ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

THE JUMBO HOSTEL

You are going to listen to a report about a new hostel: albergue

hostel. Listen and choose the correct answer. flight attendant: auxiliar de vuelo
(8 x 1 = 8 points) convenient: práctico/a, cómodo/a
honeymoon: nupcial
cockpit: cabina del piloto
fit in: poner, colocar
1 The plane … . 5 You can get into Stockholm from the airport
a. hasn’t flown since 1976 ….
b. has got new seats a. in a few minutes
c. is now a place for guests to stay b. for free
d. is leaving Sweden c. by train or bus
d. only by bus
2 When describing the hostel, Tom does NOT
mention … . 6 What makes the honeymoon suite special?
a. clothes a. its size
b. furniture b. its location
c. food c. its bed
d. windows d. its colour
3 Tom didn’t like … . 7 Guests at the hostel cannot … .
a. the size of the room a. get married on the plane
b. the bed b. use the Internet
c. sharing a bathroom c. walk on the wing
d. the café d. walk to the terminal
4 Tom recommends the hostel for people who 8 Melanie’s only complaint is about … .
…. a. the bus service
a. are afraid of flying b. the breakfast
b. need to get to the terminal c. the evening meal
c. want to see Stockholm d. the workers
d. want to save money

1
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

The Jumbo Hostel

Nigel: Hi, this is Nigel Jameson for Radio 9, reporting from Arlanda airport in Stockholm, Sweden. I’m
standing outside, next to a plane – it’s a Boeing 747. But this plane isn’t flying anywhere. It’s
now a hostel, called the Jumbo Hostel. The owners bought the plane, which was built in 1976,
and they’ve taken out all the seats and instead they’ve put in bedrooms and bathrooms. Pretty
amazing, eh? I’d like to get an idea of what it’s like to stay at this hostel, so I’m going to catch
one of the guests as they leave ... excuse me, sir! I’m from Radio 9 in London. And you are ... ?
Tom: I’m Tom – Tom Easton.
Nigel: Tom, I see you’re leaving the Jumbo Hostel now. Would you mind telling us – how was it?
Tom: Oh, it was a lot of fun. I especially liked the style – they tried to keep the atmosphere of the
plane. Like the people who work there – they all wear flight attendants’ uniforms! And in the
café – they used real seats from the plane.
Nigel: And what about your room?
Tom: The windows in the room are the actual windows of the plane! The bed was quite comfortable,
and there was a TV and a cupboard. But the room was a bit too small for me.
Nigel: And the bathroom?
Tom: Well, this is a hostel, so most of the rooms don’t have private bathrooms or showers. But the
shared bathrooms were very clean, so it didn’t bother me.
Nigel: So would you recommend the Jumbo Hostel?
Tom: Yes, it’s a great experience! And it’s so convenient. You get a free bus to the terminal and
you’re there in three minutes. You don’t have to worry about getting in from the centre of
Stockholm in time to catch your flight. But if you’re touring Stockholm, it’s probably better to stay
in town rather than here. It takes around half an hour to get to the city from here and the buses
and trains are expensive.
Nigel: Well, thanks very much and have a good flight!
Tom: My pleasure!
Nigel: Oh, here’s someone else – a couple. Excuse me, I’m Nigel Jameson from Radio 9. Can I ask
you a few questions?
Melanie: Oh, OK ... sure.
Nigel: You are ... ?
Melanie: Melanie and Charles Hopkins.
Nigel: How did you like staying at the Jumbo Hostel?
Melanie: We stayed in the honeymoon suite, and it was just fantastic! It’s built in the cockpit of the plane
– the place where the pilot sits. They still have all the pilot’s instruments there, and there’s just
enough space to fit in a double bed! It’s the only room with a private bathroom, too.
Nigel: According to what I’ve heard, the hostel actually offers weddings where the couple get married
on the wing of the plane! May I ask – did you do that?
Melanie: No, but we did go out onto the left wing, sit with a cup of coffee, and watch the planes taking off.
Nigel: So all in all, you enjoyed your stay.
Charles: Yes, it was great fun. The workers were very friendly, the service was fantastic, and it was
clean. You can’t walk to the terminal although it’s very close, but there’s a free bus. There’s also
free wireless Internet everywhere on the plane. Oh, and by the way, the price includes
breakfast.
Nigel: And was the breakfast good?
Charles: It was quite simple, but just fine really.
Melanie: The only problem was that when we arrived in the evening, we were hungry, and you can’t get
dinner at the hostel. You have to go and catch the bus into the airport.
Nigel: Well, thanks so much for your time.
Melanie: No problem.
Answers: 1. c 2. c 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. b 7. d 8. c

