Island of Hale

ISLAND OF HALE
We live on the island of Hale. It’s about four kilometres long and two kilometres wide at its broadest
point, and it’s joined to the mainland by a causeway called the Stand – a narrow road built across the
mouth of the river which separates us from the rest of the country. Most of the time you wouldn’t know
we’re on an island because the river mouth between us and the mainland is just a vast stretch of tall
grasses and brown mud. But when there’s a high tide and the water rises a half a metre or so above the
road and nothing can pass until the tide goes out again a few hours later, then you know it’s an island.
We were on our way back from the mainland. My older brother, Dominic, had just finished his first year
at university in a town 150 km away. Dominic’s train was due in at five and he’d asked for a lift back
from the station. Now, Dad normally hates being disturbed when he’s writing (which is just about all
the time), and he also hates having to go anywhere, but despite the typical sighs and moans – why can’t
he get a taxi? what’s wrong with the bus? – I could tell by the sparkle in his eyes that he was really
looking forward to seeing Dominic.
So, anyway, Dad and I had driven to the mainland and picked up Dominic from the station. He had been
talking non-stop from the moment he’d slung his rucksack in the boot and got in the car. University this,
university that, writers, books, parties, people, money, gigs… And when I say talking, I don’t mean
talking as in having a conversation, I mean talking as in jabbering like a mad thing. I didn’t like it … the
way he spoke and waved his hands around as if he was some kind of intellectual or something. It was
embarrassing. It made me feel uncomfortable – that kind of discomfort you feel when someone you
like, someone close to you, suddenly starts acting like a complete idiot. And I didn’t like the way he was
ignoring me, either. For all the attention I was getting I might as well not have been there. I felt like a
stranger in my own car.
As we approached the island on that Friday afternoon, the tide was low and the Stand welcomed us
home, stretched out before us, clear and dry, beautifully hazy in the heat – a raised strip of grey
concrete bound by white railings and a low footpath on either side, with rough cobbled banks leading
down to the water. Beyond the railings, the water was glinting with that wonderful silver light we
sometimes get here in the late afternoon which lazes through to the early evening.
We were about halfway across when I saw the boy. My first thought was how odd it was to see someone
walking on the Stand. You don’t often see people walking around here. Between Hale and Moulton (the
nearest town about thirty kilometres away on the mainland), there’s nothing but small cottages,
farmland, heathland and a couple of hills. So islanders don’t walk because of that. If they’re going to
Moulton they tend to take the bus. So the only pedestrians you’re likely to see around here are walkers
or bird-watchers. But even from a distance, I could tell that the figure ahead didn’t fit into either of
these categories. I wasn’t sure how I knew, I just did.
As we drew closer, he became clearer. He was actually a young man rather than a boy. Although he was
on the small side, he wasn’t as slight as I’d first thought. He wasn’t exactly muscular, but he wasn’t
weedy-looking either. It’s hard to explain. There was a sense of strength about him, a graceful strength
that showed in his balance, the way he held himself, the way he walked…
1. In the first paragraph, what is Caitlin's main point about the island?
A. It can be dangerous to try to cross from the mainland.
B. It is much smaller than it looks from the mainland.
C. It is only completely cut off at certain times.
D. It can be a difficult place for people to live in.
2. What does Caitlin suggest about her father?
A. His writing prevents him from doing things he wants to with his family.
B. His initial reaction to his son’s request is different from usual.
C. His true feelings are easily hidden from his daughter.
D. His son’s arrival is one event he will take time off for.
3. Caitlin emphasises her feelings of discomfort because she
A. is embarrassed that she doesn’t understand what her brother is talking about.
B. feels confused about why she can’t relate to her brother any more.
C. is upset by the unexpected change in her brother’s behaviour.
D. feels foolish that her brother’s attention is so important to her.
4. In the fourth paragraph, what is Caitlin's purpose in describing the island?
A. to express her positive feelings about it
B. to explain how the road was built
C. to illustrate what kind of weather was usual
D. to describe her journey home
5. In 'because of that' the word 'that' refers to
A. locals thinking it is odd to walk anywhere.
B. it being easier for people to take the bus than walk.
C. people having everything they need on the island.
D. there being nowhere in particular to walk to from the island.
6. What do we learn about Caitlin's reactions to the boy?
A. She felt his air of confidence contrasted with his physical appearance.
B. She was able to come up with a reason for him being there.
C. She realised her first impression of him was inaccurate.
D. She thought she had seen him somewhere before.
A LAWSUIT AGAINST MCDONALD’S
If Caesar Barber dreamed of winning fame, he probably didn’t think it would be due to his obesity.
However, since the 120kg maintenance worker filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Kentucky
Fried Chicken and Burger King last month – seeking damages for selling him food that made him obese
– Barber’s 15 minutes of fame are proving as painful as the two heart attacks he has already had.
“Does anyone really believe that Mr Barber was too dumb to know that eating saturated fat was less
healthy than having, say, a fruit dish or a chef salad?” said Steve Dasbach, who is the executive director
of the Libertarian party. Barber says that he was in the dark about the nutritional content of the fast
food he was eating up to five times a week from the 1950s onwards. Incredibly, he didn’t give up burgers
and salty fries after he had his first heart attack in 1996. He is now a diabetic with high blood pressure.
In his lawsuit – the first of its kind in the United States – he contends that deceptive advertising misled
him about the nutritional value of the food until a doctor pointed it out. “Those people in the
advertisements don’t tell you what’s in the food,” he says. “Now I’m obese. The fast-food industry has
ruined my life. They said 100% beef. I thought that meant it was good for you.”
Attacks on Barber’s character and perceived IQ became a sport in the US media. Barber wasn’t stupid,
columnists and radio hosts joked, just out to make money by failing to take responsibility for his diet.
More than 75 million Americans eat fast food every day. But who, the journalists asked, doesn’t know
that too much will make you overweight?
“Mr Barber honestly didn’t know what the dangers were when he started eating fast food in the 50s,”
says his lawyer, Samuel Hirsch. “The fast-food chains made no effort then, and little today, to inform
consumers about the dangerously high fat, cholesterol or salt content of their food.” Hirsch says that
his client, who has now gone into hiding, is not trying to make money but to get the chains to inform
customers that their food is guilty of expanding their waistlines.
Barber and his lawyer are following hard on the heels of a series of lawsuits win over some tobacco
companies for the addictive nature of nicotine and subsequent diagnosis of cancer. It actually seems
that Hirsh believes that there might be similarities between tobacco and fast food products as he claims
that both nicotine and fast food products create a craving.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine applauded the lawsuit. The committee’s research
coordinator, Brie Turner-McGrivey, says that whether Barber wins or loses, the hype surrounding the
case has been good for doctors, spotlighting America’s obesity epidemic and the role that fast food
plays in it.
One might consider Mr. Barber’s case an act of stupidity or an attempt to make some quick money but
Ceasar Barber definitely takes credit for initiating the discussion about whether obesity is a matter of
personal responsibility or if fast food chains are also to blame for failure to inform consumers and
fighting obesity has become a one of the priorities of American health organizations.
1. Why is Caesar Barber famous?
A. Because he has serious health problems due to eating fast food.
B. Because he has been eating fast food for more than 40 years.
C. Because he is a top lawyer.
D. Because he sued fast food chains for making him obese.
2. What does Caesar Barber say about fast food?
A. He used to eat fast food five days a week.
B. He started to eat fast food before 1950.
C. He didn’t know what the content of fast food was.
D. In the 50s fast food wasn’t fattening.
3. After the first heart attack, Caesar Barber
A. became very ill.
B. stopped eating all fast food except for burgers and fries.
C. started to eat even more fast food.
D. carried on eating fast food.
4. How did the American media react to this lawsuit?
A. The media suggested that Caesar Barber should go on a diet.
B. Barber was offered to host his own radio show.
C. The media made fun of Caesar Barber.
D. Some media started a sports campaign against eating hamburgers.
5. Caesar Barber’s lawyer argues that
A. Caesar Barber is in hiding because he is worried about his life.
B. Caesar Barber is trying to force fast food chains to better inform their customers.
C. fast food chains are expanding too quickly.
D. he is only trying to make money just like other lawyers.
6. is meant by the expression “hard on the heels”?
A. very persistently
B. in a very difficult way
C. with a lot of problems
D. immediately after
EXTRACT
Six months ago I made a rash promise. The leader of the youth club in our village rang me in March
saying, ''We're thinking of running a children's playscheme for a day in October half-term. Would you
be prepared to help?'' My response was ''Sure, why not?'' In truth I was a little flattered to be asked,
even though working as a care assistant with old people hardly qualified me for the role. Still, I duly put
the date in my diary and of course I forgot all about it. I don't know if you've noticed this but time has
a habit of speeding along faster than a police car chasing a robber and, before I knew it, the day was
dawning.
I arrived at the youth centre that morning feeling full of trepidation. There was a gang of 12 helpers
including me and each pair had been allocated a particular age group. Mine was the 10 to 11 year olds.
Even with the planning meeting I had attended the week before, I worried about whether I was up to
the task. Why hadn't I read through the copious lesson plans we were given beforehand? And wasn't
the average 10-year-old more interested in the latest Play Station game than making things with paper
and glue?
All too quickly the children began arriving. The look of relief on parents' faces as they handed their
offspring over to us was quite comical. A handful of the children were already members of the club but
the other forty five or so were from the local primary schools. Again I asked myself why I had elected
to spend a day with all these 'little monsters' especially when I have two all of my own to contend with!
I needn't have worried of course as it turned out to be a marvellous day. We watched entertaining dvd
clips, learned 'action' songs, made clay pyramids, decorated biscuits, played memory games and spent
some time in quiet reflection. I say 'we' because I rediscovered my inner child and joined in all the
activities.
The particular highlight for me was the final rendition of ''He's got the whole world in his hands'' in the
closing part of the day. The children knew the words and actions off by heart and sang so loudly it was
almost enough to bring the roof down. It's difficult to explain those moments; only that the body tingles
with the pleasure of having witnessed something so magical.
Of course there were also moments of great poignancy. I found it difficult to stop thinking of one little
girl, who mentioned oh-so-casually that her mum was in hospital and would be there for a long time.
It's easy for us adults to idealise childhood and forget that some children have their own burden of
anxieties and concerns. When I got home utterly exhausted, still with modelling clay under my
fingernails, I reflected on what a privilege it had been.
There was one disappointment for the children and that was that the playscheme was only running for
a day, and not the whole week. As I said farewell to my group, one of the children turned and said ''Can
we do it again in the next holiday, Miss?'' My response was, ''Sure, why not?''
1) When the first day of the job arrived the writer was surprised
A. that the day had come round so quickly.
B. because she'd forgotten to write down the date.
C. because she witnessed a car chase on the way.
D. that she woke up at dawn.
2) When the writer arrived to start her job she
A. put the children into pairs.
B. realised she should have done more preparation.
C. felt confident she could deal with 10 and 11 year olds.
D. saw the children had brought their own electronic games to play with.
3) According to the writer, the parents were
A. happy to stay with their children all day.
B. worried about children from the other schools.
C. nervous that their children might not behave themselves.
D. glad to leave their children.
4) The writer's best moment
A. occurred in the middle of the day.
B. took her by surprise.
C. was hard to put into words.
D. was when the day was over.
5) According to the writer, adults
A. think that being a child is a privilege.
B. sometimes forget that children have worries too.
C. are usually exhausted by bringing up their children.
D. don't have a stressful life.
6) What is the writer's attitude by the end of the day?
A.She could imagine doing the job again next time.
B. She was sad to say good bye to the chidlren.
C. She was disappointed with the experience.
D. he hopes the playscheme will be longer in future.
BE WEB WISE
Protect your computer, by all means, but don't forget to protect yourself, advises web safety expert,
Amanda Knox.
We're always being urged to stay safe online. But in an era where the internet is part of our everyday
lives - for work, fun, study, shopping, even managing finances - it's not always easy to spot the dangers.
Web safety expert, Amanda Knox, explores some of the issues lurking in cyberspace.
Her first piece of advice is to install software and a firewall to protect your computer from viruses,
hackers and criminals who want to steal your data or financial information. ''Think of these as your first
line of defence,'' says Amanda.
So much for protecting yourself against intruders, but what about other problems? Say you've
accidentally deleted an important file or you've been at the mercy of a natural disaster. Katy Marsh
runs an online photography business from home and when a fire destroyed part of her house it could
easily have spelled ruin for her business too. ''Luckily I keep a regular back-up of my data so it wasn't a
catastrophe.'' Amanda advises that while back-ups are good to have we must ensure we protect our
computers to start with.
Whilst most of us are aware of the need to protect our computers, it seems we're more lax when it
comes to looking out for ourselves, at least according to a recent web awareness survey. Web safety
specialists say better personal awareness is needed and this is due in part to the rise of 'Social
Networking' sites like 'Facebook' or 'Twitter', which allow us to connect with people around the world
with similar interests and professional backgrounds. Chris Simpson, a computer programmer, learnt the
hard way. "I joined a free online networking group in the hope of making some professional contacts
to help me find a new job. After a month, one of my online contacts invited me to take out a subscription
to a club that promised access to a network of job recruiters. It turned out to be a waste of money. I
ended up a laughing stock with my mates - they couldn't believe that someone in my job could get
taken in so easily." No wonder then that Amanda warns, "It's easy to get complacent and let our guard
down when we meet someone with the same interests online."
This brings us to other potential pitfalls. Are the people you meet online who they really claim to be?
Can you be sure the person you're chatting with is in fact a 22-year-old Maths undergraduate from
