The 'Family Welcome' event in the art gallery begins at
A.10 am.
B.10.30 am.
C.2 pm.
A B C
B
[听力原文] MARTIN: Good morning. This is Burnham tourist office, Martin speaking. SUE: Oh, hello. I saw a poster about free things to do in the area, and it said people should phone you for information. I'm coming to Burnham with my husband and two children for a few days on June the 27th, or possibly the 28th, and I'd like some ideas for things to do on the 29th. MARTIN: Yes, of course. OK. Then let's start with a couple of events especially for children. The art gallery is holding an event called 'Family Welcome' that day, when there are activities and trails to use throughout the gallery. SUE: That sounds interesting. What time does it start? MARTIN: The gallery opens at 10, and the 'Family Welcome' event runs from 10.30 until 2 o'clock. The gallery stays open until 5. And several times during the day, they're going to show a short film that the gallery has produced. It demonstrates how ceramics are made, and there'll be equipment and materials for children to have a go themselves. Last time they ran the event, there was a film about painting, which went down very well with the children, and they're now working on one about sculpture. SUE: I like the sound of that. And what other events happen in Burnham? MARTIN: Well, do you all enjoy listening to music? SUE: Oh, yes. MARTIN: Well there are several free concerts taking place at different times-one or two in the morning, the majority at lunchtime, and a couple in the evening. And they range from pop music to Latin American. SUE: The Latin American could be fun. What time is that? MARTIN: It's being repeated several times, in different places. They're performing in the central library at 1 o'clock, then at 4 it's in the City Museum, and in the evening, at 7.30, there's a longer concert, in the theatre. SUE: Right. I'II suggest that to the rest of the family. MARTIN: Something else you might be interested in is the boat race along the river. SUE: Oh, yes, do tell me about that. MARTIN: The race starts at Offord Marina, to the north of Burnham, and goes as far as Summer Pool. The best place to watch it from is Charlesworth Bridge, though that does get rather crowded. SUE: And who's taking part? MARTIN: Well, local boat clubs, but the standard is very high. One of them came first in the West of England regional championship in May this year-it was the first time a team from Burnham has won. It means that next year they'll be representing the region in the national championship. …………………………………………………… SUE: Now I've heard something about Paxton Nature Reserve. It's a good place for spotting unusual birds, isn't it? MARTIN: That's right-throughout the year. There is a lake there, as well as a river, and they provide a very attractive habitat. So it's a good idea to bring binoculars if you have them. And just at the moment you can see various flowers that are pretty unusual-the soil at Paxton isn't very common. They're looking good right now. SUE: Right. My husband will be particularly interested in that. MARTIN: And there's going to be a talk and slide show about mushrooms-and you'll be able to go out and pick some afterwards and study the different varieties. SUE: Uhuh. And is it possible for children to swim in the river? MARTIN: Yes. Part of it has been fenced off to make it safe for children to swim in. It's very shallow, and there's a lifeguard on duty whenever it's open. The lake is too deep, so swimming isn't allowed there. SUE: OK, we must remember to bring their swimming things, in case we go to Paxton. How long does it take to get there by car from Burnham? MARTEN: About 20 minutes, but parking is very limited, so it's usually much easier to go by bus - and it takes about the same time. SUE: Right. Well, I'll discuss the options with the rest of the family. Thanks very much for all your help. MARTIN: You're welcome. SUE: Goodbye. MARTIN: Bye.
2. The film that is now shown in the 'Family Welcome' event is about
A.sculpture.
B.painting.
C.ceramics.
A B C
C
3. When do most of the free concerts take place?
A.in the morning
B.at lunchtime
C.in the evening
A B C
B
4. Where will the 4 pm concert of Latin American music take place?
A.in a museum
B.in a theatre
C.in a library
A B C
A
5. The boat race begins at
A.Summer Pool.
B.Charlesworth Bridge.
C.Offord Marina.
A B C
C
6. One of the boat race teams
A.won a regional competition earlier this year.
B.has represented the region in a national competition.
C.has won several regional competitions.
A B C
A
7. Complete the sentences below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Paxton Nature Reserve
Paxton is a good place for seeing rare ______ all year round.
birds
8. This is a particularly good time for seeing certain unusual ______.
flowers
9. Visitors will be able to learn about ______ and then collect some.
mushrooms
10. Part of the ______ has been made suitable for swimming.
1. Choose the correct letter, A, B or C. Changes in Barford over the last 50 years In Shona's opinion, why do fewer people use buses in Barford these days?
A.The buses are old and uncomfortable.
B.Fares have gone up too much.
C.There are not so many bus routes.
