

• Mike says that among his older colleagues, (7) (media studies) rather than photography, was a common degree subject.

• While working as a diver at a (8) (research station)  in the Antarctic, Mike decided to become a photographer.

• Mike feels that an aptitude for (9) (marketing)  is the key business skill in his work.

• Mike's most recent shoot involved taking pictures for a (10) (travel company).

• Mike is proudest of the book called (11) (Awesome Animals).

• In his most recent TV work as a wildlife cameraman Mike filmed different types of (12) (skarks, shark)  in various locations.

• Mike uses the word (13) (back stage, back-stage) to emphasise how his work as a cameraman differs from his book project.

• Mike advises young photographers to invent (14) (a slogan, slogans) to go with their pictures when they try to sell them.

• 15 What aspect of modern life does Anton think Seneca anticipated? (C)
• • A The fact that intellectuals sometimes reject new ideas.
  • B The fact that an interest in owning books has decreased.
  • C The way that people get distracted by passing trends.
  • D The way that people have become obsessed with the notion of quality.

• 16 In Kirsten's view, the volume of material available today (D)
  • A makes us too reliant on technology.
  • B is far less useful than we think it might be.
  • C is not significantly greater than in the past.
  • D presents a problem which has always existed.

• 17 How does Anton respond to the suggestion of doing without much of today's information? (B)
• A He feels it might actually lead to meaningful progress.
• B He says it would be betraying the past.
• C He thinks the solution lies in technological systems.
• D He would prefer to see a reduction in the quantity produced.

• 18 In discussing the problem of dealing with information overload today, the two experts agree that  (B)
  • A it is reaching a critical point.
  • B the methods used are ineffective.
  • C it makes people communicate less.
  • D the concept of convenience has been lost.

• 19 Kirsten sees the biggest work-related benefit arising from greater available information as (C)
  • A the rapid advances in direct feedback.
  • B the spread of personalised advertising.
  • C more worker participation in product development.
  • D a marked increase in customer satisfaction.

• 20 What does Kirsten say dieting made her realise about information?  (D)
  • A restrict your own access to it
  • B only a small part of it is ever accurate
  • C only bother with it when you really have to
  • D be highly selective when faced with a lot of it

• 1 The woman says that in the building some people are having difficulty (B)
  • A coping with the new technology.
  • B adjusting to a new concept of work.
  • C working without clear supervision.

• 2 She thinks one effect of people moving around the building will be to (C)
  • A promote physical as well as mental well-being.
  • B create a more productive work force.
  • C provide useful contact with other employees.

• 3 The woman believes that in future companies should (A)
  • A fly only with airlines that have an eco-friendly policy.
  • B concentrate on the use of video conferencing.
  • C reduce overall levels of executive travel.

• 4 The man thinks that the prime consideration for transport providers should be (B)
  • A increasing revenue.
  • B thinking long-term.
  • C creating jobs.

• 5 What is the man's attitude to the research? (C)
  • A He is doubtful about the methods used.
  • B He is surprised by its findings.
  • C He is dismissive of the concept behind it.

• 6 During the discussion, the woman reveals her (B)
  • A sympathy towards the subjects of the experiments.
  • B interest in complex human behaviour.
  • C admiration for the originality of the research.

Of the four kinds of bath-toy lost at sea, Steven thinks the (7) (blue turtle, turtle)had the most surprising colour.

The subject Steven was teaching when he first read about the bath-toys was(8) (media studies)

In Alaska, Steven heard of a lost consignment of (9) (sneakers) some of which turned up alongside the bath-toys.

Steven discovered that the bath-toys are used by scientists known as (10) (oceanographers) in their research.

Steven says that the findings obtained by researchers were immediately useful to (11) (shipping) industry.

Steven mentions the particular case of a (12) (seabird) adversely affected by plastic pollutants in the sea.

Steven regarded the factory that he traced in China as the bath-toys' (13) (birthplace, place of birth)

Steven travelled on something called an (14) (icebreaker) on his journey across the Arctic.

• 15 In response to the idea that everything has already been discovered Jessica emphasises (A)
  • A the potential for further marine exploration.
  • B the precision of modern satellite technology.
  • C the inaccuracy of modern mapping techniques.
  • D the number of recent discoveries.

• 16 Regarding new species found around underwater craters, Jessica says that (C)
  • A they are being discovered less often these days.
  • B they are more abundant in certain locations.
  • C it is difficult to estimate possible numbers.
  • D there are problems classifying them.

• 17 When asked about geographical discoveries in general, Paul and Jessica agree that scientists need to  (B)
  • A make regular reassessments of their work.
  • B compare their respective results.
  • C recognise their limitations.
  • D promote their findings.

• 18 What does Paul say about walking where no one has ever walked before?  (C)
  • A It recharges his tired mind.
  • B It makes him feel he is unique.
  • C It gives him a sense of belonging.
  • D It helps him forget physical discomfort.

