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Cambridge

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C2 Proficiency
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Listening
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Test 1
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and Scholars of the University of Cambridge and are not associated with Prosperity Education or its products.
 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

Part 1 Test 1
Audio track: C2_Listening_1_1.mp3

You will hear three different extracts. For questions 1–6, select the best
answer A, B or C. There are two questions for each extract. Read the

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questions carefully before playing the audio. In the exam, you will have

a
the opportunity to listen to each recording twice.

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Ed
Extract One

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1 You hear a woman talking on the radio about a sports event. What is

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the woman’s opinion of the organisation of the event?

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A The price of tickets was generally reasonable.

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B The venues were unsuitable for a high-profile event.
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C The practicalities were well-considered.
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2 What does the woman suggest about the event?

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A There was a lot of controversy about the event.

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B The event was a failure from a commercial perspective.

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C The athletes failed to live up to expectations.

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Extract Two
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3 You hear part of an interview with an educational campaigner, in which

public spending is discussed. The campaigner suggests that when
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formulating policy, the government:

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A should be more transparent about their decisions.

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B is reluctant to make unpopular choices.

C relies too much on external consultants.

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

4 Which aspect of education does the campaigner feel has been

underfunded?
A Healthy food provision
B Additional academic support

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C School sports activities

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Ed
Extract Three

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5 You hear a man talking on the radio about a new type of account that

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has just been introduced at his bank. What does the man say about the

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account?

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A It offers customers flexibility in their banking options.
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B It encourages customers to monitor their spending habits.
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C It provides cash incentives for customers to save more.

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6 The man says his bank makes customers feel that:

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A they are in control.

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B they are individuals.

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C they are valued.

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

Part 2 Test 1
Audio track: C2_Listening_1_2.mp3

You will hear a gem expert talking about a substance called amber. For
questions 7–15, complete the sentence with a word or short phrase (a

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maximum of three words). Read the questions carefully before playing

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the audio. In the exam, you will have the opportunity to listen to each

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recording twice.

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Amber

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Contrary to popular belief, amber is not a 7)___________________, although it

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is often treated as such.

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Resin is a 8)__________________ substance which acts as a safeguard to
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protect trees from pests.
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Amber 9)__________________, such as fossilised leaves or insects, are traces

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of life that existed millions of years ago.

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Most amber 10)___________________ are found in the Baltic region of

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Northern Europe.
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In the Baltic region, there are fears about the environmental impact of any
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amber extraction that is 11)___________________.

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The phrase ‘Baltic 12)___________________’ has been used to draw parallels

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between the popularity of amber and nineteenth-century North America.

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The high number of amber 13)___________________ on the market reflects

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the fact that amber is a much-valued commodity.

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The succinic acid found in amber has been said to support the
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m

14)___________________, a claim which has been disputed.

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Those interested in the spiritual qualities of amber claim that it may improve
people’s sense of 15)___________________.

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

Part 3 Test 1
Audio track: C2_Listening_1_3.mp3

You will hear an interview in which two filmmakers, Lee Davies and Tilly
Woodford, are talking about a documentary they have made about

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animals. For questions 16–20, select the best answer A, B, C or D. Read

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the questions carefully before playing the audio. In the exam, you will

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have the opportunity to listen to each recording twice.

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16 Tilly says the initial inspiration for the documentary came from:

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A experiencing an intense emotional bond with an animal.

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B wanting to encourage her own children to appreciate animals.

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C realising her understanding of animals was quite limited.

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D thinking about her childhood memories of keeping animals.
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17 How did Lee originally feel about working on the documentary?

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A Curious about whether he would work well with Tilly

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B Guilty about having to abandon his other project

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C Anxious about working in a different way

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D Doubtful about the level of interest in the subject

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18 What does Tilly suggest about the man she interviewed?

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A He found it hard to take care of his pets.

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B He didn’t take his pets’ needs into consideration.

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C He disagreed with Tilly’s suggestions about pet nutrition.