London and not someone merely masquerading as a student to win your trust? Khaled, a postgrad from
Manchester University, quickly realised that it was unwise of him to post his phone number and email
address in the public forum of an online academic discussion group. He was soon bombarded with
unwanted emails and nuisance phone calls. Yet, it's astonishing how many highly educated people do
this without considering the consequences that anyone in the world could use the information to make
(unwanted) contact.
When networking and joining online communities it's better to be cautious about the amount of
personal information you share. For example, it isn't always necessary to use your real name as a
username when registering for a service. You could instead use a pseudonym, or a name that doesn't
give away your real identity to other users. And is it really important to tell the world details about your
school, college or any local clubs you're a member of? Sometimes it pays to be a little vague and simply
say something like 'I'm studying at college in Madrid at the moment and I'm a member of a local tennis
club'.
If you do experience problems from another user be prepared to report them for misusing the service.
You'll be doing other users a favour too. And if all else fails, check to see if it is easy to delete your
account and leave the service if you choose to and that you have the option to delete all your details.
A general rule of thumb is not to post any information about yourself that you would not be happy for
the world to know - not just now but in years to come. This includes photographs of yourself,
particularly embarrassing shots of you at that party which you may later regret! It's not always easy to
remove information after it's been posted so you - not to mention your future employer - may have an
unpleasant surprise a few years down the line.
1) In the second paragraph the phrase 'first line of defence' suggests something
A. is the only option.
B. offers protection.
C. instruction.
D. shows weakness.
2) The effect of the fire was
A. worse for Katy's business than her home.
B. to ruin Katy's business.
C. not as serious for Katy's business as it could have been.
D. to make Katy start to back up her data.
3) According to the web awareness survey, our attitude to our personal safety is rather
A. relaxed.
B. concerned.
C. positive.
D. uncertain.
4) Regarding Khaled's experience, the writer is surprised that
A. people telephone complete strangers.
B. people don't think of the results of their actions online.
C. university students take part in online discussions.
D. people sent emails to Khaled without asking permission.
5) What tip does the writer give for joining an online community?
A. Always use a false name.
B. Make sure you are properly registered.
C. Limit the information you give to others.
D. Tell other users where you're studying.
6) In the final paragraph, the writer advises people
A. not to put photos online.
B. to apply for a job online.
C. not to have any personal information online.
D. to consider what may cause problems in the future.
BURGLARY AND HOW TO AVOID IT
A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled now than 20 years
ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes.
The first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very
obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied house, and one which is well-
protected. A burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother.
There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving
signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio
or television, and do not leave any curtains wide open. The sight of your latest music centre or computer
is enough to tempt any burglar.
Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will look is under the
doormat or in a flower pot and even somewhere more 'imaginative' could soon be uncovered by the
intruder. It is much safer to leave a key with a neighbour you can trust. But if your house is in a quiet,
desolate area be aware that this will be a burglar's dream, so deter any potential criminal from
approaching your house by fitting security lights to the outside of your house.
But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided
to target your home? Windows are usually the first point of entry for many intruders. Downstairs
windows provide easy access while upstairs windows can be reached with a ladder or by climbing up
the drainpipe. Before going to bed you should double-check that all windows and shutters are locked.
No matter how small your windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar
can manage to get through. For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window.
What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced open, should have
top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be money well spent. Install a
burglar alarm if you can afford it as another line of defence against intruders.
A sobering fact is that not all intruders have to break and enter into a property. Why go to the trouble
of breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus officials or workmen and,
particularly if you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you can scrutinise callers at your leisure.
When you do have callers never let anybody into your home unless you are absolutely sure they are
genuine. Ask to see an identity card, for example.
If you are in the frightening position of waking in the middle of the night and think you can hear an
intruder, then on no account should you approach the intruder. Far better to telephone the police and
wait for help.
1) A well-protected house
A. is less likely to be burgled.
B. is regarded as a challenge by most criminals.
C. is a lot of bother to maintain.
D. is very unlikely to be burgled.
2) According to the writer, we should:
A. avoid leaving our house empty.
B. only go out when we have to.
C. always keep the curtains closed.
D. give the impression that our house is occupied when we go out.
3) The writer thinks that hiding a key under a doormat or flower pot:
A. is a predictable place to hide it.
B. is a useful place to hide it.
C. is imaginative.
D. is where you always find a spare key.
4) Gaining entry to a house through a small window:
A. is surprisingly difficult.
B. is not as difficult as people think.
C. is less likely to happen than gaining entry through a door.
D. is tried only by very determined burglars.
5) According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms:
A. cost a lot of money but are worth it.
B. are good value for money.
C. are luxury items.
D. are absolutely essential items.
6) The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole:
A. will prevent your home being burgled.
B. avoids you having to invite people into your home.
C. is only necessary for elderly people.
D. gives you time to check if the visitor is genuine.
LISA TYLER
Lisa Tyler was weary after a long, hard day at the pottery factory where she works. But as she
approached her home in the English city of Stoke-on-Trent, her heart lightened.; soon she would be
having a nice cup of tea, putting her feet up and watching Friends, her favourite TV series. But first, she
needed to change out of her work clothes and pick up her three-year-old son from his grandmother‟s
house nearby.
As Lisa walked up her garden path, she noticed a light flashing on and off in an upstairs bedroom. A
shiver went down her back. What if it was a burglar? Quietly, she crept round to the back of the house
to see if there was any sign of a break-in. Sure enough, a window was open and someone‟s coat was
hanging on the gatepost!
Well, 26-year-old Lisa didn‟t fancy coming face to face with a burglar, so she ran to a neighbour‟s house
and rang the police. But as she sat waiting for the police to arrive, Lisa‟s curiosity got the better of her
and she decided to go back and see what was going on. That‟s when she saw a leg coming out of the
downstairs front window. It was a man climbing out. Lisa gasped in shock. The burglar was carrying her
portable television!
At this point, Lisa saw red. She didn‟t have many possessions and she‟d saved long and hard to buy
that set. Besides, nobody was going to stop her watching Friends.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she muttered under her breath, as the fury swelled inside her. Without even
stopping to think, she tore across the garden and started shouting at the burglar. “Give me my TV - drop
it now!” she screamed.
Ignoring her, the man fled across the garden. So Lisa threw herself at him and successfully rugbytackled
him to the ground. The burglar struggled to escape, but Lisa hung on like the best kind of guard dog
despite being punched and kicked. As she looked up, she realised that she recognised the burglar’s face.
She was so surprised that she lost her grip and burglar got away, leaving the TV behind in the garden.
By the time the police and her father arrived, Lisa was in tears. ‟I can’t believe you were so foolish,
Lisa,” scolded her father. “You could have been killed.”
“I know, but at least he didn’t get my TV,” she replied.
Lisa later remembered the name of the burglar, who had been in the same year as her at school. He
was later caught and jailed for 15 months after admitting burglary and assault. In May last year, Lisa
was given a Certificate of Appreciation by Staffordshire Police, for her „outstanding courage and public
action‟. But in the future she intends to leave household security to a new member of her family, Chan,
who is real guard dog.
1. How was Lisa feeling as she walked home from work?
A. tired
B. anxious
C. depressed
D. relieved
2. What does „pick up‟ mean in line 5 ?
A. contact
B. visit
C. collect
D. check
3. What first led Lisa to think there was a burglar in her house?
A. Something had been broken.
B. Something had been left outside.
C. Something was in the wrong place.
D. Something was moving inside.
4. Why didn‟t Lisa wait in her neighbor's until the police arrived?
A. She was worried about losing her television.
B. She wanted to know what was happening.
C. She noticed something from her neighbor's window.
D. She realised that the burglar was leaving.
5. What does „Lisa saw red‟ (line 16) mean?
A. She got impatient.
B. She felt frightened.
C. She got angry.
D. She felt brave.
6. What happened when Lisa shouted at the burglar?
A. He tried to explain why he was there.
B. He fell over as he ran towards her.
C. He pretended not to have heard her.
D. He dropped the TV and attacked her.
7. What did Lisa‟s father do when he arrived?
A. He told her off.
B. He comforted her.
C. He praised her.
D. He argued with her
ARTIST PETER FULLER TALKS ABOUT HIS HOBBY
There’s a popular idea that artists are not supposed to be into sport, but mountain biking is a huge part
of my life. It gets me out of my studio, and into the countryside. But more importantly, racing along as
fast as you can leaves you no time to worry about anything that’s going on in your life. You’re too busy
concentrating on not crashing. The only things you pay attention to are the pain in your legs and the
rocks on the path in front of you.
I’m in my sixties now, but I started cycling when I was a kid. In the summer my friends and I would ride
our bikes into the woods and see who was brave enough to go down steep hills, or do big jumps. The
bikes we had then weren’t built for that, and often broke, so I used to draw pictures of bikes with big
thick tyres that would be strong enough for what we were doing. They looked just like modern
mountain bikes. However, it wasn’t until many years later that someone actually invented one. By the
1980s, they were everywhere.
At that time I was into skateboarding. I did that for a decade until falling off on to hard surfaces started
to hurt too much. Mountain biking seemed a fairly safe way to keep fit, so I took that up instead. I made
a lot of friends, and got involved in racing, which gave me a reason to train hard. I wanted to find out
just how fit and fast I could get, which turned out to be fairly quick. I even won a couple of local races.
In the end I stopped racing, mainly because I knew what it could mean to my career if I had a bad crash.
But I still like to do a three-hour mountain bike ride every week. And if I’m out cycling in the hills and
see a rider ahead, I have to beat them to the top. As I go past I imagine how surprised they would be if
they knew how old I am.
1. Peter enjoys mountain biking because
A. it gives him the opportunity to enjoy the views.
B. he can use the time to plan his work.
C. he is able to stop thinking about his problems.
D. it helps him to concentrate better.
2. What does Peter say about cycling during his childhood?
A.He is sorry he didn’t take more care of his bike.
B. His friends always had better quality bikes than he did.
C. His bike wasn’t suitable for the activities he was doing.
D. He was more interested in designing bikes than riding them.
3. Peter says he returned to cycling after several years
A. because he had become unfit.
B. so that he could enter races.
C. in order to meet new people.
D. to replace an activity he had given up.
4. How does Peter feel about cycling now?
A. He is proud that he is still so fast.
B. He is keen to do less now that he is older.
C. He regrets the fact that he can no longer compete.
D. He wishes more people were involved in the sport.
5. What would be a good introduction to this article?
A. For Peter Fuller, nothing matters more than mountain biking, not even his career. Here, in his
own words, he tells us why.
B. Artist Peter Fuller takes mountain biking pretty seriously. Here he describes how it all began
and what he gets out of it.
C. In this article, Peter Fuller explains how he became an artist only as a result of his interest in
mountain biking.
D. After discovering mountain biking late in life, Peter Fuller gave up art for a while to concentrate
on getting as good as possible.
JACQUES COUSTEAU: A REMARKABLE MAN
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was an explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, inventor, and conservationist. He was a
man who spent nearly his whole life underwater exploring the hidden depths of the ocean and who did
more to educate the world about the mysteries of the deep sea than any other scientist before or since.
He was born in June 1910 in the village of Saint-André-de-Cubzac, in southwestern France. Jacques was
a sickly boy and spent much of his time in bed, reading books and dreaming about a life at sea.
In 1920, Jacques’ family moved to New York, and he was encouraged to start swimming to build up his
strength. It was the beginning of his fascination with water, and the more he learnt through his own
experiences, the more passionate he became about “looking through nature’s keyhole.” Nevertheless,
his career in underwater exploration came about by accident.
After entering France’s naval academy and travelling around the world, he was involved in an almost
fatal car accident that left him seriously injured with two broken arms. He began swimming in the
Mediterranean Sea to strengthen his arm muscles as part of his recovery process and rediscovered his
love for the ocean. Cousteau developed a pair of underwater breathing apparatus that allowed him to
stay underwater for long periods. His experiments led to the development of the first Aqua-Lung, which
was a huge commercial success.
During World War II, he worked for the French Resistance and experimented with underwater
photographic equipment. He helped get rid of German mines and was awarded the Legion D’Honneur
and the Croix de Guerre medals for his bravery. In 1942, he filmed his first underwater film Sixty Feet
Down. It was 18 minutes long and entered the Cannes Film Festival.
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A. teach readers how to make films
B. explain how Jacques-Yves Cousteau has made a lot of money
C. introduce readers to the filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau
D. describe particular films directed by Jacques Cousteau
2. Being a child, Cousteau had ....
A. strong will
B. bright mind
C. heart attacks
D. delicate health
3. In a car accident he ...
A. burnt both of his arm
B. broke his extremities
C. injured his leg
D. hurt his eyes
4. Cousteau developed underwater breathing equipment
A. to extend his underwater investigations
B. to gain fame
C. to achieve commercial success
D. having no certain goals
5. During World War II Cousteau collaborated with ...
A. Polish resistance movement
B. German antifascists
C. American troops
D. underground resistance fighters in France
DIFFERENT COLOURS
