Recording 10: Mid-course test, Listening exercises 1 and 2

Melissa: Peter can be so incredibly frustrating sometimes. Maybe it’s something

to do with his age but he really is very rigid in his thinking and in his

behaviour. He’ll always have his tea at the same time every day and

nothing will get in the way of that. All his friends know, so they

wouldn’t dare call him then.

Chloe: There’s a woman in our street who makes it her business to know

everything that’s going on, so if you want to know anything about

anyone, I’d ask her. Well, actually, you don’t need to ask her, as she’ll

tell you anyway. I’m often tempted to tell her something that’s not true

to see how long it’ll be before it comes back to me. I certainly wouldn’t

tell her anything I didn’t want the world to know.

Adrian: Frankly, you can’t get a word in edgeways with Christine. I’ve never

known anyone talk so much. She barely pauses to draw breath and then

she’s off again. I guess her husband must just turn off because it would

drive you mad otherwise. And it’s not as if she’s saying anything

particularly interesting. You know what I mean … you can’t have a

conversation as such as she tends to make observations about stuff. I

know it’s mean, but when she calls I sometimes don’t answer the phone.
4

Leah: You know I had no idea that Fred played the piano so well. He’s always

kept it very quiet and I only found out because other friends were talking

about a festival they’d been to, and he was one of the performers. I don’t

know why he’s so secretive about it. I’ll ask him next time I see him, as

I’d love to hear him play.

Matthew: I feel very sorry for Maria. Nothing she does is good enough for her

parents, and then her brother can do no wrong in their eyes. I think it all

started when she kind of disobeyed their wishes and dropped out of

college to go travelling. I’d imagine they’re not used to anyone not

doing as they wish, so since then they’ve been very cool towards her. I

hope they’ll realise how hurtful they’ve been, but at least Maria is happy

doing her own thing.

Jacqui: I always enjoy it when Clare comes to stay as she’s so much fun. It

doesn’t matter how tired she says she is, she’ll always rise to the

occasion. I don’t know where she gets all her energy or her jokes for that

matter. The last time I saw her was at my brother’s wedding and to be

honest, she very nearly upstaged the bride.

Recording 11: Mid-course test, Listening exercise 3

Narrator: Listen to two friends discussing a recent piece of news.

Zak: Hey Liz, did you hear that Damode have been accused of using child

labour to make their products?

Liz: Really, Zak? Well, then again though, are you that surprised? I mean,

come on, how on earth would they manage to keep their prices so

ridiculously low otherwise? I mean, there has to be a catch, doesn’t

there, so it’s hardly an amazing revelation, is it?

Zak: Maybe not to you, but I guess generally speaking, people are pretty

wrapped up in their own bubble and don’t even think about these things.

You know, they have their own problems to dwell on and maybe they

just prefer to accept the cheap prices and never question anything – it’s a

lot easier, isn’t it?

Liz: Well, there is that. I suppose, sad as it is, that some people don’t actually

care about those in worse-off conditions either – especially if they’re in

some far-flung country, halfway around the world. You’ve also got to

consider that the companies that do tend to exploit others are very savvy

when it comes to marketing themselves. They will often balance their

wrongdoings with some fantastic educational project to help kids off the

streets – that kind of thing …

Zak: You could be right about the companies projecting a certain image but I

don’t think that consumers the world over are all so oblivious to what’s

going on. And I’m sure a lot of people do care. It’s human nature.

Liz: I’d like to think so, but I wouldn’t hold my breath! Why do you think

there are so many discount stores opening up?!

Zak: Then again though, turning this issue on its head… if you buy

something that costs a lot it doesn’t automatically mean it’s not been

produced in a sweatshop, does it? It could just be that the company is

being greedy, but because the product is more expensive we assume it’s

more ethically made.

Liz: I see your point. In all honesty, I’d say these days it’s actually really

difficult to know how ethical or otherwise companies are. The thing that

saddens me most is that it doesn’t seem to be a matter of concern to as

many people in our country as I think it should.

Zak: Mmm… I know you mean. But when it all comes down to money, how

do you think things could be improved? If you look at it from a

development angle, any child who is working in these countries is doing

it to bring in much-needed money to their families… and let’s face it, no

company is ever going to admit they use sweatshops, are they?