SECTION 1
1. Answer: central
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: What about the location?
- MAN: It’d be nice to be central .
- Explanation: When the man says that “It’d be nice…”, this means that he prefers a central location.
- The answer is central.
2. Answer: 600
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: What’s your upper limit for the rent?
- MAN: We’d like something around £500 a month, but we could go up to £600 if we have to. But we can’t go beyond that.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (600):
- maximum = upper limit
- Explanation: Be careful here. The man first mentions £500, but then he gives the maximum rent that he can afford – £600.
- The answer is 600.
3. Answer: 2 years
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: Do you know how long you want to rent the house for? The minimum let is six months, as you probably realise.
- MAN: We’re at college here for two years, and we don’t want to have to move during that time if we can avoid it.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (2 years):
- let = rent
- Explanation: Although the woman says that the minimum period for which you can rent the house is six months, the man says that they want to rent for two years.
- The answer is 2 years. (Remember to write one number and one word – look at the instructions).
4. Answer: garage
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- WOMAN: There’s this one in Oakington Avenue, at £550 a month. Combined living room and dining room, with a separate kitchen. It doesn’t have a garage, though you can park in the road.
- Explanation: the woman gives a description of the house and the rent in Oakington Avenue. She then states the problem – there is no garage.
- The answer is garage.
5. Answer: garden
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: Right. Then have a look at this house, in Mead Street. It’s got a very large living room and kitchen, bathroom, cloakroom….
- MAN: How much is it?
- WOMAN: That one’s 580. It’s very well furnished and equipped. It also has plenty of space for parking, and it’s available for a minimum of a year. Oh, and there’s a big garden .
- MAN: I don’t think we could cope with that, to be honest. We’ll be too busy to look after it.
- Explanation: the house in Mead Street, has a big garden. However, the man says that they will be too busy to care for the garden. In other words, the garden is too big.
- The answer is garden.
6. Answer: study
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- WOMAN: Okay. Then there’s this older house in Hamilton Road: living room, kitchen-diner, and it has a study. 550 a month.
- Explanation: the woman describes the accommodation in Hamilton Road. The room required by the question is the study.
- The answer is study.
7. Answer: noisy
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- MAN: That looks rather nice. But whereabouts in Hamilton Road?
- WOMAN: Towards the western end.
- MAN: Oh, that’ll be very noisy. I know the area.
- Explanation: they continue to discuss the house in Hamilton Road. The problem is the location – at the western end of the road. It is too noisy.
- The answer is noisy.
8. Answer: 595
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: Well, what about this house in Devon Close?
- MAN: That looks lovely.
- WOMAN: There’s a big demand for houses in that area, so prices tend to be quite high. But this one hasn’t been decorated for a few years, which has kept the rent down a bit. It’s got a living room, dining room and small kitchen, and it’s 595 a month. I think it would suit you, from what you’ve said.
- MAN: It sounds fine.
- Explanation: they agree that the house in Devon Close might be OK. The woman says that the rent is 595 a month.
- The answer is 595.
9 and 10. Answer: B. concert hall, E. swimming pool
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: There’s a big sports centre under construction, which will be very impressive when it’s finished. In fact the swimming pool’s already opened, ahead of schedule, and it’s attracting a lot of people.
- MAN: What about cinemas: are there any in the area?
- WOMAN: The only one closed down last year, and it’s now in the process of being converted into a film museum. The local people are trying to get a new cinema added to the scheme.
- MAN: I think I heard something about a plan to replace the existing concert hall with a larger one.
- WOMAN: Ah, that’s due to start next year.
- Explanation: The woman says that the sports centre is under construction, so it is not available at present. Neither are the cinema and museum, because it is said that the cinema is being converted into the museum, indicating both of these are not open to the public. Hence, A, C and D are incorrect answers.
- Meanwhile, “the swimming pool’s already opened” so E is correct. Besides, the concert hall will be replaced NEXT YEAR, which means that it is still open at the moment. B is also correct.
- The answers are B, E.
SECTION 2
11. Answer: classical music, (classical/music) concerts.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- And today the focus is on The National Arts Centre. Now, if you don’t already know it yourself, I’m sure you’ve all heard of it. It’s famous throughout the world as one of the major venues for classical music.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (classical music):
- well known = famous
- Explanation: the speaker explains that the Centre is famous as a place/venue for classical music concerts.
- The answer is classical music, (classical/music) concerts.
12. Answer: bookshop/bookstore
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- But did you know that it is actually much more than just a place to hear concerts? The Centre itself is a huge complex that caters for a great range of arts. Under a single roof it houses concert rooms, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and a wonderful public library, as well as service facilities including three restaurants and a bookshop.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (bookshop):
- consists of = houses (verb)
- Explanation: the speaker mentions all the things listed. These are part of the range of arts in the Centre. The final item on the list is a bookshop.
