B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

Unit 1 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT1.01] well because every time she sees it, it refreshes her
1 memory. She’s remembering the words more easily and
Mary: A few months ago, I was invited to a school she’s definitely not as frustrated as before.
reunion. Some of my old classmates were getting everyone
together after thirty years. In the invitation, they promised
that it would be an emotional experience where we could Unit 2 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT2.01]
share our happiest memories of school. The thing is, I Gemma: Imagine that smartphones didn’t exist. How
couldn’t stand going to that school! I had a couple of good would your life be different? For many people, the idea of
friends who I’ve kept in touch with, but the other students not being constantly connected to the internet is almost
were just mean. I honestly couldn’t see any reason to see unimaginable. This is especially true for the younger
them after all these years. I’m sure that if I’d gone, it would generation who have never known a world without them.
have brought back bad memories. My young son, for example, can’t understand how we
2 made plans before smartphones existed!
Brian: As I’ve got older, I’ve found it harder to The fact is that smartphones have a key role in almost
remember things. It’s not a problem of long-term memory every aspect of our lives. We use them for everything from
because I can still remember events from my childhood. finding a partner to choosing a restaurant. There’s no
It’s just that I’ve become more forgetful about the day-to- doubt they’ve improved our lives in plenty of ways. Some
day things. For example, I’d arranged to meet a friend for apps can even save lives, such as the panic button app
lunch the other day and it completely slipped my mind. which alerts the emergency services if you’re in trouble.
I only realised what had happened when my friend called Nevertheless, we should be concerned about the negative
me to see where I was. I suppose it’s all part of old age, so effects of smartphones on their users.
I don’t think there’s much I can do about it.
Experts have been discussing digital wellbeing for
3 nearly two decades, but it’s only in recent years that it’s
Diane: My daughter Gemma is only six, but it amazes really been taken seriously. According to research, if you
me how good her memory is. We were recently looking at use your smartphone too much, it can cause serious
a photo of her when she was about three. I’d taken it while problems such as addiction, depression and difficulty
we were waiting to get the bus home from somewhere. It sleeping. For that reason, doctors, teachers and employers
wasn’t a particularly special day, but my daughter had a are keen to teach people strategies which promote digital
near perfect recall of everything that had happened. She wellbeing.
could even remember the day the photo was taken. The
funny thing is that if she has to remember to do something The technology sector has also taken responsibility for
important, like not leave her bag at school, it goes in one the problem and it has come up with some interesting
ear and out the other! solutions. One of them is the ‘paper phone’ app which
allows you to print the most important information from
4 your phone. In that way, users get to spend time away from
Jordan: I’m part of a theatre group and I’ve been given a their screens. Of course, older people joke that we used to
big role in a play with a lot of lines. I’ve got to learn them by call that a notebook!
heart, but I’ve been finding it really difficult. I was getting
quite worried about it until I came across a web page with Technology firms have also developed apps dedicated
some advice. The most useful tip was to write out your own to digital wellbeing. Some of them even switch off your
lines on paper, with one sentence on each line. The idea is device if you’ve been on it too long, which is bound to
to fold the paper so you can only read one line at a time. annoy some users. Interestingly, many of these apps use
By doing that, it’s easier for your brain to memorise each emojis and bells to reward you when you reach your daily
sentence. It’s probably not the quickest way to learn your goal, rather like video games. The game-like features of
lines, but it seems to be working for me. these apps might explain why they’ve been so popular.

5 However, the problem with these apps is that they don’t

Anna: We’ve had a Korean exchange student staying stop you using your device completely. Firstly, they
with us for the last few months. She’s trying to learn stimulate reward centres in our brain which make us feel
English, but she doesn’t know very much. She been finding good and, because of that, you might end up checking your
it hard to remember new vocabulary and she’s been smartphone even more. Secondly, every time you check
getting quite frustrated. I wanted to help her so I’ve started your digital wellbeing app, you’re likely to get distracted by
writing words on pieces of paper and putting them up something else like your email or messages. So, if these
around the house. For example, I’ve written the word wellbeing apps are making matters worse, what’s the
‘television’ and stuck it to the TV. I think it’s working pretty solution?

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 B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

