SCRIPTS

TEST 1
PART 1.
Questions 1 to 8
1. When is the man’s appointment?
A: Good morning. I’d like someone to cut my hair, please. Can I make an
appointment?
B: Certainly. Wednesday or Thursday morning or Friday afternoon?
A: On Friday I’m going to go to France. What about Thursday afternoon? I’m
afraid I have a meeting all day Wednesday.
B: Well. It’s a little difficult but that’s the only afternoon you can come. So we’ll
see you then.
2. Which is the aunt’s postcard?
A: Look, Sandra. I’ve got this really nice postcard for my aunt.
B: Oh, what a pretty village. And it’s right by a river. Isn’t it in the mountain?
A: Yes. But you can’t see them in the picture.
B: Perhaps, they’re behind those tall trees.
3. What time will the plane to Milan leave?
A: Excuse me. What time is the next plane to Milan?
B: It should leave at 7:15 but an hour late today.
A: Oh. That’s a problem. If it doesn’t leave until 8:15, I’ll be one hour late for my
meeting.
B: I’m sorry, Sir. There’s nothing I can do.
4. Which present has the girl bought her mother?
Hi, It’s me, Jane. I’ve got Mom’s birthday present. I think she’ll like it...yes, that’s
right, a gold-colored one. She’s always writing letters so she’ll find it useful. I
thought about a CD but I’m never really sure what music she likes and dad bought
her a new pair of earrings for her birthday anyway. I’m sure she’ll like what I’ve
got her.
5. What time will the pie be ready?
A: What time is it Mom? Do you think the apple pie will be ready yet?
B: It’s 4:35
A: And the pie went into the oven at 4:15
B: That’s right. You could check it at 5:00. And turn the heat down a bit but don’t
take it out until 20 past. That’s 45 minutes to go.
A: OK. I’m hungry already.
6. What time is the swimming lesson today?
A: Hi Chidy. Do you want to play tennis after school? Say about 4:30
B: That’s would be fun but I’ve got a swimming lesson. It’s usually at 5:15 but it’s
half an hour earlier this evening, at 4:45. It takes me ages to cycle to the swimming
pool so I really don’t think I have time today. Let’s try it tomorrow.
A: OK
7. Which subject does the boy like best?
I really like the new IT teacher. Our project for this term is to design a new
website. I’ve always wanted to know how to do that. The sports teacher is much
more serious. But that’s still my favorite subject. Last year, I used to really like
geography but the teacher we have now gives us so much homework.
8. Which T-shirt does the boy decide to buy?
A: I’d like a buy a black T-shirt with short sleeves, please a large size.
B: I’m afraid the black one has long sleeves. But we’ve got short sleeves in a
lighter color. Do you want a round neck or a V-neck?
A: It must be round-neck. Let me think. OK, I’ll take one of the short sleeve ones.
The color’s not so important, really.
PART 2.
Questions 9 to 12
Kate: I don’t remember much of that lecture. The doctor gave me this medicine for
my cough, but I don’t like it, it seems to make me awfully sleepy and I can’t follow
my lectures.
George: Well, if you don’t take it, none of us will be able to follow our lectures;
all we’ll hear is you coughing!
Kate: Oh dear, do you think I’ll annoy everybody?
George: Yes. You could study at home for a couple of days; you know, have some
time off until it gets better.
Kate: Oh, I couldn’t do that! I’d miss too much and I get really uncomfortable
when I have a lot of catching up to do. Last year I missed a whole week when I fell
off my bike and had that enormous bandage on my hand. It took me ages to do all
the work when I came back.
George: Oh, you worry too much. You can work at home. Just get Mr. Gray to tell
you which parts of the coursebook we’ll be covering and read it yourself at home.
All he does is go through the book anyway; you might as well do it yourself.
Kate: Oh, that’s a bit unfair. I think Mr. Gray’s really nice. He’s always willing to
stay behind after class if you don’t understand something.
George: Being ‘really nice’ and never in a hurry doesn’t make him a good lecturer.
Anyway, I think you should look after your health first and ours! If we sit in that
small, hot room with you for the next three days, we’ll all have your cough by the
end of it.
Kate: Mm, perhaps you’re right. I don’t care about myself, but I wouldn’t like
other people to blame me for their illnesses. I have got a bit of a temperature now,
too; so maybe I’ll go and see Mr. Gray after lunch and tell him I won’t be at this
afternoon’s lecture.
George: Or the next two... come on, you’ve got to get better.
Kate: I suppose you’re right.
George: Then we can all go out as we planned at the weekend.
Kate: OK then, I don’t want to miss that... and I do feel ill...
Questions 13 to 16
Man: What shall we do tonight? Shall we go out somewhere?
Woman: No, I’m tired. I’ve had a really hard day.
Man: That’s a bit boring! Come on, let’s go to a cinema or see that new play at the
theatre.
Woman: Not tonight. Why don’t we rent a video and stay in?
Man: Well, I’d rather go out... but if you’re tired... OK. So what shall we have?
How about that new Italian film?
Woman: No, far too serious for me. I’d fall asleep! Why can’t we get something
funny, a film with RikMoranis or someone like that.
Man: A comedy? No thanks. I’m not wasting my money. (WASTE MONEY)
Woman: Well, I’ll pay, if you’re going to be difficult about it.
Man: I’m not being difficult; I just don’t want to see a comedy.
Woman: Fine. What else do you suggest then?
Man: How about a Robert de Niro?
Woman: We’ve seen them all.
Man: Maybe, but they’re great films. Let’s watch one again.
Woman: Now you’re suggesting something that’s a real waste of money! And I
hate seeing films twice, you know that.
Man: OK, OK. What, then?
Woman: Oh, forget it. We’re obviously not going to agree anyway!
Man: No, I tell you what, you go down to the video shop and choose a film.
Whatever it is, I’ll watch it.
Woman: Really? And you won’t be difficult or make me feel guilty?
Man: No. Go on, off you go. I’ll make something to eat while you’re out.
Woman: Great. See you in a few minutes then.
Man: Bye.
Question 17 to 20
Girl: Hi, Ben! Only one more week at college, and then the summer holidays
begin. Great, isn’t it?
Boy: I don’t know. It might get a bit boring. I don’t think I’ve got enough money
to go anywhere nice for a holiday this year.
Girl: It would be nice to have lots of money to spend, but a good holiday doesn’t
have to be expensive! (not expensive)
Boy: Oh yes it does! The best holiday I ever had was a few years ago when I went
to Greece. I want to fly off somewhere hot, and lie on the beach and go swimming.
Girl: Yes. Well, I can’t afford to do that, either.
Boy: So, what are you doing this summer?