- The answer is bookshop/bookstore.
13. Answer: planned
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Well the area was completely destroyed by bombs during the war in 1940. So the opportunity was taken to create a cultural centre that would be, what they called: ‘the City’s gift to the Nation’. Of course it took a while for such a big project to get started, but it was planned in the 60s, built in the 70s……
- Explanation: giving the historical background to the Centre, the speaker explains what happened to the area during the war, and then says that the project was planned in the 60s and built in the 70s. So, the missing piece of information is that it was planned in this period (the 60s – 70s), and then built.
- The answer is planned.
14. Answer: 1983
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- …it was planned in the 60s, built in the 70s and eventually opened to thepublic in 1983.
- Explanation: continuing to talk about the history of the Centre, the speaker then gives the date when it was opened – 1983.
- The answer is 1983.
15. Answer: city council
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- It is not privately owned, like many arts centres, but is still in public hands – it’s run by the City Council.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (City Council):
- managed = run
- Explanation: the speaker says that the Centre is ‘still in public hands’ – it is not owned by a private company. It is managed by the City Council.
- The answer is City Council.
16. Answer: 363
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Both our National Symphony Orchestra and National Theatre Company were involved in the planning of the project, and they are now based there – giving regular performances every week – and as the Centre is open 363 daysof the year, there are plenty of performances to choose from.
- Explanation: this is a straightforward question to test your listening abilities. The speaker says that the Centre is open 363 days per year.
- The answer is 363.
17. Answer: (the) Garden Hall
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- If you’re interested in classical music, then we recommend you go along to the National on either Monday or Tuesday evening at 7.30 for a spectacular production of ‘The Magic Flute’ – probably the most popular of all Mozart’s operas. It’s in the Garden Hall and tickets start at only £8.00.
- Explanation: the venue is the place where the event takes place. So, the speaker says that the opera is in the Garden Hall.
- The answer is (the) Garden Hall.
18. Answer: Three Lives
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- For those more interested in the cinema, you might like to see the new Canadian film which is showing on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in Cinema 2. And that’s called ‘Three Lives’.
- Explanation: the speaker gives the name of this Canadian film as ‘Three Lives’.
- The answer is ‘Three Lives’.
19. Answer: 4.50
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- It’s had fantastic reviews and tickets cost just £4.50, which is a reduction on the usual price of £5.50.
- Explanation: You have to listen carefully, as two ticket prices are given for the film. Although, the usual price is £5.50, the tickets are reduced to only £4.50.
- So, the answer is 4.50
20. Answer: Faces of China
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- …on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. , they’re showing a wonderful new exhibition that hasn’t been seen anywhere else in Europe yet. It’s a collection of Chinese art called ‘Faces of China’ – that’s in Gallery 1…
- Explanation: the speaker talks about the exhibition of Chinese art in Gallery 1 on Saturday and Sunday evening, giving the title: ‘Faces of China’.
- The answer is ‘Faces of China’.
SECTION 3
21. Answer: C. to learn about Latin American life.
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- PAUL: Well, as I’m combining Spanish with Latin American studies, mymain idea was to find out more about the way people lived there. My spoken Spanish was already pretty good in fact.
- WOMAN: So you weren’t too worried about language barriers?
- PAUL: No. In fact, I ended up teaching English there, although that wasn’t my original choice of work.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
- learn = find out
- Explanation: Paul says that his Spanish was already pretty good before he went to South America, so he didn’t go there to improve his Spanish, therefore B is wrong.
- And although he worked as an English teacher there, that wasn’t his ORIGINAL choice of work, meaning that he went there with a different job in mind. Hence, A is also wrong.
- What he wanted was to “find out more about the way people lived”, or (in other words) to learn about Latin American life. The answer is C.
22. Answer: C. tourism
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: You mean construction? Engineering work?
- PAUL: Yes, getting involved in building projects was an option. Then there was tourism – taking tourists for walks around the volcanoes – which I actuallychose to do, and then there was work with local farmers.
- Explanation: All three work options are mentioned by Paul, but he says that he chose tourism, meaning that he intended to do it. So the correct answer must be C.
23. Answer: A. His first job was not well organised.
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: But you didn’t continue with that project. Why not?
- PAUL: 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.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (A):
- demanding = difficult
- Explanation: Answer C is wrong because he says that he was “certainly fit enough” so that couldn’t be the reason why he left. So, the work was not physically too difficult.
There is no mention of routines, so B is not correct.
The truth is that he wanted “to do something that had more of a proper structure to it”, which indicates that the first job didn’t have a proper structure, in other words it was not well organized. The correct answer is A.
