Part 3 - Listening - C1 Advanced (CAE) | Practice, Write & Improve

Test 15 / 20

You hear a discussion involving two or more people choose the answer which fits best according to what you hear.

You will hear an interview with Alex Mustard, an underwater photographer who has just published a successful book featuring his work.

What does Alex say about filming wildlife underwater?: It’s impossible to plan what you’ll see; It’s fairly easy to set up controlled shots; You have to work closely with other people; You have to be quick to exploit opportunities

When he was photographing free-diving, Alex: found it hard to capture the point of the sport.; didn’t really go deep enough to get good shots; came to admire what the divers were able to do.; wanted to keep his own feelings out of the images

What does Alex say about his favourite shots in the book?: They are the ones he had most fun shooting; It was hard to get the divers to take them seriously.; They may embarrass some of the divers who feature in them.; It’s unusual to see shots that show the light-hearted side of diving

How does Alex feel about photographing dangerous creatures underwater?: He tries to avoid looking aggressive in their company.; He dislikes the idea of disturbing them in any way; He recognises the need to avoid certain species.; He can tell if an animal is likely to attack him

Alex says that anyone wanting to take up underwater photography should: choose subjects that are likely to keep relatively still!; buy the most expensive equipment they can.; avoid getting too close to their subjects.; take shots of small things at first.

For Alex, the main attraction of going to Sardinia is: the number of submerged wrecks he can explore.; the convenient location of the main dive sites.; the range of underwater life that he can see.; the temperature and clarity of the water.

Audio Transcript

Women: My guest today is the photographer Alex Mustard who specialises in underwater shots. He is cooperation with the expert diver and writer Nick Hannah resulted in the book entitled “The Art of Diving”

Women: Alex welcome. There is some great shots in the book, but how much is luck and how much judgement

Man: With wildlife shots is not always the case that you can get the animals to behave in the way you want when you spend a lot of time in the ocean that you get to predict behaviours and you’ll get used to knowing when and where you’re going to get particular shots. I was able to plan a great deal, but often there’s only a split second to capture the shot you have in mind. With the photographs of divers, it’s different. You’ve got more control because the Dive is a coordinated effort as well planned even the smallest things are so hard to communicate underwater that absolutely everything has to be organised before.

Women: And did you get any surprises doing the book?

Man: One of the areas have always thought we were going to struggle with was freediving. you know going down to great depths without oxygen or equipment. I didn’t really get free diving until I saw it for myself, but when you watch it in the ocean when you’re sitting there at 15 or so metres in very clear water and you see the divers come down those lines past you disappearing into the blue, it’s incredible. They disappear for several minutes while you watch, realising how much breathing you doing until they come back up again on a single breath. I wanted to get across in the shot just how fragile the freedivers looked framed by the vastness of the ocean.

Woman: What are your favourite shots?

Man: There’s a whole zone of shots the ones of divers having a good time on the water.

For some unknown reason the most sensible, important people from nurses to managing directors, can’t resist mucking about once they’re underwater. I’ve never really seen this in photos before and it soon became a main theme of the book to get across the playful, graceful and fun nature of being underwater when someone sees a turtle while scuba diving they do an impression of a turtle. The amount of times you end up bursting out laughing into your regulator happens every single day.

Women: Did you have any scary moments?

Man: There’s a golden rule underwater you always need to know what’s behind you some wildlife is potentially dangerous, but there are very few things in the ocean that are actively aggressive. We’re not their natural prey. They’ll be curious but the first response is really to attack us. I think the secret is to respect the fact that we’re intruders in their environment. If you go looking for trouble I’m sure you can find it, with sharks or whatever. And some people do just that may be thinking ‘I’ll get good shots’, but that’s not the sort of underwater photography I want to get into.

Women: What advice would you give to budding underwater photographers?

Man: Underwater photography is becoming incredibly accessible, most digital compact cameras are relatively cheap and most canal we used with very good plastic housing. The most important thing is to choose your subjects very carefully, find something colourful that you can get close to that not going to swim away and that’s medium-sized. If it’s not too big or too small you’ll be more likely to get it in the shot. More professional shots require wide-angle lenses to get the best results and you might want to consider using different colour filters, but with most of compacts you will produce great-quality Snaps

Women: So what’s next for you Alex

Man: Well in July I’m planning a trip to Sardinia. It’s where some of the nicest diving in the Mediterranean is to be found all custard within easy reach of the airport at Olbia. There are a few wrecks but that’s not really the draw for me. It’s more the underwater landscapes like the soft corals and the fish life they support and of course, the waters lovely and warm should get some shots.

