Basic Reading & Listening

Quizlet Flashcards

Click to access the folder containing flashcard sets for the IELTS Basic Reading & Listening.

Basic Reading Lesson 1

Practice

The world's friendliest city

1. relaxed (Paragraph 4)

The study concludes that people are more helpful in cities with a more relaxed way of life such as Rio.

2. money (Paragraph 1)

cities where people have less money generally have friendlier populations

3. crime (Paragraph 1)

Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which is often known for its crime

4. time (Paragraph 4)

people tend to be short of time

5. strangers (Paragraph 4)

people tend to be short of time, so they hurry and often ignore strangers

Practice (Authentic)

Sheet glass manufacture: the float process

1. spinning (Paragraph 1)

The first successful method for making clear, flat glass involved spinning

2. (perfectly) unblemished (Paragraph 1)

it stayed perfectly unblemished

3. labor / labour intensive (Paragraph 2)

the process took a long time and was labour intensive

4. thickness (Paragraph 2)

This allowed glass of virtually any thickness to be made non-stop

5. marked (Paragraph 2)

the rollers would leave both sides of the glass marked, and these would then need to be ground and polished. This part of the process rubbed away around 20 per cent of the glass, and the machines were very expensive.

Homework Practice

The best cities in the world

1. third (Paragraph 2)

In third place was London

2. business (Paragraph 2)

It was also seen as a very good place to do business

3. expensive (Paragraph 2)

it lost points because people believed it was an extremely expensive place to live

4. friendliest (Paragraph 3)

people believed it had the friendliest inhabitants

5. climate (Paragraph 3)

the nicest climate

6. first (Paragraph 4)

Despite problems such as the large amount of traffic, it beat other cities to first place

7. interesting (Paragraph 4)

people considered it to be the most interesting city

8. traffic (Paragraph 4)

Despite problems such as the large amount of traffic

Homework Practice (Authentic)

ARCHITECTURE - Reaching for the Sky

1. timber, stone (Paragraph 2 & 3)

But the origins of what is now generally known as modern architecture can be traced back to the social and technological changes of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Instead of using timber, stone and traditional building techniques, architects began to explore ways of creating buildings by using the latest technology and materials …

2. Modernism (Paragraph 4)

By the 1920s architects throughout Europe were reacting against the conditions created by industrialisation. A new style of architecture emerged to reflect more idealistic notions for the future. It was made possible by new materials and construction techniques and was known as Modernism.

3. International style (Paragraph 5)

By the 1930s many buildings emerging from this movement were designed in the International Style. This was largely characterised by the bold use of new materials and simple, geometric forms, …. By the 1950s, the International Style had developed into a universal approach to building, which standardised the appearance of new buildings in cities across the world.

4. badly designed buildings/multi-storey housing/mass-produced, low-cost high-rises (Paragraph 7 & 8)

The rediscovery of quick-and-easy-to-handle reinforced concrete and an improved ability to prefabricate building sections meant that builders could meet the budgets of commissioning authorities and handle a renewed demand for development quickly and cheaply. But this led to many badly designed buildings, which discredited the original aims of Modernism.

Influenced by Le Corbusier's ideas on town planning, every large British city built multi-storey housing estates in the 1960s. Mass-produced, low-cost high-rises seemed to offer a solution to the problem of housing a growing inner-city population.

5. preservation (Paragraph 9)

by the 1970s, a new respect for the place of buildings within the existing townscape arose. preserving historic buildings or keeping only their facades (or fronts) grew common.

6. High Tech (Paragraph 9)

By the 1970s, …. Architects also began to make more use of building styles and materials that were traditional to the area. The architectural style usually referred to as High Tech was also emerging.

7. co-existence of styles/different styles together/styles mixed (Paragraph 10)

By the 1980s the coexistence of different styles of architecture in the same building became known as Post Modern.

Basic Reading Lesson 2

Practice

The life of the European bee-eater

1. (flying) insects (Paragraph 1)

bee-eaters eat bees (though their diet includes just about any flying insect)

2. poison (Paragraph 1)

when the bird catches a bee, it returns to its tree to get rid of the bee's poison

3. river valleys (Paragraph 2)

farmland and river valleys provide huge numbers of insects

4. Africa (Paragraph 3)

Massive flocks from Spain, France and northern Italy cross the Sahara desert to their wintering grounds in West Africa. Bee-eaters from Hungary … to winter in southern Africa

5. predators (Paragraph 3)

at least 30 percent of the birds will be killed by predators before the make it back to Europe the following spring

6. tunnels (Paragraph 4)

birds build nests by digging tunnels in riverbanks

7. chicks (Paragraph 5)

the nesting season is a time when family members help each other, and sons or uncles help feed their father's or brothers' chicks as soon as they come out of their eggs.

8. pesticides (Paragraph 6)

bee-eaters today find it harder to find food, as there are fewer insects around as a result of pesticides.

Practice (Authentic)

A second attempt at domesticating the tomato

1. flavour/ flavor (Paragraph B)

But every time a single plant with a mutation is taken from a larger population for breeding, much genetic diversity is lost. And sometimes the desirable mutations come with less desirable traits. For instance, the tomato strains grown for supermarkets have lost much of their flavour.

2. size (Paragraph C)

Kudla's team made six changes altogether. For instance, he tripled the size of fruit by editing a gene called FRUIT WEIGHT, and increased the number of tomatoes per truss by editing another called MULTIFLORA.

3. salt (Paragraph C)

The team in China re-domesticated several strains of wild tomatoes with desirable traits lost in domesticated tomatoes. In this way they managed to create a strain resistant to a common disease called bacterial spot race, which can devastate yields. They also created another strain that is more salt tolerant - and has higher levels of vitamin C.

Homework Practice

The honey badger

1. aggressive (Paragraph 1)

the honey badger … has a reputation for being … fearless, despite its small size … its most aggressive

2. humans (Paragraph 1)

even humans are not safe … harm it.

3. instantly recognizable (Paragraph 2)

they are instantly recognizable by grey and white stripes that extend from the top of the head to the tail

4. varied (Paragraph 3)

honey badgers are meat-eating animals with an extremely varied diet

5. small creatures (Paragraph 3)

they mainly eat a range of small creatures

6. smell (Paragraph 4)

the badgers locate their prey mainly using their excellent sense of smell

7. special traps (Paragraph 5)

bee-keepers will often set special traps for honey badgers, to protect their hives

8. working relationship (Paragraph 6)

one of the most fascinating aspects of the honey badgers is its working relationship with a bird called greater honeyguide (Indicator indicator) … extracts the brood.

Homework Practice (Authentic)

The effects of light on plant and animal species

1. temperatures (Paragraph 2)

day length is an excellent cue, because it provides a perfectly predictable pattern of changes within the year. In the temperate zone in spring, temperatures fluctuate greatly from day to day, but day length increases steadily by a predictable amount.

2. day-neutral (plants) (Paragraph 2)

plants which flower after a period of vegetative growth, regardless of photoperiod, are known as day-neutral plants

3. food / food resources / adequate food / adequate food resources (Paragraph 3)

many temperate-zone birds use the increasing day lengths in spring as a cue to begin the nesting cycle, because this is a point when adequate food resources will be assured.

4. insects / fertilization by insects (Paragraph 4)

long-day plants are adapted for situations that require fertilization by insects.

5. (suitable) rainfall (Paragraph 4)

desert annuals germinate, flower and seed whenever suitable rainfall occurs, regardless of day length.

6. sugarcane (Paragraph 6)

others, like sugarcane, never reach a maximum, but continue to increase photosynthesis rate as light intensity rises.

7. classification (Paragraph 7)

… shade-tolerant species and shade-intolerant species. This classification is commonly used in forestry and horticulture

Basic Reading Lesson 3

Practice

Mau Piailug - ocean navigator

1. TRUE (Paragraph 1)

At the time, Mau was the only man alive who know how to navigate just by observing the stars, the wind and the sea

2. FALSE (Paragraph 2)

He had never before sailed to Tahiti

3. NOT GIVEN

Paragraph 2 says he did it without a compass or charts, but there is no information about what he THOUGHT of them

4. NOT GIVEN

Paragraph 3 says his grandfather began the task of teaching him how to navigate when he was still a baby, but there is no information about ONLY

5. TRUE (Paragraph 3)

Mau used a circle of stones to memorise the positions of each star

6. NOT GIVEN

Paragraph 4 says Hawaii's first inhabitants came in small boats and navigated by reading the sea and the stars, but there is no information about COULD READ AND WRITE

7. FALSE (Paragraph 4)

He explained the positions of the stars to his students, but he allowed them to write things down

Practice (Authentic)

Sheet glass manufacture: the float process

1. TRUE (Paragraph 3)

The metal had to melt at a temperature less than the hardening point of glass (about 600 degrees), but could not boil at a temperature below the temperature of the molten glass (about 1500 degrees). The best metal for the job was tin

2. NOT GIVEN

Paragraph 5 "Pilkington built a pilot plant in 1953 and by 1955 he had convinced his company to build a full-scale plant", but there is no information that Pilkington invested his own money to build this float plant or not.

