Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 1

A
I’m Jenny. I’m fourteen. I listen to the radio all the time and I love to know what’s in
the charts. I always know what’s in the top ten. My brother laughs at me because I
like boy bands. He doesn’t think my music is very cool, but I don’t care. I like happy,
modern music with a positive message, and I love shows like the X Factor.

B
I’m Carl. I’m a musician and I play in an orchestra. I play classical music all day, so in
the evening, I prefer to listen to something different. I really like traditional American
music from the south of the United States. People think it’s all about horses and
cowboys, but it’s not all like that. Modern singers sing about all kinds of topics, but in
a traditional style.

C
I’m Joel and I’m sixteen. I like to listen to my music really loud and my mum always
tells me to turn it down. It drives her crazy. She says she can’t hear the words; it’s
just shouting. I play the bass guitar and one day I’m going to be in a really cool band.
I’m wearing a T-shirt with my favourite band on it. I’m growing my hair long too.

D
I’m Hayley. I’m fifteen and I want to be an MC. Lots of people don’t understand my
music. They say it’s not really music because there isn’t any singing; it’s just talking.
Or they think it’s all about guns and drugs. That’s not true. It can have a really
positive message.

E
I’m Greg. I hate pop music and shows like the X factor. I like alternative music. I play
the guitar and I write songs. I’m really excited because I’ve just bought tickets for a
festival this summer. I can’t wait. There are so many great bands – there’s no-one
famous, but they’re all really good musicians, you know.

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 2

Interviewer: And today I’m very excited, because I’m talking to Alison Bradley, who
won a gold medal in the skeleton luge championships in Canada.
She’s the first athlete to win a gold medal for Britain in the skeleton
luge for thirty years. Hello, Alison. Welcome to the programme.
Alison: Hello. And thanks. It’s nice to be here.
Interviewer: So, Alison, you won your medal for the skeleton luge. Can you tell our
listeners what that is?
Alison: Yes, sure. The skeleton luge is a winter sport. It’s a race down an ice
track. You can compete alone, or in a team of two people. We race
one after the other and the person with the fastest time is the winner.
Interviewer: OK, so you race on an ice track on a small sledge, and you’re lying
down...
Alison: Yes, the sledge is like a short board. It doesn’t have wheels. It slides
on the ice. You lie on your back on the sledge and you slide with your
feet first. You can change direction by moving your body on the
sledge.
Interviewer: And it’s fast?
Alison: Very fast! Lugers can go as fast as 140 km per hour!
Interviewer: It sounds scary to me!
Alison: Well, I suppose it is. I remember the first time I tried it, I was scared.
But I was also so excited, and I just wanted to do it again.
Interviewer: So how did you start doing the sport?
Alison: Well, I’ve always been sporty. I was a runner and I ran the 400
metres. I competed nationally, but I didn’t get onto the Olympic team.
Then one day I tried the luge at a practice track at university, and it
started from there really.
Interviewer: In your first important event you won a silver medal.
Alison: Yes, that was in 2009.
Interviewer: Then you qualified for the championships here in Canada, and that’s
where you won gold!
Alison: Yes! It was such a surprise! I never expected to win, but I just tried my
best and I won. It was an amazing experience.
Interviewer: Well, Alison, congratulations! It was great talking to you! Now if any of
our listeners …
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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 3

A
I love playing games online, but not violent games; I’d rather play games where you
can use your imagination and make something. My favourites are Country Village
and another game called Little Café. In these games you have a farmhouse or a
restaurant, and you can add things and work with other players to make them better.
I’m a student, and I don’t have much money, but you can join these games for free.
It’s great to do something that’s free and fun – and you have a chance to think about
something different for a while.

B
I use social networking sites like Facebook, but I don’t play any online games.
They’re so silly. People often write messages like ‘John’s found a small cow on his
land. Can you help him feed it?’ Why do people spend time on these games? They
aren’t for adults. I don’t understand why people my age enjoy them!

C
I love FarmVille! My farm is really big now. I’ve got barns and other farm buildings
and I also have lots of animals. I make some virtual money from selling crops, but I
also buy quite a lot of farm coins with real money to make my farm better. I don’t
think it’s a problem. Other people buy CDs or magazines. I buy virtual pigs and cows!

D
I don’t play online games now. In the past I played all of them! FarmVille, Second Life
– all of them! I had different lives online and spent hours in front of the computer. But
then I started spending money. I used my mum’s credit card. Just a few dollars at
first, but then more and more. I spent over a thousand dollars on things that aren’t
even real. Then I knew I had to stop. I don’t play games at all now.

E
I play online games, but not the silly ones, like FarmVille. I have an identity in an
online game called Second Life. In this game I have a shop, and I sell shoes and
clothes to other players. I design them myself and people really like them! They buy
my online clothes with Linden Dollars – that’s the currency in the game – and I make
money from my clothes! When I grow up, I want to be a fashion designer, so I think
it’s good practice!

