City & Guilds Qualifications

International ESOL Expert level C1

New 2009 CEFR aligned Practice Paper 3

NB Read out the text which is not in italics. Read at normal speed making it sound as much like
spoken English (rather than English which is read aloud) as possible.

Part one, part one.

You will hear eight short unfinished conversations. Choose the best reply to continue the conversation.
Put a circle round the letter of the best reply. First, look at the example [15 seconds]. You will hear the
conversations twice.

Number one. Number one. (6 seconds)

M: [giving big news] Anyway, he suddenly announced his resignation.

F: [completely surprised] What?! Out of the blue?
M: Yes, I was there. Im not making it up.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

Number two. Number two. (6 seconds)

M: Youve done a terrific job. Well done!

F: [obviously relieved] Thanks. I wasnt sure whether that was what
you wanted.
M: [very satisfied] Its precisely what I wanted.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

Number three. Number three. (6 seconds)

F: [apologertic but abdicating responsibility] Im sorry, but it really wasnt

my fault.
M: [rhetorical question] Well, whose fault was it then?
F: One of my team didnt do his job properly.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

Number four. Number four. (6 seconds)

M: [annoyed at having been asked] Im not sure about this.

Youve put me in a difficult position.
F: I wouldnt ask if it wasnt important.
M: Ill have to think about it.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)
 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

Number five. Number five. (6 seconds)

F: [audibly concerned] I cant understand why he hasnt arrived.

M: [trying to make light of it] Dont worry; hes probably delayed in the
traffic.
F: [more worried] But he would have phoned surely.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

Number six. Number six. (6 seconds)

M: What do you think of the new neighbours?

F: [dismissive] Not much. Theyre a noisy lot.
M: [defending them] Give them a chance; theyve got really young children.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

Number seven. Number seven. (6 seconds)

F: So, this is how management intends to proceed.

M: [serious, stern] I object to this. There's been no consultation.
F: Im afraid its a management decision.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

Number eight. Number eight. (6 seconds)

F: [trying to help out] I may be able to help you out with those.
M: [frustrated and grateful at the same time] Really? I used to have lots.
F: [confirming] Dont worry, Ive got loads of them at home.
(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)
(10 seconds)

That is the end of Part One.

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 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

Part two, part two.

You will hear three conversations. Listen to the conversations and answer the questions below. Put a
circle round the letter of the correct answer. You will hear each conversation twice. Look at the questions
for Conversation One. (10 seconds.)

Conversation One

F: So what exactly do you do, Mike?

M1: Im a patent lawyer. I work for inventors or companies. I make sure that legally no-one can take
their original ideas and use them as their own.

F: Mmm sounds interesting.

M1: Yes, it is, and I do enjoy it, but Im getting a bit stale so Im looking for something more interesting
in a different branch of the profession.

F: Oh really? Youre qualified in law too, arent you, Stephen?

M2: Yeah, but I gave up years ago. It didnt suit me really. Im in publishing, commissioning editor for
school books.

M1: A bit different from law I imagine!

M2: Yes, although my legal qualifications are quite useful actually. We decide what books we want
and find experts to write them.

M1: Easier said than done I expect.

M2: Oh yes. Especially making sure they keep to the agreed guidelines and deadlines.

F: I can imagine.

M2: But its rewarding work, especially when the book comes out.

(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)

(10 seconds)

Now, look at the questions for Conversation Two. (10 seconds.)

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 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

Conversation Two

M1: Im sorry madam, but do you know why Ive pulled you over?

F: [mixture of apology and annoyance] Yes, Im sorry officer. I just lost concentration for a
moment. Were a bit late and I wasnt thinking.

M1: [very formal and stern] You realise there is a stop sign at the junction. You almost ran into a
cyclist. Could have killed him.

F: [just managing to control her anger] Yes, I said Im sorry. Im not normally like this.

M2: Im afraid it was my fault officer; we were discussing something and my wife just lost
concentration for a moment. [pleading mitigating circumstances] Anyway that cyclist appeared
from nowhere.

M1: Is this your car madam?

F: [stress on our] Well its our car, yes.

M1: Do you have your documentation?

F: Yes, of course.

M2: [frustrated] How long is this going to take? You see, were in a bit of a hurry

F: We have to pick up our thirteen-year-old son from the airport. We got the times wrong. And now
were late.

M1: This wont take a moment, but Im afraid this incident will have to be reported.

(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)

(10 seconds)

Now, look at the questions for Conversation Three. (10 seconds.)

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 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

Conversation Three

M1: Excuse me, were looking for a shop that sells reproduction prints by local artists. Im sure its in
this street

M2: [realising what he means] Oh, you mean Owens Arts.

M1: Im not sure what its called but I was a student here years ago and loved that shop.

M2: Youre in the right place but Im afraid the shop closed down years ago. It was over there.

F: Oh, that caf?

M2: Caf and restaurant yes. Its happening all over town. All the interesting shops
are closing down and cafs and restaurants are taking over. Greedy landlords overcharging!

F: What a pity My husband has been going on about this place for years, and now we
finally come here, its gone.

M2: Sorry I cant help you.

M1: Oh never mind; I suppose we could have a cup of coffee. Sorry about that, darling.

F: Thats OK. At least you found it, and after all it was thirty years ago. Things move on.

(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)

(10 seconds)

That is the end of Part Two.

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 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

Part three, part three.

