Casual conversation

Now listen to a conversation.

Now get ready to answer the questions.

1. What are the speakers mainly discussing?

A) Their plans for next semester

B) Why the woman can't go to the concert
C) Their favorite band
D) Finding a tutor

Explanation:

• Choice A is incorrect because they are discussing the woman's plans,

not the man's.
• Choice C is incorrect because the man suggests it is supposed to be
"the best show," but does not say it is his favorite band.
• Choice D repeats the word tutor, which is related to tutorial leader, but
neither of the speakers are looking for one. Again, it is not the main
idea.

The correct answer is B. This is an understanding the gist question.

2. What will the woman do on Saturday?

A) Teach a class.
B) Mark tests.
C) Visit her cousin.
D) Go to a concert.

Explanation:

• Choice A is what the woman does, but not on the weekend.

• Choice C repeats the word "cousin" but is not the correct answer.
• Choice D is what she wants to do but can't.

The correct answer is B. This is a detail question.

Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

3. What does the woman mean when she says this?

A) She thinks he should treat her with more respect.

B) She plans to teach university.
C) She thinks Professor Mathers is not kind.
D) She thinks she'll be as good a teacher as Professor Mathers.

Explanation:

• Choice A is incorrect because the woman is only a tutorial leader right

now.
• Choice C confuses the homonyms "mean" (unkind) and the verb "to
mean" (to indend to say or do).
• Choice D is incorrect because they are not speaking about Professor
Mathers in this part of the conversation.

The correct answer is B. She plans to do her PHD and become a professor.
This is an understanding function question.

4. What can be inferred from the conversation?

A) The woman never works on weekends.

B) The man and woman take the same courses.
C) The speakers live in the same dorm.
D) The man stayed after class for help.

Explanation:

• Choice A is incorrect because the woman has to work this weekend.

• Choice B is incorrect because the man thanks the woman for the study
tips.
• Choice C is not inferred. The woman mentions being in her dorm all
weekend, but there is nothing to suggest that the man lives there too.

The correct answer is D. (They are having a private conversation and the
woman gave him study tips.) This is a making connections question.

5. How does the male student feel about the woman's weekend plans?

A) He feels sorry for her.

B) He is excited for her.
C) He is worried about her.
D) He is jealous of her.

Explanation:

• Choice B is incorrect because the woman is going to be at home

working.
• Choice C is not mentioned.
• Choice D is incorrect, because it is the woman who says she is jealous
of the man's plans.

The correct answer is A. This is an understanding attitude question.

Transcript for listening conversation 1:

M: You mentioned at the start of last class that you are a fan of live music. I
guess I don't have to tell you about the concert at the campus pub on
Saturday. It's supposed to be the best show of the year.
W: I know. I wish I could be there but I already promised professor Mathers
that I'd have all of the quizzes graded by Monday. I'm afraid I'm going to be
stuck in my dorm all weekend because I look after three tutorial classes
including yours.
M: Why did you offer to do that? Did you forget about the concert, or do you
really need the money?
W: Actually, I really need to concentrate on academics this year. If I want to
get into the education program I have to prove that I am serious about being a
tutorial leader. It's not about the money. We don't get paid much considering
all of the hours we put in.
M: Have you applied at other schools besides this one. I've heard it's really
hard to get into the Education program here, but my cousin got accepted at
one in a different state, and her grades aren't that good.
W: That was my original plan, but Professor Mathers asked me to help her out
this year and she also promised to write me a reference letter. I didn't think I
could get into the program here, but now I do. My marks are higher than they
have ever been and once I'm done my masters I hope to do my PHD.
M: Well, I can see that you are really dedicated. You're going to make an
excellent teacher.
W: Professor you mean.
M: Right. Well, I'm sorry you're going to miss the band.
W: Me too. I can't help feeling a bit jealous. Sometimes I wish I was still in my
first year of studies.
M: Well, I'll tell you all about it on Monday. Oh, and thanks for the homework
tips.
W: Sure, anytime.

Transcript for question 3:

M: Well, I can see that you are really dedicated. You're going to make an
excellent teacher.
W: Professor you mean.

Example 3: Lecture
Now listen to part of a lecture from a gemology class.

Now get ready to answer the questions.

