Cambridge 10 Listening Test 1 - Answers With Explanation

1. Andrea gives her address directly and spells it out: "And your address? — 24, Ardleigh Road... A-R-D-L-E-I-G-H Road."

2. Asked where she heard about World Tours, Andrea says: "No, I read about you in the newspaper."

3. The agent says the Los Angeles trip has "plenty of time to visit some of the theme parks there," and Andrea confirms it's on her children's list.

4. At Yosemite you can stay "in a lodge or on the campsite." Andrea rules out the tent option: "I don't like the idea of staying in a tent. It'd be too hot." So she needs the lodge, not a tent.

5. Andrea asks about "a really nice castle near Cambria," the agent confirms Hearst Castle is on that road, and she says "I'd like to do that."

6. Andrea asks if San Diego is "good for beaches," and the agent confirms: "That's right."

7. "The first one is a self-drive tour which lasts twelve days and covers 2,020 kilometres."

8. "The cost is £525 per person. That includes accommodation, car rental and a flight but no meals" — so the trip includes a flight (and accommodation).

9. "That lasts nine days. It's £429 per person, which is a good deal."

10. Andrea checks flights aren't included in Trip Two, and the agent replies: "They aren't included. But these hotels offer dinner in the price."

11–12. Sandy describes the "recently refurbished fitness suite" with new running machines and weight-training equipment (the gym, A), and the swimming pool that has "now... expanded it to eight lanes, it's much wider" (the indoor pool, C) — both recently improved.

13. "You are asked to fill in a questionnaire giving details of any health problems."

14. "The trainer will then take you through the safety rules for using the equipment in the fitness suite."

15. "At the end of the personal assessment, the trainer will draw up a plan, outlining what you should try to achieve within a six-week period."

16. "All members must pay a joining fee of £90 in addition to the rates for the monthly membership fees."

17. "Gold membership entitles you to free entry at all LP Clubs."

18. "Premier membership is for professional people... so LP gives booking preferences to Premier members at peak times."

19. "Premier membership is for individuals only, but you will be sent passes for guests every month."

20. "It's very important to remember your photo card because you won't be able to get in without it."

21. John explains the brief is "an international design competition and we have to come up with an innovative approach to existing technology, using it in a way that hasn't been thought of before" — developing a new use for current technology (C).

22. John chose a dishwasher because "They're all pretty boring and almost identical to each other. I think they could look a lot more different" — he wants them to look more appealing (A).

23. "Is that just for decoration? — Actually it does have a function. Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone." The stone switches the machine on (B), not decoration.

24. "That's where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas" — in the holding chamber the carbon dioxide changes back to a gas (A).

25. "The carbon dioxide is collected and then re-used" at the end of the process (C).

26. "I have to give a presentation, and that's the part I was hoping you could help me with."

27. "If you want to stand a good chance of winning you really need a model of the machine."

28. "Is it the materials? — Yes. I want it to look professional but everything that's top quality is also very expensive."

29. "Why don't you talk to the university about a grant? I can help you fill out the application forms if you like."

30. "You need to make sure the technical details you've given are accurate and thorough."

31. "One in ten black bears is actually born with a white coat, which is the result of a special gene that surfaces in a few."

32. "According to the legends of these communities, its snowy fur brings with it a special power."

33. "They do not speak of seeing it to anyone else. It is their way of protecting it from strangers."

34. "The old-growth trees have extremely long roots that help prevent erosion of the soil along the banks of the many fish streams."

35. "The spirit bear is currently only found on a small number of islands."

36. "Logging companies have stripped the land... they have built roads which have fractured the areas where the bear usually feeds."

37. "Unrestricted fishing is affecting salmon supply at the moment."

38. "Which is threatened by a low rate of reproduction."

39. "The government is now requiring logging companies to adopt a better method of logging."

40. "While it is important to maintain the spirit bear's habitat, there also needs to be more emphasis on its expansion."