THE LANGUAGE TRAINING & TESTING CENTER

GENERAL ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST

HIGH-INTERMEDIATE LISTENING COMPREHENSION TEST

 

Form: HL-0002P

 

This listening comprehension test will test your ability to understand spoken English.  In this test, each conversation, short talk and question will be spoken JUST ONE TIME.  They will not be written out for you.  There are three parts to this test.  Special instructions will be given to you at the beginning of each part.

 

 

Part A

 

In part A, you will hear 15 questions.  After you hear a question, read the four choices in your test book and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.

 

Example:

 

You will hear:    Ms. Lewis has worked here for a long time, hasn't she?

 

You will read:   A.    Yes, at three o'clock.

B.         No, I don't have a watch.

C.         Yes, more than twenty years.

D.        No.  She's working overtime.

 

The best answer to the question "Ms. Lewis has worked here for a long time, hasn't she?" is C: "Yes, more than twenty years."  Therefore, you should choose answer C.

 

 

Please open your test book to page 1.  Now let us begin Part A with question no. 1.

1.      Please give me a cheeseburger and a large Coke.

 

 2.   What does Jerry do for a living?

 

3.      John, would you leave this book with me this week?  I found something useful in it for my report.

 

 4.   You haven’t changed a bit all these years, Vivian.

 

5.   Excuse me.  Is sportswear on this floor?

 

6.      Well, Jenny, why don’t you think it over and let me know your decision tomorrow

morning?

 

7.   Doctor, I’m a little concerned about my weight.  Should I go on a diet?

 

 8.   So, how are you getting along with Daniel?

 

 9.    Can you tell me if the hotel is conveniently situated?

 

10.   We’re supposed to turn in our papers by Friday, aren’t we?

 

11.   I’m sorry, Mrs. Chen, but Mr. Stewart is not in.

 

12.   Believe it or not, Fred’s new novel has been selling like hot cakes.

 

13.      Did Paul’s girlfriend show up at his graduation ceremony?

 

14.      I’m afraid we’re running low on gas.

 

15.  When is the president going to hold the press conference?

 

 

Part B

 

In part B, you will hear 15 conversations between a man and a woman.  After each conversation, you will hear a question about the conversation.  After you hear the question, read the four choices in your test book and choose the best answer to the question you have heard.

 

Example:

 

You will hear:      Woman:   Hey, I think we should make the frame first.

Man:        Right!  I have some strips of light metal and some wood.  Which do you think would be better?

Woman:   Wood is better.  Metal is dangerous to use because it might attract lightning.  We can use either paper or cloth to cover the frame.

 

Question: What are they going to use to make the frame?

 

You will read:      A.    Wood.

B.         Metal.

C.         Cloth.

D.        Leather.

 

The best answer to the question "What are they going to use to make the frame?" is A: "Wood."  Therefore, you should choose answer A.

 

Please turn to the next page.  Now let us begin Part B with question no. 16.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. W:      Uh-oh, these seats are so far back from the stage.  I can hardly see the orchestra.

M:      Don’t worry about it.  The sound in this hall is great.  You’ll be able to hear every note.

W:      Well, I hope you’re right.

 

Question:   Where are the speakers?

 

17. W:      Oh, I wish this sociology textbook weren’t so difficult!  I can’t believe all the new English vocabulary.

M:      Take it easy.  The professor will explain everything in Chinese.

W:      Oh, good.

M:              Well, it’s not that good.  In fact, that’s all Professor Lin will do—explain what’s in the textbook.  When you do understand what you’ve read for homework, you’ll be bored by the lecture.

 

Question:   What does the man say about Professor Lin?

 

18. W:     How long have you had these symptoms?

M:      For about a week, I think.

W:      It appears to be an infection.  I’ll give you a prescription for an antibiotic.  If the symptoms don’t clear up in about 7 days, come see me again.

   M:     O.K. 

 

Question:   Where did this conversation probably take place?

 

19. W:      Hello?

M:      Hello, Margie?  This is Ted.  Is David there?

