Listening Test.

In this test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your

ability
to understand conversations and talks in English. There are three parts in this
test
with a total number of 23 questions. There will be time for you to read the
instructions
and you will have a chance to check your work. The recording will be played twice.
List 1, Questions 128. Listen to 8 short conversations or talks. For each question,
circle the right
answer A, B, C or D.
Question 1. Your company's computer keyboard, monitor
and mouse could cause problems and injuries. Make some changes in work habits and
avoid
wrist injuries and other computer related stresses. Computer accessories has
produced
the most up-to-date designs for compatible computer keyboards, monitors and mouse
units.
Call now to receive information and a catalog of products.
Question 2.
Time shares go on sale at the annual meeting scheduled for September 28th in Palm
Springs.
Need buyers can participate in person, online or by fax. Last year, 90 time shares
sold
at prices as low as $500 for one week in Rio de Janeiro to $10,000 for two weeks in
Hawaii.
The sponsors of the event say resales come in at approximately 50% of the original
price.
All the time shares international office in Los Angeles at 800-555-7866 for an
advanced
copy of the listings.
Question 3.
Do you have an appointment Wednesday morning? Why? Do you want to meet about the
overseas
project? No, I want to show you the new employee work
schedule. I wondered if you'd have some free time before lunch, say 11.30?
That would be fine. I'll be between appointments then. I'll look for you in the
conference
room.
Question 4.
I'm Sarah Parker. Ms. Salah is expecting me.
Oh, yes. You're the three o'clock appointment. I'll have to ask you to sign the
visitors'
book first. And here is your visitor's pass.
Thank you. Which office is hers? It's right down the hall. Second door on the left.
Question 5.
Your presentation was very well received. Thank you. I feel that way too. I was
worried there
would be no interest, but then there were more than a dozen questions.
And you weren't nervous at all. You looked so calm and cool.
I'm glad to hear that. And I'm glad it went well and is over with now so I can
relax.
Question 6.
Have you had any news from Mr. Ling? He sent a fax this morning. He feels very
positive
about the deal. I certainly hope he's not mistaken.
I doubt that he is. He's been doing this sort of thing for a long time. He's been
with
this company for 15 years after all.
Question 7.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's program. On our talk show today, we have
three guests.
First, this is Mr. Brian Hopkins from Chicago, Illinois. Next to him is Ms. Tina
Martin from
Madison, Wisconsin. And on her left, we have Dr. James Lee from Orlando, Florida.
Welcome
to all of you. Our topic for discussion today is the problem many homeowners have
with their
neighbors. Most of us don't even know our neighbors, but some families have a
difficult
relationship with the people living next door. Loud parties, parking their cars in
front
of your house, their dog making a mess in your yard. Why can't we all just get
along?
What are some things we can do to help deal with bad neighbors? Let's take a look.
Question 8.
Welcome to the travel show. I'm your host Bob Wilkins. In part one tonight, we'll
be
taking a look at the popular resort island of Marina, and interviewing families on
a
cruise ship in part two. Finally, in our last segment, we will show you how to save
money
on your vacation. Trust me, you won't want to miss tonight's fantastic episode. We
will
start now by going to our most adventurous reporter, John Rogers. John is on the
fabulous
island of Marina. Marina is famous for its goat milk cheese. John, tell us about
the
island of Marina and some of the fantastic types of cheeses that you have tried.
Now, listen again.
Question 1.
Your company's computer keyboard, monitor, and mouse could cause problems and
injuries.
Make some changes in work habits and avoid wrist injuries and other computer-
related
services. Computer accessories has produced the most up-to-date designs for
compatible
computer keyboards, monitors, and mouse units. Call now to receive information and
a catalog
of products.
Question 2.
Time shares go on sale at the annual meeting scheduled for September 28th in Palm
Springs.
And buyers can participate in person, online, or by fax. Last year, 90 time shares
sold
at prices as low as $500 for one week in Rio de Janeiro to $10,000 for two weeks in
Hawaii.
The sponsors of the event say resales come in at approximately 50% of the original
price.
All the time shares international office in Los Angeles at 800-555-7866 for an
advanced
copy of the listings.
Question 3.
Do you have an appointment Wednesday morning?
Why? Do you want to meet about the overseas project?
