Google

1In the introduction, they say that ...

 a. office work hasn’t changed a lot since 1950.

 b. offices haven’t changed that much since then.
 c. offices have undergone a radical change.

Transcription
The sights and sounds of office work from about 1950. The white colour world has changed a lot
since then but in many ways the offices themselves have stayed the same: long lines of
employees, row after row of keyboards. Unless you work for Google, the company that
specialises in searching may have found a new way to work.

2The tent they show can be used ...

 a. as a place where people can sometimes talk about work.

 b. as a bedroom to sleep.
 c. a place where you can play instruments.

Transcription
INTERVIEWER: What do you need the tent for?
EMPLOYEE: You know what, this is actually a great space for the odd meeting, or to just come
back, kick back.

3Linda Duxbury thinks that companies ...

 a. can’t afford today’s real estate prices

 b. invest too much money in real state
 c. say they want healthy workplaces as an excuse to save money

Transcription
LINDA DUXBURY: A lot of organisations talk about healthy workplaces but really they're trying
to save money on real estate, in my opinion.
4One of the reasons Google offers all these benefits to its workers is ...

 a. to make them stay longer at work

 b. to create an atmosphere of friendship
 c. to find workers more easily

Transcription
NARRATOR: Google won't say what all this costs, only that it’s worth it.
LESLIE CHURCH: We look at it as a long-term investment in our people. We want to be able to
train them and hang on to them.
NARRATOR: Google's strategy seems clear; not just keep workers happy, selling ads and coming
up with new ways to make money, but keep them in the building working long hours.

5According to Fab Dolan recreational time ...

 a. allows workers to get to know people from other departments.

 b. is when you usually come up with ideas.
 c. is important to get your stress under control.

Transcription
FAB DOLAN: We actually do take time and go play arcade for a little while, and hang out. And
it's usually during those times that you get an idea, when you are meeting with someone from a
different department or a different team.

6Human Resources experts say that ...

 a. all these perks aren’t enough to make workers feel contented

 b. all these perks increase productivity in the long term
 c. all these benefits don’t have any effect on the productivity

Transcription
NARRATOR: While Human resources experts say all this can increase productivity short-term,
they also warn that novelties can wear off, and over time people still have to feel that they are
treated well individually.
HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERT: You can set an office up anywhere you want. The things that
really show up are: recognition, feedback, opportunity for career advancement.
 Chatting about a series

The dragon looked impressive.

Jaime almost died.

Bronn did something that wasn't very surprising.

Tyrion is not the woman's favourite character any more.

Cersei never does anything we expect.

1. How often does the woman watch the show?

Always
Sometimes
We don't know.

2. How has the woman's opinion of the show changed over time?

It's become more positive.

It's become less positive.
It hasn't changed.

3. What does the man think of the story?

It's very well written.

Too many characters died.
He can't remember much about it.

4. What is the one negative thing about the show for the man?

They spent too much money on the special effects.

The episodes were too short.
There weren't enough episodes.

5. Why does the man think the writers have fewer ideas for stories now?

Because they're saving their ideas to make a Hollywood film.

Because they aren't copying the books.
Because they're copying the books.

6. Why does the woman like Cersei?

The character does unpredictable things.

The character learns from her mistakes.
She's a very intelligent character.
 church built on the top of a cliff

1Abuna Yemata Guh is the only church built in the rocks in the Tigray Region in Ethiopia.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
The Tigray Region in Northern Ethiopia is known for its assembly of rock-hewn churches.
Sculpted out of sandstone, the most wondrous of these is Abuna Yemata Guh.

2From the bottom of the cliff, there is only one path that leads to the church.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
There's only one way up. You have to climb this cliff face. Welcome to the world's most perilous
church.

3It was built more than 500 years ago.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
Established in the fifth century, the church is named after its founder and builder, Father Yemata.

4People say Father Yemata chose this location for the chruch to test the faith of the
churchgoers.

 a. True
 b. False
Transcription
Perched 650 feet above a steep cliff, some say he chose its location to be closer to heavenly
spirits, others argue it was a strategic move to avoid his enemies.

