SECTION 1
1. Answer: B 10.30 am
2. Answer: C ceramics
3. Answer: B in lunchtime
4. Answer: A in a museum
5. Answer: C Offord Marina
6. Answer: A won a regional competition earlier this year
7. Answer: birds
8. Answer: flowers
9. Answer: mushrooms
10. Answer: river
SECTION 2
11. Answer: C There are not so many bus routes
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Fifty years ago, buses linked virtually every part of the town and the neighbouring towns and villages. Most people used them frequently, but not now, because the bus companies concentrate on just the routes that attract most passengers. So parts of the town are no longer served by buses. Even replacing old uncomfortable buses with smart new ones has had little impact on passenger numbers. It’s sometimes said that bus fares are too high, but in relation to average incomes, fares are not much higher than they were 50 years ago.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
- these days = now
- havegone up = are higher
- Explanation: The speaker says that “old uncomfortable buses” have been replaced by “smart new ones” so they cannot be the reason for fewer bus users; A is incorrect. We can also confuse the correct answer with B because she says “bus fares are too high”, but then she claims that fares are not too high compared to before, meaning the price has not “gone up” much, due to higher average incomes nowadays. So B is incorrect. The main reason is that buses no longer use various routes, but only those routes which have the most passengers, so the correct answer is C.
12. Answer: B. the development of cycle paths
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- The centre was recently closed to traffic on a trial basis, making it much safer for pedestrians. The impact of this is being measured. The new cycle paths, separating bikes from cars in most main roads, are being used far more than was expected, reducing traffic and improving air quality. And although the council’s attempts to have a bypass constructed have failed, we haven’t given up hope of persuading the government to change its mind.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (B):
- ban = closed
- Explanation: A is wrong because “the council’s attempts to have a bypass constructed have failed” therefore a bypass cannot benefit the town at all. The centre being closed to traffic means that cars are banned in the centre, so C seems like the correct answer. However, the speaker says that “The impact of this is being measured” so we cannot say whether it has affected the town yet. The new cycle paths are said to reduce traffic and improve air quality, which is obviously beneficial, so B is the answer.
13. Answer: B. lack of major retailers
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Shopping in the town centre has changed over the years. Many of us can remember when the town was crowded with people going shopping. Numbers have been falling for several years, despite efforts to attract shoppers, for instance by opening new car parks. Some people combine shopping with visits to the town’s restaurants and cafes. Most shops are small independent stores, which is good, but many people prefer to use supermarkets and department stores in nearby large towns, as there are so few well-known chain stores here.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (B):
- parking space = car park
- major = well-known
- Explanation: According to the recording, new car parks have been opened, so there cannot be “lack of parking spaces”. Thus A is wrong. Furthermore, restaurants and cafes are combined with shopping. So shoppers have the chance to go to restaurants and cafes. Therefore, Cis also wrong. Many shoppers now go to nearby large towns, because there they can find supermarkets and department stores. These are referred to as ‘chain stores’. Well-known chain stores are similar to “major retailers”, so we can infer that the “lack of major retailers” is the problem affecting shopping in town centre. B is the correct answer.
14. Answer: A. There is no hospital.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Turning now to medical facilities, the town is served by family doctors in several medical practices – fewer than 50 years ago, but each catering for far more patients. Our hospital closed 15 years ago, which means journeys to other towns are unavoidable. On the other hand, there are more dentists than there used to be.
- Explanation: Shona says that there are fewer medical practices than before, so B is clearly wrong. Also, it is said that “there are more dentists than there used to be” which means that the number of dentists is higher, hence C is incorrect. The hospital closed 15 years ago, and there has not been a new one yet (therefore people have to travel to hospitals in other towns) so the answer must be A.
15. Answer: C. education.
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- The number of schools and colleges has increased. making that the main employment sector.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
- education = schools and colleges
- largest = main
- Explanation: The main employment sector refers to the sector with the largest number of employees, and it has to do with schools and colleges so obviously it is “education”. The answer must be C.
16. Answer: G
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- As you’ll know if you regularly use the car park at the railway station, it’s usually full. The railway company applied for permission to replace it with a multi-storey car park, but that was refused. Instead, the company has bought some adjoining land, and this will be used to increase the number of parking spaces.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (G):
- expand = increase
- Explanation: Because the car park at the railway station is usually full, the railway company has to increase parking capacity by either building a new multi-storey car park, or buying more land (“adjoining land” means land around or next to). The multi-storey car park has been refused, and the adjoining land “will be used to increase the number of parking spaces”. This means that there will be more space, or the parking lot will be “expanded”. The correct answer is G.
17. Answer: A
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- The Grand, the old cinema in the high street, will close at the end of the year, and reopen on a different site.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (A):
- new = different
- location = site
- Explanation: The cinema willopen on a “different site”, which has the same meaning as “new location” so the answer has to be A.
