BBC Listening Worksheet No. 2

1. Listen to this interview with 65-year-old Simon Bullough. He retired last year after 15 years employment with a car manufacturer. While you listen, decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Simon stopped full-time employment last year.

2. Simon still works occasionally.

3. Simon is on a scheme called `phased retirement'.

4. The work Simon does is not very flexible.

5. The company uses outside temporary workers too.

6. Simon is able to use his old work contacts to get things done.

7. Simon doesn't need any training.

8. Simon doesn't pay tax on his earnings.

2. Listen to this interview with two pipers at a festival.

You are going to hear some players talking about the bagpipes. Which of the subjects below do they mention?

a. the history of the instrument

b. how they learned to play

c. some playing tips

d. famous performers

e. playing in public

f. how they keep the instrument clean

g. their own compositions

h. unusual facts about the bagpipes

3. Listen to an interview on Sustainable Cities about Curitiba in Brazil.

Put these points in the order they are mentioned.Write numbers next to each point.

__ Cycle paths

__ Free educational centres

__ Transport system

__ Pedestrian areas

__ Public participation

__ Tree planting

__ House building

4. Listen to 3 senior Directors of the Three Stars Investment Company discussing the importance of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) at a strategy meeting.

While listening, decide if the sentences are true or false, according to what you hear.

1. The economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China are developing very quickly.

2. Brazil is a major player on the world's energy markets.

3. China only produces low value goods.

4. Brazil is selling increasing amounts of food to China.

5. China has limited energy supplies.

6. Rates of HIV infection are decreasing all over Africa.

7. Oil has been discovered in Uganda.

8. Some countries from Africa may join the BRIC countries.

5. Listen to Sue talking to her line manager Bob about the way she and her team works.

After listening, read these reports on Bob as a line manager. Which report best describes Bob?

Report A

Bob takes great interest in his team. He encourages them to attend training courses, in short he encourages his team members to be lifelong learners. He shares company strategy with employees and asks for their comments on this strategy. He has a wide vision across the organisation, again he shares this knowledge with his team members. Bob regularly holds full team meetings.

Report B

Bob is liked and respected by his team. He encourages lifelong learning amongst team members. He needs to do more to encourage team learning. Bob is great at one to one interviews, he is rather afraid of full team meetings and avoids these at all costs. Bob shares some information but he should try to share all company information with his team.

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