LISTENING TESTS SCRIPTS AND ANSWER KEY

Listening Test 5

Hair with Heart

Bryan: Good afternoon. This is Bryan Taylor and you’re listening to Health Matters. Today we’ll be focusing on Hair with Heart,
an organisation that makes wigs out of donated hair for children with permanent hair loss. Our guests are Rebecca
Cunningham, who donated a lot of her hair to Hair with Heart, and Lucy Fox, who received a wig from the organisation
last year. Both are second-year students at Birmingham High School. Rebecca and Lucy, welcome to the show.
Rebecca
and Lucy: Thanks, Bryan.
Bryan: Lucy, can you explain to our listeners about the condition you have that has caused your hair loss?
Lucy: Sure. It’s called alopecia areata. Basically, the body attacks the hair follicles and stops the hair from growing. I’ve had it
since I was three.
Bryan: How do people react to seeing you without hair?
Lucy: Sometimes people stare or whisper or even make stupid comments. But you know, I somehow got used to it and have
learned to ignore it.
Bryan: Have you always worn a wig?
Lucy: No. From the time I was really young, my parents always told me I looked great with or without hair. My mum bought me
lots of scarves and hats to go with my clothes. Sometimes I didn’t wear anything on my head at all if it was more
comfortable that way. But when I started high school, things changed. All my friends were styling their hair, and I wanted
to do the same thing too.
Bryan: How did you find out about the Hair with Heart programme?
Lucy: I saw a report about it on TV. My parents helped me fill out an application, and I was accepted to the programme. It’s
been great because I got the wig for free. Wigs with real hair are very expensive, and my family’s on a tight budget.
Bryan: Have you been pleased with the wig?
Lucy: Definitely! I love the colour. It’s pretty comfortable too. It sticks to my head like a suction cup, so I’m not afraid that
another kid will pull it off or that I’ll lose it. I’ve heard that many wigs that people buy have to be put on with tape or glue –
what a hassle!
Bryan: Well, your hair is lovely. I wouldn’t be able to tell that it’s a wig.
Lucy: Thank you!
Bryan: Now we’ll talk to Rebecca about her involvement in Hair with Heart. Rebecca, how did you get the idea to donate your
hair?
Rebecca: I never thought I would cut my hair so short. I was so used to having it long. Then when I started high school, I met Lucy
and we became best friends. I decided that I wanted to do something to help.
Bryan: So you donated your hair and Hair with Heart made a wig out of it for Lucy?
Rebecca: That’s how I thought it would be. But in fact, it takes six to ten people’s hair in order to make one wig. They have to dye
the hair so that it’s all the same colour. I don’t know who got my hair, but it doesn’t really matter.
Bryan: How did you feel when you went to the hairstylist?
Rebecca: I was a little nervous. I hadn’t had my hair cut in five years! But I knew it was for a good cause.
Bryan: What should people do if they want to donate their hair?
Rebecca: First of all, they should grow their hair until it’s at least 20 centimetres long. Before the hair is cut, it should be put up in a
ponytail or braid. Hair that’s bleached or damaged can’t be used. Also, the hair should be clean and dry.
Bryan: Then you just send it to Hair with Heart?
Rebecca: Yes, in a padded envelope, or if you go to a stylist that works with the Hair with Heart programme, they’ll send it for you.
Many of them will also cut your hair for free.
Bryan: Sounds like a good deal! Rebecca and Lucy, thanks so much for sharing your story with us.

Answers: 1. b 2. c 3. a 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. d 8. c