Different Colours can affect us in many different ways; that’s according to Verity Allen. In her new
series ‘Colour me Healthy’, Verity looks at the ways that colours can influence how hard we work and
the choices we make. They can even change our emotions and even influence how healthy we are.
‘Have you ever noticed how people always use the same colours for the same things?’ says Verity. ‘Our
toothpaste is always white or blue or maybe red. It’s never green. Why not? For some reason we think
that blue and white is clean, while we think of green products as being a bit disgusting. It’s the same
for businesses. We respect a company which writes its name in blue or black, but we don’t respect one
that uses pink or orange. People who design new products can use these ideas to influence what we
buy.’
During this four-part series, Verity studies eight different colours, two colours in each programme. She
meets people who work in all aspects of the colour industry, from people who design food packets, to
people who name the colours of lipsticks. Some of the people she meets clearly have very little
scientific knowledge to support their ideas, such as the American ‘Colour Doctor’ who believes that
serious diseases can be cured by the use of coloured lights. However, she also interviews real scientists
who are studying the effects of green and red lights on mice, with some surprising results.
Overall, it’s an interesting show, and anyone who watches it will probably find out something new. But
because Verity is goes out of her way to be polite to everyone she meets on the series, it’s up to the
viewers to make their own decisions about how much they should believe.
1. What is the writer doing in this text?
A. giving information about how colours influence us
B. reporting what happens in a new television series
C. giving information about a television presenter
D. giving his opinion of a recent television show
2. Which of the following shows the probable content of the four shows?
A. Part 1 – Health; Part 2 – Products and Industry; Part 3 – Emotions; Part 4 – Decisions
B. Part 1 – Blue and Black; Part 2 – Red and Orange; Part 3 – White and Grey; Part 4 – Green and
Yellow
C. Part 1 – Meeting Designers; Part 2 – Meeting People who Name Colours; Part 3 – Meeting
Doctors; Part 4 – Meeting Scientists
D. Part 1 – Cleaning Products; Part 2 – Make-up; Part 3 – Clothes; Part 4 – Food
3. According to Verity, why is a knowledge of colour important?
A. It can help you to choose the best products.
B. It can give you new ideas.
C. It can help you to change people’s minds.
D. It can help you to sell products.
4. Who does the writer respect least?
A. Verity Allen
B. The people who name lipsticks
C. The ‘Colour Doctor’
D. The scientists who work with mice
5. Which of the following would make a good title for the text?
A. Enjoy it, but don’t believe everything.
B. Another great show from Verity Allen! Five Stars!
C. Don’t miss this if you work in Business!
D. Watch this programme! It will make you healthy!
HORTON
At first glance, there is little in Horton to attract people. The other nearby towns have much more to
offer: Bradfield has its river and historic buildings, while Newtown has shops and entertainment. The
buildings of Horton look dirty and unloved. For shops, there is a small supermarket, a few bargain shops,
a bakery which, strangely, does not sell bread and a florist which has one stand of sad-looking flowers.
Even so, Horton has several advantages over its neighbouring towns.
Firstly, it has a country park. Four thousand years ago, this was an important fort. There are no historic
remains here now, but there are wonderful views over the countryside. On sunny weekends you can
often see kids out with their parents, kicking balls or flying kites.
There aren’t many job opportunities in Horton, and the roads to nearby cities aren’t really fast, but
there are excellent rail links. You can be in London in an hour and a half, and other cities are less than
an hour away. That means that parents can earn a good salary and still get home in time to spend the
evenings with their families. Houses in Horton aren’t pretty, but they’re functional and cheap. The
streets are quiet and safe, and there are plenty of parks and playgrounds. It has a library, three primary
schools and a secondary school, St. Mark’s. It’s not as academically brilliant as other schools in the
area, but it is friendly and offers a wide range of subjects and activities to children of all abilities and
backgrounds. The town also has a swimming and a sports centre, and the community halls hold regular
clubs and events for people of all ages.
1. What is the writer’s main purpose?
A. To explain what tourists can do in Horton
B. To explain why Horton is a good place to live
C. To explain why Horton is not as pleasant as other towns
D. To describe the history of Horton
2. What part of Horton does the writer find disappointing?
A. the shops
B. the country park
C. transport links
D. the schools
3. What type of people is Horton most suitable for?
A. wealthy professionals
B. low income families
C. elderly people
D. sport and history students
4. What advantages does Horton bring to workers?
A. There are plenty of jobs available in the town.
B. You can drive to nearby cities in a short time.
C. You can get to several cities quickly by train.
D. Working conditions are better here than in other towns.
5. Which of the following is the best description of Horton?
A. A quiet, country town which has a number of good leisure facilities.
B. A friendly, historic town which is a great place to live, work and take a holiday.
C. A busy, industrial town which has good links to neighbouring cities.
D. A dirty, unpopular town which has little to offer visitors or residents.
THE END OF TV?
Tom Collins offers his opinion
I keep reading articles that argue the TV is dead. According to this view, people are spending far more
time using the Internet for their entertainment and for information. As a result, they argue the TV is
becoming less and less important in our lives. The time we spend watching videos online is certainly
increasing but I don't think this is a reason to believe we should be saying goodbye to the television.
The TV is still a very popular way a lot of us get our entertainment at home. It offers us the chance to
see top musical artists, great films and documentaries and sometimes, thanks to important live events,
it has the power to bring the whole country and all ages together in a way the Internet never could.
How often do thousands or even millions of friends or families sit down at the same time to watch
something together online?
Some people argue that the TV offers a poor quality of programmes on the many channels we now
have. It is certainly true that many of the channels do nothing more than repeat old shows or offer
cheap, low quality programmes. However, I would argue that a lot of content on the Internet isn't
particularly great. At least TV shows have professional people checking the quality of shows, which a
lot of content on the web doesn't.
I agree that it is easy to keep up-to-date with the latest news on the Internet, even though much of it
is not true or certainly can't be trusted. I enjoy sitting down to the news on TV in the evening, knowing
that I am more likely to believe the information than the things I read online. Anybody can post
information on the Internet and a lot of it is opinion rather than fact.
So I don't think we should be so quick to say goodbye to the TV. In fact, I think it has many more years
left in it! I certainly won't be swapping my TV for the latest laptop and will continue to enjoy relaxing in
front of it in the evenings.
1. The author thinks that
A. TV is no longer important.
B. people are spending more time watching videos on the Internet.
C. people spend too much time on the Internet.
D. people don't have time to watch TV.
2. What does the author say about TV?
A. It's the only way to see important live events.
B. It is more popular than the Internet.
C. It can attract huge audiences for live events.
D. It is more popular with certain age groups.
3. The author thinks that
A. nothing on the Internet is checked.
B. it is cheaper to make programmes for the Internet.
C. some programmes are shown again and again on TV.
D. there are too many channels on TV.
4. The author says that compared to the Internet,
A. TV news is more reliable.
B. people don't give their opinion on TV.
C. TV news is not up to date.
D. TV news can always be trusted.
5. What might the author say about the TV?
A. "Eventually, mobile phones and laptops will replace it."
B. "It will remain a popular form of entertainment."
C. "We need fewer channels and better quality programmes."
D. "It's not as important as it used to be."
THE SAHARA FILM FESTIVAL
After a bumpy 225km drive from a meagre airstrip in Tindouf, south western Algeria, a sprawling single-
story town begins to emerge from the desert’s dust. As the sun climbs in the cloudless sky, visitors are
rewarded with their first glimpse of Dakhla refugee camp. It isn’t the most obvious setting for a film
festival, but for seven years, just before the glitz and glamour of Cannes, the Sahrawi people of Dakhla
have hosted actors and film-makers from around the world for this six-day event. This year, for the first
time, direct flights were laid on from London, giving the opportunity for overseas visitors to play a part
in this extraordinary occasion. But despite the energy and excitement, the background to the film
festival is a serious one, as the Sahrawi people have been living for thirty years in this isolated desert
outpost, having been forced to flee their native Western Sahara.
Western Sahara, Africa’s last colony, was taken over by Morocco when the Spanish withdrew in 1976,
despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice. This was followed by a brutal 16-year war,
during which time tens of thousands of Sahrawis fled across the Algerian border to refugee camps. In
1991, a ceasefire agreement was drawn up, in which a referendum on self-determination was promised
to decide the fate of the country and its people. However, almost twenty years later, the gears of
diplomacy have turned slowly and nothing has happened. Meanwhile the refugees have been left
stranded in five refugee camps dotted around the vast, inhospitable desert.
Dakhla, home to nearly 30,000 of these refugees, is the most remote of these camps, being located 175
km from the nearest city. Unlike its namesake, the beautiful coastal city in Western Sahara, this Dakhla
has no paved roads and is entirely dependent on outside supplies for food and water. Temperatures
regularly top 120 degrees, there is minimal vegetation and there are frequent sandstorms. Locally it is
known as the Devil’s Garden. Despite these obvious setbacks, the town is clean and well organised,
with wide sandy streets. Houses and tents are grouped in neat family compounds. There are hospitals,
funded by aid agencies, and a good standard of education. For the duration of the festival, an
articulated lorry is parked in the central compound, and a multiplex-sized screen is mounted on its side.
Around it are stalls and tents housing workshops and exhibitions.
The aim of the festival is to raise international awareness on the plight of the refugees. However, it
also offers a rare chance for the refugees to go to the movies and experience some educational
opportunities. It is hoped that it might foster a new generation of Sahrawi film-makers, especially as
this year, the festival also celebrated the opening of a permanent film, radio and television school in a
neighbouring camp.
The program of films for this year included over forty films from around the world. Films range from
international blockbusters to various works on and by the Sahrawi people. The themes mostly centre
on experiences of struggle and hope, but there were lighter moments, such as an animated film for the
children and a flash of Rachel Weisz’s naked bottom during the ancient Egyptian epic Agora which
proved to be a highlight for many older boys. However, the runaway favourite was ‘a Victime’, a
documentary about Ibrahim Leibeit, a 19-year-old Sahrawi who lost his leg to a land mine last year.
Films are screened at night, so the daytime is taken up with exhibitions, camel races and football
matches. One afternoon the London-based charity ‘Sandblast’ put on a joint workshop with a film-
maker, giving refugees the opportunity to learn about filmmaking and create their own video messages.
These were put online so that their extended families in Western Sahara, from whom they have been
separated for more than 33 years, could watch them. Helen Whitehead, a film-maker from London said,
‘Working together really broke down language and cultural barriers. It was very rewarding, and we
came across some real talent.’
More than 500 visitors flew into Tindouf on charter planes and braved the rough drive to the
settlement. All the visitors to the festival stay with Sahrawi families, sharing their homes and partaking
of their food. Living with these displaced people gives overseas participants an invaluable insight into
the conditions in which the refugees live. Alongside the film buffs there are real celebrities such as
actors Victoria Demayo and Helena Olano. They are mostly B and C listers from the Spanish film
industry, although the real stars do take an interest. Director Javier Cardozo was a visitor last year, and
Penelope Cruz is a long-term supporter, but pulled out of attending the festival this year at the last
minute. Will the celebrity backing make a difference to the plight of the refugees? Possibly. Cardozo’s
suggestion that the Spanish, as the ex-colonial masters of Western Sahara, were responsible for the
situation received significant coverage in the Spanish Media and put some pressure on the government
to take some action. However, although the campaign in Spain is growing steadily, the focus of
attention cannot only be on the Spanish government.
On the final day of the gathering, there is a dusty red-carpet ceremony in which the White Camel award
for best picture is presented to Jordi Ferrer and Paul Vidal for ‘El Problema’, their 2009 film about
Western Sahara. Actors, activists and festival organisers gather on stage in high spirits to show their
solidarity with the refugees. But as the stalls are dismantled and the trucks are driven away, the
thoughts of the visitors turn to the people they are leaving behind. They may never get the chance to
see the world or fulfil their dreams of becoming actors or film-makers. For them, there is nowhere to
go. Dakhla is essentially a desert prison.
1 In the first paragraph, the writer emphasises:
A. the enthusiasm that the festival instils
B. the sensational nature of the festival
C. the festival’s increasing media attention
D. the festival’s unlikely location
2 According to the writer, the refugees have been in the desert for so long because:
A. International agencies do not know they are there
B. the Moroccan government disagree with the UN
C. a proposed vote is yet to take place
D. there is a war in their home country
3 What does the writer say about the original city of Dakhla?
A. It is by the sea.
B. It has good health and educational facilities.
C. It does not have proper roads
D. It gets food and water from aid agencies.
4 What is said about the films shown at the festival?
A. They mostly show the personal experiences of the Sahwari people.
B. All of the films are serious in content.
C. The variety of films suited a wide range of tastes
D. The international films were more popular than the local films
5 What was the British visitors’ response to the workshops?
A. They were surprised by the refugee’s film knowledge
B. The workshops enabled them to communicate with local people.
C. the workshops taught the visitors a lot about local culture.
D. They showed the local films to their families via the internet.
6 What point does the writer highlight in the final paragraph?
A. There is a contrast between the visitors’ freedom and the refugees’ confinement
B. The film festival only gives the refugees unattainable dreams
C. The visitors only care about the refugees for the duration of the festival
D. The festival is a poor copy of the more famous film festivals.
LISTENING
B2. https://engxam.com/handbook/5-free-practice-tests-online-pdf-b2-first-fce/#b2-first-fce-practice-
online-reading-tests
B1. https://engxam.com/handbook/5-free-practice-tests-online-pdf-b1-preliminary-pet/
C1. https://engxam.com/handbook/practice-tests-c1-advanced-cae/#c1-advanced-cae-practice-tests-
online-reading
Key
Island of Hale
1 2 3 4 5 6
c d c a d c
A lawsuit against McDonald’s

