Listening Test 3
This is a listening practice test that resembles the International English Language Testing System Listening Test.
The test consists of four sections. Answer the questions as you listen to the recording.
Note that the recording will be played once only. Please turn to Section 1.
Section 1
In a moment, you are going to hear a conversation between Yuki and Micheal, who are two overseas students in New Zealand.
They are discussing plans for their weeklong Spring holiday from school.
Before you listen, look at Questions 1 to 7. Note the examples that have been done for you.
As you listen to the first part of the conversation, answer Questions 1 to 3.
Michael:Yuki, hey! I am so glad to see you.
Yuki:Oh, hello, Micheal. Where have you been? Haven't seen you in quite some time.
Michael:Sorry, I've been busy with my thesis research. However, I wanted to ask you if you've given any thought to what you would like to do for the spring holiday.
Yuki:Well, I was thinking about going to Thailand.
April is one of the best months to go there. It isn't too rainy or hot, but still very lush, green and lovely.
Michael:Do you think you will have enough time?
The official word from the school administration is that we have from the first till the eighth of April off.
Not really enough time to leave the country for a holiday.
I mean, you have to consider two days for travelling alone, since you have to take an airplane.
Plus isn't it a bit expensive to go to Thailand?
Yuki:Plane tickets are almost always expensive, about 300 dollars round trip.
But once you get there it really isn't that expensive to stay.
You can find a hotel or a beach bungalow for a decent rate,
the food is delicious and cheap, and most activities and attractions are found in nature.
Therefore it is inexpensive.
Michael:But have you applied for a tourist visa yet? Sometimes visas can be quite costly.
Yuki:I've already looked into it. They cost about 100 dollars.
Michael:If we apply now, isn't it too late? I mean, the vacation is only a week away.
Yuki:No. We still have time, though we will be required to pay 50 dolllars as an express processing fee.
Michael:I don't know, Yuki. That's already 450 dollars just for traveling!
And it will be at least another 300 to 500 to stay in Thailand for the week.
Have you thought about going to New Zealand's North Island?
We're always stuck here on the South Island at university, studying,
so we rarely have a chance to see the rest of the country.
You know, the North Island is very different from the South Island.
It has active volcanoes and natural hot springs, a beautiful barrier reef and waterfalls.
Yuki:Well, Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is on the North Island.
Finally, there's some good shopping! I would love some new clothes.
All the shops around here carry boring, old-fashioned clothing.
Michael:Really, Yuki, you can be so trite sometimes!
Yuki:Hey, I was only kidding. To tell you the truth, taking in the waters at the hot springs and some scuba diving sound like a lot of fun.
Michael:It is also a less expensive holiday. Round-trip, the plane fare to the North Island is only 75 dollars.
Plus, we don't need tourist visas, and we can stay at the Auckland Youth Hostel for a mere 10 dollars a night.
Yuki:You're thinking about the finances is correct, it would be much less expensive to go to the North Island.
Also, we don't have to worry about not speaking the language.
But I must insist that we stay in a proper hotel.
I hate youth hostels! I want my own bath and do not want to share a kitche
Michael:Ok! Ok! We'll stay in a 'real' hotel. Do you think your friend Marlene is still considering coming?
If we share rooms it will be cheaper.
Yuki:I know she will want to join us. She has already told me whatever I choose is fine with her.
She simply wants to be away from school for a while.
Michael:I know how she feels. I'll go ring some hotels ring now and see what is available.
Announcer:Later, after checking with a few hotels, Michael gives Yuki a ring to tell her the results.
Now answer Questions 4 to 7.
Michael:Right then, I've given a few places a right and discovered that April is a very popular month in which to visit New Zealand.
Yuki:Of course! While it is cold in most of the civilized world, it is temperate fall here,
therefore everyone and their mother wants to visit warm and lovely New Zealand!
Anyway, what did the hotel say?
Michael:Well, a few were booked solid, but I found five decent options.
Have you asked Marlene, yet?
Yuki:Yes, she wants to go.
Michael:Great! Ok, then the first hotel is the Gondola Restaurant and Lodge.
This is the most expensive option at 265 dollars a night, but you get breakfast every morning for free.
