ESB Entry 3 Certificate in ESOL

International All Modes – (B1)

500/3646/4

B1 – Listening Test Transcript

In the unlikely event that both the Listening CD and the spare CD
should fail, this transcript may be read out to the candidates.

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TRACK 1
Narrator’s text is in boxes.
Highlighted words in italics with square brackets [example] should not be spoken.

Female Narrator: This is the ESB Entry 3 Certificate in ESOL Examination B1.

Section One Listening.

I’m going to give you the instructions for this part of the test. You
will hear this sound [BLEEP] at the start of each piece. Remember
to transfer your answers to the optical mark form before the end of
the exam. Now open your question paper and look at Part One of
the Listening Section.

Listening Part One.

You will hear people talking in ten different situations.
For questions 1 – 10, choose the correct answer A, B or C.
You will hear each passage TWICE.
You have one minute to read the questions for Part One.

[Wait one minute]

TRACK 2 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Part One. Passage One.

Pat: (female) [upset] David, this is the worst hotel we’ve ever stayed in!

David: (male) It’s better than the last hotel in London.

Pat: Well, I’m going to complain to the receptionist! The wardrobe door’s
broken and there aren’t any towels in the bathroom!

David: We can ask for some towels, Pat.

Pat: Yes, but the bathroom isn’t clean, David – you must be able to see that!
And the lock on the window’s broken! Ask the receptionist if we can
change rooms.

David: I remember the receptionist said the hotel was full so we can’t ask to
change.

Pat: Well, then I want to go to another hotel now! [stress] Tell the
receptionist we want all our money refunded.

David: I don’t think we’ll be able to find another hotel now. It’s very late, so we’ll
have to stay here tonight.

Pat: Well, I’m not staying here tomorrow. [stress] We must [stress] find

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 another hotel.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 3
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage One]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 4 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Two.

[Young voices]

Reese: (male) Hi, Olivia! How was the first day in your new class?

Olivia: (female) Oh, Reese. I didn’t enjoy it at all. I didn’t know anyone.

Reese: Don’t worry – you’ll soon make friends.

Olivia: But everyone seemed so unfriendly. No one spoke to me at all.

Reese: So what did you like?

Olivia: Well, the class is very small. There aren’t many other students. My old
class was so big I couldn’t hear the teacher sometimes.

Reese: What’re your teachers like in your new class? Are they okay?

Olivia: Well, Miss Davis seems very nice. She’s a young teacher and very
trendy, but Mr Brown’s very old. I don’t like him.

Reese: You’ll get used to him. My brother told me he’s a good teacher.

Olivia: Well, I hope you’re right, Reese. I’ll try my best to like him and to get on
with everyone.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 5
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Two]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 6 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Three.

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Sally: (female) It’s such a difficult situation, Andy. I really think we should stay with my
[stress] parents this year. After all, we went to your [stress] family last
year.

Andy: (male) I know, but Christmas is such a special time for my mother. She’ll be so
upset if we don’t go.

Sally: [a little annoyed] Well, you’ll just have to explain the situation to her. It’s
not fair if we always stay with your family, is it?

Andy: Well, I was thinking, perhaps we could do things differently this year.
Why can’t we stay with both [stress] our families? We could go to one
family for Christmas and the other for New Year.

Sally: Mmm…I like that idea, although I’m not sure your mother will agree.

Andy: Leave her to me, Sally. I’ll convince her it’s a good idea.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 7
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Three]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 8 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Four.

[Telephone conversation]

Travel Agent: Good morning. This is Far and Away Travel Agents. How can I help you
(male) today?

Customer: Hello. I’d like to book a city break to Berlin please. I saw the details on
(female) the internet last week, but my computer’s broken, so I can’t book online.

Travel Agent: No problem. Do you want to book the weekend break or the mid-week
break? The mid-week break is from Tuesday to Friday.

Customer: The mid-week break. I’d like to go in July, please.

Travel Agent: Let’s see… unfortunately all places are booked on that trip.

Customer: Oh no! I can’t go any other time.