1 2 3 4 5 6
D C D C B D
Extract
1 2 3 4 5 6
A B D C B A
Be Web Wise
1 2 3 4 5 6
B C A B C D
Burglary ang how to avoid it

1 2 3 4 5 6
A D A B A D
Lisa Tyler
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A c D B C C A
Artist peter fuller talks about his hobby
1 2 3 4 5
C C D A B
Jacques Cousteau: A remarkable man

1 2 3 4 5
C D B A D
Different colours
1 2 3 4 5
B B D C A
Horton
1 2 3 4 5
B A B C A
The end of TV?

1 2 3 4 5
B C C A B
The Sahara film festival

1 2 3 4 5 6
D C A C B A
Cambridge
B2 First
Listening
Test 1
www.prosperityeducation.net
Cambridge B2 First Listening
Part 1 Test 1
Audio track: FCE_Listening_1_1.mp3
You will hear people speaking in eight different situations. For

questions 1–8, select the best answer A, B, or C. Read the
question carefully before playing the audio. In the exam, you will
have the opportunity to listen to each recording twice.
1 You hear two people talking about the college canteen. How do they
disagree?
A The quality of the food
B The price of the coffee
C The friendliness of the staff
2 You hear a woman talking about life skills. Where does she think the
most valuable lessons are learned?
A At home
B At university
C Playing sports
3 You hear an announcement at the airport. What problem is being

explained?
A Longer queues than usual
B Departing flights will be delayed
C Arriving flights will be delayed
4 You hear a woman presenting on a TV show. What is she talking

about?
A Where to buy a present
B How to make a cake
C How to shop for food
© 2018 Prosperity Education – USE OF ENGLISH, CAMBRIDGE B2 FIRST and FCE are brands belonging to The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of
Cambridge and are not associated with Prosperity Education or its apps, FCE Academy FCE Academy Listening and FCE Academy for schools.
Part 1 Cont. Test 1
5 You hear two students talking about a teacher. How does the boy feel?
A He is really keen to impress the teacher
B He is worried the teacher doesn't like him
C He doesn't have confidence in the teacher
6 You hear a football commentary on the radio. What is the reporter

doing?
A Describing how he felt about the match
B Appreciating some of the players' skills during the match
C Explaining why the match was cancelled
7 You overhear two friends who have just been to the cinema. What do
they agree on?
A The cinema is still the best form of entertainment
B The entrance fee is too high
C The movie was fantastic
8 You hear a man speaking on a telephone. What is he trying to do?

A Buy a ticket for the train
B Book a holiday
C Complain about something
Part 4 Test 1
You will hear an interview with a man called Raymond Osman,

who works as a chiropractor in Madrid. For questions 24–30,
select the best answer A, B, or C. Read the question carefully
before playing the audio. In the exam, you will have the
opportunity to listen to each recording twice.
24 How do Raymond's parents feel about him becoming a chiropractor?

A Surprised
B Proud
C Ashamed
25 On living in Spain, Raymond says:

A He misses England more than his wife does.
B His wife misses England more than he does.
C His parents want him to move to Barcelona.
26 Raymond lives in Spain because:

A there is a high demand for his services there
B his parents live there
C his wife is Spanish
27 Which aspect of his job does Raymond enjoy the most?

A Studying new techniques
B Rehabilitating professional athletes
C Speaking at conferences
Part 4 Cont. Test 1
28 He believes most people suffer health problems because:

A they don't address problems early enough
B they eat badly
C they don't exercise
29 An unexpected feature of his job is:

A the regularity of his working week
B the ability to choose his own hours
C the contact with the public
30 In the long term he hopes to:

A become financially independent
B own his own practice
C open his own chiropractic training school
Transcripts Test 1
Part 1
FCE Academy, listening practice for the Cambridge English First FCE
examination. As it is in the exam, each recording will be introduced and
you will have time to read the questions before the recording is played.
In the exam, you will hear each recording twice. At the beginning of
each recording you will hear this sound: [tone]. It is good practice to
write notes while you listen to each recording.
Part 1: You will hear people speaking in eight different situations. For
questions 1–8, you must choose the best answer, A, B or C.
Question 1 You hear two people talking about the college canteen. How do they
disagree?
[tone]
Girl: You know what? I think the canteen has really improved this term.
Boy: Well... the coffee is still great value for money, I'll say that for them.
Girl: And what about the staff? Nothing is too much trouble for them. You only have
to ask.
Boy: Agreed. Mind you, the food still leaves a lot to be desired. The only thing I'd call
edible are the sandwiches.
Girl: No way! You obviously haven't tried the lasagne. That new guy in the kitchen
really knows his stuff. And those new pies are delicious.
[tone]
Question 2 You hear a woman talking about life skills. Where does she think the
most valuable lessons are learned?
[tone]
One of the most valuable skills you'll learn in life is 'effective communication': how to
explain your ideas to somebody to get what you want. Many people think that this skill
is developed in adult life, for example, at university, or even through playing sports,
but, actually, I think it is learned from an early age. The ability to get on with others is
first learned in the relationship you have with your parents and brothers and sisters.
This teaches children to be careful in what they say to others, learning the skills of
persuasion as they go.
[tone]
Question 3 You hear an announcement at the airport. What problem is being

explained?
[tone]
Passengers travelling on Scottish Airways flight number SA7921 to Portugal, please
be advised that, due to adverse weather conditions, your departure is expected to be
delayed. Passengers requiring further information should report to the Scottish
Airways service desk. Though queues at security are expected to be no longer than
usual, passengers are advised to check-in immediately and proceed to the departure
lounge. Scottish Airways apologises for any inconvenience this delay may cause.
[tone]
Question 4 You hear a woman presenting on a TV show. What is she talking about?
[tone]
For birthdays and special occasions everyone loves one of these. The most important
thing to remember when doing something like this is that you must always have
everything you need before you start. First, get a good recipe. Read it well and find out
what you'll need. Then, find a good shop that you know will have the necessary
ingredients. After that you will need to get your utensils ready, such as: a baking tray,
a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon. Before you mix the ingredients together, make
sure that the oven is pre-heated so that you are not waiting around!
[tone]
Question 5 You hear two students talking about a teacher. How does the boy feel?
[tone]
Boy: Hi Grace.
Girl: Hi Ben, how are you doing?
Boy: Terrible. It's Mr Jack. I'm just not getting on with him.
Girl: What's the problem this time? Do you still think he doesn't like you?
Boy: It's not that. Not exactly. Anyway, I don't really care about that anymore.
Girl: But you were always so keen to impress your Maths teachers.
Boy: Not any more! I'm going right off it.
Girl: All because of Mr Jack? What has he done that's so bad that it has put you off your
favourite subject?
Boy: He failed me on a quiz and I checked my answer later – it was definitely correct. I'm
just not sure he knows what he’s talking about, and therefore if he's doing a good job.
Girl: If I were you, I'd report that to the Principal. Get it sorted out as soon as you can.
[tone]
Question 6 You hear a football commentary on the radio. What is the reporter
saying about the match?
[tone]
Who knows what the final score would have been? Both teams showed moments of
great skill, and there was real excitement in the stadium throughout the first half,
especially when the second goal was disallowed. The crowd was disappointed not to
see the game continue after the break, especially as many had travelled a long way in
the snow to be there. But the referee was right to call it off. The weather was just too
bad to continue – it would have been dangerous for the players!
[tone]
Question 7 You overhear two friends who have just been to the cinema. What do
they agree on?
[tone]
Woman: Well, I really enjoyed that despite all the bad reviews. It might have been a bit
over-the-top, but what else do people expect from a big-budget action movie these days?
Man: I don't know. A plot that makes sense? Characterisation?
Woman: [laughs] So you didn't like it?
Man: No, I did not. I'm getting fed up of these Hollywood films anyway. I think games are
the future of entertainment.
Woman: Not if you ask me. I love the cinema. The popcorn, the trailers, the whole thing.
Mind you, it is rather an expensive evening.
Man: Too right. Cinema tickets are a complete rip-off!
[tone]
Question 8 You hear a man speaking on a telephone. What is he trying to do?
[tone]
Hello. I have been having trouble with your self-service ticket machine. I put in my
dates of travel and ordered a single ticket to the city centre, but then the screen went
blank. I tried again and the same thing happened. I need to get to my hotel where I'm
meeting some friends. Is there anything you can do to help me? There is nobody here
in the station to talk to and I have to get the next one or else I'll be late.
[tone]
Part 2
Now turn to Part 2. You hear Dom Marcus, a professional actor, talking
about his career. For questions 9–18, complete the sentences with a
word or short phrase. You now have 45 seconds to look at Part 2.
[tone]
When I was in school I was interested in drama and loved all the school productions of
famous plays and shows, but it wasn't taught as a subject until I was 13. By then I was
really into sport, and football was definitely my favourite part of games. It wasn't until a
travelling theatre group came to our school, when I was possibly 12 years old, that I really
took notice and thought about being an actor.
By the time I was 18, I was studying English, Art and Drama and applied to Drama College
in London and had to do an interview. I really loved it there, even though I found it hard at
times, especially the musical performance part. Because I'm not a musician, I found that the
most difficult aspect of the course: I just don't have natural rhythm! Thankfully, you can
make it as an actor even if you're terrible at dancing and singing, like me, although that
does limit your employment possibilities a bit.
My first actual job, once I'd finished my studies, was a TV commercial for dog food. I really
love dogs, so this was a lot of fun to do. It was also a great learning experience as I got to
understand more about the technical side of filming. A lot of people are involved in making
a 60-second commercial – you'd be amazed!
After that first job, I was offered more work – it's true what they say: it's all about who you
know. Networking is a very important part of an actor's lifestyle. From the outside, some
people might think that actors are always partying, but, in fact, we are networking: making
contacts and letting people know who you are is what it's all about.
Of course, there's a lot of disappointment, too, and long periods of time where you don't
have any work. You need to be prepared for this as being rejected is a regular occurrence!
Actors are also unemployed a lot of the time so they'll have other 'normal' jobs on the side,
just to pay the rent. Thankfully, I'm now in a position where I have regular acting work. In
fact, I have to turn down acting jobs because I'm so busy.
My daughter is 19 and is currently at university. I pay her to help with my social media – my
Facebook and Twitter accounts and that sort of thing. It takes a lot of time just to keep on
top of these, and it's extremely important that an actor has a social-media presence
nowadays.
I definitely prefer doing TV work, like short drama series, as you film for just a couple of
weeks and then you're finished. I've done a few feature-length movies. This is the type of
work I like the least. They can be a little boring to work on, as much of your time is spent
waiting around. A movie can be in filming for several months, and you need to be on set the
whole time, even if your character only has a small part. But the pay is good for movies, so
I probably shouldn't complain!
My advice for young actors looking to break into the industry? Well, I would say that you
need to be prepared for failure and rejection, and being out of work, and that you must
always keep positive: your break will come! It is important to know what your strengths are,
and what you're not good at, and then to be working on these as much as you can. And it's
always good to keep studying: there are loads of successful actors who offer master
classes, and I have attended a few: you'll always learn something from experienced people.
[tone]
Part 3
Now turn to Part 3. You hear five people talking about their student
days. For questions 19–23, assign the correct speaker to the statement
given. There are three extra options which you do not have to use. You
now have 30 seconds to look at Part 3.
[tone]
Speaker 1 I was classified as a mature student when I started my course. I didn’t feel it. I was
only 25! Just having a few more years under my belt and, I suppose, that extra bit of
life experience, made university a very different experience for me. Don't forget I'd
held down a job for several years – even started building a career – and I had a long-
term relationship and, by my third year, a baby to think about. Late nights but no
parties. University felt more like a job that I had to do well. Not the three-year holiday it
was for some of the other students.
Speaker 2 It took me some time to get into the swing of life at Uni. I grew up in a tiny town out in
the middle of nowhere, so moving to a big city was a huge change for me. I eventually
got down to studying, of course, but for those first few months I was in a complete
whirlwind of parties, days on the beach, and the opposite sex. No wonder I couldn't
concentrate on my work! A few bad marks brought me to my senses, though. I
couldn't afford to waste the opportunity of Uni. And I knew I could relax once I'd got my
degree.
Speaker 3 I lived in dorm my first year, and it was really difficult to work there. Most people find it
difficult to focus when there's noise going on, and that dorm was completely chaotic.
There was music morning, noon and night, and I'm not talking about soothing classical
music you can tune out while you write your assignments. No, this was heavy rock,
rap, R&B – and usually at least two stereos blasting out at one time. And just my luck
– the life and soul of campus social life lived three doors down from me. Honestly, I
was so relieved when it was time to find new accommodation.
Speaker 4 I didn't have a lot of money at university, and unfortunately that came to dominate the
whole experience for me. It was really difficult to make ends meet from Day One: I had
to work part-time just to get by. In my second year, I was working in a bar three nights
a week and doing a couple of days as a bicycle courier. Juggling working and studying
was incredibly difficult, and the worst of it is that I still have a massive student loan to
pay off. It remains to be seen whether it's all been worth it.
Speaker 5 Many people think their life is like a straight road. They start at Point A and work
through points B, C and D until they get to zee. My life hasn't been like that. When I
was a kid I was very studious, always reading, and I figured I'd get good grades and
go on to college to study. Problem is, once I got the grades and started, I realised I
wasn't happy. I switched my major a couple of times before eventually dropping out.
The only thing I really learned was what I didn't want to do. Still, you have to look on
the bright side. I'm happy with my life now.
Part 4
Now turn to Part 4. You hear an interview with a man called Raymond
Osman, who works as a chiropractor in Madrid. For questions 24–30,
choose the best answer, A, B or C. You will now have one minute to look
at Part 4.
[tone]
My name's Raymond Osman, and I'm a chiropractor living in Madrid.
A chiropractor is someone who uses therapies such as massage to treat problems
with joints and muscles. It's a complementary therapy, but it's well respected and
requires several years of study before you can register as a practitioner. I have a
masters degree which I earned in the UK before coming to Spain.
It could be seen as quite a strange career choice, especially speaking as someone
from a family of academics, but I've always felt the urge to help people and I love the
feeling of helping a patient to resolve an issue that they thought they'd never get rid of:
chronic pain can seem like a prison sentence. My parents know I do valuable work
and that I'm helping people, so they're proud of me.
What brought me to Spain? Well, my parents originally came from Barcelona,
although they're very happy living in the UK, so I was always here in my school
holidays and I spoke Spanish at home (although I'm told I have a very strange
accent). And I love the place - and so does my wife, even though I think she misses
her home in England more than I ever do. I'm incredibly lucky that there's such a
demand for my services in Madrid. Plenty of work means I get to live in a place I love.
It's quite a varied job, especially as I've gradually built up a reputation for rehabilitating
professional athletes. I work a lot with footballers, and I do some speaking at
conferences. And I spend a lot of time learning and trying out new techniques, as well
as treating a huge range of issues. It's the work with sports injuries I enjoy the most,
and that's where I focus most of my efforts.
There are many reasons people come to see chiropractors. But when you get down to
it, their problems have quite a limited range of causes. Bad diet is a big one – how can
you feel well when you're filling your body with rubbish? And a lack of exercise leads
to immobility, problems with joint pain and muscular issues. But a very common
problem is people not getting around to addressing their symptoms early enough. If I
could give one piece of advice it would be this: Don't ignore that niggling pain – the
longer you leave it the more likely it is to become a chronic problem.
Mind you, if people caught their problems early, maybe I wouldn't be doing so well.
Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say.
If I wanted to, I could work all day every day. But, actually, my practice with
sportspeople means that I can choose my own hours to a certain extent. I have to
work most mornings, but after that I tend to focus on other things in the afternoon
before seeing a few more patients in the evening.
Now that I'm standing on my own two feet financially, and have paid off the loan I took
out to start my own practice, of course I'm planning my next move. I'm never happy
sitting on my laurels – I have to be looking forward to my next challenge. Right now
I'm planning to set up my own chiropractic school here in Madrid. It's an expanding
field, and more and more youngsters are considering it as a career. I can't wait to see
my name over the door of a school!
[tone]
Answers Test 1
Part 1
1 A 2 A 3 B 4 B
5 C 6 C 7 B 8 A
Part 2
9 football
10 travelling theatre group / theatre group / theatre company
11 musical performance / performance
12 TV commercial / commercial / ad / advert
13 networking
14 unemployment
15 too busy
16 social media
17 films / movies
18 strengths
Part 3
19 C 20 B 21 A
22 H 23 E
Part 4
24 B 25 B 26 B
27 A 28 A 29 B
30 C
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Cambridge
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C1 Advanced
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Listening
20
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Test 1
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© 2022 Prosperity Education | ‘Cambridge C1 Advanced’ and ‘CAE’ are brands belonging to The Chancellor, Masters
and Scholars of the University of Cambridge and are not associated with Prosperity Education or its products.
Cambridge C1 Advanced Listening
Part 1 Test 1
Audio track: C1_Listening_1_1.mp3
You will hear three different extracts. For questions 1–6, select the best
answer A, B or C. There are two questions for each extract. Read the
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questions carefully before playing the audio. In the exam, you will have
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the opportunity to listen to each recording twice.
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Ed
Extract One
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1 You hear two colleagues discussing a staff meeting that has been
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arranged. What issue do the colleagues disagree about?
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A Planning time off in advance
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B Sending work emails after office hours 20
C Asking staff to work at weekends
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2 What does the woman suggest about work conditions in her job?
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A Employees rarely get the time off they request.