2
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING
THE IDITAROD RACE
You are going to listen to a description of an
unusual race. Listen and choose the correct
answer. (8 x 1 = 8 points)
1 The Iditarod takes place … .
a. on Saturday, 1st March
b. on 1st March
c. every March
d. every January
2 Which statement is true about the 6
Iditarod?
a. Celebrities often participate.
b. The participants are from Nome.
c. People from Nome came up with the
idea.
d. Winners earn thousands of dollars in
prizes.
3 Why did Dr Welch panic? 7 How did Kaasen lose his way?
a. He didn’t know how to cure
diphtheria.
b. There was no diphtheria medicine in
Nome.
c. He knew he was becoming sick with
diphtheria. 8 Why were some drivers unhappy after the race
d. He had never treated diphtheria
before.
4 Why was the medicine sent to Nome by
dogsled?
a. It was the only form of transport
available.
b. Other forms of transport were too
slow.
c. Other forms of transport were too
expensive.
d. The dogsled drivers knew the way.
endurance: resistencia
race against time: carrera contrarreloj
sled: trineo
drop: bajar, descender
path: camino
put up: poner, colocar, levantar
5 According to Martin, dogsled drivers never … .
a. travel alone
b. travel at night
c. do trips of more than two days
d. travel in temperatures over -50˚C
Americans heard about the emergency in Nome
because … .
a. Dr Welch broadcast the emergency on the
radio
b. it was reported by the media
c. Bill Shannon told the newspapers
d. the number of people with diphtheria kept
growing
a. He couldn’t see the path.
b. He didn’t know which path to take.
c. It was his first trip to Nome.
d. He was a new driver.
to Nome?
a. They didn’t get much attention.
b. They wanted a statue of themselves.
c. They didn’t believe that Balto deserved to
be a star.
d. They thought Kaasen didn’t deserve any
attention.
3
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

The Iditarod Race

Jackie: I’m Jackie Hill and this is Sportsweek. I’m talking to you today from Anchorage, Alaska at the start of the
annual Iditarod race. With me is Martin White. Martin lives in the town and is an expert on the history
of the Iditarod. Nice to meet you, Martin.
Martin: Thank you, Jackie.
Jackie: Martin, you have a special connection to the Iditarod, haven’t you?
Martin: Yes. My grandfather took part in the very first Iditarod, my father participated and so did I. The Iditarod
is a family tradition.
Jackie: Can you tell us more about the Iditarod race?
Martin: Certainly. The Iditarod is an annual race for dog teams and their drivers across Alaska. It always begins
on the first Saturday in March. Today it’s a very competitive race. Participants compete for prizes worth
thousands of dollars and the winners become celebrities. The race is dangerous and is a real test of
endurance for the drivers and their dogs. The Iditarod began in 1973 to remember another race, a race
against time to save the people of the town of Nome.
Jackie: Tell us that story.
Martin: Sure. It was January 1925 and Dr Curtis Welch was beginning to panic. Four children in Nome had died
of diphtheria and another was very sick in hospital. Dr Welch needed diphtheria medicine and he
needed it fast. He sent a telegram to a doctor in Anchorage, the capital of Alaska. There was medicine in
Anchorage, but Nome was 1,600 miles away. How could the medicine get to Nome? Ships couldn’t
travel on the frozen sea between Anchorage and Nome. Planes couldn’t fly in winter weather. There
was a train, but it only went as far as the town of Nenana, 1,100 kilometres from Nome. The only way to
get the medicine from Nenana to Nome was by using dogs and sleds. Twenty dogsled drivers
volunteered to help. The journey from Nenana to Nome usually took 30 days, but they knew they had to
do it faster than that.
Jackie: So what happened next?
Martin: The first driver, Bill Shannon, was waiting at the train station when the medicine arrived. With his team
of nine dogs, he started the journey to the next town. It usually took two days, but Bill knew that was
too long. Usually, dogsled drivers only travel during the day, because it’s too cold at night. That night
temperatures dropped to -52ºC, but Bill and his dogs travelled through the night.
Jackie: I can’t imagine those kinds of temperatures.
Martin: Most people can’t! Meantime, the number of people with diphtheria was growing. Newspapers and
radio reported on the situation in Nome. People all over America knew about the emergency. The last
driver was Gunnar Kaasen. He started his journey 85 kilometres from Nome. Soon after he left, there
was a terrible storm and temperatures dropped even further. The path was covered by snow and
Kaasen lost his way. He had no idea which way to go and he felt his body beginning to freeze. Suddenly
his main dog, Balto, began to run. He’d found the path! At 5.30 am on February 2, 1925, the medicine
arrived in Nome.
Jackie: Amazing – the men and the dogs were heroes.
Martin: They certainly were, but it was Balto and Kaasen that got all the attention afterwards. Balto became a
star: Some of the other drivers weren’t too happy about that! They felt that they and their dogs were
being ignored. Later that same year, a statue of Balto was put up in New York’s Central Park, and in
1995 Steven Spielberg even made a movie about him.
Jackie: Thank you, Martin. Next, we’ll be talking to one of the participants in this year’s race.
Answers: 1. c 2. d 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. b 7. a 8. a

4
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ROBOT COMPETITION

You are going to hear about a robot competition. Listen and complete the sentences.
(10 x 1 = 10 points)
1. The International Youth Robot Competition is now taking place for
the …………………… time.

