Unit 1 Test

6 Listen to five dialogues. Match topics 1-10 to dialogues A-E.

A

A Marie Curie? Wasn't she the one who discovered radiation and X-rays?

B Yes, that's right. She was an incredible woman, who worked really hard to fight against poverty, and discrimination. But, I don't think her work was recognised during her life.

A Oh yes it was … very much so. She was the one who won two Nobel Prizes during her lifetime, one for chemistry and the other for physics.

B Oh yes … that's right. I'd forgotten. She was really amazing!

B

A Don't you get it from eating oranges?

B No, that's vitamin C. I think you get it from things like spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, eggs.

A Yuk, all the things I hate.

B Yes, but it doesn't matter does it, if it gives you a really good skin and strong bones? And anyway, you get used to different foods - you just have to keep trying them.

A Actually, I thought milk helped make your bones strong.

C

A They won in 1998!

B No way … you've got it all wrong.

A Listen, I'm absolutely sure. There's no way that Brazil lost in 1998!

B But they did. Actually they lost 3-0.

A 3-0? You must be mad! They won 2-0.

B I know what's going wrong - you're confusing the 1998 world cup and the one in 2002. They did win in 2002, and that was the score.

A Oh yes, sorry, you're right.

D

A And it's the capital of Australia.

B No, it isn't. It's that other place … that new place that's inland and has lots of offices.

A You mean Perth.

B No, that's not inland, it's on the sea, or on a river at least. Oh, what's its name? It's kind of an unusual name … for me at any rate. I think it begins with a `k'.

A A `k'? Oh I know what you mean, but it's not a `k', it's a `c'.

B Got it, Canberra. Phew, that was hard work. Thanks.

E

A It was part of Italy at the time.

B I don't think it was Italy … Venice I think. Yes, it was part of the Venetian Empire, then I think it became independent.

A No, I don't think it was that simple. I've a feeling the Turks were there and the British too. In fact, I don't think it got independence until 1960 or something.

B So, it's only been independent for 40 or 50 years? Is that right? I thought it was much longer than that.

A Actually, thinking about it, it must be right, because I remember my dad talking about the independence celebrations that he went to when he was a kid.

Unit 2 Test

Narrator: 6. Listen to the story. Complete the summary with suitable words. The first letters have been given to you.

Once upon a time an old widowed lady lived in a poor village by the sea. The old lady didn't have much money and only a few friends, and she spent her days walking along the beach. One day as she was walking along, she saw a group of girls from the village gathered excitedly together. She went to see what was happening and in the middle of the girls saw a hippocampus, a monster of the sea, lying injured. Some of the girls were throwing stones at the monster, but she went to help him and gave him water.

After a while, the hippocampus raised its head and said to the old lady: `You have saved my life. In return I will grant you three wishes. Wish for anything you want and I will make your wishes come true.' The old lady's first wish was for the village to stop being poor. Then she looked around her and saw that the houses had suddenly become freshly painted, that the gardens were full of fruit and vegetables, and that the people were fatter and well-dressed.

She wished again: `May the people of this village become good and kind.' Suddenly the girls came to help the hippocampus, and people came out of their houses to kiss and hug each other.

`Your last wish?' asked the hippocampus. `I wish to die,' replied the old lady. `These wonderful things are for the young people. I have lived my life.'

`It is not in my power to give or to take life' replied the hippocampus. `If this is really your wish, I will take you to meet my prince. Follow me.' And the old lady followed the hippocampus into the sea. A long avenue opened before them and they walked along it, then down a long staircase until they came to a beautiful palace in the Land Beneath The Sea. Inside the palace sat the handsome prince surrounded by his family and servants.

The hippocampus told the prince about the old lady's kindness to the people in her village, and about the help she had given him, and finally about her last wish. The prince listened carefully and when the hippocampus had finished his story he asked: `But where is this kind old lady?'

`Why, it's me, your highness,' replied the widow in surprise. Everyone laughed and the prince handed her a mirror. She looked at herself and saw the beautiful woman she had been when she was young and her life was full of happiness. `Do you still want your last wish?' asked the prince. `No,' replied the widow `but what will I do? I can't return to my village now. My life there is over.'

`You are a kind, wise and beautiful woman,' said the Prince. `I have been searching for someone like you all my life. Can I ask you to be my wife and become the princess of this land?' And they all lived happily ever after.Unit 3 Test

NARRATOR: 8. Listen to someone talking about Cuban music. Write notes in the chart.

