Test Yourself 1 - 20-day practice for IELTS Listening
Questions 1-4

Script, pronunciation & translate

Thank you all for coming to my talk this evening. It’s nice to see so many people in the audience. For those of you who don’t know very much about ‘Connection’, let me start by giving you some background information about it. ‘Connection’ is a British organisation that facilitates homestays all over the globe. This organisation prides itself on matching tens of thousands of host families with guests every single year, allowing travellers to discover a country’s culture in a way like no other. Homestays are ideal for both travellers and homeowners, enabling inter-cultural exchanges and the development of life-long friendships, while providing travelers with often discounted accommodation costs, and host families with a steady income from the comfort of their own homes (Q1). The homestay experience is particularly popular with university exchange students looking for a more genuine insight into their country of choice, and an unrivalled opportunity to develop their language skills. The homestay experience is truly unique and once-in-a-lifetime, and one that you will likely remember for the rest of your lives. It is important to note, however, that some people will find it difficult to adapt to the new country, with many enduring what is known as ‘culture shock’. Connection’s advice for those suffering from culture shock, is to go out and make as many friends as possible, no matter how difficult you may find it (Q2). Friends are guaranteed to help you feel more integrated as part of the local society, and show you some great places to hang out. At first, it might seem extremely challenging to overcome the language barrier between you and your host family; however, you will find that you quickly overcome this and develop a very close and almost familial relationship. Many of our travellers have suggested that they have found discussing their hobbies and other interests with their host families is the best way to overcome any barriers (Q3), since you are more likely to find something you share in common. For example, you might find that you are both passionate about football, and end up playing in the local field every week. One of our guests undertaking a homestay in a rural area of the UK told us that she and her host now take a Tai Chi class together upon a hilltop at sunrise, calling the experience ‘absolutely breathtaking’. After the first few weeks, you will find your understanding of the people around you and their culture deepens by leaps and bounds (Q4), and you will soon become one of the locals. Our hosts in over 140 countries, turn a location into a culture, time into experience and strangers into friends.

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

1
The host families will
2
What is the guest expected to overcome when suffering from culture shock?
3
What can the guests do if they want to become familiar with host families?
4
What’s likely to happen to the guests in the long run?
Questions 5-10

Complete the flow-chart below. 

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer. 

How to apply for a homestay 

Visit the website and contact the advisor 

⇓

Keep in touch with the 5 …………………………………. 

⇓

Provide two photos, one for the host family, and the other for 6 …………………………………. 

⇓

Send in some documents to confirm your 7 …………………………………. 

⇓

Receive 8 …………………………………. within 7 working days 

⇓

Have a(n) 9 …………………………………. in London 

⇓

Pay the extra fee for a fast-track service 

⇓

Receive a written 10 …………………………………. 
5
registration office
“we would strongly advise that you remain in close contact with the registration office” remain in close contact with = keep in touch with
6
own records - records
“Connection will ask you to provide two photos, one for the host family, and the other for our own records.”
7
identity
“they will ask you to send in photocopies of your passport, birth certificate and a bank statement as confirmation of your identity” as confirmation of = to confirm
8
- acknowledgement
“If you haven’t received any acknowledgement confirming receipt of these documents from us within seven working days, please contact the main office.”
9
interview
“all applicants will undergo an interview in our head office in London”
10
deposit - decision
“Finally, once we have come to a result about your application, you will receive a decision in the post.” in the post = written
Questions 11-16

Script, pronunciation & translate

Lizzie: So how are you getting on with your teaching practice at the High School, Joe? Joe: Well I’ve been put in charge of the school marching band, and it’s quite a responsibility. I’d like to talk it over with you. Lizzie: Go ahead. You’d better start by giving me a bit of background. Joe: OK. Well the band has students in it from all years, so they’re aged 11 to 18, and there are about 50 (Q11) of them altogether. It’s quite a popular activity within the school. I’ve never worked with a band of more than 20 before, and this is very different. Lizzie: I can imagine. Joe: They aren’t really good enough to enter national band competitions, but they’re in a regional (Q12) one later in the term. Even if they don’t win, and I don’t expect them to, hopefully it’ll be an incentive for them to try and improve. Lizzie: Yes, hopefully. Joe: Well, now the town council’s organising a carnival (Q13) in the summer, and the band has been asked to perform. If you ask me, they aren’t really up to it yet, and I need to get them functioning better as a band, and in a very short time. Lizzie: Have you been doing anything with them? Apart from practising the music, I mean. Joe: I played a recording I came across, of a drummer (Q14) talking about how playing in a band had changed his life. I think it was an after-dinner speech. I thought it was pretty inspiring, because being in the band had stopped him from getting involved in crime. The students seemed to find it interesting, too. Lizzie: That’s good. Joe: I’m planning to show them that old film (Q15) from the 1940s ‘Strike Up the Band’, and talk about it with the students. What do you think? Lizzie: Good idea. As it’s about a school band, it might make the students realise how much they can achieve if they work together. Joe: That’s what I’ve got in mind. I’m hoping I can take some of the band to a parade (Q16) that’s going to take place next month. A couple of marching bands will be performing, and the atmosphere should be quite exciting. It depends on whether I can persuade the school to hire a coach or two to take us there. Lizzie: Mmm. They sound like good ideas to me. Joe: Thanks.