18. Answer: C
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- I expect many of you shop in the indoor market. It’s become more and more shabby-looking, and because of fears about safety, it was threatened with demolition. The good news is that it will close for six weeks to be made safe and redecorated, and the improved building will open in July.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
- refurbish = redecorate
- Explanation: The indoor market will be “redecorated”, or “refurbished”, so the answer must be C.
19. Answer: B
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- The council has managed to secure funding to keep the library open later into the evening, twice a week.
- Explanation: We need to be careful because the word “manage” in the recording can be confused with “management” in answer F. However, the true meaning of the speaker is that the library will be able to open later at night, that is, opening hours will be extended. Therefore the correct answer is B.
20. Answer: F
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- There’s no limit on access to the nature reserve on the edge of town, and this will continue to be the case. What will change, though, is that the council will no longer be in charge of the area. Instead it will become the responsibility of a national body that administers most nature reserves in the country.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (F):
- management = a national body that administers
- Explanation: The speaker says that “There’s no limit on access to the nature reserve on the edge of town, and this will continue to be the case” which means that opening hours will stay the same, so E is incorrect. The change is in the “management” of the facility, that is, another body will be responsible for it, as stated by the speaker. Therefore the answer is F.
SECTION 3
21. Answer: cave
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- Now, I’m not sure about the drawing of the cave – it’s got trees all around it, which is great, but the drawing’s a bit too static, isn’t it?
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (cave):
- surrounded by = all around
- So, the answer is cave.
22. Answer: tiger
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- Yes, let’s have Malcolm in the drawing. And what about putting in a tiger – the one he makes friends with a bit later? Maybe it could be sitting under a tree washing itself. And the tiger stops in the middle of what it’s doing when it sees Malcolm walking past.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (tiger):
- noticing = sees
- So, the answer is tiger.
23. Answer: dancing
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- Then there’s the drawing of the crowd of men and women dancing. They’re just outside the forest, and there’s a lot going on.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (dancing):
- people = men and women
- So, the answer is dancing.
24. Answer: crying
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- What about having him sitting on the tree trunk on the right of the picture?Yes, that would be fine. And do you want him watching the other people? No, he’s been left out of all the fun, so I’d like him to be crying – that’ll contrast nicely with the next picture…
- So, the answer is crying.
25. Answer: grass
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- And then the drawing of the people ice skating in the forest. I wasn’t too happy with that one. Because they’re supposed to be skating on grass, aren’t they? That’s right, and it’s frozen over. At the moment it doesn’t look quite right.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (grass):
- covered with ice = frozen
- So, the answer is grass.
26. Answer: scarf
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- And I like the wool hats they’re wearing. Maybe you could give each of them a scarf, as well.
- So, the answer is scarf.
27. Answer: A
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- HELEN: What do you think about including a section on how we planned the project as a whole, Jeremy? That’s probably quite important. JEREMY: Yeah. Well, you’ve had most of the good ideas so far. How do you feel about drafting something, then we can go through it together and discuss it?
- Explanation: When talking about the section on how they planned the project, Jeremy suggests that Helen does the “drafting”, and then they will discuss that draft together. This means that Helen will write the draft first, so the answer is A.
28. Answer: C
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- HELEN: And I could include something on how we came up with the ideas for our two stories, couldn’t I? JEREMY: Well I’ve started writing something about that. so why don’t you do the same and we can include the two things.
- Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
- had ideas = came up with ideas
- Explanation: Jeremy says that he has already started writing about how they “came up with” their ideas. Additionally, he also suggests Helen “do the same” which means BOTH of them will write about it. So the answer is clearly C.
29. Answer: D
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- HELEN: Right. So what about our interpretation of the stories? Do we need to write about what we think they show, like the value of helping other people, all that sort of thing? JEREMY: That’s going to come up later, isn’t it? I think everyone in the class is going to read each other’s stories and come up with their own interpretations, which we’re going to discuss. HELEN: Oh, I missed that. So it isn’t going to be part of the report at all?JEREMY: No
- Explanation: At first, Helen wonders if they should write about the interpretation of their stories but Jeremy thinks that “everyone in the class will come up with their own interpretations”. Eventually both of them decide not to include it in their report, which means that none of them will write that part. The answer is D.
30. Answer: B
- Here’s what the speakers say:
- JEREMY: But we need to write about the illustrations, because they’re an essential element of children’s experience of reading the stories. It’s probably easiest for you to write that section, as you know more about drawing than I do. HELEN: Maybe, but I find it quite hard to write about. I’d be happier if you did it.JEREMY: OK.
- Explanation: This question is really tricky because the speakers change their mind. Initially Jeremy suggests Helen write the section about illustrations, so you might think Helen will do it. But later Helen says “I’d be happier if you did it” and Jeremy says OK, which means he agrees to do the writing for her. The person who will write about illustrations is Jeremy, therefore the answer is B.
