Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts - Close
Practice Test B - Listening Transcripts - Close

Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts

Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving

You are about to hear a conversation between a man and a woman at the tile store. The woman works at the tile store, and the man is a customer.


Section 1:

WOMAN: Hi! How can I help you?

MAN: Hi! I’ve just moved into the area. The house I bought is a beautiful old home—maybe built about a century ago—but the tiles have probably been there for a few decades at least!

WOMAN: Ah yes . . . these old houses! Is it the tiles in the bathroom, or the kitchen tiles?

MAN: Well, the ones in the bathroom need work right away—several of them are cracked or broken. The ones in the kitchen just have a very old-fashioned style, so maybe I’ll do those later.

WOMAN: OK. So, it sounds like we know which room to start with then. Do you have the measurements?

MAN: It’s about—well—it’s a small bathroom. Maybe average-sized.

WOMAN: Well, could you come back, maybe tomorrow, with the precise details? Those will help us narrow down our options. We ‘re open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day.


Now answer questions 1-2.

1- What is the man planning to do?
2- Why is the woman unable to help the man right now?

Section 2:

MAN: Hi again! Here are the measurements.

WOMAN: Great! These will help us choose the right sizes and quantities. So, over here, we have wall tiles, and on the other side of the store, we have our selection of floor tiles

MAN: Well, I’d like my whole bathroom to look the same. Why don’t I try these white tiles? They look nice and plain. I could just use them for everything.

WOMAN: Well, those are nice, but many people would be worried about safety. Floor tiles—in the kitchen, and especially in the bathroom—generally have a rough, bumpy texture. You know, so you don’t slip on a wet floor. How about those ones over there?

MAN: Whoa! I don’t like that pattern on the tiles at all!

WOMAN: Right. Well, how about those flowered ones?

MAN: You know, if I’m using these white ones for the wall, probably those ones—below the flowered ones—will be best for the floor. Those will give me a similar look throughout the room.


Now answer questions 3-5.

3- What did the man want to do?
4- What problem does the woman see with the man’s tile choice?
5- Which floor tiles will the man probably buy?

Section 3:

WOMAN: Hello again! How are the white tiles working out? Are you happy with them?

MAN: They look great so far! I really appreciate your advice. But I seem to have run out.

WOMAN: Oh no! In the middle of your project! That’s too bad.

MAN: Yes. It’s completely my fault—I must have made a mistake when measuring.

WOMAN: OK. I’m just gonna look up the inventory in our database. Hmm . . . it looks like we are out of stock for both. Should I order them from the manufacturer for you?

MAN: Yes, please put in the order. Since I’m here, I’ll take a look at the kitchen tile section

WOMAN: That’s right! You said the kitchen is your next project!


Now answer questions 6-8.

6- Why has the man returned to the store?
7- How does the woman respond to the man?
8- What does the woman look for?

Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation

You will hear a conversation between two people, a brother and a sister, who are at a mall.

WOMAN: Okay, so you have a bunch of stuff you want to buy, and I have a bunch of stuff I want to buy . . . Shall we just split up and meet back at the food court for lunch? In, say, an hour?

MAN: Actually, I was hoping you might come with me at least to the framing store. You have a much better eye for that kind of thing. I know what sort of poster I want to buy for Michael, but I have no idea what kind of frame it will look good in.

WOMAN: But the person at the store should be able to help you with that.

MAN: “Should” is the key word. I’ve noticed more and more that the people who work in stores don’t have any special expertise about the stuff sold in that store. I tried to buy a pair of shoes the other day, and I swear the person didn’t know a shoelace from a buckle.

WOMAN: You know, you’re right: I had the same experience when I tried to buy a toaster. So okay, I’ll come with you to the framing store, but I’d really like to go to my favourite store first. They have a sale on sweatshirts, and I want to get there before they’re sold out of the colour and size I want.

MAN: Fair enough. But since I’m not thrilled about going into clothing stores, I’ll just wait outside, okay?

WOMAN: No problem. Actually, I think that’s where the fountain is, with all the benches.