A B C
C
[听力原文] MAN: First of all, let me thank you all for coming to this public meeting, to discuss the future of our town. Our first speaker is Shona Ferguson, from Barford town council. Shona. SHONA: Thank you. First I'll briefly give you some background information, then I'll be asking you for your comments on developments in the town. Well, as you don't need me to tell you, Barford has changed a great deal in the last 50 years. These are some of the main changes. Fifty years ago, buses linked virtually every part of the town and the neighbouring towns and villages. Most people used them frequently, but not now, because the bus companies concentrate on just the routes that attract most passengers. So parts of the town are no longer served by buses. Even replacing old uncomfortable buses with smart new ones has had little impact on passenger numbers. It's sometimes said that bus fares are too high, but in relation to average incomes, fares are not much higher than they were 50 years ago. Changes in the road network are affecting the town. The centre was recently closed to traffic on a trial basis, making it much safer for pedestrians. The impact of this is being measured. The new cycle paths, separating bikes from cars in most main roads, are being used far more than was expected, reducing traffic and improving air quality. And although the council's attempts to have a bypass constructed have failed, we haven't given up hope of persuading the government to change its mind. Shopping in the town centre has changed over the years. Many of us can remember when the town was crowded with people going shopping. Numbers have been falling for several years, despite efforts to attract shoppers, for instance by opening new car parks. Some people combine shopping with visits to the town's restaurants and caf6s. Most shops are small independent stores, which is good, but many people prefer to use supermarkets and department stores in nearby large towns, as there are so few well-known chain stores here. Turning now to medical facilities, the town is served by family doctors in several medical practices-fewer than 50 years ago, but each catering for far more patients. Our hospital closed 15 years ago, which means journeys to other towns are unavoidable. On the other hand, there are more dentists than there used to be. Employment patterns have changed, along with almost everything else. The number of schools and colleges has increased, making that the main employment sector. Services, such as website design and accountancy, have grown in importance, and surprisingly, perhaps, manufacturing hasn't seen the decline that has affected it in other parts of the country. …………………………………………………… Now I'll very quickly outline current plans for some of the town's facilities, before asking for your comments. As you'll know if you regularly use the car park at the railway station, it's usually full. The railway company applied for permission to replace it with a multi-storey car park, but that was refused. Instead, the company has bought some adjoining land, and this will be used to increase the number of parking spaces. The Grand the old cinema in the high street, will close at the end of the year, and reopen on a different site. You've probably seen the building under construction. The plan is to have three screens with fewer seats, rather than just the one large auditorium in the old cinema. I expect many of you shop in the indoor market. It's become more and more shabby-looking, and because of fears about safety, it was threatened with demolition. The good news is that it will close for six weeks to be made safe and redecorated and the improved building will open in July. Lots of people use the library, including school and college students who go there to study. The council has managed to secure funding to keep the library open later into the evening, twice a week. We would like to enlarge the building in the not-too-distant future, but this is by no means definite. There's no limit on access to the nature reserve on the edge of town, and this will continue to be the case. What will change, though, is that the council will no longer be in charge of the area. Instead it will become the responsibility of a national body that administers most nature reserves in the country. OK, now let me ask you...
2. What change in the road network is known to have benefited the town most?
A.the construction of a bypass
B.the development of cycle paths
C.the banning of cars from certain streets
A B C
B
3. What is the problem affecting shopping in the town centre?
A.lack of parking spaces
B.lack of major retailers
C.lack of restaurants and cafés
A B C
B
4. What does Shona say about medical facilities in Barford?
A.There is no hospital.
B.New medical practices are planned.
C.The number of dentists is too low.
A B C
A
5. The largest number of people are employed in
A.manufacturing.
B.services.
C.education.
