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
You will see that there is an example which has been done for you.
On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.
Herbie:(running up the street, out of breath) Emma! Emma, hello!
Emma:Herbie! How are you, I haven't seen you for ages...
Herbie:Yeah, what's it been, seven years I think. I suppose I haven't seen you since we graduated from university.
What have you been up to?
Emma:Oh me? Not much, I went back to Canada for a while to live with my parents in Toronto.
The job market was extremely good for software programming.
Herbie:But I thought your major was forensic anthropology.
Weren't you studying the remains of ancient DOS programs?
Emma:Very funny! But no, I was only trying to make some money to pay back my student loans.
The problem with Toronto was there was so much competition and my major wasn't helping me get promoted in the computer field,
so I applied for graduate school here in England.
Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time.
First, you have another chance to look at questions 1 to 6.
Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.
Herbie:(running up the street, out of breath) Emma! Emma, hello!
Emma:Herbie! How are you, I haven't seen you for ages...
Herbie:Yeah, what's it been, seven years I think. I suppose I haven't seen you since we graduated from university.
What have you been up to?
Emma:Oh me? Not much, I went back to Canada for a while to live with my parents in Toronto.
The job market was extremely good for software programming.
Herbie:But I thought your major was forensic anthropology.
Weren't you studying the remains of ancient DOS programs?
Emma:Very funny! But no, I was only trying to make some money to pay back my student loans.
The problem with Toronto was that there was so much competition and myt major would not help me get promoted in the computer field,
so I applied for graduate school here in England.
Herbie:I bet you already miss the weather in Toronto. I hear it's quite lovely in spring.
Emma:Right now it's not too bad, but the winter is bitterly cold.
I like summertime the best by far. This summer my younger sister is getting married there.
I can't wait to go back for a visit, I plan to swim in the lake near our house and not worry about school for a while.
Your hometown has better weather than my hometown. Aren't you originally from Australia?
Herbie:Sydney, to be exact. So what are you studying now?
Emma:I am working on a master's degree in e-commerce at the University of London.
Herbie:And to think, in school you were always saying how much you hated to use computers!
Now you're planning to work on the World Wide Web, what a surprise!
Emma:I never said I "hated" computers, I just found them hard to use. Now I can't get enough of them.
Besides, there is good money to be made on the Internet.
Hey, enough about me. What have you been doing for the last seven years?
Herbie:I've been all over the world-Egypt, India, and the Far East. You name it, I've been there.
Emma:That sounds really exciting! Doing what?
Herbie:I'm a house D.J. I've spun records at discotechs all over the planet.
Emma:You're a disc jockey? I can't believe it. I thought your major was chemistry.
Herbie:Molecular chemistry to be precise, but I decided to go in a different direction.
I wasn't too keen on developing dangerous chemicals for multinational corporations.
Emma:I bet you have not been to Inner Mongolia.
Herbie:Actually, you're righ
Emma goes on to ask Herbie about his hometown. Look at questions 6 to 9.
Write the answers to questions 6 to 9
Emma:So, if you are such a world traveler, why are you here in England and not somewhere strange and exotic?
Herbie:Even though I was born in Sydney, I will always consider London my hom
Emma:Whatever for? London doesn't have the beautiful weather or cute kangaroos and koala bears that Australia has.
Herbie:Look, if I want to see animals I go to the zoo.
London is my home because I've lived here far longer.
When I was 10 my mum sent me to live with my aunt and uncle in Highgate, a suburb of London, to go to school.
It was really tough at first. I had no friends, and my schoolmates poked fun at my Aussie accent.
But after a few years, I really started to fit in.
Now when I visit my Mum in Sydney I feel like a tourist.
A lot has changed there in 18 year
Emma:Sorry. I didn't mean to get you all worked up. I simply meant,
why are you here instead of somewhere really hip like Tokyo or Beijing.
Herbie:Well, I was. I mean I've already lived abroad for seven years.
and I wanted to be somewhere familiar for a while. Then, out of the blue,
one of my mates called me and offered me a job as a sound engineer for a BBC television show.
Now I've got good pay and a contract for four years.
Emma:That's quite impressive! From test tubes to television... what a transformation!
Herbie:How long are you here for? Do you plan to stay after you finish your degree?
Emma:That's hard to say. I really like London, but it's so expensive.
Where I live really depends on what kind of job I can find online.
