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Teen Challenges
You are going to listen to a conversation about teen plenty: mucho/a
challenges. Listen and choose the correct answer.
nasty: feo, desagradable
voyage: viaje
solo: en solitario
court: tribunal

1 Jordan Romero … . 5 According to Jack, Mike Perham’s parents … .


a. is an American singer a. knew Mike’s dream was important to him
b. failed in his attempt to climb Mount Everest b. could have stopped Mike from going on his
c. is the youngest person to reach the top of voyages
Mount Everest c. weren’t sure that Mike had the skills to
d. died while trying to reach the top of Mount achieve his goal
Everest d. wanted to stop Mike from going on his
voyages
2 Because of Jordan’s age, … .
a. the authorities permitted him to start his 6 A few years ago, a Dutch court … .
journey in Nepal a. prevented a Dutch girl from sailing around
b. he couldn’t start his journey in Tibet the world alone
c. it was against the law in Tibet for him to b. tried to stop Mike Perham from sailing
climb Mount Everest around the world alone
d. he wasn’t allowed to begin his journey in c. prosecuted the parents of a 13-year-old
Nepal Dutch girl
d. took no action to stop a 13-year-old girl from
3 Mount Everest was … . sailing solo
a. the last mountain Jordan Romero climbed
b. the first mountain Jordan Romero climbed
7 Sixteen-year-olds in England … .
a. don’t have the legal right to join the military
c. the second-to-last mountain Jordan Romero
climbed b. can get married
d. the second tallest peak Jordan Romero c. can’t legally get married
climbed d. are legally allowed to join the military, but
not to get married
4 At the age of 17, Mike Perham … .
a. sailed across the Atlantic alone 8 The international sailing organisation that keeps
records … .
b. became the youngest person to sail solo
around the world a. has a special category for 16- and 17-year-
old sailors
c. became the youngest person to sail alone
across the Atlantic b. no longer exists
d. wrote a book about his sailing experiences c. recently opened the category for “youngest
sailor”
d. no longer has a “youngest sailor” category

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Teen Challenges
Jack: Hey, Emily.
Emily: Hi, Jack …
Jack: What are you reading?
Emily: An article about Jordan Romero.
Jack: Who’s that? A new singer?
Emily: No. He’s an American boy who reached the top of Mount Everest in May 2010. He’s the youngest person
so far to do that … he was only 13 when he made the climb with his dad.
Jack: How cool!
Emily: Cool?! I think it’s ridiculous! Do you know how many people have died on Everest?
Jack: Uh, no …
Emily: Around 200 people, maybe more. Don't you think it's strange for a father to take his son on such a
dangerous expedition?
Jack: Oh, come on, Emily. People can get killed just crossing a street …
Emily: I know, but that’s different from climbing Mount Everest! Even the authorities in Nepal thought Jordan
was too young and didn’t allow him and his dad to start their journey from there. They had to start from
the Tibetan side.
Jack: I bet Jordan had had a lot of practice climbing mountains before his dad took him to climb Everest.
Emily: Oh, yeah. Plenty. When he was nine, Jordan decided he wanted to climb the highest mountain on every
continent – and Everest was one of the last two on his list.
Jack: He climbed the others before he was 13?!
Emily: Yeah. And his family received a lot of criticism for allowing it – partly because nobody knows how high
altitude affects young people’s bodies.
Jack: Hmmm … that’s an interesting point.
Emily: And this may sound nasty, but I think Jordan and his family want to make money from his achievements.
Jack: So? What’s wrong with that? Look at Mike Perham …
Emily: Who’s he?
Jack: Don’t you remember him? Mike Perham is a British kid who became the youngest person to sail around
the world by himself – he was just 17! And when he was only 14, he was the youngest person to sail
alone across the Atlantic. I bet he’s making money from his adventures. He wrote a book, gives speeches,
promotes products … and why not? He did something really amazing – and brave.
Emily: I suppose you’re right. But why do you think his parents allowed him to go on those ocean voyages
alone?
Jack: Maybe because they knew how important his dream was to him – and that he had the skills to achieve it.
Anyway, when he set off on his solo sail around the world when he was 17, they couldn’t have stopped
him even if they’d wanted to.
Emily: Why not? A few years ago, a 13-year-old girl in Holland wanted to sail alone around the world. Her
parents agreed, but a Dutch court stopped her from going.
Jack: Yeah, but kids are more mature at 17 than they are at 13. And here in England, once kids are 16, we’re
legally allowed to do things like get married or join the military. So I suppose 16 and 17 year olds can
sail alone too. But anyway, there won’t be any more official records for “youngest” sailors – because the
international organisation for sailing records no longer has that category.
Emily: I bet they got rid of it so that kids would stop trying such dangerous solo journeys.
Jack: Maybe. But y’know what? Anybody who wants to sail alone, climb Mount Everest, or anything else like
that won’t care about official records. They’ll do it for their own satisfaction …
Emily: Just like going to school …
Answers: 1. c 2. d 3. c 4. b 5. a 6. a 7. b 8. d

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Collecting
You are going to listen to an interview with a collector. stuff: cosas
Listen and choose the correct answer.
mug: taza (grande)
auction: subasta
hoard: acumular
rags: andrajos, ropa vieja
imbalance: desequilibrio

