Listening Practice For National English Competition 2 [PDF]

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FANPAGE TÀI LIỆU TIẾNG ANH NÂNG CAO LISTENING PRACTICE FOR NATIONAL ENGLISH COMPETITION PRACTICE TEST 11

Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about Google company and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. Impediment to market penetration, price dominance, unjust benefits and fierce competition characterize a monopoly market. 2. In the early 19th century, Standard Oil’s production constituted approximately 90% of the total output in the U.S. 3. Google was accused of gaining unfair advantages over competitors by requiring smartphone makers to load Google apps onto the phone before a customer buys it. 4. Yelp has filed a complaint against Google in the EU, stating that Google’s search engine has biased for its own results. 5. EU does not take action against monopolies unless they exert pernicious effects on consumers. Your answers

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Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about the history of hamburgers and answer the questions. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 6. What kind of meat was mentioned as one of the ingredients of the Roman’s version of hamburger? 7. What did the hamburger version in 1700 become part of? 8. Which invention had enabled affordable and delicious meals to be easily made from meat? 9. What did the White Castle claim about their hamburgers? 10. Besides being a convenient takeout, what was another purpose that burgers were reputed for? Your answers

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Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to an interview with Norma Powell, who is a financial advisor, and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11 Young people are tempted to live beyond their means because A they consider they have a right to use credit cards and store cards. B they may be unaware of the extent of the debts they incur. C they may be unable to pay cash for consumer goods. D they have become more materialistic as a result of using credit cards. 12 Norma believes the main reason young people get into debt is due to A the large numbers of credit cards available to them. B the overdrafts they create at university. C the fact that they can't find a job. D the lack of financial advice from parents. 13 She thinks that if parents have a responsible attitude to money, A their children will be more likely to follow their advice. B they will be able to demonstrate the dangers of getting into debt. C their children will follow their advice but not their example. D they will be able to build up some savings for their children. 14 A fixed amount of pocket money A forces a child to save money. B teaches a child to budget. C makes a child feel independent. D gives a child a saving strategy. 15 Teenagers sometimes find it difficult to save because A they want to buy clothes all the time. B they don't want to listen to their parents. C they are influenced by friends and advertising. D they have lost sight of what is important in life. Your answers

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Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about a work of literature and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT 16. Raskolnikov lives in ______________________, and from the beginning of the story he is unable to advance his education. 17. Selling his last worthy pieces to an ______________________, he is so desperate that he devises a robbery and murdering plan. 18. Dostoyevsky’s searing prose brings to life the limitation of 19th century Saint Petersburg, with examples from dark pubs to run-down buildings and ______________________. 19. The author shows stories about characters such as Marmeladov, a miserable former official who has pushed his family to the brink of collapse, and Svidrigailov, an ______________________ royalty. 20. Leaving behind bright career prospects in the military, Fyodor had been captivated by ideas of ______________________. 21. Many comrades of Dostoyevsky were killed, only to be subjected to mock execution and ______________________ from the Tsar. 22. In the 1864 novella "Notes from Underground," the belief that the contradictory desire for human soul would never be fully satisfied by ______________________ was asserted clearly. 23. Doctrines of ______________________ greatly endorsed by many of Dostoyevsky’s current scholars have been emulated. 24. Raskolnikov isolates himself from mankind due to his fervent belief in his acumen to ______________________. 25. Dostoyevsky’s riveting narrative of the social and psychological turmoil depicts a realistic picture of his punishment and the ______________________.

KEY AND EXPLANATION 3

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Part 1 1. False 0.41 There are a few common things that happen when there’s a monopoly, barriers to enter a market, a lack of competition, unfair advantages, control over prices and, often, regulation. 2. Not Given 0.55 Around 1880, the company controlled roughly 90% of U.S. oil production. 3. True 1.29 EU regulators said Google forced these device makers to pre-install Google apps like Search and Chrome, making it more difficult for competing apps to gain traction. 4. True 2.23 Yelp, for example, has complained to the EU that Google unfairly promotes its own search results, making it less likely users will click on other listings and reviews. 5. True 2.37 One thing to note is that it’s not illegal just to be a monopoly here in the EU. It’s when monopolies abuse their power at the expense of consumers that they can start to get in trouble. Part 2 6. minced pork 0.18 7. (the) British culinary repertoire 1.00 8. (the) mincing machine 1.44 9. pure and hygienically produced 2.19 10. (a) barbecue fodder 2.47 Part 3 11. B 12. D 13. A 14. B 15. C

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Presenter: In recent years, surveys conducted into the problem of debt have produced some startling results. Of all declared bankrupts last year, almost fifteen percent were under thirty years old, representing a sharp rise since previous years. Various reasons have been cited as to why this is happening, but the question remains: what are we to do about the growing problem of debt among the young? With me on the programme today is Norma Powell, who, hopefully, can shed some light on this worrying matter. Norma, what can we do? Norma: Well, I think it's fair to say that the causes of the problem are many. For one thing, young people are encouraged to get into debt by the sheer abundance of credit cards and store cards on offer to them. It's terribly easy for college students to run up an overdraft unchecked. not realising that they will then spend the first ten years of their working lives paying the money back - that's assuming they find a job. But personally, I think the root of the problem lies deeper. In this consumer society of ours, where the acquisition of material goods gives you status, parents often fail to give their children guidance in how to handle their money. They are negligent in their responsibility to warn them about the hidden dangers involved in running up credit card bills, for instance. Presenter: Don't you think it's a little harsh to lay all the blame at the parents' door? Norma: Well, perhaps schools should share some of the burden. Nevertheless, when it comes to finance. children generally learn from what their parents do. Presenter: So what would you have us parents do? Norma: Generally speaking. you could talk to your children about the value of saving and how important it is to be responsible about money. Of course, setting a good example through your own spending habits is crucial, if you want your children to listen to you! Gone are the days of 'Don't do as I do. do as I say'! Another useful learning tool is the weekly pocket money. It need only be a modest amount, but as long as it's fixed and paid on a particular day of the week, you can use this to teach your children how to gauge the money they have to spend in one week, and how much money they need to save if they want to buy, say, a new CD or a game for the PlayStation. Presenter: Why should the amount of pocket money be fixed? Norma: Well. this teaches children to learn to live within their means. They must plan a saving strategy if they want to buy something big. They need to project how long it will take them to save up a certain amount. These are important lessons in life. Presenter: Good point. But what can we do to encourage the reluctant child to save? My teenage daughter no sooner gets money in her hand than it's gone, usually on a new pair of shoes or clothes. 5

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Norma: In this case, give them an incentive to save. Bribe them if necessary! Tell them that if they save a certain amount, you will add so much to it as a bonus. If you open a bank account for them, older children will also benefit from having their own bank book. Presenter: You mean, it'll make them feel grown up and independent. Norma: More than that. There's a real sense of achievement attached to depositing money in the bank and watching your savings grow. Remember how you felt when you opened your first account? Things haven't changed that much. We've simply lost sight of our priorities. The problem, of course, with most teenagers is peer pressure and the power of brand names. This now affects boys as much as girls. You can't convince them to buy cheap trainers when all their friends are wearing a popular, more expensive brand. But at least you can make them aware of the cost involved in staying in fashion. Presenter: Well, Norma! You've given our listeners lots to think about. Thank you very much for coming on the programme, and I for one will be implementing some of the measures you mentioned. Now, the next item on today's agenda ... Part 4. 16. abject poverty 0.41 17. elderly pawnbroker 1.00 18. claustrophobic police stations 1.25 19. unhinged and lecherous 1.44 20. socialism and reform 2.12 21. last-minute pardon 2.31 22. utopian Western philosophies 2.55 23. egoism and utilitarianism 3.33 24. transcend moral taboos 3.42 25. possibility of redemption 4.22

PRACTICE TEST 12

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Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about the Ant IPO delay and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. Shanghai authorities disrupted Ant’s IPO at short notice on the grounds of its fragile business plans. 2. Ant Group’s IPO would have been unprecedented in the fintech industry. 3. Interference from China is the main reason accounting for the questionable status of Hong Kong as a major financial centre. 4. Winston Ma forecasts that the fintech industry will not cease to enjoy a period of phenomenal growth in the wilderness. 5. Recent regulations from the Chinese government will shift the role of Ant Group as a fintech company. Your answers

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Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about Neptune and answer the questions. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 6. What is the distance between Neptune and the Sun? 7. What is Neptune’s core made up of besides water ice? 8. What gives Neptune blue color? 9. What can strong winds recorded on Neptune do? 10. What is the name of the spacecraft that has visited Neptune? Your answers 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to part of an interview with an artist about the subject of art and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.

11 How does Brendan feel about his work? A He prefers negative criticism to no reaction at all. 7

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B His intention is to provoke critics with his art. C He believes his art can only be viewed subjectively. D His definition of art is at odds with general opinion. 12 According to Brendan, standing on a chair A is an example of what art should be. B would be art if it was intended to be. C is an example of mediocre art. D would not be considered art by most people. 13 Brendan says that some successful artists A are not very good at drawing. B have not been able to create original art. C lack the ability to express ideas. D use excessively old-fashioned techniques. 14 Brendan doesn't think that A throwing paint at a canvas would constitute art. B it is difficult to come up with original ideas. C critics are open-minded enough. D modern art has nowhere left to go. 15 The invention of the camera A allowed more people to indulge their passion for taking portraits. B enabled photographers to imitate life more closely. C meant that artists were no longer restricted to copying from life. D changed the way society viewed the role of the artist. Your answers 11.

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Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about sleep and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. 8

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SLEEP AND MENTAL HEALTH 16. The culprit behind our ______________________ relationship to sleep originates from our ancient understanding of the subject. 17. Parents of small children have a disposition to be ______________________ in routine negotiations. 18. Every reversal becomes a drama, every disappointment turns into a catastrophe and every excitement shifts into ______________________. 19. An innovatively ______________________ approach to bedtimes when growing up can be considered an expression of independence and individuality. 20. There are various ways of expressing our perceptions about lives, ranging from positive narratives to appalling tales of complete ignorance and ______________________. 21. When exhaustion sets in, we tend to think in a ______________________ way. 22. When we lie in bed, we think that we bear a resemblance to a ______________________, for instance, a rabbit or a squirrel. 23. Given the harsh grown-up life, we need to be free to ______________________ this. 24. It is inferred from curled squirrel position that mental problems cannot be universally handled by ______________________. 25. It is not until we have treated ourselves with a ______________________ or a long night’s sleep that we understand the reasons to live.