It is located right outside of Auckland, about 2 kilometers from the beach, so we can go scuba diving all the time.
Yuki:Sounds good, but what else?
Michael:Then there is the Rotorua Accommodation.
It's 250 dollars a night and is located in the mountains, which means lots of great backpacking.
There is also the Herley Lodge-its main feature is that it sits right above the Grere Waterfalls;
beautiful scenery for only 155 dollars a night.
Yuki:What about the hot springs?
Michael:Well, there is the Stuart Resort, it has active hot springs that you may bathe in on it's grounds.
It is 260 dollars a night. Finally, we could also stay at the Auckland Holiday Inn.
It is located in the center of the city, so you can do all the shopping you want,
Yuki. It charges 150 dollars a night, including a free breakfast.
Yuki:I feel that the Hot Springs would be a lot of fun. What do you think?
Michael:I agree. I really need to relax. Why don't I give them a ring back and book right now?
Questions 8 to 11.
Receptionist:Stuart Resort, may I help you?
Michael:Yes, hello. I would like to rent a suite. They include two rooms and one bathroom, correct?
Receptionist:Yes, that is right. Would you like to book now?
Michael:Yes, please.
Receptionist:Very good then, what is the name of the party?
Michael:I guess that would be me, Michael Connell.
Receptionist:Spell that, please.
Michael:Michael, M-I-C-H-A-E-L, Connell, C-0 double N-E double L.
Receptionist:So that was C-O double N-E double L. Your address and phone number, Mr.Connell?
Michael:156 Ocean Way, Christchurch. My phone number is 555-6548.
Receptionist:555-6548, very well. What credit card number should I hold this booking under?
Michael:You may use my MasterCard.
Receptionist:What is the account number?
Michael:865-347-8354.
Receptionist:865-347-8354, right. What is the expiration date?
Michael:The 10th of June 2001. No, I am sorry that isn't correct. The expiration date is 6th of October 2001.
Receptionist:How many nights?
Michael:Six nights.
Receptionist:Six nights at 260 dollars a night is 1,820 dollars total.
Michael:Are you sure? I figure the price to be 1,560 dollars.
Receptionist:Wait a moment...Oh, yes you are correct. I multiplied by seven not six.
Very sorry, 1,560 dollars will be the total charge to your account. Will there be anything else?
Michael:No, that will be all.
Receptionist:Thank you, and have a nice day. Goodbye.
Narrator:That is the end of Section 1. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to Section 1.
Now turn to Section 2.
Section 2
In a moment, you are going to hear an informative talk being given to a group of tourists before they are to enter Stonehenge Park,
In England. The talk is to be given by Mr. Aaron Albright, the curator of the Stonehenge Museum.
Aaron Albright:Hello, and good day to everyone here! My name is Aaron Albright and I am the curator of the Stonehenge Museum.
I want to thank you all for coming out here to see us on this unusually beautiful afternoon.
Before your tour of Stonehenge, please allow me to give you a short talk on the history of one of the most mysterious places on earth.
However, before I begin my talk I will give a brief explanation of the grounds of the park,
including the location of the restrooms, one of the least mysterious places on earth.
Before I start, let me introduce your tour guides, Eve Eton and David Davies.
Eve and David will accompany you up the small hill to Stonehenge, where they will stay with you,
in the event you may need some assistance.
Eve is standing towards the back, on the left one side, with that group of people.
She's the tall young woman with the short, wavy hair.
She's wearing a t-shirt and slacks. Eve is a graduate student at Fuller University;
she is working on her Master's degree in the study of the area we now call England during the prehistoric period.
She is very knowledgeable on the subject of Stonehenge, and would be delighted to answer any questions you might have.
Also standing with that same group of people is David Davies, but as he will be sure to tell you,
please call him Dave. He's wearing a sweater, jeans, and trainers.
He has short, dark hair and wears glasses. Dave is a student at Salisbury University,
majoring in archeology. He too, would be glad to answer questions.
Now I will tell you about the park's facilities. Here on only four hectares of meadowland are six buildings,
in addition to Stonehenge. First, this gray brick building behind me is the Snack Shop.