2. This year, the competition is being held in …………………… .

3. The teams do not get any …………………… .

4. In the second round, the teams cannot build …………………… robot.

5. Only teams that win the …………………… can go overseas.

6. In the competition, both technical knowledge and ……………………

are important.

7. Being a good team member requires being able to work …………………… .

8. At first, Jenny …………………… being in the competition.

9. Jenny’s team spent too much time on the …………………… .

10. Last year, Jenny’s team won …………………… .

The International Youth Robot Competition

Peter: And now for the last item on Technology Today, it’s over to our reporter Adam Jones at the Birmingham
Stadium. Can you hear me, Adam?
Adam: Yes, Peter.
Peter: What’s going on over there?
Adam: We’re waiting for the first round of the International Youth Robot Competition, or the IYR, to start. This is
the third year the IYR has been held. Last year’s competition took place in Paris and this year it’s being
held right here in Birmingham, England.
Peter: It’s very noisy in the stadium.
Adam: Yes, the atmosphere here is what you would expect at a football match, not a science competition!
Friends, parents and teachers of the teams have come to encourage the participants. There’s a lot of
cheering and singing going on! Now I’m going to talk to Jenny, who was in the winning team last year, to
find out more about the competition. Jenny, tell us about the IYR.
Jenny: Well, the IYR is an international robotics competition for secondary-school students. Each team is given a
box of identical equipment containing motors, batteries and a control system – but no instructions! Last
year we were given a specific problem and six weeks to build a robot to solve the problem. After
demonstrating our robots, ten teams were chosen to go on to the second round. In the second round, we
were given another task for our robot to perform. Remember, we’d already built our robots. We weren’t
allowed to build a new robot, only improve the one we’d already built. That was really challenging.

5
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

Adam: Why was that?

Jenny: We had three weeks to get ready, but it was very difficult to make our robot perform the new task. It
would have been easier to build a new robot from scratch!
Adam: How did you get to be in the national team?
Jenny: It wasn’t easy. There were competitions all year. The first stage of the competition takes place between
different schools. The winners then participate in city and national competitions. It’s the winners of the
national competition that go overseas to represent their country.
Adam: So it must be important to know how to work as part of a team.
Jenny: That’s right. It’s not only technical knowledge, like maths and physics, that’s important but also teamwork,
so the judges give points for our ability to work together. We have to understand the strengths and
weaknesses of the team members, which means we have to get to know each other well.
Adam: What else makes a good team member?
Jenny: You definitely need to be able to work well under pressure.
Adam: You obviously enjoyed participating in the IYR.
Jenny: Not at first. It was a lot of work and very stressful, but after a while I began to relax and enjoy myself. It
gives you an incredible sense of satisfaction when you can point to a robot and say,
“I made that.”
Adam: Last year wasn’t the first time you participated in the robotics competition, was it?
Jenny: No, it wasn’t. I participated two years ago but my team didn’t do very well.
Adam: Why was that?
Jenny: We spent too long on the design – two weeks. That left us very little time to build the robot. After that
experience, I encouraged my team to spend less time on the design and to actually build the robot. That
way we could see what didn’t work and still have time to fix it.
Adam: It obviously worked because your team won first prize. Ah, it looks like this year’s competition is about to
start …

Answers:

1. third 4. a new 7. under pressure 9. design

2. Birmingham, England 5. national competition 8. didn’t like / enjoy 10. first prize

3. instructions 6. teamwork

6
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

UNUSUAL WEDDINGS

You are going to hear a radio programme about
unusual weddings. Listen and choose the correct
answer. (8 x 1 = 8 points)
outer space: espacio exterior
the next best thing: la mejor alternativa
dive: bajar en picado
roller coaster: montaña rusa
upside-down: bocabajo, al revés
fancy: lujoso/a

1 The New York couple were married … . 5 The Mount Everest wedding was short
a. in outer space because … .

b. on a plane a. people were hungry

c. on a roller coaster b. the physical conditions were difficult
d. while parachuting c. there were not enough oxygen masks
d. people were tired from the climb
2 There were not many guests at the ceremony
because … . 6 The couple’s parents … .
a. they were afraid to come a. planned the wedding
b. it was too expensive b. tried to stop the wedding
c. there was no room c. were pleased about the wedding
d. the couple didn’t have many friends d. were angry about the wedding

3 The ceremony was conducted by … . 7 In Hong Kong, … .

a. a family member a. fewer couples are getting married
b. an astronaut b. expensive weddings start at $1,280
c. a pilot c. there is social pressure on young couples to
d. someone who had flown to outer space get married
d. fancy formal weddings are popular
4 The Nepalese couple … .
a. were not sure if their plan would succeed 8 Unexpected McWedding guests are … .
b. told everyone about their plan a. friends
c. changed their plan at the last minute b. workers
d. hadn’t planned to get married c. customers
d. musicians