Complete the notes below. 

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. 

Background on school marching band 

It consists of around 11 …………………………………. students. 

It is due to play in a 12 …………………………………. band competition. 

It has been invited to play in the town’s 13 …………………………………. . 

They have listened to a talk by a 14 …………………………………. . 

Joe will discuss a 15 …………………………………. with the band. 

Joe hopes the band will attend a 16 …………………………………. next month. 

11
50
“there are about 50 of them altogether”
12
international - regional
“They aren’t really good enough to enter national band competitions, but they’re in a regional one later in the term.”
13
carnival
“Well, now the town council’s organising a carnival in the summer, and the band has been asked to perform.” asked = invited
14
drummer
“I played a recording I came across, of a drummer talking about how playing in a band had changed his life.”
15
film
“I’m planning to show them that old film from the 1940s ‘Strike Up the Band’, and talk about it with the students.” talk with = discuss
16
- parade
“I’m hoping I can take some of the band to a parade that’s going to take place next month.”
Questions 17-20

Script, pronunciation & translate

Joe: Can I tell you about a few people in the band who I’m finding it quite difficult to cope with? I’m sure you’ll have some ideas about what I can do. Lizzie: Go ahead. Joe: There’s a flautist who says she loves playing in the band. We rehearse twice a week after school, but she’s hardly ever there (Q17). Then she looks for me the next day and gives me a very plausible reason – she says she had to help her mother, or she’s been III, but to be honest, I don’t believe her. Lizzie: Oh dear! Any more students with difficulties? Joe: Plenty! There’s a trumpeter who thinks she’s the best musician in the band, though she certainly isn’t. She’s always saying what she thinks other people should do (Q18), which makes my job pretty difficult. Lizzie: She sounds a bit of a nightmare! Joe: You can say that again. One of the trombonists has got an impressive sense of rhythm, and could be an excellent musician – except that he has breathing difficulties, and he doesn’t really have enough breath for the trombone (Q19). He’d be much better off playing percussion, for instance, but he refuses to give up. So he ends up only playing half the notes. Lizzie: I suppose you have to admire his determination. Joe: Maybe. One of the percussionists isn’t too bad, but he never seems to interact with other people, and he always rushes off as soon as the rehearsal ends (Q20). I don’t know if there are family reasons, or what. But it isn’t good in a band, where people really need to feel they’re part of a group. Lizzie: Hmm. Joe: There are others too, but at least that gives you an idea of what I’m up against. Do you have any thoughts about what I can do, Lizzie?

What problem does Joe mention in connection with each of the following band members? 

Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-F, next to Questions 17-20. 

Problems 

A makes a lot of mistakes in rehearsals 

B keeps making unhelpful suggestions 

C has difficulty with rhythm 

D misses too many rehearsals 

E has a health problem 

F doesn’t mix with other students 

Band members 

17 flautist …………………… 

18 trumpeter …………………… 

19 trombonist …………………… 

20 percussionist ……………………

17
D//d
“There’s a flautist who says she loves playing in the band. We rehearse twice a week after school, but she’s hardly ever there.” -> hầu như không bao giờ có mặt -> Chọn Đáp án D
18
B//b
“There’s a trumpeter who thinks she’s the best musician in the band, though she certainly isn’t. She’s always saying what she thinks other people should do, which makes my job pretty difficult.” -> luôn đưa ra lời khuyên cho người khác nhưng không đủ giỏi để làm điều đó -> Chọn Đáp án B
19
C - E//e
“One of the trombonists has got an impressive sense of rhythm, and could be an excellent musician – except that he has breathing difficulties, and he doesn’t really have enough breath for the trombone.” breathing difficulties -> health problem -> Chọn Đáp án E
20
F
“One of the percussionists isn’t too bad, but he never seems to interact with other people, and he always rushes off as soon as the rehearsal ends.” -> Chọn Đáp án F
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