Travel Agent: It’s much cheaper to go on holiday in the middle of the week than at the
weekend, you see. That’s why mid-week holidays always sell out very

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 quickly. You need to book earlier.

Customer: I’m really [stress] disappointed! Can you suggest anything else?

Travel Agent: Well, Paris is very nice in July. Let’s see what’s available…

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 9
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Four]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 10 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Five.

Frank: (male) Hi, Carla! Are you looking forward to meeting your cousin again?

Carla: (female) Well, I feel quite nervous about it, Frank.

Frank: Oh, why?

Carla: I haven’t seen him for about fifteen years. I remember he wasn’t very
nice when we were younger. I hope he’s changed since then.

Frank: [laughs] What did he used to do?

Carla: Oh, pull my hair, call me names and tell lies about me. That kind of thing.

Frank: I’m sure he won’t do that now! Where are you meeting him?

Carla: I suggested going for lunch but he’s chosen a very expensive restaurant.
I hope he offers to pay because I can’t afford to eat there.

Frank: Oh no! Let’s hope he does.

Carla: My mother wanted to come but I thought it was best to meet him alone
the first time. Mum’s very nosy and she’ll ask him all sorts of questions.
I’ll feel awful if she embarrasses him.

Frank: I’m sure he’ll be very nice and you’ll enjoy meeting up again.

Carla: Hope so. I’ll let you know, Frank.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 11
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

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 [Replay Passage Five]
[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 12 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Six.

[Department Store Announcement]

Announcer: Bromley’s would like to welcome you to the grand opening of its new
(male) department store. As this is such a special day, we’re offering lots
[stress] of bargains. Here on the ground floor, there’s 15 per cent off all
perfumes, aftershaves and cosmetics. If you’re looking to change your
décor, visit our exclusive Home department on the third floor to see our
wide range of furniture and textiles, all at special prices this week. On
the first floor, you’ll find a 30 per cent discount on all ladies’ and men’s
clothing, except bridal wear and wedding accessories. We also have
discounts of 20 per cent on children’s wear and toys. Both these
departments are located on the second floor. We hope you’ll enjoy your
first day shopping with us.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 13
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Six]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 14 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Seven.

Jill: (young girl) Grandad, I’m really excited! Dad’s going to buy me a new mobile phone
for my thirteenth birthday. He says I can have the latest model!

Grandad: (male) You’re very lucky, Jill. When I was your age, we didn’t even have a
telephone. [stress]

Jill: Really, Grandad?

Grandad: Yes, life was very different. We didn’t have mobile phones, computers or
the internet.

Jill: Yes, we learnt about that at school.

Grandad: In fact, I didn’t even watch television until I was about seventeen. My
parents couldn’t afford to buy one.

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Jill: [sympathetically] Oh, Grandad!

Grandad: I got my first telephone at home after I’d married your grandmother.

Jill: Don’t worry, Grandad. When I get my new mobile, I’ll give you my old
one. Then I can phone you every day.

Grandad: [laughs] Thank you, Jill! I’ve never had a mobile phone before!

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 15
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Seven]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 16 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Eight.

Susie: (female) Graham, I read in the local newspaper that the Queen’s coming to open
the new hospital at the end of next month.

Graham: (male) [sarcastically] Oh, I’m so excited.

Susie: Don’t be like that, Graham! I thought we could take the children.

Graham: But Susie, I wanted to go on holiday then. We talked about going to

France because I’m off work, remember?

Susie: Yes, I remember, but I’m sure the children would love to see the Queen.
Jenny’s been learning all about the royal family at school. We could take
lots of photos!

Graham: I think it’s you [stress] who wants to see the Queen, not Jenny!

Susie: I think it’ll be a lovely day out for all [stress] of us and…well… I’ve
already promised the children we’ll go, so you’ll have to come.

Graham: Oh, Susie! I won’t get my holiday in France now!

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 17
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

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 [Replay Passage Eight]
[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 18 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Nine.

Lauren: (female) Alex, what are you looking for?