A B C
C
6. What is planned for each of the following facilities? Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions 16-20.
Plans
A It will move to a new location. B It will have its opening hours extended. C It will be refurbished. D It will be used for a different purpose. E It will have its opening hours reduced. F It will have new management. G It will be expanded. Facilities railway station car park ______
1. Complete the table below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Subject of drawing
Change to be made
A 1 surrounded by trees
Add Malcolm and a 2 noticing him
People who are 3 outside the forest
Add Malcolm sitting on a tree trunk and 4
Ice-skaters on 5 covered with ice
Add a 6 for each person
cave
[听力原文] JEREMY: Hello, Helen. Sorry I'm late. HELEN: Hi, Jeremy, no problem. Well we'd better work out where we are on our project, I suppose. JEREMY: Yeah. I've looked at the drawings you've done for my story, 'The Forest', and I think they're brilliant-they really create the atmosphere I had in mind when I was writing it. HELEN: I'm glad you like them. JEREMY: There are just a few suggestions I'd like to make. HELEN: Go ahead. JEREMY: Now, I'm not sure about the drawing of the cave-it's got trees all around it, which is great, but the drawing's a bit too static, isn't it? I think it needs some action. HELEN: Yes, there's nothing happening. Perhaps I should add the boy-Malcolm, isn't it? He would be walking up to it. JEREMY: Yes, let's have Malcolm in the drawing. And what about putting in a tiger-the one that he makes friends with a bit later? Maybe it could be sitting under a tree washing itself. HELEN: And the tiger stops in the middle of what it's doing when it sees Malcolm walking past. JEREMY: That's a good idea. HELEN: OK, I'll have a go at that. JEREMY: Then there's the drawing of the crowd of men and women dancing. They're just outside the forest, and there's a lot going on. HELEN: That's right, you wanted them to be watching a carnival procession, but I thought it would be too crowded. Do you think it works like this? JEREMY: Yes, I like what you've done. The only thing is, could you add Malcolm to it, without changing what's already there. HELEN: What about having him sitting on the tree trunk on the right of the picture? JEREMY: Yes, that would be fine. HELEN: And do you want him watching the other people? JEREMY: No, he's been left out of all the fun, so I'd like him to be crying-that'll contrast nicely with the next picture, where he's laughing at the clowns in the carnival. HELEN: Right, I'll do that. JEREMY: And then the drawing of the people ice skating in the forest. HELEN: I wasn't too happy with that one. Because they're supposed to be skating on grass, aren't they? JEREMY: That's right, and it's frozen over. At the moment it doesn't look quite right. HELEN: Mm, I see what you mean. I'll have another go at that. JEREMY: And I like the wool hats they're wearing. Maybe you could give each of them a scarf. as well. HELEN: Yeah, that's easy enough. They can be streaming out behind the people to suggest they're skating really fast. JEREMY: Mm, great. Well that's all on the drawings. HELEN: Right. So you've finished writing your story and I just need to finish illustrating it, and my story and your drawings are done. …………………………………………………… HELEN: So the next thing is to decide what exactly we need to write about in the report that goes with the stories, and how we're going to divide the work. JEREMY: Right, Helen. HELEN: What do you think about including a section on how we planned the project as a whole, Jeremy? That's probably quite important. JEREMY: Yeah. Well, you've had most of the good ideas so far. How do you feel about drafting something, then we can go through it together and discuss it? HELEN: OK, that seems reasonable. And I could include something on how we came up with the ideas for our two stories, couldn't I? JEREMY: Well I've started writing something about that, so why don't you do the same and we can include the two things. HELEN: Right. So what about our interpretation of the stories? Do we need to write about what we think they show, like the value of helping other people, all that sort of thing? JEREMY: That's going to come up later, isn't it? I think everyone in the class is going to read each other's stories and come up with their own interpretations, which we're going to discuss. HELEN: Oh, I missed that. So it isn't going to be part of the report at all? JEREMY: No. But we need to write about the illustrations, because they're an essential element of children's experience of reading the stories. It's probably easiest for you to write that section, as you know more about drawing than I do. HELEN: Maybe, but I find it quite hard to write about. I'd be happier if you did it. JEREMY: OK. So when do you think...
2.
tiger
3.
dancing
4.
crying
5.
grass
6.
scarf
7. Who is going to write each of the following parts of the report? Write the correct letter, A-D, next to Questions 27-30. A Helen only B Jeremy only C both Helen and Jeremy D neither Helen nor Jeremy Parts of the report how they planned the project ______
1. complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
ETHNOGRAPHY IN BUSINESS
Ethnography: research which explores human cultures It can be used in business: ● to investigate customer needs and 1 ● to help companies develop new designs Examples of ethnographic research in business Kitchen equipment ● Researchers found that cooks could not easily see the 2 in measuring cups. Cell phones ● In Uganda, customers paid to use the cell phones of entrepreneurs. ● These customers wanted to check the 3 used. Computer companies ● There was a need to develop 4 to improve communication between system administrators and colleagues. Hospitals ● Nurses needed to access information about 5 in different parts of the hospital. Airlines ● Respondents recorded information about their 6 while travelling. Principles of ethnographic research in business ● The researcher does not start off with a hypothesis. ● Participants may be selected by criteria such as age, 7 or product used. ● The participants must feel 8 about taking part in the research. ● There is usually direct 9 of the participants. ● The interview is guided by the participant. ● A lot of time is needed for the 10 of the data. ● Researchers look for a meaningful pattern in the data.
