Section
I:
You’ll hear a student talking to accommodation coordinator at her school. First, you’ll have some time to look at questions 1 to 4.
You’ll see there is an example which has been done for you. On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be play first:
- Sara, I heard that you want to move into a home-stayed family, is that correct?
- Yes, that’s right. I’ve been staying with my aunt. And now my cousins are arriving in Singapore and my aunt need the room for him.
- Oh, that’s been unluck. Well, I need to get some particulars first. Uh, Sara what’s your full name?
- Sara Lim, and that is “Sara” without the “h” at the end.
Linda asks for Sara’s name: Sara Lim so this has been written in the note. Now we should begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you’ll not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer question 1 to 4.
- Sara, I heard that you want to move into a home-stayed family, is that correct?
- Yes, that’s right. I’ve been staying with my aunt. And now my cousins are arriving in Singapore and my aunt need the room for him.
- Oh, that’s been unluck. Well, I need to get some particulars first. Uh, Sara what’s your full name?
- Sara Lim, and that is “Sara” without the “h” at the end.
- How old are you, Sara?
- 23, only just. It was my birthday on 21st of August.
- Oh, happy birthday for yesterday. How long have you been in Australia?
- A year in Alex and 6 months in Sydney. I prefer Sydney. I’ve got more friends here.
- What’s the address of your aunt’s house?
- Flat 1, 539, Forest wood, Canterbury. And the postcode is 2036.
- OK. What are you studying now?
- I was studying general English in Alex. And now I’m doing academic English because I’m trying to get into Messan next year.
- That sounds good, but it’ll take you a long time. When would you like to move out from your aunt?
- My cousins arrive on Friday morning so I’d better be out on Thursday.
- What… the 7th September?
- Yes that’s right.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have sometime to look at question 5 to 10.
Now listen and answer questions 5 to 10.
- That doesn’t lavish much time, right? OK. I need to know what kind of accommodation you like, so I can give you something suitable.
- Can I share room with some one else? I’ve been alone in my room at my aunt’s and I always share with my sister and I like that.
- Yes, fine. That’ll save your money, too.
- Would you like to live with a family or do you think that a single person would be better for you?
- I have a lot of very nice single people in my book.
- Do you have any women living alone, retired women?
- Yeah, I have quite a few, children have grown up and left home. In fact I have some really lovely retired ladies living by themselves who just love the company of students. Most of them live in flats but it’s not problem for you, isn’t it?
- Not at all, I’m used to that. My aunt lives in a flat too, remember? I’m not used to a big house with garden, swimming pool, pets, … I don’t like that.
- Ok, fine. I’ve got quite a little bit what you want now.
- I should let you know that your rent will be 160$ per week. You have to pay me 320$ as a deposit before you move in. The deposit is as the insurance in case you break something. You need to pay monthly to me by cash or check, I don’t mind. You don’t need to pay for gas, electricity or water but you’ll need to pay your proportion of the phone bill. Most families do that on an honor system but you have to wait and see. Have you got any more questions for me?
- When will we know where I can go?
- I’ll work on it now. So come and see me tomorrow and I should have some news for you then.
- Thanks a lot.
- Good bye, see you tomorrow, after lunch would be better for me.
- OK, see you then, bye.
That is the end of section I. You have now half a minute to check your answer.
You’re going to hear Jame Hamilton talking about this year summer festival. First you’ll have sometime to look to questions 11 to 14.
Now listen carefully and answer the question 11 to 14.
- Good evening, and then this week subditionals focus on the arts. Jame Hamilton is going to fill you in on what they’re still offers on this year summer festival. How are you, Jame?