1 Philip Waring … . 5 Philip’s neighbour … .


a. advertises rock concerts a. collects things that once belonged to
b. is an old rock star Britain’s royal family
c. used to be a psychologist b. sells souvenirs with pictures of the British
royal family
d. collects adverts of old rock concerts
c. buys mugs and plates when there are
important events in Britain’s royal family
2 More than half the people in Britain … .
d. received mugs and plates from the British
a. are collectors royal family
b. don’t collect anything
c. don’t understand the motivation for 6 Someone obsessed with collecting will often … .
collecting
a. involve family and friends in their hobby
d. collect more than one kind of item
b. spend too much money on their collections
c. collect many different kinds of items
3 One reason people like to collect is … .
d. join a collecting club
a. to attract other people
b. because it’s common
7 Unlike collectors, hoarders … .
c. to show mementos to their children
a. collect specific things
d. to have things that remind them of their past
b. don’t throw anything away
c. are secretive about their collections
4 Somebody who collects for investment
purposes … . d. eventually sell their collections
a. hopes to make money from their collection
b. thinks their collection will become less
8 Hoarding behaviour … .
valuable a. affects 25% of the population
c. doesn’t care about the value of their b. is not difficult to cure
collection c. may be caused by a chemical imbalance
d. buys things when their value has increased in the brain
d. affects less than one per cent of the
population

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Collecting
Sharon: Welcome to The Sharon Mickelson Show. The topic tonight is collecting – a popular hobby in Britain.
With me in the studio is Philip Waring. He’s a psychologist and a collector of old
rock-concert posters. Thanks for coming in, Philip.
Philip: My pleasure, Sharon.
Sharon: First, Philip, I read recently that about 60% of people in Britain collect something. I’m not in that group,
and don’t understand why people collect stuff. Can you explain it?
Philip: Well, I have a large collection of concert posters from the 1970s. I started collecting them because they
remind me of my teenage years. This is a very common reason for collecting: to have mementos of
childhood or adolescence. Another reason people collect is because they’re
a fan of something – like the Harry Potter books, for example. So these people might collect Harry Potter
dolls, T-shirts, posters and games, as well as copies of the books and films. Another common reason
people collect is for investment purposes.
Sharon: By “investment purposes”, do you mean collecting things because they'll eventually increase
in value?
Philip: Exactly.
Sharon: Now, making money is a reason I can understand! Are there also psychological aspects to collecting?
Philip: Oh, definitely. For instance, for some people, collecting is a way to express their personality or their
identity.
Sharon: Can you give us an example of that?
Philip: Well, my neighbour collects the souvenir mugs and plates that are sold when there are important events
in the British royal family such as births, weddings and anniversaries. Collecting these things is my
neighbour’s way of expressing her pride in being British.
Sharon: And aside from expressing personality or identity, what other reasons are there for collecting?
Philip: Well, collecting can expand someone’s social life. By joining collecting clubs and attending auctions and
other events, collectors can meet people with similar interests. Some collectors have created new
friendships when they met people while searching for collector’s items online. Also, collecting can be
very exciting – especially when collectors find rare items. Those are all positive psychological factors.
However, collecting can also become an unhealthy obsession.
Sharon: What are the signs of that?
Philip: I’d say collecting is an obsession when it becomes more important in someone’s life than their family,
friends and other interests. Another danger sign is when someone spends more money than they can
afford on their collection.
Sharon: I know what you mean – sometimes you hear stories about people who collect all kinds of stuff and
eventually, there’s no space left in their homes.
Philip: Well, Sharon, actually you’re thinking of people that hoard. Hoarding is very different from collecting.
Hoarders don’t collect specific things. Instead, they keep virtually everything – like empty bottles, rags,
food, newspapers – they even bring rubbish home from outside.
Sharon: Ugh! What makes people hoard?
Philip: Scientists think this behaviour may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. And by the way, the
condition affects between two and five per cent of the population and is difficult to cure.
Sharon: That’s sad! Philip, thanks for explaining the difference between collecting and hoarding … and for the
insights into collecting. How about staying and meeting my next guest – a woman with
a collection of over 5,000 bars of soap …
Philip: I’d be delighted …
Answers: 1. d 2. a 3. d 4. a 5. c 6. b 7. b 8. c

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Hats
You are going to listen to a conversation in a shop. No wonder: No me extraña
Listen and choose the correct answer.
bowler hat: bombín
gamekeeper: guarda de caza
brim: ala (de un sombrero)
tilt: inclinar
estate: finca

1 The shop Jane works in … . 5 Mark mentions Mad-Eye Moody because … .


a. is closed on Saturdays a. he’s a film character who wears a fedora
b. once belonged to her grandparents b. he’s a famous character that wears a bowler
c. is owned by a London businessman hat
d. is owned by her grandparents c. he’s a celebrity
d. he wears a bowler hat in Toy Story
2 Mark is looking for a hat … .
a. to wear for school 6 Fedoras … .
b. because he’s helping a customer in the shop a. are softer than bowlers
c. because he’s in the school play b. are identical to bowlers
d. to wear for the office c. have got no brim
d. are smaller than bowlers
3 Bowler hats … .
a. began as hats for gamekeepers 7 The fedora … .
b. are always black a. was originally worn by gangsters in
American films
c. were originally made for Thomas and
William Bowler b. was designed for men
d. were originally designed for businessmen c. got its name from the female star of a play
d. was named after a play
4 Bowler hats … .
a. aren’t trendy these days 8 Jane compares the fedora to the bowler because
both … .
b. didn’t become popular until the 1960s
a. were popular with women in New York in
c. are still worn by most businessmen in Britain the 1880s
d. have become popular with celebrities b. were worn by men until the end of the 1960s
c. were designed in the 1800s
d. are popular with celebrities