attitude/attitudes
[听力原文] So what I'm going to talk about to you today is something called Ethnography. This is a type of research aimed at exploring the way human cultures work. It was first developed for use in anthropology, and it's also been used in sociology and communication studies. So what's it got to do with business, you may ask. Well, businesses are finding that ethnography can offer them deeper insight into the possible needs of customers, either present or future, as well as providing valuable information about their attitudes towards existing products. And ethnography can also help companies to design new products or services that customers really want. Let's look at some examples of how ethnographic research works in business. One team of researchers did a project for a company manufacturing kitchen equipment. They watched how cooks used measuring cups to measure out things like sugar and flour. They saw that the cooks had to check and recheck the contents, because although the measuring cups had numbers inside them the cooks couldn't see these easily. So a new design of cup was developed to overcome this problem, and it was a top seller. Another team of ethnographic researchers looked at how cell phones were used in Uganda, in Africa. They found that people who didn't have their own phones could pay to use the phones of local entrepreneurs. Because these customers paid in advance for their calls, they were eager to know how much time they'd spent on the call so far. So the phone company designed phones for use globally with this added feature. Ethnographic research has also been carried out in computer companies. In one company, IT systems administrators were observed for several weeks. It was found that a large amount of their work involved communicating with colleagues in order to solve problems, but that they didn't have a standard way of exchanging information from spreadsheets and so on. So the team came up with an idea for software that would help them to do this. In another piece of research, a team observed and talked to nurses working in hospitals. This led to the recognition that the nurses needed to access the computer records of their patients, no matter where they were. This led to the development of a portable computer tablet that allowed the nurses to check records in locations throughout the hospital. Occasionally, research can be done even in environments where the researchers can't be present. For example, in one project done for an airline, respondents used their smartphones to record information during airline trips, in a study aiming at tracking the emotions of passengers during a flight. …………………………………………………… So what makes studies like these different from ordinary research? Let's look at some of the general principles behind ethnographic research in business. First of all, the researcher has to be completely open-minded-he or she hasn't thought up a hypothesis to be tested, as is the case in other types of research. Instead they wait for the participants in the research to inform them. As far as choosing the participants themselves is concerned, that's not really all that different from ordinary research-the criteria according to which the participants are chosen may be something as simple as the age bracket they fall into, or the researchers may select them according to their income, or they might try to find a set of people who all use a particular product, for example. But it's absolutely crucial to recruit the right people as participants. As well as the criteria I've mentioned, they have to be comfortable talking about themselves and being watched as they go about their activities. Actually, most researchers say that people open up pretty easily, maybe because they're often in their own home or workplace. So what makes this type of research special is that it's not just a matter of sending a questionnaire to the participants, instead the research is usually based on first-hand observation of what they are doing at the time. But that doesn't mean that the researcher never talks to the participants. However, unlike in traditional research, in this case it's the participant rather than the researchers who decides what direction the interview will follow. This means that there's less likelihood of the researcher imposing his or her own ideas on the participant. But after they've said goodbye to their participants and got back to their office, the researchers' work isn't finished. Most researchers estimate that 70 to 80 per cent of their time is spent not on the collecting of data but on its analysis-looking at photos, listening to recordings and transcribing them, and so on. The researchers may end up with hundreds of pages of notes. And to determine what's significant, they don't focus on the sensational things or the unusual things, instead they try to identify a pattern of some sort in all this data, and to discern the meaning behind it. This can result in some compelling insights that can in turn feed back to the whole design process.
2.
numbers
3.
time/minutes
4.
software
5.
patients
6.
emotions/feelings
7.
income
8.
comfortable
9.
observation
10.
