Listening: short extracts Banker

You will hear a telephone message from a dentist's receptionist. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Hello, this is Saima calling from the Smile Dental Clinic for Mr Faisal Raza. I'm afraid Dr Hamid is ill this week, so we need to move your appointment from Wednesday morning. We can offer you Friday at a quarter past four in the afternoon instead. If that isn't convenient, please call us back before Thursday lunchtime. Oh, and as it's your first visit, please remember to bring your identity card and arrive ten minutes early to fill in a short form. Thank you.

1. (a) At what time is Mr Raza's new appointment? [1]
2. (b) What must Mr Raza bring to the appointment? [1]

You will hear an announcement at a school assembly. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Good morning, everyone. Before you go to your classes, an important change: because of the heavy rain forecast for Thursday, Sports Day has been moved to next Monday. Events will start at nine o'clock, not half past eight as printed on the programme. All students should wear their house T-shirts and bring a water bottle and a cap, as it may be very sunny. Parents are welcome to watch from the seats near the library. And one more thing – the long-jump competition has been cancelled because the sand pit is being repaired.

1. (a) On which day will Sports Day now take place? [1]
2. (b) Which event has been cancelled? [1]

You will hear a weather forecast on local radio. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)And now the weather for the northern areas. This morning will be clear and bright in Gilgit and Skardu, but clouds will build up after midday. By this evening, we expect light snow on the higher roads, including the Babusar Pass, so drivers should take extra care. Temperatures will fall to minus four degrees in Skardu tonight. Tomorrow, strong winds will arrive from the west, but the snow should stop by the afternoon.

1. (a) What will the weather be like in Skardu this morning? [1]
2. (b) What temperature is expected in Skardu tonight? [1]

You will hear a voice message from a friend. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Hi Mehwish, it's Anum. About the film tomorrow – my brother can't drive us after all, so let's take the bus. Can you meet me at the bus stop outside the post office at six? The film starts at seven, so we'll have time to buy popcorn first. Oh, and I've already booked the tickets online, so you can pay me back later. It's 900 rupees each. See you!

1. (a) Where will the girls meet? [1]
2. (b) How much does each ticket cost? [1]

You will hear the start of an audio guide in a museum. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Welcome to the Lahore Museum audio guide. This tour will take about forty-five minutes. We begin in the Gandhara Gallery, straight ahead of you, which contains stone sculptures nearly two thousand years old. Please do not touch the sculptures, as oil from our hands can damage the stone. Photography is allowed, but without flash. When you have finished the tour, please return your headset to the desk by the main entrance.

1. (a) How long does the tour take? [1]
2. (b) Why should visitors not touch the sculptures? [1]

You will hear an announcement on a bus. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Good morning, passengers, and welcome aboard the Daewoo service from Lahore to Islamabad. Our journey will take about four and a half hours, with one stop of twenty minutes at Bhera service area. Seat belts must be worn at all times. Snacks and drinks will be served shortly. Please keep your phone on silent and use headphones if you wish to listen to music.

1. (a) Where will the bus stop? [1]
2. (b) What should passengers use if they want to listen to music? [1]

You will hear an announcement at a railway station. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Attention, please. The Karakoram Express to Karachi, due to depart at three forty, is delayed by approximately fifty minutes because of a signal problem near Raiwind. Passengers should note that this train will now leave from platform six, not platform two. Passengers holding tickets for the air-conditioned sleeper should board at the front of the train. Refreshments are available in the waiting hall. We apologise for the delay.

1. (a) What is the cause of the delay? [1]
2. (b) Which platform will the train now leave from? [1]

You will hear a tip from a television cooking programme. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Here's my secret for perfect fluffy rice every time. Most people forget the first step: washing. Rinse the rice three or four times until the water runs clear – that removes the extra starch that makes it sticky. Then soak it for thirty minutes. Many recipes say an hour, but I find that makes the grains break. And when it's cooked, don't stir it! Just leave the lid on for five minutes, then gently lift it with a fork.

1. (a) What does washing the rice remove? [1]
2. (b) For how long does the cook soak the rice? [1]

You will hear an announcement about a public library. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)From the first of next month, the City Library will have new opening hours. During the week, we'll open an hour later, at ten, but we'll stay open until eight in the evening, so students can study after school. On Sundays, the library will now be closed all day. We're also pleased to announce a new study room on the second floor, which can be booked online for groups of up to six people. Members can now borrow up to five books at a time, instead of three.

1. (a) What time will the library close on weekdays? [1]
2. (b) How many books can members now borrow at a time? [1]

You will hear an announcement in a shopping centre. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Good afternoon, shoppers! Don't miss the Eid sale at Rang Fashions on the ground floor, next to the food court. All children's clothes are reduced by thirty per cent, and if you spend more than five thousand rupees, you'll receive a free gift bag. The sale ends on Saturday. And for this weekend only, our tailors will shorten trousers free of charge for any customer who buys a suit.

