Listening part one.
You will hear some sentences. You will hear each sentence twice. Choose the best reply to each sentence.
Number one. Number one.
Hello. Mrs Collins? It’s Amy. Is Jo there, please?
Hello. Mrs Collins? It’s Amy. Is Jo there, please?
Number two. Number two. (6 seconds)
Hi. Did you sleep well? You look much better now.
Hi. Did you sleep well? You look much better now.
Number three. Number three. (6 seconds)
Sorry. It’ll cost more than twenty pounds to mend that.
Sorry. It’ll cost more than twenty pounds to mend that.
Number four. Number four. (6 seconds)
[boss to PA] Err … Do you think you can finish by Monday, Ms Marwin?
[boss to PA] Err … Do you think you can finish by Monday, Ms Marwin?
Number five. Number five. (6 seconds)
So, why would you like a job with our company?
So, why would you like a job with our company?
Number six. Number six. (6 seconds)
I think you should wear something stylish but comfortable.
I think you should wear something stylish but comfortable.
Number seven. Number seven. (6 seconds)
Excuse me, do you have this in another colour?
Excuse me, do you have this in another colour?
That is the end of Part One.
Listening part two
You will hear some conversations. You will hear each conversation twice. Choose the correct answers for each conversation. (10 seconds.)
Conversation One
M: OK, we can start here … it’s a nice quiet place. Ready?
F: [uncertain, sounding nervous] Well… you know, I’ve never driven before. My dad taught my brother, and they both wanted to teach me last year but I thought an instructor’d be better. You know… someone confident and professional.
M: I agree, it’s better to keep fathers and brothers out of it, or anyone you know, actually – too easy to get into arguments, otherwise [pause] Now, don’t worry. We’ll start with the basics. Err… just before we change seats, make sure it’s safe to open the door. What do you think you’re looking for?
F: [uncertain] Ummm… perhaps other cars, cyclists…? [even more uncertain] Is it safe to get out…?
M: That’s right. OK, so let’s change over then I’ll show you how to set the mirrors, start the car and use the brakes.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(Wait 10 seconds before going onto the next conversation.)
Conversation Two
F: How many languages do you speak?
M: Well, I speak French and Spanish. I can read and understand German but I can’t speak it at all.
F: [impressed] Wow, and now you want to study Italian? Why did you choose it?
M: Well …, it’s similar to Spanish so it will be quite easy for me. But most importantly, I’m mad about Italy – everything, Rome, the history, the food … [sighing contentedly] Aah. I was thinking about coming here for a six-week course but then I decided to stay longer. I’m going home at the end of the year now.
F: That’s eight months, right? Where’re you staying here in Rome?
M: The college offered to find a hotel or an apartment but I didn’t fancy those. I’m going to stay with a host family – I’ll practise the language more …
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(Wait 10 seconds before going onto the next conversation.)
Conversation Three
[couple in their fifties]
F: Come on, Henry! Hurry up! A lot of snow’s fallen overnight and it takes ages to clear the car!
M: [moaning] All right, all right… I’ve had enough of this snowy weather, you know. Why can’t we just stay at home for a bit? I’d rather not risk the journey…
F: [upset] What do you mean? We promised Jane and Michael I’d look after the kids while they’re out doing their shopping.
M: Well, I’m really not looking forward to the drive from their place to work on these slippery roads but I can’t make excuses. The grandchildren are waiting after all, and we both know how much they love seeing you…
F: It’s not that bad! And I’m sure it will melt before you leave there to go to work. Look, the sun’s coming out already!
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)
That is the end of Part Two.
Listening part three
You will hear someone talking. You will hear the person twice. Complete the information. Write short answers of one to three words. (30 seconds)
Hello everyone, – welcome to our room-escape game: it’s called ‘Magic Books’. I’m sure you know what it’s all about. In about five minutes time, you’re going to be locked in a room and the aim of the game is to solve puzzles, find objects and get out of the room. You’ll have a maximum time of one hour to do it in.