Well, you can make sure your device is less of a Molly: Not really. But how about if we do our own thing in
distraction. Ask yourself which apps you really need. the morning, then meet up for lunch near the
Do you need updates about your friends’ activity every five beach?
minutes? The answer is probably ‘no’, in which case, why Charlie: OK, that’s fine. Where do you recommend going
for lunch?
not remove those apps? You’ll probably find that it’s not the
end of the world. However, if you aren’t ready to Molly: Well, there’s a lovely seafood restaurant right on
the edge of the beach. The dishes are incredible
disconnect from social media, you could just switch off your
and it’s got wonderful views of the coastline. What
notifications. do you think?
Another thing you can do is plan time out from your Charlie: I’m not very keen on seafood, but I’d be happy to
phone. A lot of people check their phones first thing in the go there.
morning and last thing at night, which is bound to lead to Molly: Yeah, don’t worry. There’s bound to be something
anxiety and trouble sleeping. So, why not switch your else you can eat. And when we’ve finished lunch,
we can have a relaxing walk along the beach.
phone off at bedtime? And if you’re worried about waking
What I love about the beach in Barcelona is that
up, get yourself an old-fashioned alarm clock! the sunlight is really special in the afternoon.
Charlie: We’re likely to be exhausted after all that!
Progress Test 1 • Part B • Audio 1 [PT1.01] Molly: I’m sure I’ll be fine, but if you need a rest, we can
Molly: Charlie, are you excited to be in Barcelona? go back to the hotel then. We can go out again in
the evening if you’re not too tired.
Charlie: Absolutely! I was pretty thrilled about coming here,
you know. It’s been on my list of places to go for Charlie: That sounds like a good idea. Remember that
ages. we’ve got an early start on Saturday morning,
though. I’d prefer not to have a late night.
Molly: You’re going to love it! It’s an amazing city … So,
we’ve got a free day tomorrow because the Molly: That’s true. There are supposed to be some great
conference doesn’t start until Saturday. Is there outdoor nightclubs, but they don’t open until about
anything you want to do in particular? one o’clock in the morning! Um … shall we just
hang out near the hotel instead? It’s going to be
Charlie: Well, I don’t know Barcelona at all so I was hoping
hot so it’ll be nice to get an ice cream in one of the
you might have some suggestions. Have you
squares.
been here many times?
Charlie: Excellent. So, we’ve got the whole day planned!
Molly: Yeah, I’ve had a few weekend breaks here,
actually. The last time I came, I spent the whole
weekend checking out the modernist architecture Progress Test 1 • Part B • Audio 2 [PT1.02]
and eating far too much!
Charlie: I bet you were eating tapas, right? P = Presenter M = Michael
Molly: Well, I had a bit of tapas, but that’s more typical in P: On today’s podcast, I’m joined by Michael Smith
other parts of Spain. I’m more into seafood dishes and we're going to discuss the question of
like paella, anyway, so I looked up some reviews whether people will ever live on Mars. So,
on the internet and found some great restaurants. Michael, why are people talking about this right
Charlie: Sounds lovely ... I also wanted to ask you where now?
the best places are for shopping. M: Well, ever since 1969, when the first men landed
Molly: Well, shopping’s not really my cup of tea, but in on the Moon, people have dreamt about going to
the city centre you’ve got all the designer shops. Mars, or the Red Planet as it’s called by some
There’s a big street where all the posh people do people. For many people, that dream ended when
their shopping. the Americans stopped sending people to the
Moon in the early 1970s. However, some very
Charlie: To be honest, I’m not a big fan of designer shops. wealthy people like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos
I’d much rather check out the smaller independent have brought that dream back to life.
shops if there are any.
P: Right. They've been investing a good deal of
Molly: In that case, there’s a lovely neighbourhood money in new rockets. Are we any nearer to
packed with little independent shops. The name’s sending people to Mars?
on the tip of my tongue …
M: Absolutely. Countries like America and Russia
Charlie: I’m sure you’ll remember it in a minute. haven’t been sending people far into space
Molly: Yeah … anyway, you can find all sorts of because of the cost. Most of their rockets could
treasures there, you know, original clothing, only be used once so it was incredibly expensive.
unique decorations for your house, second-hand However, scientists have designed new rockets
books ... I reckon you’ll love it. which can be reused, and this saves a lot of
Charlie: That sounds exactly the type of place I had in money.
mind. I guess you wouldn’t be into going P: So why are these businesspeople so interested in
shopping, though? sending people to Mars?

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 B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

M:: I think there are a number of reasons. Firstly, up was alright. To be honest, though, we didn’t really go
these are people who like a challenge. They’re there for the music. What we really wanted was to enjoy
very ambitious and I bet they’d love to be the atmosphere and have some quality time together.
responsible for sending the first humans to Mars.
However, I get the impression they’re also
interested in creating colonies in space, where
people can actually live. For them, a base on
Mars will make it easier to reach planets further
out in the solar system, where they can establish
those colonies.
P: Do you think they also see it as a business
opportunity?
M: Yes, absolutely. It’s not completely unlikely that
there are large amounts of precious resources,
like gold, on Mars. Whoever can work out how to
get them out of the ground and bring them back to
Earth could make a lot of money.
P: And how easy will it be to create a permanent
colony there?
M: That’s a more difficult question to answer.
Engineers have been designing houses which can
be built with 3D printers, as well as systems for
supplying clean air and water. However, there will
be other more complicated challenges to
overcome such as how to protect people from
extreme weather and radiation.
P: I don’t imagine many people will want to live there.
M: That’s a good point. Anyone who plans to go to
Mars will have to be committed to staying there. It
will be a long and expensive trip, so it will
probably be a one-way ticket. And once they’re
there, they’ll probably have to deal with difficulties
like a lack of food and water from time to time.
P: Are there any other reasons people might not
want to go there?
M: Well, some people think that it’s just not the right
thing to do. In the future, we’ll have problems to
deal with here on Earth, like climate change and
poverty. They think the money should be spent on
sorting those problems out first.
P: So how likely is it that we’ll send people to Mars in
our lifetime?
M: It’s difficult to say. Elon Musk has said he’ll send
people to Mars before 2030, whereas NASA
thinks it will be around 2037. Personally, I’m not
sure it’ll be so soon, especially as we haven’t
even been back to the Moon yet.
P: I won’t hold my breath then! Thank you very
much, Michael …

Unit 3 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT3.01]

1
Adrian: I’ve always loved going to music festivals so I
couldn’t wait to take my children to their first one last year.
I went to a lot of techno festivals when I was younger, but
obviously, I couldn’t take the kids to one of them. In fact,
I’m probably too old myself nowadays! Instead, we
attended a family event down in Cornwall, which was really
well organised. There weren’t many big acts, but the line-

