Four parts, 30 questions. Play each recording (you may listen twice, as in the real exam), answer the questions, then submit to see your score and the transcripts.
Part 1
For questions 1-8, choose the best answer (A, B or C).
1
How does the woman feel about the concert?
You hear two friends discussing a concert.
2
What does the caller request?
You hear a voicemail left for a colleague about a meeting schedule.
3
What is the estimated new arrival time at the destination?
You hear a radio announcement about a train delay.
4
According to the lecturer, which factor limits the rate of photosynthesis?
You hear a university lecture snippet about photosynthesis.
5
What does the man think about the series?
You hear two friends chatting about a new TV series.
6
What does the caller want the company to do?
You hear a customer service call leaving a complaint about a faulty blender.
7
What surprised the speaker about Edinburgh?
You hear a podcast excerpt about a travel experience in Edinburgh.
8
What decision do they reach?
You hear two colleagues discussing a deadline extension.
Part 2
For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase. — You will hear a woman called Elena Marsh talking about her work as a marine biologist.
9
Elena first became interested in the sea while on a as a child.
10
She spent hours exploring a near her grandparents' cottage.
11
That experience sparked her fascination with the where many marine creatures hide.
12
When she turned eighteen, she applied for a to start her underwater research.
13
Today, Elena's main research focuses on the health of along the coast.
14
She’s particularly concerned about the rising incidents of affecting the ecosystem.
15
Her team works out of a nearby that offers protection for endangered species.
16
Last year she wrote a detailed to secure funding for her new project.
17
Much of her time is spent on in remote locations, gathering data.
18
Finally, she hopes that her findings will contribute to a groundbreaking on climate impact.
Part 3
For questions 19-23, choose from the list (A-H) what each speaker says. Five people talk about learning a musical instrument.
A I was inspired by a family member.
B I wanted to improve my concentration and memory.
C I thought it would be a good way to meet new people.
D I needed a creative outlet to relieve stress.
E I wanted to revive a tradition from my childhood.
F I chose it because it was affordable and easy to start.
G I wanted to boost my confidence for performances.
H I was curious about the cultural heritage behind the instrument.
19
Speaker 1
20
Speaker 2
21
Speaker 3
22
Speaker 4
23
Speaker 5
Part 4
For questions 24-30, choose the best answer (A, B or C). — You will hear an interview with a documentary photographer called Tom Reeves.
24
What first drew Tom to photography?
25
Which city did Tom first travel to for a photo assignment?
26
Which camera does Tom currently prefer?
27
What theme does his latest series explore?
28
What does Tom say is the biggest challenge when shooting at night?
29
How does Tom balance storytelling between digital and film?
30
What future project is Tom planning?
Q1 — You hear two friends discussing a concert.
Hey, did you manage to get tickets for the Arctic Monkeys gig tomorrow? Yeah, I grabbed them last night, but I’m still a bit nervous about the crowds. Honestly, I’m thrilled – they’re my favourite band, you know, and the venue’s supposed to be massive. True, but the price was steep, and I’m not sure if the sound’ll be decent. Honestly, I reckon it’ll be proper brilliant; I’ve heard the acoustics are top‑notch. Alright, I’ll trust you then – I’m looking forward to it.
Q2 — You hear a voicemail left for a colleague about a meeting schedule.
Hi Sarah, it’s Emma. Just wanted to let you know the client has asked if we could push the Thursday strategy meeting to next week instead – they’ve got a clash with a board presentation. Could you let me know whether Monday or Tuesday works better for you? If those days are tight, we can look at the following week as well. Anyway, give me a shout when you’ve sorted it out, cheers!
Q3 — You hear a radio announcement about a train delay.
Attention passengers on the 10:15 service to Brighton: due to an unexpected signal failure, the train will be delayed by approximately thirty minutes. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience. The updated arrival time at Brighton will be around 11:45. Please listen for further updates on this station and on our website.
Q4 — You hear a university lecture snippet about photosynthesis.
