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Unit 1, 1.1 Exercise 3 train arrived in Bologna! I had a wander round and fell in
love with the place, and knew it was where I wanted to be.
Speaker 1 Everything just fell into place I found a teaching job, took
Ive had a really fantastic year. It all started last November, a room in a beautiful flat and settled in immediately. I lived
when I was dragged along to a party by a friend. I was in a there for six years and I go back regularly.
terrible mood, I remember, and nearly didnt go. Anyway, I Speaker 4
was wearing an outfit Id made myself in soft black leather Its funny how you can hit a run of bad luck: one moment,
and antique lace, quite an unusual combination! Kelly Johns, things are moving along quite normally in your life and
the presenter of a big daytime TV show, was there and my then, bam, something comes out of the blue and knocks you
little number caught her eye. We got chatting and she asked sideways and then, wham, something else. Im OK now, but
whether I could come up with something original for her to Ive had a difficult couple of years. My problem was quite
wear on the show. I jumped at the opportunity. That was a real simply that Id been living beyond my means for a long time
turning point for me and I was soon able to quit my day job and some debts finally caught up with me. Even then, I
and concentrate on the clothes side full time. Through Kellys thought Id be OK; I arranged to pay them off little by little
show, Ive had lots of orders. Ive just finished an exclusive from my salary, monthly, you know. But then, the place where
range for a top designer and Ive even taken on an assistant to I was working cut back on its workforce, and they let me
help me. Just think if Id stayed at home that night! go. Well, that was it, I suppose I panicked, I wasnt thinking
Speaker 2 straight, you know. So I just packed a bag, got on a coach and
People often ask me how I got to be where I am today, with left town for London, where my life went downhill fast. I got in
sell-out concerts in big stadiums around the world, thinking with a bad crowd, and one thing led to another. Its a miracle
that Ive spent years playing in local clubs, but the truth is, Im my brother ever tracked me down, but hes got me back and
literally an overnight sensation! I dont mean that arrogantly. It sorted, with a roof over my head and a new job on the cards.
was just one lucky break, all down to being in the right place Speaker 5
at the right time. There I was, an absolute nobody, hanging It could be a story in True Romance, but it really happened just
around backstage with Arrowhead, when their lead guitarist like this. Almost twenty years ago to the day, I was waiting for
tripped over a pile of speakers and broke his arm, five minutes a bus after another mind-numbingly awful day at work, no bus
before they were due on. Id been telling them about my in sight, of course. I was in a rut, my job was going nowhere.
awesome guitar style, so naturally, they all turned to me and Anyway, there I was, staring gloomily at my reflection in a
said Kid, help us out here and I did. The place was packed puddle, feeling utterly sorry for myself and thinking: is this
and I can still feel my hands shaking as I played that very first really all there is to life? Then I saw two things in that puddle,
solo. It went OK though, and the rest is history. one imperceptibly after the other. The first was no surprise,
Speaker 3 huge splashes of rain, as the heavens opened yet again, but
I was in Milan visiting friends, trying to cheer myself up after then, this enormous red umbrella, appearing behind my head
a dismal few months my long-term boyfriend and I had as if by magic! A gorgeous gravelly voice to my left said did I
broken up, plus Id left a job without another to go to. My mind, it was big enough for two and he didnt want my hair to
money was running out and I was planning to leave a few get wet. Very fortunately, it was another fifteen minutes before
days later. Anyway, my friends suggested that I should take a the bus finally turned up and hooray, it didnt stop raining! His
look at Verona before going back home and told me what time name was Terence, though hes been Terry to me ever since
train I could get from Milan. Well, for some reason, I ended and Dad to our three wonderful children.
up on a slow train going south, without realising my mistake
both trains had left at the same time. I fell asleep in the
compartment and woke just as the