Tea, coffee, soda and light snacks can be bought there.
The two story building to the right of the Snack Shop is my home away from home,
the museum. I hope everyone will come round and visit before they leave.
To the left of the Snack Shop is another gray brick building. There you may wish to purchase souvenir and gift items;
such as T-shirts, models and key chains. Located in front of me,
and behind you, is the car park. On the left hand side of the car park are the restrooms, and to the right are the pay phones.
Finally, behind both the Snack Shop and me, up the hill, is Stonehenge.
Narrator:Now look at Questions 15 to 21.
As the talk continues, answer Questions 15 to 21.
Aaron Albright:More than 4,000 years ago, the people of the Neolithic period decided to build a massive monument using dirt,
wood and later, stones, placing it high here, on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire,
England about 137 kilometers southwest of London. Why Stonehenge was built still remains a mystery,
with theories ranging from religion to astronomy. Some of what was Stonehenge still stands today,
as mysterious and sacred as it must have been to the hundreds of people who helped build i
The stones of the main monument appear to form layers of circles and partial circles that surround the site.
First there is an outer circle, which is now mostly in ruin.
Within this larger circle are smaller stones, also set in circle formation.
Within the centre of the monument are trilithons.
Trilithon is the name given to two tall stones standing side by side with one stone on top.
Inside the set of trilithons is another set of smaller stones.
Stonehenge was constructed in three phases, between 3,000 and 1,400 BC.
Erosion, time and human invasion have worn it down,
leaving many stones in stumps similar to baby teeth.
Although the site may not be as majestic as it once was,
it still conveys a sense of power that seems to enclose people in its mystery,
but not allowing anyone to finally understand what its purpose may have been.
Today there is still enough left of Stonehenge to try to guess about its purpose,
but not enough left to be sure of why or how it was constructed.
Astronomers, archaeologists and historians all enjoy debating theories on its construction and purpose.
By the way, another interesting fact is that the stones were brought from far distances to Salisbury Plain,
using only muscle and primitive tools,
like ropes and wooden levers. Some of the stones are thought to have been brought from Marlborough Downs,
30 kilometers to the north of Stonehenge, which is a feat incomparable by today's standards.
But even more interesting is the mystery of the so-called 'bluestones'.
The 'bluestones' are a set of ten stones that have a special colour.
They are believed to have come from the Preseli Mountains in southwest Wales, nearly 385 kilometers away.
How these stones, each weighing 4 tonnes, arrived at Stonehenge is still debated.
But regardless of how the stones came to the site,
it would have required much effort, because at that time the wheel had not yet been invented.
Clearly, a lot of trouble was taken... (Fade out)
Narrator:That is the end of Section 2. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to Section 2.
Now turn to Section 3.
Section 3
In a moment, you are going to hear the rest of Yuki and Michael's conversation.
They are discussing a book on the subject of famous first events in modern history.
Before you listen, look at Questions 22 to 33. Note the examples that have been done for you.
As you listen to the conversation, answer Questions 22 to 33.
Yuki:So, Michael, what is that book you're reading?
Michael:It's titled "Did You Know... Famous Firsts throughout the Modern Age," by Herbert Brown.
It's a compilation of facts and dates about the first time certain enents happened or when important items were invented.
Yuki:I am not sure I understand what you mea
Michael:Well, the chapter I am reading right now is named 'Transportation Firsts'.
So, for instance, it contains facts such as train services that carried passengers were first used 1830 in Britain.
Yuki:That book sounds rather interesting. What else does it say?
Michael:Well, the first Underground was used in London in 1863.
Yuki:What is an 'Underground'?
Michael:Oh, right, sorry. 'Underground' is the name we in the UK use to refer to the subway.
Yuki:How aborable! Underground! Yes I understand now. You British are so clever with your terminology.
You know, I bet they invented the subway just so the people of London do not have to stand in the rain while waiting for their trains to arrive.
I hear London weather is terrible.
Michael:You really shouldn't believe everything you hear, Yuki. Actually,
It doesn't rain as much as everyone says it does. I mean, the weather is not anywhere near as nice as it is here in New Zealand,
but it's not bad either. Did you know that Milan and Paris both get much more rain than London?