7
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

Unusual Weddings
Fiona: Hi, this is Fiona Brooks on What’s Up? Lots of couples today want their weddings to be unique. They don’t
want a typical wedding in a church or a garden. I’m sure many of you have already heard about people
getting married underwater, or parachuting from a plane, so wedding planner Ian Wallace is here to tell us
about some even stranger wedding ideas. Ian, glad to have you with us. So, what out-of-the-ordinary
weddings can you tell us about today?
Ian: Well, I think the most amazing thing I’ve seen is a couple from New York. They’re both space fanatics and
they wanted a wedding in outer space. They didn’t have the money for that, so they did the next best thing.
They had the ceremony in a plane that simulates the zero gravity of outer space. This plane flies up and
then suddenly dives down very fast, like a roller coaster. Each time it comes down, you feel like you don’t
weigh anything.
Fiona: That sounds frightening!
Ian: Yes, frightening and expensive. There were only 12 guests, because they couldn’t pay for more – each
guest’s ticket cost over £3,000! By the way, the bride wore trousers under her dress because she knew
she’d be upside-down part of the time.
Fiona: That was clever! So who did they find to conduct this unusual wedding ceremony?
Ian: They got Richard Garriott, the man who travelled to the International Space Station as a tourist. Obviously,
he had no problem being in zero gravity! Now, the next wedding I want to tell you about is also very high
up, though not in outer space. A couple in Nepal got married on top of Mount Everest. They were part of a
climbing expedition, and it was a complete surprise for the other climbers – the couple hadn’t told anyone
they were planning to do it because they had no idea if they were really going to get to the top. Even their
parents didn’t know!
Fiona: Mount Everest? Are they professional mountain climbers?
Ian: Yes, they live in a village near Everest and they work as mountain climbing guides. The whole ceremony was
only ten minutes long. They couldn’t stay any longer because it was too cold and there wasn’t enough air –
people had to wear oxygen masks up there. Of course, there was no music and no champagne!
Fiona: So what did their parents say when they found out?
Ian: Surprisingly, they were happy. I say surprisingly because Nepal is a country where most marriages are still
planned by the parents.
Fiona: So Ian, any other unusual weddings to tell us about?
Ian: Yes. You know, in Hong Kong there’s a lot of social pressure on young couples and their families to have a
fancy formal wedding. They have to save money for years, or borrow the money. But now there’s a
solution: weddings at McDonald’s – they’re called McWeddings – starting at only $1,280!
Fiona: But who would want to get married at McDonald’s?
Ian: Well, you’d be surprised. McDonald’s is a very popular place to socialise in Hong Kong – a lot of people go
on dates there.
Fiona: What does the wedding price include?
Ian: McDonald’s food for up to 50 guests, invitations, decorations, toys and music through the speaker system.
The workers dress in formal black and meet the guests at the entrance. No alcohol is served at McDonald’s,
so guests drink milkshakes instead! And the restaurant isn’t closed to the public during a wedding, so
couples must plan on having unexpected guests who come in for a burger.
Fiona: It actually sounds like fun!
Ian: Yes, it does.
Fiona: Well, people certainly have some creative ideas when it comes to weddings. Thanks for being here, Ian.
Ian: It’s been great, Fiona!
Answers: 1. b 2. b 3. d 4. a 5. b 6. c 7. d 8. c

8
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

THROW IT OUT!

You are going to hear a programme about why many junk: trastos
people find it difficult to throw things away. Listen and gadget: aparato
choose the correct answer. (8 x 1 = 8 points)
Do-It-Yourself: bricolaje
cluttered: atestado/a, repleto/a (de cosas)
work out: entender, averiguar
take up: ocupar, llenar

1 The weekly programme Why Do We Do That? is 5 Why doesn’t Jack fix his broken chairs?
about … . a. He needs to buy the right tools.
a. human behaviour b. He doesn’t know how to fix them.
b. cluttered homes c. He doesn’t have time.
c. bad habits d. He’s bought new chairs.
d. buying habits
6 According to Dr Bradshaw, the most difficult
2 Jack’s wife hopes Dr Bradshaw will … . items to get rid of are … .
a. explain why Jack won’t throw things out a. those that we believe we’ll use one day
b. encourage Jack to get rid of his junk b. items from our childhood
c. explain why she and Jack had arguments in c. items that were expensive
the past d. items that remind us of special places we’ve
d. encourage listeners to get rid of their clutter been

3 According to Dr Bradshaw, one of the main 7 Most people are surprised to hear that a cluttered
reasons we buy too much is … . house is … .
a. adverts convince us it will make us happier a. stressful
b. we enjoy getting a bargain b. tiring
c. we enjoy spending money c. expensive
d. adverts convince us we need electrical d. dirty
gadgets
8 Dr Bradshaw suggests taking photos of items
4 Why doesn’t Jack get rid of his bread-maker? that … .
a. He wants to fix it first. a. are difficult to throw out
b. He thinks it will help him save money. b. take up space
c. He thinks he’ll still use it. c. bring back good memories
d. It cost a lot of money. d. might be useful one day