First, let me tell you a bit about the history of escape-rooms. Well… it’s not very long: the most famous room opened in Silicon Valley in two-thousand-and-six, but the very first room was actually created in two-thousand-and-four. Some computer programmers got the idea from the works of Agatha Christie. I’m sure you know her; she published a lot of novels but she’s most famous for her crime stories.
But not all escape-rooms are inspired by crime. There are various designs from hospital rooms to ancient castles. This one looks like a library. Now, don’t worry, there’s nothing frightening in the room, and nothing dangerous. You’ll only have to use your brains, in other words, this is a game for the mind.
Err … What else d’you need to know? Well, no personal belongings allowed, so put them in the lockers – over there – next to the entrance, on the left. In case of emergency, there’s a panic button – it’s big and red so easy to notice – beside the door. This’ll open the door if you press it.
When the game starts, go in and look for hidden pictures or notes in books. If you need some ideas, ask the game manager – he’s outside but can hear you, but you can only ask for his help three times.
Ready to start? The door will open for you in thirty seconds – remember: only sixty minutes to get out. Good luck!
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)
You now have thirty seconds to read through and check your answers.
That is the end of Part Three.
Listening part four
You will hear a conversation. You will hear the conversation twice. Choose the correct answers.
(20 seconds.)
F: [enthusiastic] Wow! Peter, look at this! I think I’ve found the ideal gift for your parents’ anniversary!
M: [sounding curious] Great – err … What’ve you found? I’ve been wondering for a while but couldn’t come up with anything.
F: [showing an advert] Here… look at this advert … perfect, isn’t it?
M: [shocked] Are you serious, Tanya? This thing costs loads of money! And I’m not sure they’d even be able to turn it on! You know my mum, she’s old-fashioned and…
F: [interrupting] Come on! It’s an awesome gift. I’m sure your mum gets tired cleaning their house, and a cleaning robot is something she could use every day to keep the floor clean. It would help her a lot, and I think that’s important in a gift. [as an afterthought] And even your father’d be pleased with a robot vacuum cleaner! He could have his own house cleaning robot, like in a science fiction film!
M: [agreeing] Well, you’re probably right about my father, he’s always loved new technology, but d’you think my mum would be OK with a robot cleaning her house? She doesn’t even like you or the kids, or even any of her friends helping her, remember! She’s never satisfied with the way other people clean.
F: [laughing] That’s very true, Peter… she can be difficult about cleaning – but believe me, this is different. It’s not a person who doesn’t do things the way she likes to do them. She’ll just have to switch this on and forget all about it… as easy as that.
M: Hmmm… I don’t know… Is it really only pushing the start button? Does it really save time compared to traditional hoovers? Is it easy for older people to use? I have so many questions…
F: Well, what they say here in the advert is:[ reading out] it’s much smaller and lighter than other hoovers, it goes under low furniture easily, and is also much quieter.
M: OK, you’re persuading me, it sounds like there’re a lot of advantages, but are these all true? And what about the disadvantages?
F: Obviously they haven’t mentioned those, but you could go online and read some reviews yourself.
M: I’ll definitely do that. I think we should read what somebody who’s bought it thinks, and only buy it if we believe it really would be a benefit. I don’t want to buy my parents something useless. Think about all the useless, expensive electrical equipment we’ve spent hundreds on over the past few years!
F: All right, all right…While you’re checking the reviews, d’you want me to call your sister to ask what she’s planning to get?
M: Oh, yes, please. Could you agree where we’re having dinner with her, and say we’ll get the flowers? And, Tanya…perhaps you could ask her what she thinks about a robot cleaner. It would be cheaper to get it from all of us…
F: Ha-ha, you still think it’s too much, don’t you? OK, I’ll do my best. It is expensive, I agree.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)
That is the end of Part Four.