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Hats
Jane: Thank you, madam. Here’s the receipt for your hat. Oh, and remember, next week our scarves and gloves
are on sale.
Customer: Thanks – I’ll make sure I come and have a look.
Jane: Oh – and don't forget your umbrella!
Customer: Thanks – I’ll probably need that later!
Mark: Jane – hi! Guess you’re hat-shopping like me, huh?
Jane: Hey, Mark. No, I’m not shopping. I’m working … I do every Saturday. It’s my grandparents’ shop.
Mark: No wonder you wear such great hats! Listen, uh – I’m in the school play, and I need a hat –
a bowler hat, I think. My character’s a London businessman in the 1950s.
Jane: Then yeah, you need a bowler. They’re over here – you can get bowlers in different colours, but
businessmen always wore black ones. Uh – this one looks like your size … here, try it on …
Mark: So – this is what businessmen used to wear …
Jane: Yeah – but you know, its original purpose was really different. Thomas and William Bowler designed the
hat in the mid-1800s for gamekeepers on large country estates. It’s small and hard, so it protected their
heads from tree branches when they rode horses.
Mark: So how did bowlers become a businessman’s hat?
Jane: Uh – I suppose fashion trends back then developed like they do today: first, a few people started wearing
the bowler hat and gradually it became more popular. Some men in cities probably started to wear
bowlers because they were practical and looked good – and soon, just about every businessman, banker,
lawyer and government official was wearing one. And believe it or not, bowlers were worn by all those
people even in the 1960s!
Mark: You don’t see any businessmen in bowlers these days.
Jane: True – but you see a lot of celebrities in them. Bono’s worn a bowler in some concerts, the American
singer Usher often wears a bowler, and so does Britney Spears … and the actress Keira Knightley …
Mark: And don’t forget Cornelius Fudge and Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter stories … And
Mr. Potato-Head in the Toy Story films …
Jane: Very funny …
Mark: Oh – now, this is a hat style I really like … it’s a fedora, right?
Jane: Right. I also love fedoras. They’re bigger and softer than bowlers.
Mark: Plus, it’s got a nice wide brim so you can tilt it over your eyes. I like this brown one. And it fits me …
what do you think? Do I look like a gangster in an old American film? They wore fedoras.
Jane: Uh – not exactly, but the hat really suits you. Y’know – the fedora was originally a woman’s hat.
Mark: No way! What about those gangsters and detectives? And, uh, Michael Jackson wore them … and hey,
I’ve seen pictures of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Brad Pitt – all wearing fedoras …
Jane: Yeah, I know. But so do lots of women … including me. And it was first a hat for women.
It was part of the female star’s costume in a play called Fédora.
Mark: Ah – so the name comes from the play!
Jane: Yeah. And when women in New York saw the play in the late 1880s, they fell in love with the hat and
turned it into a trendy fashion item. Eventually, men started wearing it too and it became the American
version of the bowler: millions of men in the US wore fedoras from about the 1920s through to the ’60s.
Mark: And now they’re back in fashion – for everybody. Yeah, this is great. I’ll take this brown one …
Answers: 1. d 2. c 3. a 4. d 5. b 6. a 7. d 8. b

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Medical Clowns
You are going to hear an interview with someone who medical clown: payaso terapéutico
has an unusual job. Listen and choose the correct
answer. costume: traje, ropa
laughter: risa
staff: personal
check in with: hablar con (para obtener información)
get over: superar, vencer

1 What do circus clowns and medical clowns have 5 The hospital doctors … .
in common? a. are annoyed by medical clowns
a. They make a lot of noise. b. ask the medical clowns to help them treat
b. They wear similar clothes. patients
c. They like performing. c. ask the clowns to perform medical tests
d. They enjoy the audience’s laughter. d. want to learn more about medical clowning

2 Which of these statements is true? 6 How does Paul usually start his day at the
a. Hospitals began working with medical hospital?
clowns about 40 years ago. a. He visits the children.
b. Medical clowns are a new idea. b. He goes to the emergency room.
c. Doctors refused to work with medical c. He meets with the nurses.
clowns in the past. d. He visits the sickest children.
d. Doctors no longer understand the affect
of emotions. 7 Who gives permission for a clown to enter
a child’s hospital room?
3 Paul used to … . a. the parents
a. work in a circus b. the child
b. be an actor c. the doctors
c. volunteer at a hospital d. the nurses
d. write children’s stories
8 Which statement is true?
4 According to Paul, why are university studies a. Few people fear clowns.
important for medical clowns?
b. People think fear of clowns is silly.
a. They need to know how to treat their
c. Most people get over their fear of clowns.
patients.
d. Adults as well as children can be scared
b. Hospitals only employ clowns with
of clowns.
university degrees.
c. The combination of courses is unique.
d. It makes people take their profession
seriously.