KEY AND EXPLANATION

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Part 1 1. Not Given 0.47 Just two days before the planned listing, regulators in Shanghai pulled the plug, at least temporarily. The Shanghai exchange told Ant in a notice that changes in financial technology regulatory requirements and other "major issues" meant the company didn't meet the requirements needed to list on its exchange. 2. True 1.28 Ant’s record-breaking IPO would have led the way for future Asian fintech public listings, and would have been a huge achievement for China’s technology sector. 3. Not Given 1.58 It may also have spillover effects on Hong Kong, whose status as a premier financial hub has already come under question amid increased meddling from Beijing. 4. False 2.42 He believes that the age of exponential growth in the wilderness for internet finance is over — and that’s the reality the fintech investors have to embrace. 5. True 3.11 China’s new regulations will force the company to act more like a traditional lender and less like an asset-light provider of technology services to the financial industry. Part 2 6. 30 astronomical units 0.27 7. Silicate rock 1.02 8. Traces of methane 1.17 9. Break the sound barrier 1.46 10. Voyager 2 2.28 Part 3 11 A 12 B 13 A 14 D 10

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15 C Interviewer: Welcome back. For those of you who have only just switched on your radio, we're talking today to artist Brendan Rothschild, whose recent exhibition of sculpture has received mixed reviews. Brendan, the question most frequently raised has been about whether your work can even be classified as art. How does that make you feel? Brendan: Well to tell the truth, I try not to let it get to me. My art is meant to be provocative, and if some people are provoked. then at least it's having the desired effect. After all, the perception of art is in the eye of the beholder, and there will always be someone whose definition of art will differ from mine. Interviewer: And what is your definition of art, if you don't mind my asking? Brendan: Sure, why not? I believe that art is anything created in the name of art. For example, if I stand on this chair and call it art, then it is, because I made it to be art. Now whether it is good, bad. mediocre or any other adjective you care to attach to it. is purely subjective, and everyone's welcome to their opinion. Interviewer: But surely, anybody could stand on a chair and call it art? Brendan: Yes, but they don't, do they? That's the point. Much of the time, what really succeeds as art is something that hasn't been done before. Technical skill rarely comes into it. All the skill in the world doesn't necessarily make you an artist. Conversely, there are a good number of artists out there that have made a living - even become famous – despite having little or no technical ability. They just had an original way of expressing an old idea, or a traditional way of expressing an original one. Interviewer: So if I picked up a bucket of paint and threw it at a canvas, that would be deemed art? Brendan: Certainly it would, if that had been your intention. It wouldn't be very successful, though, as it's already been done. In fact, thinking of something novel and then expressing it successfully is harder than most people think. Some say that modern art has reached an impasse, but I think that's narrow thinking. Twenty-first century art is just searching for another flash of inspiration. Interviewer: Do you believe that abstract art is a reflection of our times? Brendan: Some of it, though it need not be abstract to be modern. Throughout history, art has continued to evolve. Those with the most vision, and sometimes - but not always those with the most skill, have found a way to move art forward. Just look back over the past one hundred years. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, artists like Van Gogh had pushed against the boundaries of what was considered acceptable art. Poor old Vincent never sold a painting in his lifetime. People weren't ready for his vision, but 11

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today his paintings sell for millions. Other artists like Gauguin, Picasso, Duchamp and Matisse opened avenues for new ideas, new visions, challenging the notion of what art was supposed to be, and movements such as Cubism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Fauvism, Abstract Expressionism were all born as the result of somebody doing something that had never been done before. Interviewer: Do you think other factors influenced the way art was developing? Brendan: Certainly, the invention of the camera had an impact on the role of art. No longer was it necessary for artists to imitate life, and the rich lost their excuse to commission renowned artists to show off their wealth with portraits of thoroughbred horses and greyhounds. Technology was suddenly capable of doing that and photography was soon available to everyone. This gave artists the freedom to experiment with materials, with colour, with perspective, to challenge the way we see things and even our notions of what constitutes reality. Interviewer: Which brings us back to what you were telling us before the break about your own work. So where do you see your work going in the future? Brendan: Forward, I hope. Part 4. 16. tangled and unhelpful 0.07

21. vindictive and sloppy 3.04

17. entirely implacable 0.35

22. smaller, furry mammal 3.31

18. mania 0.59

23. know and lament 3.55

19. defiant and cavalier 1.25

24. active reasoning 4.36

20. unforgivable errors 2.09

25. weepy nap 5.26

PRACTICE TEST 13

Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about office life and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 12

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1. Antony Slumbers believed that employee productivity was the reason for the establishment of the office. 2. Open-plan offices were characterized by constant distraction and work inefficiency. 3. Unexpected meetings have yet to be proven to foster sudden inspiration or recognition.. 4. Lack of monitoring from bosses is assumed to obstruct straightforward exchange. 5. Some research has pointed out that firms opting out of rigidity tend to draw the best workforce. Your answers

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Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a report on Black Fungus in India and answer the questions. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 6. Which form do the moles causing black fungal infection take? 7. Among Covid 19 patients, who are most vulnerable to black fungal infection? 8. Which problem with the nose may a patient experience when he or she suffers from black fungal infection? 9. According to top Indian doctors, what is the culprit behind the rise of infections? 10. Which treatment do patients receive when the infection is identified on time? Your answers

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Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to part of a radio interview with a member of a language revival action group and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11. The bill that was recently passed by the Scottish Parliament A states that Gaelic is the official language of Scotland. B enables Gaelic to be taught in Scottish schools. C has benefited teaching in Scottish schools. D represents a victory for Philip McNair's action group. 13

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12. One of the action group's aims is to A encourage family members to speak Gaelic at home. B provide teachers with the incentive and the means to teach in Gaelic. C recruit and train more language teachers in secondary schools. D provide Scottish schools with equipment for language learning. 13. McNair attributes the revival of interest in Gaelic to A the success of a similar language revival campaign in Wales. B fears that Scottish Gaelic would suffer the same fate as Manx. C the fact that the Isle of Man now has several hundred Gaelic speakers. D the fact that Gaelic had been officially declared a dead language. 14. According to McNair, an important factor in achieving the group's goal is A the view that Gaelic is part of Scotland's cultural heritage. B the political autonomy that Scotland has finally won for itself. C the necessary backing to put ideas into practice. D the pride people take in having a strong cultural identity. 15. How does he regard the latest developments? A optimistically B stoically C impassively D fanatically Your answers

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Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about Asian unicorn start-ups and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. UNICORN STARTUPS 16. Bain & Company report has attributed the boom of unicorns in the region to the increase in private equity investment and ______________________. 14

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17. ______________________ is the term used to describe a startup company valued at over $100 billion. 18. August 2020 marks the milestone of Grab in introducing financial services, such as loans, ______________________, health insurance, and a pay-later program. 19. Besides being a service provider for mobile payments, logistics, and food delivery, Go Jek is a ______________________. 20. Hyal Route owns the largest independent ______________________, shared fiber network platform in Myanmar and Cambodia 21. Traveloka is an online-based company, mainly dealing with flight tickets, ______________________, and so on. 22. In the ecosystem of OVO, ______________________, business partners and members are able to conduct digital payment and smart financial services. 23. Store images have been convertible into shelf insights thanks to the combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning engines and detailed ______________________ from Trax. 24. Revolution Precrafted allows customers to live in aesthetically adorned properties by creating a wide range of customized, ______________________ spaces. 25. Singapore and Indonesia will no longer be the exclusive ______________________ for unicorns.

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. True 15

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0.35 The workplace property expert Antony Slumbers said no firm ever wanted an office, they wanted productive employees and the office was just one way to create that. 2. True 0.56 In fact, open-plan offices tended to make us feel like we were constantly interrupted and unable to get anything done. 3. False 1.09 So it's chance encounters, bumping into colleagues and sharing thoughts just casually, that we're finding so difficult to replace. And there seems to be some pretty good evidence that our best 'aha' moments happen in these chance encounters. 4. False 1.24 Professor Sandy Pentland from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology says the reason why these conversations are so effective is that these are the moments that we don't find ourselves supervised by our bosses, we feel free to have honest discussions. 5. Not Given 2.24 Companies who this say it allows workers the flexibility to take their kids to school or even do leisure activities and this is what the asynchronous working firms believe will attract the best workers to come to work for them. Part 2 6. blackish moles 0.45 7. immunocompromised patients 0.56 8. stuffy and bleeding (nose) 1.10 9. steroid overuse 1.45 10. anti-fungal intravenous injection 2.26 Part 3 11. D

12. B

13. B

14. C

15. A

Presenter: Good evening. This week on Right to Speak, we'll be looking at the revival of some of the British Isles' dying languages, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome the first of tonight's speakers. Philip McNair is a teacher of Gaelic and a member of an action group endeavouring to revive Gaelicmedium teaching in Scottish schools. Philip, a lot's been happening recently in Scotland with regard to the revival of the Gaelic language. Can you tell our listeners a little bit about it? 16

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Philip: Certainly, Pamela. Well, the Scottish Parliament recently passed a bill recognising Gaelic as an official language of Scotland, and this constitutes the culmination of a long struggle on the part of many people, myself included, to gain official support in promoting the teaching of Gaelic in schools. Presenter: But you've taken it a step further than that, haven't you? Philip: We have indeed. Following the success of the Welsh initiative in using their native language as the teaching medium in schools, we decided to try to do the same for Scotland. Presenter: And would you say the interest is there, among young people, as well as old? Philip: Oh, aye, definitely. There's already a fair number of pupils who have been educated in Gaelic throughout primary school and who would like to continue their secondary education in the same vein. The problem is facilities are as yet, sufficient for them to do so. Presenter: Why is that? Philip: Well, it all boils down to a matter of staff. There's a lack of trained secondary school teachers who are able or even willing to use Gaelic as their teaching medium. According to figures, in 2003 there were 152 primary school teachers teaching through the medium of Gaelic, while in secondary education, they numbered only 26. So our action group aims to encourage and recruit more teachers at this level. There are intensive language courses available for already qualified teachers, which it is hoped will motivate them to build their knowledge of the language up to the level required for secondary teaching. We've also set up several part-time teacher training courses. and there are currently two distance-learning courses run by Aberdeen University and Lews Castle College on Stornoway. In fact, the first group of trainees from Aberdeen graduated with flying colours in June this year, providing Gaelic-medium schools with twenty new primary teachers and five secondary school teachers. And numbers are growing. Philip: For the moment, yes, but I think the tide's turning. We've secured four million pounds from the government to spend on training resources, and are dedicating a large portion of that to secondary teacher training and to the provision of classroom resources for Gaelic medium teaching. The important thing is, I think, to encourage people as a whole to want to revive the language, at home as well as at school, not only to prevent it from dying out, but in order to develop it as part of their cultural identity once more. Linguistically, Scottish Gaelic is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. along with Irish and Manx. In the case of the latter, the last native speaker died on the Isle of Man in 1974, and Manx was then officially declared a dead language. This sent 17

