Practice PET (B1) Listening Test 35 with Answers and Audioscripts

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

Audioscripts

1   What is the woman talking about?

F:   The colours are absolutely amazing. Bright yellow, orange, red, even deep blue. These are tulip flowers at their very best. I don’t think you’d find better ones at the flower shop. It’s all about design and the way you plant them in the garden and also making sure it’s the right time of year to plant them You’ll never buy flowers again once you understand how to plant your own. You just need to make sure that you water them every day, and twice on hot days.

2   What is the current weather?

M:   Here is the weather. It’s still sunny in our area which has helped make the snow disappear, but temperatures will again fall to below zero by the end of the week, with more snowfall for many areas. November saw the UK’s most snowfall since 1965, and December has continued to be very cold and snowy. With only twelve days left to go, many will be hoping for a white Christmas, while others will be hoping for some rest from the difficulties the heavy snow has brought.

3   Where are they?

F:   Wow, this place is fantastic! I need to get my camera out of my bag and take a few photos.

M:   I’d heard it was good, but I wasn’t expecting such impressive architecture. This is one of the best school trips we’ve ever been on. Can you send me some of the photos you are taking?

F:   Sure. It really is a work of art and there is so much here. We need to go all the way around it.

M:   Yes, let’s have a proper look and then we can go for a hot chocolate.

F:   Good idea. I saw a coffee shop on our way up here.

4   What is the woman going to do on Sunday?

M:   Bye Jean, I hope you have a nice weekend. Are you doing anything special?

F:   Not really. We were thinking of going sailing in my husband’s new sailing boat, but the weather forecast says it will be very windy and cold; not good for sailing. Also, my son Ben is not very well. He has the flu and has a bit of a fever. He needs to rest, so he’ll probably sit and watch TV all weekend while I carry on with painting the kitchen.

5   What are the people talking about?

F:   Wow! I haven’t had so much fun before. That was really great, wasn’t it?

M:   It was OK but the sound was a bit loud. We were very close to the speakers. I feel deaf now.

F:   Oh no, it HAS to be loud. My only problem was the fact that it was so crowded and the guy next to me kept hitting me when he was dancing. Then a girl spilt her drink all over my trousers.

I will need to change them as soon as we go home.

6   Where do the people work?

F:   I have never had anyone behave like that before. He was so rude!

M:   I know, he was rude to me, too. I nearly got very angry with him. It’s lucky he left when he did.

F:   I tell you what. I can’t wait to get my holiday booked up and enjoy people looking after me for a change. I’m tired of dealing with people like him.

M:   Well, at least he left me a big tip. I will give you half of it, as you also had to deal with him.

7   At which time is the plumber available?

M:   Ah, hello. I’m Rob Benson. You left a message on my answering machine saying you had an emergency with your water pipes… but… um, now I can’t reach you. Anyway, I’m free between half past two and five if you want me to come by and help fix your problem. I hope, if it was urgent, you will have already sorted it out. If not, contact me on my mobile phone. That’s 4759 339 7443. For now, I would advise you to look for the main tap which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it off.

8 A   9 C   10 B   11 B   12 C   13 A

Audioscripts

8   You will hear two friends talking about learning to play the drums.

M:   Wow! It’s so hard learning the drums. It looks so easy but it’s really challenging!

F:   Yes, it does look easy. But I know it’s hard because my brother plays them. I think you just have to be really patient and practise every day. That’s what he did. Oh, and he watched well-known musicians to get help on techniques.

M:   Yes maybe I should do that, too. Most people don’t realise that it’s more than just hitting the drums. It’s music and fitness together! And you need to be a bit crazy!

F:   Yeah, you’re right! My brother says the same.

9   You will hear two friends talking about a river boat trip.

M:   So, how did you enjoy your river trip in Egypt?

F:   It was brilliant! The scenery was amazing. We had our own cabins on the boat. But I must admit the water was a bit brown and I was always frightened of falling in, although local children swam in it!

M:   Yes. When I went it was very hot and I wished I could jump in for a swim. For me, the worst thing was the mosquitoes at night. I used to get so hot wearing clothes to cover my arms and legs to protect myself from them!

F:   Yes! Me too!

10   You will hear two friends talking about revising for exams.

F:   Well, the exams start next week. Are you revising?

M:   Not much. It’s so hard to concentrate. My brother keeps disturbing me and he wants to play. Then I try to study with music, but I end up listening to the music and doing no revision!

F:   Look, that’s because you have not organised yourself properly. It took me days before I really started working. Decide on a daily starting time and tell yourself that from now on you will work eight hours a day. Just be strict!

M:   Ok. I’ll try! I’ll start right now!

11   You will hear two friends talking about an adventure weekend.

M:   How did you enjoy the weekend? I thought it was great!

