Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts - Close

Practice Test A - Listening Transcripts
Voice1:

MAN: Thank you. You have been a big help. Oh, wait. Before I go, could I ask you to look at my account again? I’m uncertain of how many free ATM withdrawals I have left.

WOMAN: Certainly. Can I have your account number again?

MAN: Yes. It’s on the slip I gave you.

WOMAN: Oh, yes. I’m sorry. Let me re enter it.

MAN: Sure.

WOMAN: Okay. Now, you wanted to know how many free ATM withdrawals you have left?

MAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Well, you can always withdraw money for free from any of our bank’s ATMs.

MAN: That’s right. But I don’t live close to any of the branches so I often have to use another bank’s ATM.

WOMAN: Right.

MAN: Exactly. I’d like to know if I have used up my free withdrawals.

WOMAN: Well, you have two free withdrawals from any ATM, not within the bank’s network. If you use an ATM within the network, you have six free ATM withdrawals.

MAN: Okay. So, how many do I have left?

WOMAN: You used up the two withdrawals outside the network and you have one left within the network.

MAN: Okay. Can you tell me what the network is so that I can work within that?

WOMAN: Yes, it’s Banktel.

MAN: Banktel. I thought it was SWIFT, or, was it a Fast ATM?

WOMAN: It used to be SWIFT, but the bank switched to Banktel three months ago.

MAN: Oh, I see. Well, thank you.

Voice2:

MAN: Good afternoon. Oh, it’s you. Hello. You helped me earlier.

WOMAN: I remember. Welcome back. How may I help you this time?

MAN: Well, I just received this check that I would like to deposit. I wanted to deposit it in the ATM, but no ATM I went to would allow me to do that.

WOMAN: That’s because all deposits must be made directly with our bank. Any ATM that is not owned by the bank will not allow you to do so.

MAN: I see.

WOMAN: Yes. Now, let’s get this deposit taken care of for you.

WOMAN: Right.

MAN: Here you go. I’ve also got the deposit slip here.

WOMAN: Great. Okay. Let me enter it for you.

MAN: Oh shoot. I forgot to bring my wallet. I brought everything else. The check, deposit slip, and I can’t believe I left my wallet at home and that has my ID in it.

WOMAN: Sorry. But you don’t need to worry.

MAN: But I don’t have my ID.

WOMAN: That’s okay. You don’t need any identification to make a deposit. It’s only when withdrawing money that you need your ID.

MAN: Oh, well then. Okay.

WOMAN: Alright. So I’ve deposited a sum of $1,300 into your account. Here’s your receipt.

MAN: Thank you again. You’ve been such a great help.

WOMAN: It’s my pleasure, sir.

Voice3:

WOMAN: You’re back. Welcome. Still have more banking to do?

MAN: Unfortunately, yes. I need to make a withdrawal.

WOMAN: Okay. How much?

MAN: $400. My car broke down and I need that amount to get the car repaired. The mechanic won’t take checks and he doesn’t have a card machine.

WOMAN: How inconvenient. Alright. Let’s see what I can do for you.

MAN: I wrote a check to cash. Will that do? And I have my identification also.

WOMAN: That should be enough. Okay. I’m afraid. I can’t okay that amount for you.

MAN: Why not? I have more than that in my account. If you remember, I deposited $1,300 earlier.

WOMAN: Yes. I understand. But your available balance is only $363. You don’t have enough funds. As to the check you deposited, it must be cleared first before funds become available.

MAN: Well, could you cover $50 from that check?

WOMAN: Let me check the policy. Okay. It says here.

MAN: Yes?

WOMAN: It says that up to 10% of a check may be withdrawn upon deposit of a check. So, we can do 400. That’s not a problem. I’m sorry if I misled you.

MAN: Thank goodness. Okay. Great. Let’s do it.

WOMAN: And, here you are, $400. Good luck with your car.

MAN: Thanks.

Voice4:

WOMAN: Hello. I’m Kimberly. I was told you would be starting today. Welcome to Home and Garden Supply. So are you excited for your first day?

MAN: Hi. I’m Mitch. It’s great to be here. I’m very excited, but I’m also very nervous.

WOMAN: Why is that? I’m sure you will do fine.

MAN: Well, this is my first time working in such a store. I really don’t know anything about home and garden stuff. I’m afraid I’m not very handy with tools or home repairs.

WOMAN: That’s okay. You’ll learn. I didn’t know the difference between a doorknob and a doornail until I started working here.