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Medical Clowns
Kate: Hello. I’m Kate Simons and this is Parenting Today. With us today is Paul Brown. Paul makes his living
as a clown at City Children’s Hospital. Welcome, Paul.
Paul: Thank you, Kate.
Kate: Paul, as I just told our listeners, you work as a clown at City Hospital. But you’re not an ordinary clown.
Paul: No, Kate. I’m a medical clown.
Kate: Can you tell us the difference between ordinary clowns and medical clowns?
Paul: Well, we wear the same costumes as circus clowns but we’re actually quite different. Circus clowns are
noisy and do crazy things. Unlike circus clowns, our work is not about performing for an audience and
hearing their laughter; our aim is to help patients forget about their illness for a while.
Kate: This must be a very new idea.
Paul: Actually, I’ve read that clowns were working with sick people over two thousand years ago. That’s how
long ago doctors knew about the effects of laughter. But as doctors learnt more about the body and how it
worked, they forgot about the effect of emotions. Luckily, that’s changed, and we’re much more aware
again of how feelings affect an illness. In modern times, medical clowns first appeared in hospitals about
forty years ago. Medical clowns seem like
a new idea, but they’re just a very old idea that we forgot.
Kate: How did you become a medical clown? Did you work in a circus before you came to the hospital?
Paul: Many medical clowns were circus clowns, but not me. I’ve always enjoyed acting and performing, and I
used to volunteer in the children’s department at our local hospital on Saturday mornings. We read the
children stories, played with them and generally tried to help them forget their pain. About five years ago,
I started studying medical clowning at university.
Kate: You did a university course in clowning?!
Paul: More than that. I studied for three years and got a university degree!
Kate: Why do you need a university degree to be a clown?!
Paul: Many people ask that. We want to be part of the hospital staff, just like the nurses and physiotherapists.
Academic study will make people realise that there’s more to being a medical clown than just putting on
a red nose.
Kate: What did you study at university?
Paul: We studied psychology, nursing care, drama and theatrical skills like mime and improvisation, and
acting. I don’t know of any degree course where you can study the combination of courses we did!
Kate: What do the doctors in the hospital think of medical clowns?
Paul: At first they were annoyed, as they thought we were interfering. They didn’t understand how we could
help, but now they welcome us. Today the doctors ask us to help when patients are scared or difficult. We
can persuade children to take their medicine or to cooperate during unpleasant medical tests.
Kate: Tell us about a typical day, Paul.
Paul: When I arrive at the hospital, I check in with the nurses. They give me instructions, tell me how everyone
is feeling and which child needs particular attention. Then I visit the children. We never enter a child’s
room without asking permission from the patient first; even if the parents agree, we always check with
the child.
Kate: When I was a child, I actually found clowns quite frightening. Are children sometimes scared of you?
Paul: There are children who are scared of clowns. Some adults are too. We know this and never force
ourselves on a child who doesn’t want our attention. Sometimes our presence has actually helped children
get over their fear.
Kate: I’ve really enjoyed hearing about your job, Paul. Sounds like you’re doing wonderful work.
Paul: Thanks, Kate, and for listeners who’d like to volunteer as medical clowns, please phone your local
hospital – they’ll be happy to give you more information.
Answers: 1. b 2. a 3. c 4. d 5. b 6. c 7. b 8. d

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

The Mustangs
You are going to listen to a radio programme about roam: deambular, vagar
mustangs. Listen and choose the correct answer.
slaughterhouse: matadero
confined: limitado/a, reducido/a
tame: domar
halter: ronzal (cuerda atada a la cabeza de un caballo)
stroke: acariciar

1 Peter Lawson … . 5 When mustangs are removed from specific


a. is writing a book about mustangs areas … .
b. owns mustangs a. it harms the natural ecology
c. brought mustangs to Britain b. people are encouraged to adopt them
d. worked with mustangs in the US c. the mustang population will naturally
increase
2 Mustangs … .
d. they must live in special shelters
a. is the word that mesteño comes from
6 The course Peter attended … .
b. are descended from wild American horses
a. taught him how to tame a mustang
c. are the descendants of Spanish horses
b. was run by a college
d. are different from wild American horses
c. was for journalists
3 In the US, mustangs … .
d. lasted for two weeks
a. live freely and are protected by law
7 Jack showed his aggression by … .
b. are confined to small areas of public land
a. getting very close to people
c. are allowed to roam free on private land
b. keeping away from people
d. roam free in one huge public area
c. standing up on his two back legs
4 Velma Johnston … .
d. biting people
a. hunted mustangs in the 1950s
8 Peter was finally able to put a halter on Susanna
b. opposed a law to protect mustangs because … .
c. was a schoolteacher in Nevada a. he ran after her
d. started a campaign to save the mustangs b. she trusted him
c. she was already tame
d. he gave her food