3. FALSE (Paragraph 5)

by 1955, he had convinced his company to build a full-scale plant. However, it took 14 months … before the plant produced any usable glass… They finally succeded in 1959.

4. TRUE (Paragraph 6)

Float plants today make glass of near optical quality…It adds up to a continuous melting process…

5. TRUE (Paragraph 7)

Inspection technology allows more than 100 million measurements a second to be made across the ribbon, locating flaws the unaided eye would be unable to see

Homework Practice

Sylvia Earle - underwater hero

1. NOT GIVEN (Paragraph 1)

Sylvia Earle … was born in the USA in 1935, but there is no information that Sylvia Earle lives in the USA

2. NOT GIVEN (Paragraph 3)

In 1970, she became famous around the world when she became the captain of the first all-female team to live underwater, but there is no information that nobody had lived underwater before 1970

3. TRUE (Paragraph 3)

fishing methods meant that people were catching too many fish, Earle warned, and many species were in danger of becoming extinct

4. TRUE (Paragraph 4)

Since then she has written several books… in which she suggests ways of reducing the damage that is being done to the world's ocean

5. FALSE (Paragraph 4)

It would be wrong to tell people they should stop eating fish

Homework Practice (Authentic)

Henry Moore (1898-1986)

1. TRUE (Paragraph 1)

After leaving school, Moore hoped to become a sculptor, but instead he complied with his father's wish

2. FALSE (Paragraph 2)

Although he wanted to study sculpture, no teacher was appointed until his second year

3. NOT GIVEN

Paragraphs 2 and 3 mention his period of study at Royal College of Art, but there is no information on the reputation of this school

4. TRUE (Paragraph 3)

he discovered the power and beauty of ancient Egyptian and African sculpture

5. NOT GIVEN (Paragraph 4)

Moore became fascinated with this stone sculpture, but there is no information that the sculpture attracted a lot of public interest

6. FALSE (Paragraph 4)

Moore became fascinated with this stone sculpture, which he thought had a power and originality that no other stone sculpture possessed

7. TRUE (Paragraph 5)

The aim of the group was to convince the English public of the merits of […] modern art and architecture

Basic Reading Lesson 4

Practice

Air conditioning

1. D (Paragraph 1)

Willis Carries design the first air-conditioning unit … At a Brooklyn printing plant, fluctuations in heat and moisture were causing the size of the printing paper to keep changing slightly, making it hard to align different colors. Carrier's invention made it possible to … align the color

2. A (Paragraph 2)

In 1914, the first AC device was installed in a private house. However, its size, … took up too much space … cost too much for most people.

3. C (Paragraph 3)

To start with, money-conscious employers … considered that if they were paying people to work, they should not be paying for them to be comfortable as well

4. C (Paragraph 3)

So in the 1940s and '50s, … according to their research, installing AC increased productivity amongst employees. … AC as the single most important contributor to efficiency in offices

5. D (Paragraph 4)

Jed Brown … complains that AC is a factor in global warming … However, … it provides a healthier environment for many people in the heat of summer

Practice (Authentic)

Land of the rising sum

1. B (Paragraphs C & D)

These textbooks are, on the whole, small, presumably inexpensive to produce, but well set out and logically developed ….the logical nature of the textbooks and their comprehensive coverage of different types of examples, combined with the relative homogeneity of the class, renders work sheets unnecessary

2. C (Paragraph D)

…. the teacher explains the topic of the lesson, slowly and with a lot of repetition and elaboration. Examples are demonstrated on the board; questions from the textbook are worked through first with the class….

3. A (Paragraph E)

Parents are kept closely informed of their children‟s progress and will play a part in helping their children to keep up with class, sending them to 'Juku' (private evening tuition) if extra help is needed and encouraging them to work harder

4. C (Paragraph F)

maths is recognised as an important compulsory subject throughout schooling; and the emphasis is on hard work coupled with a focus on accuracy

Homework Practice

The ballpoint pen

1. B (Paragraph 1)

One morning in 1945, a crowd of 5,000 people jammed the entrance of Gimbels Department Store in New York. The day before, Gimbels had placed a full-page advertisement in the New York Times for a wonderful new invention, the ballpoint pen.

2. D (Paragraph 2)

In fact, this 'new' pen was not new at all. In 1888, John Loud, a leather manufacturer, had invented a pen with a reservoir of ink and a rolling ball. However, his pen was never produced, and efforts by other people to produce a commercially successful one failed too. The main problem was with the ink. If it was too thin, the ink leaked out of the pen. If it was too thick, it didn't come out of the pen at all.

3. C (Paragraph 3)

Almost fifty years later, in 1935, a newspaper editor in Hungary thought he spent too much time filling his pens with ink. He decided to invent a better kind of pen. With the help of his brother, who was a chemist, he produced a ballpoint pen that didn't leak when the pen wasn't being used. The editor was called Ladislas Biro, and it was his name that people would associate more than any other with the ballpoint pen.

4. B (Paragraph 4)

In 1943, the first Biro's pens were produced. Unfortunately, they were not popular, since the pen needed to be held in a vertical position for the ink to come out.

5. A (Paragraph 5)

Patrick Frawley, improved the design and in 1950 began producing a pen he called the Papermate. It was an immediate success, and within a few years, Papermates were selling in their millions around the world.

Homework Practice (Authentic)

Implementing the cycle of success: a case study

1. C (Paragraph 1)

Within Australia, AHI operates nine hotels and employs over 2000 permanent full-time staff, 300 permanent part-time employees and 100 casual staff…Similar to many international hotel chains, however, AHI has experienced difficulties in Austarlia in providing long-term profits for hotel owners, as a result of the country's high labor-cost structure.

2. A (Paragraph 2)

The first of the initiatives was an organisational structure with only three levels of management - compared to the traditional seven. Partly as a result of this change, there are 25 per cent fewer management positions, enabling a significant saving.

3. C (Paragraph 3)

The hotel also recognised that it would need a different approach to selecting employees who would fit in with its new policies

4. B (Paragraph 3)

Over 7000 applicants filled in application forms for the 120 jobs initially offered at SAH

5. B (Paragraph 4)

A series of tests and interviews were conducted with potential employees, which eventually left 280 applicants competing for the 120 advertised positions. After the final interview, potential recruits were divided into three categories. Category A was for applicants exhibiting strong leadership qualities, Category C was for applicants perceived to be followers, and Category B was for applicants with both leader and follower qualities. Department heads and shift leaders then composed prospective teams using a combination of people from all three categories. Once suitable teams were formed, offers of employment were made to team members.

Basic Reading Lesson 5

Practice

The Pompidou Centre

1. D (Paragraph 1)

no one was really aware of the significant unusual building.

2. A (Paragraph 2)

a desperate last-minute scramble to finish the building

3. C (Paragraph 3)

But this was just a passing crisis. ... It attracted six million visitors in its first year, and with its success, the critics swiftly changed their tune.

4. C (Paragraph 4)

The architects had been driven by the desire for ultimate flexibility, for a building that would not limit the movement of its users.

5. D (Paragraph 4)

With all the services at one end of the building, escalators and lifts at the other

6. B (Paragraph 5)

The image of the Pompidou pervaded popular culture in the 1970s, making appearances everywhere - on record-album covers and a table lamp …

7. F (Paragraph 7)

…that not only had movable walls, but floors that could also be adjusted up or down. This second feature did not in the end survive when the competition drawings were turned into a real building.

8. A (Paragraph 7)

… a superbly detailed structure. It was this quality which, according to some critics, suggest that the Pompidou should be seen as closer to the 19th-century engineering tradition than the space age.

Practice (Authentic)

Biological control of pests

1. D (Paragraph 9)

CIBC is also perfecting the technique for breeding parasites that prey on 'disapene scale' insects – notorious defoliants of fruit trees in the US and India

2. H (Paragraph 10)

Neodumetia sangawani, was found useful in controlling the Rhodes grass-scale insect that was devouring forage grass in many parts of the US

3. C (Paragraph 10)

In the late 1960s, when Sri Lanka‟s flourishing coconut groves were plagued by leaf-mining hispides, a larval parasite imported from Singapore brought the pest under control

4. E (Paragraph 9)

Similarly the Hyderabad – based Regional Laboratory (RRL), supported by CIBC, is now trying out an Argentina weevil for the eradication of water hyacinth

5. B (Paragraph 10)

By using Neochetina bruci, a beetle native to Brazil, scientists at Kerala Agricultural University freed a 12-kilometer-long canal from the clutches of the weed Salvinia molesta… About 30,000 hectares of rice fields in Kerala are infested by this weed [Salvinia molesta]

Homework Practice

The man who tried to destroy Paris

1. D (Paragraph 3)

the Villa Savoye … was one of the best, most functional houses ever built. Unfortunately, this turned out to be an exeggeration. The flat roof was a particular problem, … needed constant reparairs.