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Unit 3, 3.1 Exercise 2

Sue: Good morning. Now, the huge growth of interest in Peter: Yes, and we still dont know the reasons for its strange
environmental issues has led to a careful re-examination behaviour. But you know, not all weather lore is about
of all kinds of traditional lore. With me today, I have Peter misery. Some birds can predict when things are about
Watkins. Hes written a best-selling book The History of to brighten up. Certain geese set off for their breeding
Weather Folklore, which explains country sayings and grounds in Iceland when the weather is fine you just have
the role of animals and birds in forecasting the weather. to wait and watch and then plan your harvesting or house
Sayings my granny used to come out with like, Birds flying painting!
low, expect rain and a blow, which Ive always felt rather Sue: Not very practical! However, if there is some truth
sceptical about. behind these weather sayings, do they ever have any
Peter: Well, Sue, the way in which animals and birds can practical use?
apparently predict changes in the weather before we can Peter: Obviously, weather lore had a very important
has always fascinated people and, for that matter, still does. application in the farmers world. Farming and weather
If it didnt, the sayings wouldnt still be in current use, are intrinsically linked and the ability to predict, or at
and of course, nowadays the weather is anxiously studied least think you could predict, was very important to them,
because of climate change. although of course, they werent the only ones with a vested
Sue: But is there any truth in these old sayings? Given that interest in weather forecasting. One of the things about
there are so many, apparently 500 at the last count, and human beings is that we do not like to feel that things
theyve been around a while, presumably they should be are happening with no purpose whatsoever. Weather lore
fairly accurate? makes a connection between something that is happening
Peter: Mm, well generally, theres a better chance of their and something that is going to happen we need to feel
being right for short-term weather forecasting rather than were not simply the victims of chance and circumstance.
long-term. Of course, the most interesting natural weather Although its very difficult to put dates on these sayings,
forecasters are the birds, which is why there are so many many of them probably go back thousands of years. Some
sayings relating to them. Birds depend on the right weather of them work and some of them dont, and some of them
conditions for flying and, in particular, birds that fly very dont even make sense. Many actually negate each other.
high, like swifts and swallows, stand very little chance of Sue: Quite. So, how reliable are sayings which predict the
survival if they get caught in a bad storm. They are also year ahead, if we cant even rely on ones predicting the
insect feeders and when the weather is fine the insects are weather the next day?
high and the birds will follow them. Insects have good Peter: Mm, well, I find it very difficult to believe that you
reason to dive for cover if rain is imminent as they are can tell the rest of the winter from the way birds are flying
covered with water-repellent hairs. It actually doesnt take or how your cat behaves in the autumn. By putting our
much for them to get completely soaked, so they respond own interpretations on how nature works we can get it
quite rapidly if theres a drop in temperature or a rise in completely wrong. For our ancestors the weather was a
humidity. life and death situation not just an inconvenience and
Sue: Oh, so theres an element of truth in that one. Now, I I think that had they had anything more reliable, they
used to live off the coast of Scotland and they had a saying wouldnt have had to base their predictions on this kind
on the islands about a bird called the red-throated diver. of thing. They were really clutching at straws when they
They used to call this bird the rain goose, and the saying observed animal and bird behaviour and linked it to the
went pretty much like this: If the rain goose flies to the weather, but they really had no other choice.
hill, you can put your boat where you will, but if she flies Sue: My thanks to Peter Watkins. Next week well
to the sea, you must draw your boat and flee. I must say
that I used to be rather puzzled by this saying, as I didnt
understand why it would fly out to sea when the weather
was getting worse. Anyway, one time when I was out in a
boat the wind started to get up. We tuned into the radio
and it said a gale was due from the north. We saw the
geese everywhere flying around and heading out to sea. So
despite common sense telling you otherwise, the saying of
the local people seemed to be true.

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Unit 4, 4.1 Exercise 2

Unlike many modern families, mine still holds to the tradition
of large family meals at times of celebration or crisis. I use
the word large of both the group and the amount of food on
offer. The pattern is always the same: endless phone calls weeks
ahead of the occasion to mobilise distant cousins and elderly
aunts; on the eve of the event, the preparation of excessive
amounts of food by the host family member, which never fails
to be stress-inducing for all concerned; and then, on the day
itself, we slip into our well-established roles, devouring all that
is set before us and expressing the joy and contentment that
convention demands. Once the wine has started to flow, the
praise of succulent dishes gives way to another, more sinister
part of the ritual: snide comments on family members not
present, the surfacing of ancient grudges and petty family
rivalries. This in turn leads to the more general but equally
predictable debates on politics and the world at large. Manners
always prevent us from actual bodily assault, but the verbal
gloves are certainly off at this late stage in the proceedings.
As the insults start to fly, the host hurries away to prepare
coffee, hunting out chocolates and jugs of ice-cold water, in a
valiant attempt to restore calm. Ritual behaviour dictates that
all hostilities cease at this point and so, finally, peace prevails.
After his second cup of coffee, handing down a final blessing
to the assembled group, the most senior member takes his
leave, signalling that it is time for others to do the same.
Another memorable family occasion draws to a close.

