Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts - Close

Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts
Voice1:

MAN: Hello. Is there anything I may assist you with today?

WOMAN: Certainly. Do you have a Nautica? I just tried Michael’s Sporting Goods, but they don’t carry it.

MAN: Nautica? That is some sort of exercise machine, is it not? I’ve heard of that brand. Don’t they make treadmills and exercise bicycles?

WOMAN: Yes. They even make rowing machines. But what I’m looking for is the weight training station that allows you to do multiple exercises like bench and seated military presses, leg curls, squats, and a number of others. It’s supposed to provide a whole body workout.

MAN: I see. Well, let me check. I’m rather new, so I don’t know the entire inventory.

WOMAN: Okay.

MAN: I’m sorry, but I’m afraid we don’t carry it here in this store. Our store in Winnipeg does have some in stock.

WOMAN: That’s a two hour drive. Does your store have a website? I could check that and order through there.

MAN: Yes. We do. Here’s a business card with the website address on it. Good luck.

WOMAN: Thanks.

Voice2:

MAN: Welcome back. Were you able to order your wait station? The Nautica, I believe?

WOMAN: Yes. That’s right. I tried, but didn’t buy it. It turns out that it wouldn’t be delivered until next week, and I don’t want to wait that long. They were offering a good price for it, though.

MAN: Yes. The website prices are generally 10% off what is offered in the store. I’m sorry on the wait.

WOMAN: Right. I thought I would come in and see what my options are if that is okay.

MAN: Well, you could go to the Winnipeg store and purchase it there. They would deliver for a fee since it’s a long distance. They would also help you set it up free of cost.

WOMAN: How much would the delivery be?

MAN: You would have to contact the store to find out. It might be the same as ours. We charge $50 for delivering within 50 to 100 kilometers. Since we’re 180 kilometers, they might charge more.

WOMAN: Well, I suppose I can give it a go. Hopefully, they can deliver it.

MAN: I hope it works out for you.

WOMAN: Thanks.

Voice3:

MAN: Hello. You’re back quick. Did you decide not to go to the Winnipeg store?

WOMAN: No. I actually called and I spoke with Larry. He’s a manager there and he said that they only deliver within a 100 kilometers radius.

MAN: Well, there is ordering it from the website.

WOMAN: I’d rather not. I want the machine now. Larry did say that if we’re to drive out to Winnipeg, I could purchase it, but I would have to make arrangements for delivery.

MAN: I have an idea. Well, I can call Larry and ask him to ship your Nautica to this store. You can pay for it here and they can send it within a few days.

WOMAN: Are you sure they would do it?

MAN: Like I said, we’ve done it before on rare occasions and it has always worked out. To be honest, it’s not encouraged, but the ultimate goal is to satisfy our customers and it’s our corporate policy to do all that is reasonable to achieve that.

WOMAN: That sounds great. Now, would I have to pay a shipping charge to get the Nautica here?

MAN: Let me see. Yes. We would charge you $30, but once it gets here to the store, our staff will deliver and install it for free.

WOMAN: That sounds great. Let’s do it.

MAN: I’ll get started on the arrangements then.

Voice4:

MAN: Hi, Courtney. How are you?

WOMAN: Hi, Peter. I’m okay. I need a friend’s ear. You see, I’ve got something on my mind. Maybe you can help. You’re a teacher and I need a teacher’s perspective.

MAN: Alright. What is it that you need a teacher’s perspective for?

WOMAN: Well, this is the reason I came to visit. You see, I’d like to be an English teacher. Even though you teach math at the local college, I wanted to ask, would you say teaching is demanding?

MAN: Well, it can be, but as long as you stay organized, you should be fine.

WOMAN: Okay. Now, what problems should I consider as a teacher?

MAN: One big issue is managing the class. It can be difficult especially when one has difficult students. I have this one student who has the habit of repeatedly disrupting me while I give a lecture by asking questions. Sometimes the questions are good, but at times I end up having to explain a point all over again. Answering his questions can take up a lot of time.

WOMAN: How have you handled him so far?

MAN: I told him that I would allow just a few questions in class as we must get through the lecture, but he can visit me during my office hours and I would answer questions then.

WOMAN: Did it work?

MAN: Yes, it did. He’s asking fewer questions. Seems he was not confident. I’m sure you’d get students like that.