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 4

A
It’s brilliant! The scenes in the countryside are so beautiful! And when you see the
towns and how people live there, it’s as if you’re there with them. You learn a lot
about the people and their experiences, and there are some funny parts. But
basically, it’s a serious film and really moving. It’s amazing to think that people still
live like this in the twenty-first century. It made me think.

B
Ugh! My girlfriend really wanted to go and see it but I was so bored! The story was
predictable, and all the actors were really bad. But the worst part was the music!
Every five minutes the story stopped and they all sang and danced. It’s just stupid. I
prefer action films.

C
Yeah, it’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen, I think. The story is really clever, and
you never know what’s going to happen next. I suppose it is a bit violent in parts, but
the story is really gripping, and the action is fast, so the violence isn’t too bad …
Yeah, and the end is really surprising, so I won’t tell you what happens!

D
Oh, well… I went with my dad. He says it’s a classic and you have to see this film to
understand all the films they’re making now. Hm, I don’t know about that. It seemed
very slow to me; just some men in the desert with horses. There were some bad
guys – they were stealing cows, I think. The landscape was spectacular, but I’m not
really a fan – all these films look the same to me.

E
Hm, it was OK. There was a serious side to the film – you know, a message about
the environment, but I prefer films that are just for fun, really. I enjoyed the special
effects and the costumes, though. All the aliens looked really cool, and their planet
was interesting. Some of the stunts were cool too. I read somewhere that the CGI for
this film was the most spectacular ever, but the actors still had to do the stunt with
the space ship at the end.

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 5

Customer: Hi. Can I speak to the manager, please?

Manager: I’m the manager. Can I help you?

Customer: Yes. I bought this mobile phone from you recently.

Manager: Ah yes, it was a special offer and the price was really good. I almost
bought one of those phones myself.
Customer: Hm. Well this one wasn’t a bargain. It doesn’t work.

Manager: What’s the problem?

Customer: It has no power. I’ve plugged it in, but the battery won’t charge.

Manager: OK. Well, we can exchange it. I think we have some left.
Customer: I don’t want another phone. I’d like my money back.

Manager: Have you got your receipt?

Customer: Yes, I have. Here you are.

Manager: Ah… When did you buy it?

Customer: I came in last Tuesday. Wait, no. The date’s on the receipt. I bought it
on the fifth.
Manager: I’m afraid I can’t give you a refund, then. Sorry.

Customer: What! But it doesn’t work!

Manager: I’m sorry, but on our special offers you can only get your money back
ten days after you buy something. Today is the seventeenth.
Customer: I don’t believe it! I’ve already bought another phone.

Manager: Well, now you’ve got a spare.

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 6

Assistant: Hi! Are you looking for our new MP3 player? With this model you can
save 3,000 songs and play them back easily in any order.
Customer: Well, not really. I’m looking for a present for my brother. He’s not really
into music.
Assistant: Oh, OK. Well, how about this games console? The graphics are
amazingly realistic and you can play online too.
Customer: Um. No, he’s not really into computer games, either. He likes to travel.
Assistant: This satnav is on special offer. It’s got maps of all of Europe.
Customer: No, he travels by train. He doesn’t need a satnav. But he might like an
ebook reader. That way he’ll always have something to do on a long
journey.
Assistant: Great idea! Look, this one is incredibly cheap. It stores 200 books and
it’s only £159.
Customer: One hundred and fifty-nine pounds! Oh, um … I don’t have that much to
spend. I was thinking more like fifteen to twenty pounds.
Assistant: Does he have a digital camera?
Customer: Yes, he does. He loves taking photographs.
Assistant: Well then, how about this digital photo frame? It’s reasonably priced at
only £17.99 and he can display his holiday photos on it.
Customer: That’s a good suggestion. Yes, I think he might like that. I’ll take it.

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 7

A
In my family Christmas is a really important family holiday. My mum is absolutely
crazy about Christmas. She spends hours decorating the house and choosing
presents. She gets really stressed out about cooking the dinner. Everything has to be
perfect. It’s awful! If she calms down this year, I think she’ll enjoy it more, but I’m sure
it’ll be just the same as last year!

B
We don’t really care too much about special occasions in our family. For example, for
Mother’s Day, it’s nice to send a card, but you needn’t worry if it doesn’t arrive on
time. It’s not the day that’s important; it’s the people and the feelings. I mean, I love
my mum all year. I don’t have to wait for Mother’s Day to tell her.

C
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Eve. Every year it’s the same: people get excited
because they think they’re going to have such a good time. Now I realise, if you get
too excited, you’ll just be disappointed. The best thing is to have a nice evening with
your family or friends, but not expect it to be the best night of the year.

D
I love Christmas. I love preparing everything, and I spend ages choosing presents for
people. I don’t think it has to be commercial. You needn’t spend a lot of money, but if
you really think about the right presents, your family will know that you love them.

