Practice English Listening Test for B1 with answer and audioscript – Test #26

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

Audioscript

1   What has the boy lost?

Boy:   Mum – I love it here. The city’s really interesting and it’s quite easy to find my way round, thanks to the map you gave me – I don’t know what I’d do without it. I’ve taken some great photos, but I left my camera on a tram so I won’t be able to show you! And things are more expensive than I expected, so I don’t think my money will last very long. Can you send me some more? Thanks. Speak to you again soon.

2   What time does the race begin?

Boy:   I’m running the race on Saturday, but I don’t know where it is or when it begins.

Man:   Well, you’re going to run round the lake. All the runners have to meet in the park and register by quarter to two, though the race won’t actually start until half past. There should be about a hundred runners.

Boy:   When will it be over? I’ve got to catch a train at quarter past three.

Man:   It’s 15 kilometres! You won’t be on time for that!

3   Which musical instrument does the boy play now?

Girl:   Look at this notice. The school’s starting trumpet lessons next term.

Boy:   Oh, the trumpet! That’s an instrument I’d love to play. It’s got a great sound.

Girl:   Yes, I might try that, or maybe piano, I don’t know. You learnt piano, didn’t you?

Boy:   Yes, I played the piano for years, in fact – until I took up the drums last year. You can’t do everything, and I just felt they were more my sort of instrument, really.

4   What will the weather be like tomorrow afternoon?

Woman:   And now for tomorrow’s weather. The day will start showery and windy. Those winds should disappear by late morning, but the wet weather will continue until well into the evening. Although we might see some bright sunny periods between the showers early on, by midday it will be cloudy, with temperatures of no more that ten or twelve degrees centigrade.

5   What is the subject of James Wilson’s book?

Man:   This latest book by James Wilson is part of a series of practical guides for young people written by experts. The first in the series, Cookery for Beginners, was written by a well-known television cook. It’s very clear and well written, and is a best-seller. Wilson’s book, Computers for Beginners is in the bookshops now and is also very popular. And there’ll be a book about photography called Photography for Beginners, which will come out next year. It’s written by a newspaper cameraman and will certainly by full of useful information.

6   Which part of the man’s body hurts him at the moment?

Doctor:   It’s been four weeks since your accident, hasn’t it? So tell me how you are feeling. How’s the pain in your legs?

Man:   My legs were really hurting me until last week, but that’s worn off now, I’m glad to say. So has the pain in my back. My shoulder’s still fairly sore, though not as bad as it was, fortunately.

Doctor:   I’m pleased to hear that. Let’s take a look at you, anyway.

7   Where was the man’s knowledge of Spanish useful?

Woman:   How was your trip, Peter?

Man:   Great. I was glad I learnt some Spanish before I went.

Woman:   Did you manage to order a meal in a restaurant?

Man:   Well, I was staying with English friends actually, and I just ate at home with them. I did manage to explain what I wanted when I went shopping though, and I was pleased about that. But I didn’t manage to talk to any of the Spanish people who were invited to my friend’s place – that was really disappointing. I couldn’t understand what they said to me.

8 C   9 A   10 B   11 C   12 A   13 B

Audioscript

Int:   Harry Park, you run a travel company which organises adventure holidays in some difficult places. How did you first become interested in ‘adventure travel’?

Harry:   Well, my father worked in an insurance company once he had a family. But before that he’d spent several years traveling the world, and he never stopped telling us about it. His stories were much more exciting than the books I read, and they made me want to travel and have adventures of my own.

Int:   And what made you decide to start an adventure travel company?

Harry:   Well, when I was in my twenties, I travelled a lot in different countries. I went exploring and climbing in mountains and deserts. I wanted to show other people how wonderful these things were. The business has been very successful, but when I started it I didn’t know if I’d make any money.

Int:   You company’s called Far and Wide. How did you choose the name?

Harry:   Well, I just called it Park Travel at first. But everyone thought that was terribly boring! My wife kept suggesting different things, but in the end it was a customer who gave me the idea. Far and Wide is also the title of a book that a friend wrote, so it reminds me of him, too.

