B2 First Mid-course Tests Audioscripts
AUDIOSCRIPT
Part 1
M = Man W = Woman G = Girl
B = Boy
1 You hear a music teacher talking about reading
music.
People mistakenly believe that reading music is
very difficult. The thing is, if you are taught
properly, that won’t be a problem. So please don’t
be put off by suggestions that you won’t be able
to grasp the basics. I will introduce you to the
most important topics in reading music in a way
that is very easy to follow, but don't expect to fly
through all the lessons and understand straight
away. As with anything new, it will seem
complicated at first, but as you look at the
examples and read the explanations it will all
make sense. Right, let’s go on with the first lesson.
2 You hear a girl talking to a friend about a chess
tournament.
G: I did it! I finally signed up for the chess
tournament at the youth club.
B: Wow, that’s great. So when is the
tournament?
G: Not for a couple of weeks, which is good
because I need all the practice I can get.
You know, some of the others have been
playing for years – since they were children.
It’s kind of intimidating really. I mean,
they’re bound to be so much better than
me. I almost didn’t go through with it. But
then I thought, ‘So what if they’re
experienced? I can still take part and
hopefully pick up a few new moves.’ And
who knows, I might have more natural
talent than the others!
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3 You hear two friends talking in a shop.
M: Look! This one’s half price. It’s been
reduced from £20. What do you think?
Should I try it on?
W: Didn’t you want to buy jeans? Isn’t that
why we’re here?
M: Yes, but this is a bargain! I won’t find it so
cheap again.
W: Yes, I get that, but if you buy the T-shirt,
you might be left short of money, so if you
do find some nice jeans, you won’t be able
to afford them.
M: So I should look for jeans and if there’s any
cash left over, then get the T-shirt?
W: Exactly.
M: I hate it when you’re right!
4 You hear a boy talking about going to the
cinema.
I wouldn’t say that I go to the cinema regularly,
like once or twice a month. I don’t think there are
many people who do that, really – well, not
people my age anyway. It just costs too much –
the ticket, the drinks, the snacks – it all adds up. If
there’s a film I’m excited about seeing, that’s
when I’ll make an effort to go and I’ll arrange it
with a group because to me, that’s what cinema is
all about. It’s a social experience – you meet up,
watch the film together and then have fun talking
about it afterwards. Yeah, it’s just a good night
out.
5 You hear a headteacher talking to a group of
students.
You’ll be pleased to learn there won’t be any big,
end-of-year tests. You’ll have various tests and
assignments during the year which, we believe,
will give your teachers a more accurate and
complete picture of your level. For example, you
might be asked to give a presentation on your
favourite book for your English class or work on a
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research project for science. Your teachers will
evaluate your work and use the results as part of
your final result. Of course, this means you need
to be on the ball throughout the year.
6 You hear a radio show presenter talking about
a band.
What a year it’s been for The Lost Donkeys! Their
first studio album – Dangle the Carrot – has
rocketed up the charts and has been sitting at
number one for a while now. It’s hard to believe
the band only formed a year ago. We’ll have them
on the show later, but before we do, let’s hear
what some of you have to say about the boys.
The lines are open for your calls. And because I’m
feeling generous, the first caller will win a double
pass to the band’s first show tomorrow night. Oh!
And here’s our lucky winner. Talk about fast!
What’s your name …
7 You hear two people talking in a restaurant.
M: It’s not exactly a small menu, is it? I don’t
know what to choose … the sweet and sour
chicken, the spicy noodles or the deep-
fried prawns? They all sound delicious. I
could eat them all!
W: Lucky you! I wish I could.
M: Why not? You’re not on a diet, are you?
W: Well, I suppose I should cut down on
sweets, but it’s not that. It’s spicy food. I
mean, I love it, but I usually don’t feel great
afterwards.
M: I’m sorry, I had no idea. Let’s go
somewhere else.
W: Honestly, it’s fine. I’ll just order some plain
rice and vegetables.
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8 You hear two friends talking about a weekend
job.
W: Here’s the number. Call them now – maybe
they’ll ask you to go in for an interview.
M: I bet they’ve already found someone.
W: You don’t know that. Go on, ring them.
You’ve got nothing to lose.
M: Well, I do have some experience as a
waiter and the hours are good.
W: Yes, it’s just Saturday and Sunday, it won’t
interfere with your studies. Really, it’s just
ideal for you.
M: OK, you’ve convinced me. Pass me the
phone, will you?
Part 2
Hello everyone. My name’s Louise Parsons and
your drama teacher has asked me to talk to you
about acting. I’ve been in a few ads and films, and