They say that scientists and explorers change the world, and I'm sure they do. But musicians can, too. I want to tell you a little bit about Cuban music, because it really is music that has changed our lives.

You probably know that Cuba is an island in the Caribbean, off the coast of Florida, USA. It has had a hard and difficult history. Christopher Columbus conquered the island for the Spanish and took it from the local people, who had lived there for centuries. Under Spanish rule thousands of slaves were brought to the island from Africa to work in the sugar and tobacco fields. Later they were joined by people escaping from the violence on French islands close to Cuba.

Cuban music has come from this mix of different people, and from the violence and unhappiness. Many of the rhythms and the use of the drums come from Africa. But it also has influences from France, other islands in the Caribbean, the USA, Spain and church music, too. Maybe it's because the music comes from so many places that so many people around the world love it.

So many of the rhythms that we dance to today started out in Cuba. Cuban music has influenced jazz, salsa, tango and high life. And even more recent types of music like mambo, rock and reggaeton. But it's not just Cuban rhythms that excite us, it's also Cuban artists. Possibly the most well-known band is Buena Vista Social Club. The band was formed by a group of musicians who played in a club called Buena Vista, in Havana, Cuba in the 1940s. They were very popular in Cuba, but gradually over time they played less and less. German film director Wim Wenders heard about them and in 1999 made a film about their lives, their music and their fame in Cuba. Suddenly these old men, some of them already in their 90s, were selling their music all over the world, playing concerts and doing international music tours. Everybody loved them.

I think Cuban music has changed the world and Cuban artists have, too.

Unit 4 Test

NARRATOR: 7. Listen to the argument about football. Match the statements to the speakers, A or B.

GIRL Football has become so commercial. It's just about money these days. Honestly, I think I'm going to stop watching it.

BOY Come off it … you're exaggerating a bit aren't you? There are lots of good footballers around who don't play for large sums of money, but just for the pleasure of playing.

GIRL Do you really think so? I think most players are in it for the money these days. Footballers used to play for a club, they took their clubs really seriously, they mattered to them … they identified with the club. Nowadays they might play for a club for a couple of years, get a better contract with another club, then in a few months' time find themselves in a match against their old club.

BOY Yes, but it's precisely that situation that makes football better than before. All the players know that they have to play well all the time if they want to get a better contract with another club, so they try really hard, train a lot and do all they can to improve their skills. The result is that they play better. I think the quality of football is actually better than it was.

GIRL Better? You must be joking! Players spend their time on the pitch arguing with the referee or insulting him. They just waste time being rude to him or trying to make their opponents fall over. Those aren't football skills. They're low-quality debating skills. And there's another thing - because so much money goes into just a few clubs, it means that there are always two levels of football: the two or three `superteams' which some millionaire pours all his money into, and then the rest. So there's no real competition any more.

BOY Actually I tend to agree with you there. I do think it's a shame that some teams really seem to dominate everything and others just don't have a chance.

GIRL Yes, and that's because of the training system too. All the talented young players are spotted by these top clubs and go to play for them. You used to be able to find talent anywhere and everywhere. I don't know … maybe I'll start watching swimming instead.

BOY How boring … now you must be joking!

Unit 5 Test

NARRATOR: 7. Listen to someone talking about education. Write notes in the chart.

Ideas about the education of boys and girls are always changing. About a hundred years ago, girls had to fight to go to school. Many people thought it was a waste of time and money to send girls to school when, after leaving, they would probably just get married, have children and stay at home for the rest of their lives. In some countries, the argument still continues, but in many others it has already been won, and research has shown that educating women helps a country's economy as well as helping the education of the next generation.

One thing that is still controversial though, is whether boys and girls should be taught together or separately. At first it was assumed that they should be together, then some people argued that girls didn't do as well when they were studying with boys, and that boys dominated the classroom, giving the girls little time to speak up or get their teacher's attention. So, some suggested that girls and boys should be taught separately. People are still proposing this, but nowadays it seems to be for different reasons. The fact is that in many countries, girls are doing better than boys at school. They get better exam results and more go to university. Some experts say that this is because boys' ways of learning are different to girls' and that many teaching methods are more suitable for girls than boys. If boys and girls were separated, they could be taught in the way that they most need. When you look at the research, the results are quite confusing. Some studies suggest it's better to separate them, some that it's better to keep them together, and some that it's impossible to decide because maybe it's the schools that make the difference not the separation.

Single-sex schooling raises another set of issues that don't have so much to do with academic learning as social learning. Is it better for girls and boys to learn how to get on with one another and how to understand one another at school, or should that kind of learning only take place outside the classroom? These are areas into which little research has been done, and that people usually have very strong opinions about.