Int:   Great … The places you visit are usually very unspoilt, Harry. Some people think it’s not a good idea to take tourists there. What would you say to them?

Harry:   Well, most of the places we visit have no inhabitants, so we aren’t going to spoil people’s way of life, or bring in things like television and fridges! And I make sure that we always take care of the environment. We are careful not to cause pollution, so we take all our rubbish away.

Int:   Some of the things you do are also dangerous. Do you enjoy danger?

Harry:   Well, it’s not a question of enjoying it – it’s just that you can’t do what I do without thinking about the possible dangers. I’m never frightened though. If I’m taking a group up a mountain or something like that, I just concentrate on what I have to do and get on with it.

Int:   You’ve been to some fascinating places, Harry. What’s your favourite?

Harry:   It’s in India. You travel along a river through spectacular scenery and up into the mountains in Madhya Pradesh. In the valley on the other side there’s a wonderful old castle. It’s magical. The mountains hide it, so few people know it’s there …

Int:   Thanks for talking to us, Harry …

Harry:   Thank you.

14 artists   15 12th July   16 Fridays

17 groups   18 lessons   19 timetable

Audioscript

Man:   If you want to study an interesting subject this summer, and improve your English at the same time, Highbury College is offering three very good courses. As is always the case, each course lasts four weeks. There is an English Literature course, which will deal with 20th-century writers and poets. There is also a course about 18th-century artists, which includes guided tours of the best galleries, and finally a course in Modern Architecture, with visits to some of the city’s most famous buildings.

All the courses begin on the 14th of June and the last day of classes is the 12th of July. Classes are from 9 to 3.30, leaving you plenty of time of other activities in the long summer evenings. Fridays are also free for you to have a break because there are lessons on Saturday and Sundays, too.

Now, about prices. The full price of each course is £425, but the college is offering special discounts for groups. The secretary has further details on that if you are interested. The price includes your accommodation at the college hall – in shared rooms – all meals, full use of the library, and social activities, such as parties, outing, etc … Oh, I almost forgot, all books are included too, so you won’t have to spend anything on that. But if you need extra lessons, then you have to pay a fee. And you have to make your own travel arrangements to the college.

All the courses are for beginners, so you don’t need any previous knowledge of these subjects. Your English should be at a good level, of course, good enough to follow the lectures. If you are interested, see the college secretary, he’ll be able to give you copies of the registration forms and the timetable for the course you want. So, does anyone have any questions.

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

Audioscript

Tom:   Hello, Claire! I read about you and the women’s football team in the daily paper. You must be very pleased about being chosen to go on their national tour this summer.

Claire:   Thanks, Tom. I didn’t realise it was in the paper.

Tom:   It says the other girls in the team are all a lot older – does that make you feel nervous?

Claire:   I’m used to it – when I joined our local club, I was only 14 and all the others were in their twenties – but the senior players were very helpful and gave me lots of advice. Now I’m a bit older I can help the other new players when they join.

Tom:   But what about your schoolwork? Isn’t it difficult to fit it in? When I was in that tennis team, I never got my homework done on time because I had to do so much practising. That’s why I gave it up.

Claire:   Really? Football’s not too bad. The matches are all at weekends and we train two evenings a week, so there’s still plenty of time for homework.

Tom:   but aren’t you planning to go to university when you leave school next year?

Claire:   Well, it’s possible to study sports science of course, and I’d like to do that one day. But I think I’ll probably concentrate on my football career first, so that’s what I’ll do next year.

Tom:   I suppose you’d like to play for your country one day?

Claire:   Maybe! At the moment I’m just looking forward to playing against the different teams on this tour. Even if we don’t win every game, it’ll still be a great experience!

Tom:   By the way – when’s your next match?

Claire:   On Saturday afternoon – please come and cheer us on, Tom! We’re playing a team that’s coming from Manchester.

Tom:   Well, I was born in Manchester, you know! But don’t worry. I won’t miss the match, and I won’t be shouting for the other side either.