24. Answer: B. develop trust.
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- PAUL: 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. (…) 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.
- WOMAN: You made good friends?
- PAUL: Yes, with two of the families in particular.
- Explanation: At first, Paul couldn’t get along with the villagers (it was difficult to be accepted) but after some time, the locals were more comfortable and less suspicious towards him. This means that at the beginning they were really suspicious with Paul being a stranger, in other words, they didn’t trust him. So Paul must have learnt the importance of developing trust. The correct answer is B.
The other two are just irrelevant to the actual recording.
25. Answer: C. He was very supportive of Paul.
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: Good. What about management. Did you have a project manager?
- PAUL: Yes and he gave me lots of advice and guidance.
- WOMAN: And was he good at managing too?
- PAUL: That wasn’t his strong point! I think he was often more interested in the academic side of things than filing reports. He was a bit of a dreamer.
- Explanation: Regarding his project manager, Paul says that he gave him lots of advice and guidance, which means he was “very supportive”, hence C is the correct answer. There is no mention about how much work he let Paul do, or how ambitious he was, so A and B are not given.
- The answer is C.
26. Answer: A. a computer to use.
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- PAUL: I had to stay for a minimum of three months. My parents were surprised when I asked to stay longer – six months in the end. I was so happy there.
- WOMAN: And did anything on the administration side of things surprise you? What was the food and lodging like?
- PAUL: 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 Ineeded . . . even a laptop.
- WOMAN: You didn’t expect that then?
- PAUL: No.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (A):
- computer = laptop
- Explanation: Paul asked to stay longer himself, so he wasn’t given a contract extension. Thus, C is wrong.
In addition, Paul didn’t receive any money to live on, he paid for the living expenses himself (“I only paid seven dollars a day for that”), so B is wrong too.
The correct answer should be A, because Paul didn’t expect to be given a laptop, so of course he would be surprised.
The answer is A.
27. Answer: C
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: 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.
- PAUL: If it was to do with people in the villages rather than those in the public sphere, I would.
- Explanation: Paul says that he would do this module “If it was to do with people in the villages rather than those in the public sphere”, so some may think he will do this. The actual meaning of what he says is quite different though.
From what the woman says, we know that the module is a study of women who are occupying positions in government and in other elected leadership positions in Latin America, which refers to those “in the public sphere”. This module, therefore, is not concerned with people in the villages. It focuses on people in government positions (= in the public sphere). Therefore, Paul says he will not do this module. The correct answer is C.
28. Answer: A
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: Okay. What about Second Language Acquisition?
- PAUL: Do you think I’d find that useful?
- WOMAN: Well, you’ve had some practical experience in the field, I think it would be.
- PAUL: I hadn’t thought about that. I’ll put that down as a definite, then.
- Explanation: Paul says that he will note this module (= ‘put that down’) as“a definite”, meaning that he will definitely do this. The answer is clearly A.
29. Answer: B
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: Okay. What about Indigenous Women’s Lives. That sounds appropriate.
- PAUL: I thought so too, but I looked at last year’s exam questions and that changed my mind.
- WOMAN: 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.
- PAUL: Okay.
- Explanation: At first Paul didn’t want to do the Indigenous Women’s Lives module (because of last year’s exam questions), but then he agreed with the woman that they would talk about it later.
This means that Paul hasn’t decided whether he will take this course or not, so the answer is B.
30. Answer: C
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- WOMAN: And lastly, will you sign up for Portuguese lessons?
- PAUL: My Spanish is good, so would I find that module easy?
- WOMAN: 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.
- PAUL: Well, I’d much sooner do something else, then.
- Explanation: The woman tells Paul that some students find that learning Portuguese is not a good idea. If they already know Spanish then, because the languages are similar, students may become confused. Paul follows this advice and agrees that it would be better to do a different module (= ‘I’d much sooner do something else’). He won’t do this module.
Hence, C is the answer.
SECTION 4
31. Answer: B. more frequent.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- The goal, then, is to utilise existing knowledge and not to generate new knowledge. It’s a less glamorous activity than pure innovation, but it actuallyhappens more often, as a matter of fact.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (B):
- frequent = often
- introduce = generate
- Explanation: According to the speaker, in business utilizing existing knowledge happens more often, or more frequently, than generating new knowledge. Thus, B is the correct answer.
32. Answer: B. produced consistent findings.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Now, there’s been a lot of research into how companies can repeat their previous successes, and it certainly hasn’t been confined to the United States. It seems that most large industries are trying to repeat their own successes, and manage the knowledge they’ve acquired – but even so it has been shown that the overwhelming majority of attempts fail. A host of studies confirm this, covering a wide range of business settings: branch banks, retail stores, real estate agencies, factories, call centres . . . to name but a few.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (B):
- research = studies
- repetition = repeat
- Explanation: According to the speaker, research “hasn’t been confined to the US”, indicating that it has been done both in the US and in other places, but it does not mean MOST research has been done outside America. Hence A is incorrect.
