Transcription
Now turn to section one.
Section one. In this section, you'll hear a conversation between two students in the dining hall of the college. First, you have some time to read questions 1 to 4.
Now listen carefully to the conversation and answer questions one to four.
Hi Max. How are you?
Hi Melanie. I'm fine. In fact, I'm preparing the coming holidays and I want to have a car tour with my friends.
That sounds lovely. Well, how is your preparation?
Well, I haven't begun yet because I'm not quite sure how to rent a car and what the expense is like and something like this.
Huh?
You've run into the right person. I did the same last holiday and I can recommend it to you. I went to Avis Rental Car Company which is at 14A Dover Road, Oxford.
Let me write it down. Is it D O V E R?
Yes. And the telephone number is 634963. But if you book for the first time, dial another number with extension. That is 634853 extension 54.
Okay. Thank you very much. I'll have a try.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to read questions 5 to 10.
Now listen to the conversation between Max and the assistant and answer questions 5 to 10.
Good morning, Avis Rent Car Company. How can I help you?
Hi, I want to book a car for tour. I want to inquire some information about the grade of the cars and the prices.
No problem. We offer a wide selection of rental cars to choose from from luxury car to economy car, compact car, minivan, and pickup truck.
Well, uh, luxury car is obviously out of my price range, but compact or economy is not big enough. You know, we have seven persons together.
Well, how about a minivan? It's perfect for road trips and will make your journey feel like you're in a living room on wheels.
I think that's good. But what does it feature? I I mean, what facilities does it have?
Unlike most minivans with manual transmission, the rental minivan cars have feature automatic transmission, air conditioning, and AM FM stereo. If you drive a long smooth way, you can use the cruise control, which will save you a lot of energy.
Good. How much is the price?
If you rent an intermediate one, it will cost you £55 each day. If it is standard, the cost is £45 per day.
I think the standard is enough.
Oh, we have a special 50% discount for weekends from Friday to Sunday, but that doesn't apply to tax, recovery fees, and optional services.
Well, what are the optional services?
Well, they usually include some extra facilities like first aid kit or something like that.
I know. We plan to start off on Friday. So we have to prepare one day in advance. I want to book from 30th of April which is Thursday and it will end next Monday.
Okay. Could you leave your name and the driving license number?
My name is Max and the license number is M9021.
Okay. You can pick up the car on Thursday noon. Besides, we offer some optional services like street maps, flashlight, and sunsheet. What would you like to have?
Flashlight is not necessary, I think, but street maps are useful, especially when we drive in a strange place. As for the sun sheet, I'd like to give that a miss. We don't want to spend too much extra money.
Okay, Mr. Max, thank you for calling.
That is the end of section one. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Now turn to section two.
Section two, you will hear Joanne describing her home city of Darwin in Australia to a man called Rob who hopes to go there. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15.
Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.
Joanne.
Hi. You must be Rob. Nice to meet you. So, I hear you're planning to visit Australia.
Yeah. and I really wanted to talk to you because I was thinking of spending some time in Darwin and my sister told me you're from there.
That's right.
So, tell me about it.
Well, where shall I start? Well, Darwin's in what they call the top end because it's right up at the northern end of Australia and it's quite different from the rest of Australia in terms of cultural influences. In fact, it's nearer to Jakarta in Indonesia than it is to Sydney. So you get a very strong Asian influence there. That means we get lots of tourists. People from other parts of Australia are attracted by this sort of international cosmopolitan image. And as well as that, we've got the same laidback atmosphere you get all over Australia. Probably more so if anything because of the climate. But what a lot of the tourists don't realize until they get there is that the city's also got a very young population. The average age is just 29 and this makes the whole place very buzzy. Some people think that there might not be that much going on as far as art and music and dancing and so on are concerned because it's so remote. I mean we don't really get things like theater and opera in the same way as cities down in the south like Sydney for example because of the transport expenses. But in fact what happens is that we just do it ourselves. Lots of people play music, classical as well as pop. And there are things like artists groups and writers groups and dance classes. Everyone does something. We don't just sit and watch other people.
You said it's very international.