No, I want to show you the new employee work schedule. I wondered if you'd have
some
free time before lunch, say 11.30?
That would be fine. I'll be between appointments then. I'll look for you in the
conference
room.
Question 4.
I'm Sarah Parker. Ms. Salaam is expecting me.
Oh, yes. You're the three o'clock appointment. I'll have to ask you to sign the
visitors
book first. And here is your visitors pass.
Thank you. Which office is hers?
Is right down the hall, second door on the left.
Question 5.
Your presentation was very well received. Thank you. I feel that way too. I was
worried there
would be no interest, but then there were more than a dozen questions.
And you weren't nervous at all. You looked so calm and cool.
I'm glad to hear that. And I'm glad it went well and is over with now so I can
relax.
Question 6.
Have you had any news from Mr. Ling? He sent a fax this morning. He feels very
positive
about the deal.
I certainly hope he's not mistaken.
I doubt that he is. He's been doing this sort of thing for a long time. He's been
with
this company for 15 years after all.
Question 7.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's program. On our talk show today, we have
three guests.
First, this is Mr. Brian Hopkins from Chicago, Illinois. Next to him is Ms. Tina
Martin from
Madison, Wisconsin. And on her left, we have Dr. James Lee from Orlando, Florida.
Welcome to all of you. Our topic for discussion today is the problem many
homeowners have
with their neighbors. Most of us don't even know our neighbors, but some families
have
a difficult relationship with the people living next door.
Loud parties, parking their cars in front of your house, their dog making a mess in
your yard. Why can't we all just get along? What are some things we can do to help
deal
with bad neighbors? Let's take a look.
Question 8.
Welcome to the travel show. I'm your host Bob Wilkins. In part one tonight, we'll
be taking
a look at the popular resort island of Marina, and interviewing families on a
cruise ship
in part two. Finally, in our last segment, we will show you how to save money on
your
vacation. Trust me, you won't want to miss tonight's
fantastic episode. We will start now by going to our most adventurous reporter,
John Rogers.
John is on the fabulous island of Marina. Marina is famous for its goat milk
cheese.
John, tell us about the island of Marina, and some of the fantastic types of
cheeses
that you have tried.
Good morning. Dave speaking. Oh hi. I'm phoning about a short story
competition. I saw an advert in a magazine, and I was just calling to get some
details.
Yes, certainly. I'm the competition organizer, so I should be able to help. What
kind of
details are you looking for? Well, does it cost anything to enter?
Yes, there's an entry fee of five pounds. Okay, that should be fine. It's a short
story
competition, so how many words is that? Well, we want to give people a reasonable
amount
of freedom, but the guidelines are around 3,000 words. Oh, that sounds quite a lot.
Well, it's not as much as it used to be. We did have a limit of 5,000 words, but
some
people thought that was too many. So this year we've reduced it.
Right, and does the story need to be about anything in particular?
No, you can write about any topic you like. But the main point of the competition
is that
it has to have a surprise ending. Oh, I see. That sounds interesting. I don't think
I've
ever written a story like that before. Yes, it's something we've introduced for
this
year's competition. Right. I'm 18. Is there any age limit?
Yes, you need to be 16 or over. So if you're 18, that's fine.
Great. So you have the competition once a year. Is that right?
Yes, we start advertising in January, and the competition takes up a lot of the
year.
We give people a few months to write their story, and then it takes quite a long
time
to judge all the entries and to announce the winners.
I see. So when is the closing date for the competition? It's already April. I hope
I'm
not too late. No, you've still got plenty of time. You need
to submit your entry by the 1st of August. After then, it will be too late.
Although you
can always enter next year's competition. Okay, good. So how do I enter?
Well, we have a website, and the best way to enter is to complete the entry form
online.
We also have more details of the competition on the site. Shall I give you the web
address?
Yes, please.
Okay. It's www.comp4ss.com, and that's the number four, not the word
four. Okay, thanks. I've got that. So I can complete
the entry form online, but how do I send the story? Do I print it out and send it
to you?
Well, you may want to print the story out so you can review it, but don't post it
to
us. When you've finished your story, you will need to email it to us. The email
address
is on the website I gave you. Okay, that's fine.
Now, listen again. Good morning, Dave speaking. Oh, hi. I'm
installer.kh4s Guy. Hey, have you got that buddy?
