Cambridge 2 Listening Test 3 - Answers With Explanation

1. Asked whether his job counts as professional or business, the respondent decides: "OK, it's more like business" — B.

2. He earns "£40,000 a year", placing him over £35,000 — C.

3. He says TV "probably just helps me relax and unwind" — relaxation, A.

4. Asked how long he watches daily, he says "not a lot really... just over an hour" — 1 hour to 2 hours, B.

5. He watches "a little around breakfast time" (A, early morning) and again late, "eleven or even midnight" (E, at night).

6. He wants more "local information... providing a service for the community" (C) and "more for younger viewers" (A, children's programmes).

7. His advice is to improve "the sound system" (C) and to do "lots more of these kinds of interview... talking with their potential customers" (E).

8. He would tolerate adverts "every quarter of an hour" — 15 minutes, B.

9. He would attend promotions "as long as they're held here in my area" — locally, C.

10. He'd "prefer not" to receive general mail, "except for the information about the promotion" he asked about — requested mail only, B.

11–14. Elizabeth lists the Union's "fund raising activities for charities" (A), the "Students' Union papershop" (C, running a newsagent's), the Ticket Shop's "good deals on... coaches to London or inexpensive charter flights" (E, cheap tickets), and "the Union Cafeteria and the Big New Diner" (G, catering).

15–16. The Union offers "help with financial matters such as grants" (B) and "has its own officer who can give advice on legal problems" (E).

17. The fitness centre sits above the pool at "Renton", on the outskirts of Radford — some distance from the centre, C.

18. "The new Metro Tower, right in the centre of town has got an ice rink" — part of the Metro Tower building, A.

19. "In the same building there's a new cinema with six screens" — also inside the Metro Tower, A.

20. The Theatre Royal is "in the main square, just two minutes' walk from the Metro Tower" — the main square, B.

21. Dr Simon confirms: "I can confirm that that's 21 May, not 20 as we first stated" as the hand-in date.

22. On the word limit he says: "we try to be pretty flexible on this, but in broad terms it's 18-20,000."

23. He mentions "a special programme running on research methods for anyone who wants some extra help."

24. Andy asks about a draft plan, and Dr Simon replies: "your draft plan is due on 7 February."

25. Jane asks when the research must be done; he answers: "that's over a one-month period... essentially February to March."

26. The write-up follows the research: "that's really March to May, with the hand in date on 21st."

27. On buying a computer, Dr Simon says: "I really feel that it will be of great benefit" — in favour, A.

28. On reading past dissertations, he says: "it really is the best guide you can have to the expectations" — in favour, A.

29. On questionnaires he is blunt: "they tell you very little else. Avoid them!" — against, C.

30. Asked about interviewing tutors, he says: "I don't see why not... but you can if you want" — no strong opinion, B.

31. "Australia is a dry continent, second only to Antarctica in its lack of rainfall" — Antarctica is driest, C.

32. Evaporation is "approximately 87% of Australia's rainfall... compared with just over 60% in Europe and Africa" — higher than Africa, B.

33. Rainfall barely penetrates the soil "because the moisture is absorbed by thirsty plants" — C.

34. "Rainwater seeps quickly through sandy soils and into the rock below" — B.

35. "Most inland farmers do rely on this water for watering their animals" — B.

36. Springs are described as "these rare sources of permanent water" — found in only a few areas, C.

37. "Underground water sources in Australia supply about 18% of total water consumption" — A.

38–40. Dams serve "the rural irrigation of crops" (B, watering farmland), "the regulation of flooding" (D), and "the harnessing of the force of gravity for the generation of electricity" (E).