2. F (Paragraph 5)

Le Corbusier loved the look and flexibility of concrete, and found it hard to hide it behid brick or paint, preferring to leave it on full view

3. C (Paragraph 6)

while many admired and copied his new style of architecture, many more hated it

4. A (Paragraph 7)

… attracted a large number of followers. As a result, many placed were subjected to his style

Homework Practice (Authentic)

The Risks of Cigarette Smoke

1. B (Paragraph 2)

In addition to being responsible for more than 85 per cent of lung cancers, smoking is associated with cancers of, amongst others, the mouth, stomach and kidneys, and is thought to cause about 14 per cent of leukemia and cervical cancers. In 1990, smoking caused more than 84,000 deaths, mainly resulting from such problems as pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza

2. A (Paragraph 7)

Carbon monoxide, for example, competes with oxygen in red blood cells and interferes with the blood's ability to deliver life-giving oxygen to the heart

3. C (Paragraph 7)

Nicotine and other toxins in cigarette smoke activate small blood cells called platelets, which increases the likelihood of blood clots, thereby affecting blood circulation throughout the body

4. E (Paragraph 5)

A more recent study by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) has shown that second-hand cigarette smoke does more harm to non-smokers than to smokers

5. G (Paragraph 5)

Leaving aside the philosophical question of whether anyone should have to breathe someone else's cigarette smoke, the report suggests that the smoke experienced by many people in their daily lives is enough to produce substantial adverse effects on a person's heart and lungs

6. H (Paragraph 6)

The report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), was based on the researchers' own earlier research but also includes a review of studies over the past few years.... The American Medical Association represents about half of all US doctors and is a strong opponent of smoking

Basic Reading Lesson 6

Practice

Here today, gone tomorrow

1. 19th century (Paragraph 2)

Annual figures for the Arctic, where toursim has existed since the 19th century

2. 1.5 million (Paragraph 2)

…, have increased from about a milion in the early 1990s to more than 1.5 million today

3. Greenland (Paragraph 3)

Greenland has seen the most rapid growth in marine tourism

4. summer (season) (Paragraph 2)

…, have increased from about a milion in the early 1990s to more than 1.5 million today. This is partly because of the lengthening summer season …

5. 17 percent (Paragraph 4)

… Antarctic - last season saw a drop of 17 percent …

6. helicopters (Paragraph 4)

more people than ever are landing at fragile sites, with light aircraft, helicopters …

7. 800 (Paragraph 4)

large cruise ships capable of carrying up to 800 passengers

8. D (Last paragraph)

There's an element of "do it now"

9. B (Paragraph 7)

Toursim in Antarctica is not without its risks

10. C (Paragraph 8)

However, Hillary Clinton and many other big names have been to Svalbard in the northernmost part of Norway to see the effects of climate change.

11. A (Paragraph 5)

… people who have been to the polar regions, roughly 25 percent go for a second time

12. C (Paragraph 8)

So far, no surveys confirm that people are going quickly to see polar regions before they change

Practice (Authentic)

The little Ice Age

18. & 19. B & C (Paragraph C)

systematic weather observations only began a few centuries ago …before records began, we have only "proxy records" reconstructed largely from tree rings and ice cores, supplemented by a few incomplete written accounts.

20. A (Paragraph B)

The Little Ice Age was far from a deep freeze, however; rather an irregular seesaw of rapid climate shifts.

21. H (Paragraph B)

The seesaw brought cycles of intensely cold winters and easterly winds, then switched abruptly to years of heavy spring and early summer rains, mild winters, and frequent Atlantic storms.

22. G (Paragraph B)

periods of droughts, light northeasterly winds, and summer heat waves

23. C (Paragraph F)

… with the beginning of the Modern Warm Period. There was a vast migration from Europe by land-hungry farmers and others, to which the famine caused by the Irish potato blight contributed, to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and southern Africa.

24. C (Paragraph F)

Millions of hectares of forest and woodland fell before the newcomers axes…triggering for the first time humanly caused global warming

25. A (Paragraph D)

During these three centuries, Norse voyagers from Northern Europe explored seas, settled Greenland and visited North America

26. B (Paragraph E)

Dried cod and herring were already staples of the European fish trade, but changes in water temperature forced fishing fleets to work further offshore. The Basques, Dutch and English developed the first offshore fishing boats…

Homework Practice

Holidays with a difference

1. remote (Paragraph 1)

Tribal tourism … involves travellers going to remote destinations

2. culture (Paragraph 1)

… staying with local people and learning about their culture and way of live

3. one / 1 percent (Paragraph 1)

At the moment, less than one percent of holidays are tribal tourism holidays

4. values (Paragraph 2)

Tribal tourism is often compared with foreign exchange visits. However, a foreign exchange involves staying with people who often share the same values.

5. lifestyle (Paragraph 2)

Tribal tourism takes visitors to places where the lifestyle is very different from that in their home location.

6. main attraction (Paragraph 2)

Those who have been on a tribal holiday explain that experiencing this lifestyle is the main attraction.

7. local population (Paragraph 3)

Not everyone is convinced that tribal tourism is a good thing, and opinions are divided. The argument is about whether or not it helps the local population, or whether it exploits them.

8. studies (Paragraph 3)

Where studies have been carried out, the effects have been found to be negative.

9. B (Paragraph 5)

However, this does not mean you can act the way you might do back home. The most important thing is to show respect, learn about, and be aware of, local customs and traditions. Always remember you're a guest.

10. D (Paragraph 7)

It's not for everyone

11. B (Paragraph 5)

Tourists bring money to the community, which the community can invest in local projects.

12. A (Paragraph 4)

The statue is kept indoors, and once a year the locals bring him out and carry him around the village. However, visitors now pay money for them to bring the statue out and carry it around, while they take photographs. As a result, Maximon has lost his original meaning, and is now just another tourist attraction.

13. C (Paragraph 6)

… the more you know in advance, the more priceless they are

Homework Practice (Authentic)

Young children's sense of identity

20. D (Paragraph F)

Mead (1934) went even further: the self is essentially a social structure, and it arises in social experience…it is impossible to conceive of a self arising outside of social experience

21. B (Paragraph B)

He (Cooley) proposed that the earliest examples of this are in infant's attempts to control physical objects, such as toys and his or her own limbs. This is followed by attempts to affect the behaviour of other people.

22. E (Paragraph H)

In the longitudinal study of groups of three or four children, Bronson (1975) found that the intensity of the frustration and anger in their disagreements increased sharply between the ages of 1 and 2 years.

23. C (Paragraph C)

However, Lewis and Brooks-Gunn suggest that infants‟ developing understanding that the movements they see in the mirror are contingent on their own, leads to a growing awareness that they are distinct from other people.

24. mirror (Paragraph C)

young children enjoy looking in mirrors, where the movements they can see are dependent upon their own movements

25. communication (Paragraph D)

Empirical investigations of the self-as-subject in young children are, however, rather scarce because of difficulties of communication: even if young infants can reflect on their experience, they certainly cannot express this aspect of the self directly.

26. ownership (Paragraph H)

Although it may be less marked in other societies, the link between the sense of "self" and of "ownership" is a notable feature of childhood in Western societies.

Basic Listening Lesson 1

Practice 1

Dubai Palm Apartments

1. LEO BLUCHER

A: OK. Can I have your name first, please?

L: Yes, it's Leo Blucher, that's L-E-O - that's my first name - and my surname is B-L-U-C-H-E-R.

2. Blumengasse

L: It's number 37 Blumengasse in Vienna.

A: Right. Could you just spell Blumengasse for me, please, Leo? My German's not too good.

L: Sure, it's B-L-U-M-E-N-G-A-double S-E.

3. 4312 11057

A: Now, can you give me your phone number?

L: Yes, it's 4312 11057.

4. 1st / 1 / first

A: Fine, and when would you like it from?

L: Ideally from the 1st of January.

A: January the 1st. OK.

5. 9 days

A: How long would you like to stay?

L: Well, it depends a little bit on the price, but I think that about nine days would be perfect.

A: Fine.

6. 200

A: Fine. And, talking of prices, what would be your maximum do you think?

L: Well, I've looked on the Internet, but I don't know if I'm being realistic if I say 200 euros per day. Things seem to range from 150 to well over 400.

A: Well, it depends where, of course, but I think we could probably find something for you at that price.

L: Great.

7. kitchen

L: Our children are quite small, and we don't want to take them to restaurants all the time, so one thing we'd really appreciate is a fully equipped kitchen so we can do some cooking.

A: Yes, I completely understand.

8. sea

L: Yes, we live in the city centre hundreds of miles from the sea, so we'd really like be able to see it from our apartment.

A: OK, I'll note that down.

9. quiet

A: All our apartments come with air conditioning and central heating, by the way.

L: Oh dear. One thing I don't like is the noise of air conditioning in the background. Can you make sure it's as quiet as possible?

A: Yes, I'll look into that.

10. parking space

L: We'd like to hire a car while we're in Dubai, so we'll need to have a parking space, I think - we don't want to have to walk a long way from the car to the apartment.

A: I think you're quite right. I'll look into all these things and make a list of possible apartments.

Practice 2

Travel companion

1. Dubashi

C: First, he's called Sanjay Dubashi.

D: OK. Sanjay is spelled S-A-N-J-A-Y, right?

C: Correct. And Dubashi is D-U-B-A-S-H-I.

D: D-U-B-A-S-H-I, fine, thanks, I'm just getting that down.

