Practice English Listening A2 Exercises – Work and studies

A

1   Luis – C    Pierre – A    Margaret – B

2   a Margaret   b Luis   c Pierre

B

Luis:

     1   He works as an archaeologist in the Amazon rainforest.

     2   Continue in the same way.

Pierre:

     3   He wasn’t very good at a lot of subjects. He hated exams and tests.

     4   He’s studying something he wants to study. He’s more conf dent.

Margaret:

     5   She retired and she had nothing to do.

     6   It’s for people over 50. They meet in people’s homes. They don’t have exams.

1

INTERVIEWER   Luis, you’re twenty-nine …

LUIS   Right.

I   … and you’re a student?

L   Well, I work as an archaeologist but, yeah, I’m also a student, I guess.

I   Right. What kind of archaeology do you do?

L   I do a lot of work in the rainforest, in the Central Amazon.

I   But right now you’re doing a degree, aren’t you?

L   Yes, I’m doing a doctorate in archaeology. Actually, I’m writing a thesis on my work in the Amazon.

I   And when do you finish?

L   I’ve got just one more year to go – I hope!

I   And will you stop then?

L   Stop studying?

I   Yes.

L   Well, I think an archaeologist is always studying, so, no, I’ll never stop. It’s a way of life for me.

2

I   Pierre, you didn’t like school much. Why was that?

PIERRE   Well, I didn’t like a lot of subjects at school, like maths and science. I just wasn’t very good at them, and I hated doing exams and tests and so on.

I   Hm. But you were interested in art?

P   Yes, I’ve always enjoyed art.

I   So, you left school when you were …?

P   I left school when I was eighteen. I passed my exams – just! – and then I got a job. Then, er, about twenty years later, I decided I wanted to do a degree in art. So I applied to some colleges and I got into the School of Art and Design in Limoges.

I   Oh, and how is it?

P   It’s a great experience, completely different from school.

I   How exactly?

P   Well, I’m studying something I really want to study, you know?

I   Right.

P   And I’m a lot older and more confident, so it’s easier to ask questions, talk to the teachers, things like that.

3

I   Margaret, you’re a student at the University of the Third Age?

MARGARET   Yes, we call it the U3A.

I   U3A. And what is that exactly?

M   Well, ‘the third age’ means it’s for people over fifty. Anyone over fifty can join. We have meetings and talks in members’ home, and we don’t do exams or get degrees. So, you see, it’s not a typical university!

I   And why did you join?

M   Well, I retired three years ago. I had a lot of free time, and nothing to do. It wasn’t a very happy time, to be honest. Then I read something about the U3A and went to a talk and it was great.

I   Hm. What kind of courses have you done?

M   Oh, there are so many interesting things. I’ve done courses in music, erm, local history and Spanish. I choose things I haven’t studied before.

I   And what’s next?

M   Well, I’ve never been very good with computers, so, er, last week I signed up for an IT skills course.

A

5   experience in sales

6   strengths and weaknesses

4   languages

2   computer skills

3   driving licence

B

1   True

2   False – She wants to work in any area.

3   False – She hasn’t got it with her.

4   True

5   False – She wants to work for a bigger company.

6   False – She’s not good at working on her own.

INTERVIEWER   OK, right. So, it’s Lauren, isn’t it?

LAUREN   Yes, that’s right.

I   Great. Have you got your form there?

L   Yes, here you go.

I   And did you bring a copy of your CV?

L   Yes.

I   OK. Er, let’s just have a look. So, you’ve done lots of different things! Sales … administration … and you’ve worked in a restaurant.

L   Yes, that’s right. Last summer.

I   OK. And you’re looking for work in …?

L   Well, yes, as you can see, I’ve got experience in sales, administration and catering, so I’m looking for work in any of those areas really.

I   Right. Er, let’s start with catering. You worked for Café Concerto last summer. What qualifications do you have? Do you have any kind of food safety or hygiene certificate?

L   Yes, I’ve got a certificate in Food Safety for Catering. It’s level two.

I   Ah, that’s excellent. Have you got a copy of that with you?

L   Er, no, sorry.

I   Oh, that’s no problem. Could you fax it over later today? Or bring it in?

L   Sure.

I   Great. Now, administration … How are you with computers?

L   Well, I have experience working with Word and Excel, so quite good, I think.

I   OK, good, and more generally … it doesn’t say here, no … do you have a driving licence?

L   Yes, I do.

I   Good. And what languages do you speak?

L   Erm, a little French and Spanish.

I   OK. And more recently you worked in sales for CSP. Did you enjoy that?

L   Yes, I’ve been in sales for a year now and I worked for CSP for six months. It was a nice company.

I   So why did you decide to leave?

L   Well … it’s quite a small company, you know. I’ve always wanted to work for a big company. I think that would be a good experience for me.

I   OK. Now … what would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?

L   Hm, that’s a difficult question. Well, I’m good at talking to people, I think. And I really enjoy working in a team. But maybe I’m not very good at working on my own? I prefer working with people.

I   OK, great. Well, I’m sure we’ll have something for you. We’ll put your details on our system and see what we have. And I’ll need to contact your references.

1 c   2 b   3 a   4 b

CLARE   Hello, CSP, Clare speaking. How can I help you?

YUSUF   Oh, hello, my name’s Yusuf Karim. I’m from the job agency, Findajob. Could I speak to Lisa Moore, please?

C   Certainly. Can I ask you the reason for the call?

Y   Of course. I’m calling about an ex-CSP employee, Lauren Gordon. Lisa Moore was her manager.

C   Thank you. Let me just see if Lisa’s available. Hello? I’m afraid she’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?

Y   I’m sorry, this line’s not very good. Could you say that again, please?

C   Yes, of course, I’m sorry. Would you like me to take a message?

Y   Yes, please.

C   Er, what was your name again, please?

Y   Yes, it’s Yusuf Karim.

C   Could you spell that for me?

Y   Yes, it’s Yusuf with a Y, Y-U-S-U-F, and Karim is K-A-R-I-M.

C   OK. And what’s your telephone number?

Y   I’ll give you my mobile number. It’s oh four one two, double five six, two oh seven.

C   Sorry, can you speak more slowly, please?

Y   Yes, it’s oh four one two, double five six, two oh seven.

C   Right. And has Lisa got your email address?

Y   Er, no. It’s y dot karim at findajob dot com dot au.

C   Sorry, y dot karim at …?

Y   Findajob – that’s one word – dot come dot au.

C   OK, so that’s y dot karim at findajob dot com dot au. And what would you like me to tell her?

Y   Well, I’d like to ask her some questions about Lauren Gordon, what was she like as an employee and things. It would be great if she could phone me.

C   OK, I’ll give her the message and ask her to contact you.

Y   Thank you. That’s very helpful.

C   No problem. Goodbye.