Women: Well all the best for that Alex and thanks for joining me today.

Man: Thank you.

Test 1 / 20

You hear a discussion involving two or more people choose the answer which fits best according to what you hear.

You hear Frank and Roy talking about life at 80.

1) What are Frank's, the first speaker's, feelings about driving?: Driving is a pleasure he doesn’t want to give up.; He treats driving as a way of keeping young.; He feels that having to pay attention to where he’s going takes all the fun out of it.; He is becoming more concerned about the dangers involved.

2) In which way does Roy, the second speaker, show that he feels the same as Frank?: He agrees that the over 80’s are considered by many to be insignificant.; He is as proud as Frank of having reached this age.; He senses that there is very little left for them to do in their lives.; He shares the opinion about driving not being a suitable activity after a certain age.

3) What advice does Frank give Roy?: To look for someone to accompany him when he drives.; To cut down dramatically on something he has been doing extensively.; To move because life on a farm is safer.; To feel proud of getting to be 80.

4) What reflections about Frank does Roy put forward?: That he lives an extremely carefree life.; That he ought to take his life more seriously.; That he would be happier with a pet.; That he needs to have closer ties with his family.

5) What regrets does Roy express?: That he lost contact with many people he used to know.; That he allows his previous habits to prevent him from enjoying his present circumstances.; That he didn’t travel as extensively as Frank.; That he let petty quarrels affect his family relationships.

6) How does Roy feel about the life he has led?: He thinks it could be used to create a play or theatre.; He sometimes thinks he’s in a play and things are not real.; He’s proud of what he’s achieved as a consequence of keeping busy.; He considers it to be lacking in purpose and direction.

Audio Transcript

Speaker 1

(0:00) One hobby I’ve developed is bus riding, although I’ve still got my driving license. (0:07) The disadvantage of driving is you’ve got to keep your eyes on the road, so I find getting onto a bus and having a chauffeur chap, bus driver, usually well smart, a shirt and tie, to drive me around, that to me is a real big luxury.

Speaker 2

(0:25) Yeah, I approve of what you’re doing Adi, because I’m finding it’s a bit dodgy driving now in my case. (0:32) You see, I have been going to Cornwall and driving a lot.

Speaker 1

(0:35) That’s quite a way though.

Speaker 2

(0:36) Is it a wise thing to do at my age? (0:38) You don’t know until something goes wrong.

Speaker 1

(0:40) If you’re limited yourself to so many miles a day, like all I do now is just drive within five or six miles of the farm. (0:51) I use the car basically as a park and ride tool. (0:55) Yes.

(0:56) The big 8-0 means that you’ve survived to that farm and you can have a look at the world.

Speaker 2

(1:03) I think it’s to do with not having any serious responsibilities apart from yourself after 80 isn’t it really, that’s how you see it. (1:12) You can just think about yourself and do everything you would want to do when you’ve got the time to do it, and the way we all hope for it, and so it’s a good period in that sense isn’t it.

Speaker 1

(1:24) You’ve more time to look at things and seek out enjoyment.

Speaker 2

(1:30) I think I should do a bit more of that. (1:32) I’m whizzing around like an idiot trying to get here and there and as you know, well it’s the life I’ve led that’s causing me to continue almost like that. (1:40) I’ve led a hell of a busy life, sort of a stupid life in a way.

Speaker 1

(1:45) When you start singing then, I’m busy doing nothing all of the whole day through. (1:52) That’s the ultimate.

Speaker 2

(1:53) Time not to do lots of things.

Speaker 1

(1:56) Because someone said, how are you doing Eddie, what are you doing today? (1:58) I said I’m doing bugger all, just lounging about all day. (2:01) I went to Stratford last year for three weeks.

(2:05) Oh, they said that’s Shakespeare there. (2:08) I didn’t even go to the theatre, I just lounged about the town, chatting in a cafe, just ambled about. (2:16) Go for a walk in the morning, you met a dog called Oscar, his master David.