2. 27

D: And did you find out how old he is?

C: Sure, he's round about our age, you know - well, a couple of years older, he's 27

3. office worker

D: And what does he do?

C: Well, actually, he just says he's an office worker.

4. Central Africa

D: Has he got any experience, do you know, of going off to remote places on foot?

C: Yes, he's been all over the place. He was telling me all about a trip he made in a Land Rover across Central Africa from one side to the other, which sounded pretty exciting. And dangerous.

5. Elbrus

D: Anything physical? I mean, where he actually had to walk instead of driving - you know, being so muscular, as you say?

C: Mm, I was coming to that. Last year, he went to Russia with some friends in their summer holidays and they went up a mountain. Let's see, um, Mount Elbrus, it's called.

D: Wow, now that's really quite something. By the way, Elbrus is spelled E-L-B-R-O-S, isn't it?

C: Not quite, it's U-S.

6. first-aid

D: What qualifications does he have which would interest us? Has he done any sort of specialist training, for example?

C: Well, he's done a course in first aid

7. 5 / five languages

C: he did tell me he can hold conversations in five languages. He's not fluent in all of them, but he can get by.

8. Media Studies

D: Has he been to university, for instance?

C: Yes, he graduated in media studies

9. fishing

D: what does he like doing in his spare time?

C: He seems to do all sorts of things. One thing he told me which could be useful is that he likes fishing.

10. fit

C: And he seems to spend a lot of time at the gym - he says he really likes to keep fit.

Practice 3 (Authentic)

Personal details form

1. Prescott

P: What name is it?

W: I'm Mary Prescott.

P: Can you spell that?

W: Yes, it's P-R E-S-C-O-T-T.

2. 41

P: And your address?

W: Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury.

W: Yes, number 41.

3. Fountain Road

P: And your address?

W: Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury.

P: Fountain Road.

4. 752239

P: And have you got a contact telephone number?

W: Yes, it's 7-5 double 2-3-9.

P: 7-5-double 239. Fine.

5. 65

P: One last question - what would you say the value of your briefcase is?

W: Including the contents?

P: Yes, Just a rough estimate is fine.

W: I'm not sure. Well, the briefcase itself is quite new; I bought it last month for £40. I suppose about £65.

Practice 4 (Authentic)

Christmas Dinner

1. Rajdoot

JOAN: Well, last year's was hopeless.

PETER: The Red Lion, wasn't it?

JOAN: Yep. We ought to go for something more expensive, cos you...

PETER: ...you gets what you pay for.

JOAN: That new Indian restaurant in Wetherfield is supposed to be excellent….. the Rajdoot.

PETER: How do you spell that?

JOAN: R-A-J-D-O-O-T.

2. Park View (Hotel)

PETER: But it's bound to be packed.

JOAN: Well, let's put that down as the first choice and have some back-ups. What about the Park View Hotel as a second choice?

PETER: Yes, that's always reliable. Park View Hotel...

3. London Arms

JOAN: And the London Arms in case.

PETER: London Arms . ..

4. 208657

PETER: No. I’ll do it, Joan. You’re really busy. Have you got the numbers?

JOAN: Not for the Rajdoot, but... right... Park View Hotel: 777192 and ... London Arms: 208657.

5. non-smoking section

PETER: And we’d better make sure there’s good vegetarian food.

JOAN: And a non-smoking section! You know what the boss is like.

6. Lentil curry

PETER: Good news. I found Rajdoot’s number straight away and they can fit us in. Their Christmas menu sounds great.

JOAN: What is it?

PETER: French onion soup or fruit juice.

JOAN: Uh-huh.

PETER: Roast dinner or lentil curry .. . sounds ordinary but my friend said it was really tasty.

JOAN: Umm ... lentil curry ... that’s unusual.

7. £50 deposit

JOAN: That sounds really good for £12. Did you book it?

PETER: Well, I said I’d check with the staff first. But they did say they’d hold the booking until next Wednesday anyway. Oh, and if we go ahead, they’d like a £50 deposit.

JOAN: 50 is normal. .. that’s fine.

PETER: And they want a letter.

JOAN: Right... to confirm.

8. choose the menu

PETER: And they say with such large numbers we have to choose the menu in advance..

9. 4th November

JOAN: That won’t be a problem. I’ll put up a notice with details of the restaurant and the menu. When did you say they wanted confirmation by?

PETER: It was .. . let’s see . .. the 4th of November.

10. (the) Newsletter

JOAN: Where do you think I should put up the notice? Where everyone’s guaranteed to see it.

PETER: On the cafe noticeboard I should think.

JOAN: Hardly anyone looks at that.

PETER: Well, the Newsletter is probably your best bet.

JOAN: Good idea. I’ll go and do that now.

Homework Practice 1

Good Moves Accommodation Agency

1. Clarice Willard

M: Right, what's your name, please?

W: OK, my name is Clarice Willard. Clarice is C-L-A-R-I-C-E. And Willard, W-I-L-L-A-R-D.

2. 0192 8734566

M: And have you got a contact number?

W: Yes, I'll give you my mobile, which is 0192 8734566.

3. website

M: That's great, thanks. And can I ask how you found us?

W: Of course. A family member used you last year and recommended you. So, I had a look at your website and, well.

4. apartment

M: OK, so, which property are you interested in?

W: The apartment on Statham Street, the one on the 3rd floor.

M: Let me see. Ah, I'm afraid that flat's no longer available.

W: No?

M: No, it went this morning. It's in a really popular part of town. We do have a house on the same street, if you're interested. It's £950 a month.

W: Er, no, I think that's much too expensive. I think an apartment is all we can afford..

5. 2

M: Oh, so it's not just for you?

W: No, me and a friend. We're both starting work in the town next month.

M: Oh right, so it's two of you.

6. town centre

M: Do you have any preferences in terms of location?

W: Both our jobs are in the town centre, so it would be good to be within walking distance of that, or perhaps a short bus journey away. Neither of us have a car, so we'd be relying on public transport.

7. 350

M: And what's your budget?

W: I'm sorry?

M: How much can you pay a month?

W: Let me see, er. £700 a month is probably our limit.

M: Each?

W: No, that would be for the both of us. We wouldn't be able to pay more than £350 each.

8. bills

W: Oh, and that would have to include bills. Not phone bills, obviously, but things like electricity, gas and water.

9. Thorney Leys

M: The apartment number is 3, and it's at 57 Thorney Leys Road...

W: Hang on, let me just make a note of that. 57....

M: Thorney Leys Road. Thorney is T-H-O-R-N-E-Y and Leys is L-E-Y-S.

10. email

M: Do you have an email address?

W: Yes.

M: In that case, I can send you the details, and then you can think about it

Homework Practice 2

Magazine interview

1. Coogan

B: His name is Tom Coogan.

E: Tom...?

B: Coogan. That's C-O-O-G-A-N. Got that?

2. travel writer

E: Sure, and what does he do?

B: He's a travel writer.

3. 12 / twelve books

E: What's he written? That sort of thing.

B: OK. he's 42 years old, er, and he's written ten or twelve books. Let me just check that. Uh huh, twelve books, including his latest.

4. horseback

B: Now, his latest book is about a journey he made across the Gobi desert on horseback.

5. Horse

E: What's it called?

B: It's called Has Anyone Seen My Horse?

6. the year

B: It's just won him an award.

E: Really? What kind?

B: Travel Book of the Year.

7. 21st October

B: Now, I've arranged for you to meet him on 21st October. That's two weeks on Friday, is that OK?

E: It should be.

8. 0772 9214490

I'll give you his contact number. It's 0722, no, hang on, it's 0772 9214490.

E: 0772 9214490.

9. 138 Lonsdale Avenue

E: And where am I supposed to meet him?

B: He's suggested his place, which is good as it's not far from the college. It's 138 Lonsdale Avenue, Summertown. Lonsdale is L-ON-S-D-A-L-E.

E: Yeah. I think I know where Lonsdale Avenue is. You did say 138, didn't you?

B: Right.

10. website

B: I suggest that you take a look at his website as well. It's got loads of information, so you might want to ask him about some of his other trips.

Homework Practice 3 (Authentic)

Application for parking sticker

1. Richard Lee

C: Your name?

M: Richard Lee - that's spelt L double E.

2. Flat 13, 30 Enmore Road

C: And the address?

M: Flat 13,30 Enmore Road

C: How do you spell Enmore?

M: E-N-M-O-R-E.

3. Newport

M: And that's in the suburb of Newport: N-E-W-P-0-R-T.

4. Architecture

C: Which faculty are you in?

M: Architecture, the Faculty of Architecture.

5. LJX 508K

C: Right... and the registration number of your car?

M: Let me see um L XJ five oh... No, sorry, I always get that wrong, it's LJX 058K.

6. Ford

C: And what make is the car?

M: It’s a Ford.

Homework Practice 4 (Authentic)

House Rental Inquiry

1. city centre / center

JANICE: Well... yes, sir, that shouldn't be any problem ... just to let you know that our main areas, the main areas we deal with, are the city centre itself...

JON: City centre ... uh-huh.

JANICE: And the north suburbs.