I've already started looking. I even applied for a company based in Sydney,
though I would hate to have to leave London. I have to decide soon, because I complete my degree next term.
Herbie:Sounds like you still have plenty of time. If you don't mind me asking,
do you ever have free time after classes?
Emma:Well I work from Thursday through Sunday evenings as a waitress.
But during the week I am usually free.
Herbie:That's great! I keep similar hours. How about meeting for coffee next Monday around 4pm?
Emma:Alright, meet me at the campus north gate next Monday. See you then.
Herbie:See you Monday!
That is the end of Section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Section 2
You will hear an announcer giving information about the site of a circus. Look at questions 10 to 14 and the map.
As you listen, write the appropriate letter from the map next to the facilities stated in questions 10 to 12.
And write down the answers for questions 13 and 14.
Good afternoon ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages!
I am the ringmaster of Barnum and Balley's Circus.
Before I allow you all to enjoy today's entertainment, permit me to tell you about the fairground.
The Big Top is the large red and yellow-striped tent you see behind me.
That is where all of today's featured acts will be performing.
On my right there are two long trailers.
That is where you can view human and animal oddities of all sorts - our Freak Show.
Across from the Freak Show to my left is the Petting Zoo.
Here both children and adults can enjoy playing with cute little animals.
We have young goats, lambs and rabbits, as well as ponies for the children to ride.
Now there's an adorable picture, eh folks? If your camera needs more film,
remember that you can buy some at the souvenir stalls outside the main entrance.
Located directly hehind the Big Top are the Ferris Wheel and rollercoasters.
There rides are sure to give you a thrill. And speaking of thrills,
in the unlikely event of accident,
please use the emergency exit located at the back of the park near the Ferris Wheel.
Refreshments may be purchased at the concession stand to the right of the Petting Zoo,
in front of the security booth.
Be advised that on the left-hand side of the Main Entrance can be found public telephones.
On the right-hand side of the said entrance there is the security and first aid stall.
If you lose anything while at the fairground be sure to go as soon as possible to security and report it.
Finally, the restrooms are at the rear left-hand side of the fairground,
between the Freak Show trailers and the Ferris Wheel. Please bear in mind that these are pay toilets,
costing 20 pence per use.
Now the announcer goes on to explain the evening's schedule.
Look at the entertainment program and questions 15 to 19.
Answer questions 15 to 19 complete the table.
Now that all the official announcements are out of the way,
I will quickly go over today's program. The entertainment will begin at 12 o'clock, with the Great Santini in the Big Top.
Santini has traveled far from his native land of Romania to amaze you with feats of magic.
He might even make you disappear! Following Santini at around one o'clock will be the Bozo Brothers.
These clowns will hit, trip, trick each other and maybe even crash their clown car,
all for your laughter and amusement. Also at one o'clock at the Petting Zoo there will be a goat milking demonstration.
This is a fun and educational activity.
Over at the Freak Show Trailer, the Bearded Lady will take the stage at 2 o'clock.
Ever wondered what a woman would look like with a full beard?
Well, here is your chance to find out! Trust me folks, the beard is real,but don't try to pull it,
or you just might find out what it is like to get hit by a bearded lady!
If you do not want to see a woman with facial hair,
then back at the Big Top at two o'clock you can watch Gary the Glass Eater do just what his name implies, eat glass!
Gary will make you cringe as he chews and swallows all sorts of glass items,
from shards to entire lightbulbs, all without injuring himself.
Don't try this at home kids! From 3 to 4 o'clock there will be an intermission.
This is a great time for you to visit the refreshment bar and take a rest.
When activities resume at four o'clock you will have two options.
Down at the Petting Zoo there will a lamb shearing demonstration.
Want to know how lamb's wool became that beautiful sweater in your closet?
Just ask Maggie Simpson, Scotland's leading wool expert, how it was done.
She will demonstrate how to shear the wool from a lamb and then explain the many processes the wool must undergo before it becomes suitable for making clothing and other products.
If you are really interested, she might even let you have a hand at shaving a sheep yourself!
At the same time, over at the Big Top, there will be an Elephant Parade.
Watch as eight massive Indian elephants perform clever tricks with beautiful female acrobats balancing on their backs.
Immediately following the Elephant Parade, at about five o'clock, the Swan Sisters will perform their world-famous flying trapeze act.