analysis
Reading Module
READING PASSAGE 1
Summer activities at London's Kew Gardens
A Climb up to the walkway among the trees, 18 metres above the ground, for a spectacular experience. Feel as tall as the trees and enjoy a bird's-eye view over the gardens. B The Nash Conservatory displays stunning images from leading wildlife photographer Heather Angel. Each photograph explores the wealth of biodiversity at Kew Gardens, from foxes to birds, tiny insects to towering trees. C A world of pollination comes to life in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Find yourself in a tropical environment whilst walking through clouds of colourful butterflies as they fly around the Conservatory! Come face-to-face with gigantic sculptures of insects, birds and bats, which will help tell the fascinating stories of how they interact with plants. D An extraordinary sound installation created by Chris Watson. On the hour throughout the day, the Palm House is filled with the sound of the dawn and dusk choruses of birds that live in the Central and South American rainforests. E Come and see the fantastic outdoor exhibition of garden, wildlife and botanical photography. Walk amongst enlarged photographs and admire the wonderful garden photos-all taken by children aged 16 and under from all round the country. If you are in this age category and fancy yourself as a photographer, then you can enter for the next show! F Young explorers can discover the new children's outdoor play area, shaped like a plant, in Kew's magical Conservation Area. As you journey through this interactive landscape, discover the functions of every part of a plant. Tunnel through giant roots, get lost among the leaves and hide amongst the large fungi, whilst solving puzzles along the way! G What is biodiversity all about? Did you know that every breath we take and every move we make depends on plants? Take a guided tour to discover what biodiversity means and why it matters so much. H Visit our exciting and colourful exhibition of South American botanical paintings, which brings the continent's exotic and lush plants to life in works from two hundred years ago and from this century. The text has eight sections, A-H. Which sections contain the following information? Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
1. learning what all the different sections of a plant do
F
2. seeing art showing plants from a different part of the world
H
3. the possibility of having your work exhibited
E
4. learning about why human beings need plants
G
5. something that happens daily at the same times
D
6. learning about the relationship between various creatures, insects and plants
C
City Park and Ride
We have six purpose-built Park and Ride sites serving the city, more than almost anywhere else in the UK. Established for over 40 years, they provide around 5,000 parking spaces for cars. The sites are located on the main routes into the city centre. More than 3,000,000 passengers a year take a bus from a Park and Ride site into the city, reducing congestion and helping to improve the air quality in the city centre. Parking at the sites is available only for those travelling from the site on a Park and Ride or other scheduled bus service, and is free. No overnight parking is permitted. Heavy goods vehicles are not permitted at the Park and Ride site at any time. It's simple to use. Just park your car and buy your bus ticket from the bus driver, with the correct money if possible. An individual adult daily return purchased prior to 12:30 hrs for use that day costs £2.40. If purchased after 12:30 hrs it costs £2.10. Up to four children under 16 travel free with an adult or concessionary pass holder. The return fare for unaccompanied children under 16 is £1.10. Cycle and Ride for just £1.10 a day. Just park your cycle, motorcycle or scooter in the allocated space, and buy your ticket from the site office. You may be asked to provide evidence that you have travelled to the Park and Ride site by cycle, motorcycle or scooter. Return tickets for concessionary bus pass holders cost £1 after 09:30 Monday to Friday and any time at weekend or bank holidays (when open). At other times there is no reduction for holders of concessionary bus passes. Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes 7-14 on your answer sheet, write TRUEif the statement agrees with the information FALSEif the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVENif there is no information on this
7. This was one of the first UK cities to introduce a Park and Ride scheme.
NOT GIVEN
8. The amount of congestion in the city centre has fallen.
TRUE
9. There is a special section of the car park for heavy goods vehicles.
FALSE
10. Bus drivers do not give change so you must have the correct money for a ticket.
FALSE
11. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of day.
TRUE
12. Children under 16 travelling alone are allowed free travel.
FALSE
13. The space for cycles, motorcycles and scooters is close to the site office.
NOT GIVEN
14. People with concessionary bus passes must pay the full fare to travel at certain times.
TRUE
READING PASSAGE 2
HOW TO ORGANISE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS CONFERENCE
To start with Advance planning is the key to a hassle-free conference. The key players of a successful conference are the delegates, so identify the audience and then tailor the programme you are planning to their particular needs. Where and when The date and venue should then be chosen. These are often interdependent, and when choosing the date take into account the timing of similar regular events which may clash. Also consider holiday periods which may mean that people are away and so will not be able to attend. When choosing a venue, check how easy it is to reach by train and plane etc. and the availability of parking for those driving. Visit the venue personally: consider the size of the main lecture hall and whether it is big enough for the anticipated number of delegates, then look into the potential of having breakout areas for separating into a number of groups for discussions. Then check whether there is a suitable lounge area for the tea/coffee breaks and an exhibition space for display stands if required. Who The next stage is to choose the speakers and invite them, making sure you give them ample notice so they are more likely to be available. Ask only those people that you know speak well. Do not try and speak yourself in addition to organising the conference, as this will be too demanding. Contacting people Let people know the date and venue by an early mailshot. This allows them, if they are interested, to put the date into their diaries. At the same time, contact all the speakers again, confirming their particular topic, the audio-visual aids which will be available and finding out their accommodation requirements. Ask them to provide a written summary of their presentation for distribution to delegates at the conference. Final arrangements Approximately 4-5 weeks before the conference, confirm the provisional numbers with the venue. Contact them again about two weeks prior to the conference to confirm final numbers, decide on menus and finalise the arrangements. Prepare delegate packs to include a name badge, delegate list and programme. The venue should provide pads of paper and pens. Then prepare questionnaires for all delegates to complete at the end of the conference. Their responses will enable you to gauge the success of the conference and start planning the next one! Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.