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shockwaves through many Celtic communities. and sparked a renewed interest in reviving Celtic languages. It's worth noting that today there are several hundred Manx speakers, and I think this is proof that people care about their cultural identity and want to hold onto it. Gaelic represents an important part of our cultural heritage as Celts, whether we are Scottish, Irish, Manx or Welsh, and we have a duty to protect and uphold it. We are lucky in Scotland because the forming of the Scottish Parliament enabled the Gaelic revival movement to gain political clout and as a result, provided us with the financial means to achieve our aims. We now have the necessary funds to make our ideas work. This in turn has encouraged an increase in interest among the general public because they no longer see the language as a lost cause. Presenter: Philip McNair, thank you. And on that note, let me introduce our next guest for this evening, from the Isle of Man. Part 4. 16. venture capitalists 0.32 17. hectocorn 0.50 18. micro-investments 1.33 19. ride-hailing platform 1.46 20. customer-neutral 2.28 21. hotel bookings 3.07 22. affiliated merchants 3.21 23. image recognition 3.42 24. prefabricated and livable 4.12 25. nesting ground 4.33

PRACTICE TEST 14

Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about the power of quiet leadership and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. The Extrovert Ideal characterizes great leaders with the qualities of extrovertness, responsiveness, confidence and impromptu speaking. 18

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2. According to one study, the higher senior leaders scored on the extrovert scale, the less their staff became satisfied with them. 3. Intrinsic motivation paves the way for the pursuit for materialism. 4. The way leadership courses are designed may undermine the confidence of introverted people. 5. Inimical attitude can stand out in a world full of soundbites, forcefulness and extreme thinking. Your answers

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Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about the history of fish and chips and answer the questions. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 6. What was the status of potatoes before the 18th century? 7. What was the primary target of bread-crumbed filets? 8. Apart from the development of railroad system, what stimulated the shipping of fish to inland regions? 9. What are the most common supplementary ingredients of fish and chips in the UK? 10. Besides being clean from printers, how was the newspapers used for wrapping? Your answers

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Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to an interview with two authors called Simon Chirk and Naomi Glenn, who are talking about getting started as a novelist and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11. Simon thinks that young would-be authors should A. attempt to get known in another field first. B. secure the support of a publisher from the outset. C. devote themselves to the more lucrative types of writing. D. have sufficient intrinsic motivation to meet the challenge. 12. Naomi suggests that unpublished writers need to avoid A. trying to combine writing with another occupation. 19

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B. exhausting themselves with a gruelling routine. C. attempting to work with outdated equipment. D. becoming distracted from the task in hand. 13. Naomi agrees with Simon's point that a first novel should A. explore an aspect of a glamorous lifestyle. B. reflect the writer's own personal experience. C. seek to replicate elements of recent bestsellers. D. feature appealing characters in an everyday setting. 14. Naomi and Simon disagree about the extent to which young novelists should A. do research into unfamiliar subject areas or periods. B. aim for established genres with large readerships. C. allow prospective publishers to suggest a theme. D. concentrate on producing a strong narrative. 15. What point does Naomi make about teenage fiction? A. Feedback from readers can be very stimulating. B. Novels need to deal with sophisticated issues. C. The long-term rewards can be worthwhile. D. It's easy to develop a loyal following. Your answers

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Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about hacking and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. THE SECRET LIVES OF THE HACKER 16. In broad terms, hacking can be conceived as ingenious ______________________ since this activity aims to exploit the properties of things in an unanticipated manner. 17. The way that Galileo used crooked glass to ______________________ can be seen as a hacking activity.

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18. NASA engineers used a hack to save Apollo 13, with a book, a plastic bag and a ______________________. 19. In order to establish a call, phone providers utilized ___________________. 20. Many hackers are propelled by the desire to understand the operation of a system, to ______________________ and hidden secrets. 21. Steve Wozniak found source of inspiration from his early explorations to embark on ______________________. 22. There is an analogy between some types of hackers and security forces working to protect their ____________________. 23. Greed, fame, nonconformity and the ____________________ are what propel hackers.

yearnings

to

hurt

others

for

24. Another type of hackers is ______________________ who aim to deceive people. 25. While hackers themselves value their actions, other people deem what they do as ____________________.

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. True

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0.16 Great leaders are often seen as classic confident, extroverts who can speak without thinking, react rapidly and change tack pretty frequently. It’s what best-selling author Susan Cain calls “The Extrovert Ideal” 2. Not Given 0.47 One study found an incredible 98% of top executives scoring “very high” or “above average” on the extrovert scale. But people aren’t on the whole satisfied with their leaders. Could there be a connection between the two? 3. False 1.31 And because their motivation generally comes from within, they’re less likely to compromise themselves chasing rewards like money or power. 4. True 2.09 Many leadership courses can tend to focus on extroverted team activities, such as networking and presentations, leaving quieter people perhaps mistakenly believing they just don’t have the qualities of a “good” leader. 5. False 2.32 Leadership is complex, but in a world of soundbites, sledgehammer tactics and black-and-white thinking, perhaps standing back and listening can be empowering to leaders and their followers. Part 2 6. Knobbly curiosity 0.36 7. Upmarket meals 1.13 8. Trawl fishing 1.51 9. Salt and vinegar 2.28 10. Unsullied by readers’ hands 2.41 Part 3. 11. D

12. D

13. B

14. A

15. C

lnt: With me I have two writers, Simon Chirk, author of fifteen best-selling novels, and Naomi Glenn who writes fiction for teenagers. Simon, the image we get of authors these days is of media-savvy youngsters making a quick fortune. Is it really that easy? S: Well, we've all got stories in us, whether it's family secrets, grand passions or quirky comedies. But it's quite another matter knowing how to tap into them. To my mind, the 22

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desire to make pots of money is scarcely the best starting point. You've got to be up for the challenge of creating a fictional world; one that wouldn't exist if you didn't put your particular energy and talent into it - and that's got to be there in no small measure. Otherwise you're unlikely to have the resilience, patience and sheer willpower to get it finished, let alone get it published in some form. Unless, of course, you're already in the public eye for some other reason, in which case you'll have the commercial publishers falling over themselves to sign you up. lnt: Would you go along with that, Naomi? N: I remember my first novel, getting up at six every morning to write before putting in a full day at the office. It was gruesome but that's still the norm for a lot of young unpublished writers. It's a real effort, you get drained of energy, but I look back on it with a certain pride. Because if I got stuck, which everyone does at some point, I'd no choice but to keep at it - that can be painful. Suddenly the idea of tidying up your bedroom becomes incredibly attractive but you've got to resist the urge - writers are past masters at displacement activities! The other thing I'd say is avoid being beguiled into spending a fortune on high-tech kit - you just need a basic software package to bash the stuff out – getting to grips with anything else just wastes time. lnt: So what's the ideal subject matter to start off with? S: Well, there's a lot to be said for the old adage: write about what you know. But if what you know 's a fairly uninspiring job, it'll hardly be the right context for massmarket readers. They'll be hoping for something more aspirational, like the world of fashion or horseracing or whatever. I mean your characters can do those humdrum jobs but that shouldn't be the background against which the whole story is set. N: And another thing to avoid is jumping on the bandwagon. Just because last year's number one blockbuster was a thriller set in the world of high finance, doesn't mean that the market wants a whole raft of inferior imitations. It's an easy trap to fall into. So yes, it's best not to stray from familiar ground. S: But whatever genre you go for, you've got to be giving the reader some sort of added value, some kind of insight into another world, as well as just a cracking good story. I mean, the other thing to mention is that if you don't have an inspirational idea buried somewhere inside you, then research can take you there. If you explore another world in depth, then inspiration can stem from that and you can share your new found enthusiasm with your readers. N: Well, there's something in that but again I'm rather inclined to think that that comes later, when you've played out your own ideas and you need to go somewhere 23

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else - so you don't just keep repeating the same old stuff. You're beginning to contradict yourself actually, Simon. S: Am I? Oh well - it was ever so! Int: But you write for teenagers Naomi, which must have its own challenges. N: Well it's a whole different ballgame. I mean fundamentally there's kids' literature on the one hand and then there's mainstream adult stuff on the other - and because of that narrow window, there's not actually a vast amount on the market that's specifically aimed at teenagers because they quickly move on. But whilst initial volume of sales can be a lot lower than with the big adult genres, the shelf life of your work can extend over the generations, meaning income stacks up. But, it's also difficult to hit the right note. Teenagers are quick to let you know if anything you've written feels patronising or dumbed down - yet they aren't quite ready for the complexities of adult fiction - so you're walking a bit of a tightrope. I sometimes think there must be easier ways of earning a living! Part 4. 16. problem solving 0.36 17. magnify the stars 0.43 18. roll of duct tape 0.50 19. tones and beeps 1.05 20. discover its quirks 1.27 21. tinkering and inventing 1.41 22. fortresses of information 1.46 23. cheap thrills 2.01 24. criminal syndicates 2.15 25. dishonorable and wrong 2.35 PRACTICE TEST 15 Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about a chance to rethink the world and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 24

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1. Slightly more than half of English population survived the Black Death after the first wave of the pandemic. 2. The collapse of the exploitative feudal system could be attributed to the shortage of agricultural land as against increased labour force. 3. Troop commuting and consumer goods factories provided a nesting ground for the spread of Spanish flu. 4. In 1948, calls for a unified medical service poured out which led to the establishment of the Britain’s National Health Service. 5. Online learning will replace traditional schooling in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Your answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about five green projects in China. What does the speaker say about each of the issues? Choose five answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-J, in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. A.The project capitalizes on the market forces to solve environmental pollution. B. This architectural feat is created based on previous experience of similar constructions. C. Recently, this project has been entirely accomplished, adding 1GW of the estimated 5.5 GW to the local electricity grid. D. The purpose of the project is to increase the arability of land in the Gobi desert. E. Located in a crowded coastal city, this construction has attracted more than 63 million tourists, mainly from Korea and Japan. F. In this project, an emitter is bound to produce a fixed amount of carbon into the atmosphere. G. There have been grave misgivings from the scientific community about the feasibility of the project. H. A combination of two buildings adorned with plants helps to solve air pollution in a city. I. The construction is a marketing tactic spreading the image of a national icon. J. The construction acts as an educational center enhancing visitors’ environmental consciousness. Five green projects 25

