B1 PRELIMINARY Audio scripts
TEST 3
Preliminary English Test. Listening. Test 3.
There are four parts to the test. You will hear each
part twice. For each part of the test there will be
time for you to look through the questions and
time for you to check your answers.
Write your answers on the question paper. You will
have six minutes at the end of the test to copy your
answers onto the answer sheet.
The recording will now be stopped.
Please ask any questions now, because you must
not speak during the test.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
PART 1
Now open your question paper and look at Part 1.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now we are ready to start. For each question,
choose the correct answer.
1 What does the woman want from the car?
Woman: Are you going out to the car?
Man: Yes, I’m just going to the shop to get something
for dinner.
Woman: Oh right. Could you check if I left my phone
there before you go? I usually keep it in the
same pocket as my money, but it’s not there. It’ll
be on the seat next to my glasses if I have.
Man: Sure. I’ll have a look. Shall I bring your glasses in
too?
Woman: No, they’re the ones I use for driving.
Man: OK. Now, where’s my wallet …
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
2 How much did the woman pay for her scarf?
Man: Hi, Sue. That’s a lot of bags! Have you been
shopping?
Woman: Yes! Look, I just got this great hat – it was only
£15.
Man: That’s really nice – it goes well with your scarf
too. Is that new? It looks expensive!
Woman: Well, yes. It was in a sale, so I got a good
discount on it. I don’t think I’d pay the original
price of £35.
Man: Wow! It is nice though.
Woman: Yes. £28 is still quite a lot, I guess, but I love it.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
3 What time will the concert start?
Man: Hi, it’s Sasha here. Just to let you know I got our
tickets for the concert on Saturday – I can’t wait!
Let’s meet in town before the concert. I think we
should start queuing up outside the concert hall
by quarter past six at the latest. I know the main
band isn’t due to start playing until eight forty-five,
but there’ll be plenty of other great performers on
stage from half past seven and we don’t want to
miss any of them. It’s going to be a great night!
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
4 Which dessert is the woman going to have?
Woman: So, do you have room for dessert?
Man: Absolutely, yes! I’m going to have ice cream. It’s
really good here. How about you?
Woman: Yes, I’ll have the same. The vanilla’s my favourite.
I like it with strawberry sauce!
Man: I’m having the ice cream too, but on its own. You
know you could have some fresh strawberries
with it? That might be nicer than the sauce.
Woman: You’re right. I’ll have that.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
5 Where are the friends going to go first
tomorrow?
Woman: Sightseeing tomorrow!
Man: Let’s visit the museum. It’s got a good restaurant
too.
Woman: We could do the boat-ride on the lake in the
morning, then have lunch in the museum – get
some energy for the exhibitions!
Man: Hmm, maybe if we go to the museum first it’ll
be quieter. We could have sandwiches by the
lake afterwards.
Woman: Yes, great idea! Now, we need souvenirs – the
central market’s open from 6 a.m. We could go
straight after breakfast?
Man: It’s open until late. It looks beautiful with the
lights.
Woman: OK, we’ll have dinner there!
Test 3
B1 PRELIMINARY Audio scripts
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
6 How will the woman get to work?
Woman: Hi, Mike, it’s Sally. I’m at the train station and
there are no trains until after lunch because of
an electricity problem. I’ve got an appointment
at nine this morning, but I won’t be there in
time. There’s a huge queue for taxis, so it’s not
worth even trying to get one. There’s a bus,
which’ll take quite a long time, but I think that’s
the only option. Can you tell the boss I’ll be a bit
late if she asks? I should be there by about half
past. Thanks.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
7 How did the man get his backpack?
Man: Hi, Sam. I’m just calling to say I managed to get a
backpack so I won’t need to borrow your spare one
after all – thanks anyway. I got the same type as
the red one you got for your birthday. I know how
useful it’s been. I found one just the same in that
new sports shop in town, but I thought I should get
a different colour – so I ordered it online instead in
blue and it arrived yesterday! So, I’ll see you at the
airport – can’t wait for our holiday!
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
That is the end of Part 1.
Woman: Well, my chicken was dry. And I’m not leaving a
tip for the waiter – he didn’t know what he was
doing!
Man: Oh, that’s unfair. It was his first night. You can’t
expect him to know everything straight away. I’ll
leave him something. Sorry to hear about your
chicken though – what a pity.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
9 You will hear a brother and sister talking about
going on holiday.