Yeah. They say there's over 70 different nationalities in Darwin. For instance, there's been a Chinese population there for over a hundred years. We've even got a Chinese temple. It was built way back in 1887, but um when a very bad storm, a cyclone in fact, hit Darwin in the 1970s, it was almost completely destroyed. The only parts of the temple that survived were part of the altars and the stone lions, but after the storm, they reconstructed it using modern materials. It's still used as a religious center today, but it's open to tourists, too, and it's definitely worth going to see it. Oh, and as far as getting around goes, you'll see places that advertise bicycles for hire, but I wouldn't recommend it. A lot of the year is just so hot and humid. Some tourists think it'll be fine because there's not much in the way of hills and the traffic is quite light compared with some places, but believe me, you're better off with public transport. It's fine and not expensive. Or you can hire a car, but it's not really worth it.
What's the swimming like?
Well, there are some good beaches, but the trouble is that there's this nasty creature called the box jellyfish, and if it stings you, you're in bad trouble. So, you have to be very careful most of the year, especially in the winter months. You can wear a Lycra suit to cover your arms and legs, but I wouldn't like to risk it even so, personally. And there are the saltwater crocodiles, too. I mean, I don't want to put you off. There are protected swimming areas netted off where you'll be safe from jellyfish and crocs. Or there are the public swimming pools. They're fine, of course.
You now have some time to look at questions 16 to 20.
Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.
So which places would you specially recommend?
Well, one of the most popular attractions is called Aquacine. What happens is every day at high tide, hundreds of fish come in from the sea. all different sorts, including some really big deep sea fish. And some of them will even take food from your hand. It's right in the middle of town at the end of the esplanade. It's not free. I think you have to pay about $5, but it's definitely something you have to experience. Then, of course, Darwin has a great range of food. Being such a cosmopolitan place and if you don't have lots to spend, the best place to go is to Smith Street Mall where they have stalls selling stuff to eat. There's all sorts of different things including Southeast Asian dishes which I really like. You'd think there'd be plenty of fresh fish in Darwin as it's on the coast, but in fact, because of the climate, it mostly gets frozen straight away. But you can get fresh fish in the restaurants on Cullen Bay Marina. It's a nice place to go for a special meal. And they have some good shops in that area, too. What else? Well, there's the Botanic Garden. It's over 100 years old, and there's lots to see. An orchid farm, rainforest, a collection of palm trees, uh a wetlands area. You can easily spend an afternoon there. That's at Fanny Bay, a couple of kilometers out to the north. Then if you've got any energy left in the evening, the place to go is Mitchell Street. That's where it all happens as far as clubs and music and things are concerned. You'll bump into lots of my friends there. Talking of friends, why don't I give you some email addresses? I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you
That is the end of section two. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Now it turns to part three.
Part three. I have with me today Matthew East, a registered osteopath and a supporter of alternative techniques in healthcare. Matthew, can you tell us more about osteopathy? First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.
Six. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.
Over the past 50 years, there have been some radical changes in medicine as it is known in the West. This is largely the result of vast improvements in technology but also in the rising importance of alternative treatments. I have with me today Matthew East, a registered osteopath and a supporter of alternative techniques in healthcare. Matthew, can you tell us more about osteopathy?
Well, perhaps the first thing I should say is that the term alternative is actually a little misleading as I am referring to approaches and attitudes to health that were in common use long before western medicine was established. I prefer the term natural. Anyway, I'll begin by telling you a little about osteopathy. Basically, osteopathy is the manipulation of muscles in order to alleviate stresses and tensions that lead to pain. Now, unlike western medicine, osteopathy considers the whole body, not just the affected area. And this is a very important principle of natural remedies. The whole body must be considered before a course of treatment can be decided upon. You see the aim of therapies like osteopathy is not only to repair the body but also to get the body treating itself. And this does not come from treating the symptoms. To give an example, I recently treated a 2-month-old baby who was screaming all day and was even worse at night. The couple had taken the baby to their doctor, but the only advice they were given was that the baby would grow out of it. However, the real problem stemmed from a difficult birth which put pressure on the baby's neck. After 10 minutes of gentle manipulation, the pressure was released and within 20 minutes, the baby was quiet and calm for the first time. This was achieved without drugs or operations. Avoiding such invasive methods of treatment highlights another of the differences between western medicine and a more natural approach. You see, western medicine often uses surgery in order to find a solution to problems that could have been addressed with simple remedies. A medical approach that looks closely at how essential an operation is before it is performed would offer patients a considerably less stressful method of treatment, not to mention the financial savings. Natural remedies actually amount to about 10% of the cost of a western course of treatment.
Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.
Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.