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D He only focused on the fun sides of pet ownership.

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

19 What discovery surprised Lee and Tilly most during their research?
A How far some people go to protect wild animals
B How little is known about animal communication
C How much society’s attitudes to pets have changed

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D How important the pet sector is to the economy

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Ed
20 When reflecting on the documentary, they express regrets that:
A they had to cut several stories from the final version.

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B the documentary contained few of their own insights.

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C they focused on the least controversial issues.

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D their small budget limited what they could do.

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

Part 4 Test 1
Audio track: C2_Listening_1_4.mp3

You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking about their
workplaces. Read the questions carefully before playing the audio. In

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the exam, you will have the opportunity to listen to each recording

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twice.

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Task One

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For questions 21–25, select from the list (A–H) what each speaker is

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primarily responsible for in their job.

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Task Two
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For questions 26–30, select from the list (A–H) which benefit of working
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for their company each speaker mentions.

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Task One
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A Formulating marketing strategies

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Speaker 1 21
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B Approving financial transactions

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Speaker 2 22
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C Managing professional development

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Speaker 3 23
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D Resolving customer complaints

Speaker 4 24

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

E Developing new products

Speaker 5 25

F Analysing sales figures

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G Recruiting new staff

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H Providing technical support

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Task Two

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A Flexible work schedules
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Speaker 1 26
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B A greater understanding of their chosen field

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Speaker 2 27
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C An enhanced sense of self-confidence

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Speaker 3 28
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D A highly competitive salary

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Speaker 4 29
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E Better opportunities for career progression

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Speaker 5 30
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F Additional work responsibilities

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G A supportive work environment

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H The chance to work creatively

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening Answers

Test 1 Test 1

Part 1
1 C 2 A 3 B 4 A

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5 B 6 C

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Part 2

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7 precious stone

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8 sticky

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9 inclusions

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10 deposits

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11 unregulated

12 gold rush
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13 imitations

14 immune system
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15 intuition
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Part 3
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16 B 17 D 18 B
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19 C 20 A
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21 C 22 H 23 F
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24 D 25 A 26 B
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27 E 28 G 29 A
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30 C
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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening Transcripts

Test 1 Test 1

Part 1
Audio track: C2_Listening_1_1.mp3

Part 1. You will hear three different extracts. For questions 1 to 6, you must

n
choose the best answer: A, B or C. There are two questions for each extract.

a tio
Extract 1 You hear a woman talking on the radio about a sports event. Now look at

uc
questions 1 and 2.

Ed
[tone]
After three weeks of open-air swimming, track and field, rowing and triathlon events,

ity
the Student Outdoor Games have drawn to a close. And what a slick operation it was

er
this year! The organisers covered all bases to ensure the events ran smoothly for
competitors and spectators alike. They had even accounted for our notoriously

sp
unpredictable weather with new state-of-the-art stadia with retractable roofs. This kept
the disruption caused by sudden downpours to a minimum! Visitors could also enjoy

o
improved transport infrastructure, accommodation and hospitality offerings. However,

Pr
such investments aren’t cheap, which may explain the sharp rise in ticket prices this
year. But in any case, with the high-profile corporate sponsorship deals and excellent

22
TV ratings, the accountants will be delighted with the revenue generated.
As for the event itself, there’s no doubt we witnessed many of the outstanding athletic
20
performances we’d been promised. But as brightly as the athletes shone, their efforts
were somewhat eclipsed by the negative publicity caused by multiple allegations of
|©

bribery and cheating. Sadly, these scandals hung over the Games, threatening the
event’s wholesome reputation as a symbol of fair play and team spirit. Let’s hope
lessons will be learnt before the next Games.
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[tone]
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Extract 2 You hear part of an interview with an educational campaigner, in which public
st

spending is discussed. Now look at questions 3 and 4.

di

[tone]
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Speaker 1 Governments have to make difficult decisions about how to allocate resources. So,
which factors should the government be considering when developing policies?
tf

