Cambridge BEC Vantage 1, Student’s book, Examination papers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations: English for Speakers of Other Languages, Past Papers, Cambridge University Press, 2004, TEST 1

Test 1 LISTENING 40 minutes (including 10 minutes’ transfer time)

PART ONE

Questions 1—12

• You will hear three telephone conversations or messages.

• Write one or two words or a number in the numbered spaces on the notes or forms below.

• After you have listened once, replay each recording.

Conversation One

(Questions 1—4)

• Look at the form below.

• You will hear a woman telephoning about some problems with an order.

Stationery Supplies International customer services / order amendment form

Customer: Fenmore Consultants / Jennifer Gardiner

Order No: (1) ____________________________________

PROBLEMS

• paper: ordered A5 not A4

• envelopes: ordered (2) ____________________________ not white

• ink cartridges: ordered 20 Trujet (3)_________________________________________

COMMENTS

Correct items to be sent out tonight by (4)__________________________________________

Conversation Two

(Questions 5—8)

• Look at the note below.

• You will hear a man leaving a message on an answering machine.

Rt communications

Message received for: Joel Frisk, (5) _______________________ Department

From: John Castellani, Loboprint

He’s booked you in for four nights at the (6)_______________________ Hotel.

You’ll be met at the airport by the (7)_______________________

Presentation planned for Wednesday morning. Dinner in the evening.

Please confirm by midday Monday if additional (8)_______________________ at hotel required.

Conversation Three

(Questions 9—12)

• Look at the note below.

• You will hear a man enquiring about training courses.

Contact Training

Telephone Message

Dave Smith called from (9) _______________________ about training.

Can we provide a one-week course on (10) _______________________?

Would also like one-to-one courses in (11)_______________________

Recommended by someone from (12) _______________________

PART TWO

Questions 13—22

Section One

Questions (13—17)

• You will hear five short recordings.

• For each recording, decide what the speaker’s job is.

• Write one letter (A—H) next to the number of the recording.

• Do not use any letter more than once.

• After you have listened once, replay each recording.

13 _______________________ 14 _______________________ 15 _______________________ 16 _______________________ 17 _______________________

A Personnel Manager B Sales Manager C Legal Adviser D Financial Adviser E Conference Organiser F Research and Development Officer G Advertising Executive H Bank Manager

Section Two

(Questions 18—22)

• You will hear another five recordings. Each speaker is leaving a message on an answering machine.

• For each recording, decide what the main reason is for the phone call.

• Write one letter (A—H) next to the number of the recording.

• Do not use any letter more than once.

• After you have listened once, replay each recording.

18 _______________________ 19 _______________________ 20 _______________________ 21 _______________________ 22 _______________________

A explaining a problem B asking for information C reminding someone about some work D explaining a procedure E paying a compliment F agreeing to a plan G making an apology H giving instructions

PART THREE Questions 23—30

• You will hear an interview on local radio with Dr Tim Carter, the author of a book on how to give effective business presentations.

• For each question 23—30 mark one letter (A, B or C) for the correct answer.

• After you have listened once, replay the recording.

23 Dr Carter’s book, The Art of Giving Presentations,

A has come out recently.

B was published last year.

C will reach bookshops next year.

24 Dr Carter says he decided to improve his presentations because

A he felt he was doing worse than his colleagues.

B his boss expressed dissatisfaction with his performance.

C he dislikes doing anything badly.

25 To improve his own performance Dr Carter studied

A books about public speaking.

B the techniques of good presenters.

C common mistakes made by speakers.

26 What does Dr Carter say about nervousness?

A There is no effective way to control it.

B Audiences don’t think it’s a major problem.

C He was given the wrong advice about it.

27 What was the first change Dr Carter made to his preparation?

A He began practising alone in a big room.

B He got colleagues to listen to his performance.

C He began to develop key parts of his presentation.

28 Dr Carter now recommends making a video recording of

A your practice presentation with colleagues present.

B real presentations given by other people.

C your practice presentation without an audience.

29 Dr Carter says most speakers find presentations hard because

A they have to speak to unfriendly audiences.

B they have little experience of public speaking.

C they are anxious about the technical equipment.

30 What technique does Dr Carter recommend for reducing anxiety?

A relaxing the face muscles

B remembering a pleasant experience

C practising deep breathing

Test 2 LISTENING 40 minutes (including 10 minutes’ transfer time)

PART ONE

Questions 1—12

• You will hear three telephone conversations or messages.

• Write one or two words or a number in the numbered spaces on the notes or forms below.

• After you have listened once, replay each recording.

Conversation One

(Questions 1—4)

• Look at the form below.

• You will hear a man making a request for catering.