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 B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

2 You still have thoughts, but you learn not to worry

Amanda: Earlier this year, I went to a jazz festival in about them.
Holland. Although I’m nearly 60, I’d never been to a music P: Everyone seems to be talking about meditation
festival before so it was a quite an experience for me. What right now.
I liked most about it was that it was held in a huge
conference centre, which meant I didn’t have to go too far A: That’s right, and I think it’s because we know
to see the different acts. The line-up was absolutely more about its benefits than we used to. For
amazing as well. I didn’t know all the artists, of course, but example, although it was becoming popular in the
I did get to see some of my favourite musicians. The only West in the 1970s, there was little interest from
thing I wasn’t so keen on was having to sit down for some the scientific community. As a result, some people
of the concerts. I really wanted to dance during some of the were rather pessimistic about the value of
performances, but the seating made it impossible. meditation. Now it’s taken more seriously, though.
P: Right. There’s been research into the benefits of
3 meditation, hasn’t there?
Gabriel: I’ve been to quite a few festivals, like that big one
which takes place in the desert. The last one I went to, A: Oh yes. There’s plenty of scientific research
though, was a dance-music festival on a ship. It set off showing that meditation can actually change the
from Orlando in the United States and we sailed around for way our brains work. In one study, it was shown
a few days listening to house music and partying. There that people who meditate regularly are better at
was a really good atmosphere and I had a lot of fun, but I paying attention. So, if you’re someone who finds
wouldn’t do it again. That’s because a friend of mine it hard to focus on their work, it could be useful.
recently pointed out that those cruise ships have a huge P: And what about stress?
carbon footprint. In fact, they have the same carbon A: Well, research has also shown that it can help our
emissions as around 12,000 cars, so I’ll be looking for one brains manage stress better. It works by changing
which is a bit more sustainable in future. the way we react to stressful situations and the
4 most interesting thing is that this can be a long-
Lucy: My husband and I have been attending the same term change. It has been shown that some people
music festival for around ten years now. It takes place in are better at managing stress for up to five years
the south of England and there are 200-odd performers after practising meditation.
from all over the world. The thing I like most is that the P: It sounds like the perfect cure for emotional and
festival-goers are pretty sensible, so it’s not as crazy as mental health problems.
some of those rock festivals. Apart from the music, there A: I know what you mean, but research shows that in
are other acts like poets and so on, so there’s something many situations, medication is still the most
for everyone. There’s even a campsite so you can take effective treatment. It’s important that people still
your tent and stay there if you want to. We’ve been staying take medicine when the doctor prescribes it.
in a guest house for the last couple of years, though, However, that doesn’t mean meditation can’t help
because it’s more comfortable. us in other situations.
5 P: There are different types of meditation, aren’t
Seb: About a year ago, I went to an ice music festival in there?
Norway. I sort of thought it would be like a normal festival, A: That’s right. One is guided meditation, where a
but in the cold. However, it turned out that everything was teacher takes you through the basic steps. For
made from ice. There were ice sculptures and that kind of example, they might describe a scene for you to
thing, but what amazed me most was that the instruments imagine with all your senses. Guided meditation is
were made out of ice. I couldn’t believe how much work the particularly useful for beginners, but it’s also good
organisers had put into it. All the buildings were kind of for people who want to reach certain goals, like
igloos made from fresh snow so it was pretty sustainable. athletes who are preparing for an important event.
The only thing I didn’t like was that it was colder than I
P: I guess another type is unguided meditation?
expected. I guess you can’t complain about the cold at an
ice festival, though! A: Exactly. That’s where you do it without a teacher
so you can decide how, where and when you
choose to meditate. The main techniques, such as
Unit 4 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT4.01] sitting quietly or just walking, are quite easy to
pick up. However, it can take quite a bit of practice
P = Presenter A = Andrea to be able to switch off from everything around
P: I’m Henry Lewis and today on the Breakfast you.
Show, I’m with Andrea Robinson, a psychologist P: What about meditation apps? Are they any good?
who’s been researching the benefits of meditation.
So, what is meditation, Andrea? A: Personally, I’d rather not use them because you
normally have to pay a monthly fee. However, I do
A: Well, meditation has been practised for thousands think they can be effective because they help you
of years and it means different things to different get into the habit of meditating and keep up your
people. For example, some people think it’s about progress. The problem with meditation is that you
emptying your mind of all your thoughts. For me, need to do it often and busy people often forget to
though, it’s simply about achieving a state of calm. do it regularly …