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B There is a supportive work environment.

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C The company treats employees with children differently.

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Extract Two
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3 You hear two friends discussing the topic of marketing. What is the
woman’s criticism of online marketing?
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A It has an impact on consumers’ data privacy.

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B It rarely increases sales for businesses.

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C It makes using the internet less enjoyable.
4 Why does the man mention store loyalty cards?

A To support the main point the woman is making
B To express a reservation about the woman’s interpretation
C To suggest a solution to the issue raised by the woman
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Ed
Extract Three
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5 You hear a woman telling her friend about a job offer she has received.
sp
What is she doing during the conversation?
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A Justifying the decision she made about the offer
22
B Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the job
C
20
Expressing her pride in being offered the position
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6 What point does the man make about ‘culture shock’?

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A It may affect people in different ways.

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B There might be a delay before people experience it.

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C It can provide people with a new perspective on life.

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Part 3 Test 1
You will hear an interview in which two food experts, Mary Palmer and
John Hunt, are talking about food broadcasting and publishing. For
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questions 15–20, select the best answer A, B or C. Read the questions
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carefully before playing the audio. In the exam, you will have the
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opportunity to listen to each recording twice.
Ed
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15 What does Mary say about her first experience of being on TV?
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A It was a let-down after she had dreamt of doing it for so long.
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B It changed her perceptions of the TV industry.
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C She was relieved that she was given so much support.
22
D She felt that she had to make up for her lack of experience.
20
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16 When Mary was given her own cookery series to present, she was:
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A eager to reach a brand-new type of viewer.

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B confident that the series would be a hit.

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C surprised that the producers had trusted her.

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D unprepared for how it would change her life.

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17 What is Mary’s opinion of current TV cookery shows?

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A They serve as a reflection of what is happening in society.

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B Their focus on fancy ingredients puts many viewers off.

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C Their main aim is to inspire rather than educate.

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D They are vital in the absence of domestic science lessons.

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18 John mentions avocadoes to make the point that:

A interest in foreign cuisine has never been greater.
B the media sets the agenda in terms of food trends.
C it is hard to predict which ingredients will catch on.
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D People are getting mixed messages about healthy eating.
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Ed
19 Mary and John have different views about vegan food in terms of:
A whether its environmental credentials have been exaggerated.
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B whether it is likely to become the dominant type of diet.
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C whether young people have driven its recent popularity.
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D whether health is the main factor driving its popularity.
Pr
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20 20
When asked about their future career plans, Mary and John reveal:
A concerns about the direction their industry is heading.
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B intentions to launch businesses outside their industry.

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C desires to make their industry open to diverse voices.

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D commitments to raising their profile in their industry.

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Cambridge C1 Advanced Listening Answers
Test 1 Test 1
Part 1
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B
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5 A 6 C
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Ed
Part 2
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7 recession
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8 asset / important asset
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9 boundaries
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10 special treatment
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11 tourism management
12 IT systems
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13 objective
14 adventure tourism
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Part 3
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15 D 16 A 17 A
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18 C 19 B 20 C
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Part 4
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21 G 22 B 23 E
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24 A 25 D 26 F
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27 C 28 B 29 H
30 E
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Cambridge C1 Advanced Listening Transcripts
Test 1 Test 1
Part 1
Part 1. You will hear three different extracts. For questions 1 to 6, you must
n
choose the best answer: A, B or C. There are two questions for each extract.
a tio
Extract 1 You hear two colleagues discussing a staff meeting that has been arranged.
uc
Now look at questions 1 and 2.
Ed
[tone]
Speaker 1 Any ideas what the meeting’s about?
ity
Speaker 2 I’m not sure, but there have been complaints about us having to come into the office
er
at weekends.
sp
Speaker 2 Rightly so! It’s totally unacceptable to demand that.
o
Speaker 1 Definitely. I wonder what else is on the agenda?
Pr
Speaker 2 Well, I hope someone raises the issue of managers emailing in the evenings.
22
Speaker 2 I don’t have a problem with that, actually. Provided managers don’t demand an instant
response, it’s OK. 20
Speaker 1 No way! It’s so stressful discovering all those emails in the morning.
|©
Speaker 2 I’d rather focus on staff holidays. You know, people suddenly booking time off without
any prior warning.
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Speaker 1 The fairest thing would be to get everyone to choose which weeks they want to book
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off at the start of the year.

Speaker 2 Completely agree. But as usual, parents will be given priority because of school
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schedules.
Speaker 1 Well, I don’t mind taking my holiday at another time to accommodate that. There
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needs to be some give and take.

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Speaker 2 But that’s my point. It never works the other way round, does it? Who steps up and
or
helps us when we need it?

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Speaker 1 Well, we shouldn’t blame colleagues for wanting to spend time with their families!
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We’re all entitled to time off. And we should be putting pressure on management to
give us the support we need.
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Speaker 2 True.
en
[tone]
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Extract 2 You hear two friends discussing the topic of marketing. Now look at questions 3
and 4.
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[tone]
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Speaker 1 Look at all these pop-up ads on my social media feed! I just want to catch up on what
m
my friends have been doing, not get recommendations on what shoes to buy!
Sa
Speaker 2 Sadly, it’s part and parcel of being online, isn’t it? You can’t really do anything when
you’re bombarded with advertising. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to ignore.
Speaker 1 But does this type of marketing even work? I mean, I’ve never been tempted to buy
something just because of a random advertisement.
Speaker 2 Oh, you’d be surprised. Apparently, it has a major impact on what we end up buying.
But what’s more worrying is that companies can track what you’re clicking on to get
information about you. I think most people would be furious if they realised just how
11
much companies are monitoring what they’re doing.

Speaker 1 But lots of people happily give up their private information to companies without even
questioning it. Just think about store loyalty cards.
Speaker 2 You mean where you earn rewards every time you buy something at a particular
shop?
Speaker 1 Yes. Obviously, you’re sharing your data and your shopping habits with that store. If
people were so concerned about companies monitoring them, would they sign up?
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Speaker 2 I hadn’t thought of that, actually!
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[tone]
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Extract 3 You hear a woman telling her friend about a job offer she has received. Now
Ed
look at questions 5 and 6.
[tone]
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Speaker 1 I hear you’ve been offered the chance to work for a company in Paris. That’s amazing,
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Jen!
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Speaker 2 Thanks, Ed. Yes, I can’t believe I was offered such an opportunity. But I’ve made the
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right choice. I mean, I don’t even speak the language!
Pr
Speaker 1 You’re not going?
Speaker 2 Well, I was definitely tempted but I ended up deciding to turn it down. I haven’t told the
22
company yet.
Speaker 1
20
That’s a pity. You’d soon pick up enough French to get by.
Speaker 2 Maybe, but the prospect of being so far from home didn’t appeal.
|©
Speaker 1 Well, you managed during your degree.

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Speaker 2 That wasn’t overseas! Adapting to a new culture is bound to be more stressful.
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Speaker 1 Yes, absolutely. But you know, most people find it gets easier over time. That was
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certainly the case for me when I spent a year in India as a student.

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Speaker 2 Maybe, but it’s the last thing you need when you’re also trying to settle into a brand-
new job.
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Speaker 1 Well, I’m not saying that culture shock is easy, but it can also bring positives. It helped
me look at things in ways that I’d never considered before. It really does encourage
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you to be more open-minded about life.

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Speaker 2 Well, I still think I’m doing the right thing.

