Listening Practice

Listening Practice Test 1

AUDIO - open this URL to listen to the audio:

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practice-test-1

Questions 1-6
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Moving Company Service Report

Example Answer

Full Name: Jane Bond

Phone Number: 1

USA Address: 509 2

1137 3

Packing Day: 4

Date: 11th March

Clean-up by: 5:00 p.m.

Day: 5

About the Price: Rather expensive

Storage Time: 6

Questions 7-10
Where does the speaker decide to put items in?

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Write the correct letter, A, B, or C, next to questions 7-10.

A in emergency pack

B in personal package

C in storage with the furniture

Items
7 cutlery and dishes

8 kettle

9 alarm clock

10 CD player

Questions 11-16

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Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

ANNUAL WULLABALLOO CONFERENCE

TIME CONTENT LOCATION

9:00 a.m. Title of the lecture: Main Hall

11

Lecturer: John Smith from

the
12

Garden Room on the

10:30 a.m. Presentation of papers
ground floor

11:15 a.m. Coffee break Main Hall

Sea View Restaurant on

the
13
1:00 p.m. Lunch
The lift on the
14

Presentation of further
2:00 p.m. Ballroom
papers

15
Afternoon tea Ballroom
p.m.

Conference will be
5:00 p.m. Main Hall
finished

5:10-6:10 p.m. Informal reception 16

Questions 17-20
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.

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 Tickets are
17 available

A  only at the reception desk.

B  tomorrow evening.

C  at any time before the reception.

The delegates will be

18 charged........

A  $6.50

B  $15.00

C  $25.00

The restaurant is famous

19 for

A  steak.

B  fish.

C  barbecue.

The trip on Sunday

20 costs

A  $35 in total.

B  $35 plus entrance fees.

C  $35 plus lunch.

Questions 21-26
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.

GENERAL COURSE DETAILS

What is the defining characteristic of a specialised

21 course?

A  Taking a proficiency exam

B  Attending the class frequently

C  Compulsory and regular

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 The Microbiology courses are available
22 for

A  full-time and flexible-time students.

B  Microbiology students only.

C  students on a flexible schedule.

The Biology courses are available

23 for

A  all students.

B  full-time students only.

C  freshmen only.

Who are interested in Microbiology

24 courses?

A  People who need work experience

B  People from off-campus

C  People who work at hospital

A Medical Science course will be opened next year

25 because

A  there are no experimental facilities.

B  the lab equipment is too expensive.

C  the building is damaged.

Which is the quickest increasing subject in

26 enrolment?

A  Medical Science

B  Statistics

C  Environmental Science

Questions 27-29
Choose THREE letters, A-G, and write each next to questions 27-29.

Which THREE compulsory courses must be taken?

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 A  Medical Science
B  Computing
C  Mathematics
D  Laboratory Techniques
E  Statistics
F  Medicine
G  Environmental Science

Question 30
Complete the sentence below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for the answer.

There are three full scholarships that cover tuition and provide $1,500 cash as a
30

Questions 31-37

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Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

How to Choose Flooring Materials

Source

There are some man-made materials like 31

Before being used, material undergoes 32

Wood should be cut and 33

Stone should be cut and 34

Selection

Aside from environmental factors, one should take 35 into

account during construction.

Some properties of materials affect mood, such as 36 ,

texture, and colour.

Use a mathematical formula to choose the type of wood, because

37 are subjective, which are ambiguous in verbal
description.

Questions 38-40
Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

MATERIAL REFLECTANCE RATE

Polished silver Almost 1.0

White-painted plastic Approximately 38

Quarry tile Approximately 39

40 Almost 0.0

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 Solution:

1 94635550 2 Clark House

3 University Drive 4 Monday
5 Thursday 6 a month/one month/1 month
7 A 8 C
9 B 10 C
11 Computer as Teacher 12 University of Melbourne
13 top floor 14 ground floor
15 3:10 16 Palm Lounge
17 C 18 B
19 B 20 A
21 C 22 A
23 B 24 B
25 A 26 C
27
29
C,E,F 30 textbook allowance
31 plastic 32 processing
33 seasoned 34 polished
35 (the) cost 36 grain pattern(s)
37 words 38 0.8
39 0.1 40 black velvet

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 Audio Script:

SECTION 1
CLERK: Good morning, ma’am, and welcome to “Australia’s Moving Experience”! How
can I help you?
WOMAN: Well, I... I hope you can help me. I’m so up in the air right now... I...
CLERK: Just calm down, now. Let me guess: you’re moving and it has you a little
confused.
WOMAN: That’s it exactly. You see, I’m relocating to the United States next month and
I’m having a hard time getting organised.
CLERK: Here, fill out your name and address, and let me ask you a few questions. Oh,
what should I call you?
WOMAN: My name is Jane, Example Jane Bond.
CLERK: OK, Jane, first of all, what’s your work phone number? In case I have any
questions about things.
WOMAN: My work phone is Q1 94635550. But please try not to call me too often there.
My boss hates personal calls.
CLERK: So does mine, ma’am, so does mine. And what address should we ship your
things to?
WOMAN: My new company is letting me stay temporarily at 509 Q2 Clark House, that’s
C-L-A-R-K, 1137 Q3 University Drive in Seattle.
CLERK: Seattle? Beautiful city, I hear. Mountains right beside the ocean, almost. Cooler
than Australia, too. OK, and when should we come pack your things?
WOMAN: I guess that would be on Q4 Monday, March 11th.

Do you want any help with an after-packing clean-up? We do that for a small additional
charge.
Yes, that would be helpful. I promised the landlord I’d give her the keys back by 5:00 p.m.
on Q5 Thursday, the 14th.
Great, we’ll just schedule the clean-up for that day. That way, the place will smell clean
and there’ll be no dust.
Well, you do think of everything! Oh, how much is this going to cost?
Here is a list of our basic prices.
Oh dear, this seems rather expensive!
Yes ma’am, but you’re paying for the best. We’re careful and we’re fast. Like we say, the
only thing we break are speed records getting you moved.
Well... maybe that’s so... Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you. I don’t want my furniture shipped
with me. I won't be look​ing for an apartment till after I arrive in America. Would it be
possible to put my furniture in storage here for Q6 a month, then have it sent along later?
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Of course, we do that all the time. A couple of other things.

Here at "A Moving Experience”, we try to pack your things logically. We don’t just throw
stuff in boxes.

Do you have any special requests? You know, things you want packed in some special
place, so you know where to find them?
Like what?
Oh, I don’t know... Things like dishes maybe. Not to be rude, but you look like a lady who
likes to eat.
Ahhh! Yes, I need my dishes and things where I can find them quickly.
Great. Q7 We'll put those dishes and cutlery in what we call the emergency pack. Can
you think of anything else?
Ummm, Q8 I do have an antique tea kettle my great-grand​mother gave my mother. I
wouldn’t want to lose that. So I guess Q8 you’d better put that in storage with the
furniture.
Grandma’s tea kettle with the furniture, got it! Say, how about things like your alarm clock?
You don’t want to miss your plane on the big day, right?
Well, you certainly think of everything! Yes, that’s right. Q9 I'll also need my alarm clock
where I can find it.
Fine, Q9 we’ll put that in your personal package. And of course, we'll give you a list of
where we pack everything. So, all you’ll have to do on Thursday, the 14th is grab your
luggage on your way out the door. Um, I couldn’t help noticing the new CD player you’re
carrying. Is that a Samsung?
Why? Yes, it is. One of their best. Cost me nearly a hundred dollars, it did!
Do you want to take special care of it? I mean it’s brand new.
Take care of it, but nothing special. Q10 You can just put it in storage with the furniture.

That looks like everything we need here. I guess you’re all set.
That was certainly quick. Thank you, young man. This has been a most moving
experience!

SECTION 2
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the 2nd Annual Wullaballoo Conference on
Mastering Computer Languages. I hope you all had a good trip. Before we get underway
with today’s programme, let me fill you in as to what’s on tap for tomorrow, Sunday,
February 19th.

At 9:00 a.m. right here in the Main Hall, we’ll be hearing a lecture from Dr John Smith
about “ Q11 Computer as Teacher’’. Professor Smith, from the Q12 University of

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Melbourne, is a world-class expert in the field of computer-assisted education, and his talk
promises to be both stimulating and informative.

Immediately afterwards, at 10:30, there will be a presentation of papers by various

delegates. That, however, will take place in the Garden Room on the ground floor. If you
don’t yet know, the Garden Room is also called the Ballroom, and we’ll be gathering at the
west end, the slightly raised area called Level 2. Just look for the crowd. If you get lost,
there are signs in the foyer.

