Audio Test 1.

mp3

Speaker 1 [Link] I am listening. Version 16208. You will hear a number of

different recordings and you will have to answer questions on what you hear. There
will be time for you to read the instructions and questions and you will have a chance
to check your work. All the recordings will be played once only. The test is in four
sections. Write all your answers in the listening question booklet. At the end of the
test, you will be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. Now
turn to section one on page two of your question booklet. Section one. You will hear
a man phoning to ask about a festival in a town called Beacon. First you have some
time to look at questions 1 to 6 on page two. You will see that there is an example
that has been done for you on this occasion. Only the conversation relating to this will
be played first. Beach and festival offers.

Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, hello. I want to check some details about the festival. I
know tickets are running out fast and I haven't got access to the Internet at present.
My computer's down.

Speaker 1 [Link] Okay, well, the first activity is on June the 19th at 7 p.m., and
it's a concert with local musicians performing.

Speaker 2 [Link] Hmm. Lovely.

Speaker 1 [Link] The activity on June the 19th is a concert. So concert has been
written in the space. Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you
listen, because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and
answer questions. 1 to 6. Beach and festival offers.

Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, hello. I want to check some details about the festival. I
know tickets are running out fast and I haven't got access to the Internet at present.
My computer's down.

Speaker 1 [Link] Okay, well, the first activity is on June the 19th at 7 p.m., and
it's a concert with local musicians performing.

Speaker 2 [Link] Hmm. Lovely. Is it in the theater, like, last year?

Speaker 1 [Link] Yes, that's right. And for the next activity on the 20th, the times
changed.

Speaker 2 [Link] Is that the tour?

Speaker 1 [Link] Yes. Now, it does say on the tickets that it's a 340 start, but
that's an error. There wasn't time to update them, unfortunately. So it should say 430
instead. The correct time is on the website, though.

Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, right. Because one of my friends wants to go on there to

see Beach with an expert and find out about the town and its history. Does she need
to get a ticket in advance?

Speaker 1 [Link] No. Just turn up at the station where the guide will be waiting.
They'll start from there. And I think the plan is to stop for a break in the park. And
there's no charge for the tour. And the tour will finish with a visit to the 16th century
mill where they used to make flour. It's recently been restored.

Speaker 2 [Link] Fine.

Speaker 1 [Link] And then on the 21st, there's an all day event for children.

Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, that could be good for my visitors. They're bringing theirs,
you see.

Speaker 1 [Link] Right. Well, the plan was to have a painting competition for the
kids, but it's now going to be cooking instead. And there'll be prizes for all the
different age groups.

Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, great.

Speaker 1 [Link] And it's in beach and community center.

Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, yes, I know where that is.

Speaker 1 [Link] They don't need to bring any ingredients, but they'll need to
have a plate to put whatever they've made on so they can display it and then take it
home.

Speaker 2 [Link] Sounds good. And are they going ahead with the fireworks in
the evening? Or is that canceled? There was an article in the paper after last year's
display which suggested it might not be happening again.

Speaker 1 [Link] That's right. No, that's still on. It's getting more popular each
year and having it in the town square was starting to be a bit difficult because of the
numbers, which is why it's next to the river this time. It'll be easy for large numbers of
people to get to.

Speaker 2 [Link] Yes, of course. I'm sure there's lots to look forward to.

Speaker 1 [Link] Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some
time to look at questions 7 to 10 on page two. Now listen and answer a question. 7 to
10.

Speaker 2 [Link] Okay. Now, I just want to check how it's going to impact on me
as a local resident. I mean, some people last year thought it was too noisy at night.

Speaker 1 [Link] Yes, I know. And that's why this year, evening events won't go
on beyond 1115. Now, I know previously some activities lasted until 1145. And the
new time applies now to all the events every evening.

Speaker 2 [Link] Okay.

Speaker 1 [Link] And another change perhaps you know about this already is
that because of high visitor numbers, parking in the town center isn't going to be
allowed. It'll be outside town.
Speaker 2 [Link] Oh, yes. To keep the streets clear, I suppose, for all the
visitors. I did know, actually. And it's not really going to be a problem for me, right? I
mean, I could just walk into town from my home.