I’m going to give you some tips on how to get
into the industry.
First of all, you can’t break into the film industry
by reading about it in a book. No book can tell
you the ‘secrets’ of the industry, and how to
become successful. The authors of these books
are often actors who have appeared in TV
commercials or had small roles on television
shows or films. Week after week, they put their
ads in newspapers and magazines. Sometimes, it’s
not a book they’re advertising, but a seminar or a
service they can provide. Whatever it is, don’t fall
for it – they are just looking for inexperienced
people to buy their product. Clearly, the authors
make more money telling you how to get rich
with their secrets than they do using those secrets
themselves!
Unfortunately, film is an industry that is difficult to
get into. It’s like publishing or music – for every
successful actor, writer or musician, there are
thousands of hopefuls who will never succeed. It
can take years to build up a career in acting. Even
well-known actors played small parts and
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struggled before they suddenly got a major role.
That’s why you should get a good education as a
backup. The worst scenario, of course, is that you
might never make it. Then you’ll definitely need to
have your Plan B already in place. Too many
people quit school in search of fame, only to end
up without any sort of career. Don’t let that
happen to you. Personally, I’m now training to
become a chef, not only because I might not
make it in acting, but because I love cooking. Find
something else you can also be passionate about
apart from acting.
Next, take acting classes. It may be difficult
working out which drama school or coach to sign
up with, or whether expensive classes are actually
better than more affordable ones, but classes will
give you three benefits. Firstly, they help to
improve your acting skills. Secondly, because
you’re taught in a group, they help you to
become less self-conscious about your acting. And
finally, they help to fill up your CV when you don’t
have any acting credits to list. That’s what I did,
and it got me my first role.
Another important factor in your future success is
a good agent or manager. Now, like the authors
of the books I mentioned earlier, there are agents
you should avoid. They’ll ask you for a fee before
they can represent you. Be careful of people like
that. A real agent will not ask you for money up
front – they will make money when they get you a
job. The agent I have, for example, keeps 10 per
cent of everything I earn.
You might be thinking to yourself, ‘I don’t need
an agent. I can find my own jobs.’ It’s true, you
don’t have to have an agent, but actors without
agents tend not to be hired by directors. You
probably think that isn’t fair, but it’s a fact. Agents
are closer to the action, they know what jobs are
coming up and simply have far more contacts
than you could ever hope to have. That’s their job.
My agent is someone who works hard for me and
is a major reason why I’ve found roles.
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Breaking into film isn’t easy, but if you work hard
and get good, practical advice from industry
professionals, you can do it. And it will be a lot of
fun.
Part 3
Speaker 1
Skateboarding just started out as a fun pastime
for me. Some of my friends were really into it, and
they got me interested. Watching them was fun,
but I thought it’d be difficult to do, and some of
the tricks looked quite challenging. Well, I lost my
balance a lot at the start, but it didn’t put me off.
Before long, I was doing all kinds of flips and
spins, so the next step was obviously to enter a
competition and see how far I could go. In my
very first event, I came second and I was proud
about that. There’s even a video of me online.
Speaker 2
A big part of what animal shelters do is find new
owners to adopt the animals. Some animals are
shy and don’t come across as being friendly.
Others look fierce and prospective families are
scared of them. What I find most satisfying about
my volunteer work at a shelter is helping animals
to overcome their own fear and hesitation. I see
that as a great accomplishment because it’s doing
something that’s not for your personal benefit.
When an animal leaves the shelter and I know it’s
going to a good home where it will be taken care
of and loved, that’s the best reward for me.
Speaker 3
I’m a member of the student council at my school.
The council helps to share students’ ideas and
concerns with the teachers and the principal. We
also raise funds for social events and community
projects. One of the ideas we took to the principal
was to have some ‘no-uniform’ days, and
surprisingly, there were no objections. We really
hadn’t expected a positive response to that. When
it was officially announced at assembly, everyone
started cheering and council members were hailed
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as heroes! It’s easy to understand why – our web designer did. He did a great job and
school uniform is pretty ugly! had really fantastic ideas to make it user-