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Unit 5, 5.1 Exercise 3

Paula: Good morning. On the programme today we have Mike: Well, we did a programme not long ago about shopping
Mike James, a familiar face on television as the champion on the Internet. The big supermarkets will deliver to your
of consumers rights. Mike, youve been doing Pricewise a door if you order online, as you know.
long time now, is it something you set out to do? Paula: Yes, its a great idea, but Ive not actually tried it out.
Mike: Far from it Paula. It all began in 2002, when I was a Mike: Well, it does usually work well. However, we did find
reporter on a nightly news programme. They wanted a that some customers hadnt received quite what theyd
consumer slot, so I took it on. It wasnt until nearly ten ordered. One poor man had asked for apples and got
years later that it became a programme in its own right. hairspray! The supermarket was very apologetic when we
Now, we regularly get more than ten million viewers. pointed out these problems and sent the customer some
Paula: Where do the stories you look into come from? shopping vouchers.
Mike: Well, from you, the public. We get thousands of letters, Paula: Do you think consumers are more ready to complain
phone calls and emails that tell us about poor service, these days?
ridiculous small print, malpractice and the need for Mike: Oh, yes. Research has been done that shows that
information. We actually read all the correspondence and attitudes have changed remarkably in the last forty years.
we follow up some stories immediately but most are filed Take a well-known brand of trainer. You could understand
for future use on our database. if they leaked, but actually these particular ones squeaked.
Paula: What happens when you get a particularly juicy story? Now, as they cost upwards of a hundred pounds, people
Mike: We check it out thoroughly of course, and then we werent prepared to put up with this, but when they
contact everyone involved, write the script and arrange returned them to the shop, the shop didnt want to know.
filming. Sometimes we use actors and sometimes real Paula: So they wrote to you for help.
people. Of course, its essential that our lawyers check the Mike: Yes. We bought a pair of the trainers and sent them
script over. Its all done to very tight deadlines. to be inspected by an expert who said that some of the
Paula: Do any particular stories stand out in your memory? glue inside the shoe had come unstuck. We contacted the
Mike: Oh, yes, many. There was one about an advert which manufacturer with evidence of the problem and they were
promised to give you a title for anything up to 1,000. So, more than happy to back down and refund the money paid
Bob and Trace became Lord Robert and Lady Tracy de by the purchasers.
Vere. You also get a piece of land but that only measures Paula: Another success then.
20cm by 20cm. One of our researchers handed over the Mike: Yes, its funny how quickly manufacturers and retailers
cash and tried to find out if being a lord would help him react when they think they might attract bad publicity.
out in London. Paula: Indeed! It just shows what a good job youre doing.
Paula: And did it? Now next week
Mike: He went to Harrods, the department store, and they
were very nice to him, but then theyre nice to everyone.
He then tried to book a table in a trendy restaurant and he
got one but not in a prime position next to the window
but by the kitchen door! So, really, it wont do you a lot of
good being a lord nowadays.
Paula: Any other interesting stories?