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[tone]
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Part 2
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Part 2. You hear a business owner called Amanda Thorpe talking about working
with family. For questions 7 to 14, complete the sentences with a word or short
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phrase.
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[tone]
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My family has been in the hospitality sector for generations, starting with my great-
grandfather who opened a small seafood restaurant. Since then, the business has
expanded to include a hotel, and now my tour company. But it’s not always been
smooth sailing – there was a recession in my country when I was very young, and I
remember the family lost almost everything they had worked so hard for.
Fortunately, we managed to come through the hard times, and that’s where I think
having a close bond with your family is such an important asset in business. When the
business isn’t going well, it’s easier for everyone to pull together. If you’re an
12
Transcripts
employee in a company, it might be tempting to find another job when things aren’t
going well. But when your colleagues are your relatives, you can’t really walk away!
While that can obviously be a positive in terms of going the extra mile for the
business, working with the most important people in your life can also present
challenges. For instance, it can be difficult to switch off from work when you’re
involved in a family business. That’s why setting clear boundaries is essential – you
really do need to differentiate between your professional role and your personal life.
It’s also worth saying that my family didn’t just hand me everything on a plate. That’s
n
one of the most annoying assumptions I hear about people who work in their parents’
tio
business. You know, people imagine you get special treatment compared to other
employees, but that’s not true at all. If anything, I’ve had to work extra hard to prove
a
myself. I started at the bottom and worked my way up.
uc
In fact, I wasn’t put under any pressure to join the family business. But of course I was
exposed to lots of opportunities to learn about the hotel and restaurant, so naturally
Ed
my interest grew. I loved working for my family at weekends, and that helped me
understand how the overall business operated. I decided to pursue a degree in
ity
tourism management, and that opened my eyes to further possibilities in the sector.
After graduation, I expanded my knowledge of the field by working in various roles for
er
different types of business. I also helped my parents update their IT systems, which
sp
really helped them run everything more efficiently. But at that point I was helping them
out as an independent consultant, so I didn’t have a permanent role. I didn’t get fully
o
involved in the business until I was in my 30’s.
Pr
I think having spent time working for other companies gave me a more objective
perspective on my family’s business, which has been so useful. It certainly helped me
22
gain an insight into the latest trends in the tourist industry. That’s why I wanted to take
our business into new areas. 20
I developed my own tour company as a separate branch of the family business. It
obviously complements the hotel side of the business very well, but the tour company
|©
– called Thorpe Tours – is my particular area of expertise. Thorpe Tours specialises in

‘adventure tourism’, offering activities for people who want to be active and do
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something exciting on holiday. There’s great potential for that in our local area
tio
because we have mountains and lakes, and the sea is right on our doorstep.
Thorpe Tours is going from strength to strength, and the restaurant and hotel continue
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to do well. Who knows? Maybe one day my daughter will be putting her own mark on
rib
the family business!

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[tone]
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Part 3
no

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Part 3. You hear an interview in which two food experts, Mary Palmer and John
en
Hunt, are talking about food broadcasting and publishing. For questions 15 to
20, choose the best answer: A, B or C.
nt
[tone]
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Interviewer Today, we’re discussing the food industry. My guests are TV chef Mary Palmer and
e
the food writer John Hunt. Mary, how do you feel about being a household name?
pl
Speaker 1 Well, when I trained as a chef, TV presenting never even crossed my mind. But it’s a
m
wonderful industry to work in. My first TV appearance was actually as a last-minute

Sa
replacement for another chef. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! The
producers were rushing about, so I had to figure everything out on my own. I was
desperate not to let them down. I really didn’t want to look foolish on national TV!
Interviewer And it wasn’t long before you were asked to present your own series.
Speaker 1 Yes, that was unexpected! But I did think carefully about whether I wanted to do it
because I was so happy with just being a chef. I really didn’t want fame to change
things. Not that the programme was guaranteed to be successful, but the producers
seemed to have very high hopes for both the show and me. Ultimately, I couldn’t turn
13
down the chance to make a series for teenagers. This hadn’t been done before. The
prospect of inspiring youngsters to get into the kitchen was so exciting.
Interviewer Would you say that TV cookery shows have changed since then?
Speaker 1 Unquestionably. People often say programmes are now about style over substance,
that they’re entertaining rather than informative. But cookery shows have never been
a replacement for school domestic science classes. And nowadays, TV shows mirror
people’s real experiences more accurately. I mean, the cuisines people really eat, and
the ingredients they actually use. As the world has become more globalised, so too
n
has our cooking. And TV producers are now covering all ends of the spectrum, from
tio
exotic, showstopping food to everyday meals using basic ingredients.
a
Interviewer I’ll bring in John now. As a food writer, what’s your take on current food trends, John?
uc
Speaker 2 Well, I’m unconvinced that writers and TV producers determine what the next big thing
Ed
will be. I mean, from out of nowhere, demand for avocadoes has exploded like never
before, and media content has had to reflect this. Who would’ve expected that? And
look at health food trends. One minute everyone wants so-called superfoods like
ity
blueberries, the next some exotic herbal tea! And Mary’s right; international cuisines
are so influential now.
er
sp
Interviewer Talking about healthy trends, nowadays vegan diets are all the rage, aren’t they?
Speaker 1 Well, it’s interesting you refer to it as a health trend. Plant-based diets can obviously
o
be good for us, but I suspect more people are going meat-free out of concern for
Pr
nature and worries about climate change. At least, that seems to be the primary
motivation for many younger vegans. I can see veganism overtaking other diets
22
before long, frankly.
Interviewer John?
20
Speaker 2 Yes, veganism is closely linked with young environmentalists, although I’d question
|©
whether it’s necessarily as good for the planet as we might assume. As for it
becoming the leading diet, well, I’m not convinced. But I do love vegan food!
n
Interviewer And what does the future hold for both of you?
tio
Speaker 1 Well, I don’t need to be the centre of attention to share my passion for food. I’d rather
u
focus on other people and listen to their stories. That’s why my upcoming project
rib
actually shines the spotlight on brilliant chefs, farmers and food producers.
Speaker 2 Well said, Mary! The industry can’t survive without fresh talent, especially those from
st
different backgrounds. For that reason, with my new food blog I’m keen to work with
di
writers who are just starting out, and give them guest columns.
or
Interviewer Mary, John, thanks for joining us today.

tf
[tone]
no
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Part 4
en

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Part 4. You hear five short extracts in which people are talking about their
attempts to get healthier. For questions 21 to 30, choose from the list A–H.
e
pl
[tone]
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Extract 1
[tone]
Generally speaking, I’d say I’ve always been fairly healthy and moderately active. But
I’m going to Central America soon on a geology research trip. As you can imagine,
there aren’t any shortcuts to get up and down mountains and volcanoes, so improving
my fitness will make things easier. I’ve enlisted the help of a personal trainer who’s
been tailoring their sessions around my specific goals. I’ve been pleasantly surprised
14
Transcripts
by how well it’s gone. The sessions are fun, and because I’m already seeing the
difference in my fitness levels, it makes me want to try even harder. I’m turning into an
avid exercise fan!
[tone]
Extract 2
[tone]
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It’s a cliché but I was inspired to become a detective after watching TV shows. But
naively, I didn’t think about the physical demands of the role! I foolishly assumed you
a
could join the police without being in peak physical condition. In reality of course,
uc
there are strict fitness levels you have to demonstrate. Fortunately, my police training
course has put together a training plan and there are plenty of people to encourage
Ed
me. I don’t think I would have passed the fitness test without their help. And now, not
only can I start my dream career, but I also feel happier and healthier.
ity
[tone]
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Extract 3
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[tone]
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I’ve been working extremely hard to overhaul my lifestyle. I’d come to the realisation
my kids were starting to follow in my footsteps of eating junk food and being lazy, so I
22
could see that the change needed to start with me. I won’t lie; it’s not been easy to
stay on track with my new healthy lifestyle. There have been plenty of times when I’ve
20
wanted to take the easy option of convenience food in front of the TV instead. But
fortunately, the efforts I’ve made have been worth it. My family can see how much
|©
better I feel, and now they’re adopting the same habits, thankfully.
[tone]
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Extract 4
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It’s no exaggeration to say that taking up weightlifting has changed my life. I’ve
become so passionate about it that I’m now training to become a coach to help other
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women like me. Funnily enough, I didn’t have any such ambitions when I first took it
di
up. I just wanted to have a bit of time to focus on myself. You know, when you’ve got
a hectic job and family commitments, it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs. But
or
I’ve learnt that taking time out can actually help you stay on top of things and make
your life more manageable.
tf
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[tone]
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Extract 5
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[tone]
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I’m an advocate of the ‘everything in moderation’ approach to food and drink, and
co
that’s served me well. But I only decided to start exercising when I realised I was
getting out of breath doing simple things like walking up stairs. I hated the fact that my
e
lack of fitness was interfering with my daily life. I had no intention of training for a
pl
marathon, and I certainly didn’t want to join a gym. Instead, I opted just to walk more,
and that was a smart decision. Setting myself modest goals has helped me track my
m
progress, and it’s been easier than I’d expected.

Sa
[tone]
15
LỚP IELTS, VTEP, APTIS CÔ THỦY – THẤY CƯƠNG
SPEAKING
ÔN THI TRỌNG TÂM – CẤP TỐC – ĐẠT CHỨNG CHỈ
50 IDIOMS THÔNG DỤNG TRONG SPEAKING

Idiom Ý nghĩa Ví dụ
My dream is to become a successful

at all cost Bằng mọi giá businessman and I will work hard for it AT
ALL COSTS
I am used to teach General english but I was

be out of your depth Trong tình thế khó xử/khó khăn OUT OF MY DEPTH when I had to teach
Academic English
We need to EXPLORE ALL AVENUES

Suy tính đến các hướng/bước để tránh before doing something that is not very safe
explore all avenues
xảy ra vấn đề/hậu quả xấu to a great number of people in order to
minimize unfavourable consequences.”
Let’s face it. You won’t be able to achieve

let’s face it Hãy đối mặt/chấp nhận thực tế/sự thật
7.0 IELTS if you do not work hard
My friend never likes using smartphones.

behind the times Lỗi thời, hết thời
She’s so BEHIND THE TIMES.
He has not submitted his dissertation so he’s

in deep water Trong tình thế nguy hiểm/khó khăn
IN DEEP WATER.
If you PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES,

put yourself in Thử đặt mình vào vị trí/hoàn cảnh của
you would understand why I made that
somebody’s shoes người khác
decision.
to be up in arms about She has been UP IN ARMS about the rent

Tức giận, buồn bực vì điều gì đó
something increase.
He said it is a difficult problem, but I don’t

as easy as pie Rất dễ, dễ như ăn bánh
agree. It seems as easy as pie to me!
I’m sick and tired of doing nothing but

be sick and tired of Tôi ghét (tôi không chịu được)
work. Let’s go out tonight and have fun.
He bent over backwards to please his new

bend over backwards Rất cố gắng ( có khi quá sức )
wife, but she never seemed satisfied.
1 On the way to success, there is no way of lazy man

SPEAKING
That sounds like a good deal, but I’d like to

sleep on it Suy nghĩ (trước khi quyết định) sleep on it before I give you my final
decision.
I have to borrow some money from my Dad.

broke Hết tiền
Right now, I’m broke.
I was planning to work late tonight, but I

change one’s mind Đổi ý changed my mind. I’ll do extra work on the
weekend instead.
Cut it out! Dừng làm việc gì xấu That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!
It was good to meet you . Drop me a line

drop someone a line Gửi 1 lá thư hay email cho ai đó
when you have time.
I don’t understand how to do this problem.

figure something out Hiểu được vấn đề gì Take a look at it. Maybe you can figure it
out.
While I was away from the store, my

fill in for someone Làm dùm ai khi họ vắng mặt
brother filled in for me.
Have you seen Joe recently? I haven’t seen

in ages Từ rất lâu
him in ages.
I want to move this desk. Can you give me a

give someone a hand Giúp
hand?
It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit

hit the hay Đi ngủ
the hay.
Our business is really improving. We’ve

in the black Sinh lời, có lời
been in the black all year.
Business is really going poorly these days.

in the red Mất tiền, lỗ We’ve been in the red for the past three
months.
I got to the drugstore just in the nick of

in the nick of time Xíu nữa, 1 lúc nữa
time. I really need this medicine!

SPEAKING
I know things have been difficult for you

keep one’s chin up Dũng cảm và tiếp tục recently, but keep your chin up. It will get
better soon.
If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I

know something like the Biết 1 việc gì rất rõ know this part of town like the back of my
back of your hand hand.
Have you been to the new movie theater?

once in a while Đôi khi, lâu lâu No, only see movies once in a while.
I’ll meet you at 9 o’clock sharp. If you’re

sharp Chính xác thời gian đó
late, we’ll be in trouble!
He doesn’t look very intelligent, but you

Don’t judge a book by Đừng đánh giá một sự vật/sự việc/con
can’t judge a book by its cover.
its cover người chỉ qua vẻ bề ngoài
miss the boat = to miss If you miss the boat, it means you are too
Lỡ cơ hội
an opportunity late to get an opportunity in my company.
I’m feeling under the weather – I think I’m

feeling under the
Cảm thấy không khỏe, không được tốt getting a cold.
weather
I’ll leave no stone unturned until I find out

leave no stone unturned Làm tất cả để đạt mục tiêu the reason.
I think you hit the nail on the head when

Đoán đúng, đánh đúng trọng tâm, nói you said that what’s lacking in our company
hit the nail on the head
đúng…. is a feeling of confidence.
I’m sitting on the fence with my girlfriend

sit on the fence Lưỡng lự
when we went shopping!
Coi việc có cái gì như một điều hiển He took her help for granted without saying
take for granted nhiên nên không trân trọng khi có điều thank you.
đó

SPEAKING
Getting a band 6.5 in the speaking test will

A piece of cake Dễ dàng
be a piece of cake.
Khi thứ gì đó “blow you away”, nghĩa là

Blew me away The new technology blew me away.
thứ đó thực sự rất đáng ngạc nhiên
I used to see him all the time, but now he

once in a blue moon Rất hiếm khi
just visits me once in a blue moon.
Apple phones are very run of the mill these

Run of the mill Thông thường
days.
My husband is not just my lover, he’s my

Soulmate Bạn chí cốt tâm giao, tri âm tri kỷ
soulmate.
I was really down in the dumps after my