ORGANISING A BUSINESS CONFERENCE
First steps: - decide who the conference is for - ensure the programme fulfils delegates' requirements Venue and timing: - try to avoid scheduling the conference during 1 times or when other annual conferences occur - check accessibility by different modes of transport - choose a place with a large hall and also 2 spaces for smaller meetings Speakers: - choose appropriate speakers - give the speakers as much 3 as possible Communication: - send out a mailshot to potential delegates - confirm individual details with speakers, check if they will need accommodation and request a 4 of their presentation Final tasks: - give the venue precise numbers of attendees - make sure each person attending receives information about the conference and a 5 for identification - use 6 to get opinions on the conference
1.
holiday
2.
breakout
3.
notice
4.
summary
5.
badge
6.
questionnaires
How to deal with the annual performance appraisal
The annual performance appraisal can help improve your productivity and provide a foundation for your work priorities. It is, however, critical to have the right attitude and approach. Knowing what areas your superiors see as your weaknesses is the most direct way of increasing the likelihood of being considered for promotion, if that is what you are looking for. Preparation Send your boss a summary of your achievements. Reminding your boss of activities, special assignments you did, and projects you were in charge of helps him or her create a more accurate performance appraisal. Consider keeping notes of these on a regular basis to make it easier to provide the data when required. Create a list of questions you would like to discuss during your appraisal. This one-on-one time with your boss is an excellent opportunity to ask him or her about your role in the company, request any additional responsibilities you would like and clarify your priorities. But it is best to focus your attention around personal and professional improvements, rather than financial considerations, such as an increase in salary. During the appraisal Present a positive attitude as soon as you enter the appraisal room. "Ibis approach may lead to a more constructive discussion of review items. Avoid taking any negative assessments that are offered as a personal attack, but rather try to take them on board calmly, because if you put the failings right you will improve your performance. A realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses can be one of the most beneficial ways of helping you advance in the company. After the appraisal Create a list of personal goals based on your performance appraisal. Make the items detailed and measurable if possible. Send this list to your boss so he or she knows you took the appraisal seriously. Use this list to help achieve higher scores on your next performance appraisal. Six months after the appraisal, ask for a mid-term review with your boss to discuss your progress. This session should be more relaxed and informal than the official review. Ask for more feedback to help you improve. Checking in with your boss helps him or her remember your dedication as far as your job is concerned, and may help remove any criticisms before they become a review point on your next formal appraisal. Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet.
7. By learning at an appraisal what areas of work need improving, staff can improve their chances of getting ______.
promotion
8. It is important to think of some ______ that can be used during the appraisal.
questions
9. The appraisal can be a good time to ask the boss for extra ______.
responsibilities
10. React ______ to any criticism.
calmly
11. It is helpful to identify a number of individual ______ arising from the appraisal comments.
goals
12. Staff can request a meeting half-way through the year to look at the ______ which has been achieved.
progress
13. If staff act on any appraisal comments, they will demonstrate their ______ to their work.
dedication
READING PASSAGE 3 The text has six sections, A-F.
Efforts to save a special bird-the spoon-billed sandpiper Last year an international team of ornithologists devised a bold plan to rescue one of the world's rarest birds. Gerrit Vyn reports.
A At first glance the spoon-billed sandpiper resembles other small migratory birds of the sandpiper family that breed across the Arctic. But it is the only one to have developed a flattened bill that flares out into a 'spoon' at the end, and that makes it special. If it becomes extinct, thousands of years of evolution will come to an end, which would be a real tragedy. The bird's Russian name, kulik-lopaten, means 'shovel beak', which is an apt description of a remarkable structure. The bill is 19 mm long and 10 mm wide near the tip and the edges are lined with sharp serrations, called papillae. Theories have varied as to how the bill functions; one suggestion is that the sandpiper sweeps it through the water in a similar fashion to its larger namesake, the spoonbill. But Nigel Clark, a leading authority on the sandpiper, says the comparison is misleading. B Until a few years ago, the spoon-billed sandpiper had never been fully documented, which added to its fascination. But an air of mystery is not helpful if you're a Critically Endangered species. So the organisation 'Birds Russia' decided to produce a photographic and audio record of this imperilled bird with the help of experts round the world. In May of last year, I joined the international expedition to one of the species' last breeding strongholds in North-East Russia. The primary aim of the two-and-a-half month expedition, however, was to collect eggs from wild sandpipers; those eggs would then be hatched in captivity nearby. Later, the chicks would be flown to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) headquarters at Slimbridge in the UK, in order to establish a small, self-sustaining population there. These birds would provide a 'safety