Oh, I'm a
competition organizer, so I should be able to help. What kind of details are you
looking
for?
Well, does it cost anything to enter?
Yes, there's an entry fee of £5.
OK, that should be fine. It's a short story competition, so how many words is that?
Well, we want to give people a reasonable amount of freedom, but the guidelines are
around 3,000 words.
Oh, that sounds quite a lot.
Well, it's not as much as it used to be. We did have a limit of 5,000 words, but
some
people thought that was too many. So this year we've reduced it.
Right, and does the story need to be about anything in particular?
No, you can write about any topic you like. But the main point of the competition
is that
it has to have a surprise ending.
Oh, I see. That sounds interesting. I don't think I've ever written a story like
that
before.
Yes, it's something we've introduced for this year's competition.
Right. I'm 18. Is there any age limit?
Yes, you need to be 16 or over. So if you're 18, that's fine.
Great. So you have the competition once a year. Is that right?
Yes, we start advertising in January, and the competition takes up a lot of the
year.
We give people a few months to write their story, and then it takes quite a long
time
to judge all the entries and to announce the winners.
I see. So when is the closing date for the competition? It's already April. I hope
I'm
not too late.
No, you've still got plenty of time. You need to submit your entry by the 1st of
August.
Later then it will be too late. Although you can always enter next year's
competition.
Okay, good. So how do I enter?
Well, we have a website, and the best way to enter is to complete the entry form
online.
We also have more details of the competition on the site. Shall I give you the web
address?
Yes, please.
Okay, it's www.comp4ss.com, and that's the number four, not the word for.
Okay, thanks. I've got that. So I can complete the entry form online, but how do I
send the
story? Do I print it out and send it to you?
Well you may want to print the story out so you can review it, but don't post it to
us. When you've finished your story, you will need to email it to us. The email
address
is on the website I gave you.
Okay, that's fine.
Questions 15 to 18. Complete the sentences below. Write no more than two words for
each
answer.
Um, can you tell me a bit about how the competition is judged and what the prizes
are?
Yes, of course. Well, once we have all the entries, I send them to all the judges.
Our
competition is quite popular, so we are lucky to be able to use famous authors who
are very
interested in the competition.
That's fantastic. It's great to know that someone famous will be reading my story.
Yes, that's right. It takes them quite a while to read through the entries, but
eventually
they decide on the top five stories.
I see. And what happens then?
Well, they will be published online so everyone can read them. They will not be in
any order
at this point. They will just be the five stories that the judges think are the
best.
And do all the top five stories get prizes?
No. It's just the top story and the runner up.
So how is the top story decided?
Well once the top five stories are available, it will be the public who will vote
for their
favourite story.
Right, I see. So I need to get all my friends to vote for me then.
Uh, yes, that's a good idea.
And what is the prize?
Well, the runner up gets a prize of £300. But the winner gets a trip to Spain to
attend
a workshop for writers.
Wow, that's brilliant. I'd better get writing straight away.
Yes. Good luck.
Thanks.
Now, listen again.
Um, can you tell me a bit about how the competition is judged and what the prizes
are?
Yes, of course.
Well, once we have all the entries, I send them to all the judges. Our competition
is
quite popular. So we are lucky to be able to use famous authors who are very
interested
in the competition.
That's fantastic. It's great to know that someone famous will be reading my story.
Yes, that's right. It takes them quite a while to read through the entries. But
eventually
they decide on the top five stories.
I see. And what happens then?
Well, they will be published online so everyone can read them. They will not be in
any order
at this point. They will just be the five stories that the judges think are the
best.
And do all the top five stories get prizes?
No. It's just the top story and the runner up.
So how is the top story decided?
Well once the top five stories are available, it will be the public who will vote
for their
favourite story.
Right, I see. So I need to get all my friends to vote for me then.
Er, yes, that's a good idea.
And what is the prize?
Well, the runner up gets a prize of 300 pounds. But the winner gets a trip to Spain
to attend
a workshop for writers.
Wow, that's brilliant. I'd better get writing straight away.
Yes. Good luck.
Thanks.
This is the end of part two.
Part three, questions 19 to 23. Listen to a lecture and circle the correct answer
A,
B or C.