F:   Me too! I loved camping out under the stars and sitting around the fire at night with our guitars! The weather could have been better but that didn’t bother me. But I could have done with more sleep. The sun came out so early which made it impossible not to get up.

M:   Yeah! Me too! I think I’m going to sleep for two days when I get home. Also, I think we should have done more rock climbing than we did! I really enjoyed it!

F:   I’m glad we didn’t!

12   You will hear two friends talking about a movie they saw.

F:   Well, that was a real disappointment!

M:   Why? I enjoyed it. The acting was great and the director did a great job! It was so exciting. I was so frightened when he entered that cave. The actors gave great performances and the scenery was amazing!

F:   Well, I hate thrillers, first of all. And I thought the acting was disappointing. Those green creatures did not look real and the scenery was strange. I didn’t feel they were in a desert! The only good thing was the lovely classical music.

M:   I think you are being too negative because it was a thriller!

13   You will hear two friends arranging a meeting.

M:   We need to organise the class meeting for the end-of-year trip.

F:   Yes. The problem is that most of our classmates won’t want to do it in the evening, so it must be sometime during a lunch break. But before we decide, we need to discuss some destinations, so that we can suggest something and then everybody can vote.

M:   Good idea. Otherwise we will spend the whole time trying to think of something. So, should I get on with putting up a notice for the second part of the lunch break next Thursday?

F:   Let’s discuss ideas first!

14 self-service   15 9.30   16 landscape

17 materials   18 reception   19 group

Audioscripts

F:   Hello everyone! I hope you’ve all settled in and are looking forward to your first day of landscape painting tomorrow. I just want to run through the daily programme with you so that we are all in the right place at the right time.

Now, breakfast will be served on the patio between 8 and 9 in the morning. (14) It’s a buffet breakfast and self-service, so you can help yourself to as much as you like. I suggest you fill up as you’ll get hungry in all that fresh air and walking.

(15) At 9.30 prompt, we’ll meet at the entrance to the hotel and walk to our painting location. This will always be about half an hour away; certainly no further than expected. (16) Once we arrive, I’ll give you all a demonstration of landscape painting or drawing. (17) We’ll be exploring a variety of materials, such as pencil and charcoal and watercolour and acrylic paint. We won’t be using oil paint, as it takes too long to dry and would be very difficult to handle.

Then you get the chance to show what you are made of and I’ll be walking around, giving advice and encouragement. Please feel free to ask me any questions during this time. That’s what I’m here for. We will have a picnic lunch at 12.30. (18) Don’t forget to collect your packed lunch in the morning from reception.

(19) After an afternoon of painting and drawing we’ll all get together for a group tutorial. Now, don’t be nervous about this. It’s just a chance to share our thoughts and experiences and see what everyone has produced. We’ll be back at the hotel at about five o’clock, so you’ll have plenty of time to freshen up before dinner at 6.30. Now, any questions?

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

Audioscripts

Int:   This morning we have Rob Stevens with us. Rob is the manager of the new shopping centre just outside the city. Hello Rob, welcome to the show.

Rob:   Thank you.

Int:   (20) Rob, the new shopping centre has been open for six months now, hasn’t it? How popular is it?

Rob:   (20) Actually we have been open since February, to be exact, so that adds a couple of months, and it has been really busy all this time, to tell you the truth.

Int:   Why do you think so many people are visiting it even though it is not in the city centre? I mean, it’s a ten-minute drive out of the city, isn’t it? Doesn’t that put people off a bit?

Rob:   No, not at all. In fact, a lot of people like the fact that it is in an area with easy parking and lots of space. (21) Also, if you don’t drive or don’t want to use your car there is a very good bus service that is free to and from the city centre. (22) The car park is also free, which is a big advantage, as parking in the city is usually limited to one hour before you have to move your car.

Int:   I see. But there are a lot more facilities apart from shops, too, aren’t there?

Rob:   Yes, of course. There are nearly 20 cafes and restaurants offering many different kinds of food. (23) Also, there is a play area for young children and you can leave your kids there while you go and do your shopping in peace.

Int:   (23) There must be someone there to look after them, though.

Rob:   (23) Yes, of course. We have a wonderful team of play leaders who are all very experienced in childcare and first aid, just in case there are any little accidents. You know what children are like!

Int:   Sure! Now, could you tell us a bit about the gardens?

Rob:   (24) In the summer, this is the big attraction. The gardens are beautiful. There is a lake that you can go on in little boats. I must say though that fishing is strictly forbidden at all times. There’s also a cafe next to the lake with its own play area and even a small zoo.

Int:   Really? I didn’t know that. Does it have dangerous animals in it?

Rob:   No, not really – just animals like horses, goats, pigs, sheep, ducks etc. (25) It’s just perfect for little children as they are allowed to feed the animals at certain times of the day, with the help of the zookeepers.

Int:   Well, I have to say it does sound like a special place. I will have to take my children there soon.