• 19 When asked about others visiting remote areas, Paul  (D)
  • A supports the public's right to experience them.
  • B expresses his concern at growing urbanisation.
  • C suggests it would benefit local communities.
  • D criticises the attitude of some tourists.

• 20 In Paul's view, future generations will  (D)
  • A only need to go on line to experience the thrill of adventure.
  • B have to reduce travel for environmental reasons.
  • C be less interested in the concept of exploration.
  • D still be attracted to isolated places.

• 1 What does the speaker say about the word 'confidence'? (C)
  • A Most dictionary definitions of it are inaccurate.
  • B It means a great deal more than simply 'self-assurance'.
  • C It is a hard word to define precisely.

• 2 What does the speaker say about having confidence? (A)
  • A There is no one who doesn't wish to have it.
  • B It frequently changes into feeling superior.
  • C Some people are incapable of it .

• 3 The speaker says that Goldman's latest book contains (C)
  • A views even more negative than those in his previous book.
  • B confusing comments on actors and directors .
  • C criticism that may be unnecessarily harsh.
• 4 The speaker believes that Goldman (B)
  • A exaggerates the difficulties of his occupation.
  • B has an unfavourable opinion of his own occupation.
  • C is unaware of how much his work is admired.

• 5 What does the speaker say about the James Brown records he mentions? (A)
  • A They conveyed a sense of joy.
  • B They were surprise hits.
  • C They were totally unlike Brown's other records.
• 6 The speaker says that people growing up in Britain in the 1960s (B)
  • A had only a limited view of what America was like.
  • B had the same view of America as Americans did.
  • C felt that American music was more varied than British music.

Frank Hornby worked for a (7) (meat importer)

He was inspired by a book called (8) (Self-Help, Self Help)

The (9) (submarine) he invented did not work properly.

He started to consider the idea of (10) (interchangeable) parts.

He decided that the parts would need to have a (11) (series of holes) in them.

The first parts he made were from a big (12) (piece of copper)

The first object that was built with the new system was a (13) (crane)

The first name given to the new toy was (14) (Mechanics Made Easy)

Each Meccano set could be made bigger with the use of an (15) (Extension Pack)

Stop the recording when you hear 'That's the end of Part 2:

• 16 David says that the session he has just conducted (C)
  • A was longer than most sessions he conducts.
  • B illustrates his own beliefs about focus groups.
  • C is an example of a new approach to visual planning.
  • D concentrated as much on positive as negative attitudes to cleaning.

• 17 What did David know about cleaning products before the session? (A)
  • A Some people could not make up their minds which ones to buy.
  • B Manufacturers were concerned about falling sales in them.
  • C Some of them looked too dull to appeal to shoppers.
  • D People felt that false claims were made about them.

• 18 One of the comments made during the session referred to (D)
  • A regarding the choice of a cleaning product as unimportant.
  • B cleaning products all looking the same.
  • C the deliberate misleading of shoppers.
  • D buying a cleaning product because it is familiar.

• 19 David says that what the women produced when they were split into groups (A)
  • A did not focus on what cleaning products actually do.
  • B presented contrasting images.
  • C was not what they had expected to produce.
  • D was similar to the presentation of other kinds of product.

• 20 David says that he has concluded from the session that (B)
  • A his firm's methods will need to change slightly.
  • B he was right to question a certain assumption.
  • C cleaning products do not fit into a general pattern.
  • D what he had previously thought was not entirely correct.

Extract One - You hear part of a radio programme about British attitudes.

• 1 The speaker says that one example of British people's pessimism is their (A)
  • A calm response to problems that affect them personally.
  • B acceptance of what they are told by administrators.
  • C tendency to exaggerate potential problems.
• 2 What does the speaker say about British children? (B)
  • A They come to appreciate irony later in life.
  • B It comes naturally to them to be pessimistic.
  • C They are aware of having a peculiar sense of humour.

Extract Two - You hear the introduction to a radio science programme.

• 3 The speaker describes a process by which the brain (C)
  • A changes previous perceptions about events.
  • B discards irrelevant information about events.
  • C waits before focusing on events.
• 4 What does the speaker say about the research he mentions? (B)
  • A It has been influenced by the methods used for live TV broadcasts.
  • B It adds useful information to what is already known.
  • C It is likely to be disproved by other research.

Extract Three - You hear the introduction to a radio programme about inventors.

• 5 The speaker says that Edison's comment (C)
  • A reflects the naivety of inventors.
  • B sums up the unpredictability of an inventor's life.
  • C is as true today as when he made it.
• 6 What does the speaker say about the rules concerning English patents? (B)
  • A He can understand why they remain in force.
  • B They have always put inventors at a disadvantage.
  • C Some inventors do not abide by them.

Stop the recording when you hear 'That's the end of Part 1:

The area on which the· National Stone Centre stands has been used for a long time for the mining of (7) (lead and limestone)

Visitors to the centre are surprised to discover how much stone people (8) (consume, eat)

Examples of the use of stone in construction shown are (9) (tunnels and tennis courts)

The headmaster describes the centre as an excellent (10) (teaching resource)

The first interactive gallery in Britain was called (11) (Launch Pad)

At Techniquest, there are structures which (12) (roll uphill)

At Techniquest, a special (13) (dentist’s chair) is used for teaching people about centrifugal force.