Girl: I’m going on a walking holiday in Scotland with some friends. We went last
year. We really enjoyed it. We walked all day and spent the nights in Youth
Hostels. Why don’t you come with us? We’re going for two weeks. It won’t cost
much, and you’ll come home feeling really relaxed and fit.
Boy: I’m not sure. Walking all day sounds like hard work to me. And surely you’re
not hoping for lots of sunshine in Scotland?
Girl: It did rain a bit last year, but most of the time it was sunny. Anyway, it’s not
good walking in the heat. You have to stop all the time to rest and have drinks.
Boy: Well, I like the sun, and I like to stay in comfortable hotels, not Youth
Hostels!
Girl: But they are comfortable. They’re basic, and the food’s often not very good,
but they’re very clean and cheap. In fact, I prefer them to hotels because the people
are always so friendly.
Boy: Maybe. Look, Lisa, thanks a lot for asking me, but I think I’ll just stay home
and get bored!
PART 3.
Questions 21 to 25
I was a small child when I left Vietnam and moved with my family to live in
America. For me and my little brother, it didn’t take long before we felt American,
but for my parents and two older sisters, it was a different story. The biggest
problem for my mother was the language. We were living in New York and
although there were quite a lot of Vietnamese families near us they didn’t work in
the stores. This meant my mother had to take me with her when she went shopping
and I was usually at school. For my father, the most important thing when we
arrived was to find a job. Luckily he had friends who knew us in Vietnam and they
helped him get a job in a factory. It was hard (difficult) for him to do that sort of
work. In Saigon, he had been a doctor. My two older sisters went to high school.
They worked hard and did well and the school gave them extra English lessons.
Even now, though, they speak with Vietnamese accents. My brother and I are
lucky (fortunate). We may look Vietnamese but we speak with American accents!
My family found the way of life very different. In Vietnam, my mother used to
spend a lot of time visiting her sisters and brothers and looking after her mother
and father. She feels quite lonely now. She says that in America you live inside
your house but in Vietnam, you take your house outside onto the street and share
your life with everybody. I don’t remember that but I do find the winters are quite
hard to put up within New York. It’s very cold and snows a lot. My mother still
wears traditional Vietnamese clothes at home and always cooks us rice and
noodles. I must admit I prefer burgers and chips! Although my friends like to visit
us I often feel a bit embarrassed by my parents’ way of life. They do not
understand Americans and I think I am more American than Vietnamese now. I
suppose it is sad for them to have such a strange daughter.
Questions 26 to 30
In American schools, almost every classroom is a mix of boys and girls.
However, it was not always this way. In the past, schools did not teach girls
subjects like science and math. In 1972, a law called Title IX was made in
America. It gave girls an equal chance at education. Since then, boys and girls have
been taught together. Recently, though, some schools are reconsidering separating
classes. This is different than in the past, however. Girls still learn the same
subjects as boys. They just study without boys in the classroom. Why? Well,
scientists know that boys and girls learn differently. They also behave differently
in the classroom. Boys are louder and more confident. They like to talk and show
what they know. In general, girls are quieter. They prefer to listen and think
carefully before they give their answers. When boys and girls are together, the
boys can be too dominant. Also, boys and girls can bother each other. Instead of
thinking about the lesson, they think about each other. In a separated classroom,
they behave better and can focus on studying. Another reason for separated classes
is that boys and girls often like different things. For instance, boys prefer stories
with action and adventure. In an all-boys English class, the teacher can choose
books that will be interesting to boys. This way, they will be more excited about
the stories. Not all the classes are separated - just the main subjects like English,
math, science, and social studies. Still, some teachers think that separate education
is not good. They worry that boys and girls will not learn how to work well
together. Right now, less than six hundred schools are trying separate classrooms.
Time will show if it is a good idea or something that should be left in the past.
Questions 31 to 35
Hi! I’d like to welcome all of you to the international student orientation at
Norwalk College. I hope that your travels from your home country have been easy
and that you all are settling in well. I believe I’ve met everyone, but just in case,
I’m the director for international student affairs - the person you can come to if you
are having problems with your classes, your housing, visas...You are always
welcomed to stop by my office. We’ll have several short workshops today and will
be talking about some common issues that international students face. The first one
that I want to deal with is about communication, and in particular, non-verbal
communication.
Now all of you have been studying English for some time. You have a good
vocabulary, and you probably know all about verb tenses and modal, but this
communication is not only verbal. That is, talking is not the only language we use
to communicate. Another way we communicate is through non-verbal
communication or body language.
The term body language means the movements we use and the facial expressions
we have smiling or frowning), the way we sit or stand, the way we touch or look at
someone, the distance we stand from another person. Some psychologists say that
more than 60% of our communication is actually done through body language. We
do it without thinking, or without ever having been specifically taught what the
gestures or expressions mean. The problem is that body language is a bit different
in each culture and this can often cause some problems with communication.
Here’s an example. In many places it may be a little rude or disrespectful to look at
another person directly in their eyes as you talk with them, so many International
students will avoid this eye contact. But in America, we expect it. We think of eye
contact as a sign of honesty and straightforwardness. American parents actually
encourage their children to look people in the eye when speaking.
Just imagine a conversation where an international student was trying to be
respectful by not looking into the eyes of her American classmate. The American
might wonder why her classmate wouldn’t look directly at her, and the
international classmate would be wondering why she was being stared at. The end
result is an awkward and frustrating interaction. Here’s another one.
Americans shake hands firmly when they greet each other because to Americans, a
firm handshake signifies strength and power. But a soft or limp handshake is
considered a sign of weakness. In some cultures, handshakes are less common, or a
gentle, soft handshake is acceptable. So students need to know that when shaking
hands, it’s important to be firm.
In America, a “thumbs up” sign – a thumb …
TEST 2
PART 1
Questions 1 to 8
1. What color is Mary’s coat?
A: Hi, Mary. What have you bought?
B: This coat. Do you like it?
A: Yes. Yellow looks good on you.
B: Do you think I can use my blue bag with it?
A: Your brown one will look better.
2. What did the woman repair?
A: Hi. What have you done today?
B: You know that broken shelf above my desk. Well, I repaired it and then I went
shopping.
A: What did you buy?
B: A new chair.
3. What are they going to buy for Pam?
A: Last year we gave Pam a book for her birthday. Shall we buy another one this
year?
B: I think we should give her a plant or some chocolates
A: But she doesn’t like sweet things.
B: Let’s get her something to put in her garden. But not a book again.
4. What has the girl lost?
A: Can I help you? You look worried. Is everything alright?
B: Well, I was in the playground about 10 minutes ago with my friends. And I got
a call on my mobile phone. I have to get a pen out of my bag to write something
down. And I think my purse fell out. I can’t find it now. Do you know anyone has
handed it in?