Now, when we consider the factors that limit the rate of photosynthesis, the most critical one is light intensity. Even if CO₂ and water are abundant, without sufficient photons the chloroplasts simply can't ramp up the production of ATP and NADPH. So, in low‑light conditions, the whole process slows dramatically, regardless of other variables.
Q5 — You hear two friends chatting about a new TV series.
Did you finally start watching ‘The Crowned Heist’? Yeah, I binged the first three episodes last night. Honestly, I’m hooked – the plot twists are brilliant and the characters feel so real. I was a bit sceptical at first, but now I can’t wait to see how they pull off the final caper. You’ll love it, trust me!
Q6 — You hear a customer service call leaving a complaint about a faulty blender.
Hello, this is Priya speaking. I bought a blender from your store two weeks ago and it stopped working after just three uses – the motor makes a grinding noise and won’t spin the blades. I’d really appreciate it if you could arrange to send a replacement unit, as I need it for my daily smoothies. Thanks for your help.
Q7 — You hear a podcast excerpt about a travel experience in Edinburgh.
When I first set foot in Edinburgh, I expected the usual tourist hustle, but what really caught me off guard was how friendly the locals were. Every shopkeeper, every barista greeted me with a smile and offered directions without a second thought. It made the whole city feel much more welcoming than I’d imagined, and it’s something I’ll always remember about my trip.
Q8 — You hear two colleagues discussing a deadline extension.
Hey, the client just emailed saying they need the report by Friday, but we’re still missing a few data points. How about we ask for an extension? If we ask for a couple of extra days, we can polish the analysis properly. Yeah, let’s draft a polite request for a two‑day extension and send it today – better than rushing and delivering subpar work.
Hi, I'm Elena Marsh, a marine biologist based in Cornwall. I still remember that first spark of curiosity – it came during a family holiday when I was nine, and my parents took us down to the coast. We spent hours poking around a rock pool near our grandparents' cottage, watching tiny crabs scuttle and sea anemones wave their tentacles. That little tide‑swollen arena, the tidal zone, was where I first realised how many lives depend on these wet rock surfaces. When I turned eighteen, I applied for a diving licence so I could actually get beneath the surface and see the world in three dimensions. After a few weeks of training, I was able to snorkel and then scuba down to the kelp forests, and it felt like entering another planet. These days my research centres on seagrass beds along the southern coast, because they act as nurseries for fish and help lock away carbon. One of the biggest threats we’re monitoring is coral bleaching, which has become more frequent as sea temperatures climb. Luckily, most of my work is based out of a marine reserve that was established a decade ago to protect vulnerable species. It gives us a controlled environment to test restoration techniques. In order to keep the reserve properly funded, I spent months drafting a grant proposal that outlined a new method for replanting seagrass using biodegradable frames. A lot of my schedule is taken up with fieldwork – I’m often out on a boat at dawn, collecting samples and recording water quality. When I’m back in the lab, I’m busy analysing data and, hopefully, getting ready for publishing paper after I finish writing up the results. It’s a long road, but I love every minute of it, especially when I can see the positive impact of our conservation efforts.
Speaker 1: Well, I reckon the reason I picked up the guitar was pretty straightforward – I was inspired by my older sister. Growing up, I'd always hear her strum in the living room after dinner, and she’d sing those old folk songs everyone loved. When I was ten, she even gave me a tiny acoustic for my birthday, and I remember thinking, ‘If she can do it, so can I.’ It felt like a family thing, you know, passing the torch. So, I started tinkering, practising a few chords each evening, and before long I was pretty chuffed with myself. Honestly, I couldn't have started without her example, and now I even take lessons, hoping to keep the tradition alive.
Speaker 2: Honestly, I’d always been a bit shy, so when I decided to learn the violin I was mainly after the chance to meet new people. The local community centre runs a string club, and I thought, ‘What better way to make friends than sharing a hobby?’ The first session was a bit nerve‑wracking – I barely knew how to hold the bow – but everyone was super friendly, swapping tips and chuckling over our blunders. Before I knew it, I was chatting with folks from all ages, and we’d set up informal jam nights after rehearsals. So, learning the instrument turned out to be a brilliant social gateway, which I hadn’t expected at all.