2. 250 - 500

JANICE: Right... yes... What sort of price were you thinking of?

JON: Well... could you give me some idea?

JANICE: Certainly. It really ranges from £250 per month.

JON: Only £250?

JANICE: Yes, to about £500 depending on a number of different factors.

3. garden

JON: What does it depend on?

JANICE: Well, obviously the quality of the area. And then whether there's a garden.

JON: Well, as I said, we'd want a garden.

JANICE: And a garage pushes up the price.

4. 325

JANICE: OK. Well, there's one on West Park Road which is £325 a month.

5. water bill

JON: Are the bills included?

JANICE: Well, that one just includes the water bill.

6. telephone rental

JANICE: And the second house is in Tithe Road. I'll just spell that for you ... OK?

JON: Yep.

JANICE: T-I-T-H-E Road.

JON: Got that. And how much is that one?

JANICE: That's £380.

JON: 380. Is that including water?

JANICE: No, I'm afraid not, but it does include the telephone rental.

7. Wednesday (afternoon)

JANICE: So, when would you be available to see them?

JON: Well, I'll be in town next week... say... Thursday?

JANICE: Yes, fine. 5.00 it is. Just come to the Flagstone Offices.

JANICE: No, I'm sorry we don't have any availability for Thursday. How about Wednesday afternoon?

JON: OK. That's fine.

8. employer

JON: Oh, before I forget. What sort of things do I need to get done... to rent with you?

JANICE: Well, the most important thing is a letter from your bank...

JON: No problem...

JANICE: And then a reference letter from your employer.

9. 2 weeks'

JANICE: Great, and then we would need you to give 2 weeks' notice of moving in...

Right... 2 weeks' notice.

10. one month

JON: And what about a deposit?

JANICE: That's one month's rent, whatever the amount is.

JON: OK. One month. Is that it?

JANICE: No, sorry, one more... you will have to pay for the contract.

Basic Listening Lesson 2

Practice 1

Electronics exhibition

1. protect

M: Right.Then I think you'll find the first part of the exhibition as you go in is quite relevant. It's all about electronics and how we can use them to protect the world around us - you know, the environment and what we can do to avoid damaging it further.

W: Protecting the environment. That sounds interesting.

2. ocean

W: Anything I should specially look out for there?

M: There are lots of new devices. One which fascinated me when I went round was a new instrument for measuring how the temperature of the ocean changes at different levels, …

3. safety

M: … because the subject of the next section is all about different things for keeping an eye on your children and looking after their safety.

4. accident

M: It contains a range of things, from electronic instruments used in medicine to children's electronic games and even a number of new devices to prevent children from having an accident when they're at home.

5. school

M: Yes, there's even an invention for older children - you'll see a demonstration of it while you're there - which helps parents to make sure their kids are going to school.

6. money

W: Are there any other sections which feature electronics?

M: Sure. There's another section - it's the third you come to, I think - which should interest everyone. It contains lots of new electronic instruments or devices for looking after and working with money

Practice 2

1. 2. B, E

W: Here they are. First one. Why are you visiting the exhibition?

I: Well, I want to keep up with the latest developments in electronics, you know- I was recommended by a friend to come here and see what new devices and inventions are coming out and learn a bit. I mean, I don't gonorally go shopping for new electronics. I'm not the sort of person who goes out and buys all the latest gadgets - the prices are too high when they're new. But it interests me, and I thought also there would be things which would interest my son and he'd enjoy it as well, so that's why we're here.

3. 4. B, C

W: Have you bought any electronics recently?

I: Recently? Sure. I was thinking of buying a new calculator for the office, but I decided it wasn't really necessary because I can do all the calculations just as easily on a computer. Anyway, I got a new laptop recently because, you know, they have so many applications and they don't take up much space either…. The other thing I bought was a present for my husband's birthday…a camera … I'm not very keen on the sort of pictures you can take with a mobile phone, …

5. 6. B, D

W: Right... And here's a question about this building… what do you think of it?

I: Oh, it looks pretty good to me. It's got lots of natural light, so you don't have to put up with lots of electric lighting which can be quite tiring on the eyes. It feels very large and spacious, which is great because although it's full of activity and quite noisy, it doesn't feel too crowded. Also, when you look up at the ceiling near the entrance with the design of stars and planets on it, that's something I really like. I'm not so keen on those revolving doors, though. I always feel I'm going to get stuck in one.

7. 8. C, D

W: And did you have any difficulties getting to the exhibition?

I: Well, coming at this time of day the roads weren't too busy, so that was all right... so the car park was easy to find. The only problem was it was full when I arrived I guess I should have come earlier - so I had to find another one quite a long walk away, which was a pity. Then we had to stand outside for quite a long time queuing to get in this exhibition is pretty popular. That was a bit of a problem, because my son gets impatient, but fortunately it wasn't raining, otherwise we might have gone home.

Practice 3 (Authentic)

Free activities in the Burnham area

1. B

SUE: That sounds interesting. What time does it start?

MARTIN: The gallery opens at 10, and the 'Family Welcome' event runs from 10.30 until 2 o'clock. The gallery stays open until 5.

2. C

M: And several times during the day, they're going to show a short film that the gallery has produced. It demonstrates how ceramics are made, and there'll be equipment and materials for children to have a go themselves. Last time they ran the event, there was a film about painting, which went down very well with the children, and they're now working on one about sculpture.

3. B

MARTIN: Well there are several free concerts taking place at different times - one or two in the morning, the majority at lunchtime, and a couple in the evening

4. A

SUE: The Latin American could be fun. What time is that?

MARTIN: It's being repeated several times, in different places. They're performing in the central library at 1 o'clock, then at 4 it's in the City Museum, and in the evening, at 7.30, there's a longer concert, in the theatre.

5. C

MARTIN: The race starts at Offord Marina, to the north of Burnham, and goes as far as Summer Pool. The best place to watch it from is Charlesworth Bridge, though that does get rather crowded.

6. A

SUE: And who's taking part?

MARTIN: Well, local boat clubs, but the standard is very high. One of them came first in the West of England regional championship in May this year- it was the first time a team from Bumham has won. It means that next year they'll be representing the region in the national championship.

Paxton Nature Reserve

7. birds

SUE: Now I've heard something about Paxton Nature Reserve. It's a good place for spotting unusual birds, isn't it?

MARTIN: That's right – throughout the year.

8. flowers

M: …. And just at the moment you can see various flowers that are pretty unusual …

9. mushroom

MARTIN: And there's going to be a talk and slide show about mushrooms - and you'll be able to go out and pick some afterwards and study the different varieties.

10. river

SUE: Uhuh. And is it possible for children to swim in the river?

MARTIN: Yes. Part of it has been fenced off to make it safe for children to swim in.

Homework Practice 1

1. salary

R: First of all, how much do you spend on electronic items a month?

J: Hmm, let me see. I don't earn a lot, so I don't have much left after I've paid for things like rent, bills, food and so on. Anything else is a luxury. So, I'd guess about 5%, maybe 10% of my monthly salary.

2. friends

R: All right, and what influences you in your choice of product? Say you wanted a new mobile phone, how would you decide which one to buy?

J: Well, first I look at reviews on the Internet, you know, what other customers think about them. Then I'll ask my friends what they think. In fact, their opinions are probably more important than anything.

3. famous

J: Well, if it's someone I respect, you know, like a famous sportsman or actor, that can certainly make a difference. I know it shouldn't really, but it does.

4. shops

R: And where do you buy most of these products? The High Street? The Internet?

J: Most people seem to avoid shops, these days, don't they, for things like that? They think they can get things cheaper on the Internet.

R: Right

J: But I find that if you say to a shop assistant that you can get a new, er, camera for example, for £100 on the Internet, they'll often match the price. So, that's where I go.

5. ordering

R: Any other advantages?

J: Well, you get personal service and you don't have to wait for the product to be delivered. Ordering online means you have to wait, sometimes for ages, to get the things you've just bought. I hate that. I guess I'm just very impatient.

6. unusual

R: OK, one final question. Do you ever see a product and think I've absolutely got to get one of those?

J: Oh, all the time, especially if I'm walking past a shop and I see a new electronic item in the window, especially if it's unusual

Homework Practice 2

1. 2. A, C

R: Let's start with the mobile phone.

Joe: OK, well, it has its good points and its bad points. The purple and silver make it quite eye-catching. you know, modern, exciting.

R: Right. Anything else?

J: On the other hand, thanks to the oval design, it does fit comfortably in your hand.

3. 4. A, D

J: When I buy a mobile phone, I don't want one that's going to be difficult to operate.

R: So keep it simple, right?

J: Right. And I want a phone that doesn't have problems picking up a signal, or doesn't cut you off halfway through a call.

5. 6. C, E

R: Next, the digital radio. What did you think?

J: The thing is, I'm not sure if it's the area I live in, but the choice of radio stations seemed very limited. It didn't make any difference what I did with the aerial or where I put the radio high up on a shelf, low down on the floor. And there seemed to be a delay when you turned up the volume.

R: What do you mean?

J: Well, when you press the volume control, for example, nothing seems to happen for a few seconds. And the same thing happens when you want to change radio stations.