A: You know. You’re not supposed to bring phone to school. Anyway, let me go
and check. What color is it?
5. Which sport will the boy do soon at the center?
A: Have you been to the new water sports center yet?
B: Oh yes. It’s brilliant. There are two indoor pools. One for underwater diving and
one for swimming lessons. And you can also have sailing lessons on the lake.
A: That’s what I’m doing there next weekend, actually. I was hoping to take a
water-skiing lesson but the leaflet says they’re not starting those until next year.
6. Who lives with Josh in his house?
A: Does your house seem empty now as your sister left home.
B: Not really. My grandmother moved into her room and she doesn’t go out much.
It’s really nice having her there because my dad never comes home until later and
if mother’s out for the evening, grandmother cooks supper for me.
7. What will the girl take with her on holiday?
A: Have you packed for your holiday?
B: No. I need to go shopping before I can do that. Last holiday, my suitcase
handles got broken. So I need something new to put my stuff in but suitcases are so
heavy to carry.
A: I always take a backpack. You can carry more that way.
B: Yes, I thought to buy one of those. But good quality ones are expensive. I’ll get
one of those big sports bags. You know you can pull along. They don’t cost much.
8. Where do the boys decide to go?
A: So we’ve got three hours. Shall we go skateboard in the park? What do you
think?
B: Well There’s little space there which isn’t meant to be good. Oh, there’s little
space there which isn’t meant to be good. Oh, there’s a new computer game shop
which has just opened.
A: Oh, well I haven’t got enough money to buy a new game anyway.
B: Let’s go and watch a film...
A: OK. We can go skateboard in anytime.
PART 2
Questions 9 to 12
Journalist: Good evening, Geoff.
Geoff: Hi
Journalist: First of all, can I thank you for taking time off from yout búy schedule
to talk to me.
Geoff: It’s a pleasure.
Journalist: OK ... well ... you’re well-known for your achievements in the world
of karate, but there’s more to you than that, isn’t there?
Geoff: Er… well …
Journalist: Perhaps you could tell me a bit about your background. Where are you
from?
Geoff: Well, I was actually born in 1958, up in the north of England. My parents
came to live in Britain after the war – my mother was a nurse from Guyana and my
father ứa from Barbados, in the West Indies. He was an engineer. I had a very
happy childhood. The future West Indies cricket captain, Clive Lloyd, used to
come and play dominoes at our house and there were always loads of people
around.
Journalist: Cor … it sounds great …
Geoff: We moved south to London after that. We were completely broke and I did
all sorts of odd jobs to try and make money. It was a rough time and I got very
angry, even violent.
Journalist: Really?
Geoff: Oh, yeah, l’m afraid so. I even got a nickname at school after I knocked
another kid out - I was called ‘Hands of Death’!
Journalist: Goodness, how dramatic!
Geoff: Mm ... I’m not proud of it now. In fact, things got so bad that there was a
very real danger that I’d end up in prison - it could easily have ended like that...
Journalist: But? ...
Geoff: But I was lucky-I discovered karate.
Journalist: Ah! How, exactly?
Geoff: There was a school trip-nothing special really-but we went to this sports
center and I just thought “That’s for me”.
Journalist: Just like that?
Geoff: Yup. Anyway, I started training, I found myself a Japanese coach and
things just happened. I found it came naturally to me and I worked my way up till I
found myself in Taiwan for the World Championships. That was in 1982.
Journalist: And you won?
Geoff: Yeah, suddenly I was World Heavyweight Champion. It was great.
Journalist: And you were a world champion at that weight five times in all?
Geoff: Yeah, that’s right.
Journalist: And then you retired?
Geoff: Well, I didn’t have much choice – an injury made it impossible for me to go
on competing.
Journalist: Ah.
Geoff: So I did some coaching and looked around for something worthwhile. It
was becoming obvious that a lot of teenage problems, especially crime, were
caused by the lack of facilities for youngsters and I felt very strongly that sport
could channel their energies away from crime and violence - as it had done for me.
So I got into this project up in Manchester. I wanted to provide somewhere for
teenagers to get involved in all kinds of sport in an environment where they felt in
control and respected.
Journalist: And you succeeded!
Geoff: Yeah … well … it’s been a great success and according to the latest figures
from the Manchester police, the crime rate in the area is actually coming down,
which is fantastic.
Journalist: And now you’ve got other projects on the go all around the country
and even abroad?
Geoff: Mm....yeah....we’re going from strength to strength.
Questions 13 to 16
Woman: Hello, West Bay Hotel. Can I help you?
Man: Oh, good morning. I’m ringing about your advertisement in the Evening
Gazette.
Woman: Is that the one for temporary staff?
Man: That’s right. Could you tell me what kind of staff you are looking for?
Woman: We’re looking for walters at the moment.
Man: Right. Erm, what are the hours of work?
Woman: There are two different shifts. There’s a day shift from 7 to 2 and a late
shift from 4 till 11.
Man: What about time off?
Woman: You get one day off.
Man: Do you know what the rates of pay are?
Woman: Yes, I’ve got them here. You get £5.50 an hour, and that includes a
break.
Man: Oh good. Yes, so let’s see. I’d get er, two hundred and twenty-one, no, two
hundred and thirty-one pounds a week?
Woman: You’d also get tips. Our guests tend to be quite generous.
Man: Erm is there a uniform? What about clothes?
Woman: Yes, I forgot to mention that. You need to wear a white shirt, just a plain
one, and dark
Man: Erm, one last thing. I don’t know what the starting date is. trousers
Woman: Just a minute. I think it’s some time around the end of June. Yes, the 28th
in time for the summer. Man: That’s great. I’m available from the 10". Well,
thanks very much for your help.
Woman: You’re welcome. Bye.
Man: Bye
Questions 17 to 20
Man: Hi. May I speak to the..uh, the archives librarian?
Woman:: I’m the archives librarian. What can I help you with?
Man: Well, actually, I’m not a student here.
Woman:: Are you the...sorry. I don’t remember your name, but the librarian over
there asked me about giving someone access to the Jacobson collection. Is that
you?
Man: Yes, that’s right. See, my paper is on the development of the coal-mining
industry.
Woman:: Did your librarian explain what our system is here?
Man: A little. She told me to make sure I brought my college ID so I could get in
the door.
Woman:: Yes, well, I’ll need to take a copy of it too. Even our own students who
look at items from our archive collections have to leave a copy of their D with us.
You’ll also have to sign into the archives room whenever you enter and sign out
whenever you leave. There’s a desk. You know, for security.
Man: I’ll be careful.
Woman:: Thank you. The other thing is, the things in the Jacobson collection are
over 100 years old. so I’ll have to ask you to wear special gloves while handling
the books. Also, I’m afraid you won’t be able to photography anything.