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Unit 8, 8.3 Exercise 2

Interviewer: OK, well there are three people sitting in the Sally: Well, its pretty flukey. Basically Mum and I sat down
studio with me now Sally, Meg and Kevin who are one night and agreed we had to get back somehow but
about to embark on a rather unusual lifeplan as they call we realised that there was no way we could expect to move
it, something that will bring about a change of gear for back to London as easily as wed left.
all three of them. By way of introduction, we need to go Meg: Selling the cottage wouldnt be easy, and nor would
through some recent history, and Im going to start with finding somewhere in our price range in London.
you, Sally, because its your discontent about where youre Sally: Mum had this real brainwave. She decided to look for
living now that has played a large part in all this. Sally, tell anyone who might be interested in changing places, house
us where you and Meg call home at the moment. swaps, that sort of thing.
Sally: Its a tiny village in the Welsh hills, which no one will Kevin: And thanks to the power of the Internet, they tracked
have heard of. Last November we quit London and headed me down.
for the border. Mum and Dad decided to go their separate Interviewer: And everythings fallen into place. But whats in
ways, you see I think Mum took this literally, she wanted it for you, Kevin? Youve already told me you have a large
to get as far away as possible from Dad at the time. flat in a very desirable part of London, a good job,
Meg: It wasnt quite like that, but yes, the divorce had a lot to Kevin: What Ive got is a nice flat I hardly ever see, a high-
do with needing to get out of the city and start again. profile, high-stress job in share-dealing, no girlfriend, cos
Interviewer: So out of the blue you chose a remote Welsh she dumped me a month ago, so lifes not exactly a bed
village? of roses. But Ive been very successful and can afford to
Meg: Not quite, I had good friends there negotiate my future. Well, I want to get out for a while but
Sally: Who have since left. not burn my boats completely, so Megs proposal is perfect.
Meg: Yes, but, well, anyway, as Sally will tell you, it hasnt Interviewer: And how is this lifeplan going to unfold now?
quite worked out for her, though for me at the beginning, Meg: In a nutshell, weve agreed to change places for three
winding down was a godsend, it gave me the chance to months initially, swapping everything we leave the car,
rethink my life and decide on priorities. the furniture, the tins of soup in the kitchen
Interviewer: Mm, so, Sally, why has it been less than perfect Kevin: Not the clothes though!
for you? Meg: If were all happy, then well extend to a year, which will
Sally: Im 15 now and I left really good friends behind me, give Sally and I a wonderful base in London and Kevin
some Id known my whole life. Plus, Ive had to learn Welsh some peace and quiet to realise his dream.
to even function at school and thats been hard. And as you Interviewer: Which is?
can imagine, there isnt exactly a lot to do where we are Kevin: Ive got an idea for the next bestseller, a racy paperback
most people of my age just hang around the village green on city slickers.
or go to each others houses. Its not that great. Fortunately, Interviewer: Ah, plenty of first-hand experience to draw on
Ive been staying some weekends at my Dads place so I sounds promising! And Sally, youll get back your social
can meet up with some of my old friends, go to clubs, you life, but isnt it potentially disruptive, to your schooling and
know. so on?
Interviewer: Mmm so the country idyll, not such good Sally: Were going to be moving at the start of a new school
news for you, but for you, Meg, youre content with your year, so theres a natural break anyway. And if things dont
life there? pan out, I can always move in with Dad.
Meg: Yes and no-o. I have to confess that once the Meg: But I think were all quietly confident that it will work
honeymoon period was over (a rather unfortunate term out.
in my case) well, you know after a while I woke up and Kevin: Yeah, cos its what we all want deep down. And if
realised that this wasnt right for me either. Its hard to pin I make it as a writer, well it might end up a permanent
down exactly why I dont suffer from boredom, and I still arrangement, you know, six months on, six off, the best of
get a rush out of the sheer beauty and calm that surrounds both worlds.
us, but I I feel that Im missing out too, that I should be Interviewer: Well, they say the grass is always greener, but you
working, socialising more, going to exhibitions, all those seem to have things pretty much sorted out. Meg, Sally,
things I used to take for granted, but which are totally out Kevin, the very best of luck.
of the frame at the moment. All: Thank you.
Interviewer: And thats where Kevin comes in
Kevin: One lucky break all round

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Unit 9, 9.1 Exercise 5

Speaker 1 Speaker 5
When I left school, I was taken on by an environmental Im Indian, but I live in the US, doing research in a university.
charity. I turned up in a suit, but instead of being stuck behind For years, Ive worn western clothes, mainly skirts and blouses.
a desk, I was out on the streets, fundraising. My boss at that Id always steered clear of the sari as it seemed to me to be not
time was a bit of a rebel. She had quite a funky hairdo and quite right for the workplace, although some other colleagues
tended to wear ethnic stuff shed picked up on her travels. I wear them. Something changed for me last year when I went
guess she came across as something of a hippie. We got on back to India to see my relatives. The women in saris looked so
really well and I thought Id opt for the same kind of outfits I elegant and I realised that the only person who was stopping
cant remember anyone saying anything to make me do that me wear one was myself. Now, when I put on my sari, I feel
but, to be honest, I think the others at work saw me more as pride in my heritage and realise that what I wear is not going
one of them. But I do remember my mother not recognising to come between me and promotion or being accepted by
me when she saw me in the street! others.
Speaker 2
I play in a metal band called Zandroid. I have a dragon tattoo
on my face and wear a leather jacket with a dragon on it.
It does mean that people can spot me immediately and Im
constantly getting asked for autographs when Im out which
is great! It makes me feel loved by the fans I guess! I had the
tattoo done properly by this guy who I really respect and it
wasnt cheap, I can tell you. It was funny how my look came
about I was on the train to a music festival and I picked
up one of those free papers. There was a whole thing about
dragons in it. I was hooked on the idea in a flash.
Speaker 3
The dress code at my school is fairly formal so I have to wear
smart clothes, but I go for tops and trousers rather than suits
and high heels. I wouldnt want to raise too many eyebrows
among the other staff members so no jeans. Not that the
school is super posh or anything, but very casual clothes
wouldnt go down too well. What I wear is great really because
I have to spend quite a bit of time delving into cupboards. I
tend to go for high-end clothes which arent skin tight ones
that move with me. And they should last if they were cheap,
theyd soon come apart.
Speaker 4
When I left university, I had long hair and wore old jeans.
Job interviews were coming up and I didnt want to get up
any interviewers nose and lose out on a good job. There was
this job advertised which seemed perfect as a designer at this
factory making cars, so I got myself a suit and tie and landed
the job. I realised later that Id got hold of the wrong end of
the stick as no one was the least bit bothered, but there you
go, better safe than sorry. Anyway, one thing Ive found is that
suits are good as theres only a minimum outlay and now we
have dress-down Friday I can still wear my jeans then.