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6. The Green Towers in Nanjing 7. The China Eden Project 8. The Datong Solar Power Top Runner Base 9. The carbon trading market 10. The Great Green Wall Your answers

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to a radio interview in which two academics called John Farrendale and Lois Granger, taking part in a discussion on the subject of attitudes to work and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11. Lois agrees with John's point that A most people dread the prospect of unemployment. B the psychological effects of unemployment can be overstated. C some people are better equipped to deal with unemployment than others. D problems arise when unemployment coincides with other traumatic events. 12. Lois agrees with the listener who suggested that A work is only one aspect of a fulfilling life. B voluntary work may be more rewarding than paid work. C not everybody can expect a high level of job satisfaction. D people should prepare for redundancy as they would for retirement. 13. What is John's attitude towards people who see work as a 'means to an end'? A He doubts their level of commitment to the job. B He accepts that they have made a valid choice. C He fears it will lead to difficulties for them later. D He feels they may be missing out on something important. 14. When asked about so-called 'slackers' at work, John points out that A they accept the notion that work is a necessary evil. B people often jump to unfair conclusions about them. C their views are unacceptable in a free labour market. 26

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D such an attitude has become increasingly unacceptable. 15. Lois quotes the psychologist Freud in order to A show how intellectual ideas have shifted over time. B provide a contrast to the ideas of Bertrand Russell. C question the idea that a desire to work is a natural thing. D lend weight to John's ideas about increased social mobility Your answers

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about the history of chocolate and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE 16. Central and South America are the places where chocolate was first _________________. 17. Liquid chocolate was traditionally added with water, chili or ___________________. 18. Chocolate was used in a wide range of events, from ______________________ to burial. 19. Chocolate was already a tasty and gratifyingly bizarre ______________________ before the British realized its value. 20. Chocolate is reputed to maintain body warmth, create the pure blood cycle, preserve the ______________________ and rejuvenate cardiovascular organ. 21. Chocolate was labelled as an ______________________ owing to its revitalizing effect on female consumers. 22. The poor was able to gain access to so-called “the food of the gods” because of the transformation from ______________________ chocolate to cocoa powder. 23. The plummet in the price of sugar, coupled with intense rivalry among ______________________ corporations led to the rise in popularity of milk chocolate.

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24. There was a huge variety of chocolate bars, boxes and shapes for ______________________ to pick up. 25. It is scientifically proven that dark chocolate which consists of caffeine, theobromine and ______________________ could trigger happiness, great health and reductions in stress

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. True 28

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0.23 By the summer of 1349 the Black Death had killed nearly 50 % of the population of England. 2. False 0.43 There was also a profound labour shortage – because so many people had died – which put those who survived in a stronger position. Eventually, the exploitative feudal system - under which peasants swore allegiance to lords in exchange for a patch of land and some protection - collapsed. 3. False 0.57 Fast forward to 1918, and another devastating wave of disease was sweeping the world. The so-called Spanish flu – although it didn’t actually come from Spain - spread through crowded troop transports and munitions factories towards the end of the First World War. 4. False 1.30 Calls for a unified medical service in the UK dated back earlier but it wasn’t until after the Second World War, in 1948, that Britain’s National Health Service was launched. 5. Not Given 2.35 Will ideas such as a universal basic income, virtual education or even healthcare delivered by robots become logical next steps in a profoundly altered world? After all: not all the ideas lying around will prove to be the right ones. Part 2. 6.H 0:30: It’s a striking image: 1,100 trees and 2,500 smaller plants bursting out of two buildings amid urban Nanjing. It’s an example of a forward-thinking solution to China’s urban smog that doesn’t take up a large area like a public park. 7. J 1:48: Millions of Chinese and foreigners will visit this center each year allowing them to learn more about their environmental impact and teaching them how to reduce their carbon footprint. 8. I 2:09: The effort is not only a PT campaign, it is also one of the largest solar farms in the country. 29

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9. A 3:15:Just like the California cap-and-trade system, which started slow and expanded over time, China’s national carbon market is expected to cover eight high-energy intensive sectors across the Chinese economy. 10. G 4.01: And while many scientists are skeptical that planting trees will make a difference, there don’t appear any plans to change the program. Part 3 11. A 12. A 13. B 14. D 15. C lnt: In the studio tonight, I have the sociologist John Farrendale and philosopher, Lois Granger and we're going to be discussing attitudes towards work. Tonight's discussion was prompted by an email from a listener who, amongst other things, asks why people tend to become depressed if made redundant - as if work were the be all and end all rather than seeing that situation as an opportunity to do something else. John? J: Well, it can't be denied. I'm afraid, that unemployment is one of those misfortunes, like soured relationships and chronic pain, that most affect long-term happiness. Work is good because it gives people meaning, self-respect and the chance to make a contribution; unemployment conversely robs them of all that, which can come as a blow. So while I don't doubt, as our listener suggests, that there are people out there who might cope well with redundancy - see it as a chance to change direction or whatever - for the majority the opposite is the case. I mean, that's the reality, isn't it, Lois? L: Well, one rarely meets anyone embracing redundancy, John. But I guess what our listener is getting at is the fact that paid employment isn't the sole provider of purpose, self-worth and engagement and I'd go along with that to an extent. Indeed, a job can work against us if the experience is tedious and it feels irrelevant. Work is vital to your happiness if work is what you want and if it's fulfilling. But we mustn't forget that tying too close a knot between meaningful activity and paid employment can be perilous, as we know from people who lose all sense of meaning when they retire. And this can affect those who love their jobs just as much as those who see them as a means to an end. J: And indeed, there are people like that - who view work simply as that, a way of funding other things they want, as opposed to something that holds intrinsic value. Doing a well-paid job that lacks excitement but one which allows you to do exciting things in your spare time, might work perfectly well for some - and I'd say good luck to them as long as they get on with the job whilst they're there. Where's the harm in it? But I'd say it's preferable to earn less doing something you love, because work actually takes up an awful lot of your waking life. But if you want the good things in life and haven't found the kind of meaningful work that can provide them directly, then you have some thinking to do: the trade-offs are treacherous, and some of what you value may have to be sacrificed along the way. 30

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Int: You mention attitudes to work John, we do tend to come down heavily on slackers people who don't pull their weight - don't we? J: We do. And amongst the many career options we have to choose from, one is almost taboo. As the listener who suggested this week's topic put it, someone tempted to work as little as possible is likely to be 'afraid of being judged as a useless slacker'. This taboo seems to have grown as our work options have multiplied. Now work is no longer destiny, determined at birth by the social standing of your parents; how we earn a living reflects more of our individual qualities and choices, and we're judged accordingly. But perhaps these judgments are distorted by confusing sound reasons for thinking work is important with the false belief that honest labour is inherently virtuous. L: That's right. I mean think of Freud, the famous psychoanalyst, who's widely attributed with the quote: 'Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.' - although it's actually a paraphrase by Erikson. What Freud actually said is that 'the compulsion to work' was 'created by external necessity'. In other words, the imperative to work springs from practical demands. not immutable psychic needs. There's nothing valuable in work per se. Indeed, the philosopher Bertrand Russell went so far as to claim that immense harm is caused by the belief that work~ is virtuous - that if we work more than we need to, we deprive ourselves of the time and opportunity for learning, selfdevelopment, relationships and many other things that make for a better world. If we must work, or choose to do so, what matters is that it serves the goal of living well, rather than detracts from it. lnt: At that point, I'd like to bring in … Part 4. 16. domesticated 0.20

17. thickened with maize 0.32

18. baptism 0.36

19. (rich, thick) concoction 1.10

20. natural faculties 1.28

21. aphrodisiac 1.30

22. defatted 1.58

23. confectionery 2.16

24. chocoholics 2.27

25. anti-oxidants 2.48

PRACTICE TEST 16 Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk with the author of a book called The Dolphin Way and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. According to the author, Gen Z are very familiar with digital technology and computers because they have grown up with them. 31

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2. Having a healthy diet will teach children how to find useful information and get rid of junk stuff on the Internet. 3. Jellyfish and tiger parenting are opposite to each other and there cannot be any compromise between them. 4. Most Gen Z need a strong sense of purpose in what they do as they are highly publicspirited. 5. The new era requires every Gen Z to optimally make use of Google by asking the right questions. Your answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about teeth. What is said about them? Choose FIVE letters from A-J. Write the correct letter in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. Your answers can be written in any order. A. The accessories made from teeth that the Vikings put on were regarded as lucky charms. B. Barbers and blacksmiths had a knack for dentistry. C. Only after the complete formation of the child set of teeth can the presence of wisdom teeth be felt. D. An average person has more adult teeth than milk teeth. E. Grills and virtual filters can now serve to beautify teeth. F. The majority of British mature people reported having dental filling at least seven times during their life. G. The substitution of toothpaste for natural parts has resulted in a lucrative industry. H. Sharks have the ability to replenish their teeth once they are lost. I. A 7-year-old boy was found to have 536 teeth inside his mouth. J. In the Middle East, children used to be instructed to burn their baby teeth in order to avoid hardship in the afterlife. Your answers

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Part 3. For questions 11-16, listen to part of an interview with two students called Jolie and Alan about a TV series they watch called ‘The Sensing Brain’ and choose the 32

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answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11. What point is made about a good sense of smell? A It is a natural ability that is hard to improve. B Some people have a far better one than others. C It can be developed in a similar way to other abilities. D Some people exaggerate how poor theirs is. 12. What does Jolie say about describing perfumes? A Experts use a vocabulary that is hard for people to understand. B Some perfumes are too complex to be described. C Ordinary people sometimes fail to use words appropriately. D Some perfumes require a particularly specialist vocabulary. 13. What does Alan say about synthetic smells? A They are able to mislead people into believing they are natural. B They have a greater effect on people than natural ones. C They are seen as more unpleasant than natural ones. D They vary in their popularity with the public. 14. When talking about smell and the brain, Alan reveals A his belief that humans have superior smelling abilities to some animals. B his doubts about whether humans and animals should be compared. C his suspicion of those who report on experiments in the media. D his awareness of the problems of conducting accurate studies. 15. Alan and Jolie agree that listening to music while studying A is beneficial if the music chosen is not too emotional. B has an undesirable effect on their powers of concentration. C helps the mind to focus on things that are important. D has different effects depending on the material being studied. 16. When talking about the next episode of the programme, Jolie shows that she A is worried about the amount of information there is on the internet. B has doubts about how good the internet is for people. C believes the internet makes her own life more difficult. 33

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D trusts in her brain’s capacity to evaluate information on the internet Your answers

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Part 4. For questions 17-25, listen to an interview with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing outlook and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR NUMBERS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. Both Pfizer and Moderna may not suffer from intensified pressure in vaccine manufacturing despite a soaring in the number of individuals who could become eligible to get the vaccine. Instead, a ramp-up in alterations to administer more vaccines is considered the 17______________________ at the moment. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla shared his confidence in the company’s ability to deliver the vaccines on time thanks to the 18______________________ with the US government. This is viewed as a(n) 19______________________ contrast to the hitherto popular conception that vaccine supply can be insufficient. For the time being, around 20______________________ have been released. Because of a 21______________________ of an extra dose in the vial and rising productivity in manufacturing, it is also possible to expect an increased pace of vaccine output on a 22______________________ all year round. The six doses have been submitted to all 23______________________ and already been approved by the FDA, WHO, EU, Switzerland authorities, 24______________________ authorities etc. Pfizer’s manufacturing team is now 25______________________ in virtually impossible speeds.

