TEST 6

SECTION 1
Speaker 1 (00:00)
Part 1 You will hear a conversation between an Australian accommodation agent and an English woman who
wants to rent a property in Sydney. First you have some time to look at questions 1 -4.
Speaker 1 (00:39)
Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 -4. Hi Jessica, nice to meet you. Have a seat. Thanks. So, you're
looking to rent an apartment in Sydney. That's right. Like I said on the phone, I'm going to be working in a
bank here for the next year. Well, I've had a look around for you and there's one apartment I think might just
suit you.
Speaker 1 (01:05)
It's in central Sydney, not out in a suburb. OK. So what sort of apartment is it? Well, it's a studio. So basically
it's designed for a single person or a couple. You're looking at a total area of about 34 square metres. Right.
And then every two apartments in the building share a separate laundry. So that's almost as if you've got your
own. But it means that's not using up space in your apartment.
Speaker 1 (01:34)
And of course you don't have the noise of the machines. Is it a modern building? Sure. And the apartment's
nearly at the top of the building. I think it's on the 12th floor. No, the 14th. Oh, you must get a good view from
up there. Yeah. And the great thing about this apartment is that you look right out over the harbour. It's a
pretty awesome view. And the apartment's got huge windows, so you really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (02:01)
One thing I'd really like is a garden so I can sit outside. Does the apartment block have one? No, but your
apartment has a balcony, so there's room to sit out there. Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you
have some time to look at questions five to ten.
Speaker 1 (02:58)
Okay, well, it all sounds good.
Speaker 1 (03:01)
Now, does the apartment block have any special facilities for tenants, like a gym? Yeah, it does. That's on the
first floor and all residents have access to that free of charge. And if you like swimming, you've got an indoor
pool. Great. And one special feature of the building is it even has a couple of cinemas there on the So you can
even take in a movie without leaving the building. Of course, they're open to the public, but I think residents
get a reduction.
Speaker 1 (03:32)
Right. And what happens about parking? Is that underground? That's right. Do you have a car? Not yet, but I'll
probably need one, I suppose. I'm wanting to do a bit of travelling while I'm here. Well, one big plus of this
location is the fact that it's in an excellent situation as far as transport is concerned, so a lot of residents don't
bother to run a car. You can always hire one if you're planning a trip. You can save a lot of money that way.
Speaker 1 (04:02)
Yeah, that's not a bad idea. But talking of money, you haven't mentioned the rent yet. So from the description
of the property, I guess it might be quite expensive. I did say I didn't want anything above $600 a month.
Well, I'm going to surprise you because this comes in at $580. So you're within your budget there, and I have
to say, you're getting a bargain. Well, I'd have preferred to pay a bit less,
Speaker 1 (04:32)
but I suppose in this location... Yeah, and when you're looking at the rent, in a lot of places you have to add on
the cost of electricity, but in this case it's all included. So you're saving money that way. Right. Well, I'd
definitely be interested in the property. When's it available from? Well, the current tenant moves out on the
8th of August, so let's say it'll be free from the 13th. I'll need to get the cleaners in on either the 10th or the
11th.
Speaker 1 (05:01)
Right. And what's the address? It's number 220... That is the end of part one. You now have one minute to
check your answers to part one.
SECTION 2
Speaker 1 (00:00)
Now listen, carefully and answer questions, 11 to 16. Safety, driving Centre. Hello, hello. Can you give me
some information about driving lessons? Yes, there are two courses, one on Theory and one practical course.
And most people do the two courses simultaneously. The first part ofthe theory course consists of a series of
lessons,
Speaker 1 (00:33)
and you can do these either at the center in one of our classrooms or via the Internet, you work through the
material at your Own pace, but there's a tutor on hand to help whenever you need it. At the second stage, we
review what we've covered so far? We do this in the classroom, we don't deliver it online so you have to come
into the center at the end of this lesson, there's a test but this is just for practice,
Speaker 1 (01:02)
it's not a proper RTD test. If you're satisfied with your performance on this, you can go on to the next stage.
And if you're not you can go back to stage one and follow the lessons. Again, the third stage is the real test.
The one set and administered by the RTD. That's the road traffic department provided. You passed that test,
you then get your provisional driving licence
Speaker 1 (01:33)
which you need before, you can venture onto public highways. The Practical course, starts off here at the test
center and it consists of training and assessment on our specially designed circuit. This allows you to get
Driving Experience immediately. But in a safe environment at the next stage, you continue with training and
assessment, but on public highways, obviously,
Speaker 1 (02:01)
you can't do this until you've obtained, your provisional license to show that you've got some knowledge of
traffic regulations and road safety. Then when both you and your instructor, think you're ready, you do a trial
test. And if that goes well, you go straight on to do the official test run, by the RTD finally, provided that you're
successful in both parts of the course, the theory and the practice, you get your driving license, your then on
probation for a year.
Speaker 1 (02:35)
And as long as you don't have, problems in that time, your license will be endorsed for future use. Before you
hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions, 17 to 20
Speaker 1 (00:00)
now, listen and answer questions 17 to 20. Can you tell me how to enroll? Yes. It's quite easy for the theory.