Man: I figured that. Can I don’t know, take a picture, or something?
Woman:: Well, I can’t let you take a picture. But we have scan images of all the
pages in the collection. Man: Well, I guess given how rare these things are... Okay
so you want a copy of my ID, and then can you tell me how to get to the archives
room so I can get started?
PART 3:
Questions 21 to 25
- Welcome everybody to this presentation about creating a corporate image for
your company. I wonder if, when you came in today, you thought, ‘Hey, this guy
hasn’t got a suit on. This could be an Interesting day! You see, I believe that the
way you dress is very important. I decided to come here rather casually dressed not
because I wanted to make a fashion statement but because I wanted to let you
know that this is not going to be a formal presentation. On the other hand, I want
you to work hard and get something out of the day. I’m not wearing shorts and a T-
shirt, for instance. So how would you describe the way I’m dressed?
- Smart but too casual
Exactly. But I also believe there are particular occasions when you need to wear a
suit such as meeting a client - especially if you expect the client to be wearing one.
Which brings me to a recent trend which we’ve picked up from the Americans:
‘Dress down Friday’. How many of you are dressing more informally on a Friday?
Quite a lot of you. How many of you go as far as wearing jeans? Not so many.
Probably many of that small group work in IT sector? I thought so.
So you see it’s not just the day of the week or what clients may expect of you. It’s
the business you’re in. If, for example, you work in a bank you’re probably going
to be in a dark suit every day of the week. And then there are those of us who are
expected to wear a uniform. What you are doing here is projecting a very specific
image of your company or service. Usually, it’s to do with reliability, expertise and
efficiency. Customers and the general public feel reassured about someone in a
recognizable uniform. Dress down Friday is a long way off for this group of
employees. Now let’s have a look at other ways in which a company projects its
image…
Questions 26 to 30
Do you get enough sleep at night? Do you ever feel tired during school? You
may not be the only one. According to the National Sleep Foundation, kids aren’t
getting enough sleep. And it’s affecting how they do in school.
Experts say that kids need about ten hours of sleep each night. Your body
needs sleep so it can rest for the next day. Animals need sleep to stay healthy. Cats
and dogs sleep for about fifteen hours each day!
Sleep is also important for your brain. Just like your body, your brain needs
a little vacation every night. Without enough sleep, students can’t learn as well.
They cannot pay attention, follow directions, or solve problems as well. Also, tired
kids act in ways that they usually don’t. They can easily get angry with their
friends or get in trouble in class.
Scientists at the National Sleep Foundation talked to 1,400 kids. They asked
them about their sleeping habits. They found that about seventy percent of kids
were not getting enough sleep. The scientists think that soda and television are part
of the reason. Drinks like cola, coffee, and tea have caffeine in them. Caffeine
makes people stay awake. Kids who had drinks with caffeine got less sleep than
other kids. Television is also a problem. When kids watch too much TV, they have
to stay up later to finish their homework. Scientists also found that many kids had a
TV in their room. These kids ofter stayed up late to watch a show.
So what can you do to make sure that you get enough sleep? Try not to drink
anything with caffeine, especially at night. Sleep experts suggest that you try to go
to bed at the same time every night. Don’t do anything exciting before you go to
bed. For instance, don’t watch a scary movie or exercise. Try to do something
relaxing, like reading a book or listening to quiet music.
Questions 31 to 35
If you have ever seen the northern lights, you know that they are one of most
beautiful sights. People often see a faint glow appear on the horizon in the night
sky. Then they may see wonderful colors such as green, red, blue, or purple stretch
the sky. The shape of the northern lights can be e straight lines, or it may be curved
like the letter S, or round, just like a wheel. The colored lights and shapes move
across the night sky, like ocean waves. No matter what the color or shape is, the
northern lights are truly an amazing sight.
Many people know them by their common name “the northern lights”. But
do you know the meaning of the real name? The scientific name for the northern
lights from Latin. It is aurora borealis. In English, the Latin word aurora translates
to “dawn”, which means “early morning”. The Latin word Borealis means
“northern”. So aurora borealis can be translated as “northern dawn”, which
describes the look of the northern sky in the very early morning.
If you have never seen aurora borealis, you are not alone. This natural
phenomenon is not common in parts of the world. In fact, many people travel or go
on tours to places where they ere can see the northern lights. Where are these
places? The best place to see aurora borealis is near the North Pole - the
northernmost point of Earth, especially in areas such as northern Greenland, Ork
Scandinavia, and Alaska
 Many years ago, before modern science, people developed stories, myths,
and legends to explain natural phenomena such as aurora borealis. Finnish people
called them “fox fires”, and believed the lights were caused when foxes made fires
to keep warm. The Inuit people of northern Canada and Greenland believed that
the aurora was the dance of animal spirits such as deer, seals, and whales.
The way the northern lights work is similar to a neon sign. Gas travels along
magnetic lines. The lights occur when electric particles - electrons - collide with
gas atoms, causing the atoms to give off light. The result is the amazing sweeps
and waves of color that you can see. It’s a wonderful sight if you happen to be in
the right place at the right time.
TEST 3
PART 1.
Questions 1 to 8
1. Who is probably making talking on the phone?
Hello, this is Gloria with Dr. Baum’s office. This is a reminder of your dental
appointment for Thursday, May 22, at 1:00 p.m. Since you have several cavities to
fill, please allow yourself at least three hours for the visit.
2. Why has the meeting been relocated?
Because the South Tower is undergoing renovations, the design team meeting
scheduled for tomorrow morning has been moved to the North Tower conference
room on the 12th floor. The meeting will still he vi at 10:00.
3. What is the main cause of decreased domestic sales?
Unfortunately, I must report that domestic sales have dropped by 17 percent over
the last two quarters. Although the sluggish domestic economy is a factor, the
primary cause of this worrying development is increasing competition in the retail
clothing sector.
4. What should the listeners do before they skate?
This weekend is the first outing of the in-line skating club for this season.
Remember, you are not allowed to skate with the club unless you wear an
approved safety helmet. You can ask Rea, the safety coordinator, if you are unsure
about your gear.
5. What profession does the speaker work in?
As a Woman: and sports announcer, I’m often approached about giving speeches
on women in sports
6. What is the purpose of Ricardo’s visit?
Ricardo will be here in the U.S. for three months observing some the managerial
techniques and procedures we use at this office. of
7. What kind of business would be making this announcement?
In order to improve customer service, we will be initiating a customer satisfaction
survey. The survey will focus on several different areas, including courtesy and
promptness by waiters or waitresses, cleanliness, and food quality and selection.
8. Why has confidence increased?
Investor confidence was bolstered by government data indicating inflation rose by
barely two-tenths of one percent last quarter, meaning that the National Bank is
unlikely to raise interest rates.