What's your opinion?

Unit 6 Test

NARRATOR: 7. Listen to the rest of the holiday story and correct the statements in bold.

Here I am again, continuing my happy story about our horrible holiday. Actually, things began to get better. We did meet other people who had awful stories to tell of robberies, live electrical wires, hotels miles away from the beach and no transport, workmen working on swimming pools that children were using etc. etc. But none of this happened to us.

After a ghastly night at the hotel of horrors the tour company rep arrived the next day and, after hearing our very loud complaints, transferred us immediately to this wonderful hotel - right on the white sandy beach, sparkling clean, friendly staff, video arcade for the kids, delicious local food, a disco round the corner, constant hot water. So we stopped worrying about the hotel and started looking around the place and enjoying ourselves.

One funny thing did happen though - on our last day, we were happily lazing about on the beach, complaining about having to go back to cold Britain, to work and to school, when Ellen suddenly looked at our tickets. Guess what - we'd got the day wrong. Instead of leaving on the Sunday, we should have left on the Saturday. But again, the hotel told us not to worry and sorted it all out very efficiently. We'd confused the days because our flight was at one o'clock. So we thought it was Sunday lunchtime, but in fact it was one o'clock on Sunday morning! They told us that people are always making that mistake. So, by accident we got an extra day, and they didn't even make us pay for it.

In the end we had a great fortnight and I'd go back there any day - there's so much to see and do. But I'll never use that travel company again, or go on a package. I'm demanding my money back, by the way. How dare they even think of putting people in such a dreadful place, and expect them to pay for it? I'll let you know what happens.

Unit 7 Test

NARRATOR: 7. Listen to four people talking about learning English. Match topics 1-10 to speakers A, B, C and D.

Speaker A

I suppose I started learning English 'cause I had to - it was a subject at school and I had to do it. I didn't particularly enjoy learning it and I really didn't think I'd need it for anything in later life 'cause my plan was to become a nurse in my country - Indonesia. Well, I was 100 per cent wrong. I started doing my nursing studies and found that some of my textbooks were in English. We also used a website - which was brilliant - to discuss nursing problems with other trainee nurses around the world, and, of course, the language we used was English. Well, I just about struggled through and ended up with a nursing qualification, which I'm quite proud of actually. Then I started working in hospitals back home, and much to my surprise I found I needed English there too - some of the other nurses are from the Philippines and they speak English, and then there are some Indian doctors who speak English too. Anyway, now my English is pretty good - it has to be, and I'm pleased about that.

Speaker B

I left school with good grades in English, and then got a really good job in a call centre. Do you know what they are? They are companies which make sales and customer services phone calls for other companies. These companies save lots of money that way. Sometimes the call centres are in the same country as the company, and sometimes they're in other countries like India, where I'm from. Well, as I said, I was pretty proud of my English when I left school. I thought it was good. But as soon as I started working in the call centre I changed my mind very fast. It was incredibly difficult having to talk to people from England, the USA, Australia etc. First of all, you get nervous, but then there are all those thousands of different ways of talking, different accents, and all that colloquial, chatty English that we never learned at school. Fortunately, my company put me on an excellent training course - it was really hard work, eight hours a day for four weeks non-stop. We learned colloquial language, we learned how to be fluent, how to keep customers happy and how to deal with difficult customers. It was brilliant and without it I would never have survived in this job.

Speaker C

I've always tried very hard not to learn English. Maybe you think I'm mad but it really makes me angry how English has taken over. I like my language, I'm proud of my language - it's Portuguese by the way, so why should I have to speak to foreigners in a foreign language? And I don't want my language to disappear like some other languages have. Of course, I can speak English. I learned it at school, like everyone else, and I had some brilliant teachers. So, in fact, I speak it pretty well, especially as I spent a year in New Zealand studying marine biology. But I keep it quiet. Nobody knows unless it's absolutely necessary!

Speaker D

I've been brought up tri-lingual. My mother's Polish, my father's Japanese, and I go to school in Hong Kong. My school's an international school, so we learn in English and speak English there, but outside school most people in Hong Kong speak Cantonese, so I've had to learn that too. It hasn't really been difficult. Apparently, when I was a baby I didn't speak till I was three, so my parents got a bit worried about me, as most kids start speaking before they're two. But I guess I was just busy trying to sort out the languages I heard - Polish and Japanese, and when I started speaking, I really made up for lost time. My English is quite good, but I'd say it's school English and not really street language. That's because I don't really speak it out of school as most of my friends are Cantonese speakers, but I'm going to classes at the moment to make it a bit more relaxed. They're fun 'cause we just sit around chatting or pretend we're in lots of everyday situations and act out what we'd say in them.