7. 8. B, E

J: … But at £900, I'm not sure you'd get many customers. That's a lot of money for a laptop. Bring that down to, say, £400 and things might be different.

R: Any other changes you'd make? Like adding more memory, for example?

J: I think that's fine as it is… But the computer doesn't have anywhere you can play CD-ROMS. And I'd include a light in the keyboard so you can use it when it's dark.

Homework Practice 3 (Authentic)

1. C

S: What would you like to drink?

P: I’d love a really chilled mineral water or something

2. C

P: You know I went to the bank to cash some travellers cheques. Well, the exchange rate was looking healthy, but when I went to the teller, they told me that the computer system was temporarily down.

So they couldn't do any transactions.

3. B

S: Someone you met in the bank? Does he work there?

P: No, he was a tourist, from New York. His name is Henry, and he's been here for a week, but he's moving on to Germany tomorrow.

4. B

P: Oh, and he also gave me this map of the bus system, he said he didn't need it anymore.

5. A

Ah, there's the waitress. Let's order.

Do you want anything to eat, or shall we just have a drink?

Well. I'm hungry.

And we've got a lot of sightseeing to do.

So let's just have a snack and drink.

Sounds good to me.

6. art gallery

we'll go to see the painting you like first, the Rembrandt, then have lunch and go on to the Castle after that, and then the Cathedral.

OK.

7. climb the tower

What I really want to do at the Cathedral is climb the tower.

Basic Listening Lesson 3

Practice 1

Animal World - today's events

1. Insect House

The first event is called The World of Ants, and it's happening this morning quite soon in the Insect House

2. lecture

The well-known entomologist Dr David Crocker, who many of you will have seen on television, is giving a lecture all about ants

3. Great Migration

At midday, that's 12 o'clock, there's a film which is just as fascinating and it's called The Great Migration.

4. Theater C

it's on in Theatre C

5. Garden Wildlife

The next event is a demonstration taking place in the Exhibition Room and given by Monica Chaddha. It's called Encouraging Garden Wildlife.

6. display

The final free event for today is Birds of Prey. Tasha, their keeper, will be giving a display of some of our most magnificent birds

7. 3.45

will be starting at 3.45 on the lawn outside.

8. F

When you leave the main building, you come to an area where the path divides. If you take the right-hand path, you'll see the lake on your right, and exactly opposite the lake on your left is the gift shop.

9. E

If you walk on past the lake, on your right you'll also see the penguins. Go past the penguins and you'll come to the restaurant, also on your right. Don't go too far, or you'll come to the aquarium. The aquarium is on your right at the crossroad

10. A

If you're thinking of having a picnic, the best place to go is the picnic area, and for this you need to turn left at the crossroad and walk along a few metres. At the end of the path, you'll find the picnic area on your left.

Practice 2 (Authentic)

Membership of sports centre

1. 9.50

All students at the college are entitled to become members of the Sports Centre, for an annual fee of £9.50.

2. year

All students at the college are entitled to become members of the Sports Centre, for an annual fee of £9.50.

3. reception

To register with us and get your membership card, you need to come to reception

4. card

Then once you have got your sports card, you will need to bring it with you whenever you come to book or use any Sports Centre facilities.

5. book

Then once you have got your sports card, you will need to bring it with you whenever you come to book or use any Sports Centre facilities.

6. weekdays

Our opening hours seem to get longer every year. We are now open from 9am to 10pm on weekdays

Practice 3 (Authentic)

Red Hill Improvement Plan

1. C

Firstly, we'll plant mature pine trees to provide shelter and shade just to the right of the supermarket in Days Road.

2. D

the pavements on the corner of Carberry and Thomas Street will be widened

3. G

So the roadway at the entry to Thomas Street from Days Road will be painted red.

4. B

One way of making sure that the pedestrians are safe is to increase signage at the intersections. A 'keep clear' sign will be erected at the junction of Evelyn Street and Hill Street

5. F

install traffic lights half way down Hill Street where it crosses Days Road

6. A

an artist will incorporate that story into paintings on the wall of a building on the other side of Hill Street from the supermarket

7. E

we've agreed to build a new children's playground which will be at the other end of Hill Street close to the intersection with Carberry Street

Homework Practice 1

Natural History day: morning events

1. evolution

your first choice is called 'Dogs might fly', which will take place in Room 27. Professor Keenan, who you may remember ran a workshop last year on how dinosaurs became extinct, will be giving a lecture on the evolution of animals

2. group discussion

… and this will be followed by a group discussion

3. communicate

Your second choice is a video presentation called 'Flowers talk'. This considers the possibility that plants and flowers do actually communicate with each other.

4. main hall

...That will take place in the lecture room, no sorry, correct that, here in the main hall. We've had to move it because the lecture room is being renovated.

5. garden

The third choice is ideal for those of you who want to get a bit of fresh air. We've called it 'A world in your garden'

6. nature walk

... Doctor Watkins will be taking you on a nature walk through the local park,…

7. reptiles

The final option, well, you might want to avoid this one if you're frightened of things like snakes, as this is a hands-on workshop where you'll actually get a chance to handle these exotic creatures It won't just be snakes, however. I believe Tom Howard, our resident reptile expert, has brought some other reptiles along for you to meet, including his pet tortoise

8. Biology lab

if you want to meet Reggie and his other reptile friends, head on over to the Biology lab at 9.30

Homework Practice 2

1. D

Now, before our day begins, you'll need to get a guest badge, which you'll have to wear while you're on the college premises. You can get these from the administration office. To get there from the main hall, leave the hall by the door opposite reception, turn left, and just follow the corridor to the end. The administration office is on your right. Don't go any further, or you'll be in the sports hall.

2. E

If you show your guest badge in the café, by the way, you'll get a 20% discount on drinks and sandwiches. To get there from the main hall, walk along the corridor between the main hall and reception and turn right. The café is through the first door on your left.

3. K

Directly opposite the café, on the same corridor, is the student common room, where you can go to relax and perhaps meet some of our own students.

4. C

If you have any valuables that you don't want to carry around with you, I suggest you put these in a locker. These are next to the sports hall, opposite the administration office. You can get a key for a locker when you get your guest badge from the administration office.

5. B

And if you want to use our library, leave the main hall by the door opposite the one you came in - that's the door by the bicycle parking area - and walk to the end of the corridor. The library is through the door straight ahead of you.

Homework Practice 3 (Authentic)

1. City Bridge

How about a city trip by boat? There are four main stopping points - from west to east: stop A Green Banks, stop B City Bridge, stop C Roman Landing and stop D Newtown. You can find the main booking office at stop A.

2. Newtown

How about a city trip by boat? There are four main stopping points - from west to east: stop A Green Banks, stop B City Bridge, stop C Roman Landing and stop D Newtown. You can find the main booking office at stop A.

3. 6.30 (p.m.)

The first boat leaves at 8 a.m. and the last one at 6.30 p.m.

4. formal gardens

At Stop A, if you have time, you can visit the fine 16th century palace here built for the king with its beautiful formal gardens.

5. Tower Restaurant

Stop B Why don't you visit Tower Restaurant with its wide range of refreshments?

6. views

This is a place where you can sit and enjoy the wonderful views over the old commercial and banking centre of the city.

7. history

Stop C … a large shop which has a good range of local history books.

8. seven-screen

At the furthest point of the trip, stop D, the most exciting place to visit is the new Entertainment Complex with seven-screen cinema, bowling alley and video games arcade.

Basic Listening Lesson 4

Practice 1

Ferry facilities

1. snack

The restaurant caters for all appetites, with anything from a light snack to a full three-course meal.

2. entrance

For those of you who'd like some entertainment, just next door to us on this deck is a 40-seat cinema showing the latest full-length feature films. The cinema programme is available here at reception, but you'll have to buy the tickets themselves at the cinema entrance just before you go in.

3. key

To access your cabin, just show your boarding pass to a steward, who will give you the key.

4. shopping

On this deck, that is B Deck, you'll also find an area where you can either play games in our special electronic games arcade or do your shopping.

5. viewing

Just beyond that on the same level, people who want a bit of fresh air or just want to see the sea can go out onto the viewing deck, which is in the open air.

6. B

The ship leaves port at 7 p.m. and the journey takes just over 12 hours and 45 minutes, reaching our destination at about eight tomorrow morning.

7. A

Passengers with children in their party are informed that there is a special section in the restaurant with kids' food and a play area.

8. C

you can get your train tickets here, which will save you time queuing in the station tomorrow morning. If you buy them on the ship, you can get them for 20 percent off.

9. C

For those using the lounge and wishing to check their email, there's a wireless connection, but you'll have to bring your own laptop. You can also watch the latest TV programmes there or in the coffee bar next to the restaurant.

10. C

Finally, a unique feature on this crossing only…has the chance to win a free holiday. All you have to do is complete a sentence starting 'I like Sealand Ferries because ...' and the best sentence wins the prize of a holiday in Switzerland with tickets to a three-day music festival included. Talk to any member of staff for more details.

Practice 2 (Authentic)

Agricultural Park

1. B

Our remit is to give educational opportunities to the wider public as well as to offer research sites for a wide variety of agriculturists and other scientists.