net', an insurance policy against the wild birds dying out. C You might wonder why birds like the spoon-billed sandpiper travel such great distances, about 8,000 km in total, from their wintering grounds on the tropical coasts of Bangladesh, Burma and Vietnam in South-East Asia to breed on the low land, commonly called tundra, in North-East Russia, but from the birds' point of view it is worth it. Though they often arrive to find hostile, wintry weather while they are finding their mates and making their nests, there are relatively few predators there, and the abundance of insects that emerge during the brief but intense Arctic summer creates ideal conditions for raising their chicks. D Two main factors are responsible for the sandpiper's recent rapid decline: the ongoing destruction of stopover habitat on its migration route and hunting on its wintering grounds. The development of new industrial cities is destroying former tidal areas, where sandpipers and other migratory birds used to rest and refuel. Subsistence hunting is certainly a hazard in some Asian countries, where hunters trap birds for food. Conservationists are targeting this problem with small-scale interventions. For example, hunters from 40 villages have been given alternative sources of income, such as cool boxes in which they can take fish to sell at markets, in return for a halt to the bird-netting. E Once the expedition team had reached its destination, it was seven days before we spotted the first sandpiper. In the following days, more began to arrive and the males' song was heard, advertising their patches of territory to potential mates. As the sandpipers paired up, the song gave way to the quiet of egg-laying and incubation. In total nine nests were found. The first one was lost to a predator, along with the female attending it. This was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of a tiny population to natural events, such as storms or predation. The team then selected donor nests and transferred the eggs to specially prepared incubators. They collected 20 eggs in all, taking entire clutches each time-it was early in the breeding season, so the females were likely to lay replacements. Then 50 days after our arrival, the moment arrived: I witnessed my first wild spoon-billed sandpipers hatch. I had been lying inside a wind-battered hide for 36 hours when I saw the first tiny chicks emerge from the eggs. Having hidden a microphone near the nest, I could also just hear their first calls. Later, I watched them stumbling through the 15 cm-high jungle of grasses on comically oversized legs and feet. But my joy was tempered by concern. Difficulties on their migration route and in their wintering areas meant that other tiny creatures like these faced immense dangers. F The complex rescue plan does give some grounds for hope. Young chicks were flown to WWT Slimbridge last year and again this summer. A high-tech biosecure unit has been built for them there. It is divided in two, with the older birds in one section and this year's chicks in the other. To minimise the risk of infections, staff change into full-body overalls and rubber shoes and wash their hands before entering. Hygiene is crucial: even a single strand of human hair could harm the chicks by becoming twisted round their legs or bills. The rescue plan's final stage, once the captive flock has built up sufficiently, will be to fly eggs back to Russia, to release the chicks there. It's a gamble, but when the survival of a species this special is at stake, you have to try. Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below. Write the correct number, ⅰ-ⅷ, in boxes 28-33 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
ⅰ Gaining public recognition ⅱ Reasons for continuing to make the long journey ⅲ A disappointment followed by desirable outcomes ⅳ The main stages of the plan ⅴ A growth in the number of natural predators ⅵ Increasing threats ⅶ A very unusual feature of these birds ⅷ Cautious optimism
1. Section A
ⅶ
2. Section B
ⅳ
3. Section C
ⅱ
4. Section D
ⅵ
5. Section E
ⅲ
6. Section F
ⅷ
7. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D. What was the main purpose of the international expedition?
A.to add sandpiper eggs to an international frozen egg bank
B.to maintain a small group of sandpipers for future generations
C.to make an audiovisual record of the Russian sandpiper colony
D.to protect a colony of wild sandpipers through a breeding season
A B C D
B
8. What do we learn about the drop in the sandpiper population?
A.The birds are increasingly being hunted on their way north to Russia.
B.Scientists are managing to reduce deaths from netting considerably.
C.Efforts are being made to protect some of their coastal habitat sites.
D.Economic growth is one of the underlying causes of the decline.
A B C D
D
9. Which feeling did the writer express when the sandpiper chicks hatched?
A.relief that his long wait was over
B.surprise at the sound of their song
C.worry about birds of the same species
D.amazement that they could walk so soon
A B C D
C
10. The writer describes the sandpipers' unit at WWT Slimbridge to emphasise
A.how much care is being devoted to their welfare.
B.how much money is being spent on the project.
C.his surprise at how fragile the young birds are.
D.his confidence in the technology available.
A B C D
A
11. Complete the summary below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer. The life cycle of the spoon-billed sandpiper In early spring, spoon-billed sandpipers return to their breeding grounds in Russia in the area known as 11 Although the weather there is often very harsh to begin with, there are obvious advantages to the sandpipers. There is above all a plentiful supply of 12 and this makes it possible for the sandpiper chicks to develop well. The lack of 13 is another definite advantage. As a result, a good proportion of the chicks grow up to face the long flight to the South-East Asian coasts.
tundra
12.
insects
13.