Down in the dumps Buồn bã
dog died.
I’d love to buy a Lamborghini supercar, but

Rất đắt tiền
cost an arm and a leg it costs an arm and a leg.
The class will start at 8:00 a.m. on the dot,

on the dot Ở một thời điểm thời gian chính xác
so don’t be late!
Moving to a new city was difficult at first,

Find my feet Cảm thấy thoải mái để làm việc gì but I soon found my feet.
I was surprised he knew what I was

Chỉ một ý tưởng hoặc suy nghĩ đã được
read my/your/his mind planning, like he could read my mind.
người khác biết
My parents are quite traditional and set in

Set in their ways Không muốn thay đổi their ways.
Well, it was nice chatting with you, but it’s

Kết thúc một công việc trong ngày, hoặc
call it a day time for me to call it a day.
trong buổi tối

SPEAKING
Over the moon I was over the moon when I passed my

Vô cùng hài lòng và hạnh phúc
speaking test.
Despite terrorism, Obama still kept calm,

chill out
Thư giãn, bình tĩnh lại and told his staff to chill out, and got back
to work.
(to be) fed up with Be careful, I think the boss is fed up with us
Chán ngán với
today

B2 A Nigerian – American Thanksgiving LC038
You are going to listen to a Nigerian-American woman talk about Thanksgiving. While
listening, choose the correct answer (A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in the answer
box.
Nigerian-American Thanksgiving
https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16452593/16451558
1. At Thanksgiving, the men in Chinyere's family usually

A. held drinking competitions.
B. discussed politics.
C. talked about America's corrupt politicians.
D. complained about their daughters.
2. Chinyere behaved in an unacceptable way by
A. refusing to cook.
B. making fun of the men.
C. correcting the men when they said something wrong.
D. trying to take part in the men's conversation.
3. The men reacted by
A. speaking more quietly.
B. leaving the room.
C. ignoring her.
D. changing language.
4. Chinyere's family expected her to
A. do well at school and help out at home.
B. get a well-paid job to support the family.
C. spend more time on housekeeping than school.
D. marry at a young age and start a family.
5. When she got older, Chinyere rebelled by
A. refusing to eat what the women had cooked.
B. trying to show what she had learned about Africa.
C. steaking her father's magazines.
D. criticizing African culture in front of the men.
6. Today
A. Chinyere's father gives her the feeling that he is proud of her.
B. some of the men are also in the kitchen.
C. her relatives do not complain about her any more.
D. the family hardly speaks their African language any more.
1 2 3 4 5 6
www.english-practice.at
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6
B D D A B C
B2 PlayStation – Xbox Rivalry LC036
Listen to a report about the rivalry between the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft's XBox.
While listening, choose the correct answer (A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in the
answer box.
PlayStation – Xbox Rivalry

1. As the new millennium started

A. Microsoft's Xbox was already being sold.
B. the PlayStation 5 had just been introduced.
C. the Xbox was selling better than the PlayStation.
D. Sony was the number one video game producer.
2. The first Xbox
A. was smaller than the rival PlayStation.
B. could only be used by two players.
C. focused on playing online.
D. was nicknamed "Dark Master".
3. Even in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic
A. there is more competition from live sports.
B. profits of video game producers have stayed the same.
C. people still watch more movies.
D. the popularity of video games has remained unbroken.
4. Microsoft's new Xbox Series X offers
A. a flat rate for playing many video games.
B. more games than the PlayStation.
C. a new game for $10 every month.
D. worn-down buildings.
5. Sony's PlayStation 5 has a new controller
A. with more complex vibrations.
B. with more sophisticated buttons.
C. which is heavier than the old one.
D. with better optical looks.
6. The new games presented this year
A. show better graphics on previous consoles.
B. can be played on older consoles.
C. are only for the newest Sony and Microsoft consoles.
D. are exclusively for the PlayStation.
1 2 3 4 5 6
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6
D C D A A B
B2 A Decade After The Fukushima Disaster LC034
Listen to a report about how life has changed ten years after the Fukushima nuclear
disaster. While listening, choose the correct answer (A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in
the answer box.
A Decade After The Fuskushima Disaster

1. In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima disaster

A. over a hundred thousand people had to leave their homes.
B. the government was able to contain all the radioactive material.
C. multiple tsunamis hit Japan.
D. recovery occurred swiftly.
2. The Japanese government has spent billions in order to

A. design new towns.
B. construct new gates around the town.
C. clean up the area.
D. reopen the nuclear power plant.
3. A decade after the explosion

A. life has returned to normal.
B. radiation has gone down by 15%.
C. not very many people have returned to the region.
D. more than 15% have returned to their homes.
4. When you look through the gates that block the site you can see
A. hardly any animals.
B. little vegetation.
C. new government buildings.
D. worn-down buildings.
5. The people who come back to Fukushima

A. get money to live in new communities.
B. are not very concerned about radiation.
C. are new to the region.
D. want to rebuild the area.
6. Maasato Saki wants to
A. continue living in his hometown.
B. go back to the temporary shelters he has been living in.
C. restart life somewhere else.
D. make the authorities rebuild his old house
7. Today many Japanese think that nuclear power

A. will overtake coal and natural gas.
B. is risky and dangerous.
C. will eventually come back to stay.
D. is better than coal and natural gas.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A C C D B A B
B2 Inviting The World To Dinner LC030
Listen to a report about the sculptor Jim Haynes who has become a dinner host. While
box.
Inviting The World To Dinner

1. Haynes finds personal fulfilment in being

A. a founder of theatres.
B. a founder of magazines.
C. active in the world of culture.
D. a dinner host.
2. Around fifty people can come to his house if

A. they have met him before.
B. they have contacted him early enough.
C. the garden hasn't been flooded.
D. the weather is fine.
3. The meals are cooked by

A. a young philosopher from Lisbon.
B. a trainee chef from London.
C. one of the people who called.
D. one of Haynes' friends.
4. Haynes' dinners are good for meeting new people because

A. his guests sit where they want.
B. he mixes with his guests.
C. he carefully selects his guests.
D. his guests don't sit down to eat.
5. Haynes memorizes details about his guests in order to

A. write a guest list.
B. train his memory skills.
C. make them known to each other.
D. address them personally.
6. In his travel books Haynes wrote about
A. the role of friendship.
B. good shopping facilities.
C. hospitable local people.
D. spectacular sights.
7. At one of Haynes' dinners not long ago

A. a Bosnian family brought along their Estonian friends.
B. one couple had their children with them.
C. the parents of two children became close friends.
D. two children formed a close bond.
8. Haynes is convinced that it is very important to

A. speak at least a little English.
B. show regard for other people.
C. comprehend with other people.
D. meet people from other professions.
9. Above all, Haynes believes that

A. all lives are interrelated.
B. life should be enjoyed.
C. everybody needs a soul mate.
D. everybody should travel the world.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
D B D A C C D B A
B2 High-End Fashion and the Recession LC027
Listen to a report about the effects of the economic crisis on the fashion industry. While
box.
High-End Fashion and Recession

1. Today, many brands

A. complain about the crisis.
B. try to stay in demand.
C. stick to traditional ideas.
D. focus on cheap products.
2. The crisis has made designers

A. respond very quickly.
B. stop some of their work.
C. invest money wisely.
D. become extra truthful.
3. Last autumn, some retailers

A. reduced prices sooner.
B. worked with competitors.
C. sold traditional designs.
D. increased their prices.
4. Price differences made shoppers

A. complain to retailers.
B. search for new shops.
C. bargain for better rates.
D. buy fewer brand names.
5. Sales indicate that designers

A. make large profits.
B. sell enough clothes.
C. change their designs.
D. face a difficult period.
6. Nordstrom's gave back
A. a refund to a designer.
B. money to customers.
C. what they failed to sell.
D. some of their profits.
7. Louis Vuitton
A. lost some of their income.
B. run their shops themselves.
C. hire staff from other labels.
D. sold some of their shares.
8. The crisis makes designers

A. adjust in some ways.
B. forget past difficulties.
C. deny some problems.
D. worry about changes.
9. Now designers are

A. returning to classical styles.
B. having fewer fashion shows.
C. producing fewer magazines.
D. focusing more on customers.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
B D A C D C B A D
B2 High-Tech Elevators LC024
Listen to a report on how high-tech elevators work. While listening, choose the correct
answer (A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in the answer box.
High-Tech Elevators
1. On their way up. lift users can

A. look through transparent doors.
B. enjoy a marvellous view.
C. switch off the lights.
D. hear exciting sounds.
2. The basic concept the lift works with is

A. not really new.
B. rather simple.
C. difficult to understand.
D. brand-new.
3. Burj Khalifa's elevator traffic has been optimized by

A. improving user-friendliness.
B. using calculations.
C. installing better engines.
D. training lift attendants.
4. Compared to the one in Dubai, the U.S. firm's lift is

A. completely different.
B. more advanced.
C. much the same.
D. less smart.
5. When users enter the lift, they are

A. told to press a button.
B. informed about waiting time.
C. taken to their destination.
D. asked where to go.
6. New elevator software will
A. minimize socialising.
B. get workmates together.
C. improve communication.
D. save maintenance costs.
7. Elevator automation will force the Washington D.C. lift attendant to

A. put up with a minor role
B. do on-the-job training.
C. pass a qualifying test.
D. look for a new job.
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D A B C C A D
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
D A B C C A D
B2 Teenagers Who Argue LC021
Listen to a recording about how the findings of a new research on arguing teenagers. While
box.
Teenagers Who Argue

1. A recent study found out that

A. parents found it stressful to argue with their teenagers.
B. teenagers profit from discussions with their parents.
C. teenagers do not learn how to solve conflicts.
D. parents are annoyed by teenagers who talk back.
2. Parents who quarrel with their teens should

A. avoid criticizing them.
B. try to find a compromise.
C. worry about what to say.
D. see this as good practice.
3. Videos of young teens showed that most discussions were about

A. staying out late.
B. bad school results.
C. part-time jobs.
D. inappropriate clothes.
4. It's important that teenagers learn how to argue because

A. they need to deal with disappointments.
B. they are often too emotional.
C. it helps them accept rules.
D. it is useful during conflicts with friends.
5. Teens who practised negotiating at home

A. tried to prevent their peers from taking risks.
B. persuaded their parents more often.
C. could resist the bad influences of people their age.
D. became more confident than their parents.
6. Teenagers who had not learned to argue

A. gave in more easily.
B. felt misunderstood by their friends.
C. worried about coming home late.
D. broke the rules less often.
7. Parents can support their children by
A. taking their arguments seriously
B. praising their behaviour.
C. being honest.
D. being interested in their hobbies.
8. When setting up rules, parents should motivate their kids to

A. put everything down in written form.
B. discuss them.
C. understand possible consequences.
D. agree to them.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
B D B D C A A B
B2 Millennials and Their Financial Situation LC020
Listen to a recording about how the financial situation of millennials has changed. While
box.
Millennials and Their Financial Situation

1. Even though Ana Hernandez Kent is referred to as a young millennial

A. she has a lot of older friends.
B. she hates people who wear skinny jeans
C. she doesn't like new trends.
D. she loves the fashion of the 90s.
2. Ana has recently been studying
A. how the wealth of millennials has changed.
B. the financial status of American families.
C. how wealthy former generations were.
D. how Black families are doing financially.
3. The millennials who didn't graduate from college
A. had better employment opportunities.
B. became wealthier because they entered the job market earlier.
C. couldn't pay back their debt.
D. found it difficult to get a good job.
4. Between 2016 and 2019
A. millennials were financially better off than earlier generations.
B. Black millennials caught up with Whites.
C. the income of the typical millennial family rose by 11%.
D. the wealth of the average millennial family almost doubled.
5. White millennials are better off than their Black counterparts because
A. they don't have as much debt to pay back.
B. their families are likely to provide them with financial support
C. they do not own as many homes as blacks do.
D. two thirds own stocks.
6. Even though Blacks have made progress in their lives

A. they don't seem to be wealthier.
B. they have only 52% of the wealth that earlier generations had.
C. the pandemic has made them poorer.
D. half of them aren't better off than before.
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KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6
C A D D B A
B2 Comics Crusader – Mark Waid LC017
Listen to an interview with comics book writer Mark Waid. While listening, choose the
correct answer (A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in the answer box.
Comics Crusader – Mark Waid

1. Mark Waid made a big decision when he

A. went to see Superman.
B. picked up his first comic book.
C. saw his first animated movie.
D. read about the adventures of Batman.
2. Kingdom Come focuses on Superman

A. returning to put things right.
B. fighting his old enemies.
C. being torn between two worlds.
D. taking his final leave.
3. Waid is now
A. simplifying his way of telling a story.
B. adapting comics for digital gadgets.
C. making changes especially for young users.
D. thinking about a new image of Superman.
4. With Waid's innovative techniques, the

A. storylines become more complex.
B. stories take on an entirely different quality.
C. heroes change their appearance.
D. plot can be followed more easily.
5. According to Waid, his latest work was

A. a complete failure.
B. very time-consuming.
C. a great success.
D. extremely demanding.
6. According to Waid, the most characteristic feature of comics is that
A. they can be a very individual experience.
B. their storyline always follows the same pattern.
C. they can easily be adapted to the new media.
D. their design appeals to a wide readership.
7. Thrillbent, Waid's latest project,