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The Mustangs
Monica: I’m Monica Kinsey with Animal Talk. On last week’s programme, we spoke to Julia Soames about the
famous performing Lipizzaner horses. We’ve just heard that the Lipizzaners will be including Britain in
their six-week European tour due to start in April in Italy. For those of you who are interested in seeing
the Lipizzaners perform, we’ll be giving more details at the end of the show. My guest today is Peter
Lawson, a reporter for Horses Monthly magazine. He’s just returned from the US, where he had the
opportunity to work with mustangs – wild American horses. Welcome, Peter.
Peter: Thanks, Monica.
Monica: Let’s start off with some background about mustangs …
Peter: Sure. As you said, mustangs are wild American horses. They’re descended from Spanish horses brought
to America hundreds of years ago. In fact, their name comes from the Spanish word mesteño. Today,
most mustangs live in the western United States.
Monica: How many mustangs are there in the US?
Peter: About 25 to 30 thousand. They roam free on huge areas of isolated, public land, and are protected by law
from being captured or killed.
Monica: Why was a law needed to protect them?
Peter: Because for decades, they were captured and sold to slaughterhouses and used for dog food. Tens of
thousands of horses were hunted and killed. But in 1950, a woman in Nevada – Velma Johnston – began
a campaign to save the horses. Johnston encouraged young people to participate, and throughout the
1950s, schoolchildren and teenagers wrote letters to lawmakers, government officials and newspapers.
Monica: What a great idea!
Peter: Yes – and it worked! In 1959 and 1971, laws were passed to protect the horses. These laws led to a rise in
the mustang population, so every year, some horses are removed from specific areas in order to preserve
the natural ecology. Ordinary people can adopt these horses.
Monica: It must be difficult for the new owners to train the mustangs. They’re not used to people or to living in a
confined area.
Peter: Exactly. That’s why many mustangs are adopted by special shelters. But to encourage mustang adoption,
some shelters offer training courses in taming wild horses.
Monica: And I know you attended one of these courses … so tell us about it!
Peter: It was a four-day course in California, and we worked with two mustangs. One was called Jack. He was
new to the shelter, and quite frightened at first. Whenever somebody got too close, Jack stood up on his
back legs – which is an aggressive posture. All we could do was stand in his paddock – and stay out of
his way.
Monica: I can understand why!
Peter: Eventually, he got used to us and became curious enough to approach us.
Monica: I’d call that success! And what about the other horse?
Peter: Ah – her name was Susanna. Although she was already quite tame, she wouldn’t allow anybody to put a
halter on her. For two days, she let me and the other participants stroke her, but when we tried to put a
halter on her, she ran away from us.
Monica: She was obviously very scared.
Peter: She certainly was. But on the third day, I stroked her and talked to her quietly and calmly. Then, very
slowly, I put the halter on her, and she didn’t object.
Monica: She trusted you, and it sounds like that’s what the course was about – creating trust between
a person and a horse.
Peter: That’s right. And the instructors kept stressing one thing: approach a horse calmly, slowly and with
respect. As one instructor always said, “Soft on your feet; soft in your heart.”
Monica: That’s a nice phrase … and we’re out of time, I’m afraid … Peter, thank you so much …
Answers: 1. d 2. c 3. a 4. d 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. b

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Simulated Patients
You are going to listen to a radio programme about be off: ir
a technique used in training medical students. Listen
and choose the correct answer. AIDS: SIDA
wonder: preguntarse
training: formación, aprendizaje
emergency room: (sala de) urgencias
bruise: moratón, cardenal

1 Dr Carey is the director of … . 5 Simulated patients are … .


a. an arts programme a. used only in medical schools
b. a medical school b. used only in British and American medical
c. the radio station schools
d. the Arts in Action programme c. not yet used in medical exams
d. now part of dental and paramedic training
2 Simulated patients … .
a. give students the opportunity to practise 6 At University Medical School, … .
their medical skills a. only first-year students work with simulated
b. interview medical students patients
c. are never physically examined by medical b. all students know when they’re going to see
students simulated patients
d. make diagnoses c. no students are told that someone is
a simulated patient
3 One reason for using simulated patients is … . d. only first-year students know when the
patients are actors
a. to help the public gain confidence in medical
students
b. to make students nervous
7 Simulated patients receive instructions … .
a. only when they play the role of an
c. to help medical students become confident
emergency-room patient
d. to make medical students more respected
b. before they play the role of someone with
a specific illness
4 Howard Barrows … .
c. for any role they play
a. was the first simulated patient in the USA d. when their role is the parent of a sick child
b. was a popular American doctor in the 1960s
c. was the first to use simulated patients 8 University Medical School … .
d. made the use of simulated patients popular a. gets simulated patients through a talent
in the 1970s agency
b. doesn’t need more simulated patients
c. uses volunteer simulated patients
d. only employs university students as
simulated patients

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EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Simulated Patients
Ian: I’m Ian Summers, and this is Arts in Action. We’ve got a varied programme today. We’ll be talking to Dr
Barbara Carey about using actors in medical school, then we’re off to Washington Heights to hear about
a unique art exhibition. Finally, Joelle will be telling us about this year’s Paint for AIDS project. First on
the show is Dr Barbara Carey, the director of University Medical School. Dr Carey, thanks for being
here.
Dr Carey: My pleasure, Ian.
Ian: Dr Carey, I’m sure everyone’s wondering how medical school and the arts are connected – and the
answer may surprise them: actors play a part in training doctors …
Dr Carey: Yes – an important part. They play the roles of patients; we call them “simulated patients”. They’re used
for medical students to practise things like interviewing and physically examining patients, and making
diagnoses. Actors are also used to help students practise how to give bad news, talk to parents of sick
children and deal with angry or frightened patients.
Ian: Dr Carey – why don’t you use real patients?
Dr Carey: Well, most medical students, especially early in their training, are nervous about dealing with real people
who come to them for help. So one reason for using simulated patients is to give students a chance to gain
some confidence …
Ian: And by practising on people who really aren’t ill, the students can’t hurt anyone.
Dr Carey: That’s right. And another goal of this method is for students to learn to treat patients and their families
with sensitivity and respect.
Ian: How long have simulated patients been used in medical training?
Dr Carey: Well, the technique was introduced in the early 1960s by an American doctor called Howard Barrows,
but it didn’t become popular until about a decade later. Now, medical schools all around the world use
simulated patients. They’re also used in many medical exams, and for training paramedics, dentists and
firefighters.
Ian: It must work well if it’s so widely used.
Dr Carey: Oh, it’s definitely effective. One reason it’s so helpful is that the actors are encouraged to comment on
how students conduct an interview or a physical examination.
Ian: What kinds of things do the actors say?
Dr Carey: Oh – it can be anything – from whether a student’s hands were cold to whether he or she made or avoided
eye contact. Usually, the actors comment on the student’s attitude, tone of voice and body language as
well.
Ian: Do the students know that these patients are really actors?
Dr Carey: Not always. For instance, at University Medical School, only our first-year students are told when their
patients are going to be actors. But after that, we don’t tell them, and the students don’t know until after
they’ve interviewed or examined the patient.
Ian: So, there might be, say, an actor in the emergency room along with real patients …
Dr Carey: Exactly. And by the way, actors playing emergency-room patients are often required to use theatrical
make-up – to have, for example, fake blood on their clothing or on their body, or fake bruises on their
faces.
Ian: In addition to this kind of thing, are the actors given any other instructions, or can they say whatever they
want?
Dr Carey: It depends on their role. If they’re playing someone with a specific illness, they’ll be told about the illness
and the symptoms to complain about. But, if they’re playing a parent getting bad news about their child,
we often let the actor decide how to react.
Ian: Those must be interesting acting jobs – and speaking of that, I’ve got one more question: How can an
actor get work as a simulated patient?
Dr Carey: At University Medical School, we employ actors through a talent agency ... anyone who’s interested can
contact Lynda Madison at ...
Answers: 1. b 2. a 3. c 4. c 5. d 6. d 7. b 8. A