After all that thinking, talking, and listening, I expect everyone will be a bit weary. So at
11:15, there will be a break for coffee, cookies, and other light refreshments. These will be
available at the aptly named Refreshment Stand, placed by the door back here in the Main
Hall. Also, if you choose to skip the formal lunch, you can buy a packed lunch at the stand
for a reasonable price.

I strongly urge you, however, to join us at the formal lunch. That won’t be till one o’clock
sharp, so you have time to stroll about town a bit. We’ll be eating at the Sea View
Restaurant. The restaurant is located right here in the hotel, on the Q13 top floor. It’s a
good dozen flights of stairs, so I suggest you take the lift on the Q14 ground floor, eh? If
you’re not fond of fish, there is an all-you-can-eat barbecue available as well. They even
offer wallaby meat!
After lunch, we’ll troop back downstairs to Level 2 in the Ballroom for the presentation of
further papers, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. Please try to be on time. I know you’ll be a bit
tired after lunch, but the Ballroom echoes so with people coming in late. Thank you in
advance.

Once we’ve heard the papers, we’ll break for afternoon tea at Q15 3:10 p.m. No need to
walk. The manager of the refreshment stand has graciously agreed to have tea served in
the Ballroom. He’s even prom​ised us some special scones, baked from a recipe of his
dear old Scot​tish grandmother.

Then, tea being drunk and scones munched, we’ll retire here to the Main Hall for some
closing remarks and questions. So, by 5:00 we should have the conference wrapped up.
But the fun isn’t over! This is Australia mates! We’ll be flocking to the hotel’s own
Q16 Palm Lounge on the east side of the foyer for an informal reception. You can relax,
mingle with the other delegates, and let your hair down a bit. This will run from 5:10 to
6:10, though you’re free to stay as long as you like. The lounge manager has informed me
that, for the duration of the actual reception, you can have all-you-can-drink beer for
$20.00 with purchase of an advance ticket.

And, yes, Q17 tickets can be purchased from any conference organiser or at the front
desk anytime between now and the start of the reception.

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I suggest you come by tomorrow evening to pick up the tickets since the conference hall
only holds 800 people. That way, you can also get your journey planned ahead of time and
be sure not to miss this truly memorable conference. If you want cocktails, however, I’m
sorry. You’ll have to pay for those at the regular price.

Oh my goodness! Speaking of paying, I see I forgot to tell you a couple of things. The first
is about lunch. Q18 The charge for the lunch will be $15.00 for all you delegates. If you
have guests with you, the cost is $25.00 for the general public, and $6.50 for children
under the age of 10. That’s fifteen dollars each, not total for everyone! Another item is
about the lunch menu. I very much urge you to try the fish. I mean, Q19 look at the
restaurant’s name: Sea View. As the name suggests, it is a famous seafood restaurant.
The chef is a Basque from Spain, and he really gets quite put out when people ignore his
fish specialties for burgers or barbecue. If fish isn’t your thing though, try the steak - he
makes an exquisite Filet mignon topped with bleu cheese and mushrooms.

Finally, Q20 if you’d like to buy a ticket, you can have both lunch and the unlimited beer
for $35.00.I should have mentioned that earlier, but I am a bit forgetful. Maybe I should
avoid the beer after the conference, eh?

Well, I’ve said my bit. Are there any questions?

SECTION 3
Hello... are you Professor Van Diezen?
Yes, I am. And who might you be?
Oh! Sorry, my name is Tina. I’m a freshman here. They told me I should ask you for advice
in choosing courses.
Well, that’s part of what I’m here for. Please come in and sit down. Now, what are your
questions?
I, I almost don’t know! Everything is so confusing! Like what is a “specialised course”?
Oh, easy. Q21 A specialised course is one that is compulsory, meaning it's a requirement
for your major and regular, so you can’t place out by taking a proficiency exam.

That sounds pretty strict. Then what are all these gen​eral courses? I seem to have to take
so many.
Nothing to be alarmed over. These are courses open to all students and not directly
related to your major. The university offers these general courses to choose so that you
can become more well-rounded individuals. For ex​ample, I see you’re a Microbiology
major. So it might be a good idea to take some literature or history courses so that you can
know something besides all science.
You mean these courses are, like, for fun?
That might be one way to look at it, but don’t tell the lit​erature professor such a thing.
Think of a general course as the opposite of a specified course. A specified course is one
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that pertains directly to your major.
So can I take any Microbiology course I want?
Let’s see. Oh, those courses used to be open to Micro​biology students only. Q22 The
good thing is, now it’s open to students on a flexible schedule, so it’s not only for full-time
students. So the answer is yes, if you have the instructor’s permission. May I ask you why
you chose Microbiology?

