Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts - Close

Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts
Voice1:

WOMAN: Excuse me. Hi. I’d like to buy a washing machine, but I’m not sure which brand I should go with. Can you please help me choose one?

MAN: Sure, ma’am. What are you looking for? A front load washer or a top load washer?

WOMAN: I’m not sure which one to buy. Can you tell me the difference?

MAN: Why not? Both of the washers offer more or less the same benefits. You can choose one that you feel would serve your purpose. Front load washing machines are built for efficiency. They use less water, less energy, and less detergent compared to top loaders, but they take more time in drying clothes than top loading machines.

WOMAN: I’m still confused.

MAN: Don’t worry, ma’am. Let me help you out.

WOMAN: Thank you.

Voice2:

MAN: So you want a washing machine with what capacity exactly? Can you tell me how frequently you wash clothes?

WOMAN: Since we’re a family of four, me, my husband, and two kids, I’m looking for something of about five cubic feet at least, and I do laundry twice a week, Wednesdays and Sundays.

MAN: Great. In that case, you could go for the Samsung Neon 5.2 or the Whirlpool Ace 5.2. They both have front load washers, and I think they would suit your purpose.

WOMAN: I’ll take your word for that. Can you tell me their features and what each of them costs?

MAN: Of course, ma’am. Here, I’ll show you.

WOMAN: Alright. This is the Samsung Neon 5.2. You can wash large loads quicker with this high efficiency front load washing machine. Now this is the Whirlpool Ace 5.2. With its high efficiency front load steam washer, you’ll get gentle and effective cleaning each time.

WOMAN: They’re both quite impressive. I think I’d rather ask my husband. Can I make a call and then come back?

MAN: Sure, ma’am.

Voice3:

WOMAN: Hello again. Can you please tell me what each of them costs again? My husband’s on the line.

MAN: Yes, ma’am. Samsung would cost you $850, whereas the standard price of the Whirlpool is $950 plus taxes. But we’re giving Whirlpool a promotional offer price of $870. Also this month, we’re delivering these at your doorstep for free.

WOMAN: Okay. That’s good. But our budget is $800, so let me just discuss it with my husband.

MAN: Sure, ma’am.

WOMAN: Hi. It seems neither of them is within our budget, so we’ve decided to go a bit over budget and shell out $50 more for the Samsung one. Can I purchase it right now?

MAN: Of course, ma’am. Please have a seat. How do you wish to make a payment?

WOMAN: I have a credit card.

MAN: Okay. Your credit card, please. Sorry, ma’am. It shows payment denied.

WOMAN: What happened? I bought something from the other store, and it was working fine then.

MAN: It seems the machine is stuck. Sorry, ma’am.

WOMAN: Oh, okay. Can I write a check?

MAN: Sure, ma’am. Please write in the name of Acme Electronics.

Voice4:

Speaker 1: Hi, Roy. How are you doing? Nice sunny weather.

Speaker 2: Hey. Hey. All’s well. Yes. It is. Let’s plan some weekend adventures. I absolutely need a break. What do you say?

Speaker 1: You’ve read my mind. I was about to ask you that. Let’s go fishing in the countryside, somewhere like Alberta. I’ve even got a valid fishing license that’s required to go fishing there.

Speaker 2: Oh, that sounds great. We’ll need one. Should we ask Shervin and Nate?

Speaker 1: Yeah. Why not? The more the merrier.

Speaker 2: I’ll call them in a while. At what time should we leave? The guys would wanna know that.

Speaker 1: Let’s leave by twelve.

Speaker 2: Okay. I’ll get the equipment from the outhouse.

Speaker 1: Okay. We need fishing rods, fishing reels, hooks, sinkers, floats, and bait.

Speaker 2: Okay. Let me see. The last time I checked, we were short of baits.

Speaker 1: No problem. Why don’t we go to the shopping store and buy some?

Speaker 2: Sure. Let’s go. Hey, Joe. I’ll park the car. You go inside and buy the stuff. Also, please don’t forget to grab some drinks and ketchup chips lying over the counter.

Speaker1: Okay. I’ll get everything.

Speaker 2: So you got everything. Please hop in. We’re running late. I’ve called Sher and Nate, but they didn’t answer. Speaker1: They might be occupied. Let’s go get them. Anyway, we need to check whether the GPS is working fine. I don’t wanna get lost.

Speaker 2: Yeah. I’ve already checked that, though I know the way. But just in case we go astray and get lost somewhere.

Speaker 1: That’s right.

Voice5:

WOMAN: Thank you, mister Johnson, for speaking to us about professionalism in the workplace.

MAN: My pleasure. I’m so glad to be here.

WOMAN: So can you please tell our audience about the meaning of professionalism and how can people practice it?

MAN: Well, professionalism involves teamwork and collaboration. It serves as a vital component to define integrity and ethical standards of an organization.

WOMAN: Is this definition still relevant in today’s workplace environment?

MAN: You see, in today’s workplace, professionalism is perhaps over described and mostly misinterpreted, so it becomes difficult to explain it precisely. And as we are often asked to act professionally, we create our own definition of the expected perception. But in one of our studies, we found that utmost professionalism may lead to an increased number of unsatisfied employees, since they look for some kind of a leeway or look out for a less demanding work environment.

WOMAN: So is there a way out? I mean, how can we as employers deal with this?