People can learn about the effect that (14) (sound waves) can have on each other at Techniquest.

A dragon is used for teaching people about (15) (control systems) at Techniquest.

Stop the recording when you hear 'That's the end of Part 2:

• 16 What does Paddy say about some readers of her column? (D)
  • A They suspect that she enjoys criticising hotels.
  • B Her attitude to hotels has changed because of their response.
  • C Her comments match their experiences of hotels.
  • D They prefer reading about hotels they would not want to visit.

• 17 What does Paddy say about some hotel-keepers? (B)
  • A They sometimes have to force themselves to have a sense of humour.
  • B They would be more suited to a different profession.
  • C They expect to receive negative comments about their hotels.
  • D They are surprised that they become friends of hers.

• 18 Paddy says that some hotel-keepers she has contacted about the book have (C)
  • A realised that she does not really have an assistant called Emily.
  • B corrected inaccuracies that were in her review of their hotels.
  • C responded favourably despite criticisms she had made.
  • D made her wonder whether her reviews of their hotels were unfair.

• 19 Paddy says that one hotel-keeper she spoke to told her that (A)
  • A other people are unlikely to be treated in the same way in hotels as she is.
  • B he was unwilling to discuss some of the comments in her review.
  • C her reviews did not have as much influence as she believed.
  • D he no longer wanted his hotel to appear in the book.

• 20 The same owner also told her that (D)
  • A he had passed information about her to other hotels.
  • B he resented her description of him in her review.
  • C he did not understand why she wanted to put his hotel in her book.
  • D there was nothing distinctive about her physical appearance.

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

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:

Extract One You hear a reviewer on a radio programme talking about a book.

1 The speaker says that the book's title refers to the point at which   (B)

A social epidemics are at their height.

B something becomes a social epidemic.

C people become concerned about social epidemics.

2 The speaker says, that in her opinion, the book   (A)

 A presents some challenging conclusions.

 B is less complex than it may appear.

 C uses terminology that may confuse readers .

Extract Two You hear a reporter on a radio programme talking as he climbs a big rock.

3 One question the speaker asks himself is   (C)

A why he feels the way he does.

B where his climbing partner has gone.

C what has motivated him to climb the rock.

4 The speaker says that at this exact moment   (B)

A he doesn't care about the risk he is taking.

B he is relishing the experience.

C he feels that age is irrelevant.

Extract Three You hear part of a radio programme about literary festivals.

5 The interviewer says that when writers appear at events at literary festivals,   (B)

A they dislike being asked difficult questions.

B they find the experience easier if they read their own work.

C they seldom prepare as thoroughly as they should.

6 Why, according to William, do writers like meeting readers?   (A)

A Writers are made to feel they have succeeded in their aim.

B Writers want readers to know what they are really like.

C Readers give writers ideas for future work.

Stop the recording when you hear 'That's the end of Part 1:

At the end of her first work experience, Karen spent two days (7) (planning rotas) and checking rooms with the floor housekeeper.

Her last work experience was spent in the hotel's (8) (front office).

The subject of Karen's next course was (9) (Hospitality Management).

During her HND course, the subjects she had to study were business studies, hotel management, human resource management and (10) (operational techniques).

The topic of her report was (11) (green issues) in hotels.

In her report, she wrote reviews of various (12) (give-aways).

She joined an organisation with the initials (13) (HCIMA).

She got information from a magazine called (14) (Caterer and Hotelkeeper).

In her present job, she has to deal with problems caused by the hotel being (15) (overbooked).

Stop the recording when you hear 'That's the end of Part 2:

16 Brigid says that she consulted a life coach because (D)

A she had read a great deal about them.

B both her work and home life were getting worse.

C other efforts to improve her life had failed.

D the changes she wanted to make were only small ones.

17 What did Brigid's coach tell her about money?  (A)

A It would be very easy for Brigid to get a lot of it.

B Brigid's attitude towards it was uncharacteristic of her.

C Brigid placed too much emphasis on it in her life.

D Few people have the right attitude towards it.

18 What does Brigid say about her reaction to her coach's advice on money?  (C)

A She felt silly repeating the words her coach gave her.

B She tried to hide the fact that she found it ridiculous .

C She felt a lot better as a result of following it.

D She found it difficult to understand at first.

19 What does Brigid say happened during the other sessions?  (A)

A She was told that most people's problems had the same cause.

B Her powers of concentration improved.

C Some things she was told to do proved harder than others .

D She began to wonder why her problems had arisen in the first place.

20 What has Brigid concluded?  (B)

A The benefits of coaching do not compensate for the effort required.

B She was too unselfish before she had coaching.

C She came to expect too much of her coach.

D It is best to limit the number of coaching sessions you have.