TEST 10

6 February   7 40,000   8 Park   9 died   10 1931

Man:   Thomas Alva Edison was a famous American inventor. He was born on 11th February, 1847, the seventh child of Samuel and Nancy Edison.

Thomas wasn’t a good student and he left school after only a few months. But he was interested in science and technology from an early age, and he spent hours reading scientific books and making things.

He moved to New York City in 1869, and he soon made a lot of money from his inventions – $40,000.

In 1871, he married Mary Stilwell, and in 1876, he opened a laboratory in a village called Menlo Park. A lot of people worked for him and helped him with his inventions. His first great invention there was the phonograph, a machine that could record and play sound. He also invented an electric light bulb that people could use at home. His inventions made him very rich.

His wife died in 1884, but he married again in 1886. He and his second wife moved to West Orange, in New Jersey. There, Edison built another big laboratory and factories. He worked there until he died on the 18 October 1931.

Now listen again.

 

 

 

 

 

TEST 11

6 12th   7 730   8 drinks   9 morning   10 beginners

Woman: Thanks for coming today and showing interest in the skiing trip. Now, I’m going to give you some details. This year we’re going to Italy.

The trip starts on the second of January and lasts for ten days, so we’ll be away until the twelfth of January. I’m pleased to say that this year trip will be a bit less expensive than last year, when it was £775. The price has come down £45 to £730, and that’s because the hotel is cheaper.

That price includes breakfast, the evening meal, the cost of renting skis and ski clothes, and the ski lifts. But you’ll need to pay for your own lunch. That’s not included, and drinks aren’t, either.

There are lessons every morning. The cost is included in the price of the holiday. If you’re a beginner, I strongly advise you to take these lessons so that you learn good skiing techniques. Right, are there any questions?

 

 

 

 

 

TEST 12

6 118   7 4/four   8 391   9 30/thirty   10 fish

Woman:   Welcome aboard! Before we begin our tour, let me tell you a few things about this beautiful city. Venice is built on a number of islands in the Adriatic Sea. No one knows the exact number, but we think there are 118. Between the islands there are 150 canals.

Today we are going to travel along the Grand Canal, the city’s busiest canal. It’s also the longest: almost four kilometres long! You won’t see any cars, of course, but there will be lots of different boats. We will pass under four bridges, but there are many more in the city. Venice has 391 bridges, and most of them are very beautiful. You should try and see some of them while you are here.

Our boat trip today will take about thirty minutes. We will go past many of the city’s famous churches, museums and palaces. We will even go past the fish market!

Now, please be seated and we will begin our tour … [fade]