PART 2
Questions 9 to 12
Woman: Our copier has been acting strangely today. Could you come and take a
look at it for us?
Man: Okay, but did you check to see if any paper is jammed inside?
Woman:: Yes, I did, but that’s not the problem. I think the problem may be more
serious.
Man: All right, but I have to run across town this morning to fix a machine there,
so I don’t think I can make it to your office until after lunch.
Questions 13 to 16
Woman: Hi, there. I’m having trouble finding this certain book on medieval
German nobility.
Man: Let me check on the computer. Hmm... It appears that we don’t have it.
Woman: Oh, no. It was really important for an essay I’m working on right
Man: Well, we have a central computer system that is connected to the other
university libraries in the state. I can search them all to see where your book is,
then order it from the nearest university. You could borrow it from another library.
Woman: That would be great. How long will it take?
Man: We can usually get a book here in two or three days. But the lending period
is shorter than for a normal book only 10 days instead of two weeks. And if you’re
late returning books from other libraries, the overdue fine is a lot larger.
Woman: I won’t be late. But does it cost anything to sign out books from other
libraries?
Man: Not for up to five books. Any more than that, and you would have to pay a
small service charge.
Questions 17 to 20
Man: What’s the matter, Jane?
Woman: Oh, I was supposed to meet James for a study session at 4, but he’s late.
Man: James is like that. I always give myself an extra 15 minutes or so whenever I
have an appointment with him.
Woman: That’s not a bad idea. I’d like to have him waiting for me for a change.
Man: Yeah, some people are just irresponsible like that. I remember once he was
actually late for the exam. Nearly 20 minutes late, and he just comes walking in,
like there’s nothing wrong. He wasn’t worried or anything.
Woman: I can’t imagine myself being like that. I always leave myself extra time,
just to make sure I’m always ready and on time.
Man: Oh, there he comes now.
Woman: It’s about time.
Man: How long are you guys planning on studying?
Woman: Pretty late. We have a big chemistry test tomorrow and I’m really behind.
Man: Well, maybe I’ll see you later. I have to get some work done at the library,
too.
PART 3.
Questions 21 to 25
Woman: Can you believe Professor Kensington postponed the due date for the
term paper this morning? It’s unbelievable!
Man: Yeah, it was crazy! I’ve been spending days and nights in the computer lab
writing up that paper. I only did that because he kept on emphasizing that he won’t
take any paper that’s not in his office by noon today.
Woman:I heard that, too. Jessica and I stayed up half the night trying to finish it. I
think it was three o’clock in the morning when we finally had the third draft. I
barely had any sleep.
Man: You had Jessica to help you? At least you had someone to proofread your
paper and help you with the research. It was a nightmare for me. I didn’t even have
time to proofread my paper.
Woman: Well, I’m really upset that Professor Kensington was so inconsiderate.
Don’t you agree?
Man: I guess it was a hasty change, but... I think he did it for us students.
Woman: You really didn’t get enough sleep, did you? You’re not thinking
straight. I can’t possibly see how I can understand his hasty decision that way.
Man: Well, as much as I’m unhappy with his last-minute decision, I think he did it
so that we could have one more chance to look over our work before turning it in.
Besides, an extension of two days isn’t going to change anything drastic in our
papers.
Woman: I suppose. Still, I would have had more time to study for the calculus
exam, which was today, if I hadn’t had to spend so much time and energy on that
paper.
Man: Oh well, at least he didn’t tell us to hand it in earlier.
Woman: That’s right... anyway, I’m not going to spend another two days on the
assignment. I’m handing it in after the next class.
Questions 26 to 30
Woman: Professor Atkins, could I get some help with my chemistry lab?
Professor: Certainly, Julie. What’s the problem? Are you having trouble
understanding some of the experiments?
Woman: Oh, no, I understand the experiment...perhaps I only think that I
understand it.
Professor: What do you mean? Do you or don’t you?
Woman: Well, I tried the latest experiment by myself, based on what I understood
from your lectures and lab session. but I seem to come up with really different
results from what the textbook indicates I should be getting.
Professor: That certainly is a possibility. Remember, the textbook tends to give
you an ideal explanation of the experiments. But in real life, any number of factors
can cause you to get results that might not be the ideal or preferred outcome.
Woman: Oh, that’s good... so any result is acceptable?
Professor: No, of course, there is a range for this particular experiment, I’d expect
your answer to be within... let’s see now... perhaps 4 or 5% off the textbook.
Woman: Really? My answer was nearly 10% off. Wouldn’t that be alright?
Professor: I’m sorry, but that would be a problem. If your answer were that far
from the proper answer, and say that even if you could explain the difference, I
would have to lower your grade significantly.
Woman: I see. Alright. I guess I’m going to have to redo it. I want to do well in
your class and can’t afford to get a bad grade.
Professor: Very good. But you’ll have to hurry, the lab is due Friday, and I won’t
be giving any extensions. Woman: Oh, I was hoping...
Professor: Yes?
Woman: Oh, it’s nothing. Well, could you please sign a permission slip for me to
use the lab after hours? I only have time during late evenings this weekend.
Professor: Sure, I’ll do that for you right now. Here you go..., and a tip... before
you start the experiment, wipe the test tubes with alcohol... there might be
unwanted residue inside that might be affecting the result.

Questions 31 to 35
We’ll be looking into the largest state in America, Alaska. If you look at the
location of Alaska on the map, you can see that it is bordered by Canada on the
east, the Arctic Ocean on the north, the Bering Strait and Bering Sea to the east,
and the Gulf of Alaska... wait a minute... sorry about that... to the west and the Gulf
of Alaska to the south. And as you can see on the map, Alaska has a greater land
area than California and Texas combined. Now, although there are many cities in
Alaska, the population is so low that an average number of students in a middle
school classroom is only about 10. You can imagine many desolate small towns
scattered around Alaska. It’s probably because roads and railways serve only
certain portions of the state. So, it’s natural that Alaskans rely heavily on airplanes
for transportation, since many parts of Alaska are accessible only via air. Well, of
course, there is a railway operating between Fairbanks, a relatively big city in
central Alaska, and Seward, a city on the southern coast. It is much more popular
than the only major highway in Alaska, the Alaska Highway, which is open
throughout the year. Not that there’s much traffic. One does not need to venture far
to understand the reason for its sparse population. Even though cold climate and
other factors make most of Alaska a less-than-desirable location for farming,
agriculture is conducted in a few areas between Fairbanks and the southern coast.
Most of the food Alaskans need, however, must be imported from outside the state.