© 2022 Pearson PHOTOCOPIABLE 4

 B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

Progress Test 2 • Part B • Audio 1 [PT2.01] have any trouble getting to sleep so an operation doesn’t
1 seem necessary to me. My husband will just have to put up
Priscilla: I remember going out with my friends a couple of with it.
years ago and we had quite a late night. I’d been studying
all day so I was pretty exhausted. My friends wanted to go
out somewhere else, but I was looking forward to getting Progress Test 2 • Part B • Audio 2 [PT2.02]
home and going to bed. I managed to get the last night bus Nicky: If you’re a regular listener to this podcast, you’ll
and, as soon as I sat down, I dropped off. The next thing I know that I’m a big fan of music festivals. Today,
knew someone was shaking me awake. It was the driver I’m talking to Josh Harper who’s a festival
organiser. First of all, Josh, how did you get into
and he was annoyed because he’d finished work. He’d organising festivals?
parked the bus for the night at the bus station. I thought it
Josh: Well Nicky, like most people, I love attending
was a bad dream, but as I woke up, I understood what had music festivals. About ten years ago, I got a job
happened. selling T-shirts at a small one, mainly so I didn’t
have to pay for a ticket. After a few years of doing
2
that, I decided to organise my own festival and
Graham: For a few years, I had these terrible nightmares I’ve been doing that for the last four years.
where I was being chased by a man with no face. I used to
Nicky: So, what’s the most important thing to think about
wake up in a cold sweat and I would be afraid to go back to if you’re going to organise a festival?
sleep. It went on for months and I couldn’t find any way to Josh: As you know, there are a lot to choose from these
stop it. In the end, I went to see a psychologist because it days so you have to have a good reason for
had become such a problem. She tried analysing my putting on an event. Maybe you want to promote a
dream to find out the cause, but none of her theories made certain type of music or perhaps you want to
any sense. I kept having the dream for a few months and support a social cause. Whatever it is, you need to
then it stopped. I’ve never worked out what it meant. come up with something original. Ask yourself why
people would want to go to your festival instead of
3 all the others.
Lauren: As I’ve got older, I’ve found myself taking little Nicky: That makes sense. I guess you’ve always got to
naps at all times of the day and it doesn’t matter where I keep your audience in mind, right?
am. For example, the other day I took my son to a football Josh: Absolutely. It can vary a lot depending on the type
match and I fell asleep during the first half. Although there of music they’re into. For example, hip hop fans
was a noisy crowd, it didn’t stop me sleeping. I’m sure the are not the same as hard rock fans. Hip hop fans
might be happy with smaller gigs, but hard rock
other fans thought I was a bit strange, but I felt great after.
fans would probably prefer the experience of a big
I think some people call them power naps because they stage. It’s essential to create a relaxing and
give you an energy boost. From my perspective, that’s enjoyable atmosphere for your audience.
exactly what it does. And the best bit is that I still don’t Nicky: I guess you need to choose the right venue, don’t
have any trouble getting to sleep at night. you?
4 Josh: Yeah, it’s really important. Some people say you
should sort the acts out first. However, some
Peter: I can’t remember when the problem started, but it
organisers have messed up badly by not having a
was a long time ago. When I try to go to sleep, I just start proper venue. You need to decide whether you
thinking about all sorts of things. It’s not like I’m worrying or want it to be indoors or outdoors, whether there’s
anything. My brain just gets really active at bedtime. I’ve good access and what the facilities are like.
tried different ways of getting to sleep, like doing relaxation Nicky: Gosh, there’s so much to think about, and we
exercises, but no natural solutions seem to work. I did get haven’t even talked about the acts yet!
some medication from the doctor, but I stopped taking it Josh: I couldn’t agree more. But it’s true that they’re the
because I still felt exhausted all the time. It’s really main attraction for the majority of people. Most
annoying, but I just have to accept that I’m an insomniac. organisers will have a dream line-up, but you need
to be realistic because you won’t get all your
5 favourites. I would book a handful of really good
Anna: It’s really embarrassing, but I’ve got a problem ones before choosing other acts to support them.
with snoring. Some people only do it when they’ve got a Nicky: And what about other entertainment? Is that
cold, but I do it all the time. It’s really loud as well, so it important?
keeps my husband awake sometimes. Not long ago, he Josh: Good question. Most festivals offer a range of
moved into the spare room because he couldn’t stand it entertainment because sometimes festival-goers
anymore. He said I should make an appointment with the just need a break from the music. However,
doctor, but I’m afraid she’ll suggest an operation. I don’t there’s also a more practical reason. What often
happens with live music is that there are delays
getting started. If that happens, you need

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 B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