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. T 0:37: The big one they were wired from the crib so technology is like air to them is digital natives. 34

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2. NG 1:01: Just like diet I say. You know as a parent has to monitor a child’s diet make sure they’re getting healthy food, they also have to monitor technology make sure that they’re getting healthy information and application of technology and leave the junk food or leave the bad stuff and really guide their children to that balance place. 3. F 2:00: But you want to be there to be that middle place, firm yet flexible guiding the child. 4. T 2:13: 70% of gen z kids they want a job with the social cause, they are socially aware and this is important to them. 2:30: If they’re giving a lesson in math, you have to explain the meaning behind the math, how is this gonna make the world a better place. 5. NG 3:22: Knowing the right answer left us when Google entered our lives. We don’t need to know the right answer we need to know how to ask the right question. Part 2 6-10 (In any order): A – D – E – G - H A: Vikings going into battle would wear necklace made up of children's teeth. Not because it presumably looked utterly terrifying, but because they were considered lucky. 1.07 D: But let's stick to the more common number. 20 milk teeth, 32 adult, a total of 52. 0.31 E: Contemporary teeth can be adorned with jewelled grilles or filtered to perfection on Instagram. 2.57 G: People attempt to please their dentists by brushing their teeth, a practice that has evolved from twigs and leaves, into a global toothpaste industry worth billions. 2.30 H: Unlike us, sharks can afford to lose a few teeth as they're able to regenerate and replace them almost continuously. 3.24 Part 3 11. C 12. C 35

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13. A 14. D 15. B 16. D Woman: So, Alan, did you see the latest episode of ‘The Sensing Brain’? Man: Yes, Jolie, it was interesting. Woman: So, I gather from the reviews. I missed it, so you can tell me about it ... though I’ll probably watch it online. Man: There was this woman who’s an expert on perfume making and runs workshops on the subject. It seems humans can improve their sense of smell fairly rapidly with practice. Even those who are convinced they’ve got a terrible one can prove pretty adept if they apply themselves. Woman: I wonder if it’s like music. If you haven’t studied or listened to a lot, you’re hardpushed to spot the difference between a clarinet and an oboe, but once you’ve put in some time you can distinguish them effortlessly. Man: Apparently so – even if you haven’t done specialist training. I learnt a bit about perfumes actually. There’s an amazing range of terms to classify them. Woman: I guess most of us have a restricted vocabulary and struggle to describe scents. Whereas experts have been trained to recognise and name subtle nuances that pass the average person by. I remember trying to describe this white musk perfume I liked to a woman in a perfume shop and I was saying I wanted something dark, deep and heavy, but she actually saw the perfume I was after as light, sweet and fluffy. I’d imagined the word musk described the exact opposite. Man: According to the programme, one thing people tend to feel pretty certain about is their ability to spot the difference between a natural and synthetic aroma. Woman: Yeah, synthetic smells are so fake. Man: Well, they’ve done tests, and take for example, lime essential oil which is sharply intense. The vast majority of subjects in the lab actually identify it as smelling chemical, while the artificial odour lime oxide is seen as smooth and natural. And there’s this chemical that has an almondlike smell, and it’s universally seen as natural, apart from by chemists and chefs. Woman: How interesting. So, was the programme all about smell then? 36

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Man: It was a big focus. It also dealt with human and animal brains. Way back, there was this scientist who found that the brain region in humans that processes odour detection is smaller, relative to total brain volume, than in dogs or rats. New findings show the number of neurons, you know nerve cells in the brain, related to smell is remarkably consistent across mammals. Of course, you have to be careful of what you read into measurements and how they’re used. Mice have more genes for smelling than humans, so that’s seen as a sign of their superiority, but it may be that there isn’t a tight relationship between genes and ability. Woman: There are likely to be new studies in the future that tell us more. The review I read said there was some stuff about music and the brain. Man: Yeah, about our ability to pay attention to working or studying while listening to music. Personally, if I’m trying to study, music either takes me over emotionally or I start to analyse it. Woman: True. I like music too much not to pay attention to it, whatever its quality and whatever I’m doing, unfortunately! But there are those who fnd it impossible to work without playing music. Man: Different strokes for different folks. I know a classically-trained musician who just can’t work without headphones on. Woman: Music’s a language, and it’s virtually impossible to concentrate on two at the same time without losing details of one or both. If we all went back to paying attention to one thing at a time, our awareness would be much deeper, music included. Man: Some people claim the internet’s changing how our brains work. Woman: That’s what the next episode’s about! With a focus on the human brain in response to new technology. It’s essential to be conscious of the fact that we’re used to dealing with a constant stream of information. After all, that’s what the real world is, as far as our senses are concerned, either staring at a tennis video game or actually on the court playing, the brain does the same amount of work. Both activities are providing detailed sensory information. Fortunately, the brain doesn’t bother to process absolutely everything that comes in, it filters things out, and uses a sort of ‘best guess’ of what’s important. It’s already well adapted to prevent information overload, so it’s unlikely the internet would cause such a thing. Man: I do feel panicked by the amount of information out there sometimes. Always running just to stand still. Woman: Well, there’s a lot more to learn out there … Part 4.

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17. Main bottleneck 0.40 18. Contacts 1.14 19. Mind-boggling 1.27 20. 33 million doses 2.12 21. Fortuitous finding 2.33 22. Steady drumbeat 2.48 23. Regulatory authorities 3.08 24. Israeli 3.16 25. Scaling up 3.48

PRACTICE TEST 17 Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about the struggles for independence in many countries and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. Several Catalan politicians leading the independence movement were arrested for holding the illegal referendum. 38

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2. Most secessions across the globe come from ethnocultural groups who demand independence for their homelands. 3. One of the prerequisites for a region to become a state is that it is recognized by other states, according to the 1933 Montevideo Convention. 4. No country can simultaneously form diplomatic relations with both China and Taiwan. 5. The establishment of both Somaliland and Eritrea has led to civil wars in these newlyformed countries. Your answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about journalism. What is said about it? Choose FIVE letters from A-J. Write the correct letter in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. Your answers can be written in any order. A. Not only intense competition among the media but also emerging business models originate from the Internet. B. Journalism is grounded on the notion of freedom of expression. C. People are captivated by the conflict and bias featured in online sources. D. Technology provided by tech giants unwittingly results in unselective and unchecked information. E. Newspaper has always been a form of tax record. F. Journalists employ the term “fake news” to accuse populist leaders and interest groups of deceiving the general public. G. Journalists should try to discount human input in their articles. H. Heroic journalists expose child-related abuse perpetrated by paedophiles. I. The history of journalism is in many ways defined by technological change. J. Radio reports by BBC brought the atrocities of a civil war to the world. Your answers

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to part of a discussion programme, in which a teacher called Simon and a business journalist called Trina are talking about the issue of change, and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 39

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11. What does Simon say about change when discussing linguistic expressions? A It is an inevitable part of life. B It is generally perceived as unwelcome. C Its significance has altered over time. D It brings improvements when they're least expected. 12. What do they agree about change in the business community? A It is regarded as synonymous with progress. B It is seen as unfortunate but necessary. C It never seems to be questioned. D. It can lead to undesirable results. 13. What does Trina dislike about feedback forms? A the scale of the reaction they can provoke B the disharmony they can create within organisations C the extent of their use in the world of education D the justification they give to managers who want to introduce changes 14. When discussing day-to-day routines, Simon and Trina agree that people A make too much fuss about small-scale changes. B find that changes in the workplace mirror those in daily life. C only like change that clearly benefits them personally. D experience an ongoing cycle of resisting and accepting change, 15. In Simon's view, people will really enjoy an activity if A they do it on a regular basis. B they keep on changing it slightly. C it represents a change for them. D it coincides with their expectations.. Your answers

11.

12.

13.

14.

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15.

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Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a discussion on gender pay gap and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. In response to the PM’s proposal on gender pay gap, several skeptics hold the conviction that her point is mistaken since the 16______________________ recorded merely indicates an upsurge in maternity leave. Psychologist Jordan Peterson, when asked what his 17______________________ was to the PM’s motion, referred to the egalitarian 18______________________ between males and females. According to him, a minority of men who have remunerative jobs can substantially 19______________________, which is the rationale behind such a misapprehension about gender pay gap. One barrier limiting women’s access to top occupations is the fixed 20______________________ involved. One obvious example is the predominance of males in a 21______________________, which requires employees to work 22______________________ of more than 10 hours per day. The comprehensive explanation is women’s greater responsibility in childcare, yet it is still impossible to 23______________________ such burden. Mr. Jordan believed this could hardly be considered gender stereotypes, as reducing 24______________________, including 25______________________, to solely one variable can be highly problematic.