PAUSE 8 SECONDS
Boy: You don’t need your digital camera, do you?
You could just use your phone.
Girl: I know, but it’ll take better pictures of the
amazing architecture. And after all, that’s what I
really want to see.
Boy: True. But I hope you’ll want to go to the cafés in
the old town occasionally too?
Girl: Absolutely! We’ll need to have plenty of rests
because we’ll be doing a lot of walking between
the different places. There’s a steep hill up to the
main temple too.
Boy: I know. We’ll be ready for the hotel pool after all
that exercise!
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
10 You will hear two friends talking about a
concert.
PAUSE 8 SECONDS

PAUSE 10 SECONDS
PART 2
Now turn to Part 2, questions 8 to 13. For each
question, choose the correct answer.
8 You will hear two friends talking in a restaurant.
PAUSE 8 SECONDS
Man: I couldn’t eat another thing. There was so
much!
Woman: I know! I think this place is better than that
restaurant we went to last time, the Bluebird.
Man: Much better. The salad I’ve just had was
delicious. I didn’t recognise most of the things
in it, but it was great!
Woman: I saw you at last night’s concert! Did you enjoy
it?
Man: Yes! Although, I had a headache afterwards – I
was standing next to a speaker!
Woman: Oh dear! I was at the back, and it was quite hard
to hear sometimes. But I enjoyed it, and seeing
three bands at that price was brilliant!
Man: I know! So, could you still see the stage OK? It’s
not a big place, is it?
Woman: No, it’s not. So yeah, I had a good view. Will
you go again? They have some really big bands
coming soon.
Man: If they’re charging the same amount, absolutely!
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT

Test 3
B1 PRELIMINARY Audio scripts
PAUSE 5 SECONDS Man: Yes – exchanging all the news. So much has
happened. We’ve all started different jobs and
11 You will hear two friends discussing plans for moved around quite a bit.
changes to their town centre.
Woman: Well, yes. You’d only just moved in to the new
PAUSE 8 SECONDS office on the last occasion, hadn’t you?
Woman: What do you think about the town centre plans? Man: Yes, I think you’re right. I wonder if I’ll still
recognise everyone!
Man: There are some good ideas – like the new cafés
and shops. They’ll encourage visitors. Woman: Don’t worry, I’m sure you will. You’d better set
off or you’ll be late!
Woman: And it’s good that the car park’s being replaced
with a big green space. PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Man: But what about people who drive to the shops?
Now listen again.
I know there’ll be a new parking area outside
town, and a free bus to bring people in. REPEAT
Woman: Yes. That’ll help reduce the traffic in the centre.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Man: Mm, it’s still not convenient for people with
heavy shopping. It’s much easier if their car’s That is the end of Part 2.
nearby. I think it’s going to cause problems.
Woman: Maybe. PAUSE 10 SECONDS

PAUSE 5 SECONDS
PART 3
Now listen again.
Now turn to Part 3, questions 14 to 19. For each
REPEAT question, write the correct answer in the gap.
Write one or two words or a number or a date or a
PAUSE 5 SECONDS time. You have 20 seconds to look at Part 3.
12 You will hear a woman talking to a man about a
PAUSE 20 SECONDS
shopping trip.
You will hear the manager of a three-day
PAUSE 8 SECONDS
photography course giving information to the
Man: Did you have a good weekend? photography students.
Woman: Yes, thanks – I went clothes shopping. I needed Manager: Hello, everyone. Welcome to your three-
a dress for a party. day photography course here at the Langley
Man: And did you get one? Centre. I’m looking forward to seeing some
Woman: Yes, in the end! I found it hard to decide what to wonderful photos!
buy because I was on my own. It took me ages. As you know, your teacher this year is
I looked at loads of different sorts of dresses. David Waverley, a well-known professional
Man: I hate clothes shopping. I’d rather spend my photographer. I’ll spell his surname in case you
money on something else! need to email him. It’s W-A-V-E-R-L-E-Y. All
right?
Woman: Oh, I don’t mind paying for quality – things
that’ll last. I just never know what looks good, Now, tomorrow will be a long day – you’ll start
so it’s better if I take a friend. by photographing a sunrise! Please be up by 5
a.m. at the latest. Sunrise is at half past. It’s an
Man: Right! early start, but you’ll get fantastic pictures from
PAUSE 5 SECONDS the hill behind us.