2. Forest

Next to this... moving east... is the large grazing area for the rare breeds. Then further east... in the largest section of our Park is the Forest Area.

3. Fish Farms

In the middle of the Park... this circular area is our lake.... These two small rectangular shapes here... are the Fish Farms

4. Market Garden

To the east of those is the marsh area which attracts a great many migrant birds. In the south-eastern corner, beyond the marsh, is our Market Garden area

5. C

All these areas can be visited by the general public for almost all the year ... . although... please take note of the large signs at the entrance to each area which tell... which tell you when certain areas are being used for particular controlled experiments and are therefore temporarily out of bounds to the public.

6. A

You can see for yourself what a huge area the park covers and a key question is always, how can we move around? Well you have a choice of means... all environmentally friendly... cars are banned in the park. We have bicycles which you can hire behind the Reception block... here... the healthy ones of you can go on foot and finally there's our electric tram, powered from solar cells.

7. C

A good place to start on your tour is the Rare Breeds section. We keep goats, sheep and hens and other kinds of poultry.

8. B

of course we mustn't lose sight of the main purpose of having this section, not as such to preserve rare animals but to maintain the diversity of breeds to broaden the gene pool for agricultural development.

9. C

May will be perhaps our most spectacular month … but there are interesting events on all year round... for example John Havers, our expert fly fisherman, is currently giving displays on the lake.

10. A

Do take time to browse round our shop... there is a wide selection of books on wildlife

Homework Practice 1

1. Internet

directly below us is a, well, we call it our leisure centre. There are some games machines, a television, a small library and so on. If you've brought a laptop or computer with you, you can also get onto the Internet here, as it has full wi-fi capability.

2. restaurant

For lunch and dinner, you'll use the restaurant car

3. washing

The two cars behind the restaurant are where you'll find the second-class cabins. Each cabin has seats which are changed into beds at night. You'll also find a simple basin for washing

4. lounge

First-class passengers, your cabins are at the back of the train. To get to them, you'll need to pass through the lounge. This can be used by everyone during the day, but is exclusive to first-class passengers after 6 p.m.

5. manager

If anyone needs to see me, though, please use the phone in your cabin rather than coming to the office. Just press one and you'll get me. If I'm not there, tell your steward you need to see the manager, and he or she will look for me.

Homework Practice 2

6. C

The first part of our journey is from London to Paris, going through the Channel Tunnel. It will take us just over an hour to get to the Tunnel, …From there, it'll be another three hours to Paris, so we're looking at four hours altogether

7. B

A quick bit of advice about passports. You won't need these until we get to the Italian border, so I suggest you keep them in the safe which you'll find in your cabin.

8. A

and dinner is at 8 o'clock, although we'd like you all to be at your table about fifteen minutes earlier, at a quarter to, if you could.

9. B

When we get to the Italian border tomorrow morning, our train will change engines, and we'll also be getting a new crew. We'll be taking advantage of the stop to have a look around.

10. C

Some of you might have brought your own food or drink on board. That's fine, but could we ask that you consume it in your cabins and not in the restaurant or lounge? Could we also ask you to make sure your cabin windows are closed when you're not in your cabin? And whatever you do, don't get off the train until we reach the Italian border.

Homework Practice 3 (Authentic)

1. C

I'm Sally, your guide for this tour of the Bicentennial Park... I hope that you're all wearing your most comfortable shoes and that you can keep up the pace. So let's get under way on our tour around this wonderful park.

2. B

There used to be a lot of factories in this area until the 1960s…so most of the exciting park space all around you was originally warehouses and storehouses.

3. A

…proposed a high-rise housing development, but the local community wasn't happy. If the land was to be cleaned up, they wanted to use the site for recreation.

4. B

t has two areas, a nature reserve and a formal park with man-made features and gardens. The tall blue-and-white building in front of us is called The Tower and is the centre point for the formal gardens.

5. car park

The Olympic site has its own station to encourage the use of public transport. There is also a car park

6. rose garden

And around to the west, you can relax and sit on a bench to smell the flowers in the rose garden

7. café

if you look in front of you now, there's a lake with a small island in the centre, you can hire rowing boats at the boat shed, which you can't see from here, but if you look through the trees, you can see the café, which has lovely views across the water.

Basic Listening Lesson 5

Practice 1

1. C

W: OK... um, his name's Mahmoud Kaboor and he's a film. maker in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

M: Sounds good.

W: Yes. He's the managing director of a very big film company.

M: So what made him successful?

W: Apparently his uncle was a film student and because of that, he started making short films when he was only 16.

M: That's quite young... and were they good?

W: Yup. He won a scholarship to go to Canada and study film, and that's how his career developed.

M: Great.

2. A

M: Um here's one of my suggestions. She was a ballet dancer born in St Petersburg in Russia in 1881.

W: Anna Pavlova. OK - why have you picked her?

M: Well, firstly, because her parents weren't wealthy - they were very poor, in fact and yet she still went to the School of Imperial Ballet at ten years of age.

W: That's so young! Was she very talented?

M: Yes, she was, but she didn't follow the rules of ballet. She was very individual and did things that were different from other ballerinas at the time.

W: Ah- and that's what made her stand out...

3. E

W: OK. I've got another woman - Marie Curie.

M: She's very famous. Wasn't she Polish?

W: Yeah, born in 1867, but did you know that she was the first women professor at the University of Paris and the first women to win a Nobel prize?

M: Yes amazing!

W: There were many brilliant scientists around when she was working.

M: So why did she do better?

W: Other scientists couldn't get ahead of her because she sensibly published her ideas straight away.

4. D

M: This is an African-American guy who worked as a chef in the 1850s. His name was George Crum.

W: Did he make a famous dish or something?

M: Not exactly- but without him, we wouldn't have the potato chip. Or crisps, as the British call them.

M: Yeah. Apparently, he had a customer who was annoyed because his French fries were too fat and soft. So he sliced a new potato as thinly as he could and fried it until it was hard and crunchy. Added lots of salt...

W: ... and a new snack was created.

5. 6. B, E

W: Well, why don't we agree on some criteria that will help us?

…

W: Yeah except I'm not sure how old they all were! Um. what about choosing a woman....

M: Is it fair to select someone because of their gender? And look at celebrities - there are lots of women.

W: But it was different in the past.

M: Oh, I see. Yeah, OK, let's pick a woman.

…

W: No... so we should pick someone who's done something great on an international level.

7. 8. B, C

So what do we need to do before we meet again?

…

W: OK so before we meet again, let's both find out as much as we can. It's always better to have too much information.

M: Yeah, you're right. What about pictures?

W: Yeah I don't even know what this person looks like!

M: OK well, we might get some from the library - but I can look on the Internet as well.

9. 10. C, D

W: Yes it's made me think about success and what it really means.

M: It isn't about money, is it?

W: No- and you don't have to be experienced to achieve it. It can just be luck.

M: But perhaps in most cases you need to have some natural ability.

W: Yeah I agree. And I also think you do have to work hard and be determined.

M: Yeah - and really want to succeed.

W: No matter where you are or what you've done before.

Practice 2 (Authentic)

1. B

BRYSON: Well, Amina, thanks for letting me have your draft in such good time. AMINA: Oh, that's alright. I was just very anxious to hear what you think of it. You can see that I decided to change the topic - I had been interested in looking at Barings Factory. BRVSON: Oh, I think the hospital was a much better choice. In fact... well... I have to say that I thought it was good.

2. C

BRYSON: But there's plenty of good ideas. It opens well and the first chapter is fine but the middle section really stood out for me ... most interesting.

3. C

AMINA: That's amazing because I really didn't find it a bit easy to write

4. C

BRYSON: Now, this information on local housing ... I can see why you put it there but it really isn't relevant to the approach you've taken.

5. B

BRYSON: what did I say about the interviews? AMINA: I worked very hard on those. I really thought they were valuable. BRYSON: They are, Amina, but they're very complex and rather unclear at the moment. You're going to have to spend a bit of time making the data a lot clearer.

6. C

AMINA: What about the chronology ... the list of dates? I wasn't sure whether I should rewrite those. BRYSON: My advice on that is to take them out.

Homework Practice 1

1. F

there's a professor at Nottingham University, a guy called Richard Tunney, and he suggests that the more close friends we have, the happier we are. And if you see these friends regularly, go out with them and so on, well, that's even better.

2. C

The next one is a bit more interesting, though. Martin Seligman, …he did was tell half his students to take part in fun activities, like playing video games or going to the cinema, and the other half to do good things, like visiting elderly people at a care home, or some other kind of voluntary work. And it was those students who reported a more lasting feeling of happiness.

3. A

Then there's George Vaillant, … the thing that really makes people happy is having something to aim for, you know, a goal in the future…but Vaillant has a warning here. You need to be realistic. It's no good setting yourself impossible goals, because, well...

4. E

Melanie Hodgson…claims that people are happier when they're getting ready to go on holiday…the things you do leading up to it. Deciding what you're going to take with you, what you're going to see and do, packing your case, that kind of thing.