Speaker 3: To be honest, picking up the drums was really about needing a creative outlet to relieve stress. My job in finance can get pretty hectic, and I found myself constantly on edge after a long day. One weekend a mate invited me to a drum circle in the park, and I thought, ‘Why not give it a go?’ Hitting the skins gave me an instant release – the beats just knocked the tension right out of me. Since then I’ve been practising a few routines each night, and it’s become my go‑to way to unwind. It’s not just about the music; it’s the pure, physical act of drumming that clears my head.
Speaker 4: Well, I took up the trumpet mainly because I wanted to boost my confidence for performances. I’ve always loved singing in the school choir, but stepping up to a solo always made my knees wobble. When I joined the brass band, the tutor said the trumpet would force me to face the spotlight head‑on. At first I was terrified, but as I mastered the embouchure and nailed a clean high C, I felt a real surge of self‑belief. Now, whenever I’m up on stage, I’m less nervous and more in control. It’s amazing how an instrument can reshape the way you feel about yourself.
Speaker 5: Honestly, my curiosity about the cultural heritage behind the sitar sparked the whole thing. I’d been listening to a few world‑music playlists and kept hearing that distinctive twang, so I started researching its origins. Turns out the sitar is steeped in Indian classical tradition, with centuries‑old techniques and ragas that tell stories. I thought, ‘If I can learn to play a piece, maybe I’ll get a glimpse of that history.’ So I signed up for a beginner’s class, and each lesson feels like a little cultural immersion – the teacher explains the myth behind each raga before we practice. It’s become more than just a hobby; it’s a window into a whole different world.
INTERVIEWER: Good afternoon, Tom, and thanks for joining us today.
TOM: Cheers, happy to be here.
INTERVIEWER: Let's start at the beginning – what first drew you to photography?
TOM: Honestly, it was a picture of a rugged coastline that I saw in a National Geographic issue when I was twelve. The way the light hit the sea, it just knocked me over, and I started fiddling with the camera's settings, trying to mimic that light.
INTERVIEWER: That sounds powerful. After that initial spark, when did you actually pick up a camera?
TOM: I saved up for a year and bought a second‑hand 35mm SLR at sixteen. It was clunky, but I loved the feel of the shutter.
INTERVIEWER: Your early trips were pretty local, I gather. Which city did you first travel to for a photo assignment?
TOM: My first commission took me to Manchester. I was covering a music festival there, and the city's industrial vibe gave me a lot to play with.
INTERVIEWER: Those days, you work mostly with digital gear, right?
TOM: Yeah, I switched to a full‑frame mirrorless about five years ago – the Sony A7R IV. The resolution and the silent shutter are a lifesaver for me.
INTERVIEWER: The autofocus is practically instantaneous, which is crucial when you're chasing wildlife.
TOM: Yet you still speak highly of film.
INTERVIEWER: Absolutely. Film's grain gives a mood you can't replicate digitally, especially for my portrait series.
TOM: Speaking of series, your latest project has been getting a lot of buzz. What theme does it explore?
INTERVIEWER: It's called "Quiet Streets", and it looks at how urban spaces change after dark – the loneliness, the streetlights, the occasional stray cat. I wanted to capture the hush that settles over streets when the city sleeps.
INTERVIEWER: That sounds evocative. What would you say is the biggest challenge when shooting at night?
TOM: Keeping the exposure stable without blowing up the highlights. You end up juggling ISO, aperture and shutter speed constantly.
INTERVIEWER: How do you balance storytelling between digital and film for that series?
TOM: I shoot the bulk of the images digitally for speed, then I do a few key frames on black‑and‑white film to give them that timeless feel. That mix lets me keep the narrative tight while still giving it that analogue texture.
INTERVIEWER: Fascinating. Finally, any upcoming projects you can hint at?
TOM: I'm planning a cross‑continental road trip through Scandinavia, documenting coastal communities as they adapt to climate change.
INTERVIEWER: That's brilliant. Thanks for sharing, Tom.
TOM: My pleasure, thanks for having me.