9
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

Throw It Out!
Jack: I’m Jack Patterson and you’re listening to Why Do We Do That? the show where we try to understand
why we behave the way we do. Last week, we looked at why people find it so difficult to change bad
habits. With me today is Dr Alice Bradshaw. Dr Bradshaw is a psychologist who studies our relationship
with our possessions, the things we own. Her book You Don’t Really Need It has become a bestseller.
Welcome to the show, Dr Bradshaw.
Alice: Thank you, Jack.
Jack: I loved the title of your book. That’s exactly what my wife says to me. She thinks I have too much junk
and she’s always telling me to get rid of it. To be honest, it’s been the cause of quite a few arguments
between us in the past. She was excited you were coming on the show. I know she’s hoping you’ll be a
good influence on me.
Alice: I talk about that in my book: the stress too many possessions can cause in our relationships.
Jack: How do we end up with so many things?
Alice: Often, it’s because we simply buy too much. There are many reasons for this, but advertising plays a
major part. Adverts tell us that if we buy the latest mobile phone, fashion item or electrical gadget we’ll
be happier, more popular and have an easier life. But it doesn’t take long before our new possession is
forgotten or replaced by something better, faster or newer. It’s a never-ending cycle. And when we’ve
paid money for something, it seems a waste to throw it away, so we keep it.
Jack: Like that expensive bread-maker I bought. I planned to use it every day – I really thought that it would
help me save money. I used it a couple of times, but it’s just sitting in my cupboard now.
Alice: Exactly! Another reason we keep things is that we think they may be useful in the future. My father has
a Do-It-Yourself book that he bought 30 years ago. He’s never used it, but he won’t throw it out because
he might need to fix something one day. And then there are the broken things that we keep because
“one day”, we’re going to fix them.
Jack: Mmm, like those broken chairs in our house. I’ve been meaning to fix them for ages – I bought the tools
and everything, but I never seem to find the time.
Alice: That’s another good example! It’s also especially difficult to get rid of things that have sentimental
meaning, like your old teddy bear or a gift that your best friend gave you when you were children. It’s
not wrong to keep a few things that have special meaning to you or remind you of a special person, but
people don’t realise that keeping too much stuff has a price. You have to clean it, store it and look after
it. All that takes time and energy. Another point that most people don’t realise is that we waste money
when our homes are cluttered. People usually think they’re saving money by keeping things, when in
fact the opposite is often true.
Jack: Can you explain that?
Alice: Well, when we have too much stuff, we can’t find the things we do need. You go out and buy more
batteries, for example, because you can’t find the ones you have.
Jack: So, do you have any tips for us? How can we clean out our stuff and get rid of the things we don’t need?
Alice: Well, first of all, you need to work out why you’re keeping certain things. If you keep lots of things for
sentimental reasons, here’s a simple solution that helps many people – take photos of the items you
find hard to throw out. That way you’ll still have your memories, but they won’t be taking up space in
your house!
Jack: Good idea. We’ll be back with more ideas on how to clean out your junk after the break.
Answers: 1. a 2. b 3. a 4. d 5. c 6. b 7. c 8. a

10
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

A VARIETY OF CONVERSATIONS

You are going to hear people talking in eight different situations.

Listen and choose the correct answer. (8 x 1 = 8 points)

1 You hear a boy and a girl discussing a film. What 5 You hear a man talking about his first trip abroad.

was the girl’s problem? What does he say about it?

a. The actors didn’t speak clearly. a. He planned everything for the group.

b. She thought the film would be funnier. b. Nothing went wrong.

c. The boy was laughing too loudly. c. It was a success in the end.

2 You hear a film director talking on the radio. What 6 You hear a conversation on a TV talk show. When

does he say about making comedies? will the woman probably return to her career?

a. You need a sense of humour to direct them. a. in a couple of years

b. It is more difficult than telling jokes. b. in the distant future

c. It can teach you valuable lessons about c. never

childhood.
7 You hear a conversation between two people who

3 You hear a man and a woman discussing a film. meet by chance. What is the relationship between

How does the man feel about the conversation? them?

a. upset a. They used to date.

b. excited b. The woman was the man’s boss.

c. confused c. They used to work together.

4 You hear two young people planning a camping 8 Larry and a friend are discussing capoeira. How

trip. What is the girl NOT taking care of? does Larry feel about learning capoeira?

a. booking the campsite in advance a. It takes up too much of his time.

b. organising the food and equipment b. He is improving quickly.

c. arranging for a suitable meeting place c. He is having trouble learning the techniques.

11
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

A Variety of Conversations

1
Boy: This was a wonderful evening. I thought that was a great film, didn’t you? Weren’t the
actors brilliant?
Girl: Yeah, they were great. I like comedies and this one had some really funny parts.
Boy: It certainly did! I couldn’t stop laughing! At one point, I laughed so much I had tears in my eyes.
Girl: I know … I could hardly hear what the actors were saying because you were making so much noise!
2
Ever since I was a child, I’ve enjoyed making people laugh. I was always the funny kid in class and at home I used to
love telling jokes at the dinner table and getting everyone to laugh. And when I became a film director, I was sure
that it would be easy to make audiences laugh – all I would need was a few good jokes. Well, my first comedy was
terrible, but it taught me a valuable lesson – there’s a lot more to directing a good comedy than telling a few funny
stories.