Also, Alaska is subject to strong earthquakes and occasional volcanic Your
textbook describes the explosion of the Alaskan volcano Mount Katmai in the
early 20th century as one of the most famous and violent volcanic eruptions in
history. I strongly suggest you read up on that chapter, as we’ll be touching on
some of that the next time. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, earthquakes... these
occasional earthquakes generate seismic sea waves, called tsunamis. As you may
have heard, these waves can reach far inland and destroy communities along the
shore. It wasn’t much different from the terrible tsunami of 2004.
TEST 4
LISTENING
PART 1.
Questions 1 to 8
1. Why is the speaker apologizing?
Your attention, please. The library will be closing at 3 o’clock today in order to
add new books and periodicals to its collection. Due to the need to take accurate
inventory, we cannot allow books to be checked out today. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause.
2. Why would Daniel Jergens like to reschedule the meeting?
Hello, Mr. Thompson, this is Daniel Jergens in the finance division. I am calling
about the upcoming meeting with representatives of Shoal Barrier Associates. If
you are free, we would like to move the meeting forward by one week. The main
reason for this is that we need to wrap up the purchase as quickly as possible.
Please get back to me about this as soon as you can.
3. Why will the information technology division be relocating earlier?
Beginning Wednesday, June 3, we will be temporarily relocating to the third floor
of our Capital Cities branch downtown. Before the full relocation, the information
technology section will be moving to the Capital Cities branch on May 20. This
step will be necessary with the disruption of network service caused by the
construction work.
4. What is the message mainly about?
Hello, Mrs. Hartman. This is Andy Synton with Premier Design Interiors. I have a
few questions about your recent furniture order. A number of the items you
requested are not in stock at the moment. However, we are able to offer you very
similar products that can be shipped right away. Please let me know if you are
interested in this.
5. What is the purpose of the talk?
OK, everyone. I asked you all to come today so that you know the schedule for the
next 4 months. As I’m sure you all have heard, we recently received a major
contract from Confederated Enterprises. However, we’re really going to have to
rush in order to meet the deadline in 4 months. So, I have broken down the tasks
that need to be accomplished by each department and will be assigning them to
you. After I give out your department’s tasks, I’d like you to create a plan showing
how you’ll be able to complete the assignments by the deadline. I’ll need those
work plans e-mailed to me by this Friday.
6. Who most likely is the speaker?
Good evening. This message is for Marty from Clara Clayton. I’m just calling to
let you know that I may have found an office space that might be exactly what
you’re looking for. It has 6 executive offices and a conference room. The only
problem is that it isn’t as close to the subway station as you wanted. However, it is
in a waterfront building, so the view is quite spectacular. The rent is 8,000 dollars a
month. So, if you’re interested, give me a call and I can arrange for us to have a
look at it today with the landlord. I might not be in the office, so please call me on
my mobile. Thanks a lot, Marty. I’ll speak with you soon.
7. What will be provided for the travelers?
May I have your attention, please? Due to severe weather conditions, all outgoing
flights after 7 p.m. on Europeo Airlines to Milan have been canceled. This includes
the 7.30 flight as well. The next available flight to Milan Malpensa International
will be tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock. We apologize for the inconvenience and
will be offering hotel accommodations shuttle bus service to those passengers who
require them. For further information, please go to the Europeo Airlines counter.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
8. What is the celebration for?
It is my great privilege to welcome you all to this evening’s anniversary
celebration. In just over a decade, we have become one of the most reputable
names in the American office supplies industry. It is largely because of your efforts
that we have made such tremendous strides.
PART 2.
Questions 9-12
Man: Did you find out when the plumber is going to be here to fix the broken
pipe?
Woman: Yes, I called at 1 o’clock, and he said he was tied up in another building
and would be here by 2.
Man: Okay, it’s ten minutes to 2 right now.
Woman: Could you do me a favor and make sure the work goes smoothly when he
gets here? I have to step out of the office to meet a client but should be back by 4
o’clock.
Woman: Okay, I will see you later.
Questions 13-16
Woman: John, are you planning to go to Chicago to attend the big conference
tomorrow? I heard it’s going to be great.
Man: Well, I really want to, but I can’t. I just came back from a business trip in
Europe, so I have so much work piled up on my desk.
Woman: I’m sorry to hear that. Tell you what... I’ll take my video camera with
me, and I will film the speeches you’d like to see.
Man: Oh, that would be great. Thanks, Susan.
Questions 17-20
Woman: Have you sent out the shipment of computers to the electronics shop yet?
The owner just called and said he needs them within the hour …
Man: The truck left ten minutes ago, so it should arrive at the store in the next
fifteen minutes Do you want me to a bank to check to see where the driver is now?
PART 3.
Questions 21-25
OK, class. I want to talk to you about the Cold War today. Now, the Cold War
wasn’t just one single war. It was actually a long time of aggression. It, um, it
lasted about fifty years! Anyway, the Cold War was mainly between the US and
the USSR. That was Russia’s old name. They had different opinions on just about
everything. Oh, and Joseph Stalin, who we have talked about before, was the
leader of the USSR at the start of the Cold War. Anyway! There was a lot of
suspicion during the Cold War. But, the US and the USSR never actually fought
each other. This is because both countries had nuclear weapons. So, they were
afraid of each other. They didn’t want to destroy the whole world. And that might
have happened... if they’d fought each other. But, instead of fighting, they showed
their different opinions by competing with each other. For example, they made
their militaries bigger. And they raced each other to see who could get a person in
space first. Stuff like that. But, a lot of the problems were political. The two
countries were very different, and so they couldn’t get along. This is what caused
the Cold War.
Questions 26-30
Man: OK, yesterday we read about Georges Seurat. Now, many people would like
to paint like Seurat. But, very few people can. He invented a very precise way of
painting. It looks different and is hard to do because it is so exact. There were
various styles of painting but Seurat decided to make a different one. The first
difference was that Seurat took a lot of time to prepare before he painted. He
planned his paintings very carefully. He made many drawings to decide on the best
way to reproduce the scene. He worked for many hours before he started to paint.
With this style, you have to have a clear purpose. With other styles at this time,
they had very little time to prepare. Now, the second difference was that he used
pure colors. He understood that the eye would blend the colors. He knew if he
painted red next to yellow, the eye would see orange. OK?
Woman: Why didn’t he just mix the paints like other artists? Wouldn’t that have
been easier?
Man: Yes, but using pure colors made the painting very bright. These paintings
don’t look bright in books. But when you see them in person. Wow! They are
great! Now, as you know the biggest difference was that Seurat didn’t use brush
strokes. He painted tiny dots. One at a time. Millions and millions of dots and
some of his paintings were very big! Can you imagine how long this took? One
painting took two years! Of course, that didn’t mean that Seurat was a better
painter. All the well-known painters back then were very good and made beautiful
paintings. But, Seurat was very proud of his different way of painting. He felt that
this new style represented people and nature very well.