Speaker 4 friendly. It’s not just a place where you can

order clothes online – there’s a fashion
I don’t like talking about it because it sounds like
blog that I update every day, and a virtual
I’m bragging, but I saved a young boy from
changing room where you can upload a
drowning in a pool. Because of that, there was a
full-length photo of yourself and then ‘try
special ceremony at the town hall and I was given
on’ different outfits from the store. That’s a
a bravery award by the mayor. He shook my hand
huge hit with shoppers. But I can’t take any
and everyone clapped; it was a big deal. But the
credit for it!
look on my mum’s face, that was the best – it was
unforgettable – she was glowing. I got a medal Int: Yes, as an idea, the virtual changing room

and a certificate, which my mum put on the living is very original, and your fashions are too.

room wall. The local newspaper ran a story about But let’s go back to the beginning, Ingrid.

it and she’s framed that too and put it next to the When did you become interested in

certificate! fashion?

Speaker 5 Ing: I started taking art lessons when I was

about seven and I think I was ten when we
I’m not an eco-warrior, but when I found out
began looking at paintings from earlier
there were plans to cut down a 100-year-old tree
periods and copying them – well, since
in order to widen my street, it struck me as really
then I've been fascinated by the texture,
wrong. And it’s not just that the tree is a part of
design and style of clothing. My mum used
the area’s history, but animals such as possums
to work in the costume department of a
live there. It’s their habitat, their home. It wasn’t
big theatre company and she’d often sew
hard to raise awareness. I posted about it online
costumes for the actors at home, so there’d
and I put notices in letter boxes. On the day it
be scraps of material lying around the
was to be cut down, about 50 people showed up
house. I made my first clothes with them.
and we formed a human chain around it. It’s safe
for the time being, but we need to get a firm Int: So, would you say that you’ve always

promise that it won’t be destroyed. wanted to be a fashion designer?

Ing: Well, anything beautiful attracts me –

Part 4
literature, architecture, even cars! I suppose
Int = Interviewer Ing = Ingrid
I could have done anything creative in
Int: My guest today is 17-year-old Ingrid those fields. But I think fashion chose me,
Mason, who has just won the Teen not the other way around – I mean, having
Designer of the Year award. Well done, that influence at home, with my mother,
Ingrid! just gently pushed me in that direction

Ing: Thanks very much. rather than a different creative field.

Int: Unless I’m mistaken, this isn’t your first Int: Tell us about your clothes. Who are they

award, is it? designed for?

Ing: You’re right, it’s not, but it’s the first award Ing: I think anyone can wear my designs, but

I’ve won for my actual fashion designs. The you need to have the confidence to wear

other one was for my website and online brighter colours and patterns. Most young

store. But I didn’t receive the award – the people aren’t afraid of vibrant colours, but

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 B2 First Mid-course Tests Audioscripts

as people get older, they tend to wear brand. Now the polo shirt can be found in
more conservative clothes. But in terms of most men’s wardrobes.
marketing and advertising campaigns, yes, Int: That’s fascinating! I had no idea about the
we do focus on teens and young adults. story behind the polo shirt.
That’s also why the clothes are priced so
reasonably – my brand is probably the
most affordable designer brand in the
country. And really, there’s no point in
designing for young people if they can’t
afford to buy the clothes!

Int: The designs are very sporty. Do you think

that’s another reason why they’re so
popular?

Ing: Oh, absolutely! It’s the style people wear

every day – it’s not for occasions like
weddings or anything like that! At the
same time, though, people want to look
stylish, not just casual and comfortable.
That’s what my designs offer – a very
trendy but relaxed look. Sportswear, in
general, has had a huge influence on urban
street style. Basketball jerseys, for example,
were first worn by players, then by fans
and later on by fashion-conscious
consumers. And, even though they’re not
really seen as street fashion, it’s a similar
story with polo shirts.

Int: Oh? Could you tell us how polo shirts

became so popular?

Ing: Well, until the 1920s, male tennis players

wore long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and
a tie when they played. A tie! Can you
imagine how uncomfortable that was? A
French tennis player, René Lacoste, decided
to wear something more suitable for
running around on the court. He saw a
friend of his who was playing polo wearing
a short-sleeved shirt. Lacoste had a
designer make a similar garment. The
short-sleeved shirt became known as a
‘polo’ shirt even though Lacoste wanted it
for playing tennis. Then, in the 1970s,
designer Ralph Lauren made his Polo

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