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Unit 11, 11.1 Exercise 3

Interviewer: Last week, Steve came into the studio to prove Interviewer: And did colleagues at work pick up on anything
to us that life still has some happy endings. Heres his story different about you?
So, Steve, your relationship with Abby has been through Steve: Very much so Id never been that keen and efficient
some ups and downs but is definitely on a high now? before! Although my daily routine was much the same,
Steve: Thats right, and were finally tying the knot next I was glad to get to work, because it distracted me
month. Just over five years ago, I met this bubbly little lady but I made sure I kept my private life out of our usual
Abby. We went out, shared some laughs, and pretty soon, conversations. As time went on, there was growing pressure
I knew she was the one for me. on me to do something for all I knew, Abby might give
Interviewer: And was it love at first sight for her too? up in disgust.
Steve: She was happy enough to spend lots of time with Interviewer: Then, one summers day
me, but treated me more like a big brother, if anything Steve: Yes, one beautiful morning last June, I couldnt keep up
she even told me about another guy she was hoping to the pretence any longer. I sat Samantha down at the kitchen
get together with. At which point, realising I would get table and blurted everything out. She was terrific, far from
nowhere romantically, I decided Id better cast my net holding back tears, she didnt even seem mildly phased by
elsewhere. I met a nice girl called Samantha, very down-to- the revelation that Id been carrying a torch for someone
earth the opposite of Abby and we started seeing each else and it was over. Just rolled up her sleeves and started
other once in a while. We had well-paid jobs and money to sorting out my life for me: phoned my office to say that I
burn. After a good holiday in Spain, we decided to move was at deaths door and wouldnt be coming in, then told
in together. I think we both understood that it wasnt true me to get round to Abbys place pronto, preferably with a
love, but we rubbed along fairly well. Unfortunately, quite big bunch of flowers she let me buy those myself.
soon after that, Abby made up her mind that I was Mr Interviewer: And so Samantha walked out of your life and
Right after all, and made this very plain to me, though not Abby walked in.
to Samantha. Steve: Yeah. Abby and I rented a cottage out in the country.
Interviewer: How did you take this bolt from the blue? Last summer was idyllic, and, well, it matched our mood.
Steve: It was baffling. I actually wondered whether she was We got to know each other properly, spent every evening
joking, she used to do that, but I knew deep down she gazing into each others eyes at sunset and well, Im sure
wouldnt pull that trick any more. I rationalised it as her you can picture the rest.
whipping up a fleeting fantasy she had time on her Interviewer: Absolute rapture, straight out of True Romance
hands, as shed been fired from her job and was on her own how wonderfully slushy! So when did you finally pop
a lot her then current boyfriend worked long hours. the question, Steve?
Interviewer: And there were displays of obvious jealousy, Steve: I was at a big family wedding, one of my cousins, and
werent there? Abby hadnt come, I think she had flu. Anyway everything
Steve: Yeah, wed be at the same pubs and there would be seemed to fall into place at that event. I managed to sit
anguished looks from Abby across the room, deep sighs down with my mother and talk about Abby Mumd been
if she was ever standing next to me at the bar, that sort of giving me the cold shoulder, as shed really liked Samantha
thing I misread the situation for ages shes always had a and, social norms being what they are, had seen her as
streak of theatricality. a prospective daughter-in-law. Anyway, she came round
Interviewer: What was your reaction once you realised it was after our heart-to-heart and I went off to offer a lift to my
genuine? cousins old schoolfriend, who lives in the States I hadnt
Steve: Well, it dawned on me that I was calling the tune seen him for five years. Well, he looked me between the
now; if I wanted it, Abby and I would have a life together eyes and said, Youve always loved Abby, so how come
otherwise, things would stay the same. It wasnt youre not married yet get a grip, Steve. So I did, leapt in
straightforward, there was Samantha to consider. Shed the car without him, drove back and proposed. Its funny
always been very supportive and loyal. For a while, I though, it had taken someone at one stage removed from
couldnt decide what to do. To fend off the problem, I my life to state the obvious.
threw myself into my job. Interviewer: Well, Steve, I wish you and Abby every
happiness you certainly deserve it.
Steve: Thank you.