3
Man: Have you seen that new film with Jenna Frank?
Woman: I saw it Saturday. I thought the story was a bit confusing – but what a great ending. Who would have
thought that the policeman was the murderer?
Man: Oh, no! I can’t believe you just told me the ending! There’s no point in me seeing it now.
Woman: Oops. Sorry. I thought you’d already seen it.
4
Boy: How are the plans going, Audrey? Tom called me yesterday and he still doesn’t know where we’re
meeting. I thought you were taking care of that.
Girl: I’ve been so busy with other things I forgot to call him!
Boy: Ok, I’ll do it.
Girl: Great. Have you booked a place at the campsite yet?
Boy: I did that two weeks ago. What about the equipment? I gave you that list of food and other things we
need to take, didn’t I?
Girl: Yeah, and I’ve got most of it organised, but there are still a few things I’ve got to buy.
Boy: Well, then. All we have to worry about is the weather!
5
I’ll never forget the first time I went abroad – it was with a couple of school friends. We spent months planning the
trip – we used to meet at least twice a week and discuss where to go, what youth hostels to stay in, how much
money to spend. It really seemed like nothing could go wrong. And then, the moment we arrived at the hostel in
Rome, we had a huge fight and decided to each go our own way. So there I was, alone in Rome feeling very sorry for
myself. But that’s when I met Sandy and we had a great time together.

6
Jack: And now here’s a name we haven’t heard for quite some time. Please welcome Alice Murphy!
It’s lovely to have you with us, Alice.
Alice: Thank you, Jack. It’s lovely to be on your show again.
Jack: So, tell us, where have you been hiding, Alice?
Alice: Well, I’ve been spending most of my time with my husband and my baby, Josh.
Jack: Do you have any plans to return to acting?
Alice: Well, you never know, but I have to say that at the moment my family is the most important thing.
I must admit, I do miss my career and I’m sure that one day I’ll go back to it. However, I don’t think it will
be in the near future.

12
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

Jack: Alice Murphy – thank you very much.

7
Woman: Amazing to see you here. It must be five or six years since we last saw each other. It was at your goodbye
party, I think.
Man: That’s right. We had great times together, didn’t we?
Woman: We certainly did. Poor Mr Bradley, he was so upset when you left – he always said you were the best
worker he’d ever had and that your leaving was a disaster for the company.
Man: Really? I have to say that I was very sad to leave and looking back, it was probably a mistake. Anyway,
what are you doing now?

8
Girl: So, Larry, how do you like capoeira?
Larry: It’s fantastic. I really enjoy doing it, and I think I’m getting good at it as well. I can hardly believe the jumps
and turns I do now!
Girl: Really? But you’ve only just begun, haven’t you?
Larry: Yes, but I train nearly every day.
Girl: Wow! It sounds great. You know, I’d love to learn how to do capoeira too, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t have
enough time left for schoolwork.
Larry: Well, if you want to get the techniques right, you’ve got to spend plenty of time practising them.

Answers: 1. c 2. b 3. a 4. a 5. c 6. b 7. c 8. b

13
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN VOICE

You are going to listen to a radio programme about overnight: de la noche a la mañana
a man named Ted Williams. Listen and choose
the correct answer. (8 x 1 = 8 points) messy: desordenado/a, despeinado/a