Speaker 2 Well, I take your point about budgetary constraints. That’s precisely why leaders have
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to seek unbiased advice from independent subject experts. My concern is that too
often, the temptation is to focus more on what will play well in opinion polls. But often,
t|

the most beneficial course of action isn’t necessarily the one that will win votes. I’m
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not saying the government has to announce the rationale for every single decision it
takes, providing they are basing their policies on sound, logical principles.
nt

Speaker 1 So, you’re dissatisfied with the direction the government has been taking?
co

Speaker 2 Look, I certainly applaud the government’s efforts to invest in more tuition and
coaching for pupils who are struggling. And for moving physical education higher up
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the agenda. This commitment to fitness is commendable. But unless the government
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addresses the question of access to proper nutrition, we can’t maximise the benefits
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of the other initiatives. Many schools simply cannot afford to offer well-balanced
Sa

meals. Government spending in this area has to be increased significantly because

it’s been neglected for far too long.
[tone]

Extract 3 You hear a man talking on the radio about a new type of account that has just
been introduced at his bank. Now look at questions 5 and 6.
[tone]

11

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

Not so long ago, there wasn’t much to distinguish one bank account from another. But
that seems to be changing now, with banks offering all sorts of financial bonuses and
other perks to lure new customers away from their competitors. And banks are also
responding to people’s changing lifestyles, as underlined by the growing popularity of
mobile and online banking. And my bank has just launched an account which offers
regular insights and suggestions about customers’ transactions. It’s not a savings
account, but by making it easier for customers to analyse their expenditure, it does
help people to make smarter financial choices. And who doesn’t want to get to grips
with their finances and manage things better? It also highlights that a ‘one-size-fits-all’

n
approach no longer works in banking. Instead, my bank is catering their support to

tio
meet customers’ unique circumstances. As a result, customers are left feeling

a
confident that they are important to the bank. And the fact that my bank gets such

uc
consistently high customer ratings proves that it’s a smart move.
[tone]

Ed
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Part 2

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Audio track: C2_Listening_1_2.mp3

o sp
Part 2. You hear a gem expert talking about a substance called amber. For

Pr
questions 7 to 15, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
[tone]

22
Today’s talk is about something that you’ll no doubt have seen in jewellery and
20
decorative objects, and that is amber. This fascinating substance varies in hue from
white and grey to the more familiar yellow-brown tones.
|©

And I use the term ‘substance’ advisedly. Amber is a wood resin, a fact that’s perhaps
hard to reconcile with its brilliant, shiny appearance! And of course, to all intents and
purposes, it’s used in jewellery production in much the same way as diamonds, pearls
n

or any other precious stone are used.

tio

But yes, strictly speaking, amber is essentially the resin of ancient trees. Now, many
trees produce resin. Resin acts as a form of protection for the trees against disease
u
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and pests. In its original form, resin is sticky, almost like glue. When resin drops to the
ground, it may lie undisturbed for millennia, and will eventually harden to form amber.
st

You may have seen some examples of amber containing fossilised plant matter like
di

leaves, or even reptiles and insects. These are called ‘inclusions’, and it’s incredible to
think that they’re millions of years old.
or

In terms of geographical distribution, amber is found in a wide range of places,

tf

including such diverse regions as the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. However,
Northern Europe is the predominant source of amber, with more deposits found in the
no

Baltic region than anywhere else in the world.

Indeed, the amber trade in the Baltic region is so lucrative that it’s led to a surge in
t|

amber mining in recent years, though not necessarily in compliance with the official
en

procedures. This is causing considerable concern amongst environmentalists. They

rightly highlight how unregulated amber extraction in particular degrades the
nt

environment, leading to barren landscapes and polluted waterways.

co

Much to environmentalists’ dismay, the market for amber shows no signs of abating.
As long as amber remains a highly valued commodity, it will attract unscrupulous
individuals willing to exploit natural resources for a quick profit. In fact, the term ‘Baltic
e

gold rush’ has been coined to describe how the frenzy for amber is affecting the local
pl

area – a clear allusion to the impact of the discovery of large amounts of precious
m

metal in nineteenth-century California.