- Thank you Dafrey. This year the summer festival is the biggest we ever seen, so it should be something for everybody. This is the third year they run it and the timing is slightly different. For the last couple of years, it’s been around the 5th to 17th but this year they want to allow everyone enough time to recover from the 1st of January celebration and they put it at the end of the month. The program has sensational theater, dance, and also a large number of art exhibitions. But the thing that festival is most famous for is its great street music. For today report though, Dafrey, I’m working at some of theatrical evens that you might like to see. In particular at this year seems to be circuses. I’m going to tell you about two circuses performances but there are plenty of others in the program. I show you these because they are present the steady movement within the circus performance. The first is the Circus Romano from Italy. As this is a traveling circus, it follows a long tradition by performing in a marquee which is really like a camp of portable buildings usually put up in a green space or car park rather than in a theater or stadium.
Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 15 to 20. Now listen and answer the questions 15 to 20.
In spite of this Circus Romano is not at all like traditional circuses that I grew up with. There are no animals, just very talented clowning and acrobatic routines. The show has a lot of very funny moments, especially at the beginning. But the best part is the music and lighting. They’re magical. At 45$, it’s very expensive anyway, it’s really for adult’s taste. In fact, much of it would be wasted on children so I suggest you leave them at home.
The second circus performance is Circus Electrica at the Studio Theater. It’s the showcase for skill and dance and magic, rather than a usual one you expect in a circus. With only six performers, it a small production that suits the venue well. The Studio only seats about 200 people. For my mind, it’s the aerial displays which are outstanding, as well as the magical tricks. Pitchers which are missing from Circus Romano. Ah, interesting feature of the show is that the performers are so young. The youngest is only 14. but it’s still well-worth seeing, a good one for the whole family.
And finally, as it’s summer, you may wish to see some of the festival performances which are being presented out-door like the famous Mekong Water Puppet troop performing in the city garden this week. Now, water puppet trick is amazing. It’s large puppets on long sticks controlled by puppeteers standing away deep in the lake. The puppet do comedy routines and there’re still some romantic dancing. This is a fantastic show and the best will come at the end: seeing the puppeteers. When the troop walks about out of water you’ll get some amazing feelings. It’s hard to believe that what you’ve been watching is likely wood and cloak. As an adult, I have great time but I did note that other older people in the audience watch quite distaken with the designed walls. It’s some musts for young children though and that the audience really aims at.
Well, that’s all my time for today but I’ll be back next week with more news and what’s worth seeing and what’s best a miss.
That is the end of Section II. You have now half a minute to check your answer.
You’ll hear a conversation in a university Student Services Office. First, you have sometime to look at questions 21 to 25. Now listen carefully and answer to questions 21 to 25.
- Hello, uh…I’m Doe Marthew.
- Yes, hello. I’ve been referred to you because I’m inquiring about the refresh courses that you run. I’d like to find out a little bit more about them.
- OK. Well, we run quite a few different chill courses that student source is either returning to study or studying part time. Tell me about your situation.
- Well, I think that I really need some help in preparing for the coming semester, especially to build up my confidence base and to help me study effectively because, you see, I’ve been adding to workforce for nearly 12 years now, so it’s really a long time since I was a student.
- Yes, It can’t seem what a long time, count it. Let’s me start by telling you what courses we have at my schedule. Are you an undergraduate or a postgraduate?
- Undergraduate. And I’m in a business faculty.
- Right. First of all, there’s an intensive “Study for Success” seminar on 1st and 2nd February. It aims at students like you, who are uncertain about what to expect to college, to motivate you to begin your study and build on your own learning strategy.
- Uhm, that sound good. What are some of the strategies that are presented?
- Well, it covers all aspects of study. Some of the strategies in writing, for example, will be improving your planning for writing, organizing your thinking and building some techniques to help you write more clearly. With reading, there will be sections aims at getting in the habit of aligning materials as you read and tips to help you record and remember what you read. It is very important to be reading confidently right from beginning. There’re also advices on how to get the most from your lectures and practices in giving confident presentation as well as how to prepare for exams.
- What’s about the motivational side, I think?
- Well, there’s a range of motivational exercises that we do to help the students feel positive and enthusiastic about their study. The process of learning and exploring a subject can lead to a whole new way of looking at the world. And the study skills and techniques that you build up can be applied in also different ways.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30. Now listen and answer the questions 26 to 30.