MAN: Perfect. After that, I don’t mind splitting up. Will it really take you just an hour? It’s Saturday—this place is crowded!

WOMAN: Good point. Better make it two hours. Maybe by then, the food court won’t be as busy.

MAN: That would be nice. I hate being jostled when I’ve got a full tray of food. And I’m planning to get exactly that at the new Thai restaurant that’s opened up. They have a buffet.

WOMAN: Really? I didn’t know that. Guess who else will be getting a full tray of food!


Now answer questions 1-5.

1- What are they trying to figure out?
2- Why does the man want the woman to come with him to the framing store?
3- What likely happened when the woman tried to buy a toaster?
4- What does the woman plan to do at the food court?
5- What word best describes the mall?

Part 3: Listening for Information

You will hear a conversation between a man and a woman.

WOMAN: Good morning. Northwest Hydro. Constance speaking. How can I help you?

MAN: You can help me feel less confused, I hope. I live at 743 Rosemount Avenue, Apartment 5.

WOMAN: OK. One moment please while I bring up your account. Perfect. How can I help you today, sir?

MAN: I’ve been living here almost four months, since December. Yesterday my landlord told me I should’ve phoned you to set up my hydro account and arrange to make payments. Here it is late March. I haven’t received a single hydro bill, and I haven’t paid Northwest Hydro one cent. The electricity bill for this apartment must be three months overdue.

WOMAN: Well . . . actually, it appears that someone’s been paying the costs for you.

MAN: Seriously? Who?

WOMAN: I’m afraid I’m not allowed to disclose that information.

MAN: Was it the last tenant who lived here? I know she moved to Beijing. Didn’t she notify you that she’d moved out and cancelled her hydro account?

WOMAN: I’m afraid I can’t disclose that personal information. But I can tell you that we will register you as responsible for this account, and we’ll send you a hydro bill for a total of $240, covering December 1st through March 31st. Any person or organization who was paying your hydro bill will be reimbursed.

MAN: No problem. I’m responsible for the bill, and I want to pay. I was worried that my electricity would be cut off for nonpayment.

WOMAN: Actually, Northwest Hydro has a policy of not cutting off people’s electricity during the winter months. It’s 20 below zero outside. People . . . well, they depend on us to survive. But . . . if an account goes unpaid for three months in the summer, then we do cut off the power.

MAN: That’s a good policy! Not that I'm the type of person who doesn’t pay my bills, but it’s good to know. , sounds good! Would you be able to show me where I could get all these things?

WOMAN: Well, we’re happy to help.

MAN: Thank goodness it’s winter! I LOVE winter!


Now answer questions 1-6.

1- Why did the man call the woman?
2- Why is the man asking about the situation now?
3- Why does the man want information about the former tenant?
4- Why does the man now have power in his apartment?
5- Which power company policy is the man happy with?
6- What will the woman do after the phone call?

Part 4: Listening to a News Item

You will hear a news story about a boy.

Seven-year-old Dustin Sandoval got both a scolding and a hero's applause earlier this week when his mischievous antics lead him to save another child's life. Dustin, who loves leaving prank messages on his home answering machine, pocketed his mother's cellphone without her knowledge, and went to play at the park in their townhouse complex. He intended to make another prank call while his mother was gardening in their yard.

This time, however, Dustin's antics saved the day. In the park, he saw a child lying on the ground unconscious. Dustin immediately called 911 with his mother's cellphone, and an ambulance arrived within minutes. Paramedics discovered that the nine-year-old victim, James Soong, had been stung by a bee and needed treatment for anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. The boy recovered quickly in the hospital.

Dustin’s mother was exasperated to discover her son had taken her phone, and sternly warned him not to do so again. However, she was happy to learn something positive came out of it. James’s father presented Dustin with a cellphone as a thank you for saving his son. Since the incident, Dustin’s mother hasn’t received any more prank calls.


Part 5: Listening to a Discussion

You will watch a conversation among three people. There are two men, Josh and Ryan, and one woman, Nadine. They are friends who have run into each other in a neighborhood coffee shop.

Nadine: ... That’s a great idea, let’s do that!

