Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts - Close

Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts
Voice1:

MAN: Hello. I need some help, please.

WOMAN: Oh, hello. I’d be happy to help you. What is it that you need?

MAN: Well, I’m shopping for new suits, and I heard that you have the best suits.

WOMAN: We like to think so. Do you have an idea of what you are looking for?

MAN: I’m not really sure. Do you have anything that is ready made?

WOMAN: We do have some pants and jackets that are ready made, but we only carry a limited number of those items.

MAN: Oh? Why is that?

WOMAN: Mainly because our customers look for tailor made suits. Most men, when searching for suits, want them to fit perfectly. I mean, if you’re going to wear a suit, it should look good on you.

MAN: Yes. I think I understand your point. So if I wanted a tailor made suit, what do we need to do first?

WOMAN: Well, do you know your measurements?

MAN: No. Can you take my measurements?

WOMAN: No. I’m afraid I can’t. But if you go to the back of the store, you’ll find the tailor’s room. You just tell the staff there and they will measure you. Alright.

Voice2:

WOMAN: Hello again. Were you able to get your measurements?

MAN: Oh, yes. I was. They did a terrific job in measuring me for a suit. I have the measurements right here if you like.

WOMAN: Now, we need to talk about material. This is important because we want to make sure you’re comfortable in the suit and it looks good. But some materials can’t be worn in certain seasons.

MAN: Okay. So, which material should I go with?

WOMAN: Well, we have cotton and wool. If you’re planning on wearing it in the summer, I would suggest cotton. Otherwise, most suits are made of wool.

MAN: Well, I just want the suit for year round use. Maybe wool would do.

WOMAN: Alright. Wool it is. Now we can use a fine fiber of wool rather than something heavy that won’t be too hot during the summer. Would that work?

MAN: Yes. I believe so.

WOMAN: Alright. So light wool. And now, where do you plan to wear this suit?

MAN: What do you mean?

WOMAN: Well, do you want the suit for business purposes or for formal occasions? The reason for asking this is to determine the style of the suit.

MAN: Oh, I see. Well, I’m not quite sure. I guess I’ll have to think it over a bit.

Voice3:

MAN: Okay. I’ve decided. I’ll just go for a regular cut. I wanna use it both for business and formal occasions.

WOMAN: Okay. That sounds good. Now, I have some samples of fabrics. Would you care to take a look?

MAN: Sure. You know, I really like this one. I think I’ll take the brown with the red and blue pinstripes.

WOMAN: Very good. Now, if you give me your measurements, I can go ahead and place the order.

MAN: Great. How much will it cost?

WOMAN: Oh, yes. Let me calculate it. Yes. It will cost $350 including tax.

MAN: Alright. I’m afraid I don’t have the money at this time. Is it still possible to pay later?

WOMAN: Yes, you can. You can pay when you pick up the suit.

MAN: And when will it be ready?

WOMAN: It usually takes about three days, but we’ll call you when it’s ready.

MAN: Alright. Thanks. I’ll do that.

Voice4:

MAN: Good morning. May I sit here? There doesn’t seem to be any seats left here in the cafeteria.

WOMAN: Sure. Help yourself. My name is Wendy. Is this your first time in Vancouver?

MAN: Hello, Wendy. I’m Fred. And, yes, it is my first time here. I came here for a vacation. How about you?

WOMAN: I grew up here, but we moved away when I was a child. I’m here on a business trip.

MAN: Oh, what business are you in?

WOMAN:I work for an international marketing firm. I’m based in Edmonton, but I have to travel here once a quarter.

MAN: Ah, I see. So how long are you here for?

WOMAN: I’m actually here for a week. My business wraps up today, and then I go back on Sunday. Every time I travel here, I make sure I have some extra time to explore the city.

MAN: Okay. That sounds great. I arrived two days ago. Yesterday, I went to the TELUS World of Science. It was a great experience.

WOMAN: It is. I’ve been there several times. So where are you going today?

MAN: You know, I haven’t really decided. Would you mind recommending me someplace?

WOMAN: Well, since the weather is very pleasant, I would recommend the doctor Sun Yat sen classical Chinese garden. It’s very beautiful and right in the center of Chinatown. After you visit there, you can explore Chinatown. There are a lot of nice restaurants and shops.

MAN: That sounds very interesting. I think I’ll do that.

WOMAN: Well, enjoy your day. I’m afraid I must go get ready. Pleasure talking to you. Same here.

Voice5:

MAN: It’s nice to meet you. I’d like to ask you about protecting our private information so that it’s not used by corporations.

WOMAN: I’m happy to be here. As a consumer rights advocate, I’ve been following this issue for years. From what I can tell, this situation is becoming more and more prevalent as we are becoming more and more interconnected.

MAN: You mean with online banking and shopping?

WOMAN: Yes. That is exactly what I mean. However, the problem which is generally not known is that these companies are sharing our information with others.

MAN: How are they doing this?

WOMAN: Currently, the problem’s chief cost stems from what is called an updating service.

MAN: Can you describe it, please?

WOMAN: Yes. This service is used by some credit and debit card companies. What it does is that it allows new account numbers and expiry dates to be shared with merchants with whom the customers have dealt with in the past.

MAN: But this would only work with customers who already have existing accounts. Right?

WOMAN: Yes and no. For instance, let’s say your debit card will expire on a certain date. Well, the number will remain the same when you get a new card. But what will happen is that any business, particularly an online business, will be forwarded the new expiry date.

MAN: Well, wouldn’t this be a convenience?