E
My little brother is terrible. It was his birthday last week, and he got loads of presents.
After his party he said, ‘I think Grandma spent the most money on me.’ I was really
shocked. He knows the price of everything. He doesn’t care about anything else.

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 8

Presenter: Hello and welcome to the show! Today I’d like to know what you do to
help others. For example, are you taking part in a fund-raising event?
Call now and tell us about it! OK, we’ve got a caller on line A. Hello
Caller A. What are you doing?

Speaker A: I’m raising money to help the environment. Last month there was a
forest fire in our national park. We’re raising money to plant more
trees.
Presenter: OK, great. And how are you raising money?

Speaker A: I’m standing in the street outside a department store and I’m wearing
a fox costume. There are six forest animals in town today and we’re
collecting money from passers-by.
Presenter: Fantastic! Good luck Mr Fox. OK, what about line B? Hello Caller B.
How are you?
Speaker B: Fine thank you! I’m full of energy and I’m ready to start. I’m doing the
Race for Africa today.
Presenter: Great! How long is the race?

Speaker B: It’s five kilometres. I’ve asked all my friends and family for sponsorship
and I’m going to raise 30 pounds for every kilometre. If I finish, I’ll
raise 150 pounds.
Presenter: Good for you! … OK, now line C. Where are you, Caller C?

Speaker C: I’m in my bedroom and I’m looking in my wardrobe.

Presenter: Why are you doing that?

Speaker C: There was a terrible earthquake in South America last week and
people lost everything. It’s winter there and it’s very cold, so I’m
sending them my old jumpers and coats.
Presenter: Well done! And who have we got on line D? Caller D, what are you
doing?
Speaker D: Hi! I’m Amy and I’m having a sale today. I’m selling all my old stuff to
raise money for the wildlife sanctuary.
Presenter: What do they do?

Speaker D: They rescue animals in danger and they look after animals that are
injured or lost.

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Presenter: Good stuff! And finally, who’s on line E? Caller E, where are you
today?
Speaker E: I’m in my street and I’m asking my neighbours to join in and help our
local library.
Presenter: Good idea. What are you doing to help?

Speaker E: Well, the library hasn’t got enough money to buy new books, so I’m
asking everyone to give me any books, films and music they don’t
want any more. I’m going to give them to the library so that everyone
in the village can share them.

Presenter: That’s an excellent idea. Well, it seems like a lot of people out there
are doing good things. If you want to get involved, call …

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 9

Police officer: Hello, Oxford Police Station. How can I help?

Caller: I’d like to report a theft. Someone has stolen a car.

Police officer: I see. Where did they steal the car from?
Caller: I’m afraid I don’t know that, but I can tell you where it is now.

Police officer: Do you mean you can’t remember where you left your car?
Caller: No. It isn’t my car, but it’s outside my house now. A guy left it here
and ran off.
Police officer: What makes you think this car is stolen?

Caller: The car radio is playing, the doors are open, and the keys are still in
it. The guy jumped out and ran off. If it were his car, I reckon he
wouldn’t leave it like that.
Police officer: That’s true. He’s probably a joyrider. I’ll take some details. What’s
the car’s number plate, please? I’ll check if the owner has reported it
as stolen.

Caller The number plate is R756 HJE. It’s a white sports car with two
doors.

Police officer: … HJE… Yes, you’re right. The owner reported it last night. OK.
We’ll send someone to get it. What’s your address, please?

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 Pre-Intermediate Tapescripts: A and B Progress tests

Unit 10

A
I love reading guidebooks. I get them out of the library and I look at the photographs
for hours. I have a huge list of all the places that I’d like to visit. It’s all just a
daydream, though, because my wife refuses to travel outside the country. She won’t
even get a passport. We’re staying in England this summer, but I’ll read my
guidebooks for Italy and Greece and pretend I’m planning a holiday. Maybe one day
I’ll just go.

B
I love cooking. I cook every day for my family and I really enjoy it. I have a huge
collection of cookbooks and I like to read them even when I’m not cooking. I buy food
magazines and I love going on cookery courses with other people who love to cook.

C
This is my favourite book. It’s an atlas from the seventeenth century. It was printed in
London but all the illustrations were coloured by hand. It’s quite valuable, but that’s
not why I love it. I’m just really interested in old explorers. I like to follow their
journeys in the atlas and see the world the way they saw it.

D
I used to read all the time and I love modern novels and short stories. I try to keep up
to date with new authors, but since I started my new job I just don’t have time. But
then recently I discovered audio books. They’re brilliant. The books are read by
actors, or sometimes the writers themselves, and I can listen to them in the car on
the way to work. It’s great. Some mornings I hope there will be a lot of traffic so that I
can hear another chapter.

E
I don’t really have much time to read. I sit at the computer all day at work, so when
I’m not working, I don’t feel like sitting inside. I prefer to walk the dog or play sport.
The only time I sit down and read something from cover to cover is on a train. If I’m
going on a long journey, I make sure I have a good novel or a new magazine to keep
me occupied.

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