5The church was discovered 47 years ago by the priest.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
Either way, the church's location, ceiling frescoes and precious goatskin bible have attracted
worshipers for centuries. The church has 20 clergymen. And is managed by this high-ranking
priest. He has lived here for over 47 years.
And he makes the climb every day.

6Visitors must take off their shoes at the top of the cliff, before entering the church.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
For fearless worshipers, the two-hour trek to the top begins by hiking to the bottom of the rock
from the valley below. Visitors must first remove their shoes before climbing.

7The most dangerous point of the climb is just before the entrance to the church.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
The final obstacle to the church's entrance can test the most ardent pilgrim's faith. A narrow cliff
ledge with a deadly drop to the left and no room for error. Once through you may think you're in
heaven, but you've never felt more alive.
 sports and exercise

1Who loves team sports?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
MINDY: I have always loved sports. I played volleyball and soccer at school and university, and
we were always successful. I always preferred team sports to exercising alone. I liked learning
about other people’s skills and choosing the best way to play. I never enjoyed running or cycling
for miles in the countryside. It’s so boring! I only run in the gym. There, I can chat to people. I don’t
go to the gym now because I just moved to a village, and there isn’t one here. There are no sports
teams either. I hate not getting any exercise! I play badminton with a colleague once a month,
but that’s all.

2Who wants to get more exercise?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
MINDY: I have always loved sports. I played volleyball and soccer at school and university, and
we were always successful. I always preferred team sports to exercising alone. I liked learning
about other people’s skills and choosing the best way to play. I never enjoyed running or cycling
for miles in the countryside. It’s so boring! I only run in the gym. There, I can chat to people. I don’t
go to the gym now because I just moved to a village, and there isn’t one here. There are no sports
teams either. I hate not getting any exercise! I play badminton with a colleague once a month,
but that’s all.

3Who is going to be in a sports competition soon?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
CARL: I always enjoyed exercise. Not team games like football or volleyball, but solo sports like
running and cycling. I was a great cyclist when I was younger. I won some big international races.
But then I had a really bad car accident, and after that, I couldn’t use my legs. For a while, I got
really lazy. I didn’t do anything. But finally, I joined a wheelchair sports club. We played games
like badminton and volleyball in our wheelchairs. It was quite fun, but I was never a serious
player. But there, I met a girl who races in her wheelchair. I tried that and loved it. I’m training for
a race next month. Wish me luck!

4Who plays badminton twice a week?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
JAKE: At school, I had to play football and volleyball. I wasn’t very good, so for a long time, I
never played team sports. But recently I started playing badminton with a friend. I’m not a great
player, but I’m getting better. First, I just played on Wednesdays but now I play on Saturdays too.
It’s sociable and fun. I even started jogging because I wanted to be fitter! I don’t go far. I just jog
around my village for about twenty minutes, I cycle to work now too. I’m happy because now I
am getting enough exercise. Last year I didn’t do any!

5Who goes jogging around the village now?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
JAKE: At school, I had to play football and volleyball. I wasn’t very good, so for a long time, I
never played team sports. But recently I started playing badminton with a friend. I’m not a great
player, but I’m getting better. First, I just played on Wednesdays but now I play on Saturdays too.
It’s sociable and fun. I even started jogging because I wanted to be fitter! I don’t go far. I just jog
around my village for about twenty minutes, I cycle to work now too. I’m happy because now I
am getting enough exercise. Last year I didn’t do any!

6Who cycled a lot in the past, but not now?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl
Transcription
CARL: I always enjoyed exercise. Not team games like football or volleyball, but solo sports like
running and cycling. I was a great cyclist when I was younger. I won some big international races.
But then I had a really bad car accident, and after that, I couldn’t use my legs. For a while, I got
really lazy. I didn’t do anything. But finally, I joined a wheelchair sports club. We played games
like badminton and volleyball in our wheelchairs. It was quite fun, but I was never a serious
player. But there, I met a girl who races in her wheelchair. I tried that and loved it. I’m training for
a race next month. Wish me luck!