Course, there's no need to book. And if you're going todo classroom based lessons, you can just turn up here
at the center and pay as you go, we run six sessions a day. And if you go to our website, you'll find the start
times for each session. If you don't have internet access,
Speaker 1 (00:32)
you can pick up a leaflet from the center here with that information, as for the classes themselves, all our
theory classes are run by experienced tutors and they're offered in anumber of different languages as well as
in English we deliver the content using PowerPoint but there's still a place for pen and paper tasks and we ask
you to bring your own stationery to the lessons. You choose the particular stage of the course that you want
each time.
Speaker 1 (01:02)
Some people attend more frequently than others and so they progress through the course at a faster rate.
What about enrolling on the Practical course? That's a bit more complicated and you do have to book in
advance but you can do that via our website or at the customer service desk here at the center or you can
book it. One of our self-service kiosks, you'll find them in some of the big stores in the city. So it's very
convenient whatever your situation is.
Speaker 1 (01:33)
You can attend between one and seven sessions a week so you can decide whether you want to do the course
intensively or spread it out more, some driving schools, allow you to drive your own car but for safety and
insurance reasons. We don't You can cancel lessons in the same way that you book them but in order to avoid
incurring a penalty, you have to do that at least 72 hours in advance of your appointment
Speaker 1 (02:04)
when you make a cancellation in less than the required period, you can try and transfer your session to
someone else. If another trainee, then agrees to take the session, over your payment, for the canceled session
can be credited back to your account. Otherwise we can't give a refund. For any reason and even a medical
certificate isn't accepted as grounds for granting one.
Speaker 1 (02:31)
That is the end of part 2. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part 2.
SECTION 3
Speaker 1 (00:00)
Part 3, you will hear a business study student called Edward talking to his tutor, about some research, he is
doing on product development. First, you have some time to look at questions, 21 to 25.
Speaker 1 (00:52)
Now listen, carefully and answer questions 21 to 25. Hello. Edward,
Speaker 1 (01:01)
sit down. Thanks, I need some advice on my presentation about product development, right? Have you
decided what to focus on? Yes, the product I've chosen is a particular type of mosquito net. Any reason, for
choosing that? Hmm, I spent last summer, traveling around Africa, with a friend, he's studying medicine. So
when we are in a region where mosquitoes cause malaria we visited a medical center, I chatted to an
administrator while my friend talked to the doctors
Speaker 1 (01:31)
and I found out they've had far, fewer cases of malaria since these mosquito Nets became available locally
that made me interested in them, hmm? Okay, mosquito nets have quite a long history. Don't they, I believe
they'd been used in Japan for centuries. That's right though. Apparently Queen Cleopatra. Slept under one in
ancient Egypt. That was probably where they were invented and much later. Nets were used in China. So
perhaps they were in vented their independently.
Speaker 1 (02:01)
Hmm, originally, they were made of silk but later cotton was used and nowadays, they're mainly synthetic. It
wasn't until the middle of the 20th century that they develop Nets, treated with insecticides for use by the
military. And that was amajor step forward. They used an insecticide called DDT but it was later found that this
could be harmful to people, as well as mosquitoes. Mmm, is that still a problem with modern net? Oh no, the
chemicals used nowadays. A safe even if people sleep under them every night
Speaker 1 (02:33)
and the Nets work and their odor free, but they have to be treated fairly often with thechemical, which the
owners need to do themselves. Mmm. Presumably distribution of the chemical, can be a problem in remote
areas. I mean, people may not be able toget hold of it easily. That's right. Mmm, okay, tell me about this net.
You're going to talk about. Well, the brand name is Ali set and the product was rented by a Japanese company.
Speaker 1 (03:01)
These nets are an improvement on the Alternatives because the insecticide is contained, inside the fiber, and
released gradually. It's not coated on the outside as with ordinary Nets. So the chemicals don't have to be
replaced, right? And Ali set Nets are also tougher and don't tear as easily. They give protection for at least five
years compared with a year or two for other Nets. Well, it sounds interesting, but for your seminar. Then
Tatian will you provide the bigger picture as well? Yes it'll be a case study of product development.