We’ll return for breakfast, and you’ll upload
Now listen again. your pictures and explore different effects using
REPEAT computer software. Then we’re off to the coast
for the afternoon. We provide sandwiches and
PAUSE 5 SECONDS fruit, but as there’s no shade there, a hat’s a
good idea. We’ll have plenty of drinks available,
13 You will hear a man talking to a woman about so don’t worry about that.
going into town. Now, we put on an exhibition of students’
PAUSE 8 SECONDS photos taken during each course, on a different
topic every time, like last course’s ‘transport’,
Woman: What time are you leaving for town? for example. This time, it’s ‘water’ and I’m sure
Man: I’ll get the 12.30 train. That’ll give me plenty of it’ll produce some great photos; the last topic
time to get there. I don’t want to be late. certainly did – I remember some amazing
Woman: No. There’ll be a lot to talk about I expect! pictures of planes.

Test 3
B1 PRELIMINARY Audio scripts
OK. I’ll let you go and unpack. Your
accommodation’s easy to find. Head out of the
building we’re in now – the West Block – and
you’ll see a modern building opposite. That’s
the East Block, where I’m sure you’ll be very
comfortable.
We’ll meet back for dinner this evening in the
main hall downstairs at 7 p.m., and there’ll be
a presentation afterwards. It’s about the local
area, so you can learn a bit about it. Have a
look at the interesting displays of old cameras
in the hall too. And you can talk to the other
photography students and learn about different
equipment, and compare experiences. So, any
questions?
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
That is the end of Part 3.
PAUSE 10 SECONDS
PART 4
Now turn to Part 4, questions 20 to 25. For each
question, choose the correct answer. You have 45
seconds to look at the questions for Part 4.
PAUSE 45 SECONDS
You will hear an interview with an author called
Allie Brant, who has just had her first book
published.
PAUSE 8 SECONDS
Interviewer: Today, we meet author Allie Brant, who’s just
had her first book published. Allie, welcome!
Allie: Thanks!
Interviewer: Getting your first novel, Stone Circles,
published. How did that feel?
Allie: Every writer imagines holding their finished
book in their hands, but a large part of me
never believed it would happen. Actually,
I didn’t want to tell anyone – my friends
found out though. They were excited, which
was nice, but it took a while to get used to
the public interest – it was strange!
Interviewer: I’m sure! Now, you started writing when you
were at school?
Allie: Yes. I had a teacher who tried to make
learning different subjects fun – quizzes
and exciting experiments that I enjoyed.
I’d decided I wanted to be a scientist at the
time. One term, he gave us an hour each
week to write stories. I loved it. We had to
read our story aloud to the class. I was really
shy, but the first time I read mine, everyone
went silent – listening – then clapped at
the end! It stopped me feeling shy – I felt
positive about myself.
Interviewer: That’s good. So where did the idea for your
book Stone Circles come from?
Allie: Well, it’s set abroad. I’ve always liked reading
about other cultures, but when I started
college, I made friends from different
countries. Listening to their experiences
of living abroad led to the creation of my
main characters, musicians Della and Hallie.
And the story of how they took their music
around the world developed from there.
Interviewer: I see! Now, you’ve got your own website.
What’s it like?
Allie: It’s great! It started two months ago, but
already, we’ve won ‘best new site’ in Writer
Magazine! I love that people are posting
things they’ve written and getting support
from other writers. And I sometimes publish
my short stories on there, so fans can read
them for free.
Interviewer: That’s great! Now, what is it about writing
that you like?
Allie: It’s funny – people imagine writers happily
typing away, but it’s often stressful. But then,
there’s this wonderful feeling when you’ve
described something perfectly. You don’t
get that often – sometimes not for weeks!
But when you do, it’s great, and you’ll spend
ages trying to find it again. When I’m writing,
I don’t see anyone, or go anywhere!
Interviewer: I see! Finally, any advice for new writers?
Allie: You can’t please everyone – don’t even try.
And practise! Write for an hour and don’t
worry about everything being perfect. Some
people say working with other writers helps,
but I think it influences you too much. Find
your own style.
Interviewer: Allie, thanks.
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
Now listen again.
REPEAT
PAUSE 5 SECONDS
That is the end of Part 4.
PAUSE 10 SECONDS
You now have six minutes to check and copy your
answers on to the answer sheet.
PAUSE 5 MINUTES
Sound effect
You have one more minute.
PAUSE 1 MINUTE
Sound effect
That is the end of the test.
Test 3