Ryan: Yeah!

Nadine: Hey Josh!

Josh: Oh, hey Nadine, hey Ryan. I didn’t see you guys there! What are you up to?

Nadine: We’re going to get iced coffees—it’s so warm out today! What are you up to?

Josh: I was just doing some reading, waiting for the bus to take me up to the campus. Did you guys see this article on the new program they’re making for the homeless in our neighbourhood? Apparently, they’re going to be creating an “Extreme Weather Centre” for when the temperature drops below -2.

Ryan: Oh, I heard about this. Somebody at work was talking about it. It’s that church up the street. They offer a variety of services, but the main one is they have a place for up to 15 people to sleep when it’s cold outside. I think that’s fantastic.

Nadine: You do? I don’t know . . . I mean, it kind of scares me to have all those people so close to our house. And they’re always leaving trash everywhere. You know, when they put that homeless centre next to my brother’s house, his got his car broken into.

Josh: Really? That’s awful. But I mean, I don’t really see this causing a spike in crime. I think it’s mainly just for the people that are already living on the street in the neighbourhood. Like, you know that guy Clarence who comes in here all the time for coffee? I think I’d feel better knowing that he has a place to sleep at night.

Ryan: I agree. I’ve been thinking about volunteering at this place. I mean, they need help making dinners sometimes. What do you think, Nadine?

Nadine: I don’t know. To be honest, Clarence kinda scares me. I mean, he can be really loud when he comes in here sometimes. But I know he needs a place to sleep when it’s cold out, and he’s not the only one. Maybe I should volunteer, too.

Ryan: I think so! I mean, it would be a great opportunity for us to learn more about the neighbourhood. I just don’t know what we do to sign up.

Josh: Well, it says here that there’s an information meeting on volunteering, tomorrow night at the church at six o’clock. If you guys are going, I’ll come too. Maybe I could even invite some of my classmates.

Nadine: Well, I have wanted to do some more work with the community. I mean, I’ve just never volunteered for anything before. I would be fun if you two were there. OK, let’s do it.

Ryan: Sounds great.


Listening Part 6: Listening for Viewpoints.

You will hear a presentation about cycling in the city.

The addition of bike lanes in densely populated urban areas throughout major Canadian cities is on the rise, creating tension between cyclists and car drivers.

Shannon Tulu, an avid biker and campaigner for city cycling in Toronto, says that bike lanes have been absent for too long in city planning. She believes it is the long wait that has created a culture of car drivers that are now irrationally annoyed at having to accommodate for different modes of transport. The municipal government, meanwhile, is hesitant to support cyclists over drivers. And yet, had major bike lanes been around twenty years ago, Tulu suggests, the bike culture would have grown since then, and no one would be batting an eye now. She points to cities such as Amsterdam, where 40% of commuting is done by bike and the infrastructure has been in place for decades.

For Tulu, the main need for bike lanes is safety. Having been in two serious bike accidents in which no bike lane was available, Tulu understands the need for a designated cyclist roadway. Tulu says statistics show that less bike accidents occur when cyclists have their own lane.

Fred Morris is the chair of the Provincial Mountain Biking Association. His passion for cycling does not, however, place him in the same camp as Tulu. On the contrary, Morris counters that while recreational bicycling is wonderful, bikes have no place in city traffic. Five years ago, he was in an accident in which he was cycling in a designated lane. Morris argues bike lanes create the illusion of safety because cyclists assume drivers are looking out for them. He says bike lanes actually increase the chance of car drivers hitting cyclists when they accidentally turn in front of them. Morris criticized cyclists for being aggressive. They don’t want to lose their momentum and come to a full stop at intersections and so they take chances to maintain speed.

Morris agrees with Tulu that if more city bike lanes had been built in Toronto decades ago, things would be much different. More bike lanes then would have meant a much stronger bike culture now, and car drivers would be more accepting and aware. But Morris says it’s much too late to try and add bike lanes into already dense, populated areas. Doing so, he says, will just cause more aggression on both sides.