MAN: Yeah. But there is so much to learn. I’m afraid I’m going to spend more time pestering staff with questions than answering them. I guess I’m going to need to lean on my coworkers until I get up to speed.

WOMAN: Don’t worry about it. You like working with people and are willing to learn, right?

MAN: I do. Yes. That’s why I’m in school studying to become an engineer.

WOMAN: That’s even better. You like to solve problems too?

MAN: I do.

WOMAN: What field of engineering are you going into? Most people I know are studying computer engineering.

MAN: I’m interested in building things. That’s why I’ve decided to go into civil engineering. I am fascinated with how communities are planned, laid out, and built.

WOMAN: Then I think this job will be good for you.

MAN: Really?

WOMAN: I do. You’ll have a chance to learn about building materials since we do sell them.

MAN: I see. That sounds good.

WOMAN: So I think you’ll do fine working here. It will take some time to learn stuff, but don’t be afraid to ask questions.

MAN: Okay. I can do that.

WOMAN: Good. I think you will make a great addition to the sales staff here.

MAN: Thanks. I think you’re right.

WOMAN: You’re welcome. Now go help that customer over there.

Voice5:

MAN: Well, hello there, ma’am. Welcome Baytown Autos. How may I help you?

WOMAN: Hi. Yes. You can help me. I am looking to buy a new vehicle.

MAN: Great. We have a lot of great vehicles that are being offered at significant savings. Many are actually going for $500 off the sale price.

WOMAN: Well, that’s good to know. Now, if I trade in my current vehicle, will the savings on it also count?

MAN: Yes, ma’am. The value of your trade in, if accepted, will be included as well.

WOMAN: That’s good to know because I want the most for my money.

MAN: Doesn’t everyone? So what sort of vehicle are you looking for? We have all types, from small cars to large pickups and SUVs.

WOMAN: Well, I’m looking for a family car that has ample cargo space.

MAN: Well, there are several options. We have a full sized sedan, which can seat a maximum of six. That’s the Regal. It has a very large trunk, but you might also want to consider an SUV or a minivan.

WOMAN: Maybe, but those are more expensive than a car, aren’t they?

MAN: They can be, but of course, it depends on the car you choose as well. You could opt for a more expensive model with all the top features and that could be more than an SUV or minivan.

WOMAN: I see. I do have a budget. I’d like to keep my spending within it as much as I can.

MAN: I understand. Now, if you are looking to save money, another option might be a certified pre owned car?

WOMAN: Isn’t that the same as a used car? If so, I’m not interested.

MAN: Actually, no, they aren’t. As you know, a used car is sold as is and there’s no guarantee, but a certified pre owned car is one that has been certified as being in good condition and has an extended warranty. And finally, it usually has a very low number of kilometers driven. If you are looking to save a lot, then you might want to consider going that route. Would you like to see what we have?

WOMAN: You know, I think I’d like to bring this up with my husband. Thank you for your help.

MAN: You’re very welcome.

Voice6:

WOMAN: Operation Nanook was held from August 11 to August 25 by the Canadian Forces for the purpose of conducting mock emergency rescue operations for potential maritime disasters in the Northeastern Canadian Arctic waters.

Two Canadian Navy ships and two Air Force planes, a CC 138 Twin Otter and a CP 140 Aurora, took part in the exercises in Canada’s Arctic. The HMCS Toronto and the Canadian Coast Guard ship Pierre Radisson traveled along the Hudson Strait.

The operation extended to Davis Strait and Frobisher Bay during the annual Nanook operation. There have been 18 such humanitarian operations since 02/2002.

As more Arctic ice melts, the ships sail through uncharted waters. Emergency response times were tested for such potential disasters as oil spills or rescue operations such as responding to cruise ship emergencies.

General Walter Natenchuk, Canada’s chief of defense staff, the Honorable Peter MacKay, defense minister as well as minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Stephen Fletcher, member of parliament for Charles Wood Street.

James Assiniboia and, parliamentary secretary for health, flew to Iqaluit, Nunavut to officially launch the exercise on August 19 and observe the process.

In addition to the military exercises, Veterans Affairs Canada held a commemorative event aboard the HMCS Toronto to honor the fifty fifth anniversary of the ceasefire in Korea, the sixty fifth anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the start of the last one hundred days of the First World War.

The inaugural ceremonies were held during community day activities in the capital city of Iqaluit, followed by the public panel discussion held on Saturday. The Community Day ceremonies were organized by participants in Operation Nanook. The public ceremonies received neither Nunavut politicians nor Inuit leaders.