12
EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Cambridge Walking Tour


You are going to listen to a short tour of Cambridge. show around: hacer de guía
Listen and choose the correct answer.
one-way: de sentido único
pedestrian zone: zona peatonal
prank: broma
resent: molestar, no gustar
criminal prosecution: proceso judicial penal

1 Ben is … . 5 Night-climbing … .
a. visiting Cambridge a. has been done in Cambridge for a very long
b. Gill’s favourite cousin time
c. going to give Sue a tour of Cambridge b. really occurs during the day
d. Sue’s cousin c. began in the 1950s
d. involves removing something from the top
2 In Cambridge, … . of a building
a. the roads are hilly
b. it’s often quicker to walk than drive
6 Cambridge colleges were built with high walls … .
a. so students couldn’t leave easily
c. you can park a car anywhere
b. only until the 13th century
d. there’s hardly anywhere to park a bicycle
c. to protect the local people from the students
3 Used bicycles are sold … . d. so townspeople couldn’t get in
a. by some students from abroad
b. by the language schools
7 In the 1970s, Ben’s parents … .
a. saw violent clashes between students and
c. at high prices
locals
d. by 20,000 students every year
b. saw a lot of graffiti against students
c. saw plenty of people writing anti-student
4 Which statement about the statue of King Henry
graffiti
VIII is true?
d. hated the townspeople
a. Students put the statue at the entrance to
Trinity College.
b. The king is sitting on a chair.
8 In the past, the university … .

c. Students made the statue as a night-climbing a. made the townspeople work very hard
prank. b. controlled many things in the town
d. The king is holding a chair leg. c. mainly taught students from poor families
d. prosecuted townspeople for their crimes

13
EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Cambridge Walking 1. c 2. b 3. a 4. d 5. a 6. d 7. b 8. b
Sue: Excuse me. I’m looking for St Andrews Street. Do you know where it is?
Man: Of course. Go down to the end of the road here and turn right. Carry on and then turn left at The Queen’s
Head – that’s a pub – on the corner. You’ll see St Andrews Street in front of you – you can’t miss it, it’s a
main road.
Sue: Great, thanks!
Ben: Sue?
Sue: Yes. Hi! You must be Gill’s cousin Ben …
Ben: That’s me. Welcome to Cambridge.
Sue: Thanks for agreeing to show me around!
Ben: No problem. Gill’s my favourite cousin; you’re her best friend. Come on – let’s get started …
Cyclist: Be careful!
Ben: Oh – and watch out for cyclists. There are thousands here.
Sue: I can see that! It looks pretty flat, so I bet it’s easy to ride here ...
Ben: Yeah, it is. But driving a car is terrible. See that building over there?
Sue: Yeah …
Ben: It’s called Guildhall. It’s a 200-metre walk from the front of the building to the back of it – which is on
another street. But in a car, it’s a five-kilometre drive …
Sue: Five kilometres?! Why?
Ben: Because Cambridge is full of one-way streets and pedestrian zones, so there are no quick, direct routes.
And by the way – there’s hardly anywhere to park.
Sue: If I come to university here, I’ll definitely get a bike.
Ben: You can buy a cheap used one. Every year, university graduates sell theirs, and so do some of the foreign
students who study English here. There are about 20,000 foreign students – that means a lot of second-
hand bikes.
Sue: Good advice.
Ben: Oh – there’s something funny here, at the entrance to Trinity College. Look up near the top.
Can you see the statue of King Henry VIII?
Sue: Yeah …
Ben: Years ago, some students put a chair leg in Henry’s hand and it’s still there.
Sue: Why’d they do that?
Ben: It was just a silly night-climbing prank …
Sue: Night-climbing?
Ben: It’s a very old Cambridge student tradition. People climb up the outside of a building – at night, of course
– and put something on the top. In the 1950s, students even managed to put a car on the roof of a building