(2:21) You made a happy life. (2:24) I asked David what his dog’s name was before I asked what his name was. (2:29) It shows you, you’re totally relaxed then, isn’t it?

(2:33) You have more time to look at people, at what they’re doing. (2:36) In fact, you use the world as a theatre in a way. (2:40) I haven’t been to the theatre really for quite a while.

(2:43) There’s enough going on in your everyday life between 80 and 83, equivalent to a three-year show.

Test 2 / 20

You hear a discussion involving two or more people choose the answer which fits best according to what you hear.

You hear Jim and Ron talking about their love of football.

1) What is the reason for the first speaker Jim's personal anguish?: The relationship he has with his partner.; His diet severely affects the way he thinks.; His self recriminations about his future.; The treatment he is subjected to by his manager.

2) How does Jim's battle with his inner demons manifest itself?: He has a tendency to become withdrawn.; Jim becomes very unpleasant to the people around him.; He becomes careless and finds it hard to focus.; On occasions he relieves his frustration by seeking danger.

3) What are the second speaker Ron's personal ambitions?: To realise his full potential in his chosen sport.; Ron’s motivation comes down to his desire for financial security.; Ron wants nothing more than to settle down with his partner.; Ron has an intense hunger for an opportunity to play for his country.

4) What does Ron's inner voice tell him?: That if he can learn to be patient, things will work out.; It undermines his self confidence.; He uses his inner thoughts to make himself stronger.; That he knows he made a mistake choosing a life in football.

5) What opinions of football do Jim and Ron share?: There is too much abuse of influence in the game.; That given a second chance, they wouldn’t take up football.; That football is a young man’s game.; That the problems Ron faces are like immovable objects blocking his way.

6) What are Jim's thoughts about Ron's situation?: That Ron’s problems are of his own making.; That football is an excellent career choice.; That an improvement in Ron’s situation is round the corner.; That family support makes all the difference.

Audio Transcript

Speaker 1

(0:00) I am one of the worst people to be around during the summer. (0:05) I am horrible, if I’m honest, because little do people know that these decisions are going through my mind constantly. (0:13) In fact, I went on holiday to Berlin and it was where I suddenly realised I might have (0:20) a big problem with depression and it’s possibly related to football and to these decisions, (0:26) because I was on holiday, you know, it’s a nice city, you know, you’re away, you’ve got no stress (0:31) with work coming along, but I’m sitting there thinking in a very vicious way, my mind’s going, (0:37) what the heck are you doing thinking of playing here at another season? (0:40) What the heck are you doing?

Speaker 2

(0:41) I still get niggles about pushing, pushing up and trying to be the best player and play at the best standard that I can. (0:55) And I don’t know why, but there’s just a voice that says, it’s all well and good, but are you good enough? (1:05) And that usually for me is the kind of thing that, that keeps me at the local club.

(1:14) It’s almost as if like, I want it, but I want it so much that I don’t think I’m good enough to do it.

Speaker 1

(1:25) So did you find it’s like that sort of brick wall, so that kind of the question of what’s stopping me?

Speaker 2

(1:30) Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1

(1:30) There’s nothing, you know, in terms of like, there isn’t anything stopping you, but there is, if that makes sense. (1:37) Do you reckon it’s that worry that what if I lose, you know, chase the dream that isn’t there or something?

Speaker 2

(1:44) Yeah, I do. (1:46) When I was young, my parents actually split up. (1:53) That was followed quite closely by my granddad dying.

(1:59) So when, you know, you’ve got all of that coupled on, and then you think to yourself, it’s an outlet that can backfire, as you just said, isn’t it? (2:08) You know, and when that backfires, if, as you say, you’ve got other stuff going on.

Speaker 1

(2:14) It’s a cycle.

Speaker 2

(2:15) It just adds to it.

Speaker 1

(2:18) If you had the option now of taking up football at eight, would you do it? (2:24) I’d like to think I would.

Speaker 2

(2:27) Because although it does get you down, you know, there are also the uptimes. (2:37) I don’t think I’d be the person I am today, would there be anything else that interested me? (2:44) It gave you that same feeling of, you live for the highs.