Questions 31-35
Woman: Today, we’re going to talk about snakes. Can you imagine eating a
snake? Me neither. But there are creatures that do. This is a problem for snakes. So
how do they solve this problem? They have to protect themselves. Let’s look at
three types of snakes. The rattlesnake, spitting cobra, and hognose snake. They all
have unique ways of protecting themselves. The rattlesnake solves this problem in
a unique way. You see, rattlesnakes are born with small beads on their tails. As an
average snake gets older, it grows more beads. These beads rub together and make
a rattling sound. OK, so when does the rattlesnake make this noise? When it thinks
an animal might attack it. It cannot shield itself so it tries to scare the creature by
rattling its tail. The spitting cobra has another way to protect itself. What does it
do? It sprays poison from its mouth. OK? But this snake doesn’t just spray it
anywhere. No, it sprays it into the eyes of the creature that is attacking it. This is
very effective because eyes are sensitive. The spray stops the creature from seeing.
And the snake gets away. Next, we have the hognose snake. It’s less aggressive. So
what does it do? The hognose snake plays dead. That’s right! It will twist and roll
like it’s dying. Then it will lie still on its back. The snake will even hang its tongue
out of its mouth! Can you believe that? So, by playing dead, it actually survives.
TEST 5
PART 1.
Questions 1 to 8
1. Where would you probably hear this announcement?
Good morning, everyone. Please remember, we have a meeting today in the large
meeting hall on the second floor at 10 o’clock this morning. All staff must attend.
We will talk about the move to our new office building. We will move next
Monday. So, you need to know what to do, and where you need to be on Monday.
So please make sure that you are on time for today’s meeting.
2. Where would someone hear this message?
Thank you for calling the law offices of Jones and Leung. If you are looking for a
lawyer to help you with a problem, please press ‘1’. If you are a lawyer from
another company, please press ‘2’. If you are a journalist, please press ‘3’ to speak
with our office manager. For all other questions, press ‘0’ and someone will be
with you soon. To hear this message again, press ‘9’.
3. How long are the classes?
Remember. Everyone needs to attend the Sales Training this Wednesday. The first
class will start at 9 o’clock. At 10.30 we’ll have a short coffee break. The second
class will start at 10.45. We’ll have lunch from 12.15. The third class will start at
1.30 pm, then a short break. The last class will start at 3.15 and finish at 4.45.
That’s the day after tomorrow. Don’t forget.
4. What should Jen do tomorrow?
Hi, everyone. Meet Jen, she’ll be joining our team starting today. Jen worked in the
head office for five years, but from today, she’ll be working with us. Please note
that Jen’s email address is her home address because she doesn’t have her new
office email address yet. When Jen gets her new office email address tomorrow,
she’ll give her new address to everyone.
5. What is the purpose of this announcement?
May I have your attention? Because of the weather, flight number 446 is going to
be a bit late leaving. It’s just too dangerous to take off in this high wind. As soon
as this thunderstorm passes, we will take off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
6. What is the main point of this announcement?
Thank you for coming to see the Pacific Art Museum’s exhibition of eighteenth-
century landscape paintings. The museum will be closing in fifteen minutes. Please
begin moving to the museum exits.
7. Who is Gary Reynolds?
Hi, this is Gary Reynolds, from Skyline Airlines. You recently bought a ticket for
February 16th on flight number 681 from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Unfortunately, there was an error on our website. That flight actually takes off at
9.40 am, not 10.40 as it said on the website. If that is a problem, please call me at
the customer service line, 334-445-9284, and we will reschedule you to another
flight. I’m sorry for the confusion.
8. What does the woman recommend the listeners to do?
Ladies and Gentlemen. I’m very sorry we woke you up in the middle of the night.
There was a small fire in the hotel‘s kitchen, but everything is okay now. The Fire
Department has put out the fire. You can return to your rooms. It’s completely
safe. We’re very sorry for the trouble.
PART 2.
Questions 9-12
Man: Hi, Professor Smith. Do you have a few minutes?
Woman: Sure. How can I help?
Man: I want to know how to write a good essay.
Woman: I see. What exactly is the problem?
Man: Well, I’m not sure. I mean I take many notes, and I understand the lessons.
It’s just that my essays aren’t very good.
Woman: Ah, yes. A good essay needs organization. Let’s go over the format for
an essay.
Man: That’d be great.
Woman: So there are the three parts to an essay. First, there’s the introduction.
You need a strong introduction. This gives the main idea for your whole essay.
OK?
Man: That makes sense.
Woman: Next, there are the body paragraphs. They provide evidence or details for
your main idea.
Man: OK. [Slowly] I think I should write this down.
Woman: Yes, that is a good idea.
Man: OK [Quickly] Can you tell me about body paragraphs again?
Woman: Sure. The body paragraphs provide evidence or details.
Man: Ahhh right.
Woman: And then there’s your conclusion. The conclusion is just a summary of
your main idea.
Man: Wow! I’ve never thought of it that way.
Woman: Yes, it can make a big difference. Good organization is important for
essay writing.
Questions 13-16.
Man: Hi. Are you in charge of the Student Tutoring Center?
Woman: No, but I do tutor here.
Man: Well, I need help with my mathematics classwork. Can you help me?
Woman: That’s fine. I’m actually a math major. I can help you. But, before we
begin, I need to clarify the rules.
Man: Rules? What rules?
Woman: Well, there are some things I can help you with, and some things I can’t
help you with. Let me explain.
Man: OK
Woman: First of all, our school has rules about cheating. It’s pretty standard for
schools nowadays. Anyway, according to the rules, if you cheat, then you can get
kicked out of school.
Man: That makes sense. I don’t want them to punish either one of us because of
tutoring.
Woman: Exactly. OK, so I can help you with things like learning strategies for
studying and studying from your notes. I can even help you take notes. However,
when it comes to classwork and homework, you’re on your own. Are we all clear?
Man: I think that’s fair.
Woman: Good. OK, let’s get started.
Questions 17-20
Man: Hi. Can I help you with anything?
Woman: Hi, Professor. Well, it’s about our project that’s due next week. I was
wondering if I could get an extension. Can I get an extra week to do it?
Man: Why are you asking?
Woman: I normally wouldn’t, but I’ve been really sick and I was absent for a few
of your lectures.
Man: Well, I’m sorry but I can’t give you an extension. However, I can suggest a
couple of ways to make up for lost time.
Woman: I hope so. I really need a good grade or I could lose my scholarship.
Then I wouldn’t be able to pay my tuition.
Man: You’ll be fine. Here’s what you can do borrow one of your classmate’s notes
from the lectures that you missed. Ask if he or she can help explain them to you.