something else, like DJs and so on, to fall back J: Basically, we are given cases, which are people
on. Without that, your audience will soon get or families in need of help, and we have to identify
bored. ways to support them. As I work with older people,
Nicky: So, you’ve chosen the venue and the they often need help looking after themselves or
entertainment, how do you go about promoting staying safe. Sometimes they’re recovering from
your festival? an operation and need short-term assistance,
while others have disabilities and need longer-
Josh: In the past, organisers used advertisements in term support. I work closely with other
music magazines, but that’s changed now. These professionals, like nurses and care workers, to
days, most marketing campaigns are carried out provide the help they need.
online. You’ll need to create regular posts on
social media in order to attract fans to your P: What are the most important personal qualities in
festival. It might sound easy, but I’d recommend your profession?
getting an expert to do that for you. J: I’d say the most important is the ability to
Nicky: Well, thanks for your time, Josh, and good luck understand your clients’ feelings and problems.
with your next festival. I look forward to seeing You have to see things from their perspective in
who you’ve got headlining … order to know what they need. Secondly, you
need to be able to work under pressure as you
usually have several cases to deal with at the
same time. Lastly, you have to be organised
Unit 5 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT5.01] because you have to keep a record of everything
P = Presenter J = Jason you do.
P: Welcome to the Working Lives podcast where we P: One last question … Will you reinvent yourself
talk to different professionals about their jobs. again?
Today I’m talking to Jason Denning, who’s a
social worker. Jason, why did you pursue a career J: I’d always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I
in social work? was considering setting up a social care company.
The problem is that an entrepreneur is always
J: Mainly because I wanted to make a difference to focused on making a profit and I don’t want to do
people’s lives. Today’s society encourages us to that. I love my job and the people I work with, so I
think about ourselves and what we need as can’t see myself leaving social work.
individuals to make us happy. However, in my
opinion, the real purpose of society is to make
sure everyone can have the best life possible. It
seemed to me that social work was one way to
Unit 6 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT6.01]
help to achieve that. Milo: Hey Jessica, I saw an online talk last night about
P: You weren’t always a social worker, were you? the value of manual work, you know, working
with your hands.
J: That’s right. I’d been working in banking for a
number of years before I got into social work. I Jessica: Oh, I read a book about that a few years ago.
hadn’t planned to be a banker, but I didn’t have The author explained why society focused too
any career aspirations when I left university. I’d much on office work and not enough on manual
left with a lot of debt, so I needed a well-paid job work.
in order to pay it off. Not only that, but I liked the Milo: Yeah, it was the same argument. The author
fact that banking offered me the chance to must be the same person who did the talk. It was
advance in my career. Matthew Crawford, I think.
P: So why did you switch career? Jessica: Yeah, that’s him … So, what did you think?
J: It was a difficult decision because I was a Milo: Well, he made some interesting points,
successful banker. I’d started out as an analyst especially for people like us who work in offices.
and I’d moved into management in no time. I was According to him, many of us never see the
earning good money, but I never looked forward results of our work. Basically, we’re one little part
to going to work. When I realised I’d lost my of a big process, and our work never ends.
motivation, I decided to make a career change. Jessica: That’s right. In the book, he claimed that office
P: And how did you become a social worker? work was considered more intellectual, which is
J: I’d graduated from university with a degree in why people want to work in offices rather than do
English Literature so I had to retrain. One option manual work. I’m not sure I agree with him,
was to take a master’s degree in social work, but I though. I mean, what about surgeons and pilots?
didn’t fancy studying full-time. That’s why I chose They have to work with their hands, and many
a special course which combined part-time study people dream of doing those jobs.
with a work placement. It suited me because I Milo: There are bound to be exceptions. However, I’d
could get some practice of social work whilst argue that a lot of young people work in offices
learning the theory. because that’s what they’re expected to do.
P: What are your main responsibilities? Parents often encourage their children to
become managers, while schools and

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universities focus on teaching the skills which are enough. Although my new job is harder, I feel like I’m
needed in business. learning more.
Jessica: Do you really think so?
2
Milo: Absolutely. I was always told that the best
opportunities were in the financial sector. My Alistair: I’d been working in banking before I switched
teachers advised me to study economics at careers in my mid-twenties. I’d only gone into banking
university and that’s why I ended up working in because it was well-paid, but I’d always wanted to be a
banking. No one ever suggested becoming a teacher, really. So, after completing a course, I managed to
mechanic! get a job in a really good school. It was probably one of the
Jessica: Yeah, I take your point. I was more interested in best in the area and everyone wanted to work there. The
what the author said about sustainability, though. problem was that none of the teachers wanted to leave
He emphasised that companies make it almost either, so there was no chance of being promoted.
impossible to fix their products nowadays. When
they stop working, we throw them away and buy Although I loved it there, I didn’t feel like I was moving
new ones to replace them. I thought that was a forward. I’ve only been in my current school for six months,
really good point because it has terrible but they’ve already mentioned the possibility of promotion.
consequences for the environment.
3
Milo: He mentioned that in the video too, and it makes
Jenny: I started out as a carer, looking after old people,
sense. For example, in the past, if your washing
machine needed repairing, you might try to do it before moving into social work. I’d always been interested
yourself. The machines were easier to take apart in helping people, so it made sense for me to become a
and there were manuals to help you. Nowadays, social worker. My job could be quite difficult at times, but it
even an engineer might struggle to fix one was rewarding because I could make a difference to
because the machines and manuals are often people’s lives. The main issue was that I found it hard to
inaccessible. On the other hand, I don’t think
disconnect when I was at home and it stopped me doing
sustainability was Crawford’s main point.
other things. For example, I’d always been a keen pianist,
Jessica: Oh, really?
but I never had the chance to play. My new job isn’t as
Milo: No, I think his real message was that, as result of satisfying, but at least I can concentrate on my music now.
this situation, people aren’t as active as they
were in the past. We feel that some things are 4
out of our control, like fixing a washing machine, Louis: When I finished my economics degree, the
so we don’t even try to change things. Most of us university offered me a job as a researcher. I knew it would
would rather pay someone else to sort the
problem out for us. be challenging, but I’d be able to apply the knowledge I’d
learnt during my degree. The only problem was it was a
Jessica: But maybe it’s unrealistic to try and fix things
ourselves? Surely it’s better to use our time for part-time position. At first, I wasn’t too worried because I
what we’re good at instead. was expecting them to offer me a full-time job. However,
Milo: Well, Crawford’s point was that when we make they never did, and I couldn’t afford to work so few hours.
something work, we get a deep feeling of That’s why I decided to switch careers and go into
satisfaction. In fact, I had it the other day when consultancy. Now I have to work long hours and it’s not so
my lamp broke. At first, I was going to throw it rewarding, but the salary’s much better.
away and buy a new one. Then, I decided to try
and fix it myself. When it worked and the light 5
came on, I had this wonderful feeling of having Amelia: I’d studied medicine so I was pleased to get a job
achieved something. in a laboratory. We were working on developing vaccines
Jessica: I see your point. I don’t often get that feeling at and I found it really interesting. However, I’d only worked
work … there for a while when I started to have doubts about the
company. Basically, they were more interested in making a
profit than improving public health, and that didn’t seem
Progress Test 3 • Part B • Audio 1 [PT3.01] right to me. I’m working for a charity now, which provides
1 medical support for people in the developing world. I miss
Florence: I’d been working for the same accountancy firm working in the laboratory, but I feel happier knowing that
since I finished university, so I was there for about five we’re not making money out of people.
years in total. I remember the interview being really tough
and I was pretty surprised when I got the job. However, it
didn’t turn out to be as hard as I expected. I didn’t mind
that for the first few years, and I was quite happy because
the money was good. After a while, though, I started to find
it a bit tedious and I realised that it wasn’t testing my skills