gift: don

radio announcer: locutor/a de radio

media: medios de comunicación

stay off: mantenerse alejado/a de

1 The news reporter noticed Ted while he was … . 5 The Second Chance Foundation is … .

a. singing a. a charity

b. asking for money b. a new reality TV show

c. writing a sign c. an advert

d. sleeping on the street d. a news programme

2 The interview with Ted was recorded … . 6 Ted is selling things on eBay … .

a. in advance a. to pay for a home

b. by a radio announcer b. for people to use

c. outside c. to help others

d. in a studio d. as a joke

3 The reporter … . 7 Ted became homeless because … .

a. surprised Ted a. he was uneducated

b. shocked Ted b. no one would give him a job

c. wasn’t impressed by Ted c. he drank and used drugs

d. was surprised by Ted d. he went to prison

4 Ted became famous after people … . 8 After becoming famous, Ted … .

a. read about him in the newspaper a. saw his relatives

b. saw him on the Internet b. stopped drinking

c. heard his voice on the radio c. started using drugs again

d. saw him on TV d. didn’t want to work

14
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

The Man with the Golden Voice

Joe: Hi and welcome to Life Stories, with Sara Bernard and Joe Farber. Today we’re going to talk about
someone you may have heard of – Ted Williams, the homeless American man who became famous
overnight because of his wonderful voice. Sara, you’ve looked into his story. What did you find out?
Sara: It all started last January. A newspaper reporter was driving along and saw Ted standing on a street
corner asking for money. At first the reporter thought this thin man with long, messy hair was just
another homeless person. But then he saw the sign that the man was holding. It was a handwritten sign
and it said something like: “I have a God-given gift – my voice. I used to be a radio announcer, but now
I’m having a hard time. Please help me.”
Joe: So the reporter probably thought, now here’s an interesting story. Maybe I’ll interview this guy.
Sara: That’s right! He stopped his car, took out his video camera and said, “OK, sir, if you’ve got such a great
voice, let’s hear it!” The homeless man, Ted Williams, started improvising a radio advert – and the
reporter got a real shock. Ted’s voice really was amazing – very deep and smooth – and he actually
spoke like a professional radio announcer. So the reporter posted his video on the newspaper’s website,
and soon it was on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Within one day, Ted was getting hundreds of offers
of help from all over the country! People wanted to give him money, someone wanted to give him a suit
to wear … and he had so many job offers, he didn’t know what to choose!
Joe: It’s another case of becoming an instant celebrity.
Sara: Yes, soon he was flying all over the United States to appear on TV news shows. He’s already done
advertisements, and he’s going to have his own reality TV show. But Ted isn’t thinking only about
himself. He’s started a charity called the Second Chance Foundation, to help homeless people get a new
start. He’s selling the things he used to use when he was homeless on eBay – like his sign and the tent
he used to sleep in!
Joe: His sign? That’s really funny!
Sara: Yes, but he’s not doing it as a joke – he’s going to use the money for his charity.
Joe: Sara, what was Ted’s life like before he became homeless?
Sara: Well, as a young man, he studied voice acting. Then he got a job at a radio station. He had a family and a
home. But he became addicted to drugs and alcohol and lost everything. He’s even spent some time in
prison for stealing.
Joe: So do you think he can really change?
Sara: Well, that’s a good question. It’s not easy to deal with all this attention from the media. He’s confused
about choosing the right jobs, and he’s also met with his family for the first time in many years, which
was very emotional for him. Clearly, that’s a lot of pressure to deal with but fortunately he’s in a
rehabilitation programme for alcoholics.
Joe: Well, let’s hope that he stops drinking and has a successful career – and that he stays off the streets.
Sara: That’s what everyone would like to see!
Joe: Well, thanks for the great story, Sara!
Answers: 1. b 2. c 3. d 4. b 5. a 6. c 7. c 8. a

15
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING
THE BETTER SIDE OF FACEBOOK
You are going to hear about the advantages of using
Facebook. Listen and choose the correct answer.
(8 x 1 = 8 points)
1 According to Dr Green, people criticise him
because … .
a. he doesn’t understand the power of
Facebook
b. he doesn’t think Facebook is dangerous
c. he emphasises the dangers of social
networking in his book
d. he ignores the dangers of Facebook
2 Dr Green was upset because the people who
criticised his book … .
a. hadn’t read the book
b. hadn’t read the book properly
c. claimed he was endangering children
d. claimed he didn’t understand Facebook
3 Dr Green wrote his book … .
a. to educate people about the positive
aspects of Facebook
b. to teach people how to use Facebook
sensibly
c. to answer people who criticised him
d. to explain why people misunderstand
Facebook
4 What does Dr Green say about Facebook and shy
children?
a. It can be a substitute for face-to-face
communication.
b. It can help them practise social skills.
c. It can cause serious communication
problems.
d. It can prevent face-to-face communication.
approach: enfoque, planteamiento
bullying: acoso escolar
ensure: asegurar, garantizar
cope: arreglárselas
put in: dedicar (tiempo), trabajar
keep up with: estar al día de
5 According to Sally, some teachers … .
a. believe Facebook is a valuable learning tool
b. need to start using Facebook
c. never use Facebook in their lessons
d. think Facebook prevents students from
learning
6 Which of these statements is true about Sally’s
Facebook project?
a. She designed the project with her students.
b. Her students came up with the idea for the
project.
c. She came up with the idea for the project.
d. Her students designed the project.
7 Which of these statements is NOT true about
Sally’s Facebook project?
a. The students wrote a lot.
b. It took a long time to prepare.
c. The students developed an interest in
history.
d. The students spent a lot of time working on
it.
8 According to Sally, schools should stay updated
technologically in order to … .
a. keep their students interested
b. educate their teachers about new
technology
c. learn how to create Internet projects
d. help students spend their time better
16
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