Woman: OK
Man: Or you can go to the library and do the research yourself. I can give you an
outline of the lectures that you missed. You can look up the main information.
Either way, you should be fine.
Woman: Yeah, I guess you’re right. I should get started. Thanks
PART 3
Questions 21-25
Man: So I really appreciate your talking with me about this.
Woman: Well, I was concerned. Generally, I think students should get a grade
based on your overall work-but I could see that you didn’t do as well on the last
test ... and you had done very well on the first two exams.
Man: I know. I was right in the middle of moving out of my dorm at the end of the
semester and that was my last exam. Normally, I wouldn’t ask to take an
incomplete, but I just didn’t feel that a lower grade really represented my work.
Woman: I agree. But, again, I don’t usually like to do change-of-grade forms.
Man: OK. I understand.
Woman: So... well, I was thinking. Perhaps if you want to do an extra credit
project... Let’s say, something that will help you pull your grade back up to an A-
minus?
Man: I can do that. Look... it’s so important that I maintain very good grades. My
financial aid package requires that I do...
Woman: I can understand that.
Man: So what should I do?
Woman: OK, here’s the deal. You write a five-page paper on Shakespeare’s worst
play-and I mean, you have to read all of them to decide what his worst play was.
And tell me why you think so.
Man: Uh, wo.
woman:.. that’s...
Woman: You want to get that change of grade, right?
Man: Right, yeah. Of course.
Woman: Fine, so you’ll have two weeks to write this paper shouldn’t take you too
long if you have done your reading.
Man: Oh, I have. I’ve read all the plays. And I think I know which one I’m going
to choose.
Woman: Fine. Don’t tell me ... surprise me
Man: I will. So, what happens if I do a good job on the paper?
Woman: Then I will fill out the forms for a change of grade. It takes a few weeks
after that, but the new grade should go on your transcript afterwards.
Man: OK... I guess I will have to go to the library over semester break... thanks for
your understanding.
Questions 26-30
Woman: Hi. I really need your help. I’ve got to prepare for a presentation and I
haven’t got a clue about how to do a visual slide show…
Man: Well, that’s why we’re here. We have tutors who know all the word-
processing and presentation programs. Uh, do you know what presentation viewer
program you want to use?
Woman: I have no idea. Which is best?
Man: That depends on what you want to do. Is your presentation just text or do
you want to use visuals with all the bells and whistles?
Woman: Um, you mean like images and graphics, and things that move around on
the screen?
Man: Exactly. You can include sounds or videos too...
Woman: Yes, absolutely ... the better it looks, the better I hope my grade will be.
Man: Oh I think it is important that a presentation looks good-but you have to have
the substance too.
Woman: I guess so... uh ...
Man: You know what I mean... if you have a good foundation for your
presentation, you’ll be fine.
Woman: Oh, right.
Man: Anyway, I would advise you to use this presentation viewer program
because it’s pretty intuitive-you can figure it out as you go along.
Woman: I’ve never really tried it.
Man: After your tutorial, I think you’ll find it is pretty simple. Speaking of which,
uh, when do you want to schedule your tutoring session
Woman: As soon as possible! My presentation is next week and I’m nervous about
speaking in front of other people anyway. It would be bad if I had no time to
practice using the program
Man: That’s true. So... then, how about tomorrow at 2 p.m? Bring your outline.
Woman: Great. I’ll do that. Can I bring my laptop with me?
Man: Sure... see you then.
Questions 31-35
With unemployment rampant in the economic depression of the 1930s, the
government established a program to put people to work. It was called the Works
Progress Administration, or WPA. The WPA funded the construction and
maintenance of schools, parks and highways. A small subdivision of the WPA, uh
the Federal Arts Projed or FAP, was dedicated to employing artists. The reasoning
behind the FAP was that the arts, as much as schools and bridges, contributed to
the public welfare. And of course artists at the time of the Depression were
extremely vulnerable. Photographers were uniquely suited to the requirements of
the FAP, not least because much of their work constituted documenting the
achievements of the WPA. But documentation in the larger sense of capturing the
reality of an entire country was the mission of many of the FAP photographers.
One of the photographers funded by the FAP beginning in 1935 was Berenice
Abbott. It was perfect timing for Berenice Abbott-she’d been photographing New
York City since her return from Paris in 1929.
Long before the FAP came into being, her stated purpose was to document and
interpret America with love, but without sentimentality. And she felt that New
York represented the essence of the changing nature of American society. I want to
just go back to that word, sentimentality. Because it relates to how we can define
Abbott’s approach to her art. As we talked about last week, photography in its
initial stages had been used in a very painterly fashion. People like Abbott realized
early on that photography’s strengths had not been recognized or utilized. Abbott
and her contemporaries rebelled against the widespread painterly use of soft focus-
in favor of the sharpness and clarity naturally inherent in photography. And they
also rejected the sentimentality of typical pastoral scenes and landscapes in favor
of a realistic depiction of fast-paced, modern urban life. It was this sensibility that
she brought with her to New York from Paris, where she had been living for eight
years. Abbott’s project was, simply put, to photograph New York City. She called
her project “Changing New York”. And the way she approached this project was to
try to depict, through photography, the uh, interaction between human beings and
solid architectural constructs. Or something like that... I don’t have the exact quote.
See, she was trying to find a balance between buildings and activity. So she
decided to use more than just a hand-held camera ... which was perfect for, you
know, capturing the hustle and bustle of the city, but would not have done justice
to the giant buildings that also define the city. At the same time, she didn’t want to
just overshadow everything with those buildings. So she began to use a large-
format camera. One of those rather bulky cameras you have to put on a tripod and
then you have to view the image under a black hood... difficult to carry around, but
it widened her vision. It allowed her to capture the size of massive modern
buildings and also to juxtapose them in a shot with older, humbler ones. And to
keep the life in her shots she would often wait until someone passed by and make
sure they were in the frame. Or she would ask people to walk through or stand in
the frame. So, she ended up using the large view camera for most of the work.
Well, this “Changing New York” collection of 305 photographs is really a
remarkable achievement. Its images are so powerful that Abbott is considered by
many to be one of the twentieth century’s greatest photographers. In fact, one more
contemporary photographer Douglas Levere-was so inspired by her work that in
the 1990s he decided to re-photograph Abbott’s New York photos. Imagine this.
Levere went to the same locations, on the same day and same time with the
identical camera that Abbott had used. He reframed Abbott’s shots as exactly as
possible. Why would someone do that? I have to admit; when I first heard about
this I was skeptical of one artist copying another so completely. But then I saw the
photographs. And the amazing thing about them is that if you put them side by side
with Abbott’s, you see that they are a logical extension of her work. They take you
even deeper into the contrast between the old and the new that Abbott so expertly
revealed in the 1930s.