Sa

The commercial price of amber varies depending not only on the size of the piece, but
other factors such as its purity, colour and shape. Unfortunately, the fact that amber is
so highly valued has led to many imitations flooding the market, things that could be
made from coloured glass, plastic or many other materials.
Of course, this begs the question: why is there such demand for amber? It’s
unquestionably attractive, which is why it’s primarily used to make visually striking
objects and wearable pieces. However, it’s also prized for its supposed medicinal
qualities, and has been for millennia. For instance, physicians in Ancient Rome used
amber to treat conditions affecting the stomach, eyes and throat. And traditional

12

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 Transcripts

Chinese medicine continues to make use of amber in some treatments. It’s also been
proposed that the succinic acid found in amber can alleviate pain and strengthen the
immune system, although such claims are controversial.
And putting aside the scientific merits of any claims about how amber can benefit our
physical health, many people are convinced that amber has spiritual properties. Those
who believe in such things insist that it can clear the environment from so-called
negative energy, and even enhance a person’s intuition. Now, such beliefs are far
beyond my scope as an expert in the production and trade of gems and minerals!
However, they do underline the fact that humans’ love affair with this mysterious resin

n
endures.

tio
[tone]

a
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Ed
Part 3

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Audio track: C2_Listening_1_3.mp3

er
sp
Part 3. You hear an interview in which two filmmakers, Lee Davies and Tilly
Woodford, are talking about a documentary they have made about animals. For

o
questions 16 to 20, choose the best answer: A, B, C or D.

Pr
[tone]

22
Interviewer Our guests today are the acclaimed filmmakers Tilly Woodford and Lee Davies, who
for their latest work have swapped film stars for a four-legged cast! Lee, can you tell
20
us more?
Speaker 1 Well, it’s basically about the relationship between people and their pets, and well,
|©

animals in general. I’ll let Tilly explain as it was originally her idea.
Speaker 2 Yes, growing up on a farm, my parents taught me at an early age all about the
n

practical side of having working animals. But I had an entirely different relationship
tio

with the domestic animals we kept as pets. I didn’t really question that until I had
children of my own. I was determined to raise them to be animal lovers, and that was
u

really the starting point of the documentary. Lee and I started collecting these
rib

incredible stories of people whose lives have been transformed in some way by pets.
It’s taught us a lot about why people can have such strong attachment to their pets.
st
di

Speaker 1 We must’ve spent at least two years doing the research. That first year was
particularly hard because I was trying to juggle other work commitments too, do you
or

remember? I felt really bad because Tilly ended up doing far more work than me! To
be honest, I was somewhat sceptical at the start that enough people would want to
tf

watch a documentary about this particular topic. But I trusted Tilly. Our previous
no

collaborations had been so rewarding. And of course, as a creator, it’s always a

privilege to take on a new challenge.
t|

Speaker 2 Well, you soon saw the potential once we got underway.
en

Speaker 1 Definitely! We uncovered so many touching stories.

nt

Speaker 2 Yes, and I know that documentary makers have to be impartial observers. But that
co

wasn’t easy for me as someone who cares deeply about animal welfare. What about
that YouTuber we interviewed? He was basically exploiting his pets to attract more
followers. He was dressing them up in stupid outfits and filming them. But off-camera,
e

he had no interest in those poor pets. And he seemed to find it funny to feed them
pl

things they really shouldn’t be consuming. It was really hard not to intervene.
m

Speaker 1 I hasten to add that this was the exception! It was reassuring to spend time with so
Sa

many responsible pet owners. Had it not been for meeting all those people, I don’t
think I would’ve realised how pet-friendly we’ve become as a nation. And it was also
heartening to learn about all the fantastic animal-conservation work people are doing.
It’s so important.
Speaker 2 We’ve absolutely become a society that values our pets. This hadn’t occurred to me
either until we started making this documentary. I suppose the booming pet-care
sector is the logical extension of that change. Personally, my highlight during our
research was meeting animal-behaviour experts deciphering what pets might be trying

13

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 Cambridge C2 Proficiency Listening

to tell us. Absolutely fascinating!