I'd like to mention the subject of surgery again a little later, but I would like to say at this point that there are those that claim that the benefits of osteopathy and herbal therapies are largely psychological, that they have not undergone the clinical trials that pharmaceuticals have. To answer that, you only need to look at the example I gave earlier of a baby that stopped crying less than an hour after treatment, but was obviously far too young to react because of purely psychological factors. Another example can be seen in the successful use of acupuncture in the treatment of animals. In response to criticism regarding clinical trials, it is worth noting that the power of pharmaceutical companies is such that although some drugs fail the status required of them, they are sometimes still prescribed by doctors. Moving on to another point, it should be stressed that natural remedies in addition to having no side effects can also be applied to any patient. Now I'm not suggesting that the same treatments are used indiscriminately. Although natural remedies can be used with any age group. The treatment selected is very specific to a person. By this I mean that not only the general health of the patient needs to be considered but also their habits, diet and lifestyle in order to build a complete picture. However, I am not suggesting that we should reject western medicine entirely. In fact, there have been occasions when I have referred patients to their doctor as I felt that in those cases, it was the most suitable course of action. There are many situations in which it is by far the best option. Take emergency surgery for example. Obviously, more natural remedies do not provide the speed required in such cases. The best solution would therefore be an open-minded combination of the two forms.
Well, thank you very much, Matthew. That was a very interesting insight into alternative, sorry, natural treatments. Next week, we'll be inviting Dr. Moore, that's M O R E, onto the program to argue his case as a doctor. Until next week, then, goodbye.
That is the end of part three. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Now it turns to part four.
Part four, you are going to hear a talk about universities and colleges in Britain. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
Every year thousands of young people want to study in Great Britain. They come from a range of backgrounds and have varying expectations of what their study in the country will be like and how to apply to the university. Today I'd like to talk on universities and colleges in Britain. There are 45 universities, 30 polytechnics, and about 1,000 major technical, commercial, education, and art colleges in the UK. In 1973 to 1974, there were over 251,200 full-time students in universities, of whom almost 10% were from overseas. A total of nearly 276,350 students attending full-time courses in establishments of further education and about 130,270 in colleges of education. University first degree courses in arts and sciences are normally of three or four years duration and with very few exceptions. Students are not admitted for any shorter period of study. The academic year normally extends from October to June and is divided into three terms. Information about courses and entrance requirements should be obtained by writing direct to the university at least 12 months before the proposed date of admission. All applications for admission are dealt with by the university's central council on admissions, the AKA to which all candidates seeking admission to a full-time internal first degree course or a first diploma course of more than one year's duration must apply. Full details of the admission procedure are to be found in the UK handbook. How to apply for admission to a university. A copy of this handbook and the standard application form should be obtained from the UK at PO Box 28 Cheltenham and Goucestershire GL501HY. The application form must be returned to the UK by a stated closing date usually in December October for Oxford and Cambridge. The UK will continue to send application forms to universities for consideration at their discretion for a limited period after the 15th of December. But candidates are strongly advised to ensure that their application forms reach the UK by the stated closing date to help their chances of selection. Candidates who fail to obtain a place in the initial selection period are automatically put into the clearing house scheme in June July when these candidates application forms are again sent to those universities which still have vacancies. Students from the following countries should send their application forms to the UK via the overseas student office of their own country in London. Bahamas, Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana, Guyana, India, Luxembourg, Singapore, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda. Graduates of a university in Britain or overseas who wish to take another first degree course should approach the university concerned to require whether it wishes them to apply direct or through the central UK scheme.
Now, let's turn to transfer. It is very rare for a student who has begun a first degree course at one university in Britain to transfer to another British university with a view to completing it there and there is no provision for the automatic granting of credit for university studies already undertaken. Students who have already completed some university level study should make inquiries directly with the individual university. To be considered for admission, a candidate must show that his earlier education has qualified him to enter the course and that he speaks, writes, and understands English sufficiently well. The usual minimum qualifications for entry to a first degree course in a university are good passes in the general certificate of education, the British school leaving examination, either three passes at ordinary level and two advanced level or one at ordinary level and three at advanced level. A certificate which gives admission to a university in the candidate's own country will be taken into consideration for admission to a British university. But a university may still require passes in some subjects of the GCE or an equivalent examination. It should be noted that possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is competitive and each application is judged on its merits. The British Council offices overseas and the School's Council 160 Great Portland Street London W1N6L are prepared to offer advice on the acceptability of specific overseas qualifications in place of the British General Certificate of Education. A copy of the original certificate and where appropriate an approved translation should accompany all inquiries.
That is the end of part four. You now have half a minute to check your answers.