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Unit 12, 12.3 Exercise 3

Interlocutor: Now, in this part of the test youre each going to Erik: Im actually in the final year of a biology degree so I
talk on your own for about two minutes. You need to listen can comment on that personally. Were always being told
while your partner is speaking because youll be asked to by our lecturers that more progress will be made in biology
comment afterwards. in the next five to ten years than has occurred in the last
So Jana, Im going to give you a card with a question fifty. Its a fast-moving field. As Jana said, there are many
written on it and Id like you to tell us what you think. new companies biotech companies springing up, so yes,
There are also some ideas on the card for you to use if you job prospects are good for someone like me, I think, plenty
like. of different directions to go in. So its not all doom and
All right? Here is your card. gloom, far from it.
Jana: Well, I dont have a scientific background, but I think Interlocutor: What do you think, Jana?
science is something that affects us all nowadays. You Jana: Well, Erik is speaking from experience! Its good to hear
cant afford to ignore whats going on in advanced science. his positive take on things.
Theres a lot of media interest right now in the latest Interlocutor: Thank you.
developments in, say, genetics and DNA profiling. Er, I
do think its worrying how genetic testing can be used,
actually. For example, if you have a genetic disorder of
some kind, you may not be able to take out life insurance
or get a job even. But then, on the other hand, DNA
analysis is helping to solve crimes, and thats good for
society, so its good and bad, I suppose.
The main problem centres around information. Most
people dont know the facts and so naturally theyre
worried. So what is needed is more information in simple
language for ordinary people to understand and perhaps
this needs to come from the government. Because I
think the biggest worry of all is that the whole area of
genetics is being driven by the business world. Much of
the research going on today is backed by big companies
drugs co, pharma pharmaceutical companies and so
on and theyre going to want something back from their
investment. Which means that the research is not being
done just as research, its not pure, not independent. I
think too, that theyre not controlling this research.
The public needs to be properly informed. There
are potential benefits, yes, but we must be told whats
happening and why. You know, things are being pushed
ahead at such an alarming rate and mm, I dont know, it
seems to me, its maybe not always going to be helpful for
society.
Interlocutor: Thank you. Erik, what is your view on current
career opportunities in science?

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Unit 14, 14.3 Exercise 2

Alice: Health scares dont they make you sick! Or do they Robert: Indeed. The margarine industry, for example, is
challenge your complacency? Every few days a new story actually now a very powerful instrument in pushing the
appears in the newspaper about, first of all, butter is bad line that butter is bad for you and actually theres a strong
for you, then butter is good for you. Salt is bad for us, salt industrial lobby that has a stake in making sure that we are
is good for us. You just have to pick up a cup of coffee all anxious and worried about our health.
and youre engaged in a health debate. With me today to Alice: And theyre not the only players. If health scares sell
discuss this issue is Professor Robert Atkins. Robert, what pills they also sell papers. And what about the research
do you think about all this? community which keeps the health scare industry supplied
Robert: Personally, Id rather have ten false health scares and with stories?
one of them prove to be serious then it leads to action, Robert: Health is always in the news. Sometimes its the
than the cynical sense that somehow all this is just a media doctors themselves who are maybe responsible. In every
confection. Thats what I really object to. branch of life there are people who like a touch of publicity
Alice: Mm, but how often do health scares come true? and enjoy the turbulence. Others are often so convinced
Robert: There are random events in which microbes do by their findings that they ignore the critical views of other
emerge. They can be extraordinarily lethal and these doctors and have this urge to promulgate their ideas when
account for massive epidemics that have occurred in the it may not be appropriate to do so. If I wanted to avoid
past in human history and I think we would be arrogant in heart disease, Id be taking aspirins, reducing my weight, I
the extreme to think that such things may not occur again would probably frequent my local gym a bit more. I would
in the future. eat this, that and the other and so on. Then there might be
Alice: Youre thinking of bubonic plague, of course. But another disease I might get. What do I do then?
nowadays it seems is the best of times and the worst of Alice: Mm, how much difference would it make to you if you
times if you want to be healthy. This is a paradox, because, made all those changes? Should you just discount what you
on the one hand, we live in a relatively healthy society. read and hear?
Our longevity is unprecedented. By historical standards Robert: Who knows? Some health scares can actually
communicable lethal disease is exceptionally controlled. seriously damage your health they lead to stress, deprive
Yet we seem to be getting better, but feeling worse. Why, if us of the comfort of eating chocolate and clog up doctors
were so healthy, are we so easily spooked? waiting rooms. There is clearly an information overload
Robert: If you were living two or three hundred years ago, and unfortunately, when the real thing comes along,
you were in the hands of God or Fate and if you were people might have difficulty distinguishing it from all the
struck down by a mortal disease you thought youd been background noise.
sinful, but you also had your beliefs to console you youd Alice: And of course its difficult to disprove something once a
go to paradise or heaven or whatever. Nowadays, we have claim has been made, however fallacious that risk is. Thank
tremendously high expectations about long healthy life you, Professor Robert Atkins.
continuing and some of us no longer have an expectation
of an afterlife. Its partly a matter of a crisis of rising
expectations.
Alice: Um, so our health anxiety is like a big eaters gluttony
or a rich mans miserliness. Health excites expectations
of perfection. Its also an anxiety spread by commercial
concerns, isnt it?