Yuki:Ok, ok, so next time I'm in the London area I'll be sure to check the weather. So what else does your book have to say?
Michael:You just can't admit when you're wrong, can you Yuki?
Yuki:130 miles per hour in 1964? Wow, that seems to me to be quite technologically advanced for the time.
Leave it to the Japanese to figure out a way to take something that was invented in England 100 years earlier and modify it to be even faster and more modern.
Michael:(laughing a bit) Very funny. The first cable cars were used in San Francisco, USA, in 1873.
Yuki:Well, of course they were! I was there last summer. San Francisco is famous for its cable cars.
The city is built on very hilly terrain, so the city had to design a mass transit system that could make it up sharp inclines.
Engineers came up with a system of cables, pulleys and levers.
The cars were literally pulled up the hills. Actually, the city still operates some of the cable cars,
and it's really quite a lot of fun to ride up the steep hills of the city on one of those old things.
It makes you feel as though you are a part of history.
Michael:I didn't know that you'd been to the States. Where else did you go?
Yuki:I only visited California. I have relatives in Los Angeles.
Michael:In that case, did you know that the first trolley was used in Los Angeles in 1910?
Yuki:Now, how would I know that? I don't even think I have ever seen a trolley.
Michael:You're kidding!
Yuki:Well, these days we don't have many historic things of that nature just lying about Japan.
Michael:Oh, I forgot the Japanese went immediately from Shinto shrines to bullet trains.
(Michael laughs) Hey, here is something interesting!
Taxicabs were first used in 1896 in Stuttgart, Germany. That doesn't surprise me at all.
Also, the name of the first commercial jetliner was the Comet.
Yuki:Comet, I like that. I've been looking for a name for my cat. I think I am going to name him 'Comet'.
Michael:Really, I don't know why I bother with you sometimes.
Yuki:Because no one else wants to talk to you!
Michael:I'll ignore that. The first jumbo jet was used in 1970; it was the Boeing 747.
Yuki:Don't they still use those?
Michael:I think so, but now they have even larger jumbo jets. The largest are used by the military.
In 1976 the Concord flew its first passenger flight.
Yuki:What's the Concord?
Michael:The Concord was the world's first supersonic plane. It broke the sound barrier.
Yuki:Imagine flying faster than sound. That's even stranger than crossing the international date-line.
Michael, may I see your book?
Michael:Feel free. Here you are.
Yuki:Let's find a more interesting chapter, shall we?
Hmmm...Here we are. This chapter is about firsts in the fashion world.
Michael:Right. How about we look at another chapter?
Yuki:Hey! I had to sit through you telling me about trolleys and taxis.
Now you're going to learn about fashion. Besides, here is something that relates to your life.
The first pair of blue jeans was manufactured in America over a hundred years ago;
Levi Strauss made them in 1850.
Michael:So are the Levis jeans of today related to Levi Strauss?
Yuki:They are one and the same company. Haven't you ever read the big brown tag on the back of every pair of Levis jeans?
Hey, listen to this:European shoemakers first made shoes with different shapes for the left and right feet in 1818.
Don't you think that sounds a bit late? You'd think they would have figured that one out quicker.
Shoes must have been uncomfortable before 1818. On the other hand, contact lenses have been in existence since 1887.
They were invented in Switzerland. I would have thought they were a relatively more modern invention.
Michael:Yeah, but who would have thought that nowadays people,
who do not even need to wear contact lenses, choose to wear them only to change their eye color. Crazy world!
Yuki:Well it makes sense, then, that only 29 years after contact lenses were invented wearing false eyelashes became popular in Europe and America.
At the same time, using nail polish became fashionable as well.
Michael:So, once women were able to take off their glasses they wanted to dress up their nowexposed eyes somehow.
So they started to wear false eyelashes. I can see that. Forgive the pun.
Yuki:Your sense of humor really leaves something to be desired.
You know that, don't you?
Here's something else that should interest you.
A French designer first produced the bikini in 1946.
Muchael:So when did the first swim suit magazine come out? 1947?
Yuki:(mockingly) Ha, Ha, Michael. No wonder you don't have a girlfriend.