7Who cycles these days?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
JAKE: At school, I had to play football and volleyball. I wasn’t very good, so for a long time, I
never played team sports. But recently I started playing badminton with a friend. I’m not a great
player, but I’m getting better. First, I just played on Wednesdays but now I play on Saturdays too.
It’s sociable and fun. I even started jogging because I wanted to be fitter! I don’t go far. I just jog
around my village for about twenty minutes, I cycle to work now too. I’m happy because now I
am getting enough exercise. Last year I didn’t do any!

8Who is the best volleyball player?

 a. Jake
 b. Mindy
 c. Carl

Transcription
MINDY: I have always loved sports. I played volleyball and soccer at school and university, and
we were always successful. I always preferred team sports to exercising alone. I liked learning
about other people’s skills and choosing the best way to play. I never enjoyed running or cycling
for miles in the countryside. It’s so boring! I only run in the gym. There, I can chat to people. I don’t
go to the gym now because I just moved to a village, and there isn’t one here. There are no sports
teams either. I hate not getting any exercise! I play badminton with a colleague once a month,
but that’s all.
 BATMAN

1A man in a batman costume brought an offender into justice.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
A man dressed as Batman has gone to the police station in Bradford to hand in a wanted man.

2The offender is accused of dealing with stolen property and committing fraud.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
The man dressed normally, if you like; he was the man who was subsequently charged with
handling stolen goods and fraud-related offences.

3This happened last Monday evening.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
It was last Monday; the early hours of last Monday.

4Police think they know who this Batman is.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
The man was subsequently arrested, but there he was, this other man, with hi full batman
costume on, with his mask on. You can't tell who he is. There's been no clue as to who he is.

5The man in the batman costume went away in a fast car.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
Where he went to afterwards, nobody knows. He disappeared into the night and it's still not clear
what mode of transport the apparent superhero was using at the time.

6People are trying to find out who this Batman was.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
It's definitely got people talking; it's obviously one of the most amusing stories of the day, and the
search is now on to find out who was Batman, who was in that costume.

7It seems that Batman and the offender know each other.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
He didn't want his identity known, but the man who has been charged with various offences
presumably knows who he is.
 Very large family
1Christie ...

 a. has been pregnant 23 times.

 b. has a one-year-old child.
 c. had trouble conceiving her 17th child.

Transcription
With her children's ages ranging from 23 to 2, Christie took fertility drugs to conceive her 17th
after struggling for over a year to have a baby.

2She ...

 a. thinks she's addicted to having children.

 b. doesn't think she's addicted to having children.
 c. doesn't enjoy being pregnant.

Transcription
Actually, I get asked that a lot, if I'm addicted to having children. It's kind of a hard question to
answer. Do I love being pregnant? Yes. Do I love feeling the baby kick? Yes. Do I love watching
the pregnancy tests turn positive? Yes. And all of it, yes. And do I want to do it again? Yes. I don't
feel as though I'm addicted to having children but I enjoy it.

3When Cristie's husband arrives home, he...

 a. takes care of the kids.

 b. can't help too much because he's tired.
 c. helps Cristie to cook.

Transcription
CHRISTIE: At about 6 a.m., I wake up and I get them ready for school, and then, you know you're
just cleaning all the time because they're always making a mess somewhere.
HUSBAND: and once I'm home, you know, I kind of take over for her. You know, she gets to take
a breather for a little bit. You know, I try to get the older kids to help out, and they do, most of
them. And we get things cleaned up, and try to get everybody to bed. And then I go to sleep, and
then get up and do it all over again.
4Cristie says that ...

 a. they are constantly planning their expenses.

 b. they can't afford to pay for everything they need.
 c. they have too many expenses.

Transcription
NARRATOR: And the logistics of running the household for so many people means that Christy
has to keep a close eye on what family spend.
CHRISTIE: I have to plan out almost everything you can think of: haircuts, school clothes, you
know, school trips ... um ... your brakes, your tires, your oil changes. You have to think ahead. You
always have to be planning, and thinking, and budgeting.