Well, I also like plain old Biology, too. You know, full​sized animals. I might even become a
veterinarian. Could I take some Biology classes?
Well, Q23 they are open to full-time students only, which I believe is what you are. I don’t
know how a freshman would get along with Microbiology, though. I mean, Q24 most of
the students presently looking into it are from off-campus.
Off-campus?
Yes, you know, people who use it in their work at hos​pitals, laboratories, even a police
detective. Why did you choose Microbiology, if I may ask? I don’t think you quite answered
that.
Well, eventually I want to be a doctor. At least my dad tells me so.
If I may say so, young lady, you seem a little uncertain.

Still, I think that might be a good idea for a career. Of course, if you're thinking about being
either a doctor or a vet, you should take some Medical Science classes before you even
think of applying to med school.
Great! What should I take?
There is one small problem. Q25 The new Medical Sciences building is under
construction, so there are no experi​mental facilities available until next year. I’m afraid
you'll have to wait. But don’t forget to take those courses at the first opportunity!
Oh, bummer. Is there any other course you'd recommend for someone like me?
Well, since you seem to like animals, Q26 have you ever thought about looking into
Environmental Science?
No, I never really thought about it before. Is it worthwhile?
Quite! Q26 In fact, it's the fastest growing subject on this campus.

I’m sorry, I couldn’t help noticing the long list of classes you’ve written out there. May I
have a look?
Oh, sure.
Medical Science, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Medicine, Mathematics, Computing.
My, my, a bit of everything here.
Is it too much?
For your first semester, yes. Q27 What I suggest is starting out by taking the compulsory
courses. Like we said be​fore, the Medical Science can wait. Consider taking that in your
sophomore year. I think I’d put off Computing, too. Q27 I recommend to all freshmen that I

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talk to to get the compulsory Mathematics out of the way as early as pos​sible, so take that
one. It’ll be one less difficult course you have to focus on when the science lab opens next
year, and you have to catch up on classes like Laboratory Techniques. Q28 Your major
also requires Statistics so you have to balance two Maths classes, and no doubt you
should take that. Q29 Otherwise, get your required Medicine course out of the way by
taking something theory-based.

Oh, of course and your Environmental Science class if you’re interested. The others can
wait, though I think Computing is definitely a good idea, even though it’s not required. I see
too, on your paper there, you seem to have had high marks on the entrance exam.
Uhhh, yeah. I guess so.
Don’t be shy! Have you thought about applying for a scholarship?
Do they have any? I mean, my dad is always complain​ing about how much money it costs
him.
In your department, there are actually three full scholar​ships available. They cover tuition
and provide $1,500 cash.
$1,500 cash?! Party!
Please, Miss. The money is intended more as a Q30 textbook allowance, not party
money. If you promise to behave,

I’ll show you how to apply.

Great, and thanks!

SECTION 4
We’ve been talking about choosing building materials in the last week. Now, a great many
factors influence the choice of building ma​terials. You can’t make a house of cards, right?
And “people who live in glass houses...” and all that... Anyhow, today I’d like to say a few
words about flooring.

Some artificial materials can be used, like Q31 plastic for instance, which offer mixed
blessings when used as a flooring surface. On the one hand, plastic is cheaper than nearly
any other alternative, short of bare ground. Plastic also does not warp like wood. On the
other hand, the best that can be said about plastic is that it “looks like” wood or stone.
However, it cannot replace the real materials. As I have men​tioned, I’m fixing up a new
house. The decorator my wife hired told me, “Plastic does a great job of looking exactly
like plastic.” Besides, it scratches easily, fades or discolours, and starts cracking within a
year or two. So, if you’re fitting out a sleazy hotel or plan to live in a trailer park, go with the
plastic. Really, though, for all intents and purposes, this leaves us with wood or stone as
choices for flooring.