- Ah, actually I am very exited about the whole thinking of taking up studying again but, you know, I’m a little bit nerved about whether I’ll manage to get everything done. Ah, is it the same for all other students?
- Of course, it is. Two of the key components of the course are time management and overcoming ***. People discover that once they learn to plan a day, all the work will be accomplished and there’s still time for pleasure. Is there any enrolment fee?
- Well, ah,… let see… ah the course is 30 pounds which includes all course materials and morning tea. And you have to arrange your own lunch. Um, that wouldn’t be a problem. I’ve already made sandwiches for my three kids and my wife and myself everyday. I have to change my routine.
- Now, I need to tell you that it is a very popular course and it’s essential that you book when ahead of time. In fact, the Course Convener tells me that there are only 5 places left.
- What other course that may be good for me?
- There is one other that you could benefit from. It’s simply called “Learning Skills for University Study” and it is on three consecutive mornings starting on Monday from 9.00 to 12.00 and costs 25 pounds. This is aimed at upgrading the study skills most school-leaver have and help them cope with increasing demands in university study. It focuses mainly on making students more responsible for their own success.
- What sort of thing is covered in this course?
- Basically, it’s more advance thinking, note-taking, reading and writing strategies, but also some input about stress management.
- I think that I’d better of starting from the basic and looking at all strategies, thank you.
- Yes, for information you told me, I think that’s more inline with your situation.
- Can I book a place on the “Study for Success” seminar course now?
- Yes. Let me just give you the registration form and take down your details.
That is the end of Section III. You have now half a minute to check your answers.
Section
IV:
You’ll hear a Student Union representative presenting the view of college students about the design of the new building. First, you have sometime to look at questions 31 to 40.
Now listen carefully and answer to questions 31 to 40.
We’re very graceful that the Committee has agreed that the representative from Student Union can present students’ suggestions about the design for proposed new union building. We appreciate that some of our ideals may not be feasible in the circumstance, but we do feel that it is important that the ultimate beneficiaries of the facility should have sometime to say about its design. I start by briefly explaining what steps we’ve taken to find out students’ opinions and how we arrived at conclusion. Firstly, a meeting was held in the current union for SU Committee to explain the options. Then we invited all students to submit written suggestion for the design, placing cards in suggestion board. These suggestions then provide the bases for the design of a questionnaire which was completed by approximately 2000 of the college students, over a period of three weeks. Finally, the SU Committee collected the results and draw a report. If I can just hand out copies of the report… This presentation essentially summaries and discusses the key points of this report. So, in broad term, there’s consensus that was followed. Firstly, regarding the crux matter of the site, we presented them three options that are proposed: one – in the city center near the Faculty of Education, two – on the outskirt of the city near the park and three – out of town near the Hall of residence. We asked students to cite reasons for and against these sites and there was a remarkable agreement on the theme. Site one was unpopular because of traffic and parking problem. Site two has a number of supporters mainly because it is close to most lecture rooms. Site three – out of town, near the Hall of Residence – was clearly the most popular because of access from living quarter. They were clear that the union was mainly to be used after lecture. It was also the largest site which would allow more room or choice of facilities.
Our secondary of interest is obviously the facilities. There’s a minimum interest in having a library in the premises but one option seem to be a reading room instead - more useful. We would like the current table game room to be replaced with small gym and, if possible, a small swimming pool, not of course an Olympic size. There were a large number of responses in favour of a travel agent and an insurance center. We also request that there’ll be an Office of the Student Counseling Center, moving there from the refectory. There was however much disagreement about whether to build a drama theater. Just over 40% of the responses was in favour but the larger majority was strongly against it, claiming that it is elited and a waste of fund.
Finally, given the number of unfortunate incidents in the current union in the past few months, a strong point is repeatedly made about security. Recommendations would be at least video surveillance and security personnel who will check student union card on request. We doubt that it is feasible to have check at reception all the people coming in. Well, ah, this is the summary of the view of student population. As I say, further details are given in our report but I’m happy to take any questions if you have them…
That is the end of Section IV. You now have half a minute to check your answer.