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1.NG 41

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0:19: Catalonia’s Parliament declared independence from Spain in October 2017 following a referendum deemed illegal by the central authorities in Madrid… Catalan politicians leading the independence movement could be jailed for decades if found guilty of rebellion and sedition. 2.NG 1:06: There are estimated to be more than 8,000 ethnocultural groups in the world, with many independence movements demanding their homelands be recognized as countries. 3.F 1:39:…a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. 4.T 2:37: It insists that no country can have diplomatic ties with both itself and Taiwan. Only 19 countries, plus the Vatican, officially recognize it. 5. NG 3:10: To recognize Somaliland would encourage other separatists in the region, it would undermine the already weak federal government of Somalia, and it would probably lead to war. 3:45: Eritrea declared independence from Ethiopia in 199. Today Eritrea has a despotic government and its people are mired in abject poverty. Part 2 6 – 10 (In any order): A – B – D – H - I A: The internet provides massive competition for the mainstream media but it also offers pathways to new business models such as membership, subscription and collaboration. 2.36 B: In liberal democracies, it's based on the ideals that knowledge is important, that expression should be free and that reliable information is good for society. 0.08 D: Algorithms created by huge technology companies shape the flow of news as people like or retweet the facts and opinions they want to share. That's meant an explosion of content, a tidal wave of information, much of it false, furious and fractious. 1.41 H: It's produced heroes who have revealed scandals such as systematic child abuse by paedophile priests. 1.21 42

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I: It’s been driven by the invention of new techonologies such as paper, printing, electricity, photography, and now of course, digital, social media, the Internet. It's changed radically over time - from medieval scribes recording war and taxes to paid pamphleteers in coffee shops waging political battles, to mass market newspapers that use new tech, like trains and telephones, to gather and spread the news, to television and radio that allowed us to see, hear and connect with the rest of the world. 0.17 Part 3 11. B 12. C 13. A 14. D 15. C Trina: If I could just come in here, Simon. I mean, there are loads of expressions in most languages to the effect that change is a good thing. In English, for example, someone who doesn't embrace change is said to be 'stuck in his ways'. If we're tired of being indoors or watching TV, we say we need a 'change of scenery', then there's a proverb which goes 'a change is as good as a rest'. So, all these are positive views of change, promoting change as something which suggests a whole host of worthy experiences to do with newness, difference, the excitement of the unknown, the adventure of the unpredictable. Simon: True Trina, but there's also a saying, 'Don't fix it if it ain't broke'. And there's another which is 'change for change's sake'. So this is the other side of the coin, and these are expressions which represent change as something threatening, because they disturb the existing equilibrium. And I could quite easily feel both of these contrasting sentiments at different times. Trina: What about change in the business world? I think anyone who fails to move with the times, update and adjust is doomed, because otherwise the product or service in question will no longer be relevant as time moves on. It's even a requirement of highlevel jobs, specified in management contracts. It's taken as read that you have to embrace change and you're a fool if you don't. It's not even on the discussion table. The result, in practice, can be quite bewildering, with constantly shifting goals and policies and an obsession with rebranding and changing names for everything. Simon: But in many companies it's tantamount to high treason to express a dissenting voice of conservatism, or to be seen to be putting a spanner in the works. Change is a given. 43

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Trina: Actually, that puts me in mind of something that's evident in all walks of life, even education, and that's feedback forms. There's a bit of an obsession with being customer-led and constantly asking for customer feedback in the form of questionnaires. Simon: Yes, you find it in libraries, museums and schools. Trina: And it leads to a situation where the tail wags the dog. One person's sheet says, 'I didn't like x' and argues the case well, and this view is seized upon in a kneejerk response, regardless of whether it's actually a representative comment of the larger sample, and a whole system gets changed unnecessarily. Simon: Well, I guess if you invite people to make comments about potential changes, they'll think of anything that comes into their heads and write it, whether or not they are happy with the system that's actually in place. Trina: Just to change the subject slightly, I was thinking that ... erm ... often on a day-today level change can be irritating: things like unexpected road works on your journey home from work. Or if you normally go swimming on a Wednesday evening at six, and then the pool times change and there's a class on instead at that time, then your routine gets broken ... you had a nice little system for a while and it's really annoying until you find a way round it. Simon: And that's typical of change. In the work environment it's initially a pain for everyone and no one likes it because they've just got confident in their new routine again following the last changes. But usually people come round to seeing the point of the change, and in due course that change becomes the new accepted status quo, which you don't want to change. Trina: Yes ... so does change ultimately lead to happiness? Simon: Well the relationship between change and perceived happiness is also interesting. There's nothing that makes me happier than going out on my bike into the countryside by myself for an hour in the sun. But I know that if I did that day in day out, I'd soon tire of it. So, I guess what I'm saying is, an activity like that is mostly enjoyable because most of the time you're stuck in an office, and so this enables you to escape from your stressful working life. If it's no longer a change, then it ceases to be something happy. Trina: So, if you look at everything we've said ... [pause] Part 4. 16. Aggregate pay 0.28 17. Counter-argument 0.45 44

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18. Median salary 1.47 19. Skew the data 1.50 20. Set of skills 2.32 21. Top executive position 2.36 22. In the neighborhood 2.39 23. Monetize 3.22 24. Complex Multifactorial Phenomena 4.57 25. Wage Differential 5.01

PRACTICE TEST 18 For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about private education and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. Enrollment in private primary schools has registered greater increase compared with that in private secondary schools over the last 15 years. 45

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2. The demand for private schools stems from profound socio-economic changes. 3. Private education plays an important role in solving illiteracy in several massive states in Pakistan. 4. Inclusivity is one noticeable factor that many private schools lack. 5. High levels of tuition fee in the private sector are understandable considering the high quality of education that private schools offer. Your answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about lung cancer. What is said about it? Choose FIVE letters from A-J. Write the correct letter in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. Your answers can be written in any order. A. Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of death among cancer patients. B. Heavy smokers and former ones are the main targets of the US national lung-screening trial. C. Lung cancer remains a death penalty until further advances in screening can be achieved. D. Most nations rely on Nelson’s report to implement complete screening systems. E. Women reap more benefits from screening than their male counterparts in terms of reduced mortality rates. F. Half a million US citizens underwent lung-screening trial every year for three years. G. The invisibility of initial symptoms exacerbates the severity of the disease. H. Biopsies are highly recommended for patients before being diagnosed positive with cancer. I. Treating the smallest nodules as positive could reduce the rate of false positives. J. CT scans are a completely reliable method in diagnosing lung cancer. Your answers

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to part of a programme in which Amanda and Peter, two founders of a fruit juice company called Topfruit, talk about their business and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11. What opinion is expressed about the way Topfruit was set up? A It is surprising that it worked out so smoothly. 46

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B Working with friends certainly saved time and energy. C Having a single founder would have made the launch simpler. D Since the founders had such similar views it was hard to allocate roles. 12. What is the positive culture of the company mainly attributed to? A guaranteed salary increases B the nature of the product that is being sold C strict adherence to staff monitoring procedures D certain criteria in the recruitment process 13. How do both founders feel about running their company now? A They are fed up with dealing with daily problems. B They feel anxious about whether its success will continue. C They enjoy the challenges they face in their work. D They feel pleased that they have acquired a good grasp of business. 14. When describing past mistakes in staffing, Amanda reveals A her belief that good qualifications are the key factor. B her acceptance that it is vital to admit failures early on. C her trust that improvements can be made to the process. D her fear that senior appointments are impossible to get right. 15. What gives Topfruit an advantage over its larger competitors? A The emphasis on ingredients which fit market trends. B The product research based on scientific models. C The clarity of the labelling. D The extremely sophisticated advertising. Your answers

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about gender equality and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. An inspirational song titled 16______________________ is composed by singer and activist Chris Williamson as an encouragement for females to go with their gut. Back in 47

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history, a 17______________________, including Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, however, were intent on pushing the gender equality campaigns forward. Among these campaigns was an enormous parade held in 1913 March in Washington D.C, with the participation of marchers, floats, bands, chariots, 18______________________, etc. There were also a performance of 19______________________ at the Treasury building and a large public meeting featuring eminent rhetoricians. Despite the presence of 20______________________, many male dissidents blatantly expressed their objections to the campaign by spitting, flinging objects and 21______________________ at female marchers. Undeterred by these obstacles, the National Women’s party was founded, persevering in 22______________________, with an estimated 2000 women taking part in the 23______________________ between January 9th 1917 and June 4th 1919. The preposterous harassment and imprisonment of 33 females by police in 1917 was later regarded by a 24______________________ as against the law. The rights were finally in the hands of women thanks to the unrelenting efforts of more than fifty 25______________________ campaigns and hundreds of other campaigns.

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. F 0:11: The number of people going to private primary schools has gone up from 10 to 17% over the last 15 years. The secondary has gone up from nine to 27%. 48

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2. T 0:57: So in families all over the world, there is more money to spend on each child. 1:10: You’ve had the whole world economy changing so that there are fewer unskilled jobs everywhere. 3. NG 2:00: You know in Punjab which is a massive state, struggling with fast-growing cities has partnered up with the private sector to end poor kids who would otherwise not be getting schooling at all into private schools. And they’re doing that with over two million kids. 4. T 2:23: Governments need to concern themselves about equality and about social mobility, things that the private sector discourages rather than encourages. The problem with private schools is that they do tend to increase inequality. When parents are allowed to spend money on their children, they will spend as much as they can so obviously rich kids go to better schools. 5. NG 3:09: Now there is a cost, if you allow the private sector to operate you are gonna get a higher level of inequality. But I think that that is a price worth paying for the liberty, for the resources, for the better brains, for the innovation, for the quality of education and the breadth of education if you allow the private sector to operate. Part 2 6 – 10 (In any order): A – B – D – E - G A: Lung cancer kills more people than any other form of tumour. About nine out of ten people die within five years of being diagnosed with the disease (00:04) B: The national lung-screening trial in America subjected 53,000 current and former heavy smokers to either X-ray or computed-tomography scans every year for three years (00:39) D: Many countries are waiting for the full report of another trial called Nelson before deciding whether to set up fully-fledged screening programmes (02:08) E: Preliminary data from the Nelson trial suggest that screening reduces the death rate from lung cancer among high-risk men by 26% and 61% in women (02:18) 49

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G: If the cancer is caught very early most patients could be cured. But doctors struggle to diagnose early because there are no symptoms until the cancer is in its late stages (00:18) Part 3 11. B