Speaker 1 (03:35)
before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions, 26 to 30
Speaker 1 (04:10)
Now, listen and answer questions, 26 to 30. I thought I'd introduce my presentation by describing the
background to the new product. The general context, you mean the business context where the Investments
coming from, and that sort of thing. Hmm, well I was thinking, I'd talk first about insect borne diseases,
Speaker 1 (04:34)
particularly malaria and why there's such an urgent need for new ways of fighting it. Some people might not
know much about it. Yes, that's agood idea. I've got some statistics about the numbers of people worldwide
who get the disease. Each year, I thought I'd show those. They quite staggering. I can imagine. It's one of the
world's biggest health problems after all. It would also be useful if you could find some statistical information
on how malaria effects country's
Speaker 1 (05:03)
economic output and present that to okay, I'm sure I can find something after that. I'll talk about mosquito
Nets. First, the historical development just briefly and then I'll introduce the Ali set. No net. Yes, keep it
simple. You could just present a bulleted list of its characteristics. The things that make it different from other
types of net and talk that through, right then, I thought I'd outline the production process
Speaker 1 (05:31) fine. Should I give some information about where the money for the project has come
from? There are lots of government and private sponsors. Hmm, definitely. That's avery important aspect of
any product development. Where are the Nets being manufactured? By the way, over here. For made in
Tanzania by a company called A to Z. They got an interest free loan to buy in the necessary Machinery. Well I'd
say abit about the company profile as well and then present figures about numbers of staff
Speaker 1 (06:01)
and the kinds of people are employing on the illicit project if you can find the details. Okay? I haven't included
any information about marketing, I've got a lot of notes about it, but I'm not sure how to present them. I
wouldn't mention that if I were you You've only got a short time for your presentation, and you've got quite a
lot of material here already, but you should provide some figures about output. Have you found out from the
company's website, Harmony Nets, they actually produce. Yes, it's over 30 million a year.
Speaker 1 (06:32)
All right, then I'm not sure how to finish off. What do you think about including something on potentially? That
is the end of part 3. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part 3.
SECTION 4
Speaker 1 (00:00)
Part 4, you will hear a student giving a presentation about houses which are built underground. First, you have
some time to look at questions, 31 to 40,
Speaker 1 (01:05) Now listen, carefully and answer questions, 31 to 40. For my presentation on ecological
environmental planning, I have chosen to talk about how underground housing or Earth sheltered housing. As
it's more commonly known can meet the demands of ecological environmental planning, both in terms of
building and energy resources, and in terms of sensitivity to the landscape.
Speaker 1 (01:32)
Perhaps the greatest Merit of this building technique is the low impact. It has on the environment since
houses built underground. Can hardly be seen from the surface? If Earth sheltered homes are perfect for
environmentally sensitive sites, they are also remarkably efficient when it comes to energy use this is because
this kind of housing makes greater use of alternative Technologies to improve Energy Efficiency.
Speaker 1 (02:01)
As I shall explain in more detail later. Many Earth, sheltered housing projects, use natural non-toxic resources
for building materials such as round earth, which are surprisingly durable. Some of these houses have a
predicted lifespan of 500 years or more. The Extra Protection offered by this type of housing means less
exposure to the elements which keeps maintenance to a minimum
Speaker 1 (02:32)
as there aren't any outside walls to paint or gutters to clear, for example, living on the ground, also brings the
advantage of a quieter environment, eliminating disturbances caused by traffic, an enormous problem these
days. And one of the most common reasons for people to consider moving home, and lastly despite the
misconception that underground houses must be very damp Earth, sheltered housing offers significant Health
advantages
Speaker 1 (03:04)
The sophistication of the ventilation systems installed, an earth, sheltered houses, brings enormous benefits
to people suffering from asthma and other chest conditions. I'd like now to turn to the situation in the UK
where despite all the obvious advantages, Earth, sheltered housing still isn't a popular option for most
homeowners. As the statistics prove
Speaker 1 (03:33)
the British Earth. Sheltering Association says that people shouldn't be put off by fears of too much. Red tape
as it is getting easier to get planning permission. There is quite a lot of evidence that Building Development
officers are more sympathetic to Earth sheltered projects, especially in conservation areas. Special
consideration has been given to several underground homes on sites. Where conventional development
would not normally be allowed
Speaker 1 (04:02)
and there are hopes that one day Britain's Coastline will no longer be dominated by mobile homes. And
instead the job of providing this type of accommodation will be done by Earth sheltered housing. I'd like to
finish by looking at two quite different projects, mole Manner and the ha curtain project. When it was first
built mole, Manor, generated International media interest
Speaker 1 (04:31)
and was voted one of the 12. Most desirable places to live in the world in a national newspaper Pole. Ha
curtain also attracted wide publicity winning several awards for its innovative environmental design. As is the
case for all Earth sheltered homes, running costs at Moore, Manor are substantially lower than for
conventional homes because of its effective insulation. It's heating bills are approximately 75 percent lower
than for conventional houses.
Speaker 1 (05:03)
However at ha curtain, solar energy, wind power and Rain are used to generate enough warmth electricity for
light and cooking and water for washing and drinking for all the Heads of the five families who lived there,
their aim of living, a holistic lifestyle in harmony with the environment has been realized. Akhaten also proves
that Earth sheltered houses can be built on a modest budget.
Speaker 1 (05:32)
Each of the families, contributed 80,000 pounds, the cost of an average family house in this area. Style rather
than cost was more of an issue in the design of mole manner, the homely terrorists cottage style at ha curtain
contrasts with the Grandeur and space of mole manner, which today is worth over 800,000 pounds. What
projects like mole Manner and höckert and demonstrate
Speaker 1 (06:01)
is that Earth. Sheltered housing can provide comfortable stylish, eco-friendly homes for a diverse range of
needs. The combination of architecture, really sensitive designs with new energy saving technology, satisfies
all the criteria for ecological environmental planning. That is the end of part for you. Now have 45 seconds to
check your answers to part 4.