Practice PET (B1) Listening Test 36 with Answers and Audioscripts

1 C   2 A   3 A   4 B   5 B   6 C   7 A

Audioscripts

1   What is dangerous about the weather tonight?

F:   Now for the weather in your area. Many of you have had very cold and wet days. But finally there’s no more fog in the area. And after the heavy snowfall at the beginning of the week, the rain today washed most of the snow away. The wet roads will freeze again tonight, as the temperatures will drop this evening, so be very careful if you are going to school or work, on foot tomorrow. We’ll be back after six o’clock with more news about the condition of the roads in the area.

2   What’s the time?

F:   Hurry up! We’ll be late for the concert at John’s school. He has been reminding us about the concert for two weeks now.

M:   Don’t worry. We have plenty of time. It doesn’t start for another half an hour.

F:   No, it starts at 7.45. We have to leave now. As soon as it starts, they will close the doors.

M:   Oh! I thought it started much later.

F:   We’ve got ten minutes to get there. If we don’t arrive on time, John and his teacher will be very angry with us.

3   Where are they going?

F:   Hi George! Just calling to say I can’t wait till tomorrow! You know, I’ve never seen this sort of performance live before. I must tell you, I love the story, and there are some really famous actors, too! I think one of the actors was in that film we saw at the cinema last week. They’ll be right there in the same room with us, can you believe it? I’m so excited. But I also wanted to ask you something: what time did Miss Jones tell us to meet at school to get there in time? Let me know…

4   Where will the boy go first after school?

F:   Hi Jim. Shall I meet you at the gym after school?

M:   My mum has asked me to do some shopping first as we’ve got no food in the fridge. We need bread, milk and cheese. We also need some fish and meat. If I don’t go, we’ll have to eat out and mum doesn’t want that at all.

F:   Ok. I’ll go home first and then we can go to the gym together after you’ve put the shopping way. I hope it doesn’t take you too long or we’ll be late again.

5   How did the girl break her arm?

M:   Oh no! What happened to you? You look terrible!

F:   My dad was driving me to school when a cyclist fell off her bike in front of us.

M:   Goodness! Did you hit her?

F:   No. We managed to stop very quickly just in time. It was very lucky that we didn’t hit her. While I was getting out of the car, a dog walked in front of me and tripped me up. Unfortunately, I landed on my left arm and broke it. Then my dad had to take me to the hospital.

6   Where is the remote control?

F:   Bill, you look very upset. What are you looking for?

M:   The remote control for the television. It should be on the TV, where we normally leave it.

F:   Have you looked on the armchair? That’s where you were sitting last night.

M:   Yes mum. I have also looked on and under the coffee table. I even looked behind the armchair. I can’t find it anywhere and the football match starts in two minutes!

F:   Here it is! You can’t have looked very well. It was right where we always keep it.

7   Where are they staying on holiday this year?

M:   Mum, I’m so glad we decided not to go camping this year. I didn’t enjoy it at all last year.

F:   Yes, the bad weather was a real problem, wasn’t it? It rained nonstop for a whole week. The cruise wouldn’t have been much fun either because of the big storms last summer.

M:   No, it wouldn’t. I didn’t think I’d be so glad to be staying in a hotel. It seems like I’ll never get used to our adventure holidays. Anyway, what’s important is that we will be protected from the weather if it gets bad.

8 A   9 B   10 C   11 C   12 B   13 C

Audioscripts

8   You will hear two friends talking about an exam.

M:   That wasn’t too bad, was it? I think I did OK.

F:   I found some of the questions very difficult. The first questions were quite easy, but when it got onto the grammar questions, I think I just forgot most of what I’ve spent the last two weeks revising.

M:   Come on. Cheer up. I think you are just tired. You’re one of the best in the class! I found the translation took ages, but I’m sure you managed to do it in five minutes.

F:   Actually, that was not a problem for me. I did it easily.

9   You will hear two friends talking about the new school cafeteria.

F:   This is so much better than it used to be! I can actually find something to eat!

M:   Yes. Lots of variety and really fresh. Do you remember those terrible salads we used to get in the old cafeteria? They were at least a day old, I’m sure! And here, there are lots of vegetarian options. The only thing is that it’s not cheap.

F:   No, I’ll have to be careful as I’m trying to save up. I’ll probably bring my own sandwiches to school and just get one of those lovely coffees they make.

M:   I prefer their fresh juices myself.

10   You will hear a girl talking about her weekend.

M:   So, how was it walking over the mountains for two days?

F:   Great! We got there on Friday and set off on Saturday morning. It was really foggy and that made it a bit dangerous, but it was warm. The weather forecast was for strong winds and heavy rain so I was expecting the worst; but luckily it stayed mild and humid.

M:   When I went with my friends, we had a huge thunderstorm and we all had to turn back. It was quite frightening and I got completely wet through.