12. D

13. B

14. C

15. A

Presenter: I'm delighted to welcome to the programme this evening Amanda Fry and Peter Davy, two of the founders of the company Topfruit, that makes delicious blends of fruit juice. What's it like setting up a company with friends? Amanda: Well, we've all seen friends falling out, take some of the famous rock bands, for instance. I must say though that for us it was quite the reverse. I believe trust is the most efficient thing in business terms. It means you don't need to keep checking up on people. You see, the four of us have been mates since university days and there's amazing alignment in our values and ambitions. Peter: Yet our skills are complementary. As a result there was no squabbling when it came to deciding who should focus on different areas, such as retailers, operations or consumers, because it was self-evident. Actually, I'm in awe of people who set up a company on their own. How they encompass all those aspects is a mystery to me. Amanda: But, coming back to our company, it certainly is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on having an open and co-operative culture. Whether we can take any credit for that, I'm not sure. I think it's all down to the staff. What we made a point of at the beginning, was only to select people we liked and whose values chimed with those of the business. After that, you could perhaps say it's a belief in the importance of making a healthy product to enhance customers' well-being. I wouldn't want you to think that it's all fun and games, though. In line with current thinking, there's a tough performance management system — everyone's assessed regularly against a number of objectives and the results are linked to pay increases. Peter: Personally, it took me ages to be able to arrive at work on a Monday without imagining all sorts of disasters, you know, like crowds of angry customers or a bankruptcy notice. As for how I feel about running the company now: it's still a very demanding business and it's like being on a roller-coaster with its ups and downs. That's where the buzz comes from, though. Amanda: Strangely, I reckon it would be boring if everything were on an even keel. You'd stop trying. Peter: And we all make mistakes, don't we? Amanda: Absolutely. As the company's grown, we've made some bad choices when recruiting senior people. We interviewed someone with a fantastic CV, an MBA and loads of relevant experience, and assumed he'd be great, but neglected to check whether 50

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he'd fit in with the ethos of the company and the existing team, and he didn't. Another one was perfect in that respect, but had never held a top post. I tried to kid myself that with good mentoring he'd get there, and so, I kept him on too long. I should've realised from the outset that he was wrong for the job. One thing was clear, though; it was our fault, not theirs. Peter: But we have managed to hold our own against the corporate giants who are our major competitors. There are a number of reasons why. First, the concern we express about wholesome food and getting our fruit from reliable sources strikes a chord with many consumers at the moment, so our juices tick those boxes. Amanda: Then our marketing's straightforward and transparent, even down to using very basic clear bottles so the juice can be seen easily on the shelf. Peter: And it doesn't come with the usual hype and polish, since we do it all in-house, without employing the services of an ad agency to design a trendy image. Amanda: Customer research is done in a similar way, too. We take samples of new blends round events like music festivals and food fairs, and get feedback that way, so people feel directly concerned. Peter: We're often asked ... [pause] Part 4. 16. Song of the Soul 0.22 18. Mounted brigades 1.28 20. Police escorts 1.45 22. Picketing and marches 2.17 24. D.C court of appeals 3.01

17. New generation of suffragists 1.02 19. Pageant 1.36 21. Flicking lit cigarettes 1.56 23. silent sentinel 2.39 25. State referendum 3.27

PRACTICE TEST 19 Part 1. For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about Going Zero Waste and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. Going zero waste doesn’t necessarily mean completely eradicating trash. 2. While several factors prevent American cities from conducting zero waste initiatives effectively, most American corporations actually ensure 100% of waste diverted away from landfill. 51

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3. Only Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Microsoft successfully apply innovative strategies to reduce waste or power consumption. 4. UVQ carries out its zero waste initiative by changing the form of matter of trash with a chemical converter. 5. One effortless way to reduce trash lies in our own lifestyles, not in any innovation or machine. Your answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about diplomatic immunity. What is said about it? Choose FIVE letters from A-J. Write the correct letter in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. Your answers can be written in any order.. A. Most violations committed by diplomats can be overlooked. B. A German man was to blame for his death in the accident of June 2017. C. Host country is occasionally delegated prosecution from the convict’s home country. D. Diplomats are allowed to carry out their duties with little regard for host countries’ legal systems. E. The practice of diplomatic immunity originated from ancient Indian poetry. F. Over 16 million dollars in fines to diplomats has not been settled yet. G. Unsettled criminal case is one side effect of diplomatic immunity. H. Thanks to diplomatic immunity, diplomats will not be subject to imprisonment and execution for the rest of their life. I. The Mongol Empire paid the price for violating agreements not to execute messengers. J. The Vienna Convention stipulates that diplomats are not required to comply with their host country’s laws.

Your answers

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to an interview with a couple who work as photographers in Africa and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 52

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11. Why do Bob and Hilary find it hard to organise their photographic trips? A Ceremonies take place at irregular intervals. B The information they receive is unreliable. C The precise timing of events is unpredictable. D Important messages may not reach them in time. 12. Hilary feels that she and Bob are accepted by the communities they visit because A they don't rush into things. B they make influential friends. C they avoid getting involved with them D they are able to explain their aims to them 13. When living with a group of people in a remote area, Bob and Hilary A avoid adopting local eating habits. B make a point of dressing in local clothes. C depend on the hospitality of their hosts. D take a supply of basic provisions with them. 14. Hilary explains that they gain access to very private ceremonies thanks to A their persistent requests. B changing attitudes in Africa. C their long-term relationships with people. D an acceptance of their role in the ceremonies. 15. Bob and Hilary feel that the significance of their work is that A it will prevent certain traditions from dying out. B it portrays traditional ceremonies in a positive way. C it encourages young Africans to appreciate their heritage. D it allows comparisons with similar traditions elsewhere. Your answers

11.

12.

13.

14.

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15.

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Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about how farm animals are linked to climate change and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. Vehicles and 16______________________ from heavy industry are universally viewed as the two primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which accelerate climate change. In Australia, methane from livestock, rather than cars or 17______________________, accounts for the third largest share of greenhouse gases. Interviewed at a cattle sale in Braidwood, George Sheriff said the large amount of methane emitted by livestock through 18______________________ or bottom birds could be an enormous burden on farmers in case a carbon tax is imposed. The Rudd Government, nevertheless, has recently spent lavishly on a research project aiming to mitigate the influence of 19______________________. In fact, the vast majority of methane is generated from the front end of the 20______________________ instead of from the rear end as widely perceived. The frequency that people flatulate might increase should they consume excessive 21______________________. Similarly, the production of methane in livestock can speed up if they are put into a 22 ______________________ with unregulated diet. Indeed, besides the sequestering of gases by dung beetles, Martin’s cattle also follow a self-regulating diet with salts, minerals, and 23______________________. His objections to the government’s research project was shared by 24______________________ in the Senate- Barnaby Joycer, who dismissed the program as a sort of 25______________________.

KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. T 0:38: In Sweden, less than 1% of trash ends up in landfill. They’re still making it however. They’re just incinerating most of it, which comes with its own set of environmental disadvantages. 54

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2. F 1:20: In most cases, it’s the costs and infrastructure that are holding these cities back. Boston was full steam ahead on its zero waste goal until it had to start spending three millions dollars more per year on recycling. And in New York, costs are prohibiting the expansion of the city’s Civic composting initiative. Corporations may have an easier time reaching zero waste goal likely because they have the funds and resources and PR incentive to dedicate to innovating new solutions rather than retrofitting old ones...only a handful of American corporations have actually achieved a hundred percent zero waste to landfill 3. NG 1:46: Unilever, for example, patented an entire process called cream salt to make singleuse plastic packages recyclable. At Procter & Gamble in India, manufacturing straps are prefabricated into building material and at Microsoft an IT team was tasked with managing power more efficiently through programming. 4. T 2:24: In Israel, a startup called UVQ is building a chemical converter that turns trash, not recyclables but actual trash into a powder that can be substituted for petrochemicals and is making a plastic or trash tip. 5. F 3:26: It won’t be easy and it may not be fun but the less everyone uses, the less we will have to disappear because our future will be brighter if we don’t have to deal with yesterday’s or yesteryears’ trash. Part 2 6 – 10 (In any order): A – C – D – F - G A: an overwhelming majority of violations are minor 2.17 C: their home country has the option of waiving this immunity allowing the host country to prosecute 1.47 D: Diplomatic immunity means that diplomats who are representatives of state governments are generally not bound to the laws of host countries where they perform their civil duties 0.29 F: In fact as of 2014 more than 16 million dollars in fines to diplomats remains unpaid 2.29 55

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G: ultimately diplomats act as representatives of their state while diplomatic immunity can create unresolved criminal situations 2.45 Part 3 11. C 12. A 13. D 14. C 15. B Presenter: My quests today are Bob and Hilary Brannon. eminent photographers who've worked In Africa, recording disappearing traditions and lifestyles, for over twenty years Their latest collection of photographs published this week, represents an important record of traditional African ceremonies. Bob, a lot of the ceremonies you've photographed take place annually, they're in very remote areas; how did you arrange always to be in the right place at the right time? Bob: It's extremely challenging because although these events take place on a regular basis, whether it’s annually; every ten years or whatever, they're not really scheduled in the western sense. They happen when the time is right, when the people feel ready, when various factors come together. So often, it's a matter of keeping your ears to the ground. We've built up a network of contacts over the years and messages generally manage to reach us one way or another. Occasionally, as with the Meda festival, held once every twelve years, we got there six weeks early just in case and, of course, we waited very patiently and filled the time very creatively. It was better than not making it in time! Presenter. But Hilary, how do you approach a community as complete outsiders to get permission to photograph these ceremonies? Hilary: It’s true that it’s odd for them having outsiders coming in and they often ask us where our families are, you know, who's looking after our children. To explain that we are doing a project, that this work is our life - very alien concepts usually - takes patience, and often we're never fully understood But the approach that Bob and I take is to adopt the pace of Africa. So instead of entering a community and trying to take photographs straight away, we invest time in making friendships with ordinary people and only gradually do we start working with them. Presenter: But what about things like language, food and clothing? 56

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Bob: In several cases, where we've spent months with people, we've actually tried to learn their language, which makes a huge difference in creating trust. But that's not always possible and we depend on translators. We often travel to remote areas with nothing but what can be carried on mules, and so we tend to have very simple clothing. Occasionally the local people say to us, you know, 'Please dress like us if you live with us and attend our ceremonies, we want you to look wonderful,' which is lovely. And of course, we carry rudimentary supplies because we don't expect to be fed by our hosts, although we never refuse hospitality where it’s offered. Presenter: Now, I know you've photographed a number of ceremonies to which outsiders wouldn't normally be admitted. How did you persuade people to let you in? Hilary: well, over twenty years, we've been visiting certain groups of people very regularly and eventually we felt able to ask if we could attend a closed ceremony. Some refused, others said, 'Yes, we'll honour that friendship and request.' Like everything in Africa, these things take patience and determination to achieve. We've become so very close to some groups that we're really almost invisible in the ceremonies themselves, and we do try to be unobtrusive, of course Africa is changing, hut I don't feel that's why we've been allowed to see certain things. And although we are great spokespeople for Africa in the outside world, I don't think that's how we're perceived by our friends there Presenter: Do you ever worry that, whilst you go into this, I know, with the very best of intentions, that you're actually making the people into curiosities, almost into museum exhibits? Bob: We don't see our work in that light. We don't go in thinking 'Now, what will they make of this back home?' or 'How does this tie in with what’s been seen elsewhere? Our project is all about explaining, in a very sympathetic and comprehensive way, extremely important traditions that have real meaning for the people involved. And because we know that 20% of what's in our book no longer exists, we're also aware that, at the same time, we're making a record for future generations of young Africans Although I should stress that we've no wish to influence their view of these events. But the fact remains that the twenty-first century is encroaching with such speed and aggressiveness that many people feel these traditions may not exist in another fifty years, so it's important that they don't go unrecorded. Presenter: Well, let's hope that’s not the case Bob and Hilary, thank you. Part 4. 16. Smoke-billowing smoke stacks 0.10 17. Coal-fired power stations 0.34 57