Sue: A car?! Impressive! Uh, Ben – why are there so many high walls here? Are they to stop the students from
escaping?
Ben: No. Actually, they were designed to keep out people who lived in the town.
Sue: Seriously?! Why?!
Ben: Well, Cambridge is very old, you know – the first college was built in the 13th century. In those days,
there were lots of fights between the students and the local people, so these high walls were for the
students’ protection.
Sue: To protect the students from the townspeople, huh?
Ben: Yeah – and over the centuries, there were violent clashes between locals and students. Even as recently as
the 1970s – when my parents studied here – some townspeople hated students.
My parents saw plenty of anti-student graffiti.
Sue: Really?
Ben: Yeah … But graffiti was better than the violent attacks on students that happened in earlier centuries.
Sue: Why did the townspeople attack students?
Ben: Well, in the old days, most of the townspeople were quite poor and they worked very hard.
Sue: And back then, most of the students came from rich families, didn’t they?
Ben: Yeah. And they probably didn’t treat the townspeople very well. But the townspeople also resented the
university in general because of its power over the town. Until the late 1800s, the university controlled
things like pub licences. It could even protect students from criminal prosecution …
Sue: Wow. Well, things have changed … most of the students today aren’t from rich families.
Ben: Yeah. And the university doesn’t run the town any more. OK – look, Sue – there’s the River Cam. How
about a boat ride?
Sue: Sure!
14
EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Vampires
You are going to listen to a conversation about get a lift: que (alguien) lleve / traiga (a alguien en un
vampires. Listen and choose the correct answer.
vehículo)
garlic: ajo
trait: rasgo, característica
stab: apuñalar, acuchillar
pointe d stick: estaca
corpse: cadáver

1 Lucy and Dan are … . 5 Which of the statements is NOT true?


a. at Lucy’s house Vampires’ fear of garlic … .
b. in a café a. was a characteristic of the vampire in
c. in the library Dracula
d. at Dan’s house b. was made up by the writer Bram Stoker
c. is described in old vampire legends
2 Lucy and Dan’s project is … . d. is now considered a typical characteristic
a. about the bridges over the River Thames of vampires
b. about ghosts, witches and vampires
c. for Ms Henson’s class
6 Dracula was published … .
a. in 1897
d. the same as Debbie’s
b. less than a hundred years ago
3 Lucy suggests that they write about … . c. at the beginning of the 20th century
a. the reasons why people love vampire stories d. in 1891
b. where vampire stories came from
c. where typical vampire characteristics came
7 When Dan says, “Oh, come on!” he is
expressing … .
from
a. sadness
d. vampire legends in the Middle Ages
b. disbelief
4 Many vampires in stories … .
c. disappointment
d. happiness
a. can’t see other people’s reflections
b. are afraid of reflections in mirrors
8 In the series of Twilight books, … .
c. only have a reflection in water or a window
a. Stephenie Meyer doesn’t act like a typical
d. don’t have a reflection vampire
b. none of the vampires drink human blood
c. Stephenie Meyer created non-traditional
vampires
d. a few of the vampires are afraid of garlic

15
EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Vampires
Lucy: Hi, Dan. Come on in …
Dan: Sorry I’m late, Lucy. I thought I could get a lift here with Mike, but he was late for basketball practice, so
then I thought I’d catch the bus, but I lost my bus pass last week and I haven’t bought a new one yet. In
the end, I just walked.
Lucy: It doesn’t matter. Uh – this way. My laptop’s in the kitchen. We can work in there. Do you want
something to drink?
Dan: Uh, have you got orange juice?
Lucy: Sure. Here ...
Dan: Thanks. OK. Um, what are we going to do for our project? I mean, I know we decided to write about
vampires – but what about them, exactly?
Lucy: Uh – well, the assignment is to write about any aspect of ghosts, witches or vampires. At least Ms
Henson gave us interesting topics for this project.
Dan: Yeah ... In Debbie’s English class, they have to write about the bridges over the River Thames ...
Lucy: How boring!
Dan: OK, so ... vampires. Any ideas?
Lucy: Well, I was thinking ... how about writing about where some typical vampire characteristics came from?
Dan: Brilliant! Uh – well, we both love vampire stories and films ... and we know that usually, vampires don’t
have a reflection in a mirror.
Lucy: Or in water, or a window. And they’re afraid of the Cross and of garlic ...
Dan: Yeah.
Lucy: So – let’s see where those ideas came from. This website looks good ... yeah, here’s something. Look ...
Dan: Hmm ... According to this, all those ideas came from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula ...
Lucy: Really? I thought that all those beliefs came from old vampire legends ...
Dan: Well, it sounds like Stoker invented a lot of this vampire stuff himself!
Lucy: Uh, Dan, will you take notes?
Dan: Oh, uh – OK ... so – Stoker made up these famous vampire traits: they’ve got no reflection, they’re scared
of the Cross and they’re scared of garlic.
Lucy: And maybe we should include the year Dracula was published ... It was over 100 years ago,
I think ... here it is ... yeah – 1897.
Dan: OK – I wrote that down. And I just thought of something else – y’know how vampires can usually only
be killed by stabbing them in the heart with a pointed stick? Well, that was in Bram Stoker’s book, too –
so let’s see whether Stoker also made that up ...
Lucy: OK … Hmmm – no, no – Stoker didn’t invent that idea. It says: “In the Middle Ages, many people in
Eastern Europe believed that vampires existed. When they suspected that someone who had died was a
vampire …”
Dan: “ ... they opened the grave and pushed a pointed stick through the corpse’s heart.” Oh, come on! “They
believed that this prevented the vampire from leaving the grave and killing other people.”
Lucy: Ugh. That’s really horrible! Dan, do you think we should write about the vampires in the Twilight books
and films?
Dan: Definitely, because y’know, Stephenie Meyer made the vampires in her books really different from
traditional vampires. Like, some of them don’t drink human blood. And none of them are afraid of garlic.
Lucy: Oh – and they all have reflections.
Dan: Plus, a pointed wooden stick through the heart doesn’t kill them ...
Lucy: That’s right. There’s only one way to kill them: tear them into pieces and burn them!
Dan: Uh, Lucy? Stop it ... !
Answers: 1. a 2. c 3. c 4. d 5. c 6. a 7. b 8. c