Speaker 1 At the risk of showing off, I’d say the documentary covers all these issues well. When
you’re dealing with individuals’ personal experiences, it can easily become far too
sentimental. Balancing it with factual content is important, especially subjects that
provoke debate. Considering we had such tight financial constraints, I’m incredibly
proud of what we achieved. I just wish we could have kept in all the content we
originally filmed, but it just wasn’t feasible.
Speaker 2 Well, I’m just glad we didn’t let our personal views or prejudices influence the

n
documentary too much. That would have been a mistake. But like you say, I’ll always

tio
wonder whether we should have kept in some of the parts we removed. I suspect all
documentary makers hate the editing process!

a
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Interviewer Lee, Tilly, thanks …

Ed
[tone]

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Part 4

sp
Audio track: C2_Listening_1_4.mp3

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Pr
Part 4. You hear five short extracts in which people are talking about their
workplaces. For questions 21 to 30, choose from the list A–H.

22
[tone]
20
|©

Extract 1
[tone]
n

Working in retail isn’t what I’d envisioned when I graduated, so it’s quite amusing that I
tio

work for a major supermarket. But actually, my specific role is in precisely my area of
expertise. I’m the person who organises staff workshops and courses. Professional
u

training like this enables employees to enhance their skills in certain areas, be it
rib

communication, leadership or specific role-related things like using a particular piece

of software. What I love about my job is that I’m building on my existing knowledge of
st

approaches to staff training. It’s very motivating.

di

[tone]
or
tf

Extract 2
no

[tone]
t|

I’d be lying if I said I wanted to be in the same role that I’m doing now in three years’
time. Not that I’m unhappy particularly, but I’ve always been very ambitious. Having
en

the chance to climb the career ladder is important to me, and that’s why I decided to
work for the company I’m with now. They offer fantastic routes into management. I’m
nt

in the IT department, helping colleagues when they’re struggling with the technology.
co

It’s a role I enjoy, but I’d like to have a bigger say in the systems and equipment we
use. I wouldn’t mind a raise, either!
e

[tone]
pl
m
Sa

Extract 3
[tone]
Prior to this job, I’d always been in public-facing positions, like dealing with customers
who were unhappy with a product. But my current role is about evaluating how the
company’s doing and deciding how we can improve. My main duty is to look at how
we’re performing in different markets, in terms of how much we’re selling, and where.
The work’s very interesting and suits my statistical skills. But I wouldn’t have settled in
so quickly had it not been for the friendly team I’m working with. There’s always

14

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 Transcripts

someone ready to lend a hand if you need help.

[tone]

Extract 4
I’m in a role where I often have to deal with negative situations, so communication
skills are key. And it might sound like a cliché, but I do feel like I make a difference in
my job. I get great satisfaction from fixing people’s problems. When the customer puts

n
the phone down, they’re happier than when they started the call. The pay’s nothing

tio
special, but what I appreciate about my job is being able to choose the hours I work.
Provided I meet the targets the company sets, I can start and finish when I want.

a
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[tone]

Ed
Extract 5

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[tone]

er
Do I work for a big company? Put it this way: go anywhere in the world and you’ll

sp
instantly see someone wearing our trainers or a t-shirt with our logo! I’m responsible
for planning how we can generate interest in our new range and promote our brand.

o
It’s an exciting role because trends are constantly evolving. At first, I wasn’t sure that

Pr
I’d succeed when my manager asked me to take the role on. But seeing how well I’ve
adapted proves that I’m capable of far more than I’d imagined. It’s so empowering to

22
know your colleagues trust your judgement.
[tone] 20
|©
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15

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and Scholars of the University of Cambridge and are not associated with Prosperity Education or its products.