6 Underline the correct word.

a) I think flat shoes are considerably / nothing like / nowhere near more comfortable than stilettos.

b) The weather forecast said it’s going to be way / slightly / by far warmer tomorrow than it is today, but not a lot.

c) These are way / rather / far and away the smartest shoes I own.

d) This report is slightly / infinitely / just as better than the last one; it’s a great improvement.

e) This book is nowhere near / infinitely / rather as good as the one I read last year.

(5 points)

Useful phrases

7 Complete the two conversations with the phrases in the box. There are two extra phrases.

really see the point of I should give it a try it’s a waste of time if it’ll make you happy

nothing ventured, nothing gained You might as well try I think it’s well worth

Conversation 1

A: Would you like to buy a raffle ticket? They’re £1 each. The first prize is dinner for two at Mario’s.

B: I don’t know. Is it for a good cause?

A: It’s for the League of Protection for Cats. You never know. You might win. After all, (1) ____________________.

B: OK. Maybe (2) ____________________. I’ll have five tickets, please.

Conversation 2

A: Are you coming to the climate change demonstration on Saturday?

B: I’m not sure. To be honest, I think (3) ____________________ going. It’s not going to make any difference.

A: Don’t be so defeatist. (4) ____________________ making our voice heard. Come on! Join us! You’ll feel you’re doing something worthwhile.

B: OK then, (5) ___________________. But I don’t think it’ll make any difference.

A: Cynic!

(5 points)

Part B

Reading

8 Read the text. Are the sentences true (t) or false (f)?

a) The World Heritage List is a list of properties and sites which are under threat. ___

b) Human activity is the biggest threat to many of the sites which are in danger. ___

c) Much of the city of Zabid has been destroyed because of construction. ___

d) Charles Darwin introduced new species to the Galapogos islands. ___

e) The saltpeter works in Chile are special because they are in the desert. ___

(5 points)

UNESCO’s World Heritage List is a collection of 890 properties and sites worldwide which are considered to have outstanding universal value. The list includes archaeological remains, buildings and natural areas in every corner of the globe. It includes Stonehenge and the entire city of Bath in the UK, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, El Vizcaino whale sanctuary in Mexico and the buildings and works of artist Antoni Gaudí in Spain. But many of the unique sites on the list are in danger, partly from natural disasters like earthquakes, but mostly from human-made threats, such as war and conflict, pollution, unchecked tourist development and uncontrolled urbanization. Here are some examples.

The historic town of Zabid in Yemen is an outstanding archaeological site. It was the capital of Yemen from the 13th to 15th century and played an important part in the Arab and Muslim world for many centuries due to its Islamic university. However, the condition of the city has seriously deteriorated in recent years. It is estimated that up to 40% of its original houses have been replaced by concrete buildings. UNESCO was requested by the Yemeni government to include Zabid on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger in order to draw attention to the problem and facilitate preservation of the site.

The Galapagos Islands, belonging to Ecuador, situated in the Pacific Ocean showcase a wide variety of wildlife and provides a unique look at the process of evolution. Because of their unique isolated position, the islands are home to some unusual animal life, including the land iguana, the giant tortoise and many forms of marine life. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was inspired by his observation of finches here. Now, however, this precious and beautiful place is under threat from increasing population, tourism, pollution, poaching and the introduction of new species of animals to the islands, including rats, goats and pigs, which are threatening the fragile ecosystem. New laws have been introduced to make poaching and harvesting of endangered species illegal. The number of visitors allowed to the islands each year is being restricted, and the islands are being carefully monitored by scientists, environmental activist groups and government organisations.

Situated in a remote region of Chile, in one of the driest deserts on Earth, The Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works are where saltpeter, an ingredient for fertilizer, was extracted and processed for over 60 years. It is where workers from Chile, Peru and Bolivia lived in company towns and forged a distinctive culture of their own. The fertilizer produced from the saltpeter transformed agricultural lands throughout North and South America. The site was recently damaged by an earthquake and placed on the List to help mobilise resources for its conservation.

The original idea of the World Heritage List was that sites of special cultural and natural interest should be identified, protected and preserved for future generations. World Heritage sites belong to everyone in the world, irrespective of the country in which they are located. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the survival of these places in the world which are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

Pronunciation

Sentence stress

[Track 17]