Speaker 1 [Link] Okay. Well, anyway, if you want to check any more details
about the festival, once you're back online, you can look at w w w dot events dot
com, and you'll be able to comment on what activities you enjoyed and what would
really help the organizers would be if people could use the Web site to give feedback
about what they enjoyed and that kind of thing. This will help them plan for next year.

Speaker 2 [Link] That's probably a good idea. And with pricing, I know local
residents.

----------------------------------------------------

Speaker 1 [Link] That is the end of Section one. You now have half a minute to
check your answers. Now turn to section two on page three. Section two, you'll hear
a tour guide talking to some tourists who are going on a walking holiday in Spain.
First you have some time to look at questions 11 to 14 on page three. Now listen
carefully and answer questions. 11 to 14.

Speaker 3 [Link] Well, good evening, everyone. My name's Gary Payne, and I'll
be the leader for your walking holiday in Spain. And the purpose of this evening's
meeting is for us all to get to know each other in advance and for you to ask any
questions you may have about the holiday. So I'll begin by telling you a little bit about
what to expect now. The ferry crossing from England to Santander in Spain takes
about 24 hours. We'll be sailing on the Prince Regent, which was first launched in the
1980s, as well as the crew of 160. It can accommodate about 2000 people and 600
cars and its sales at an average speed of 37 kilometers an hour. There'll be an on
board map on one of the decks which charts the ship's progress during the voyage.
Although our mini bus will be on one of the vehicle decks in the boat, access to these
decks is prohibited during the crossing. So when you leave our bus, you'll have to
take everything that you're likely to need with you, like toiletries or books and
magazines. In fact, it's probably a good idea to put these things in a separate bag
beforehand. You shouldn't need snacks on board as meals are provided, and they're
quite substantial. And if you don't feel well or get a headache, you can get tablets
from me. I always carry an adequate supply. Now, once we're in Spain, we'll be
based at a hostel in a small village called La Vega de la Barna, about 120 kilometers
from Santander. It's a very picturesque area that's retained a lot of its traditional
industry and culture. The hostel accommodations fairly simple. There are bunk beds
and each room holds 4 to 8 people. But the bathrooms and showers are of a high
standard. The hostel residents have the use of tennis courts nearby. If you feel like a
game, we'll be given breakfast and an evening meal at the hostel. In general, the
hostel is relaxed, but there are a few rules which the owners enforce strictly. Smoking
is not allowed anywhere inside the building and food and drink is banned in the
dormitories. Any chairs or tables which you take outside into the gardens must be
returned every evening to their original place. And finally, the doors are locked after
midnight, out of consideration for other guests who are trying to sleep.

Speaker 1 [Link] Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to
look at questions 15 to 20 on page four. Now listen and answer questions. 15 to 20.
Speaker 3 [Link] Now that's enough about travel and accommodation. But
before I move on, I should say something briefly about equipment. There's a list in
the guide book you've been sent, but I'll just elaborate on one or two items. First
boots. Make sure that the ones you bring have thick soles. That's the most important
thing. Don't bring trainers for walking in. Apart from anything else, they're dangerous
because they slip. It's important to bring spare socks then about waterproofs. I'd
strongly advise you not to come with anything heavy, you know, with a thick lining.
The ideal things are those lightweight ones because they fold up small, and although
they do keep the wind out, they don't make you too hot. Right next sun cream. This is
absolutely essential. And regarding the strength. Make sure you get what's known as
Total BLOCK. Even factor 25 isn't good enough for those latitudes in July. Then let's
see. Bring a folder to keep your map and other papers in. You know, one of those
plastic ones. It's not very likely to rain, but if it does, you'll find it soaks everything. So
that's the practicalities over. Now, let me tell you a little bit about the area in Spain
where we'll be walking the Picos de Europa. It's a very popular area for tourists
because of its spectacular peaks, although they're only 25 kilometers from the sea.
The highest peaks are more than 2600 meters high and have year round snow caps
on the highest peaks. You've got alpine plants that are only free of their snow cover
for a few months a year. Then you've got Meadows that are full of wildflowers at
certain times of the year. Then the northern slopes are covered by woodlands, giving
homes to rare species such as wolves and bears. And because of the variety of plant
life which survives in that part of Europe due to the traditional way of life. There you.