CONVERSATION 1
In this section you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Questions 1 to 5 are based on a conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 10 seconds to answer each of the following 5 questions. Now listen to the conversation.
Headmaster(M): Good morning, Mrs. Harris.Do sit down. I understand you'd like to have a word with me about William.
Mrs. Harris (W): Yes, that's right, Headmaster. I felt I should see you as soon as possible before William does anything he'll regret.
M: Regret, Mrs. Harris?
W: Well, you see, he's set his heart on becoming an artist, and my husband and I think he ought to take up something more secure. I mean even if he went to Art School, there'd be no guarantee he could get a good job afterwards and we worry so much about what he could live on.
M: That's not such a big problem. He could probably teach, Mrs. Harris.
W: He wouldn't like that, Headmaster. He says he wouldn't be a teacher if it were the last job on earth— Oh,I beg your pardon, Headmaster, I didn't mean…
M: Not at all, Mrs. Harris. I wouldn't have been a teacher myself if I'd had my way. I'd have been an actor if my parents had let me, so I have some sympathy with William's problems. Now, let's see—if he wants to be an artist, he'll have to decide what sort of artist he wants to be.
W: Oh, pardon. I don't quite follow you, Headmaster.
M: Well, what I mean is, if he wanted to be a commercial artist, graphics, cartoons, that sort of thing, he might do very well if he took an art course at a Technical College, and besides,the entry qualifications wouldn't be so stiff. On the other hand, if he wants to go to one of the major Art Schools, you'd better not raise his hopes too high. There's a good deal of competition to get accepted, and he'd have to have at least three “O” levels and two “A's” at good grades before he'd even be considered. Oh, and there's another thing, he'd have to do a year's foundation course first, probably at another college. He'd get a grant, of course, provided he'd got the right “O's” and “A's”.
W: But art, Headmaster. It's so chancy. I wish he weren't so set on it.
M: I don't think you should stand in his way, Mrs. Harris. If I were you, I'd let him decide for himself. You'd better accept the fact that nowadays young people don't worry about security the way we did when we were young.
W: Well, I must admit my husband and I would have felt much happier if he'd chosen to do something else. Perhaps it's still not too late for him to change his mind. You know,I could get him a good job with my own firm if he had a science degree instead of the Arts.
M: From what I know of him, Mrs. Harris, I don't think he's the sort of boy to change his mind, not in a hurry at any rate. In any case, I think you ought to let him decide.
W: But an artist, Headmaster! What's he going to live on?
M: Making a career as an artist isn't easy, of course. It would be a good idea if you had a talk with our art master, Mr. Sims; he can tell you more about the possibilities than I can. I know he thinks very highly of William's work, though you'd better not tell William I said so.
W: I suppose I shouldn't worry so much, Headmaster, but I can't say I like the idea. Painting pictures and that — it doesn't seem like real work to my husband or me.
M: On second thought, I think the best thing would be for me to have a word with Mr. Sims first and find out what he thinks of William's chances of being accepted at Art School. It's a very liberal training, you know — not just painting pictures.
W: No, of course not. Thank you very much for your advice, Headmaster. I'd be grateful if you'd let me know what Mr. Sims says.
M: I'll do that, Mrs. Harris. And in the meantime don't worry about William. He'll be all right so long as he does as well as he's doing at present.

CONVERSATION 2
In this section you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Questions 1 to 5 are based on a conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 10 seconds to answer each of the following 5 questions. Now listen to the conversation.
John(M): Hi, Cindy.
Cindy(W): Hello, John.
M: Did you enjoy Bob's party the other night?
W: Yes, I did. It was really nice to see everyone again after all these years. I could hardly recognize Nancy. She used to be such a tomboy. Now she is so beautiful and elegant.
M: As the old saying goes: A girl changes fast and becomes beautiful. You know, she has married a general manager with a large company.
W: Really? But she deserves it.
M: James must feel sorry to hear it. He and she used to be good friends in our class.
W: I know what you mean.
M: Anyway, what about that holiday we were talking about? Do you still want to go ahead with it?
W: You bet I do! I've been very busy at work and I really need a break. You know, just lie in the sun and relax.
M: Are you kidding? I was thinking about something more active, like sightseeing or swimming. Maybe even surfing if you are up to it.
W: I think I could be persuaded. Yes, why not? Surfing sounds like fun to me. Then what destination do you have in mind?
M: Well, I called the travel agent this morning and picked up some brochures. Here, take a look. I have got one on the South of France which looks nice. Or there's Italy if you fancy some culture. Or of course, there's Greece.
W: Greece sounds good. I haven't been there before. Look at that picture. Blue sky, white sands and a beautiful clear blue sea.
M: I know. But have you seen the price? 450 pounds for one week. And that doesn't include the hotel!
W: Yeah, it is a bit expensive, isn't it? What about the South of France?
M: That's a lot cheaper. In fact there is a special deal on at the moment. 10 days, including the hotel, for only 250 pounds.
W: Let's have a look at Italy.
M: I already have. It's far too expensive.
W: France it is then, I think. But can we choose the hotel? I don't want to get there and find they've put us up in a really cheap place miles away from the beach.
M: No problem. There are three hotels to choose from. This one looks the best.
W: Which one? Paradise Rock or the Sea View?
M: The Paradise Rock. It's only a 10-minute walk from the beach. Half that if you take a bus. And breakfast is included in the price. We do have to pay a surcharge, though.
W: How much?
M: 10 pounds. But I guess it's worth it. The location is great and they even have an outdoor swimming pool.
W: What about a gym?
M: Oh yes, they have a gym that the guests can use.
W: That's OK. The hotel sounds great. And the price is certainly too good to miss. So when shall we go?
M: The offer doesn't apply to June, or July for that matter. So I guess it'll have to be May or August.
W: August is too far away. I feel tired and desperately need a holiday, so May gets my vote.
M: May is fine for me too. Now we need to plan our schedule. I guess we can plan a day when we just indulge ourselves in water sports.
W: I don't mind really. Nothing too strenuous though. How about a spot of fishing while we are there?
M: Why not? Maybe we'll be able to catch our lunch?
W: Don't bet on it. You know what my fishing skills are like! Just a minute. Isn't there a film festival on in May?
M: Yes, there is. It's a full three day event I believe.
W: You are not suggesting we spend a full three days there, are you?
M: Not at all. Maybe half a day will be enough.
W: Let's make it a day.
M: OK. Then put down a few days on the beach. I can't come back without a suntan.
W: What do you think, three days or four?
M: Make it four, plus a day's shopping.
W: A day's shopping. OK.
M: And the other days?
W: Well, tell you what, why don't we go to the library and get a guide book? That'll give us more ideas.
M: OK, let's go.