5They have so many children because ...

 a. of their religious beliefs.

 b. Christie and her husband come from very big families.
 c. they just like it.

Transcription
HUSBAND: The way we live our lives ... people ... people don't understand it. People don't
understand why we have lots of children. This is what we choose to do, and we do what we need
to do it.
CHRISTIEIt's not religious-based. We just .. we had the children because we wanted them and,
you know, as we had more, the family just didn't feel complete. I would use birth control. I don't
have anything against that. We just have a large family because we want one.

6What does Christie think about having her 17th child?

 a. She's very surprised.

 b. This child wasn't in their plans.
 c. She feels calm because she's used to it.

Transcription
CHRISTIE: How do I feel about being pregnant again? I'm scared, I'm excited ... um ... I can't
believe it. I'm still in shock. I know people think that I would be used to it but, especially this time,
it's been ... you know ... for a long time I wasn't sure if we'd have anymore, so I'm excited, happy,
scared, worried, thrilled ...
 Traditional medicine in Australia
1Aboriginal people in Australia ...

 a. used to use plants, seeds and fruits to make medicine

 b. use plants, seeds and fruits to make medicine
 c. don’t use traditional medicine

Transcription
For centuries aboriginal people in Australia have used native plants, seeds and fruits to make
medicines and remedies. (It means that they still use them, because we use the present
perfect for situations that started in the past and continue in the present).

2The final goal of the research is ...

 a. to see if these remedies really work

 b. to market these products in Australian shops
 c. to sell these traditional remedies

Transcription
The results could see traditional bush remedies on pharmacy shelves or beauty stores around
the world. [...] And if the results are positive these old bush goods could be marketed beyond the
northern territory.

3Wadeye is ...

 a. a very large aboriginal community in Australia

 b. the largest aboriginal community in Australia
 c. A town where only aboriginal people live

Transcription
These women are rangers from Wadeye, 450 km. southwest of Darwin and the largest aboriginal
community in the northern territory.
4Native plants are NOT used as...

 a. cosmetics
 b. soap
 c. tooth paste

Transcription
NARRATOR: For centuries their ancestors have been using native plants to make home
remedies, medicines, insect repellent, even beauty products. And it’s a tradition that’s still alive.
ABORIGINAL WOMAN: ...and we go back to ranger base and we boil it and we make soap,
shampoo and lip balm.

5According to researchers, ...

 a. it’s too early to say if the research will be successful

 b. they are sure the research will be successful

 c. they think the research will be successful

Transcription
NARRATOR: Researchers say the early results are promising.
RESEARCHER: “This is a secret... I cannot disclose much of this information, but we are really
optimistic on some of the positive outcomes because we know that there is a wealth of
chemicals in all these indigenous plants.”

6The aboriginal women from Wadeye ...

 a. are hoping the research will be successful

 b. have opened a shop to sell their remedies
 c. want to open a shop to sell their remedies

Transcription
And the women from Wadeye aren’t waiting to see what the science has to say. They’re
confident their goods can do the job and they’ve opened up a little store in one of Darwin’s most
popular markets to sell their wares to tourists and locals alike.
7The locals ...

 a. have shown interest in the remedies

 b. don’t really believe in this kind of medicine
 c. don’t know about this kind of remedies

Transcription
And if the local interest is anything to go by, there’s a definite place on world markets for the
ancient products. (It means that if we take the local interest as a reference, the ancient
products will sell well on world markets, which means that there is a local interest.)
 The history of English spelling
1When Christian missionaries arrived in England, they started to use spellings that didn’t
reflect how words were pronounced.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
It starts back around the year 600 A.D. when Christian missionaries arrived in England with their
Roman alphabet. They found the Anglo-Saxons, who spoke a Germanic language, with different
kinds of sounds like [th] and [x] that Latin didn't have. So scribes came up with their own ways to
write them. Over a long time everyone finally settled on the gh for the [x], but there is no [x]
in thought! Anymore. The pronunciation changed over hundreds of years. [x] turned to [f] in
words like cough and enough, or disappeared entirely in words like though or thought.