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Progress Test 3 • Part B • Audio 2 [PT3.02] P: How long does the executive coaching process
take?
P = Presenter C = Caroline
C: I’d say that on average it’s about eight months,
P: Today on Modern Psychology, I’m joined by but it depends on what they want to achieve.
Caroline O’Brian. She’s an executive coach with Some people are surprised it takes so long, but
her own podcast, Business Matters. So, Caroline, clients need enough time to make their plan
what is an executive coach? happen. They also need to be able to reflect on its
C: Put simply, it’s someone with a lot of experience in effectiveness. I’d only recommend finishing the
business and a good understanding of the consultation process when the client is satisfied
processes involved in leadership. They work with that their objectives have been met.
companies to develop goals and ways of P: So what qualities should our listeners look out for
improving their performance. Their particular skill in an executive coach?
is providing personal and professional
development for business leaders. C: While a lot of professionals, like psychologists or
teachers, need special qualifications, an executive
P: So, how did you get into executive coaching? coach doesn’t need any. That means you have to
C: Well, I studied economics at university and, after choose one carefully. I’d look out for someone
graduating, I worked as a manager for a with plenty of business experience and, if
multinational firm. It was a great opportunity possible, leadership experience as well. Personal
because I could use some of the knowledge I’d qualities are also important and a good coach
picked up in my degree. I also became particularly should be patient and, above all, a good listener.
interested in how to help our employees become My advice would be to ask lots of questions
more effective in the workplace. After working in before choosing a coach so you know they’re the
that role for a number of years, I decided to switch right person for you.
careers and I became an executive coach. P: Well, thank you, Caroline …
P: And who do you work with?

C: Quite often I work with company directors who are Unit 7 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT7.01]
struggling with some aspect of their business. It 1
could be that performance is substandard or there Miriam: Something that really bothers me is the amount of
might be issues keeping staff. I help them focus gossip in my office. It’s unbelievable some of the things my
on the company’s strengths and work out colleagues talk about. Not so long ago, there was a rumour
solutions for their problems. That might involve going around the office that I was getting married. It was
reorganising the company or raising awareness of complete rubbish, of course, because I’m not even going
cultural problems. out with anyone. Someone must have misheard a
conversation about my friend’s wedding and come up with
P: Do you ever work with new companies?
this bit of fake news. I wish I’d reported them to my boss
C: Sure. About thirty percent of my clients are just because it’s completely unprofessional. In the end, I didn’t
starting out in business. They’re the clients I enjoy say anything though, so they’ll probably just carry on
working with most because they’re usually spreading their rumours.
enthusiastic and they want to put a great team
2
together. I help them develop an appropriate
Ruben: I can’t be the only person to get annoyed about
organisational structure and choose the most
people using their phones too much. It’s become a real
suitable staff to take the company forward.
problem in the last few years, but it didn’t bother me until
P: What happens when a client asks you for help? recently. A few weeks ago, I went out for dinner with my
partner and, from the moment we sat down, she didn’t put
C: Coaching should always take the needs of the
her phone down. I thought she must have had a problem at
client into account. Before anything else, I talk to
work or something, but I realised she was just chatting to
the client to find out about their plans for the
her friends on some social media app. In the end, I lost my
company. This stage is essential because clients
temper and left the restaurant. I guess I shouldn’t have
often need help defining their goals in a clear way.
done that, but I was fed up with being ignored.
Based on what they tell me, we create a list of
objectives together before developing a detailed 3
plan for achieving them. June: I was brought up to be polite and thoughtful so it
annoys me when other people aren’t like that. The other

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day, for example, I was taking the bus home from work and parcels to people in need. Before long, it was clear that
it was pretty crowded. All of the seats were taken except there was a need for food banks in other areas. Since then,
one, where a woman had piled up her shopping bags. the Hendersons have established a network of more than
I didn’t want to sit there myself, but I’d noticed an elderly 1,200 food banks across the country.
man who was standing up. The woman had clearly seen
I first got involved about three years ago, after seeing
him, but she didn’t move her bags. I accused the woman of
the difficulties faced by some members of my community.
being selfish, which caused a big scene on the bus. To be
At that time, there were several food banks in the city, but
honest, I wish I hadn’t got angry like that because it was a
none of them were nearby. If someone from my
bit embarrassing really.
neighbourhood wanted to get there, they’d have to take
4 public transport, which they couldn’t afford. After a meeting
Andrew: On the whole, I’m pretty relaxed and not many in the community hall to discuss the problem, a group of us
things annoy me. However, I do get frustrated if I arrange decided to set up our own food bank. We asked local
to meet someone and they don’t arrive on time. In fact, this shops for food donations and we were pleased with the
happened to me the other day. I was going to watch the response. However, the main issue was finding
football with a mate and we’d agreed to meet at the somewhere to keep the food. We must have spoken to
stadium before the match. Because I had both of our dozens of people, but no one offered to help. Eventually, a
tickets, I had to wait for him to get there, but he still hadn’t local mechanic let us use his garage so we could get the
arrived when the match kicked off. He eventually turned up project going. Now, there are ten of us volunteering, so we
about fifteen minutes later. He said something about the collect and organise the food before delivering it to our
bus being late, but there was no apology. If only I’d gone in clients’ doors. We must be helping about 80 families a
without him – that would have taught him a lesson. week at the moment, so we’re pretty busy.