SECTION 4
31. Answer: attitudes
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Well, businesses are finding that ethnography can offer them deeper insight into the possible needs of customer, either present or future, as well as providing valuable information about their attitudes towards existing products.
- Explanation: the speaker says that business find ethnography useful in order to investigate customer needs and to learn what customers think about existing products. Ethnography ‘provides valuable information about’ customer attitudes. The answer is attitudes.
32. Answer: numbers
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- One team of researchers did a project for a company manufacturing kitchen equipment. They watched how cooks used measuring cups to measure out things like sugar and flour. They saw that the cooks had to check and recheck the contents, because although the measuring cups had numbers inside them, the cooks couldn’t see these easily.
- Explanation: the first example of how ethnographic research has been used in business is the example of the measuring cups. Cooks found these difficult to use and had to check the correct amounts measured. This was because the numbers inside the cups were difficult to see. The answer is numbers.
33. Answer: time
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Another team of ethnographic researchers looked at how cell phones were used in Uganda. They found that people who didn’t have their own phones could pay to use the phones of local entrepreneurs. Because these customers paid in advance for their calls, they were eager to know how much time they’d spent on the call so far. So the phone company designed phones for use globally with this added feature.
- Here are some key words to help you to get the answer (time):
- wanted = were eager
- used = spent
- Explanation: the second example of ethnographic research in business is cell phones. The speaker explains that in Uganda, many people used the cell phones of local entrepreneurs (business people), paying for the calls in advance. So, they needed to know how much time they had spent on their call. The answer is time.
34. Answer: software
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- In one company, IT systems administrators were observed for several weeks. It was found that a large amount of their work involved communicating with colleagues in order to solve problems, but that they didn’t have a standard way of exchanging information from spreadsheets and so on. So the team came up with an idea for software that would help them to do this.
- Here are some key words to help you to get the answer (software):
- develop = came up with an idea
- Explanation: the ethnographic researchers in computer companies looked at the difficulties of communication (exchanging information) between system administrators and their colleagues. It was necessary to introduce/develop software that would facilitate this. The answer is software.
35. Answer: patients
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- In another piece of research, a team observed and talked to nurses working in hospitals. This led to the recognition that the nurses needed to access the computer records of their patients, no matter where they were. This led to the development of a portable computer tablet that allowed the nurses to check records in locations throughout the hospital.
- Here are some key words to help you to get the answer (patients):
- information = records
- different parts = throughout
- Explanation: in the context of hospitals, a portable computer tablet was developed to enable nurses to check the computer records (to enable nurses to access information) about patients. The answer is patients.
36. Answer: emotions/feelings
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- For example, in one project done for an airline, respondents used their smartphones to record information about airline trips, in a study aiming at tracking the emotions of passengers during a flight.
- Here are some key words to help you to get the answer (emotions):
- while travelling = during a flight
- Explanation: the researchers were not present during this study, because the passengers (the respondents) were flying. Instead, the respondents recorded how they felt (their emotions) on their smartphones. The answer is emotions/feelings.
37. Answer: income
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- As far as choosing the participants themselves is concerned, that’s not really all that different from ordinary research – the criteria according to which the participants are chosen may be something as simple as the age bracket they fall into, or the researchers may select them according to their income, or they might try to find a set of people who all use a particular product, for example.
- Here are some key words to help you to get the answer (income):
- by = according to
- Explanation: now the speaker is talking about the criteria for choosing the people who take part in the research. First, age is mentioned as one possible criteria, and then the speaker mentions a second possibility – income. The answer is income.
38. Answer: comfortable
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- But it’s absolutely crucial to recruit the right people as participants. As well as the criteria I’ve mentioned, they have to be comfortable talking about themselves and being watched as they go about their activities.
- Explanation: participants have to/must be prepared to talk about themselves and feel comfortable about somebody watching them ‘as they go about their activities’. These things mean ‘taking part in the research’, so the answer is comfortable.
39. Answer: observation
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- So what makes this type of research special is that it’s not just a matter of sending a questionnaire to the participants, insteadthe research is usually based on first-hand observation of what they are doing at the time.
- Here are some key words to help you to get the answer (observation):
- direct = first-hand
- Explanation: ethnographic research is different in some ways from traditional types of research. It is special because it is usually done by the researcher directly observing the participants, to see what they are doing at any particular time. The answer is observation.
40. Answer: analysis
- Here’s what the speaker says:
- Most researchers estimate that 70 to 80 per cent of their time is spent not on the collecting of data but on its analysis – looking at photos, listening to recordings and transcribing them, and so on.
- Explanation: researchers calculate (estimate) that 70 to 80 per cent (=most of) their time is spent not on collecting data, but on analysing the data. So, the answer is analysis.