Watch these two lovely sisters risk life and limb as they fly and tumble through the air 150 meters above the ground-all without a safety net.
I don't want to say too much, but make sure to stay for their grand finale,
which is said to be one of the most dangerous trapeze stunts ever performed.
At 5:30 the Siamese Twins will take center stage at the Freak Show Trailer. Originally from China,
identical twin brothers Ping and Pong have been attached at the hip and shoulder since birth.
Talk about family togetherness! If you like, you can even ask them questions about their lives.
Our concluding act can also be found at the Freak Show Trailer.
At 6:30 you will be able to witness the World's Fattest Man, Marcoff Chaney.
Mr. Chaney weighs some 300 kilograms and is truly a sight to see.
Thank you for coming to Barnum and Bailey's Circus! We hope you have a wonderful time!
That is the end of section 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Section 3
Turn to Section 3 of your question booklet. Section 3. You will hear a student asking an English person about the differences between Scotland,
England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Look at questions 20-25.
Now listen and complete questions 20 to 25.
Hiro:Excuse me sir, my name is Hiro, and I noticed that your rucksack has a British flag patch on it. May I ask you if you are British?
Liam:My rucksack? Oh, yes the Union Jack. Well, that's a bit of a joke actually.
However, yes I am English. Why do you want to know?
Hiro:I am doing a report on the issue of identity in the U.K.
I want to know how people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland see themselves.
What I mean to say is, being that all four of the countries are part of the United Kingdo
how different could they possibly be?
Liam:Well, they are nothing at all alike, really. Culture, ancestry and language all differ quite considerably from region to region.
Hiro:How so?
Liam:Let's start with England. The U.K. has a population of about 59 million.
Of those people, about 49 million live in England.
London is the capital and a very metropolitan city.
About a fourth of all those living in England reside in London.
It is the most multicultural city in the United Kingdom.
It has many immigrants from all over the world.
London is very exciting, and there is always something to do day or night.
The influence that London has on the rest of England makes the capital city unlike the rest of the U.K.
It is very modern and futureminded.
Hiro: You would of course say this because you are British!
Liam:Well, what would you expect! By the way, it is quite good of you to say "British".
When you are talking to people from Britain, it is safest to use 'Britain' when talking about where they live and 'British' to describe their nationality;
you will be less likely to offend anyone. I mean you can be from England and not consider yourself English.
Hiro:Why is that? If you are all citizens of England, then why isn't your identity first English and then Scottish or whatever?
Liam:There has been a long history of emigration to England from Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
As a result, there are millions of people who live in England but who would never describe themselves as English.
They may have lived in England all their lives, but as far as they are concerned they are Scottish,
Welsh or Irish. These people support the country of their parents or grandparents rather than England in things such as sporting events.
Liam and Hiro continue to discuss the United Kingdom. Look at questions 26-29.
Listen and complete questions 26 to 29.
Hiro:Doesn't this constant switching of loyalties ever cause problems?
Shouldn't people who were born or who have lived in one country for a very long time support only that country?
Liam:Actually, it has caused quite a few problems, especially in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Hiro:Yes, I have heard something of the so-called 'Irish Troubles'.
Isn't there, at this moment, a civil war going on in Northern Ireland?
I believe it is because some citizens want to remain as part of the United Kingdom,
but other people want to become part of the Republic of Ireland.
Liam:That is a subject that is difficult to discuss.
Some people in Northern Ireland want to be unified with Ireland.
However over the years many immigrants from Britain as well as Irish loyal to the crown want to continue to be ruled by the British government.
This is a subject that the British prefer not to talk about.
Hiro:Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. You aren't Irish are you?
Liam:No. Actually my hometown is Glasgow in Scotland.
Hiro:Oh Scottish! Does that mean that sometimes you wear a skirt?
Liam:I think you mean a kilt, which is not the same as a skirt at all.
Hiro:Sorry. There is so much about U.K. culture I do not understand.
If you don't mind me asking, why do the Irish want independence from Britain,
but the Scottish do not?
Liam:There are some people from my hometown that would disagree with you,
but the truth is that Scotland and England have a long history of immigration and communication.
Perhaps you've heard of Mary Queen of Scots, who once ruled England as well.
The Irish, on the other hand, partly due to the fact that Ireland is a separate island were always more isolated,
and had almost no political power.
Hiro:Oh, that makes a lot of sense to me, I come from a very isolated island country as well.