W:      No, he’s off getting his motorcycle fixed.  Shall I have him call you when he gets

          back?

M:      No, that’s okay.  Just tell him that I found his address book by our phone.  He

          must have left it here last night during the party.

W:      Oh, he’ll be glad to know it’s not lost.  Thanks, Ted, I’ll let him know.

 

Question:   What will the woman tell David?

 

20. W:      Hey, this must be the new sofa you told me about.  I love the stripes.  It looks very elegant in your living room.

M:      Thanks.  I’m glad you like it.

W:      But what about your green sofa?  Is it in the bedroom now?

M:      No, I called and had the garbage truck take it away.

W:      What a waste!  Why didn’t you give it to a friend?

M:      Well, it was in such bad condition that I didn’t want to.

W:      Too bad.

Question:   What did the man do with the green sofa?

 

21.   M:    Hey, look at Susan, all dressed up.  Any special occasion today?  Her birthday, maybe?

W:    No, I don’t think so.  Haven’t you noticed?  She’s never been late or worn the same dress twice since she got promoted.  I’d say she’s fishing for compliments.

 

Question:   What does the woman think about Susan?

 

22.   W:    Wow, these alarm clocks are really cheap!

M:    I don’t need an alarm clock because my mother wakes me up.

W:    Well, I don’t need one, either.  My neighbor has one.

M:    You mean your neighbor lends you his alarm clock?

W:    No, he doesn’t have to.  Even with my window shut, I hear his alarm ring every

morning at six.

        M:    You get up at six?

        W:    I have to.  After his alarm wakes me up, I can’t get back to sleep.

 

Question:   When does the woman get up?

 

23.   M:    Hey, Tracy, what’s the matter?

W:    Oh, the boss just yelled at me.  He said he couldn’t believe I needed extra time to

finish that project.  Maybe I should start looking for a new job.

M:    You’re afraid he might fire you?  Hey, the boss has been yelling at all of us the last

few weeks.  I think he’s just got something else worrying him.

 

Question:   What does the man imply?

 

24.   W:    How was class today?

        M:    Oh, so-so.  We’re having a big test on Friday, so I figure I’ll spend the whole week cramming.

        W:    Why bother?  You know what they say, if you don’t know it by now, you never

                will.

        M:    Still, a quick flip through the books wouldn’t hurt.

 

      Question:   What does the man plan to do during the week?

 

25.   M:    I haven’t seen you wear those shoes before.

        W:    They’re new.

        M:    Uh…really?

        W:    I know they don’t look new anymore.  I made the mistake of wearing them when I went hiking last weekend.

        M:    Oh, no!  White shoes on those muddy trails.

        W:    Yeah.  I should’ve worn my old black ones, but I was eager to try out this new pair.

 

Question:   What’s the woman’s problem?

26. W:     Don’t you think it’s about time that we called the plumber to fix the leak in the water pipe?  Every time I cook, I have to clean up puddles of water.

      M:      I’ve called him several times already and he always has the same story.

      W:      What do you mean?

      M:      He always says he’s really busy and that he’ll be sure to get around to it as soon as he has time.

      W:      Well, he’s not the only plumber around, you know.

 

Question:   What does the woman imply they should do?

 

27. W:      Look at what I bought at the jade market.  It’s an antique jade bracelet, more than 100 years old.

      M:      It’s very nice.  How much did you pay for it?

      W:      The vendor wanted 600 dollars for it, so I offered him 300.  We bargained some more and we finally settled on 400 dollars.  Do you think it’s a good buy?

      M:      Yes, if it’s real jade.

 

     Question:   How much did the woman pay for the jade bracelet?

 

28. W:      Scott, what on earth are you doing?

      M:      What?  What do you mean?  I’m deleting the old files, like you told me to.

W:      But where are the backup copies that I asked you to prepare before deleting everything?

M:      Backup copies?

W:      Oh, never mind.  How many have you done so far?

M:      I’m about halfway through.

W:              All right, Scott.  Stop what you’re doing and go get some floppy disks from my office, please.  I’ll see if I can recover the files you’ve deleted so far.