Unit 8 Test

NARRATOR: 6. Listen to someone at a job interview and complete the application form.

MALE So, good afternoon, Miss Stevens … Judy Stevens. You're applying for this job as an assistant in our animal clinic, and we'd like to start off by finding out a bit more about you. First of all, could you just remind us what qualifications you have?

JUDY Yes, I've got a degree in history.

MALE A degree in history. I see, and can you tell us about it?

JUDY Well, I finished it two years ago and it was from Manchester University.

MALE Er, right. And how is it relevant to this job, do you think?

JUDY Well, I'm not too sure actually. But I do like animals.

MALE You like animals … that's good. Have you ever had pets?

JUDY Oh yes, lots of them. Goldfish especially.

MALE OK, and have you had any experience in looking after animals or working as a receptionist?

JUDY Well, I looked after my goldfish, and I worked in a restaurant. I was a waitress, so I had to look after the customers.

MALE How long did you do that for?

JUDY Oh, just two weeks

MALE Only two weeks. Why was that?

JUDY Well, it was boring, so I left.

MALE And what makes you think that this job will be interesting? Would you want to stay here if you got it?

JUDY Probably, I do like animals.

MALE And do you have any other relevant experience?

JUDY Well, I had a part-time job as a baby-sitter when I was at school. I used to look after children when their parents went out in the evening.

MALE Did you do much of that?

JUDY About once a month for a year or so.

MALE And do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the job?

JUDY Erm … not really, no.

MALE OK, thanks Miss Stevens … you'll be hearing from us soon.

Review Test Units 1 (Units 1-4)

NARRATOR: 2. Listen and circle the correct answer A, B or C.

1

Man: No, they're not salty at all. I can't really describe what they taste like - sort of fishy but not really. You can eat them with bread or chips, and they're lovely and fresh. You should try some.

2

Woman: I think they're really useful, actually. They're only small, so you don't really notice them. And they're very easy to work - not too many complicated buttons. But what I really like is they tell you exactly how far you've been and how much more you need to do. Otherwise, you'd have no idea.

3

Man: You should have seen it! It was absolutely amazing. There were these huge bedrooms and tiny, tiny bathrooms that had just been built, and I'm sure no safety check had been carried out. And there were live electrical wires coming out the walls, lovely smart lifts whose doors didn't shut properly and in the swimming pool there were huge blocks of concrete that the workers hadn't taken away when they'd finished. It was quite something!

4

Woman: There was all this equipment, and machines everywhere - I didn't understand what half of them did. There were so many people, all with different jobs to do, and all dressed up in special clothing so you really couldn't see who they were. And the atmosphere just wasn't what I'd expected. I thought that everyone would be really nervous and tense. But they weren't - they were chatting and joking. Maybe that's the best way for them to stay relaxed. And they even had music playing - Who knows if the patient liked the music? I don't suppose she could hear it of course because of the anaesthetic.

5

Man: Whoops, that's a bit too hot. I'll turn the gas down. Now, what you need to do next is put down all your knives and tools and things, and just concentrate on the pan. Make sure the oil is really, really hot - but not burning. And don't touch it. Don't even think of giving it a stir or anything. Then take the chicken and just drop it in, like this … then take it out again really quickly - believe me, it doesn't take any longer than that, providing you've cut it up small enough … there you are. Try some.

6

Man: It's really terribly expensive, and it shouldn't be. Something like that should be free of charge.

Woman: Yes, but they need to make money. The government can't pay for everything.

Man: I know, but essential things like that really should be free of charge. If babies or travellers don't have them, they can really get into big trouble. It's not like going without your favourite TV programme because you can't afford to pay for it.

7

Man: It's just too dangerous. If we're not careful, a lot of people could be seriously injured.

Woman: Yes, and more than that, there could be a lot of damage to buildings and shops too - glass getting broken and all that kind of thing.

Man: Even if we really try to be careful, with that number of people around you never know what might happen, and then if the police get a bit nervous too, the whole thing might just explode. I think we should do it some other way.

8

Girl: The thing is, that in fact it doesn't actually work like that. They promise you that you're going to get the speediest, most efficient service ever with no more waiting around, but in fact, what you get is these dreadful machines that tell you what to do. And what they tell you to do is never what you want to do. I wish they would just put humans on the end of the phone … you can talk to humans, tell them what you want, explain things to them, ask them questions, but these machines … Grrh, they're awful.