First impressions don't tell the whole story. Good morning. Thank you so much for
inviting
me here today. As promised, I'm going to talk about how we form first impressions
and how
they work. We all form impressions of other people every day. So picture this.
You're
waiting in line at your favourite coffee shop. The line is long, but it's moving
quickly.
The person in front of you in line is complaining about the weight. He's loud and
rude. He
makes comments about the service and the employees. When he finally gets to the
counter, he yells
at the person who takes his order. You assume this is not a nice person, and you
hope you
never meet him again.
From this short encounter, you have formed an impression of this person. You were
with
him only briefly, but you may think you know a lot about him. One mistake people
often
make in forming first impressions is to think that a small example of someone's
behaviour
can give us a complete picture of the person. If you see a friendly, smiling young
woman
taking your order at the coffee shop, you may think she is friendly and smiling all
of
the time. In addition to thinking she is always friendly, you may also think she
has other
positive traits. This is the second error people often make.
If she is friendly, you assume that she is also intelligent, happy, and good to her
parents.
Of course, the opposite is also true. The rude customer in front of you in the
coffee line
did not make a good impression on you. You saw an example of his poor behaviour,
his
rudeness, and you assumed he had other negative traits. You thought, this is not a
nice person.
Okay, so if our first impression of someone is positive, we think the person is
always
that way and we think that all of her traits are positive. We think that small
sample of
behaviour shows us her true personality. But we don't think that way about our own
behaviour.
Let me explain what I mean. When we see someone else acting in a negative way, we
think it
is because he is a negative person. But when we act in a negative way, we say it is
because
of the situation. Let's go back to the coffee shop again.
If I am rude to the person taking my coffee order, I will find reasons for my bad
behaviour.
The service is too slow, my mother is very sick, or my boss just yelled at me. In
other
words, when I act badly, I think it is because of the situation, not because I am a
bad person.
But if another customer is rude, I don't look for reasons, I think it is his
personality.
In other words, he acted badly because he is not a nice person. First impressions
can
tell us a lot. They help us make sense of new information and form relationships
with
new people. But as you can see, we can make errors, so sometimes we need to take a
second
look.
Now, listen again.
First impressions don't tell the whole story. Good morning. Thank you so much for
inviting
me here today. As promised, I am going to talk about how we form first impressions
and how
they work. We all form impressions of other people every day. So picture this. You
are
waiting in line at your favourite coffee shop. The line is long, but it is moving
quickly.
The person in front of you in line is complaining about the weight. He is loud and
rude. He
makes comments about the service and the employees. When he finally gets to the
counter, he yells
at the person who takes his order. You assume this is not a nice person, and you
hope you
never meet him again. From this short encounter, you have formed an impression of
this person.
You are with him only briefly, but you may think you know a lot about him. One
mistake
people often make in forming first impressions is to think that a small example of
someone's
behaviour can give us a complete picture of the person. If you see a friendly,
smiling
young woman taking your order at the coffee shop, you may think she is friendly and
smiling
all of the time. In addition to thinking she is always friendly, you may also think
she
has other positive traits. This is the second error people often make. Because she
is friendly,
you assume that she is also intelligent, happy and good to her parents. Of course,
the opposite
is also true. The rude customer in front of you in the coffee line did not make a
good
impression on you. You saw an example of his poor behaviour, his rudeness, and you
assumed
he had other negative traits. You thought, this is not a nice person.
Okay, so if our first impression of someone is positive, we think the person is
always
that way and we think that all of her traits are positive. We think that small
sample of
behaviour shows us her true personality. But we don't think that way about our own
behaviour.
Let me explain what I mean. When we see someone else acting in a negative way, we
think it
is because he is a negative person. But when we act in a negative way, we say it is
because
of the situation. Let's go back to the coffee shop again. If I am rude to the
person taking
my coffee order, I will find reasons for my bad behaviour. The service is too slow,
my
mother is very sick or my boss just yelled at me. In other words, when I act badly,
I
think it is because of the situation, not because I am a bad person. But if another
customer
is rude, I don't look for reasons, I think it is his personality. In other words,
he
acted badly because he is not a nice person. First impressions can tell us a lot.
They
help us make sense of new information and form relationships with new people. But
as
you can see, we can make errors, so sometimes we need to take a second look.
This is the end of part 3. This is the end of the listening test.