WOMAN: And that is a challenge?

MAN: It can be. But as long as they are interested and willing to learn, you just need to encourage and support them.

WOMAN: I do like helping people. That’s one of the reasons why I want to be a teacher. So how could I become an English teacher? My degree is in finance and my job as an accountant is boring. I think teaching would be more exciting.

MAN: Well, I think you should go to the university and talk to a guidance counselor. They should be able to guide you to your goal.

WOMAN: Alright. I’ll do that.

Voice5:

WOMAN: Hello. How are you? And welcome to BuildingPros.

MAN: Thank you. I do hope you can help me. I’ve never built anything before. I think I could really use some help.

WOMAN: Certainly. You’ve come to the right place. Now, first, may I ask a few questions?

MAN: Yes, please.

WOMAN: What is it that you are going to build?

MAN: I’m planning to build a deck in my backyard, although my wife wants a shed.

WOMAN: Well, to begin, did you have a design of the deck in mind? You should have a design made. You don’t need an architect, but you do need to have this done because you need to submit the plan to the city building inspectors.

MAN: Why is that?

WOMAN: Because they must ensure that your plan complies with the building codes.

MAN: I hadn’t thought about it, but I don’t live in the city. I live in Manitoba Hills. That’s the farmland out there.

WOMAN: I see. Well, you might want to check with the district government then.

MAN: Okay. Now, are there any books or resources I can use to make the plans?

WOMAN: Yes. We have some books, software and software kits that you can use to help draw up your plans. Using these, you can create professional quality plans as well.

MAN: Which one would you recommend?

WOMAN: I personally don’t know as I haven’t used any, but I have been told that Build It Suite is the best. It will even provide recommendations and help stay within code.

MAN: Okay. I think I might like to get that. Where can I find it?

WOMAN: Over on the aisle. Five near the registers. Now another question I have is what type of wood are you considering?

MAN: I was thinking of going with the cheapest I could find. Maybe pine.

WOMAN: For a deck that will be exposed to the elements, pine won’t do. I recommend that you either use redwood or Douglas fir, which is commonly used in construction.

MAN: What’s the difference between the two?

WOMAN: Well, redwood will easily stand up to moisture and last longer. It’s also, I think, a prettier color of wood, but it is expensive as it is imported from California.

MAN: So Douglas fir is cheaper then?

WOMAN: Yes. But more importantly, it is much stronger than others.

MAN: Alright. Well, for now, I think I am going to get that software you mentioned. Thank you for your help.

WOMAN: It’s my pleasure.

Voice6:

MAN: The owners of the Noodle House restaurant of Charlottetown, here on Prince Edward Island were overwhelmed by community support Tuesday when the restaurant overflowed with customers, cards, flowers, and personal pleas to not leave the province.

According to news agencies here on Prince Edward Island, the recent outpouring of support occurred after Tommy and Lena Coe, the restaurant owners, announced they would close the restaurant and leave the province following an incident two weeks ago, when groups of up to 200 teens from two nearby schools surrounded the restaurant, pelting it with snowballs, and threatening the Coes.

According to Charlottetown Police Chief Paul Smith, his force is ready to take whatever action is necessary to crack down on the behavior and started videotaping last week over lunchtime when most of the misbehavior had taken place.

Police noted that they have received complaints from other businesses, pedestrians, and drivers in the busy, fast food alley, and intend to seek cooperation from the schools in identifying the main culprits.

However, a story from October reported the Co’s asking police to do more to stop the littering and other vandalism in the area including having signs smashed, windows broken, and fireworks set off in front of their restaurant.

According to Tommy Ko, he was overwhelmed by the support this week and in thanks put on a surprise free buffet, though customers insisted on paying anyway. Nevertheless, after fighting the harassment for some five years, the Co’s say they still are not sure they want to stay.

Voice 7:

WOMAN: Hi, Scott. Come on in. Oh, hi, Robert. I almost forgot you were coming.

MAN1: Hi, Carol. Thanks for having us over. Hi, Scott.

MAN2: Hi, Robert. Hello, Carol? I take it that we’re here to discuss what happened?

MAN1: It’s really sad about the Browns’ house being broken into. It seems like crime is rising lately.