1. (a) Where is Rang Fashions? [1]
2. (b) What will tailors do free of charge this weekend? [1]

You will hear a phone message from a tour company. Answer the questions.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Hello, this is Kamran from Northern Trails with information about your trip to Naran on the twelfth. The coach will pick you up from the hotel at six a.m. sharp – please don't be late, because we need to cross the busy section near Balakot before the traffic builds up. It will be cold at Lake Saiful Muluk, so please bring a warm jacket and gloves. Lunch is included, but you should bring your own snacks and water for the journey.

1. (a) Why must passengers be on time? [1]
2. (b) Give TWO things passengers should bring. [2]

You will hear a teacher giving instructions for a school trip. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Right, everyone, listen carefully. Tomorrow we're visiting the water treatment plant. The bus leaves from the school gate at eight fifteen. You'll need a notebook and pencil – not a pen, because we'll be outside and pens don't work well when paper gets damp. Wear closed shoes: the floors near the tanks can be slippery. We'll be back by one, but bring a packed lunch because the canteen will be closed.

1. (a) Why should students bring a pencil rather than a pen? [1]
2. (b) Why must students wear closed shoes? [1]

You will hear an announcement at an airport. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)This is an announcement for passengers on flight PK 302 to Islamabad. Owing to a technical problem with the original aircraft, a replacement plane will be used. Departure has been rescheduled from four ten to five thirty, and the flight will now board from gate fourteen rather than gate nine. Passengers should go to gate fourteen at five o'clock, when boarding will begin. Meal vouchers can be collected from the information desk opposite gate eleven.

1. (a) At what time will boarding begin? [1]
2. (b) Where can passengers collect meal vouchers? [1]

You will hear a recorded message from a cinema. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Thank you for calling the Galaxy Cinema. This week's main film, 'The Last Monsoon', is showing at two, five and eight p.m. daily, except on Tuesday, when the five o'clock show is replaced by a special screening for schools. Tickets cost eight hundred rupees, but students with a valid card pay half price on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please note that the car park is closed for repairs, so we recommend using the public car park behind the stadium.

1. (a) Which showing does NOT take place on Tuesday? [1]
2. (b) On which days do students pay half price? [1]

You will hear a football coach leaving a message for players. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Hi team, Coach Adnan here. Change of plan for this week. Thursday's training is moving indoors to the sports hall because the pitch is being re-seeded. That means no football boots – trainers only, or you'll damage the floor. We'll start fifteen minutes later than usual, at five fifteen, because the hall is booked until five. And please remember that the match on Saturday is away, so the bus will leave at nine, an hour before we usually meet.

1. (a) Why must players wear trainers on Thursday? [1]
2. (b) At what time do players usually meet on Saturdays? [1]

You will hear the beginning of a science podcast. Answer the questions in a word or short phrase.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Welcome to 'Curious Minds'. Today's question comes from a listener in Quetta: why do onions make us cry? When you cut an onion, you break its cells, and chemicals inside them mix to form a gas. When this gas reaches the surface of your eyes, it irritates them, and your eyes produce tears to wash it away. So what can you do? Chilling the onion in the fridge for half an hour helps, because the gas is released more slowly when it's cold. And using a sharp knife is better than a blunt one, which crushes more cells.

1. (a) Why do our eyes produce tears when we cut onions? [1]
2. (b) Why is a sharp knife better than a blunt one? [1]

You will hear a woman talking to a shop assistant. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Woman: Hello, I bought this kettle here last week, but it doesn't switch off when the water boils.Assistant: I'm sorry about that. Would you like a refund?Woman: Not really. I like the colour, and it's the right size for my kitchen. I'd prefer to have another one exactly the same.Assistant: Of course. Let me check we have one in stock... Yes, here you are.

1. (a) What does the woman want?A a different colourB a smaller kettleC her money backD the same kettle again [1]

You will hear a boy telling his mother about his day. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Mother: How was the science competition?Ali: Well, our team didn't win first prize – a school from Multan got that. But we came second! And the judges said our poster was the best one they'd seen, even though the poster itself didn't win a prize.Mother: Second! That's wonderful!

1. (a) What did Ali's team win?A second prizeB a prize for the best posterC first prizeD nothing [1]

You will hear a radio advertisement. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Looking for something to do this weekend? Come to the Flower Festival at Jilani Park! There'll be food stalls, music and a puppet show for children. But the highlight this year is our new competition: the most beautiful garden made by a school class. Come and vote for your favourite! Entry is free on Saturday morning.

1. (a) What is new at the festival this year?A a puppet showB a school garden competitionC food stallsD free entry [1]

You will hear a girl talking to a friend. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Zara: Are you coming to the beach on Sunday?Hira: I'd love to, but I can't. My cousin's wedding is on Saturday, and on Sunday we're all having lunch with my grandparents. They live in Sheikhupura, so it'll take the whole day. I've got a maths test on Monday, but I've already finished revising for it.Zara: Oh, that's a shame.