Video:

WOMAN: Hi, guys. Shall we get started?

MAN1: Sure, Joan. Skip, you’re the secretary. What business do we have pending?

MAN2: Well, Mike, let me see. Ah, yes. The upcoming play, Macbeth. There are actually several things we need to consider. There is a problem with the sets. We have the money, but so far, no one has come forth to volunteer to build them. We agreed to discuss how we can get people to volunteer for this.

WOMAN: That’s right. Especially since the play is scheduled for thirty days. We’re going to push it. Any ideas? Skip.

MAN2: What about the maintenance staff from the school?

WOMAN: No. We can’t have that. The school won’t allow that.

MAN1: I agree. What about parents?

WOMAN: What about getting a building contractor to volunteer? Would that be possible?

MAN2: I don’t think it’s possible. We’d have to call around. Plus, the monsoon season is over, so many of them are going to be busy now.

MAN1: Right. That might be difficult, But I believe my idea about the parents is good. We can go to the drama class this week, talk to the students and ask them to talk to their parents about volunteering to build the sets. I’m sure they would be willing. I know there are a lot of parents who are willing to get involved. I can count three right now, whom I can count on.

WOMAN: Oh, and who’s that?

MAN2: Right. Who, Mike?

MAN1: The three of us, beside us three, we could get a group of parents to pitch in. It shouldn’t be too difficult.

WOMAN: I think that’s a good idea, but you know, I do have a thought. Why can’t the students build the sets?

MAN1: I think they are busy with preparing for the midterms. I don’t think they would have the time.

WOMAN: I disagree. How many students are in the program?

MAN1: Around 60 students.

WOMAN: Right. And if they can spend even two hours a week building sets, they can get them done, and maybe a lot quicker too.

MAN1: I see your point and I like the idea.

MAN2: That’s not a bad idea, Joan. And I do think they should be involved in this. After all, the program is all about learning theater arts, isn’t it? And set building is part of that.

MAN1: Good point, Mike. But with midterms coming up Even with midterms, all we’re asking for is two hours a week. I’m sure mister Barrows, the head of the drama department can make up a schedule. The students will simply have to work around it. Besides, it would teach them time management skills as well. Sounds good.

WOMAN: Okay. We should meet with mister Barrows then. I suggest we meet with him on Monday.

MAN1: Yes.

MAN2: I agree.

b>Voice7:

MAN: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the United States Border Patrol and local officials from both sides are looking into tightening security at a Quebec library.

The library has been on the border of Canada and The US since it was built in 1904 by American sawmill owner Carlos Haskell and Canadian wife Martha Stewart Haskell for availability to both countries.

At Haskell Free Library and Opera House in Rock Island, Quebec, a black line diagonally runs across the center of the library to mark the international border. Both towns share the same water supply, sewer systems and emergency crews thus, they cross the border without going against the law.

In total, there are three streets that cross the border and there are cameras on both sides to monitor illegal activity, but that doesn’t tighten border security enough, officials say.

There’s been an increase in illegal activity, both North and South, in the last little while, said operations officer for the Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector, Mark Henry. There have been some significant cases.

This all fits into the larger, says Corporal Luc Bissett, a spokesman for the Royal Mound Police. I don’t think they’re aiming at people who go pick up groceries and come back. It’s people that want to use this in a bad way, says Corporal Luc Bisset, a spokesman for the Royal Mound Police.

To enter The US at Haskell Free Library and Opera House all one needs is to go to the library on Stansted Street, walk through the doors in the back of the building and they will have illegally entered Derby Line, Vermont, US to re enter, one merely goes to the library from Derby Line and, exits out on Stansted Street and, they will have officially returned back into Canada.

Lucas Black, a customs officer, says, if someone goes to see their neighbor across the street, they would be re entering The US. Anyone who comes from Stansted Street to Derby Line, to visit their neighbor, must report to customs or they could be sent to jail for illegally entering.

However, residents do not need to notify customs if they cross the border inside buildings. Currently, the front door is in Vermont and if Quebecers can’t enter through the front they would have to go through the back way.

If Americans want to park in the parking lot, they can’t because it is legally in Canada. A meeting will take place on June 19 at 7PM local time asking whether residents want to prevent people from crossing the border regularly or, in some cases, illegal crossings.

During a meeting last Thursday in Stansted, Quebec, Local Officials from both countries said border walls and fences will not be put up due to local residents’ concerns. They say there are other alternatives.