Tulu disagrees. In a time when cities are trying to reduce fossil fuel emissions and encourage environmentally friendly ways of living, she argues, developing a generation of bicycle commuters is crucial to the health of our cities and our planet.

Practice Test B - Listening Transcripts

Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving

You will hear a conversation between a man and a woman. The woman works at a home supplies store. The man is a store customer.


Section 1:

WOMAN: Hello, how can I help you?

MAN: Well, I'm living in an apartment, and I'm always cold. I bought an extra heater, but it's not helping. Someone suggested that the problem is the windows.

WOMAN: That could be. When you look closely at the windows, do you see double layers of glass, with some space between the layers, or is there just one sheet of glass?

MAN: Just one. And I have noticed that I'm especially cold when I stand in front of them. Even when the curtains are closed. I've even seen frost on them!

WOMAN: So they're not double-paned. And probably old. Have you asked your landlord to replace them?

MAN: That would be a waste of time.


Now answer questions 1-3.

1- Why did the man come to talk with the woman?
2- What does the woman ask about the man’s windows?
3- What is most likely true of the landlord?

Section 2:

WOMAN: Well, there are a few things I can suggest. First, you can caulk the edges.

MAN: I'm sorry?

WOMAN: Caulk is . . . like toothpaste, but thicker. It comes in a cardboard tube, and you use a special tool to squeeze it out...

MAN: Ah, I know what you mean. The tool works like a gun. You use it to squeeze the white stuff along the top, sides, and bottom of the window. It fills the crack between the wooden trim and the wall.

WOMAN: Exactly. Another solution is to put plastic over your windows. We have kits that include the plastic as well as tape that's sticky on both sides.

MAN: Surely a thin sheet of plastic won't do much good . . .

WOMAN: You'd be surprised. It's not the plastic so much as the four inches of air you'll trap between the glass and the plastic. It's the air that acts as an insulator.


Now answer questions 4-5.

4- What does the woman tell the man to do?
5- What does the man think of the plastic kits?

Section 3:

MAN: I'll take the caulk, but not the kit. If I cover my windows with plastic, I won't be able to open them.

WOMAN: That's true. Another solution is to get some really good curtains. Specifically, thermal curtains.

MAN: What are thermal curtains?

WOMAN: They're special curtains made with a layer of foam. The layer of foam acts as an insulator, keeping the warmth in and the cold out.

MAN: And you sell those curtains here?

WOMAN: We do have a few, but to be honest, you'd be better off going to the drapery store downtown. They have a good variety of fabrics, designs, and colours. I can give you the address.

MAN: I'd appreciate that. Thanks!


Now answer questions 6-8.

6- Why doesn’t the man buy the plastic kit?
7- What does the woman think about the curtains she has for sale?
8- What will the man likely do next?

Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation

You will hear a conversation that takes place at a department store.

WOMAN: Hello. Can I help you find something?

MAN: Hi. Yeah, I need to buy a blender. I’d like to start making my own smoothies at home. I’ve tried using my food processor, but the result is just too lumpy. What do you recommend?

WOMAN: Well, we have lots of blenders to choose from. You’ll need to think about capacity, power, durability, and cost. Will you be making a smoothie just for yourself, or for several people?

MAN: It’s just for one, but I don’t want something that’s too small. I’d like to make a big smoothie. You know, something that’ll replace my breakfast and fill me up until lunchtime.

WOMAN: Okay. Now, what about ice? Do you plan to put ice into your smoothie? Some of these blenders are not really that good at crushing ice.

MAN: Yeah, I definitely want to be able to add ice to my drink. Maybe some fruit and berries, too, for flavour. Plus protein powder, which is why my wife and kids won’t touch it.

WOMAN: Some almonds are great in smoothies, too. Well, I think that narrows it down to these two blenders, the Smoothie Master and the Samurai. They’re very similar, but the Samurai is a little more powerful.

MAN: That name’s pretty cool. And with a name like that, of course it’s more powerful. What else can you tell me about it?

WOMAN: Well, it’s very easy to clean. It comes with a great little recipe book, and the website has lots of tips and useful information. Actually, this is the one I have, and I love it.