MAN: Establishing a customary code of conduct plays a key role. It is an easy adaptation and would act as a guide to help employees become more professional. They can follow basic guidelines such as the dress code, office hours, timely submissions, basic do’s and don’ts. Now these are all self explanatory. One doesn’t think over it for too long. They can easily follow it and get to be called a professional employee.

WOMAN: So if an employee just adheres to a list of do’s and don’ts, will he or she be regarded as a professional?

MAN: Actually, no. To do one’s job well and to show up on time regularly doesn’t make you a professional. Instead, it goes beyond the individual’s sphere. It’s a collective endeavor. When made to pull off the common business objective, one’s progress contributes to everyone’s progress.

WOMAN: I think that way the entire organization would have a professional image. Are there any core elements of professionalism that our viewers need to be aware of?

MAN: Well, the right set of actions and presence comprise the core. Your personality and intellectual mind contribute equally. You should be reliable, competent, respectful, honest, and a believer of integrity. All these create a healthy yet competitive environment among the employees. It gives them a sense of responsibility besides taking off stress. This in turn leads to enhanced performance of both the individual and the group.

WOMAN: So much for professionalism.

Voice6:

MAN: An Ontario family is jolted after unidentified men shot at least 10 bullets at their house unit, with one firing through the front door and another through a bedroom window.

The incident took place shortly afternoon on Saturday in Hamilton. However, no casualty was reported. But the strife has scared the home’s owner, Paawadini, who told our reporters that her house unit is a shelter to seven children, and their age ranges from three to 15 years.

She added that until the gun’s sound could not be heard anymore, she and her family hid for safety.When she looked at the door, the accused were running away. She stated that she was certainly not able to understand why her place was targeted. She requested the officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

As inquired from the neighbors, a tall and dark man was spotted running towards a red colored SUV parked nearby. At least 10 bullets were visible on the front side of the house.

The forensic team spent the afternoon collecting evidence from the spot as police restricted the affected section of the complex.

Video:

WOMAN: So I think that what we need to discuss now is the expansion of the computer lab. In the last meeting, it was earmarked to expand. The question is how are we going to do it? The trust has requested that we expand the number of computers to 100 available computers. I just don’t see how we’ll have the space for so many. Any suggestions?

MAN1: Well, why don’t we just add more tables and shares? I’m sure we could find room for more in the lab if we consolidate space.

MAN2: Tom, I don’t think you’ve actually seen that lab. It isn’t that big. Right now there are 40 terminals and there’s just no way to increase the number of terminals in that room, even if it were made.

WOMAN: I agree with Bill. We just don’t have enough space either way.

MAN1: I can only see two solutions for this.

WOMAN: What are they, Bill?

MAN1: I think I know what you are suggesting. We built a new hall.

MAN2: Not exactly, Tom. But building will be required to a certain extent.

WOMAN: Go on, Bill. What do you have in mind?

MAN2: Well, both options will be to physically expand the lab. The first is to tear down the outer walls and then build an extension of the room into the garden area. The other is to expand the hall within the building.

WOMAN: I don’t like the first idea. That’s going to be expensive. The other idea is more feasible.

MAN1: You’re right, Miriam. I’m looking at the walls separating the adjacent rooms. We could remove those and create a much larger space.

MAN2: Exactly. And there’s nothing in those rooms right now other than storage. There are plenty of other rooms that can be used for storage.

WOMAN: It will certainly save a significant amount of money. Let’s go ahead and draft up a proposal that we can submit for the next meeting.

MAN2: Okay. I endorse it, but then it was my idea.

WOMAN: Tom.

Voice7:

WOMAN: A new bill proposed by Nikki Martin from the corporate regulatory council created a stir across corporate houses. Miss Martin, who represents a project called gender workplace diversity, proposed a bill where women should get their due significance and place among the board of directors.

There must be a more stipulated percentage or number of designations where only women can be appointed. Miss Martin stated some shocking revelations to support her proposition. The statistics served as an eye opener.

As per the corporate gender workplace diversity report 02/2017, the German government announced to fill 35% of their board seats with women. On the other hand, in corporate Canada, as per the catalyst census, only 19.6% of board seats are held by women so far.

This is exorbitantly less than The UK and Australia. The highest percentage of women directors in the world is in Norway. It comprises 36% of women on the board of directors, thus boosting its economy to a noteworthy position. Mister Stevenson supported the proposition.

He told the members that a few months ago, the board of directors modernization act was initiated by the Canadian senate. It requires that the board of directors of public companies, private enterprises, and several financial institutions must comprise at least 40% women and 40% men, but the clause had not been acted upon, and it has miserably affected the corporate disparity.

Miss Martin shared a story of a 46 year old woman who was forced to leave her job as an assistant manager when she didn’t find any growth prospects within her organization despite being highly capable. She was underpaid and didn’t get due respect and recognition within the organization.

As per the council reports, the gender wage gap leads to an underrepresentation of women in professional leadership roles. Everyday inequality is affecting women before they even enter the workforce.

It’s hampering their aspirations before they even begin their careers. It’s negatively impacting their personal aspirations for what professional opportunities they can pursue. Some women are dialing back their ambitions knowing that they won’t get equal compensation or equal recognition for their success.

Chris Kendi, another senior member of the corporate regulatory council, doesn’t favor the bill while stating that the board members should be appointed on the basis of their qualifications and experience regardless of gender.

Any such clause stipulating the percentage of women on the board of directors would hamper the potential and ambitions of intelligent youth. He adds, the right amount of experience and qualification is what makes the candidate with the most potential qualify as a director.