VSTEP LISTENING PRACTICE TEST #1
Time allowance: 40 minutes
Number of questions: 35 minutes
Directions: In this section of the test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand conversations and talks in English. There are three parts in this section with special directions for each part. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers in the recording.
The recording will be played ONCE only.
LISTENING TEST 1
PART 1: Questions 1-8
Directions: In this part, you will hear EIGHT short announcements or instructions. There is one question for each announcement or instruction. For each question, choose the right answer A, B, C or D. Then, on the answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer that you have chosen.
Now, let's listen to an example. On the recording, you will hear:
Woman: Hello. This is the travel agency returning your call. You left a message about the holiday you've booked, asking which meals are included in the cost during your stay at Sunny Hotel. Lunch and dinner are free but if you wish to have breakfast in the hotel, you will need to pay an extra amount of money, depending on what you order. Let me know if I can help you with any other information.
Goodbye.
On the test book, you will read:
Which meal is NOT included in the price of the holiday?
A. Breakfast B. Lunch C. Dinner D. All meals
The correct answer is A. Breakfast.
Now, let's begin with the first question.
How did he feel in his first job?
- A. bored
- B. confused
- C. enthusiastic
- A. a show
- B. a talk
- C. a party
- A. a pedestrian
- B. a driver
- C. a passenger
- A. Being in the right place at the right time is a matter of luck
- B. More time is spent planning than filming
- C. It is worthwhile spending time preparing
- A. outside a café
- B. by the sea
- C. on a lake
- A. provide her with a new one
- B. have it put together for her
- C. give her the money back
- A. hiring out boats
- B. hiring out caravans
- C. building boats
- A. an actor
- B. a journalist
- C. a theatre-goer
PART 2: Questions 9-20
Directions: In this part, you will hear THREE conversations. The conversations will not be repeated. There are four questions for each conversation. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
Questions 9 to 12 refer to the following conversation
Where is the woman?
- A. At a hotel
- B. At a restaurant
- C. At a conference
- D. At a laundry room
- A. Room cleaning
- B. Laundry service
- C. Express check-in
- D. Conference room rental
- A. On Sunday
- B. On Monday
- C. On Tuesday
- D. On Wednesday
- A. Process the woman's payment
- B. Help the woman with her luggage
- C. Take the woman's jacket
- D. Give the woman a bag
Questions 13 to 16 refer to the following conversation
Why does the woman say the meeting should be postponed?
- A. Some important data is missing
- B. Some employees will be absent
- C. The computer system has a problem
- D. An executive is scheduled to visit the office
- A. a manager
- B. a salesperson
- C. a doctor
- D. a shop assistant
- A. Thursday morning
- B. Thursday afternoon
- C. Friday morning
- D. Friday afternoon
- A. Visit a computer facility
- B. Take a lunch break
- C. Reserve a meeting room
- D. Write an e-mail message
Questions 17 to 20 refer to the following conversation
Why is the man traveling to India?
- A. To study at a university
- B. To sell his company's products
- C. To attend a conference
- D. To look for an apartment
- A. It is lightweight
- B. It is fashionable
- C. It is too expensive
- D. It is too small
- A. Show the man a different part of the shop
- B. Look for other products on a computer
- C. Give the man a discount
- D. Repair an item for the man
- A. Within 24 hours
- B. Within a week
- C. Within a month
- D. Within 2 days
PART 3: Questions 21-35
Directions: In this part, you will hear THREE talks, lectures or conversations. The talks, lectures, or conversations will not be repeated. There are five questions for each talk, lecture, or conversation.
For each question, choose the right answer A, B, C or D.
Questions 21 to 25 refer to the following radio interview
Stan says that the best thing about walking is that you can
- A. get fit by doing it
- B. please yourself how you do it
- C. do it on your own
- A. people doing it may need to be accompanied
- B. it is unsuitable for beginners
- C. it is more exciting than walking
- A. It was not enjoyable
- B. It was harder than he expected
- C. It can be very frightening
- A. Britain is not the best place for it.
- B. It is more expensive in Britain than elsewhere
- C. It is best where there are lots of downhill slopes
- A. most of the courses for it are good
- B. it is easier than it seems
- C. you should think carefully before trying it
Questions 26- 30 refer to the following radio interview
How did Douglas feel when he booked the weekend?
- A. sure that he would enjoy training for it
- B. uncertain if it was a good idea for him
- C. surprised that such activities were organized
- A. meet people with similar interests
- B. improve his physical fitness
- C. discover his psychological limits
- A. were there for reasons like his
- B. were experienced climbers
- C. were in better condition than him
- A. He was making a mistake
- B. Climbing was fashionable
- C. She was envious of him
- A. to send each other postcards
- B. to take a different sort of trip together
- C. to go on another climbing trip together
Questions 31 to 35 refer to the following radio interview
What was the origin of Martin Middleton's love of travel?
- A. living abroad in the 1960s
- B. something he read as a child
- C. a television film about Africa
- A. had no fixed expectations
- B. made a program about life on the river
- C. became more interested in filming old buildings
- A. more relaxed
- B. more creative
- C. more organized
- A. slightly ridiculous
- B. extremely
- C. strangely depressing
- A. relax by the sea
- B. stay in comfortable surroundings
- C. travel for a particular reason