Listen to the podcast about the Grand Canyon National Park and complete the notes below. Write short
answers (1-5 words). An example is done for you. At the end of the podcast you will have two minutes to
read through and check your answers. You will hear the podcast twice.
You have one minute to look at the notes below. (1 minute.)
[beep]
Grand Canyon National Park
These are exciting times I do believe here at Grand Canyon National Park. We have many projects that I
think the public will find interesting and will really contribute to their experience. One of the big ones and
one of my favourites, being a hiker, is everything we are doing on trails. We have new trails on the rim.
The new Hermit rim trail, for summertime when its hot, is beautiful. It has incredible views, its right on
the edge of the canyon, and its in great shape. Were also working on trails within the canyon. We have
hundreds of miles of trails, but were really emphasising the corridor trails and getting those up and into
the best shape we can. We have work going on to improve parking, and exhibits, and a new film at the
visitor centre. Lots of resource projects, too, that the average visitor may not see first hand, but things
that we are taking care of like exotic plants in the park to keep it more natural, and wildlife
programmes. Theres just a lot going on and its a great time to be in the park.

We have to make sure that were taking care of this park for future generations. Were reaching out to
visitors from all over the world to make sure they have the most special experience they possibly can. It
has to be one that includes history and the environment and also is contemporary, that reaches out to
people. I think that other challenges are always related to our budgets and making sure that we maintain
the park like we want to.

We have, like the cities of the United States; over $250,000,000 in deferred maintenance. A lot of that is
things that people dont think about. From maintaining a water system here, where the water comes
from inside the canyon, to taking care of roads and facilities. Its going to be a challenge, but with our
staff I think we are really up for it. I mean, this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. By my
estimation, one of the most fantastic parks, not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world. So,
its important to set those goals high and that we do everything we can to reach them. I think that we are
well on our way. Ive only been here a couple of years and Im looking forward to continuing to stepping
up to meet those challenges and working with our staff to make sure we achieve our aims. One of my
goals has been to try to hike across the canyon, rim to rim, in every season. Im pleased to say I actually
met that goal, with a winter hike across the canyon. I just really recommend to people that when you
come to the Grand Canyon, take some kind of short hike, or ranger hike, or get out there and look, even if
its just a few hundred yards, into the canyon. Its a remarkable experience.

(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)

(10 seconds)

You will now have two minutes to read through and check your answers.

(2 minutes.)

[beep]

That is the end of Part Three.

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 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

Part Four, Part Four.

Listen to the conversation and answer the questions. Put a circle round the letter of the correct answer.
An example is done for you. You will hear the conversation twice.

You have two minutes to read through the questions below. (2 minutes.)

[beep]

F: Good afternoon, Maria Spencer here. Welcome to our afternoon discussion session. According
to a study published today, the children of mothers who return to work full-time in the years
before they start school have slower emotional development and score less well in reading and
maths tests during their subsequent school lives. Dr Eric Small is an expert in this area and hes
here today.

M: Good afternoon everybody.

F: Now, I have to tell you that, as a working mum, I have a fairly active interest in this topic and Im
afraid its another report which, without intending to, ends up criticising the poor working mum.
Why should we all consistently be made to feel so guilty?

M: Well, first of all let me say that this report is not for one moment suggesting that mothers who
return to work are neglecting their children; far from it. But the report concerns itself with
statistics and scientific measurement and it shows that the disadvantage to children of working
mums, no matter what their background, starts in primary school and persists into early
adulthood, with lower educational attainment and higher unemployment likely.

F: But surely a lot of this depends on the make-up of the family, on the contribution to family life and
child-rearing from both partners.

M: Im sure that there are many families who manage to balance work and family life fantastically
well, but that seems to have little effect on educational progress. The report found that the
employment patterns of the father have little effect either.

F: Now, you claim that this report has been written on the basis of statistical evidence, but there is
other research that claims that the timing of a mother's return to work has no influence on their
children's development at all. What are we to believe? Presumably a different set of statistics
was used, or the same ones with different interpretations.

M: I believe the study you are referring to was carried out within a number of different European
countries, whereas this one was just in the United Kingdom. Its possible that it may have
something to do with the way families work there, for example, greater availability of family
members with the ability and willingness to help out, easier access to child care, a greater social
acceptance of childrens needs, that kind of thing. Also, we in the UK, especially men, work the
longest hours in Europe and surely we need to change that, although, according to the UK report,
working patterns make no difference.

F: Now, we all have this image of professional mothers returning to work to resume their career.
But it seems to me interesting that the vast majority of women returning to work after having a
child are in fact forced to do so, and many may be from the lower income, less educated bracket.
So its more a matter of necessity than choice in fact

M: Yes, absolutely. I must admit that I meet a lot of women who thoroughly enjoy being a full-time
mum. But these are the fortunate ones, as they feel no pressure either from society or from their
partners to go back to work. They regard childcare as a profession in itself, which of course it is.
Its a pity things arent more often simply a matter of choice.
(continued)

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 Expert level C1 Practice Paper 3

F: And I suppose the positive effects of higher household income goes some way to compensating
for the negative effect of reduced contact in the early years.

M: Oh indeed. Its a question of balance. But the report is saying that it has little to do with
education or class; even the children of highly educated mothers who go back to full-time work
early will have comparatively lower educational attainment. And then the pattern is repeated.

(Wait 10 seconds before repeating.)

(10 seconds)

That is the end of Part Four.

You now have 2 hours 40 minutes to complete the rest of the paper.

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