Liam:Really, where is that?
Hiro:Well, I'm Japanese. My hometown is Okinawa.
Liam:I can't say I've ever been there, but I've always wanted to visit Japan.
I wonder if it is anything like the U.
Hiro:Well, because England and Japan are islands importing goods is therefore very expensive.
Liam:Yeah, and the U.K. and Japan are the only countries where the driver sits on the right side of a car.
Hiro:Hey, you're right!
Liam:So, how much longer will you be on holiday here?
Hiro:Unfortunately, I leave in two days.
Liam:That's too bad. There is a huge music festival taking place this weekend in Reading.
If you do decide to stay longer, you really ought to attend it.
Hiro:That sounds fun!
That is the end of Section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Now listen to the lecture and answer questions 30-35.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
Today's topic in our series of lectures on the development of British socialism is health care.
Some believe that the current system is the world's greatest.
This morning I will present the facts and let you decide if this statement is tru
The National Health Service Act of 1946-7 was based on the Beveridge Report recommendations.
It established the NHS to replace the previous private system of payment for health care.
The NHS now provides a comprehensive range of free medical and some free dental services for the whole country.
It includes hospitals, doctors, dentists, nurses and other health facilities,
and is financed out of public taxation and some contributions from the national insurance scheme.
At first, the NHS was opposed by the medical profession,
which wished to retain private medicine.
But such objections were countered by the Labour government.
In its first years of operation the NHS covered 95 per cent of the population and cost some 400 million pounds a year to run.
This cost currently stands at 36,000 million pounds, or some 14 per cent of total government expenditure,
and the NHS is also the biggest single employer of labour in Western Europe.
Yet total health expenditure in Britain as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) is some six per cent,
and lower than in other major western industrialized countries.
The NHS in England is divided into central government,
regional and district health authorities.
The Secretary of State for Health has overall responsibility for policy,
and for supervising the regional and district authorities.
Secretaries of state do a similar job in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The district authorities in England and Wales, health boards in Scotland,
and health and social service boards in Northern Ireland organize health in their local areas.
In England, because of its size, the additional 14 regional authorities (which the government wants to abolish) are centered on university medical schools,
and are a link between the Department of Health and the districts.
It was originally intended that the NHS would be completely free of charge in its provision of consultations,
treatment and medicine.
Before the final part of the lecture, look at questions 36 to 40.
Answer questions 36 to 40 according to the information given in the lecture.
But prescriptions, which are written notes from a doctor enabling patients to obtain drugs from a chemist,
now have to be paid for, as do some dental work, dental checks and eye tests.
Such payments are, however, dependent upon employment status, age and income, so that children under 16,
recipients of social security benefits and most old-age pensioners usually receive free health services.
In practice, some 80 per cent of medical prescriptions are supplied free.
Similarly, hospital care and treatment under the NHS is free for British and European Union citizens.
The NHS occupies an ambivalent position in the public imagination.
On the one hand, it is praised for its work and status as a free service, and for its achievements.
It is perceived to be a success in terms of consumer demand,
especially when contrasted with earlier provisions for medical care.
Today, people in general receive help when they need it, and many who would previously have died or suffered are surviving and being cared for.
The standards of living and medicine have risen, better diets have been devised and there is a greater health awareness among the population at large.
On the other hand, the NHS is criticized for its alleged inefficiency,
inadequate standards and bureaucracy.
Its objectives are sometimes considered too ambitious for the money spent on it.
The media are constantly drawing attention to shortcomings and forecasting breakdowns.
Workers within the NHS, such as doctors, nurses and non-medical staff,
have frequently complained about low pay, long hours,
bureaucracy and inadequate levels of staffing.
They and other critics seem to feel that many of the problems could be solved simply by injecting more finance into the NHS.
It is also argued that the government is cutting services and resources.
The NHS is in many ways a victim of its own success,
and the demands that the British place upon it as of right.
It is inevitable that a free, consumer-led service will either require increasing levels of expenditure,
or better management of existing resources. Yet, despite these problems,
the NHS has worked well and gives great value for money.
Foreign observers feel that the British do not always appreciate what a good health system they have compared with those of many other countries.
That is the end of Section 4. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to Section 4.
You now have one minute to check your answers for the entire test.
That is the end of the Listening Test. You now have exactly 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the Listening Test Answer Sheet.