F:   That must have been miserable!

11   You will hear two friends talking about exercise.

M:   Now that the school holidays are here, I want to get fit.

F:   Me too. I think I’ve put on weight, too, so I want to lose it before my beach holiday. How about joining a gym so we can meet people?

M:   That’s one way, but we’ll have to pay. We could go jogging every morning or evening if you can’t get up early, but that could get pretty boring after a while. We can make some new friends in the gym, do classes and use the equipment, so I guess it’s worth it.

F:   So the gym it is, then!

12   You hear a girl talking about moving abroad.

M:   You look a bit miserable. What’s up?

F:   My parents have told me we are moving. My dad has got a new job and we are going abroad. In the beginning I was really excited with the idea of a nice climate and a lovely new house. But I think I’ll miss my friends here.

M:   Gosh! Lucky you! See it as a chance to see the world. I’d love to be able to travel and meet new people! Sure, you’ll miss your friends, but we can keep in touch.

F:   Yes, but things won’t be the same just chatting online!

13   You hear two friends talking about a book.

M:   I’ve just finished reading that book. It’s brilliant from beginning to end!

F:   I just can’t get to the end. It’s so complicated and I gave up after about 2 pages! The main character is the strongest part of the story but all the rest is really unlikely. It just couldn’t happen.

M:   I disagree! It’s based on a true story, you know! The main character is really wonderful, but for me the most amazing thing is the relationship between the three brothers and how they manage to live in the desert.

F:   Don’t tell me the ending please!

14 June 23rd   15 four   16 the actors

17 performances   18 24.50   19 online

Audioscripts

M:   Here is your big chance to win a dream night at the Congress Theatre, right in the centre of London! After a very long and successful world tour, the sensational production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s all-time classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is heading to the Congress Theatre this summer. (14) The Congress Theatre is right in the heart of the theatre district of London and performances will start on Monday June 18th and run through to Saturday June 23rd. You can’t miss these dates!

(15) Four lucky listeners will have the chance to win a pair of top-price tickets for the opening night in this free-to-enter competition. You will also win free ice-cream, drinks and sweets while you watch the performance. (16) At the end of the performance, we will take you backstage to meet the actors. They will also show the technical side of the performance and of course you will see the Technicolour Dreamcoat up close. I will tell you how to enter this exciting competition in a minute.

Mid-week performances are at 7.30pm every evening and the matinee performances start at 2.30pm from Tuesday to Thursday. (17) On Friday and Saturday there are two evening performances at 5pm and 8pm. (18) The Saturday matinee performance will be at 2pm. Tickets are going fast and are priced from £11 to £24.50 with concessions available for selected performances, including a half-price child ticket offer.

(19) To book, call the box office on 01323 412000, or online at www.londontheatres.co.uk.

To enter our competition, simply answer the following question by June 13th: Name a song from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Good luck!

20 A   21 B   22 B   23 C   24 A   25 C

Audioscripts

Int:   Today, we are talking to Karen who is a blogger. Karen, most people have heard of blogging but a lot of people don’t really understand what it is.

Karen:   (20) You’re right, Tim. This is a whole older generation who doesn’t know anything about blogging, although one doesn’t have to be a tech freak to understand the basics of it. My parents have no idea what I do, for example. However, for my generation and young people, in general, blogging is very much a part of their life.

Int:   So, can you tell us why people become bloggers and why it has become so popular?

Karen:   There are so many reasons. Many people start blogging as a hobby. They’re interested in something, such as cooking, and they start to write about their interest on the internet. (21) They share ideas, give advice to people and make friendships through blogging. It has to be said, blogging is a very sociable activity and a blogger can easily get many followers, or people that read their blogs regularly.

Int:   This must make it useful for businesses, then.

Karen:   (22) Exactly. Blogging is extremely important in business. A good blogger can advertise their business in a way that impresses people. They can talk about what they do or make and answer questions from people who may then become a customer. When people are looking to buy something new, especially if it is connected to technology and gadgets, they often need to decide the right thing to buy. This is where blogging can be very helpful.

Int:   Is it true that some people become successful writers through blogging?

Karen:   (23) Oh yes, absolutely. These days, more and more writers start off as bloggers. Magazines and newspapers read blogs and often invite writers to write stories or articles which they will then be paid for. Also, many bloggers have ended up writing books that have been very successful. (24) Serious blogging can allow people to become known as an expert in a particular subject, and this can even lead to getting a good or better job. The more you blog, the more people will respect you and the more opportunities will come your way.

Int:   Finally, Karen, can you tell us a little bit about how blogging can be used to help people?

Karen:   Every good blog helps its readers. It might give advice about money, how to lose weight or be healthier or even be a way to raise money for charities; any of these or all of these. (25) But what is always important is that bloggers are honest and at the same time sensitive; and that blogs are not used for manipulation or to hurt people in any way.