UNIT 1
Section One Part 1
Spot Dictation
Houses in the Future
Well, I think houses in the future will probably be (1) quite small but I should think they'll be (2) well-insulated so that you don't need so much (3) heating and (4) cooling as you do now, so perhaps very economical (5) to run. Perhaps they will use (6) solar heating, although I don't know, in this country, perhaps we (7) won't be able to do that so much. Yes, I think they'll be full of (8) electronic gadgets: things like very advanced televisions, videos, perhaps videos which take up ... the screen (9) takes up the whole wall. I should think. Yes, you'll have things like (10) garage doors which open automatically when you (11) drive up, perhaps electronic (12) sensors which will (13) recognize you when you, when you come to the front door even. Perhaps (14) architects and designers will be a bit more (15) imaginative about how houses are designed and perhaps with the (16) shortage of space people will think of putting gardens (17) on the roof and, and maybe rooms can be (18) expanded and, and (19) contracted depending on what you use them for, so perhaps there'll be a bit more (20) flexibility about that.
Part 2
Listening for Gist
A: Tuesday two fifteen. Let me look in my diary.
B: No, Thursday.
A: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you said Tuesday.
B: Thursday two fifteen. No, I'm sorry. I've got an appointment until three. Could we make it later? Say three fifteen?
A: Well, there's a lot to talk about. It'll take a couple of hours, at least.
B: Shall we say Monday morning, then? A: Monday morning. All right. Nine o'clock? B: Nine. I think that will be all right. I'll ring you back and confirm. A: All right. But ring before five, could you? B: All right.
A: Right you are. Bye. B: Bye.
Exercise. Directions: Listen to the dialogue and write down the gist and the key words that help you decide.
1. This dialogue is about making an appointment.
2. The key words are Tuesday. Thursday. two fifteen. three fifteen. Mondaymorning. nine o'clock.
Section Two Listening comprehension
Part 1 Dialogue I'm terribly sorry I'm late
Woman: Listen! I'm terribly sorry I'm late.
Man: Oh, that's all right. It doesn't really matter, does it? I haven't got anything better to do, have I? Woman: Just let me explain, will you?
Man: I've only been waiting for over an hour. That's all. Woman: Yes. I know, and I would have ...
Man: After all, my time isn't really that important, is it? Woman: Please don't be like that. Just let me explain.
(Silence. Man says nothing.)
Woman: I ... I tried to get here in time but just after I left home, the car broke down.
Man: The car broke down?