The Better Side of Facebook

Jenny: This is Today’s Parents and I’m Jenny Osmond. Today we’ll be talking to two people who have some
interesting – and positive – things to say about Facebook. We’ll start with Dr Philip Green. Dr Green is a
psychologist whose book Social Networking: The Good News has caused a lot of controversy. Welcome,
Dr Green.
Dr Green: Thank you, Jenny.
Jenny: Dr Green, we always read about the dangers of Facebook, but you’ve taken a positive approach to the
use of Facebook among young people. You say that sometimes it can actually be good for young people.
You’ve even gone as far as to say that in some cases, Facebook can make kids happier!
Dr Green: That’s right, Jenny. You know, many people have accused me of ignoring the dangers of social
networking. Their criticism upset me because I do mention the negative aspects, like bullying, but I just
don’t emphasise them. If my critics had read my book properly, they would have seen that. I also say
that if people are using Facebook instead of talking to each other face to face, that is a serious problem.
But I’m concerned that people are only concentrating on the disadvantages and are not aware of the
beneficial effects of Facebook. That’s the reason I wrote the book.
Jenny: Can you tell us what some of these beneficial effects are?
Dr Green: Well, Facebook is especially good for shy kids – and adults. They might be too shy to carry out a
conversation face to face, but if they’re texting or chatting online, they have time to stop and think
about what they want to say. Online communication is not a substitute for face-to-face conversation,
but it can be a less frightening way to introduce and practise social skills. Having friends is one of the
most important factors in ensuring a person’s happiness. This is especially true for young people. We
need to develop their abilities to function well socially. My argument is that Facebook can be a less
threatening way for shy children to learn social skills.
Jenny: So when you said Facebook can make young people happier, you meant it can help them cope better
socially.
Dr Green: Yes, that’s right. Virtual communication can often help them prepare for real face-to-face
communication.
Jenny: Interesting. Now we’re going to talk to Sally Collins. Sally is a secondary-school history teacher who has
developed some interesting projects for her students using Facebook. Welcome, Sally.
Sally: Hi, Jenny.
Jenny: Sally, tell us why and how you work with Facebook in your lessons.
Sally: Teachers often tell young people they should be learning instead of being on Facebook. They think of
Facebook as a distraction to learning, but used correctly I believe it can be a valuable educational tool.
Jenny: Can you give us an example of this?
Sally: Certainly. Last year, I had the idea of using Facebook in my history lessons. I created a project about the
French Revolution on Facebook. It took a lot of time to prepare, but it was worth it. Students created
Facebook pages and profiles for the different personalities involved in the revolution, like Marie
Antoinette and Napoleon. They were so motivated and put in far more hours than they would have
done with a traditional project. It had always been a struggle to get them to write anything. With the
Facebook project, I couldn’t get them to stop! If our schools are going to stay relevant to our students,
we need to keep up with the digital world they live in. Instead of only complaining about our students’
interest in Facebook, we can use it to create learning opportunities.
Jenny: Thank you, Dr Green and Sally Collins. I enjoyed hearing your ideas.
Dr Green
and Sally: Thank you. / Thanks.
Answers: 1. d 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. d 6. c 7. c 8. a

17
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

BODY LANGUAGE CULTURE CLASH

You are going to hear five different people talking about body language in different cultures.
Listen and identify which statement best corresponds to each speaker. There is one extra statement.
(5 x 1 = 5 points)
a. I learned to appreciate my parents’ culture.

b. I thought that certain signals were true for all cultures.

c. I learned a lot from a book on body language.

d. I worked for many years in a foreign country.

e. I didn’t realise that businesses would need information about body language.

f. I changed my behaviour after getting some good advice.

Speaker 1. ……

Speaker 2. ……

Speaker 3. ……

Speaker 4. ……

Speaker 5. ……

18
 ADVANCED CONTRAST_LISTENING

Body Language Culture Clash

Speaker 1
I’ll never forget my first business trip abroad. The company I was working for sent me to Japan. I was trying to
be friendly, and spent a lot of time smiling. By the end of the day, my face muscles hurt! In the evening, I went
to dinner with a British colleague who’d worked for many years in Japan. Over the meal he explained that it
might be a good idea for me to smile a bit less. When I asked him why, he explained that in Japan, smiling often
means a person feels confused or angry. I took his advice and was a lot more careful about smiling from then
on.
Speaker 2
Like all kids, I wanted my family to be just like everyone else’s, but everything about my Italian parents seemed
different from our British neighbours. What bothered me most was that they were always waving their hands
around when they talked. Even when they were holding a phone with one hand, the other was up in the air and
moving. I think it was when I became a teenager that I first realised that being different could be a good thing. I
brought a girlfriend home for dinner one evening. She loved my parents and thought it was great how they
talked with their hands and were so enthusiastic about everything!
Speaker 3
Of course I know that body language changes from culture to culture. But I always thought that some body
language was the same, no matter where you were. For example, looking someone straight in the eye was
something I remember my parents telling me to do. They said it showed that I was honest and people would
trust me more. But when I went to Australia, I was surprised when a friend told me that for Aboriginal
Australians, looking directly at a person was considered impolite.
Speaker 4
When I wrote my book, Body Language Around the World, I was really writing a book for travellers. But the
book became very popular with international businesses. Now that I think of it, I can understand why. Even if
you’re using the same language to communicate, body language is different from culture to culture. For
example, nodding your head up and down – which in many western countries is a sign of agreement – in Greece
means “no”. That can be pretty confusing when you’re making a business deal.
Speaker 5
I’ve always enjoyed travelling, visiting countries where I don’t speak the language. I love sitting in a café and
watching people communicate. I try to work out what they’re saying, or what their relationship is by watching
their body language. I recently read a fascinating book on the topic. This book really opened my eyes to some of
the differences. Simple things, like the distance you stand from someone, or how you cross your legs, can give a
very different message, depending on the culture.
Answers:
Speaker 1. f
Speaker 2. a
Speaker 3. b
Speaker 4. e
Speaker 5. c

19