Michael:But I though you were my girlfriend, Yuki.
Yuki:Sure, I am. Just keep telling yourself that.
Sometimes I don't even want to admit that I know you.
Michael:(laughing) Stop it! You're hurting my feelings!
Yuki:Anyway...miniskirts were first made popular in 1965 by a British designer named Mary Quant.
You know how I told you that my mother keeps everything she's ever owned?
Well, in her closet at home she has a bunch of miniskirts that she bought when she was a teenager in the sixties.
She and my grandparents were visiting London in the late sixties,
and they were all the rage, very fashionable; so she bought a couple.
However, she couldn't wear them in Tokyo, because, at that time, Japan was a very conservative place.
If she had worn one of those miniskirts in public, she would probably have caused a riot!
Now every girl in Tokyo wears them. How things have changed!
Michael:Well, you know, in the sixties everyone said 'London swings.'
Now I guess it would be appropriate to say 'Tokyo swings.'
Narrator:That is the end of Section 3. You now have 30 - seconds to check your answers to Section 3.
Now turn to Section 4.
Section 4
In a moment, you are going hear a talk given by Thursten Tenent,
who works as a sociologist at Lancaster University.
He will be discussing stereotypes held by the outside world about Britain.
Before you listen, look at Questions 34 to 41. Note the examples that have been done for you.
As you listen to the talk, answer Questions 34 to 41.
Thursten Tenent:Hello students. I am extremely pleased to see so many of you have decided to attend this meeting.
First off, I would like to thank Headmaster Williams for allowing me to take some time away from your regular courses,
so that I am able to give this lecture. Let me just mention now that we will be discussing stereotypes about British culture.
With that said, let's begin, shall we?
Societies change over time, while their reputations lag behind.
Many things which are often regarded as typically British derive from books,
songs or plays which were written a long time ago and which are no longer representative of modern life.
One example of this is the popular belief that Britain is a 'land of tradition'.
This is what most tourist brochures claim.
The claim is based on what can be seen in public life and in the centuries of political continuity.
At the level of public life, this is undoubtedly true.
The annual ceremony of the state opening of Parliament, for instance,
carefully follows customs that are centuries old. Likewise, the changing of the guard ritual outside Buckingham Palace itself never changes.
There are many examples of supposedly typical British habits which are simply not typical anymore.
For example, the stereotyped image of the London "city gent" includes the wearing of a bowler hat.
In fact, this type of hat has not been commonly worn for a long time.
Food and drink provide other examples. The traditional "British" (or "English") breakfast is a large "fry-up" preceded by cereal with milk and followed by toast,
butter and marmalade, all washed down with lots of tea. In fact,
only 10 percent of the people in Britain actually have this sort of breakfast.
Two-thirds have cut out the fryup and just have the cereal, tea and toast. The rest have even less.
What the vast majority of British people have in the mornings is much closer to what is called a "continental" breakfast,
which is a European style breakfast, not British style.
The image of the British as a nation of tea-drinkers is another stereotype that is somewhat out of date.
It is true that tea is still prepared in a distinctive way (strong and with milk),
but more coffee than tea is now bought in the country's shops.
As for the tradition of afternoon tea with biscuits, scones, sandwiches or cake,
this is a minority activity, largely confined to retired people and the leisured uppermiddle class.
Even when a British habit conforms to the stereotype,
the wrong conclusions can sometimes be drawn from it. The supposed British love of queues is an example.
Yes, British people do form queues whenever they are waiting for somethin
but this does not mean they enjoy it. In 1992, a survey found that the average wait to pay in a British supermarket was three minutes and twenty-three seconds,
and that the average wait to be served in a bank was two minutes and thirty-three seconds.
You might think that these times sound very reasonable.
But the Sunday Times newspaper did not think so.
It referred to there figures as a "problem". Some banks now promise to serve their customers "within two minutes."
Apparently, the British hate having to wait, and have less patience than people in many other countries.
Announcer:That is the end of Section 4. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers.
You now have one minute to check your answers for the entire test.
That is the end of Listening Test.
You now have exactly ten minutes to transfer your answers to the Listening Test Answer Sheet.