Customer: Good. Actually, I’d prefer to study in Berlin. And how long is the course? Receptionist: Three weeks, five hours a day. Two hours only on Saturday. Sundays free.
Customer: I see, and what about accommodation? Receptionist: There you have a choice, Mr Pettersson. You can either stay with a German family, who are used to having such guests, or you can stay on the university campus, or we can book you into a nearby bed and breakfast.
Customer: Is there a big difference in price? Receptionist: Not really. Staying with the family works out the cheapest, and the bed and breakfast is a bit more money. Staying on the university campus comes somewhere between the two, price wise. But Berlin is not too expensive anyway.
Customer: Which do you recommend? Receptionist: Well, if you want to practise your German and be part of a German family, I would recommend staying with a family. Our families are all hand-picked, and we’ve never had any sort of complaint.
Customer: Yes, I’ll probably do that then. What are the dates of the course? Receptionist: The first summer course starts on the first of June in Hamburg, and a week later in Berlin, which is what would concern you as you have chosen the Berlin course. That’s the eighth of June. The next course would begin on the second of July, and then ...
Customer: The second of July course would be perfect for me. Can you put me down for it now? Receptionist: Certainly, Mr Pettersson. Can I have your address, please?
Customer: 26 Mayfield Drive, Orpington, Kent. I’m afraid I can’t remember the postal code. Receptionist: Don’t worry, Mr Pettersson. I’ll check on it. (four-second pause)
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6–10. (fifteen-second pause)
Now listen and answer questions 6–10.
Customer: There are a couple of other things I’d like to ask. Receptionist: Certainly. Customer: What do I need to bring on the course? Receptionist: Well, apart from the obvious, you’ll need our textbooks. I’ll e-mail you the name and publisher. You should be able to find it in your local bookstore. If you do have problems, call me or e-mail me and I’ll see what I can do. We provide the computers, computer disks, translation exercises and all that sort of thing, but you will need a good dictionary. We recommend Langenscheidt, which is more than adequate for your level. You don’t have to go and spend a lot of money on an expensive dictionary – not yet, anyway! Maybe you will when your German reaches a very high standard.
Customer: That would be very nice. Now, finally, what about the cost of the course, and how do I pay?
Receptionist: Would you like to pay that in pounds or in euros? 204 Pathway to IELTS 1
Customer: Euros would be fine. Receptionist: In that case, it’s 550 euros. You can pay by credit card, if you like.
Customer: Oh, dear. I’m afraid I haven’t got a credit card. How else can I pay? Receptionist: That’s not a problem, Mr Pettersson. You can pay by bank transfer.
Customer: Fine. By the way, I forgot to mention I am a full- time student. Receptionist: Have you got a student card? Customer: Oh, yes. Receptionist: Then that does make a difference, you’ll be pleased to hear. You are entitled to 35% off the full price. And if you can persuade a few people to join you, it would work out even cheaper.
Customer: How do you mean, exactly? Receptionist: Well, for every five people you find, one goes free. In other words, if there are six of you, you get one free course. Of course, in reality, you would divide up the savings amongst you, presumably.
Customer: Right, well, I’ll see what I can do. Thank you. Receptionist: Not at all, Mr Pettersson, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the course. There are, of course, sightseeing possibilities. Would you like me to send you our brochure describing them?
Customer: Yes, thank you. I’d appreciate that. Anyway, thanks for your help. If I want to call back, who do I ask for? Receptionist: Susanna. I’m here most of the time.
That is the end of Section one. You now have half a minute to check your answers. (thirty-second pause)
Now turn to Section two. (four-second pause)
≤121 SECTION 2
You will now hear a radio talk on agricultural regulations. First, you have some time to look at questions 11–15. (fifteen-second pause)
Now listen carefully and answer questions 11–15.
Could there be clearer proof of the arrogance and indifference of those who are supposed to keep our food safe, than the muzzling of John Verrall? Agriculture is a business, true, and businesses have to make money, but this shows how ministers and officials put the profits of the agriculture business before the well-being of the British people. Mr Verrall, a pharmaceutical chemist, was appointed to
represent consumers on one of the many committees that advise the government on food safety. When he tried to do his job, though, and wanted to warn ministers of a danger to children’s health, he was refused permission to do so. The danger comes from hormones given to cattle in the USA, and some other countries, to make them grow faster. They speed up the animals’ development to maturity, thus making meat production more profitable.
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