WOMAN: Yes. It would be. But it also sets a situation for that information where an expiry dates and account numbers can be misused.

MAN: Well, no one wants that to happen. So what can be done about it?

WOMAN: Part of the problem is how the banks operate. They do disclose this information, but it’s buried deep in the fine print when they automatically assume their customers agree to this. What you can do is to check with your bank and then see whether you can opt out. If not, then you might want to consider closing your accounts and reopen in some other bank. Make sure though that you can opt out of the service with any new account you open.

Voice6:

MAN: A week after a devastating apartment fire that took the life of one resident and displaced dozens more, some good news has come about. It involves a cat who belonged to, now deceased, Robin Crews, who lived in the building.

His cat, Stardust, was last seen jumping from the Third Floor balcony, and nobody saw it after that. However, stardust has been found. Thanks to the efforts of Rhonda McFadden and her team who volunteers with the local humane society.

McFadden, along with other volunteers, goes out regularly to search for lost or escaped pets. Just after the fire, McFadden was notified about some missing cats whose owners resided in the building. And from there, she and several volunteers took action.

So far, most of the cats were found after a search of the area within several days. However, it had been over a week until Stardust was located. According to McFadden, volunteers did see the cat hiding under a bush, but were unable to capture it.

Apparently, the cat was skittish, but the team was able to coax Stardust out of her hiding place in an abandoned building near the apartment complex. They used a rather ingenious trick to recover her. According to one of the volunteers, they were able to retrieve some shirts belonging to Stardust’s owner, which still had his scent.

Attracted by its owner’s scent, the volunteers were able to pet it. Stardust was calm, shaken, and had burnt paws along with singed whiskers and tail. They immediately rushed the cat to the vet who treated its injuries and gave it a bath as it was covered in soot.

Currently, stardust is being cared for by a family friend, but there is a plan to offer it up for adoption to a loving family.

Video:

MAN: So, one of the things we’ve been asked to do is to acquire a vehicle. So we need to discuss what we need.

WOMAN1: Well, what sort of vehicle do we need? Unless I’m mistaken, the management has been asking for a vehicle which can be used to pick up donated items.

WOMAN2: Okay. So before we decide on the vehicle, we’ll need to see how much can be spent. Bob, how much do you think would be allocated?

MAN: 50,000 has been allocated. We can easily buy a vehicle with that much money. The question is, what?

WOMAN1: We can save a lot if we purchase a pickup truck.

MAN: No. We can’t purchase a pickup. It’s going to be too small. My choice is a van.

WOMAN1: Well, are we talking about a regular sized van or a big moving van?

MAN: I’m not sure. We need to know the average loads that are being picked up.

WOMAN2: Alright. But I’d like to suggest a larger moving van, something around 24 feet, and the reason is that the drivers are prepared for a larger load.

WOMAN1: Hey. That’s a good idea. They’ll also be able to do multiple pickups if they have extra room. That will save time from having to haul everything to the center, unload, and then go back for another pickup.

MAN: Great idea. Let’s do it.

WOMAN1: Okay. Well, I think the next step is to research what’s available within our budget. We can make a selection in our next meeting.

WOMAN2: Alrighty.

WOMAN1: I’ll get started after lunch.

Voice7:

MAN: Currently, in British Columbia, public hearings are being held regarding the impacts of a proposed ban on oil tankers in British Columbia seas. On the top of these are competing arguments from first nations who are debating the ban.

The proposal is the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which would prohibit oil tankers carrying in excess of 12,500 tons of oil from either stopping or unloading at different ports on the coast. The bill has already been passed in the House of Commons and is now being debated in the Senate.

While the ban has supporters and detractors, what is interesting is that on both sides of the fence are various indigenous groups voicing their opinions regarding the ban. It’s interesting because usually, first nation groups tend to support endeavors that protect the environment.

Take for instance, chief Ronald Black, the leader of the Gitkala Nation, who favors the ban and cites the dangers to the environment that could be caused if it were not in place. He, along with others among his people, believe that it is a duty to keep their territory pristine.

However, this view is not shared by the Laquolams band, which resides near Prince Rupert. According to tribal leaders, they oppose the band because it will curtail any future economic benefits they might enjoy.

According to their leader, Joseph Hegan, his community is facing a lot of economic difficulties, and banning oil tankers in the region could stifle future development of his people.

One MP from Northern British Columbia, Thomas Carlisle, has been a staunch supporter of the ban who cites the need to protect the coastline of British Columbia’s Northern Coast. He notes that this is the position most of his constituents hold, including those belonging to First Nations.

He states that he has won a number of elections because of his stance. Essentially, Carlisle’s support of the ban is to open the field to begin green energy projects as well as improve fish stocks off the coast.

However, according to senator Todd Littlebeck, who is the chairman of the senate committee that is considering the ban, he is opposed to it. He states that oil is the lifeblood of the economy and that it is important to get oil into and out of the ports.

He does acknowledge the danger of spills, but states that overall, spills are rare incidents. He notes that it’s important to ensure that the coastal environment is protected, but it’s equally important to ensure that the local economies are sustainable. Chief Black cites that the ban is not a total ban.

The limitations opposed by it will help protect the environment because it only applies to tankers carrying over 12,500 tons of oil. He states that for this reason alone, there should be a negligible economic impact on the region.

However, Hegan counters this by stating that because of the small amount of oil that is allowed by the ban, there will be an increase in the number of tankers in the area, and this could be potentially worse for the environment.

With the increased traffic, there are chances of collisions and those could lead to more frequent spills, which would potentially cost billions of dollars to clean up and devastate the coast.