The research covered a wide range of business, which is the opposite of “a few contexts” so C is wrong.
It is said that “A host of studies confirm this”, with “this” referring to the finding that the majority of attempts to repeat success failed. From this we can understand that many studies have led to the same results, in other words, “consistent findings”. The correct answer is B.
33. Answer: B. It can be useful in certain circumstances.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Managers who want to apply existing knowledge typically start off by going to an expert – such as the person who designed and is running a successful department store – and picking their brains. Now, this approach can be used ifyou want to gain a rough understanding of a particular system, or understand smaller, isolated problems.
- Explanation: It is said that managers typically start off by going to an expert. The word “typically” indicates that most managers do this, so A is clearly wrong.
C is not mentioned, thus irrelevant.
The correct answer is B, because according to the speaker, “this approach”, which refers to consulting experts, can be used in certain circumstances, for example “if you want to gain a rough understanding of a particular system, or understand smaller, isolated problems”.
The answer is B.
34. Answer: A. some details are difficult for workers to explain.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- The expert never has complete access to the necessary information. And the situation’s complicated even further by the fact that experts are usually not aware of their own ignorance. The ignorance can take various forms. For instance, a lot of details of the system are invisible to managers. Some may be difficult to describe – learned on the job and well known by workers perhaps, but impossible to describe in a way that’s helpful. And there are some things that people know or do that they’re not even aware of.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (A):
- explain = describe
- difficult = impossible
- Explanation: The experts may not know everything about their operation (“a lot of details of the system are invisible to managers”), which means that managers are not even aware of certain details. These details are well known by workers who directly work with them, but not easily understood by the managers who have more to worry about than the details of particular systems. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
Note that B and C are incorrect because there is no mention made of how workers may hide or alter the details to their boss.
The answer is A.
35. Answer: combination
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Now let’s consider two types of mistake that can occur when a manager actually starts to set up a duplicate system to replicate a successful process. Firstly, perhaps he forgets that he was just trying to copy another process, and starts trying to improve on it. Another mistake is trying to use the best parts of various different systems, in the hope of creating the perfect combination.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (combination/system):
- several = various
- processes = systems
- ideal = perfect
- Explanation:the speaker talks about the two mistakes that a manager may make. The second mistake is to combine things from different processes to try to make some perfect/ideal process.
The answer is combination.
36. Answer: safety
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- More typically, the advantages are real enough, but there are also disadvantages that have been overlooked. For example, the modifications might compromise safety in some way.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (safety):
- changes = modifications
- Explanation:the speaker mentions two possible causes of problems and then talks about the problem of overlooking disadvantages. Some changes made to processes might have the effect of being dangerous = compromising safety.
The answer is safety.
37. Answer: attitude(s)
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- …the underlying problem has more to do with attitudes than the actual difficulty of the task, and there are ways of getting it right. These involve adjusting attitudes, first of all…. being more realistic and cautious really.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (attitudes):
- change = adjust
- Explanation:the speaker now talks about solutions to these problems. One solution is the attitudes of managers. They should change these attitudes and be more cautious and realistic.
The answer is attitude(s).
38. Answer: control(s)
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Secondly, they involve exerting strict controls on the organisational and operational systems.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (controls):
- impose = exert
- rigorous = strict
- Explanation:a second solution proposed by the speaker is to put strict controls on the operating and organisational systems.
Therefore, the answer is control(s).
39. Answer: factory/factories
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- And this in turn means copying the original as closely as possible. Not merely duplicating the physical characteristics of the factory, but also duplicating the skills that the original employees had.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answers (factory; skills):
- copy = duplicate
- features = characteristics
- Explanation:the speaker explains more about the strict controls that should be imposed over the systems, in order to avoid problems. When copying from successful models, it is important to copy the features of the original factory very closely. Another solution is to copy/duplicate the skills of the employees in that original factory.
- So the answers are: factory/factories
40. Answer: skills
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- And this in turn means copying the original as closely as possible. Not merely duplicating the physical characteristics of the factory, but also duplicating the skills that the original employees had.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answers (factory; skills):
- copy = duplicate
- features = characteristics
- Explanation:the speaker explains more about the strict controls that should be imposed over the systems, in order to avoid problems. When copying from successful models, it is important to copy the features of the original factory very closely. Another solution is to copy/duplicate the skills of the employees in that original factory.
- So the answers are: skills