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Unit 15, 15.1 Exercise 3

Interviewer: Diane Webber, youve switched careers more Interviewer: And they manage to find work?
than once during your own working life, and you now Diane Webber: Oh, theyre snapped up! Because generally
run a highly regarded employment agency for media speaking, a project-based job can easily demonstrate a
high-fliers, where, above all, you advise your clients, both track record, its there in the successful completion of the
companies and applicants, to be fully flexible. You seem to project.
see this as a fundamental principle, if your agency slogan Interviewer: And these people would have no problem
Keeping your options open is anything to go by. Is that a getting references from the employers theyre essentially
fair assessment of how you operate? walking out on? I would have thought that that could be an
Diane Webber: Absolutely. I know that not so very long ago issue
we used to see jobs for life as the norm, with unquestioning Diane Webber: Employers dont view it like that at all. Their
company loyalty, and a golden handshake at the end of it mindset is different now, as I said earlier, and companies
all which, nine times out of ten, probably wasnt in actual actually take steps to foster a more dynamic environment,
fact deserved but things are very different now. And yes, as they feel this yields better productivity, though the
there does seem to be something positive in all this, despite jurys still out on this, in my view. Nevertheless, with a
the obvious question mark over security. Successful players flow of people, theres a quantum leap in terms of the
in the current job market cut their teeth in one firm, and ideas generated, not to mention the chance of new ways of
are willing to step sideways more than once to gain fresh problem-solving imported from elsewhere. These effects
experience. Unlike their predecessors, they may only are tangible and theyre often very attractive because theyre
progress up the rungs when they land their third or fourth perceived as lean and efficient, instant solutions, even if
job, or even later in their career. This increased movement they generally turn out to be only quick fixes which later
brings benefits, not just for them, but for the companies have to be reversed.
they work for, too. Interviewer: Ah, but isnt that the nub of it all, that this
Interviewer: In spite of the instability? Surely its important to shifting and fragmented approach leads to poor decisions?
have some continuity? Of course, the perpetrators are never taken to task, as
Diane Webber: Well actually, its a mixed blessing. Individuals theyve already made a quick exit and are knocking on your
can get terribly stale if they stick in one place for too long, door for another job!
especially if they report to managers who fail to challenge Diane Webber: Thats a bit unfair! For one thing, thereve
them. That implies a hierarchy riddled with complacency always been bad decisions. No company can rely on its
and under-achievement, which can no longer be tolerated personnel to make the right choices one hundred per cent
in todays fast-moving, dog-eat-dog world. Also, much of of the time even with the help of highly-paid outside
todays work consists of fixed-term projects, done in teams, consultants, staff will continue to get it wrong from time to
and if one or two members drop out along the way, it really time. However, Id argue that its the mediocre employees,
doesnt matter, provided that the team remains an entity. who just want to keep their heads down, who are far more
The one exception to this is the team leaders themselves, likely to cause problems than the risk-takers, who, dont
who are not only the driving force, but the guardians of forget, are only as employable as their last success.
the project, who hold important historical detail in their Interviewer: Ruthless
heads, so yes, continuity is important there. But even then Diane Webber: Pragmatic!
its a clearly defined cycle. Were frequently approached by Interviewer: Which brings us neatly back to your slogan,
highly-experienced team leaders who, having completed doesnt it? Keeping your options open. How far do you
one project, decide they cant face even the slightest whiff encourage people to go in this?
of repetition and so come to us seeking fresh challenges. Diane Webber: With new opportunities opening up all the
time, the skys the limit really. Its certainly never too late to
contemplate a move, and so the maxim has to be, dont rule
anything in or out.
Interviewer: Well end on that positive note. Diane Webber,
thank you.
Diane Webber: Its been a pleasure.