MAN: Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’ll take it. How long is the warranty?

WOMAN: It’s got a 2-year replacement warranty. That means if you have any problems with it, just bring it back in with the receipt, and we’ll replace it. After your warranty expires, you can get replacement parts here in our store, such as new blades.

MAN: That’s great. Thanks very much for your help. I can’t wait to get home and try it out!


Now answer questions 1-5.

1- What kind of items does the woman sell?
2- Who does the man plan to make smoothies for?
3- What does the woman like to add to her smoothies?
4- Why does the man finally choose one blender over the other?
5- How does the man feel about making smoothies at home?

Part 3: Listening for Information

You will hear a conversation between a woman and a man about tourist sites.

WOMAN: Hello. We’d like some help, please. We just arrived and we’re wondering what to see here.

MAN: You’ve come to the right place. Halifax offers lots of exciting things to keep you busy. How long are you visiting for?

WOMAN: Well, our cruise ship just arrived this morning, and it leaves early tomorrow for Charlottetown. So just today.

MAN: OK then. You’ll want the main tourist highlights and recommendations for some good local food. One of Halifax’s most popular attractions is the Public Gardens. They are especially beautiful right now with the rhododendrons and azaleas. Take a look at this map. It’s just a short walk up Spring Garden Road, and on the way you’ll find charming boutiques and superb local crafts.

WOMAN: We have lots of lovely gardens in Florida. Is there something historic we should see?

MAN: Oh yes, there’s Citadel Hill right in the center of downtown. It has displays showing how the original settlers lived in the 1700s. At noon every day the soldiers set off a real canon, and you’ll see the changing of the guard, traditional uniforms, and even hear bagpipes.

WOMAN: That sounds like fun. We certainly don’t have live bagpipes back home! And what about along the waterfront? There must be something historic to explore there. Is that famous ship around? What’s it called? The Bluenose? Can we tour through that?

MAN: Unfortunately the Bluenose is being repaired just now, but there are other ships you can sail on around the harbour. Would you like tickets for the dinner and dance combo this evening on one of those sailing ships?

WOMAN: Well, we’ve actually had enough of being on the water with this cruise! I just wanted to see the real Bluenose since it’s so famous. It would be nice to eat on dry land for a change, so where would you suggest we get a typical Nova Scotian dinner?

MAN: Just next door is our best seafood restaurant with a traditional Nova Scotian menu. Be sure to try something with lobster, especially the fish chowder. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the baked Digby scallops with fiddleheads, and blueberry grunt for dessert.

WOMAN: We’ll try there, although I’m not sure about being adventurous since we’re back on the ship tomorrow! Thanks for all your help.


Now answer questions 1-6.

1- What does the woman want from the man?
2- Why does the man recommend that she walk to the gardens?
3- What does the woman want to do first?
4- Why is the woman interested in the Bluenose?
5- Why does the woman refuse the dinner and dance tickets the man offers?
6- Why will the woman be careful with her food at dinner?

Part 4: Listening to a News Item

You will hear a news item about a community development issue.

Despite financial troubles experienced by bike-sharing programs in Montreal and Toronto, Ottawa is planning to introduce a similar program. The program would enable people to rent a bike from a number of self-serve stations for short-term use. The city plans to subsidize the program with a $60,000 grant, which would fund the construction of ten solar-powered park-and-pay stations across the city. The grant would also fund the purchase of the bicycles themselves, which feature three speeds, comfortable seats, reflectors and lights, a luggage carrier, and a lock. Operating costs are expected to be covered by user fees.

It is hoped that the program will foster healthy transit alternatives by reducing the use of automobiles and their consequent pollution and parking problems. Opponents of the program aren’t convinced that user fees will be sufficient to cover operating costs: either they’ll be too high to afford or too low to cover expenses. At a recent city council meeting, one councillor argued that people should have to buy their own bikes, and the existing public transit system could use the budget to expand and improve its efficiency.


Part 5: Listening to a Discussion

You will watch a discussion among three people, one man and two women. They are coaches at a gymnastics club.