5 We learnt that organising a food bank can be quite

Chelsea: One thing that really annoys me is when you get complicated, so, if you’d like to have a go, there are
treated badly in a restaurant. The other night I took a friend various things to consider. Firstly, you need to find
out for dinner to celebrate their promotion at work. I’d never somewhere to store the food and decide what you can
been to the restaurant before, but I chose it because it was keep there. Provided you can find somewhere dry with
recommended on a few websites. I have to say that the shelves, you can get started with tinned products and dry
food wasn’t a disappointment. However, it felt like the goods. However, you won’t be able to keep fresh products,
waiters didn’t want us to be there. From the moment they unless you have a refrigerator. You should also talk to your
served our dinner, they kept asking if we’d finished. In the clients to find out their needs. For instance, some clients
end, they just took our plates even though we were still might follow a special diet, which you’ll need to take into
eating. I should have complained to the manager really, but account. Lastly, you’ll have to work out how to distribute
I just wrote a really bad web review when I got home. the food. If you’ve got access to a vehicle, you can use
that. Otherwise you’ll need to organise a collection point,
such as a school or a local shop.
Unit 8 Test • Part B • Audio 1 [UT8.01]
I’d like to finish by saying that setting up a food bank
Steven: My name’s Steven and I’m going to talk to you can be very rewarding. On the one hand, you’re providing
about food banks. I’d like to start off by telling you that a valuable service to your community and helping people
dependence on them has increased considerably in the who really need it. On the other hand, you learn
last few years. However, the evidence suggests that the organisational and interpersonal skills which benefit your
number of people living in poverty has remained about the own personal development. I can’t recommend it highly
same, so why are more people using food banks? One enough.
explanation is that nowadays more children live in poverty
and parents don’t want them to go hungry. Another
Progress Test 4 • Part B • Audio 1 [PT4.01]
important point is that some working people also live on the
edge of poverty. Unfortunately, they have little money left 1
for food after they’ve paid their bills. Larry: I’d always kept myself busy, both at work and in
my free time. After a hard day in the office, having a busy
At this point, I’d like to tell you about how food banks social life was my way of switching off. But I’d started
started in Britain. So, the first one was set up by a couple getting awful headaches so I spoke to my doctor. She said
called Paddy and Carol Henderson back in 2000. They’d I was suffering from stress and she recommended slowing
been helping homeless children in Bulgaria before realising down. She also suggested trying something called ‘niksen’,
that hunger was also a problem in the UK. They set up which is basically the art of doing nothing. I just sit on my
their first food bank in Salisbury where they distributed food balcony and watch the world go by without thinking too

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 B2 Tests Package | Audioscript

much. I wish I’d heard about it before because it’s been 2

life-changing for me. Now I get far fewer headaches and I Nadia: I was brought up in a household which was crazy
feel much more relaxed. about cricket. It was always on the TV and my dad used to
play in the local team. It was all-consuming and my dad
wanted me to be involved, too. He tried to persuade me to
go to cricket practice, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I was
much more keen on hanging out with my friends. My dad
must have been disappointed because it meant so much to
him. Looking back, I wish I’d got involved a bit more. It
would have been good to have a shared interest.

3
Patrick: When I was a child, my idea of fun was going on
different bus journeys around the city. While some people
are interested in the makes and models of the vehicles, I
was fascinated with the routes. I remember drawing maps
with all the different routes, which I could remember off by
heart. They must have been really time-consuming to
make because they were so detailed. I’d put all the bus
stops and the route numbers on there. Recently I was
thinking that I’d like to see them again, but, unfortunately, I
got rid of them when I left home. If only I hadn’t done that!
I would have loved to show them to my own children.

4
Cara: I’ve been a stamp collector ever since I was a
teenager. I started off collecting ordinary stamps before
getting rarer ones as I became more enthusiastic about my
hobby. I used to go to special fairs where people would buy
and sell them. Some years ago, I had a chance to get a
stamp called a Penny Black, which is the stamp that every
British collector wants. Anyway, it was expensive and I
couldn’t make my mind up whether to buy it. By the time I’d
decided to get it, I’d missed the boat because it had
already been sold. I wish I’d got it, though, because they’re
really hard to find now.

5
Ian: I used to be a passionate amateur radio
enthusiast and I spent a fortune buying equipment. Once, I
was going to buy an expensive second-hand radio so I
could talk to people on the other side of the world. In the
end, I couldn’t afford it, but I think it was a blessing in
disguise. That’s because the internet came along and it
made communication easier than ever before, so we didn’t
need amateur radios anymore. To be honest, I wish I
hadn’t bought all that equipment. I could have used the
money for something else, like travelling. If I’d done that, I
might have actually met people in other countries!

Progress Test 4 • Part B • Audio 2 [PT4.02]

Helena: So, Marcus, I was watching an interesting talk on
the internet earlier.