Alex: (male) I’ve lost the medicine the doctor gave me.

Lauren: Well, you sometimes leave things in the car.

Alex: It’s not there, Lauren. I’ve looked and anyway, I walked to the doctor’s
yesterday.

Lauren: You could phone and ask for some more medicine.

Alex: But I’d have to pay for another prescription. And I really don’t want to
walk to the doctor’s again. No, I’ll just keep looking – it must be here
somewhere.

Lauren: Didn’t you have a bag with you when you came back from the doctor’s?

Alex: Yes, but I’ve already looked in the bag. Maybe I left it next to my glasses.
I was wearing them when I read the instructions on the bottle. My glasses
are in the kitchen, so the medicine must be there.

Lauren: Well, go and get it then!

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 19
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Nine]

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 20 [BLEEP]

Female Narrator: Passage Ten.

[Telephone conversation]

Paula: (female) Hi, Alan. How is your business trip going?

Alan: (male) Oh, not very interesting, really. How is everything at home?

Paula: Okay. I’m just wondering when you’ll be home tomorrow? Will you be

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 back for lunch? Your flight leaves in the morning, doesn’t it?

Alan: Yes, it does, but I’m not sure when I’ll get home, Paula. It could be in the
afternoon or even in the evening. There are delays at the airport
because of bad weather here in Sweden, so I can’t say exactly.

Paula: [a little irritated] Well, I need to know when to expect you home, Alan.
I’ve got to go shopping tomorrow with my mother and I’ve to cook dinner
as well.

Alan: Okay, well don’t worry about dinner. Let’s go out to a restaurant instead.
Then you can go shopping and see your mother when you like.

Paula: That’s a good idea, Alan. See you tomorrow.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 21
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Passage Ten]

[Pause three seconds]

Female Narrator: That is the end of Part One of the Listening Section.
Now turn to Part Two.

[Pause five seconds]

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TRACK 22
Female Narrator: Listening Part Two. Listen to a talk about balloons.
For questions 11 – 20, decide whether the sentences below are
True or False.
You will hear the recording TWICE.
You have one minute to read the questions for Part Two.

[Wait one minute]

[BLEEP]

Female Voice: Balloons have been popular for centuries. The earliest balloons were
made from parts of animals and can be seen in very old pictures
painted a long time ago. Nowadays, balloons are made from plastics
and filled with gases, such as helium, to make them rise into the air.

Balloons have been used in many ways, for example, in medicine, in

science and in art. They were also used as flying machines before
aeroplanes were invented. A very big balloon made of special material
was filled with a large amount of hot air. The air was heated by a flame
underneath and a large basket was attached to carry passengers. This
form of transport became known as a hot-air balloon. The first
passengers travelled in a hot-air balloon in 1783. The following year, in
June 1784, the second hot-air balloon flight was named after the
French Queen. It took off in front of the Kings of France and Sweden
and travelled 52 kilometres in forty-five minutes. This flight was much
faster than the first, but ended early because of bad weather.

In the 1950s, an American inventor redesigned the balloon and hot-air

ballooning has become a popular sport since then. Hot-air balloon rides
have become tourist attractions and there are even festivals to
celebrate them. The largest European festival is in Bristol, England. It
lasts for four days and is regularly attended by around half a million
people each year.

Balloons have also been used to help countries fight wars. In China
almost 1,000 years ago, a type of paper balloon called a sky lantern
was used by the army to send messages into the air. These lanterns
are still popular at festivals today. However, they can be dangerous to
flying aeroplanes and the environment. In fact, in Germany, Austria and
some parts of China, people cannot send sky lanterns into the air for
these reasons. In other countries, sending sky lanterns is a popular
way to celebrate important events and will probably remain so for many
years to come.

[Pause three seconds]

TRACK 23
Female Narrator: Now Listen Again.

[Replay Part Two]

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 [Pause three seconds]

Female Narrator: That is the end of the Listening Section. Do not forget to transfer
your answers to the optical mark form before the end of the
examination. You will not be given extra time to do this. You may
now continue with the rest of the exam.

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