2Words like cough, enough, though or thought were originally pronounced with the same
sound at the end.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
It starts back around the year 600 A.D. when Christian missionaries arrived in England with their
Roman alphabet. They found the Anglo-Saxons, who spoke a Germanic language, with different
kinds of sounds like [f] and [j] that Latin didn't have. So scribes came up with their own ways to
write them. Over a long time everyone finally settled on the gh for the [j], but there is no [j]
in thought! Anymore. The pronunciation changed over hundreds of years. [j] turned to [f] in words
like cough and enough, or disappeared entirely in words like though or thought.

3When the printer was invented, the changes in pronunciation had finished.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
As those changes were getting underway, the printing press was invented and that was great for
the spread of written English, but unfortunately it was also great for the spread for the spellings
that printers had decided on before the pronunciation changes already in progress were
complete.

4The pronunciation of English vowels changed a lot.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
Other pronunciation changes that happened over this time period where the loss of certain
sounds at the beginning of words and an almost complete overhaul of the entire vowel system of
English known as the great vowel shift.

5A big part of modern spelling is due to how words were pronounced in the past or how
they were spelled in French.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
So for the most part, the answer to "why do we spell it that way?" is either "because we used to
pronounce it that way" or "because that's how they did it in French."

6Latin started influencing spelling in the late 1500s, when English spelling was still
undergoing big changes.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
In the late 1500s, English spelling had stabilised well enough, but some Renaissance scholars
who were all fired up about classical Latin and Greek decided not to leave well enough alone.

7Latin was responsible for the introduction of letters that are written but not pronounced.
  a. True
 b. False

Transcription
They decided words like receipt, salmon, indict, and debt, needed to put their Latin roots and
better display, so they purposely added letters that no one had ever pronounced in English.

8The pronunciation of the word colonel comes from Italy.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
That's what happened with colonel. We borrowed it from French, along with a lot of other
military vocabulary, in the 1500s. Back then they said it and spelled it as coronel. Later English
scholars started translating old Italian military treatises, where it was collonelo. Time goes by,
and wouldn't you know it, people are spelling it the Italian way and pronouncing it the French
way.
 A teenager who survived a plane crash
1She never thought she was going to survive.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
AUTUMN VEATCH: I was positive I was gonna die, and then I was positive I was gonna live.

2The plane crashed due to a storm.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
…with just 30 minutes left in their flight, the plane hit stormy weather and crashed into a mountain
in the North Cascades.

3After the crash, she tried to rescue her grandfather.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
She couldn't get to her grandmother through the flames and burned her hand trying to free her
grandfather.

4When the plane crashed, she was sleeping.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
Veatch said she thought she had fallen asleep and was having a nightmare, but there would be
no sleep for two more days.

5She could find her way out of the forest thanks to a TV show.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
Having watched shows like Survivorman, she knew if she found a stream, she could follow it to a
trail, then a highway.

6Once she reached the highway, a car took her immediately.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
AUTUMN VEATCH: I was trying to hitchhike, trying to get a ride, flag somebody down, but
nobody would stop.

7After what happened, it’s hard for her to find the strength to live again.

 a. True
 b. False

Transcription
AUTUMN VEATCH: I definitely have never wanted to live more in my life. Having a second
chance is the best thing that could have ever happened.
 Saint Patrick’s day
1According to the video...

 a. Saint Patrick’s day celebrates Irish people who emigrated.

 b. Japan, Russia and Argentina are the countries with more Irish descendants.
 c. around 70 million Irish people have left Ireland over the years.

Transcription
St. Patrick's Day is one of the most globally celebrated Saints days. Across the world, there
are green festivities on March 17th, as far and wide as Japan, Argentina, and Russia. St.
Patrick's Day is widely celebrated for a number of reasons. The most significant being Irish
mass migration. There are approximately 70 million people on Earth with Irish blood.