Homework Practice 2

5. 6. B, C

Amy: I've also found one of those personality tests on the Internet. You know, answer these questions to find out how happy you are. Oh, those. They're a bit of a waste of time, aren't they? I did one on 'How healthy are you?' and the results were completely wrong.

M: But they're quite good fun though, aren't they?

A: Well, yes, especially if you do them with friends.

7. 8. A, D

M: OK, I take your point. So what makes you happy?

A: Oh, I don't know. Spending time with people I know and like, I guess. I need people around me.

A: That doesn't really bother me. I grew up in a big family, so I'm used to someone always being in the room. If I wanted to be alone, to get away from people, I had to go out for a walk or something. I still do that occasionally. In fact, that's one thing that makes me happy. A long walk in the countryside.

9. 10. A, E

A: OK, so you'll be off to the library, then?

M: I would if I knew I could find something useful, but you know how disorganised it is there. It's impossible to find what you want, especially when it comes to psychology books.

A: Oh, I know.

M: No, give me a computer and the Internet any day.

A: Well, good luck with that. If you get bored and want a break, you know where to find me.

M: Thanks, but if I don't get this done, I'll be in trouble.

A: Why don't you email Tony? He did a similar assignment last year, so he might have a few suggestions.

M: That's a good idea.

Homework Practice 3 (Authentic)

Latin American studies

1. C

W: I've been reading your personal statement, Paul. First, let's talk about your work experience in South America. What took you there? Was it to gain more fluency in Spanish?

P: Well, as I'm combining Spanish with Latin American studies, my main idea was to find out more about the way people lived there. My spoken Spanish was already pretty good in fact.

2. C

W: What kind of work?

P: Well, there were several possibilities.

W: You mean construction? Engineering work?

P: Yes, getting involved in building projects was an option. Then there was tourism - taking tourists for walks around the volcanoes - which I actually chose to do, and then there was work with local farmers.

3. A

W: But you I didn't continue with that project. Why not?

P: Because I never really knew whether I'd be needed or not. I'd thought it might be difficult physically, but I was certainly fit enough... no, I wanted to do something that had more of a proper structure to it, I suppose. I get de-motivated otherwise.

4. B

P: Yes, but it was difficult at first to be accepted by the locals. It was a very remote village and some of them were reluctant to speak to me - although they were always interested in my clothes and how much I'd had to pay for them.

W: Well, that's understandable.

P: Yes, but things soon improved. What struck me was that when people became more comfortable with me and less suspicious, we really connected with each other in a meaningful way.

5. C

W: What about management. Did you have a project manager?

P: Yes and he gave me lots of advice and guidance.

6. A

W: And did anything on the administration side of things surprise you? What was the food and lodging like?

P: Simple... but there was plenty to eat and I only paid seven dollars a day for that which was amazing really. And they gave me all the equipment I needed... even a laptop.

7. C

W: The first one here is Gender Studies in Latin America. It looks at how gender analysis is reconfiguring civil society in Latin America. Women are increasingly occupying positions in government and in other elected leadership positions in Latin America. I think you'd find iT interesting.

P: If it was to do with people in the villages rather than those in the public sphere, I would.

8. A

W: What about Second Language Acquisition?

P: Do you think I'd find that useful?

W: Well, you've had some practical experience in the field, I think it would be.

P: I hadn't thought about that. I'll put that down as a definite, then.

9. B

W: What about Indigenous Women's Lives. That sounds appropriate.

P: I thought so too, but I looked at last year's exam questions and that changed my mind.

W: Don't judge the value of the course on that. Maybe, talk to some other students first and we can talk about it again later.

P: Okay.

10. C

W: will you sign up for Portuguese lessons?

P: My Spanish is good, so would I find that module easy?

W: Not necessarily. Some people find that Spanish interferes with learning Portuguese... getting the accent right too. It's quite different in a lot of ways.

P: Well, I'd much sooner do something else, then.

Basic Listening Lesson 6

Practice 1

Traditional Samoan Houses

1. oval

first of all, at the overall design of a traditional Samoan house. Now, these days, houses in Samoa have become more modern and are usually rectangular, but traditional designs were round or sometimes they were oval in shape

2. blinds

If the occupants want shelter there are several blinds made of coconut leaves that can be lowered during rainy or windy weather

3. (river) stones

However, the floor of the house was usually covered with river stones. Today, we have a range of methods for balancing the temperature inside a building, but the stones on the floor of a Samoan home are ideal for cooling the building on hot days.

4. sugar cane / sugar(-)cane

let's have a close look at the roof. This, as you can see in the picture, is dome-shaped and traditionally thatched, or covered with leaves from the sugar cane

5. steep

the sides are quite steep so that the rain falls straight to the ground without moisture going through the leaves and causing leaks or dampness inside the house.

6. heat

Then, you'll notice how high the top of the roof is - this is a way of allowing heat to rise on sunny days and go through the thatching, thereby cooling the house.

7. forest(s)

These posts are produced using local timber from the surrounding forests.

8. status

When there were meetings, people sat with their back to certain posts depending on their status in society. So there were posts for chiefs according to their status and posts for speakers and so on

9. old people

coconut fibres were braided into rope to fix the beams and posts together. The old people of the village usually made and plaited the rope.

10. (complex) pattern

the rope was pulled very tightly and wound round the beams and posts in a complex pattern.

Practice 2 (Authentic)

Geography

1. surface

we learn a great deal about all the processes that have affected and that continue to affect the earth's surface.

2. environment

studying geography also informs us about the different kinds of relationships that develop between a particular environment and the people that live there.

3. impact(s) / effect(s)

there's the study of the ways in which we choose to live and of the impact of those on our planet.

4. urban

Next comes historical geography - … - and urban geography

5. problems

we now have our key answer . . . studying this subject is important because without geographical knowledge, we would know very little about our surroundings and we wouldn't be able to identify all the problems that relate to them.

6. image(s)

We also need images of the earth's surface which we can produce by means of computer-generation technology

7. patterns

After we've gathered our information, we must analyse it! We need to look for patterns

8. distortion(s)

But there is a drawback. You can't exactly replicate something that is three-dimensional, like our planet, on a flat piece of paper, because paper has only two dimensions, and that means there'll always be a certain degree of distortion on a map

9. traffic

We can also use aerial photographs… You can easily illustrate areas of diseased trees or how much traffic is on the roads at a given time

10. weather

Then there are Landsats… can provide a mass of information - you'll all be familiar with the information they give us about the weather, for example.

Homework Practice 1

The Beijing Olympic Stadium

1. two structures

They studied Chinese ceramics, … The stadium is actually two structures, which are completely separate from each other.

2. 90,000 spectators

there's the seating area, which was originally designed for 100,000 spectators, but this had to be reduced to 90,000

3. beams

Around this area is the frame, which is made of 110,000 tons of steel in horizontal beams and vertical columns

4. 423 million

the building still came to an incredible $423 million

5. distance

the best place to look at it is from a distance…that's where you'll really get an impression of what it looks like and how big it is.

6. low hill

This is not just because of its size - and it is big - but also because it stands on a low hill which helps make it higher than any other buildings in the area.

7. unusual shape

Then there's its unusual shape, which has helped to give it its nickname of the Bird's Nest.

8. moving

you also get the impression that this structure isn't standing still, that it's moving in different directions

9. (magical) forest

as you enter, you get the impression that you're walking into a forest

10. coloured light

coloured light comes through the clear roof panels

Homework Practice 2 (Authentic)

Mass Strandings of Whales and Dolphins

1. tide/tides

this type of event is a frequent occurrence in some of the locations that you'll be travelling to, where sometimes the tide goes out suddenly, confusing the animals.

2. hearing/ear/ears

The first is that the behaviour is linked to parasites. It's often found that stranded animals were infested with large numbers of parasites. …Since marine animals rely heavily on their hearing to navigate, this type of infestation has the potential to be very harmful.

3. plants/animals/fish/fishes

Another theory is related to toxins, or poisons. These have also been found to contribute to the death of many marine animals. Many toxins, as I'm sure you're aware, originate from plants, or animals. The whale ingests these toxins in its normal feeding behaviour

4. feeding

In 1995 David Thurston monitored pilot whales that beached after following squid ashore. However, this idea does not seem to hold true for the majority of mass strandings because examination of the animals' stomach contents reveal that most had not been feeding as they stranded.

5. noise/noises

Noises such as those caused by military exercises are of particular concern and have been pinpointed as the cause of some strandings of late.

6. healthy

One of these, a mass stranding of whales in 2000 in the Bahamas…This led researchers to look for a new cause. For one, all the stranded animals were healthy.

7. group

In addition, the animals were spread out along 38 kilometres of coast, whereas it's more common for the animals to be found in a group when mass strandings occur.

8. social

A final theory is related to group behaviour…since the whales that are thought to be most social - the toothed whales - are the group that strand the most frequently.

9. leader

The theory is also supported by evidence from a dolphin stranding in 1994. Examination of the dead animals revealed that apart from the leader, all the others had been healthy at the time of their death.

10. network/networks

I recommend John Connor's Marine Mammals Ashore as an excellent starting point if you're interested in finding out more about these networks, or establishing one yourself.