A. will definitely be a success.
B. was financed by Waid's family.
C. costs nothing for users.
D. has been criticised by store owners.
8. According to Robert Hennessy, co-owner of a bookstore,

A. the production costs of online comics are too high.
B. digital comics will be short-lived.
C. the quality of print comics is higher.
D. print comics might be under threat.
9. At present, digital comics are

A. developing into a booming business.
B. still ignored by traditional readers.
C. not nearly as profitable as print comics.
D. still outnumbered by print comics.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A A B B D A C D C
B2 Power Woman Aliann Pompey LC016
Listen to an interview with a remarkable young woman. While listening, choose the correct
Power Woman Aliann Pompey

1. According to the interviewer, Aliann Pompey is currently

A. playing basketball.
B. preparing for a special event.
C. studying at university.
D. writing a book.
2. For taking on extra work, Aliann is

A. praised by the media.
B. admired by all.
C. given no credit.
D. considered to be crazy.
3. The project Alainn is involved in encourages teenagers to

A. benefit from educational opportunities.
B. adopt a healthy lifestyle.
C. get interested in leisure activities.
D. train for a certain job.
4. Aliann explains that the work she does

A. helps her focus on important things.
B. is not always fun.
C. is occasionally stressful.
D. means a lot to her.
5. In the gym, the interviewer refers to Aliann's

A. muscular body.
B. elegant running style.
C. regular flow of breath.
D. tough training.
6. Joe, Aliann's trainer, believes that her strength is her
A. endless energy.
B. determination to never give up.
C. ability to concentrate on an aim.
D. mental and physical balance.
7. Joe says that for the 400m, it is essential to be both

A. fast and strong.
B. focused and fast.
C. fast and good at race tactics.
D. determined and fast.
8. The teenagers Aliann works with

A. all greatly respect her as a runner.
B. are not all aware of how athletic she is.
C. are proud to be coached by her.
D. do not seem interested in her sporting career.
9. Aliann says that she is looking forward to enjoying herself

A. later that year.
B. on vacation with her friends.
C. at an upcoming party.
D. when she quits her job.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
B D A D C C A B A
B2 The Ransomware Battle LC013
Listen to the recording about cybercriminals. While listening, choose the correct answer
(A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in the answer box.
The Ransomware Battle

1. The Washington police have reacted to the crime by

A. paying the ransom money.
B. arresting criminals on the dark web.
C. giving details of stolen data.
D. admitting it was true.
2. The data that the ransomware group has stolen

A. is not known yet.
B. refers to police informers.
C. is needed to make arrests.
D. has been made public on the dark web.
3. Last year ransomware payments

A. were under $ 300 000.
B. have gone down compared to 2019.
C. rose 300% compared to the previous year.
D. were a little over $100 000.
4. According to Ryan Olson, ransomware criminals

A. always go public on the dark net.
B. face criminal charges in their home countries.
C. are hardly caught.
D. are often turned over to Russian authorities.
5. The ransomware group Babuk

A. has an English and Russian website.
B. may be of Russian origin.
C. was founded this year.
D. specializes in attacking NBA teams.
6. Ransomware operations today
A. are very complex.
B. always involve a third party.
C. can never be traced back to a single group.
D. are only carried out by individuals.
7. Hospitals are especially targeted by ransomware groups because

A. they get the ransom money from local governments.
B. they have critical data about the health of patients.
C. the money comes from insurance companies.
D. they have bad computer systems.
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KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
D A C C B A B
B2 Single and Middle Class LC010
Listen to the recording about how a single American woman manages her life. While
box.
Single and Middle Class

1. Just under $ 50,000 is what

A. a wealthy American gets.
B. an American earns.
C. an American family makes.
D. an American unemployed person receives.
2. When Jada Irwin had her home in St. Louis, she

A. could only eat out in cheap restaurants.
B. could treat friends to a meal out.
C. could only dream of buying expensive goods.
D. had to spend holidays at home.
3. Irwin left St. Louis because

A. of her boyfriend's job.
B. life was too expensive there.
C. she was unemployed.
D. she wanted to do something different.
4. Irwin's new job pays enough for a

A. flat very close to Washington D.C.
B. flat in the city centre.
C. house in Washington D.C.
D. house in the country.
5. Every four weeks Irwin

A. goes to the movies with her flatmate.
B. takes her parents out.
C. buys fish.
D. eats out.
6. In order to afford a pleasant life in Washington D.C.

A. you can get by on a modest income.
B. an average income is more than sufficient.
C. the average US income is just sufficient.
D. your income must be higher than average.
7. Irwin has failed to reach her goals because
A. her family discourage her.
B. she started college later than her schoolmates.
C. she spent a long time at college.
D. her friends disapprove of her decision.
8. Irwin's family
A. borrowed money to finance her.
B. prevented her from going to university.
C. were able to pay for her studies.
D. refused to support her financially.
9. After seven years Irwin has

A. more money to pay back than ever before.
B. paid back all her loans.
C. paid back half of her debts.
D. paid back the interest and some of her debts.
10. At this point in her life Irwin

A. is unhappy with her work.
B. is glad she graduated form university
C. regrets having gone to university.
D. envies the average American.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
C B C A D D B A A B
B2 A New Kind of Snowboard Pants LC007
Listen to the recording about how Gregory Dacyshyn was inspired to create a new kind of
snowboard pants. While listening, choose the correct answer (A,B,C or D) and write it into
the space in the answer box.
A New Kind of Snowboard Pants

1. To be similar to an Olympic snowboard champion you can

A. wear his complete outfit.
B. buy pants that look torn.
C. snowboard really well.
D. invest more than 300 dollars.
2. To make the new pants, Gregory used

A. Shaun White's favourite jeans.
B. a friend's high-tech pants.
C. jeans he had found in the laundry.
D. a pair of pants that belonged to him.
3. The new pants are

A. something all girls will like.
B. a pair of regular jeans.
C. a highly developed product.
D. ideal for old boarders.
4. To create the pants, it is necessary to

A. print a picture onto normal jeans.
B. use high temperatures.
C. have waterproof photos.
D. apply bright colours.
5. Burton began to produce the pants because they

A. were asked to do so by Shaun White.
B. wanted to do something for the US team.
C. wanted to challenge other companies.
D. believed the style of them is typical of the USA.
6. The reason Burton put the pants on the market was

A. customer demand.
B. a fashion trend.
C. the effort they had put into them.
D. a few crazy kids.
7. Gregory believes that buyers of the pants will appreciate
A. their fantastic quality.
B. their limited availability.
C. that they were worn at the Olympics.
D. that they are a special label.
8. The pants that served as a model

A. are no longer being worn.
B. had to be returned undamaged.
C. are on display at Burton's.
D. were never returned to their owner.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
B D C B D A A B
B2 Diet Books LC003
Listen to the recording about reviews of diet books. While listening, choose the correct
Diet Books
1. According to the presenter, Maria Langer says

A. she has spent quite a lot of money on diet books.
B. she has spent some money on diet pills.
C. the Suzanne Summer's book was a good investment.
D. she will also buy the latest Zone book.
2. Maria Langer thinks diet books make us believe that

A. everybody can get a flat belly if they follow a special diet.
B. dieting does not involve hard work.
C. you can lose 13 plus pounds in a week.
D. slimming means eating crunchy foods only.
3. Edward Ash-Milby states that a diet book is successful if

A. there is a person with a flat belly on the cover.
B. fast weight loss is guaranteed.
C. the content is original.
D. muscular people promote the book.
4. Bethenny Frankel's book

A. is about a reality TV chef.
B. wants to warn girls about the danger of dieting.
C. is about naturally thin girls.
D. helps you to rid yourself of slimming.
5. Ash-Milby says that

A. every diet has to be repeated.
B. people are hooked on losing weight.
C. people try new diets again and again.
D. success depends on the concept of the diet.
6. When Lay wanted to lose weight she had to

A. hire a special nutritionist.
B. change the way she chewed food.
C. give up eating sweet milk products.
D. eat smaller portions of yoghurt.
7. Now Lay stays slim by
A. counting calories.
B. exercising once a week.
C. checking the calories in diet books.
D. cutting down on carbohydrates.
8. Cameron believes that the best way to lose weight is to

A. exercise with heavy weights.
B. drink sugar-free, watery fruit juice.
C. write down your ideas on diet books.
D. make notes of your food intake.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A B B D C C A D
B2 Tour of Guantanamo LC002
Listen to the recording about a reporter's tour of the Guantanamo Detention Centre. While
box.
Tour of Guantanamo Detention Centre

1. The camps the journalist was able to visit

A. were inhabited by prisoners who were gardeners
B. had mostly highly dangerous inmates in them
C. showed prisoners in fairly comfortable living conditions
D. were normally off-limits to journalists
2. What impressed Arun Rath most was
A. the prisoners' creative activities
B. the patience that the inmates demonstrated
C. how many were in a room praying together
D. how humanely inmates are treated
3. Camp X-Ray is the place where
A. prisoners stay before they are released from the detention centre
B. well-behaved prisoners are shown to foreign journalists
C. journalists are brought to when they arrive at the facility
D. inmates were originally taken to when they arrived at Guantanamo
4. Hunger strikes
A. are not reported to journalists anymore
B. are denied by camp officials
C. do not occur at Guantanamo anymore
D. are unheard of at Camp X-Ray
5. The US government does not know
A. how many transferable inmates there are in the camps
B. when to close Guantanamo
C. what to do with the prisoners who are not transferred
D. how to conduct trials of prisoners at Guantanamo
1 2 3 4 5
KEY
1 2 3 4 5
C A D A C
B2 ABBAWorld LC001
Listen to the recording about the band ABBA. While listening, choose the correct answer
(A,B,C or D) and write it into the space in the answer box.
ABBAWorld
1. ABBAWorld is
A. an ABBA revival band founded in the 1970s.
B. an ABBA theme park in Stockholm .
C. a new ABBA exhibition in London.
D. a play based on Mama Mia.
2. The two ABBA members who were at the opening
A. were both blonde.
B. sang at the event.
C. were not aware of the existence of ABBAWorld
D. seemed to enjoy it.
3. Besides high-tech features visitors can
A. dance to ABBA music.
B. see films from ABBA's beginnings.
C. view photo books of ABBA.
D. dress themselves in ABBA costumes.
4. The Swedish ladies at the exhibition
A. are in London for the first time.
B. are proud of being Swedish.
C. take pride in what ABBA have achieved .
D. dance at home to ABBA songs.
5. Paul Beachy from Essex thinks that ABBA songs
A. are still popular today.
B. are not as good as rap music.
C. are only popular among older people.
D. are out of place in today's world.
6. It is in Stockholm that the exhibition
A. started out.
B. will be shown for a few months.
C. will go to after leaving London.
D. will be permanently displayed.
1 2 3 4 5 6
KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6
C D B C A D

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ISLAND OF HALE

A lawsuit against McDonald’s

Burglary ang how to avoid it

Jacques Cousteau: A remarkable man

The end of TV?

The Sahara film festival

You will hear people speaking in eight different situations. For

3 You hear an announcement at the airport. What problem is being

4 You hear a woman presenting on a TV show. What is she talking

6 You hear a football commentary on the radio. What is the reporter

8 You hear a man speaking on a telephone. What is he trying to do?

You will hear an interview with a man called Raymond Osman,

24 How do Raymond's parents feel about him becoming a chiropractor?

25 On living in Spain, Raymond says:

26 Raymond lives in Spain because:

27 Which aspect of his job does Raymond enjoy the most?

28 He believes most people suffer health problems because:

29 An unexpected feature of his job is:

30 In the long term he hopes to:

Question 3 You hear an announcement at the airport. What problem is being

10 travelling theatre group / theatre group / theatre company

11 musical performance / performance

12 TV commercial / commercial / ad / advert

A Employees rarely get the time off they request.

B There is a supportive work environment.

C The company treats employees with children differently.

A It has an impact on consumers’ data privacy.

B It rarely increases sales for businesses.

C It makes using the internet less enjoyable.

4 Why does the man mention store loyalty cards?

6 What point does the man make about ‘culture shock’?

A It may affect people in different ways.

B There might be a delay before people experience it.

C It can provide people with a new perspective on life.

A eager to reach a brand-new type of viewer.

B confident that the series would be a hit.

C surprised that the producers had trusted her.

D unprepared for how it would change her life.

17 What is Mary’s opinion of current TV cookery shows?

A They serve as a reflection of what is happening in society.

B Their focus on fancy ingredients puts many viewers off.

C Their main aim is to inspire rather than educate.

D They are vital in the absence of domestic science lessons.

18 John mentions avocadoes to make the point that:

B intentions to launch businesses outside their industry.

C desires to make their industry open to diverse voices.

D commitments to raising their profile in their industry.

off at the start of the year.

needs to be some give and take.

helps us when we need it?

much companies are monitoring what they’re doing.

Speaker 1 Well, you managed during your degree.

certainly the case for me when I spent a year in India as a student.

you to be more open-minded about life.

Speaker 2 Well, I still think I’m doing the right thing.

Audio track: C1_Listening_1_2.mp3

– called Thorpe Tours – is my particular area of expertise. Thorpe Tours specialises in