1. (a) Why can't Hira go to the beach on Sunday?A She has to revise all day.B She has a maths test.C She is having lunch with her grandparents.D She is going to a wedding. [1]

You will hear a man phoning a restaurant. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Man: Hello, I'd like to book a table for this evening.Waiter: Certainly. For how many people?Man: Well, there are four adults... and my two children. Oh, wait, my sister's bringing her son too.Waiter: So, seven altogether?Man: Yes, that's right.

1. (a) How many people is the table for?A fourB sixC sevenD eight [1]

You will hear a student talking about a book. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)I was expecting to love this book because everyone said the story was so exciting, and it is – there are lots of surprises. The characters are a bit simple, but that didn't bother me. What I really didn't like was the ending. After all that build-up, it was over in two pages, and so many questions weren't answered. The cover's beautiful, though!

1. (a) What did the student dislike about the book?A the coverB the storyC the endingD the characters [1]

You will hear a woman talking about how she travels to work. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)I used to drive to the office, but the traffic got so bad that it took over an hour. Then I tried the metro bus, which is quicker, but it's always so crowded in the mornings. A colleague suggested cycling, but it's far too hot in summer. So now I share a car with two neighbours who work nearby. We take turns driving, and it's much cheaper.

1. (a) How does the woman travel to work now?A She takes the metro bus.B She shares a car.C She cycles.D She drives alone. [1]

You will hear a guide talking to tourists. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)We're now standing in front of the Badshahi Mosque. Many visitors think it's the oldest building in the city, but in fact Lahore Fort, behind you, is older. The mosque was completed in 1673. For over three hundred years it was the largest mosque in the world, and it can still hold around a hundred thousand worshippers in its courtyard. Please remember to remove your shoes before going up the steps.

1. (a) What does the guide say about the mosque?A It was completed in the seventeenth century.B It is older than Lahore Fort.C It is the oldest building in the city.D It is the largest mosque in the world today. [1]

You will hear a boy talking about choosing a new phone. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Everyone told me to get the phone with the best camera, but I don't really take many photos. And the cheapest one had a tiny screen. I nearly bought one because of its colour – it was a lovely blue – but in the end what mattered most to me was the battery. I'm always out all day, and my old phone died by lunchtime.

1. (a) What was the most important thing for the boy when choosing a phone?A the priceB the batteryC the colourD the camera [1]

You will hear a teacher talking to a class. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Before you start your projects, a quick reminder. You can work alone or in pairs, it's up to you. You can choose any animal, but it must live in Pakistan. You don't need to use the internet – the library has plenty of books. But the one thing I won't accept is a project handed in late. The deadline is Friday the ninth, and that's final.

1. (a) What does the teacher insist on?A Students must use the internet.B Students must work in pairs.C Projects must be about a wild animal.D Projects must be handed in on time. [1]

You will hear two friends talking about a café. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Bilal: Have you tried that new café near the university?Sara: Yes, last week. The coffee was good, and it wasn't as expensive as I'd expected. The trouble was, we waited nearly half an hour for our sandwiches.Bilal: Really? Was it busy?Sara: Not at all, that's what was strange. There were only two other customers.Bilal: Maybe they didn't have enough staff.Sara: Maybe. The waiter was friendly enough, though.

1. (a) What did Sara complain about?A the slow serviceB the unfriendly waiterC the priceD the crowds [1]

You will hear a woman leaving a message for her colleague. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Hi Omar, it's Rabia. About tomorrow's meeting with the clients from Dubai – they've just emailed. Their flight lands later than planned, so they can't make ten o'clock. I suggested eleven, but they'd rather have lunch first, so we've agreed on two. If that's a problem for you, we could move it to four, but I'd prefer not to. Call me back.

1. (a) What time has the meeting been arranged for?A 10.00B 11.00C 2.00D 4.00 [1]

You will hear a man talking about his hobby. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)People assume I started birdwatching because my father was a keen birdwatcher, but actually he wasn't interested at all. I was recovering from a broken leg and stuck at home for weeks, and I began noticing the birds outside my window. I bought a book to identify them, and soon I was hooked. Now I've joined a club, and we travel all over the country.

1. (a) Why did the man start birdwatching?A He joined a birdwatching club.B He was given a book about birds.C His father encouraged him.D He had to stay at home after an injury. [1]

You will hear a scientist talking on the radio. Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.Transcript (read it aloud, or read it silently)Many people believe that bats are blind, but that's simply not true: most bats can see quite well. What's remarkable is that many species also use echolocation – they make high-pitched sounds and listen to the echoes to find insects in complete darkness. People also worry that bats are dangerous, but in fact they help farmers enormously by eating thousands of insects that would otherwise damage crops.

1. (a) What is the scientist's main point about bats?A Bats are useful to farmers.B Bats can only find food in daylight.C Bats are dangerous to people.D Most bats are completely blind. [1]