Fred: So, Audrey, Janesh: any thoughts about whether we should go with the parade float or the exhibition? The parade’s not for another month, but we need to make up our minds by the end of the week.

Audrey: I have some serious concerns about the parade float. A flatbed trailer isn’t nearly the same size as the floor our kids usually do their routines on. Plus there’s nothing to stop them from just falling off of the trailer.

Janesh: Maybe we could put the balance beams on there, and they can do their flips and stuff on there. Although, the truck will still be moving.

Fred: We could just have them sit there, on the mats or on the beams—but I don’t think we should put all of our equipment onto the trailer—and if we just have them sit there, that doesn’t really show people what we’re all about.

Audrey: Well, I guess they could show off their shiny new gold medals, but I agree. We’re a gymnastics club, we should be showing them gymnastics!

Janesh: Yeah, and if we have the kids just do their simple, easy routines, that’ll make us look pretty pathetic. We need to show our best stuff!

Fred: But hundreds of people go see the parade. If we have an exhibition and no one comes, that defeats our purpose. We need to recover our numbers!

Audrey: Fred, I think your glory days of the 90s are over. Gymnastics just isn’t as popular as it used to be.

Janesh: Look, maybe we can rent a central location, rather than the gym we usually use. Then maybe more people will turn out. Perhaps we could rent a gym at one of the downtown elementary schools.

Fred: But then only one school will know about it. What about the high school? They have at least four times as many students, and they’d spread the word.

Audrey: Even better, what about if we did it the same night as parent-teacher interviews? It’s on a Monday night, so our gymnasts would be available for sure.

Janesh: That is a brilliant idea! Once the parents see what our kids can do . . I mean, parents talk to each other all the time! And parents that have high school aged kids usually have younger kids as well.

Audrey: And we can get the media to cover it. I can handle that.

Fred: I’ll look into renting the gym. I don’t think it’ll cost more than the parade entry fee and renting the flatbed trailer . . .

Everyone: Awesome!


Part 6: Listening for Viewpoints

You will hear a presentation about a wildlife issue.

Sable Island, a remote island located 300 km southeast of Halifax, has long been romanticized in many Canadians’ minds as a place where wild horses run free. Brought to the Atlantic provinces by British and French colonists in the eighteenth century, these draft horses once served as farm animals, but were eventually abandoned on the island. Today, Parks Canada released a report suggesting that these famous horses may be in danger of extinction.

Parks Canada spokeswoman, Sheila McNeil, says that according to a recent study commissioned by the department of Species at Risk, there are a variety of factors that may lead to the horses’ extinction in the future. One concern is inbreeding, as these horses have become more susceptible to disease. Another concern is the extreme coastal weather, because the conditions can produce heavy snowfalls which will bury the horses' food source. Each of these issues are more concerning because the horses’ population is so low. If anything were to cause their numbers to decrease further, they’re that much closer to extinction. McNeil reports that Parks Canada is reviewing the data and, as it stands, Parks Canada feels the horses should remain on the island.

Contrary to McNeil, Biologist Malcolm Watson argues that the horse population is higher than ever, and that these horses are ecologically intrusive to the island’s natural species. Watson believes they should be removed from the island. He says that the horses threaten plant and animal species by stomping on nests and destroying vegetation as they race around the island. He claims that because Sable Island is now a national park, the legislation requires it be kept pristine, and inhabited only by indigenous species. Therefore, since the horses are not native to Sable Island, Parks Canada has a duty to remove them in order to protect the fragile ecosystem. Moreover, he asserts that the horses are living in appalling conditions, and should be relocated and better cared for.

Nova Scotia resident, Janet Lowe, has heard this argument before and is not too worried. She remembers back in the 1960s when similar concerns were voiced and, at that time, the government ordered the horses be removed from the island. However, due to public outcry, the Prime Minister dropped the removal order and even put laws in place making it illegal for humans to interfere with the horse population. Lowe finds Watson’s argument hypocritical. She says that throughout history, humans have been the most invasive species on the planet, altering and destroying ecosystems for centuries. She thinks that the horses are a far less invasive species, and that the laws enacted in the 60s should be respected.