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18. Belching 0.51 19. Flatulent farm animals 1.22 20. Digestive tract 2.05 21. Baked beans and beer 2.24 22. Feedlot 2.26 23. Wattle bark 3.04 24. Maverick nationals leader 3.32 25. Maniac stuff 3.56

PRACTICE TEST 20 For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about blockchain technology and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 1. Decentralization is inherent to a blockchain system that has higher security than a traditional bank. 2. Blockchain features immutability which ensures the safety of the transaction data. 3. Instead of relying on the third party, the validation of bitcoin transactions is confined to participants from certain places. 58

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4. Only by adopting blockchain technology can banks and companies keep up with the growth rate of fintech startups. 5. Blockchain technology will prevent the government from abusing their power to disadvantage their citizens. Your answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Part 2. For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about five trends in the future of E-commerce in 2021. What does the speaker say about each of the issues? Choose five answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-J, in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.

A. The approach helps to resolve a tough problem related to the process of taking orders and sending products to customers. B. Companies invest in the human touch as a novel way to enhance their brand image. C. This solution is created in response to a change in web tracking and targeting method. D. UX baseline is not required when more consumers are shifting to shopping online. E. A successful brand is one that appears on the customers’ search, not the one that pops up after an unbranded search. F. Augmented reality helps users imagine how products look like on their bodies before deciding whether to buy or not. G. Customer retention involves repeated communication through general advertisements on social media. H. A product-based strategy makes sure that customers will be satisfied with the products they’ve bought and will come back. I. In the E-commerce world, the winners are the ones who can provide a simple and datadriven operating model. J. This is a creative tool for a business to deal with returned products that can cause grave damage. Five trends 1. The omnichannel approach 2. The incorporation of AR 3. Stores becoming fulfillment centers 4. A new way for brand building 5. Brand loyalty enhancement Your answers 59

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6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Part 3. For questions 11-15, listen to part of a discussion in which a developer, Faye Mannia, and an environmentalist, Peter Green, talk about a new government-run trial and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided. 11 At the beginning of the discussion, it can be inferred that Faye believes the listeners A are confident their government always acts wisely. B are unfamiliar with current property values. C may be biased against her point of view. D have no knowledge of the trials whatsoever. 12 Peter says that the new government plan A will lead to a reduction in the diversity of wildlife. B has not been supported by a single scientist. C should be delayed by at least ten years. D may cause property prices to rise too quickly. 13 Faye mentions the iron ore mine in Brazil A to point out that development is occurring on a global scale. B to show the importance of increasing employment opportunities. C to highlight the dangers of allowing poverty to spread. D to illustrate the need to respond to changing priorities. 14 Peter fears that those involved in the new plan A will break the law and go unpunished. B cannot be trusted to pay for the habitats they destroy. C will use it to their advantage. D are unlikely to make any compromises during negotiations. 15 Faye accuses environmentalists of A using the media to attack developers. B having a lack of foresight. C not appreciating historic buildings. D ignoring the wishes of the general public 60

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11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Part 4. For questions 16-25, listen to a talk about climate change adaptation and supply the blanks with the missing information. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for each answer in the space provided. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is oftentimes misperceived as the world’s fiscal sponsor, the omniscient and practically immeasurable 16______________________ for any suffering nations. Indeed, the drive behind this organization’s assistance is likened to a 17______________________’s, which is nothing but pressurizing the hard-hit countries to fulfill its requirements. Such a paradox can be seen in the case of Malawi in 1990s-2000s. Besides the HIV/AIDS epidemic that was diminishing overall life expectancy and 18______________________, the South East Asian country was also harshly deteriorated by a food shortage due to extreme weather. Under the IMF’s policy conditions to the early 1990s 19______________________, Malawi had to sell off its 20______________________ to private companies while abandoning its agricultural subsidy program. The IMF’s suspension of economic aid as a punishment against the Malawi government for violating such commitments was heavily criticized, with Action Aid’s 21______________________ of the food crisis being the accusation. In fact, the emergency situations were completely overlooked by the organization’s rigid approach to 22______________________. It is by now crystal clear that IMF’s assistance was intrinsically a loan at an 23______________________, an exchange for natural resources and a vicious circle of corruption and inflation. Therefore, a handful of nations are 24______________________ this financial trap. Free market principles can be a cure for everything if only 25______________________ the urgency to care for the best interests of citizens. KEY AND EXPLANATION Part 1 1. T 0:38: Unlike traditional databases, which are owned by central figures like banks and governments, a blockchain doesn’t belong to anyone. And with entire network looking after it, cheating the system by faking documents, transactions and other information become near impossible. 2. T 61

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1:36: It’s like a giant Google doc with one key difference. You can view it and add to it but you can’t change the information that’s already there. 3. F 2:19: Instead, people all over the world move the digital money by validating other people’s bitcoin transactions, earning a small fee in the process. 4. NG 3:22: Blockchain lowers the barrier for entry into the banking industry, and that means fintech startups are popping up in pretty much every market they operate in. If banks and companies can’t keep up, they’re putting their own survival at risk. 5. NG 4:02: Or perhaps he does have a digital copy on a government database but it is erased, altered, or even destroyed in a political coup. Part 2 6. I 0:43: To succeed, brands must take an omnichannel approach using product and customer data to improve the user experience. 0:52: The brands who do a better job of making it easy for people to buy their first product will probably be the ones that win out over the ones that have very intricate beautiful stores but no one knows how to shop on them. 7. F 1:35: AR is a great tool to help customers try their products on at home, or at least mimic trying them on. 8. A 1:54: 64% of consumers want their orders shipped for free while 75% say they would pay more for environmentally friendly products. * Fulfilment = the process of taking an order and sending a product to a customer: 9. B 2:50: Businesses are injecting life into their marketplace product pages and building relationships across other channels through customer service, personalization, and community. 10. C

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3:15: As brands prepare for a world without third-party cookies, the cost to acquire new customers will surge. As customer acquisition goes up, our merchants are going to be very focused on customer loyalty. Part 3 11 C 12 A 13 D 14 C 15 B Interviewer: As the global population grows, a greater strain is being put on the planet to provide for humankind. Very often, the struggle to improve standards of living results in having to decide whether to exploit an area of natural beauty for its resources or leave nature alone. Here to discuss the issue of money versus the environment are developer, Faye Mannia, and environmentalist, Peter Green. Faye, could you tell us how you can put a price on the environment? Faye: First of all, I'd like to establish a level playing field for this discussion by dispelling the notion that developers are the ruthless, insensitive individuals portrayed in the media. I think that the newly-announced government plans to put a price on wildlife clearly shows that developers are now considered responsible and the idea that developers just want to use nature for their own ends is definitely a thing of the past. The initial trial will involve six local authorities putting a price of, say, forty conservation credits on every ten homes developed. Each credit could be worth £2,500, making a total of £100,000 to a broker who commissions another landowner to convert fields or scrubland into meadows or woodlands to offset the developed land. The remaining money is then paid to this landowner to maintain wildlife for two to three decades. Peter: I'm afraid I'm a lot less enthusiastic about the government plan than you are. The plan has been drawn up without sufficient research into the type of artificial environment that would substitute for the site torn up by developers. How, for example, can you think it's acceptable to tear down existing woodland? One would have to wait at least a decade for new woods to grow to be considered a replacement. In fact, it is highly unlikely that any artificial environment will be able to support as many different species as one that has developed naturally. I really feel that the whole idea of creating a new currency in the form of the 'conservation credit' is simply a way for 63

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developers to evade planning rules and to gain access to prime greenfield sites so that they can make huge profits. Faye: I think you're missing the point of the proposal trials. We shouldn't need to choose between either improving the environment or growing the economy. We should aim to do both and these trials should lead to ways of achieving this. And it is not simply a case of satisfying the wants of developers as you have suggested — it is more a case of meeting needs. There is a parallel in Brazil, where near the town of Carjass in the middle of the Amazon jungle lies a vast iron ore mine. From the profits raised, the quality of life for the residents of Rio's favellas or slum areas has been improved. Twenty years ago, these slums were neglected because they weren't considered important. Now, perhaps because of global attention being drawn to Rio de Janeiro through sporting events, improving the reputation of the city is top of the agenda. It's a case of moving with the times. Peter: But this comes at a cost. Once a specific environment has been developed, there is no going back. Species disappear. England is losing its wildlife at an alarming rate. Every taxa of birds, butterflies and bees has declined by around 40% and the country has lost 500 species in the last 200 years. With these trials, losses would accelerate substantially. I'm afraid that this system of using 'conservation credits' to destroy invaluable habitats is just a way of turning wildlife into a tradable commodity with complex markets that could be exploited by developers and bankers alike. It would inevitably lead to a lack of transparency, and implementing the trials would mark the start of a slippery slope into the negotiation of numerous murky deals. Faye: I can assure you that everything will be above board. Details will be made available to the public as they have been in the recent well-publicised deal, in which developers will provide the £5 million so desperately needed to give a fortress used in the Napoleonic Wars a makeover in return for permits to build a five-star hotel and 500 houses. The fortress is part of our national heritage, which we developers will help retain for future generations. We're adopting a long-term view, which environmentalists seem incapable of doing. Take what we did in the 1980s, when we transported the earth dug from the Channel tunnel to an area near the White Cliffs of Dover. Environmentalists criticised the idea at the time in exactly the same way as they are attacking these trials. Now, three decades later, the area known as Sapphire Hoe nature reserve attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. Part 4. 16. Pit of money 0.09 17. Sugar daddy 0.33 64

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18. Decimating the workforce 1.14 19. Bailout loans 1.46 20. Grain reserves 1.57 21. In-depth autopsy 2.56 22. Economic salvation 3.20 23. Extortionate rate 4.03 24. Reeling from 4.27 25. Unshackled by 4.38

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