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Unit 16, 16.3 Exercise 3

Speaker 1: If I had to single out one book from the many
I read last year, it would be The Dumas Club, by Arturo
Prez-Reverte thats in translation from the original
Spanish. Although I read the opening couple of chapters
quite slowly, I soon got completely immersed in the
subtleties of the plot, so much so that I quite literally could
not put the book down until I had finished it. Some books
have this compelling effect on me, and not just detective
stories like this one. What is so skilful about the way The
Dumas Club has been constructed is that there are two
strands to the plot, and as a reader, you assume these are
interwoven and all the time youre engaging with the text
on this basis, making links and suppositions of your own.
Well, without giving anything away, there is a masterful
twist, which makes this an exceptional book.
Speaker 2: I read loads of travel writing, partly because I have
a penchant for travelling myself. That said, I do expect a lot
more than straight description and first-hand observation
from a truly great travel book. Redmond OHanlons
masterpiece Congo Journey does not disappoint! Will
Self the author named it as one of his books of the
year and said he felt like starting it again the minute hed
finished it, which is praise indeed! Ill certainly re-read it
at some point. Its got brilliant insights into what is a really
remote region of our planet. Theres meticulous detail on
its wildlife and superb use of dialogue brings the whole
thing to life. And then much more besides its funny,
moving so youre reading it on many different levels.
Above all, though, you marvel at his sheer guts in enduring
such a difficult and dangerous journey. Epic stuff.

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Unit 17, 17.1 Exercise 3

Speaker 1 Speaker 5
Well, I suppose I would visualise certain snapshots in my life, Locations have always been important to me they seem to
fleeting moments when I was on cloud nine the birth of my contribute so much to a persons mood. A few years ago, I was
second child or, more recently, a forest walk on a beautiful studying marine activity on a coral reef, part of a close-knit
morning with the birds singing their hearts out at times like research team on an otherwise unpopulated and stunningly
these, you sort of step outside yourself and think, yes, this is as beautiful island. There was one particular day when Id done
good as it gets. So its not about having material possessions or three dives, the last at night, and although I was exhausted, I
a huge income, though if you have any worries on that front it couldnt turn in. So I went back to the beach alone. I lay on the
surely rules out the chance of happiness. Its more to do with ghostly white sand, gazing at the canopy of stars above me, and
personal satisfaction and inner peace. saw the most awesome meteor shower an absolute first for
Speaker 2 me. It doesnt always take much to tip the balance in favour of
For me its not necessarily a transient feeling. I can recall whole happiness, does it?
periods of my life when things were basically going right,
especially in my career, and I think a positive experience like
that works as a catalyst. I suppose I cant have been in the same
state of ecstasy from dawn till dusk, but looking back, perhaps
through rose-tinted spectacles, it certainly feels that way. But
if I had to pick just one event, it would be the elation I felt
aged nine on receiving a silver trophy at my first judo contest,
something beyond my wildest dreams.
Speaker 3
In my book, its all to do with shared positive vibes, like
infectious laughter rippling through a close family group.
Being in a loving relationship is key, as this provides stability.
And happiness can be found in small things the security of a
comfortable sofa, curled up with a good book while the winds
howling outside thats something I remember from my
childhood. It may be an old clich, but its true, you cant buy
it, not at any price.
Speaker 4
Sometimes Ive felt a surge of joy in the midst of a perilous
situation, and one moment Ill always treasure occurred in the
Andes with two fellow-climbers, handling a tricky descent in
appalling weather conditions. I hadnt known them that well
when we set out, but in that situation, you put yourself on the
line and make the impossible happen through mutual trust
and cooperation. Others might claim well-being is a mental
thing, but thats not what really counts. If youre feeling under
the weather, you wont experience emotional highs, so its vital
to stay in shape. Well, thats my view, anyway.

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Unit 18, 18.2 Exercise 2

Two-and-a-half million animals are used in Australian medical
research every year, half a million in Victoria alone. They
justify the obscene waste of life like this: animals must be
used in order to trial new drugs and treatments safely. But a
growing number of doctors and scientists have challenged this
line, saying that in fact, animal research is counterproductive.
It could in fact be damaging to human health. This is because
animals are not like us their bodies are different, they suffer
from different diseases and obviously their reactions to drugs
are also different. So animals cannot be used to find cures for
humans.
Why does animal testing continue? Answer: its a huge
industry. There are many, many vested interests in animal
research, from the big pharmaceutical companies themselves
to the manufacturers of the cages that these poor dumb
animals end up in. Then, apart from those obvious commercial
interests, there are the many scientists who have chosen to
base their careers on animal experiments. They would lose
their jobs tomorrow if animal testing was stopped, wouldnt
they?
Basically, animal research is the ultimate quick fix. In general,
it requires many years to monitor the progression of a human
disease. Obviously laboratory animals, with their shorter
lifespans, tend to decline more rapidly. This means that
research projects can be wrapped up quickly. Papers presented,
trials successfully concluded, bam, new drugs hit the market. It
cant be scientifically sound. But what should have been done
full-scale controlled monitoring within a human population
is ruled out as uneconomic. The hard truth is that just about
every medical advance has come about either independently
from, or despite, animal research. You shouldnt believe
everything you hear, right?

Objective Proficiency Second Edition by Annette Capel and Wendy Sharp Cambridge University Press 2013
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