1. What is the purpose of this lecture?

A) To compare diamonds and gold

B) To discuss types of gems
C) To discuss the formation of diamonds
D) To review the elements of carbon

Explanation:

• Choice A is not the main purpose. Gold is only mentioned once at the
beginning of the lecture.
• Choice B is incorrect because only one gem is discussed.
• Choice D is too specific.

The correct answer is C. This is an understanding gist question.

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the 4 C's used by the jewelry
business?

A) Carbon
B) Carat
C) Color
D) Cut

Explanation:
 • Choices B, C, and D are named. Choice A is the only logical answer.

The correct answer is A. This is a detail question.

3. Where do natural diamonds form?

A) In a manufacturing plant
B) In an electrical insulator
C) Deep in the Earth's mantle
D) Alongside metals such as gold

Explanation:

• Choice A is the opposite. This is where non natural diamonds are

formed.
• Choice B does not answer the question "where".
• Choice D is not mentioned.

The correct answer is C. This is a detail question.

4. According to the professor, what are diamonds good for besides jewelry?

A) They can create heat.

B) They can hold heat in.
C) They can damage insulators.
D) They can conduct electricity.

Explanation:

• Choice A has the incorrect verb "create". They hold heat.

• Choice C has the incorrect verb "damage". They create insulation.
• Choice D has the correct verb, but the incorrect noun. They conduct
heat.

The correct answer is B.

This is a detail question.

Listen again to part of the lecture. Then answer the question.

5. What does the professor mean when she says this:

A) Nobody will want to buy diamond computer chips.
B) Advertisers will have fun marketing this type of product.
C) Computers will take interest away from the jewelry industry.
D) Jewelers will be competing with programmers.

The correct answer is B. This is an understanding attitude question.

6. Indicate whether each sentence below describes synthetic diamonds or

mined diamonds. Place the numbers in the correct box.

mined diamonds synthetic diamonds

-- --

-- --

-- --

-- --

-- --

1. are often created from a "seed"

2. exist in very few places in the world
3. come in countless colorful varieties
4. are produced by high pressure and temperature under the ground
5. could cause financial problems for the jewelry industry

Answer:
 mined diamonds synthetic diamonds

-- 1

2 --

-- 3

4 --

-- 5

This is a making connections question.

Transcript for listening lecture 3:

In last week's lesson about the difference between metals and gems, we
discussed how pliable true gold is. Today we are going to be talking about the
diamond, the hardest known natural mineral. As most of you know from our
introductory chapter, diamonds are the transparent form of pure carbon.
Carbon crystals form deep in the Earth's mantle when high temperatures and
extreme pressure occur. The term "diamond" comes from the Greek word
adamas, which means unconquerable. In the jewelry business, diamonds are
valued according to a few categories, known as the 4 C's. The cost of a
diamond depends on its carat, color, cut, and clarity. Besides Africa, there are
few areas around the world with large diamond deposits. However, diamond
replication is a new trend that threatens the multimillion dollar industry.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce large volumes of diamonds
by putting carbon under extreme heat and pressure. This process causes the
carbon to crystallize into diamonds. HPTC, which stands for high pressure
and high temperature, is also used to change or remove the color of
diamonds. A small piece of natural diamond, called a seed, is often used as
the base, and then a synthetic diamond is grown around it. These colorful
diamonds, known as fancies, are rare in nature, yet gemologists still consider
them genuine. In fact, most people in the jewelry business shy away from the
term synthetic diamonds because it suggests that they are not real. Their
argument is that man made diamonds are produced in the very same way as
mined diamonds are in nature. Even the trained eye cannot easily detect the
difference between a natural diamond and one that is manufactured. While
this innovation threatens to devastate the jewelry industry by bringing the cost
of true diamonds down, it could also turn the precious stone into a common
semiconductor. Not only are diamonds incredible conductors of heat, they are
also efficient electrical insulators. Tremendous heat can pass through a
diamond without causing any significant damage. It won't be long before
computer companies start advertising diamond computer chips. Won't that
make for some interesting marketing campaigns?

Transcript for question 5:

Professor: Not only are diamonds incredible conductors of heat, they are also
efficient electrical insulators. Tremendous heat can pass through a diamond
without causing any significant damage. It won't be long before computer
companies start advertising diamond computer chips. Won't that make for
some interesting marketing campaigns?

Won't that make for some interesting marketing campaigns?