Test 3

MARTIN:              Good morning. This is Burnham tourist, Martin speaking.

SUE:                      Oh, hello. I saw a poster about free things to do in the area, and it said people should phone you for information. I’m coming to Burnham with my husband and two children for a few days on June the 27th, or possibly the 28th, and I’d like some ideas for things to do on the 29th. (Example)

MARTIN:              Yes, of course. OK. Then let’s start with a couple of events especially for children. The art gallery is holding an event called ‘Family Welcome’ that day, when there are activities and trails to use throughout the gallery.

SUE:                      That sounds interesting. What time does it start?

MARTIN:              The gallery opens at 10, and the ‘Family Welcome’ event runs from 10.30 until 2 o’clock (Q1). The gallery stays open until 5. And several times during the day, they’re going to show a short film that the gallery has produced. It demonstrates how ceramics are made (Q2), and there’ll be equipment and materials for children to have a go themselves. Last time they ran the event, there was a film about painting, which went down very well with the children, and they’re now working on one about sculpture.

SUE:                      I like the sound of that. And what other events happen in Burnham?

MARTIN:              Well, do you all enjoy listening to music?

SUE:                      Oh, yes.

MARTIN:              Well there are several free concerts taking place at different times – one or two in the morning, the majority at lunchtime (Q3), and a couple in the evening. And they range from pop music to Latin American.

SUE:                      The Latin American could be fun. What time is that?

MARTIN:              It’s being repeated several times, in different places. They’re performing in the central library at 1 o’clock, then at 4 it’s in the City Museum (Q4), and in the evening, at 7.30, there’s a longer concert, in the theatre.

SUE:                      Right. I’ll suggest that to the rest of the family.

MARTIN:              Something else you might be interested in is the boat race along the river.

SUE:                      Oh, yes, do tell me about that.

MARTIN:              The race starts at Offord Marina (Q5), to the north of Burnham, and goes as far as Summer Pool. The best place to watch it from is Charlesworth Bridge, though that does get rather crowded.

SUE:                      And who’s taking part?

MARTIN:              Well, local boat clubs, but the standard is very high. One of them came first in the West of England regional championship in May this year (Q6) – it was the first time a team from Burnham has won. It means that next year they’ll be representing the region in the national championship.

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SUE:                      Now I’ve heard something about Paxton Nature Reserve. It’s a good place for spotting unusual birds, isn’t it? (Q7)

MARTIN:              That’s right – throughout the year. There is a lake there, as well as a river, and they provide a very attractive habitat. So it’s a good idea to bring binoculars if you have them. And just at the moment you can see various flowers that are pretty unusual (Q8) – the soil at Paxton isn’t very common. They’re looking good right now.

SUE:                      Right. My husband will be particularly interested in that.

MARTIN:              And there’s going to be a talk and slide show about mushrooms – and you’ll be able to go out and pick some afterwards and study the different varieties. (Q9)

SUE:                      Uhuh. And is it possible for children to swim in the river?

MARTIN:              Yes. Part of it has been fenced off to make it safe for children to swim in (Q10). It’s very shallow, and there’s a lifeguard on duty whenever it’s open. The lake is too deep, so swimming isn’t allowed there.

SUE:                      OK, we must remember to bring their swimming things, in case we go to Paxton. How long does it take to get there by car from Burnham?

MARTIN:              About 20 minutes, but parking is very limited, so it’s usually much easier to go by bus – and it takes about the same time.

SUE:                      Right. Well. I’ll discuss the options with the rest of the family. Thanks very much for all your help.

MARTIN:              You’re welcome.

SUE:                      Goodbye.

MARTIN:              Bye.

 

Test 4

ROB:                     Good morning. Stretton Festival box office. How can I help you?

MELANIE:            Oh, hello. My family and I are on holiday on the area, and we’ve seen some posters about the festival this week. Could you tell me about some of the events, please?

ROB:                     Of course.

MELANIE:            First of all, are there still tickets available for the jazz band on Saturday?

ROB:                     There are, but only £18 (Example). The £12 seats have all been sold.

MELANIE:            OK. And the venue is the school, isn’t it?

ROB:                     Yes, that’s right, the secondary school (Q1). Make sure you don’t go to the primary school by mistake! And there’s an additional performer who isn’t mentioned on the posters – Carolyn Hart is going to play with the band.

MELANIE:            Oh, I think I’ve heard her on the radio. Doesn’t she play the oboe, or flute or something?

ROB:                     Yes the flute (Q2). She usually plays with symphony orchestras, and apparently this is her first time with a jazz band.

MELANIE:            Well, I’d certainly like to hear her. Then the next thing I want to ask about is the duck races – I saw a poster beside a river. What are they, exactly?

ROB:                     Well, you buy a yellow plastic duck – or as many as you like – they’re a pound each. And you write your name on each one. There’ll be several races, depending on the number of ducks taking part. And John Stevens, a champion swimmer who lives locally, is going to start the races. All the ducks will be launched into the river at the back of the cinema (Q3), then they’ll float along the river for 500 metres, as far as the railway bridge.

MELANIE:            And are there any prizes?

ROB:                     Yes, the first duck in each race to arrive at the finishing line wins its owner free tickets for the concert on the last night of the festival. (Q4)

MELANIE:            You said you can buy a duck? I’m sure my children will both want one.

ROB:                     They’re on sale at a stall in the market (Q5). You can’t miss it – it’s got an enormous sign showing a couple of ducks.

MELANIE:            OK. I’ll go there this afternoon. I remember walking past there yesterday. Now could you tell me something about the flower show, please?

ROB:                     Well, admission is free, and the show is being held in Bythwaite Hall. (Q6)

MELANIE:            Sorry, how do you spell that?

ROB:                     B-Y-T-H-W-A-I-T-E. Bythwaite.

MELANIE:            Is it easy to find? I’m no very familiar with the town yet.

ROB:                     Oh, you won’t have any problem. It’s right in the centre of Stretton. It’s the only old building in the town, so it’s easy to recognise.

MELANIE:            I know it. I presume it’s open all day.

ROB:                     Yes, but if you’d like to see the prizes being awarded for the best flowers, you’ll need to be there at 5 o’clock. The prizes are being given by a famous actor, Kevin Shapless (Q7). He lives nearby and gets involved in a lot of community events.

MELANIE:            Gosh, I’ve seen him on TV. I’ll definitely go to the prize-giving.

ROB:                     Right.

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MELANIE:            I’ve seen a list of plays that are being performed this week, and I’d like to know which are suitable for my children, and which ones my husband and I might go to.

ROB:                     How old are your children?

MELANIE:            Five and seven. What about ‘The Mystery of Muldoon’?

ROB:                     That’s aimed at five to ten-year-olds. (Q8)

MELANIE:            So if I take my children, I can expect them to enjoy it more than I do?

ROB:                     I think so. If you’d like something for yourself and your husband and leave your children with a babysitter, you might like to see ‘Fire and Flood’ (Q9) – it’s about events that really happened in Stretton two hundred years ago, and children might find it rather frightening.

MELANIE:            Oh, thanks for the warning. And finally, what about ‘Silly Sailor’?

ROB:                     That’s a comedy, and it’s for young and old (Q10). In fact, it won an award in the Stretton Drama Festival a couple of months ago.

MELANIE:            OK. Well, goodbye, and thanks for all the information. I’m looking forward to the festival!

ROB:                     Goodbye.