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Stone and wood are alike in at least one respect: both go through Q32 processing before
they can be put to use. Since few of us cut our own lumber or quarry our own stone, this is
not perhaps a pressing con​cern. Still, do-it-yourselfers would do well to remember to buy
only properly Q33 seasoned wood. Unseasoned wood warps and a warped floor quickly
becomes firewood (and its owner quickly becomes poorer). Likewise, except for dull-hued
materials like slate or sandstone, most stone floors are Q34 polished before installation.
The choice goes well be​yond just wood or stone - each type requires many further
consider​ations. A few special remarks are called for when considering wood, for example.
As always, aesthetics, personal taste, and layout all play roles as well as the type of house
or room. Oh, and certainly don’t forget the cost. When it comes to cost, a rule of thumb is
that the softer and less exotic the wood, the lower the cost. In the US, for instance, pine is
both ubiquitous and cheap. Mahogany is imported and exorbitantly expensive. If you’re on
any kind of budget when remodeling, it’s really helpful to remember to go for the softer
woods.
Aside from cost, there are still lots of different factors that are im​portant in choosing the
best flooring for the job. Continuing with the example of wood, one must consider the
effects of each type of wood on the mood of the room. When selecting the best wood to
use, particular attention needs to be paid to its Q36 grain patterns, texture, and colour. In
rooms where relaxation or deep thought is the aim - say bedrooms or the study - dark,
strong grained woods are the rule.

Here the grain ought to match the furniture for a feeling of homo​geneity. In rooms where
activity and motion are typical - the dining room or living room - lighter, finer-grained
lumber is more suitable.

In such a setting, the wood grain might be useful in offering a contrast to the furniture. This
leads to a feel of subconscious excitement, in keeping with the room’s function.

In either case, though, consult a decorator. It is a decorator’s job to know what materials to
use to fit the function of the room. Though some things about putting together a room are
subjective and based on one’s individual taste, materials appropriate to a room’s function
are much more straightforward. A decorator takes the needs of the customer and uses a
mathematical formula, rather than subjective Q37 words. Since feelings vary from person
to person, verbal descriptions of wood types tend to be ambiguous. You want the wood
you select, not something approximate! And if you do decide to do it yourself, remember
that all wood must be treated with preservatives to en​hance its appearance and preserve
its natural beauty.

In the case of stone, or “quarry tile” as flat-cut flooring stone is prop​erly called, a new set
of considerations must be weighed up. Simple colour aside, the degree of reflection must
be kept in mind. This is called the “reflectance rate”, which is expressed in a number
between 0.0 and 1.0, depending on the amount of light it reflects.

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At one end of the scale is polished silver. At a rating of 1.0, this shiny surface reflects
nearly all of the light directed at it. Numbers closer to zero describe materials that absorb
more light. Moving down the scale a bit, we see the plastic that has been painted white
has a rate of Q38 0.8, which makes sense. We know that the colour white reflects all
other colours while black absorbs all colours, and plastic itself is a relatively reflective
material.

Materials that are denser and darker have reflectance rates much closer to zero. The
quarry tile I mentioned a while ago has a rate of Q39 0.1. As you may know, quarry tile is
generally dark brown and made from clay so it is quite dense. Of course, there is
considerable vari​ation among types of quarry tile because of the hue or treatment of the
clay during its creation.

Does anyone have any guesses as to what materials may have a rate of almost 0.0? We
can guess most of these materials are black in colour, but plastic, wood, and even stone
reflect some light. One material with a rate of almost 0.0 is Q40 black velvet. The texture
produces almost no shine at all.

Carrara marble, despite its white hue, is actually lower in reflectivity than black onyx! In
any case, the fact that tiles vary somewhat should not be forgotten. A highly reflective floor
would not be suitable in a library; it would be indispensable in a ballroom (should your
home be large enough to feature one). Again, a rule of thumb is that “light means lively”.
Since form and material follow function, one should only use the more reflective materials
in rooms where the cultivation and expression of energy is important. Bear in mind too that
most types of stone cost more than all but the rarest of woods.

Of course, there is no reason why some rooms of a house should not feature wood floors
or other stone tiles. You can even mix the two. A room with wood panels on the walls can
have a beautiful stone floor. My bedroom has white birch walls and a light blue slate floor.
The place looks like a Russian hunting lodge. Remember, though, go with what feels right
for you. Good taste and the “laws” of interior design are the homeowner’s servants, not his
master. It’s only beautiful when you decide it is. I mean, you’re the one who lives there, not
the decorator, right? OK, are there any questions?

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