2Saint Patrick’s day celebration...

 a. was invented during a war.

 b. was invented over 200 years ago.
 c. started in different countries at the same time.

Transcription
Surprisingly, St. Patrick's day, as we've come to know it, was invented in America. In 1762,
Irish soldiers marched through New York City, beginning the traditional St. Patrick's day
parade. Today, parades are held in many different countries, with revelers downing 13 million
pints of Guinness.

3One of the secrets of Saint Patrick's success is...

 a. Irish beer.
 b. Irish pubs.
 c. Irish popularity.

Transcription
But there's another secret to the success of St. Patrick's day. Irish pubs. It's estimated there
are 8,500 Irish pubs around the world, from Nepal to Dubai and even Mongolia.
4Guinness...

 a. invented Irish pubs.

 b. has built a lot of Irish pubs around the world.
 c. has helped people who wanted to open Irish pubs.

Transcription
The deluge of drinking establishments is thanks, in part, to Guinness, who in the 1990s began
exporting its concept of the Irish pub around the world, providing designs and advice to
aspiring publicans. And, if they wanted it, even shipping them a pre-built bar. In the past 25
years, Guinness has helped open pubs in more than 150 countries around the globe.

5Ireland’s ministers...

 a. will promote Ireland around the world.

 b. have travelled to over 50 countries.
 c. are using Saint Patrick to promote Ireland.

Transcription
The Irish government is trying to capitalize on the country's growing fame. This year, its
ministers will travel to over 50 different nations and cities to promote their country. And it's
working. Brand Ireland is now one of the fastest-growing nation brands in the world. Sláinte!
 Stonehenge
1Why was Stonehenge built here?

 a. Because it's a strategic point.

 b. We don't know.
 c. Because there are rivers near the place.

Transcription
Why was it built here? There are no rivers anywhere near it. Who built it? And why? There are
many theories including, of course, that people from another planet were responsible.

2How many people visit Stonehenge?

 a. Six thousand every day of the year.

 b. One million every summer.
 c. Six thousand every summer day.

Transcription
On an average summer day, we get about six thousand people. And throughout the year, we
could be looking at upwards of a million people visiting the site.

3Stonehenge was built ...

 a. 5,000 years ago

 b. 2,500 BC
 c. 2,500 years ago

Transcription
When was it built? It was build two thousand five hundred BC (2,500 BC). So that's four and a half
thousand years ago (4,500 years ago).
4What do we know about the people who built it?

 a. The place where they lived.

 b. Nothing.
 c. We know a little about their rituals.

Transcription
Who built it? We don't know much about the people who built the monument. We know they
they lived in a site called Darrington Walls, a couple of kilometres away to the Northeast. And we
know this because we found evidence of huts in site.

5What do we know about the stones?

 a. They all come from Wales.

 b. The small rocks come from far away.
 c. They all come from 25-30 Km away.

Transcription
The stones themselves, the large stones are sarsen stone, a form of sedimentary rock; and it
comes roughly 25 to 30 kilometres to the North, from a place called the Marlborough Downs.
The small stones are blue stone, and they come from Wales, about 200 miles away. That would
be about 260-280 kilometres. From South Wales. So they come from a long way away.

6How did they carry the stones?

 a. Probably using animals.

 b. Probably a lot of men were needed.
 c. Using advanced technology for that time.

Transcription
We don't know for sure who brought them or how they were brought. We know that they
probably used rudimentary sledges, perhaps, to pull the stones. Greased planks along the floor
to pull them. We know that it probably would have taken about a hundred men to pull an
average sarsen stone. So there would have been a lot of manpower involved in their building of
this place.
7Which of these theories does he mention about why it was build?

 a. Astronomical calendar.
 b. Ritual sacrifices.
 c. Religious.

Transcription
Why it was built is still a mystery, it will probably always be a mystery. And we know for sure that
it was built upon the Solstice alignment. So the alignment with the longest day in summer and
the shortest day in winter. So
it could be an astronomical calendar. We also think it could possibly be a monument to the
ancestors and basically that's all we really know for certain