Marcus: Oh yeah? What was it about, Helena?

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Helena: Well, the speaker was talking about how the rules for speaking in public. We don’t go around
world’s problems might not be as bad as we think. shouting at each other or bullying people.

Marcus: Hmm … perhaps that speaker hasn’t been Marcus: You know, I think it’s better to avoid social media
watching the news lately? as much as possible, especially if users are being
mean. In my opinion, it’s the people who are
Helena: I know what you mean, but his main point was
working with real communities that are making a
that the media tend to be very pessimistic. A good
difference.
example of this is the way they report crime. They
give you the impression that crime’s out of control, Helena: That’s a really good point. It makes much more
but, according to him, that’s not the case. He sense to get involved in community projects and
argues that, in many countries, the amount of help the people around you. You can achieve so
crime has been falling for decades. much through cooperation.

Marcus: I’d like to know what countries he’s talking about! Marcus: Exactly. In fact, I know a group of volunteers who
You know, he might have used data for places provide food and clothing for the homeless. They
with less crime in order to prove his point. It don’t spend all their time debating issues, they get
doesn’t mean crime rates are falling everywhere, out there and they change things.
though.
Helena: If only more people were like them, life would be
Helena: I see your point, but according to his research, better for everyone …
there are many things in the world that have
improved. For instance, poverty has been
decreasing everywhere and, on top of that, End of Course Test • Part B • Audio 1 [ET.01]
literacy levels are far higher than they used to be. Melody: Hello. I’m Melody Brown and I wanted to talk to
However, the media want us to focus on the you about skateboarding. I’ve been riding skateboards
negatives because it’s what people want to hear. since I was eight and I’m really passionate about it.
Marcus: That’s a fair point, although it could also be First of all, I wanted to explain the beginnings of
argued that some parts of the media do the skateboarding because it has an interesting history. If you
opposite. They’re more optimistic in their reporting saw one of the first skateboards today, you probably
so that people don’t feel guilty about things like wouldn’t recognise it. Known as crate scooters, they looked
poverty. From my perspective, we shouldn’t trust like wooden boxes with wheels stuck to the bottom.
everything we see in the media, because things Children would ride them by standing on the crate and
are never black and white. holding on with their hands.

Helena: I couldn’t agree with you more, although I think It wasn’t until the late 1940s that skateboards
one of the biggest problems we have today is resembled the ones we ride today. The wooden box was
social media. There’s so much fake news out replaced with a flat piece of wood so riders didn’t have to
there. On the one hand, it’s great that everyone hold on. They also became popular with the surfing
can share their opinions, but, on the other hand, community at this time because they were so similar to
some social media users are really irresponsible surfboards. Surfers would use them when there weren’t
and don’t think about the possible negative impact any waves to surf on and the sport actually became known
of their posts. I reckon half of what I read is as sidewalk surfing.
untrue. However, it was in the 1960s when people really
started getting into skateboarding. A new type of wheel had
Marcus: Yeah, but it also worries me how people try to get
been developed, which was made out of plastic. It was
their message across on social media. People can
lighter than the original metal wheels, which meant
be really rude to each other, which leads to some
skateboarders could go faster than before and they could
terrible arguments. Sometimes it feels like
start doing tricks. Skateparks also started to appear at that
everyone’s shouting and no one’s listening!
time, which had things like ramps and bowls for doing
Helena: I think there are two main reasons for that. Firstly, tricks in. People started to take skateboarding seriously
it’s because some big issues, like poverty or and the first professional skateboarders appeared in the
crime, are too complicated for social media. If you 1970s.
want to understand them properly, you need to go The highlight of skateboarding’s history was probably
into all the details. It’s impossible to do that in a the 2020 Olympics, when various skateboarding events
text message or a short video clip. Secondly, a lot were included. Audiences were amazed by the talent of
of social media users forget that there are usually Olympic skateboarders, some of whom were as young as

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twelve. Sky Brown, for example, became Britain’s youngest

ever medal winner at the age of thirteen. Until this point,
many people were suspicious of skateboarders, but now
they were being treated with respect.
So, why is skateboarding good for young people?
Firstly, it’s a sport which anyone can take part in because it
needn’t cost a lot of money. Although some professionals
pay hundreds of pounds for their skateboards, you can buy
a second-hand one quite cheaply. You should also have a
helmet and pads for protection, but you don’t need much
else. It’s true that skateboarding has influenced fashion,
but you don’t have to wear any special clothes. Most
people I know just wear comfortable trainers and a pair of
old jeans.
Although people worry about the safety of
skateboarding, fortunately there aren’t many serious
accidents. Most of the time, it’s just cuts and bruises, which
can be treated with basic first aid. At the same time,
skateboarding actually has a number of health benefits. It’s
a great way to stay in shape and avoid the sedentary
lifestyle, which so many people lead today. Not only that,
but the regular exercise has a positive impact on mental
health.
It’s obvious that skateboarding is worth promoting to
young people. However, they need somewhere to do it
safely, where there’s no risk to themselves or pedestrians.
That’s why we need to build skateparks in our towns and
villages. In my experience, they’re capable of bringing all
sorts of people of all ages together. You often see the
more experienced skateboarders teaching the younger
ones how to do tricks. Skateparks don’t only promote a
sense of community, but they also help individuals in their
social development.

I hope you’ve found my talk interesting. If you’ve got

any questions …

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