 

Question:   What is the woman going to do right now?

 

29. M:    My landlord is asking me to pay extra for utilities, but I thought utilities were included in the rent.

W:    Didn’t you work that out before you signed the lease?

M:    I thought we did.  Anyway, I guess I’ll have to talk to him about it.

      Question:   What will the man ask his landlord about?

 

30.  M:      Now, about the CE-10 microphones…I’d like to order 1,000 units but only if you can deliver them by the end of March.

      W:      I’m afraid that doesn’t give us enough time.  We’ve received several other orders

                already.  What about the first week of April?

      M:      Let’s make this arrangement: if the shipment arrives after the end of March, the price will be discounted 5%.

      W:      All right.  It’s a deal.

 

   Question:   Why might the shipment not be delivered by the end of March?

Part C

 

In part C, you will hear several short talks.  After each talk, you will hear 2 to 3 questions about the talk.  After you hear each question, read the four choices in your test book and choose the best answer to the question you have heard.

 

Example:

 

You will hear:      Folks, we're just pulling in to our stop at Scotsburg.  We'll be here for ten minutes to take on some more passengers.  You're all welcome to get out and stretch your legs a little.  Remember to take your valuables with you.  There are restrooms and snack machines inside the station.  Don't go far, though.  It's 1:20 now, and we'll be pulling out again at 1:30.

 

Question number 1: Where is the speaker?

 

You will read:      A.    On a bus.

B.         At a store.

C.         In a train station.

D.        In a hospital.

 

The best answer to the question "Where is the speaker?" is A: "On a bus."  Therefore, you should choose answer A.

 

 

Now listen to another question based on the same talk.

 

You will hear:      Question number 2: When will the passengers depart?

 

You will read:      A.    In half an hour.

B.         In ten minutes.

C.         In an hour.

D.        In forty-five minutes.

 

 

The best answer to the question " When will the passengers depart?" is B: "In ten minutes."  Therefore, you should choose answer B.

 

 

Please turn to the next page.  Now let us begin Part C with question no. 31.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Questions number 31to 33 are based on the following talk.]

OK, follow me around, and I’ll show you where everything is.  Here’s the copy machine.  It’s an old machine and needs some time to warm up, so you’ve got to switch it on before 8:45, and that’s your first responsibility every morning.  After you get that done, you have to make a pot of coffee, and here is the coffeemaker.  Remember, the coffee should be ready before the others come in.  OK…now…here is the mailbox—you should sort the mail and put it on everybody’s desk.  We get a lot of mail, so you’ll have to do this a couple of times a day.

 

Question number 31: What is the speaker doing?

 

Question number 32: Who is most probably listening to the talk?

 

Question number 33: What is the first thing the listener has to do in the morning?

 

 

[Questions number 34 and 35 are based on the following announcement.]

Attention, all passengers on Pacific Airlines flight 407 to New York.  Due to a delay caused by Typhoon Victor, our boarding time has been rescheduled for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.  Please go to the Pacific Airlines ticket counter now to obtain a voucher for an overnight stay at the airport hotel.  We will advise you if there is any further schedule change.  We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by this delay.

 

Question number 34: Where should the passengers go now?

 

Question number 35: What caused the problem?

 

 

[Questions number 36 and 37 are based on the following news report.]

Welcome back to News Nightline.  It’s nine-thirty.  For those parents who are watching our program, where are your children now?  Are they celebrating the end of examination week with their friends?  The big question is, what are they drinking?  Are you sure it isn’t beer?  Today’s news included the results of a study by Tri-Service General Hospital on the rise in alcoholism across the country, and guess what they found out.  It’s bad news, folks.  25% of the alcoholics in this country are teenagers.  And most of them are getting drunk on beer.  Did you know it’s not even legal for most teenagers to buy beer?  But they pick it up in convenience stores and order it from menus every day.

 

Question number 36: What is the speaker’s purpose?

 

Question number 37: What aspect of beer does the speaker emphasize?