WOMAN: I know. That’s the third crime to happen in the neighborhood in the past month. Have either of you heard of any others?

MAN1: I haven’t, but I’ve heard there was some trouble over at the nightclub on Frasier Street.

MAN2: That’s adjacent to the neighborhood, right? WOMAN: Yes. I heard there was a fight, a real brawl. It seems things are getting out of control there.

MAN1: Right. And the nightclub seems to be the center of it.

MAN2: That may be Robert. Crime in the neighborhood certainly seems to have been on the rise ever since it opened six months ago.

WOMAN: Yes. I agree. The question is what should be done about it?

MAN1: Have either of you spoken to the police about the rise in crime?

MAN2: I haven’t.

WOMAN: Same here. Though I have thought about inquiring about it from the police and maybe some of the neighbors as well. It would be interesting to know what other people are thinking and how they are responding.

MAN1: I agree. I’d like to know what the neighbors think about it.

MAN2: I don’t know. Maybe we shouldn’t get involved. Others might see us as meddlesome, don’t you think?

WOMAN: Some might, Scott, but you know. Overall, crime affects everyone. And while it hasn’t happened to you, it still could. What we need to do is to take measures to prevent it.

MAN1: Well, if we’re talking about robberies, I have a good security system installed in my home.

MAN2: So do I. But with fights happening, hey, maybe the police can be more involved?

MAN1: How so?

MAN2: Well, they could do more patrols in the neighborhood.

WOMAN: That’s a good idea. But what if they can’t? I understand the police lack the manpower, so I really think it’s up to us and our neighbors to take care of each other.

MAN1: I see what you’re saying, Carol. The question is what?

MAN2: Right. What can we do about it? We can talk to our neighbors, but what good is that going to do?

WOMAN: Exactly, Scott. We can talk to the neighbors and see if they have any suggestions and then we can go from there.

MAN1: I see. We could meet with them, explain the situation and ask what they think should be done.

WOMAN: Right. And that could lead to some solutions.

MAN2: Okay. That should be easy enough. I can certainly do that.

MAN1: Same here.

WOMAN: Alright. I guess that’s what we’ll do. Let’s write up a list and then we can get started.

Voice8:

MAN: Prime Minister Trudeau recently promised new measures aimed to help Canadians buy homes during these trying times when owning a home seems to be a futile hope.

According to Trudeau, the real estate market has been afflicted by both instability and uncertainty, especially during the current economic crisis. He asserts that the current situation requires government intervention to help Canadians purchase a new home.

His plan is to pour billions of dollars into new funding, as well as to institute measures to end the practice of house flipping, the practice of buying, renovating and selling a house for profit as well as adding new regulations to police exploitative realtors.

What is compelling is that this is coming at a time when housing has become one of the top issues among Canadian voters.

The plan is committed to making home ownership available through new government funding, which includes a plan to build more homes in order to increase the housing supply, as well as taking up measures to protect the rights of buyers.

One controversial measure involves the Criminal Code. This can include prohibition on blind bidding for houses up for sale and implementing new penalties for violations. The government’s taxation powers could also be used, and the authority it has over mortgage underwriting could be used to push changes.

According to one government official speaking, on the condition of anonymity, the Criminal Code could be used to allow the government to act on violators.

The Canadian Real Estate Association, however, is highly critical of Trudeau’s plan and cites that it amounts to making any Canadian who sells their home a criminal. They argue that the current shortage in housing supply is the heart of the matter.

Moreover, they assert that Canadians have the right to choose how they wish to sell their home.

They cite that the banning of blind bidding violates this right. Trudeau took time to comment on the Conservative Party’s housing plan, which plans to build 1,000,000 new homes over three years, ease mortgage requirements, and make more federal land available for residential development.

He slammed conservative leader, Aaron O’Toole by saying that O’Toole wants to give landlords a tax break and do nothing for the renter or home buyer. He further asserts that Canadians cannot afford the Conservatives’ plan.

O’Toole countered that Trudeau should refrain from speaking, especially since he has yet to deliver after years of promises. He observed that there has been no action in the past six years to remedy the housing issue.

He claims that Trudeau has utterly failed and that Canadians deserve a solid plan rather than meaningless rhetoric and tyrannical regulation that prevents the Canadians from engaging in private enterprise and makes homes more difficult to acquire.