9

Man: It was quite interesting to see her actually. She looked quite angry - she was shouting and nervous, and she had this most fantastic long hair, almost down to her knees. But I suppose it was her clothes I noticed most. They were really unusual. She had this old black woollen sort of coat, then this really brightly coloured skirt with flowers all over it. You don't see colours like that much these days. But something must have been worrying her because she was behaving a bit strangely.

10

Boy: When I first started I was dead worried. I never thought I'd be able to do it. Twenty-one miles is a long way to swim. But in fact, once you get going, there's really not much to worry about and you start to relax. You just have to keep swimming and not think about being cold, or the fact that there might be an enormous ship up there that could crash into you. You have to rely on and trust your support team in the boat that's with you. And now it's over, well, I can't believe it really, but I guess I'm pretty pleased that I've broken a record. To do something that no one else has ever done before makes you feel pretty good.

Review Test 2 (Units 1-8)

NARRATOR: 2. Listen and circle the correct answer A, B or C.

1

Man: Yes, isn't it a fantastic building … it's at least a hundred and fifty years old. Actually though, while it's lovely to look at, it's not so good to work in. It gets pretty cold, especially when you're standing in the hall all day selling tickets. Sometimes we get members of the public coming just to look at it, but usually they come just 'cause they're passing through on their way to somewhere else. But it's quite a good job as most people are really quite friendly even when they are in a hurry.

2

Man: Hurry up or we'll be late.

Woman: There's not much we can do with all these people.

Man: Can't you get through the back there? I must be there at the start.

Woman: But, it won't make any difference whether we're late or not, the food will still be there. The choice isn't better if you get there early.

Man: Yes, but I like to choose where I sit - as far away as possible from all the other guests.

3

Man: I'm sorry but I really can't accept that. The seat is very, very uncomfortable and I've paid good money for it. If I'd wanted to catch a bus I could have done, but I wanted to travel in comfort. They told me at the agency that I'd get value for my money - I paid a lot you know. No, I absolutely refuse to sit here, and you're going to have to sort me out very fast because we're taking off soon, aren't we?

4

Woman: If you go out at night, you do run more risks than during the day. And sometimes it's a bit disappointing because you can't see so well, but when there's a full moon it's absolutely fantastic. And really there's no danger … except you absolutely have to follow the rules. The rules are there for a very good reason. You may not like them, they might make you feel a bit unhappy, but unless you're prepared to follow them, then I'm sorry but I'm not prepared to go with you.

5

Man: Actually, it'll probably do you a lot of good. It'll help you to relax and feel more confident. Ok, it's not something you've done before, but isn't it nice to do something for the first time? And people will look at you, you know. You'll be the star of the party. And they're just so good to have on … you feel really comfortable in them. Go on … try.

6

Girl: Go on, you do it.

Boy: No, you do it. I've never been here before and I don't understand how to work this thing. What do you push first and where do you type your name?

Girl: No, no, come on, it's not that complicated … just talk into that screen when they answer you. It'll probably be Ben anyway. He said no one else would be at home. They're all busy. Hurry up … he's waiting for us.

7

Man: Is tomorrow OK? It really is a bit urgent. I just can't use it and my things are getting a bit dirty without it. My girlfriend's getting pretty angry with me actually. I'll be back about two o'clock tomorrow, so 2.30 or three would suit me fine. There's no way I can bring it to you, so I really need you to come here. It's probably just a broken part or something.

8

Man: I never imagined this would happen. It could be a bit of a disaster, but I suppose I shall just have to be careful. They've told me lots of yoghurt and orange juice should help, but I don't believe any of that. No, I'll wear a hat and long clothes, then I should be all right. I refuse to let it ruin my holiday - that really would be something to get down about.

9

Woman: They've got some part time jobs going at the supermarket.

Man: I bet they're really boring and that the pay's awful.

Woman: Yes, but sometimes anything is better than nothing.

Man: Oh, I'm so fed up with having no money.

Woman: Well, maybe I could help out? I'm quite well-off at the moment, and you could pay me back after Christmas.

Man: Oh, really? Fantastic! That's so kind of you!

10

Woman: Yes, I just need to know your bank details. It's so that we can bill you properly. There's a lot to do, and I've got the rest of your details, so everyone's ready to start really. It's just that I have to your account details before we can get on with any jobs.

Tapescript Inspiration 4

This page has been created for Inspiration 4 Tests. It is photocopiable. Copyright © Macmillan Publishers Limited 2007.

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