16
EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Abracadabra!
You are going to hear an interview with a magician. behind stage: entre bastidores
Listen and choose the correct answer.
magician: mago/a
packed with: lleno/a de
pocket money: dinero suelto
book: contratar

1 David had never seen … . 5 Julia’s parents were concerned that she … .
a. a magic show a. spent so much money on magic tricks
b. a female magician b. had an unusual hobby
c. a male magician’s assistant c. wasn’t interested in school
d. a professional magician d. wasn’t studying enough

2 People are usually surprised to hear that … . 6 What did Julia do to earn pocket money?
a. there were female magicians in the past a. She worked in a magic shop.
b. there are about 100 female magicians in the b. She gave magic lessons to children.
world c. She did magic shows for children.
c. there are female magicians today d. She worked in a theatre.
d. there are male magic assistants today
7 What does Julia enjoy most about being
3 Julia became interested in magic after she … . a magician?
a. was given a magic set for her birthday a. Teaching new magicians tricks.
b. visited a magic shop b. Showing the audience new tricks.
c. saw a magic show at the theatre c. Teaching the audience how to do tricks.
d. learned some magic tricks d. Showing the audience the impossible.

4 Julia used her pocket money to buy … . 8 According to Julia, magic clubs accept … .
a. more magic tricks a. anyone who wants to be a magician
b. another magic set b. only professional magicians
c. tickets to magic shows c. people who’ve already learnt some magic
d. books and DVDs about magic d. people who promise not to give away any
secrets

17
EXTRA LISTENING CONTRAST 1

Abracadabra!
David: Good evening. This is Saturday Night Theatre and my name is David Watts. Tonight I’m behind stage at
the Theatre Royal after an amazing performance by Julia, a talented young magician. Good evening,
Julia.
Julia: Good evening, David.
David: That was an incredible performance.
Julia: Thanks!
David: Julia, you’ve travelled the world with your magic show, haven’t you?
Julia: Not quite. I’ve taken my show to many countries in Europe. And next month I’ll be performing in
America for the first time. And we’re planning a tour in Australia next year.
David: And you’re only 21. That’s amazing! I think you’re the first woman magician I’ve seen. In fact, I don’t
think I’ve ever heard of a female magician.
Julia: Yes, people are often surprised when they find out I’m a magician. It’s true there aren’t many female
magicians, but we do exist. There have been women magicians in the past, but traditionally it was much
more common for men to be the magicians and for women to be their assistants. I’m not sure, but I
believe there are about 100 professional female magicians in the world today and our numbers are
growing. And some of us have male assistants!
David: How did you become interested in magic?
Julia: When I was nine, my parents took me to the theatre to see a magic show. I was fascinated and asked my
parents to get me a magic set for my birthday. They didn’t just buy me a toy magic set, they took me to
this wonderful magic shop. It was packed from floor to ceiling with everything a magician needed. We
bought some tricks and I spent hours practising in my room. I saved all my pocket money and went to the
magic shop whenever I could. At first, my parents were pleased that I had a hobby, but when I began to
spend more and more time on magic, they complained that I wasn’t spending enough time on my
schoolwork.
David: Did you give up magic then?
Julia: No, I didn’t give it up, but I did try to spend more time on school. To earn some pocket money, I started
doing magic shows for children’s birthday parties. One of the parents who saw me was a theatre manager
and booked me for a performance. That was the real start of my career.
David: What’s the best thing about being a magician?
Julia: Giving the audience the feeling that they’ve just seen the impossible happen. I take my audience on a
journey away from reality and their everyday lives.
David: I’d love to know how you did those tricks I saw tonight, but you’re not going to tell me, are you?
Julia: No David, I’m not. Professional magicians must promise never to reveal the secrets of magic to non-
magicians.
David: So how do you become a magician if magicians won’t reveal their secrets?
Julia: There are many books that you can learn from. There are also DVDs and videos on the Internet that teach
you how to perform magic tricks. In addition, you can join one of the many magic clubs where magicians
share their knowledge.
David: Can anyone join these clubs?
Julia: Oh, no. It’s not enough to say, “I’d like to be a magician”. You have to prove you’ve made an effort to
learn some magic. You have to show them you’re already a magician and not just someone who’s trying
to learn their secrets.
David: Have you ever had a trick go wrong on stage?
Julia: There have been a few times where a trick almost went wrong, but so far I’ve been very lucky.
David: Thank you for talking to us today, Julia, and good luck with that American tour.
Julia: Thanks!
Answers: 1. b 2. c 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. c 7. d 8. c

18

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