predators
Writing Module
WRITING TASK 1
1. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Your local council is considering closing a sports and leisure centre that it runs, in order to save money. Write a letter to the local council. In your letter ● give details of how you and your friends or family use the centre ● explain why the sports and leisure centre is important for the local community ● describe the possible effects on local people if the centre closes Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
SAMPLE ANSWER This is an answer written by a candidate who achieved a Band 7 score. Here is the examiner's comment: The candidate states the purpose of the letter at the outset. All three bullet points are covered and clearly highlighted (even though the first and second bullet points are addressed in reverse order). Information and ideas are logically organised and there is a clear progression throughout the response. There is some flexibility and precision in the use of lexis and evidence of ability to use less common items (underestimate the importance of this center, the influence of sporting activities ...on the health of the people, fitness lessons for adults, negative concequences, the opportunity to spend their time in a healthy atmosphere). US spelling is used consistently throughout; spelling and word choice errors are only occasional (meat/meet, concequences the closure of the center could do). There is a variety of complex structures, used with some flexibility and accuracy (raise my concern regarding provided it doesn't rain, people could become less engaged in... affect their health, for the people interested in sport it will become more difficult to...). There are a few grammatical errors, but these do not impede communication.
WRITING TASK 2
1. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures. Some people say that these pictures are more effective than words. What is your opinion about this? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
SAMPLE ANSWER This is an answer written by a candidate who achieved a Band 6 score. Here is the examiner's comment: All parts of the prompt are addressed and a position is presented that is directly relevant to the prompt. Main ideas are relevant, but some would benefit from further development. Ideas are generally arranged coherently and there is a clear overall progression. Some paragraphs are rather short, due to a lack of development of ideas. The range of lexis is generally adequate and appropriate for the task, with only a few spelling errors. There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, generally produced accurately.
Speaking Module
PART 1 The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics. EXAMPLE Photographs
1. What type of photos do you like taking? [Why/Why not?]
Well, I enjoy taking all sorts of photos, including people, natural scenery, magnificent buildings and so on. I like taking photos of people on special occasions such as weddings and graduations the best. It is great to capture and eternalise those wonderful moments.
2. What do you do with photos you take? [Why/Why not?]
They are stored in my smart phone, and I look at them whenever I feel nostalgic. I have also printed out and framed some of them. You can see them on my bedroom walls. They're there to remind me of the people that I care about and my fond memories.
3. When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards? [Why/Why not?]
Both, actually. Sending postcards is certainly a good way to send your regards, but I always take some photos myself. At the end of the day, each of the photos taken by me is one of a kind. You will never find them anywhere else.
4. Do you like people taking photos of you? [Why/Why not?]
Not really. I'm a bit camera-shy, and I have no idea how to behave in front of a camera. I'm so jealous of those photogenic people who are able to strike a cool pose easily.
PART 2
1. Describe a day when you thought the weather was perfect. You should say: where you were on this day what the weather was like on this day what you did during the day and explain why you thought the weather was perfect on this day. You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
略
PART 3 Discussion topics: Types of weather Example questions:
1. What types of weather do people in your country dislike most? Why is that?
I would say Chinese people hate smoggy days the most. Due to the severe industrial pollution and car exhaust emission, a great part of China was affected by smog. People are worried that such a weather condition would constitute a huge health hazard. Scientific studies have shown that smog is directly linked to a number of respiratory diseases, even lung cancer.
2. What jobs can be affected by different weather conditions? Why?
Well, a number of occupations may be affected, particularly those involving the operation of vehicles, be it a car, a plane or a ship. Bad weather conditions would mean that it is more likely to cause accidents. For example, many taxi drivers choose not to work on snowy days because the snow makes the roads extremely slippery and it can be quite dangerous to drive on such days.
3. Are there any important festivals in your country that celebrate a season or type of weather?
Absolutely! The most important festival in Chinese culture is the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year. As the name suggests, it celebrates the beginning of the new year of the lunar calendar and a new spring. People would decorate the front doors of their homes with Spring Couplets. Spring has a special meaning in China. It stands for youth, hope and potential. Some would even say that "the whole year's work depends on a good start in spring".
Weather forecasts Example questions:
4. How important do you think it is for everyone to check what the next day's weather will be? Why?
I would say it is quite important for people to check the next day's weather. One has to make decisions as to what to wear the next day, whether to bring an umbrella and even what kind of transportation to take. If it rains, it's probably a good idea to go with public transportation since people have to drive more slowly on rainy days and there are more traffic accidents.
5. What is the best way to get accurate information about the weather?
In my opinion, the best way to do is to check the weather app on your smart phone. I no longer watch weather forecast on TV these days since weather can be quite fickle and prone to change within a short period of time. The weather forecasts on those apps are more accurate since they are updated hourly or even more frequently to be more precise.
6. How easy or difficult is it to predict the weather in your country? Why is that?
I suppose it really depends on which part of China we are talking about since it is such a huge country. For the inland part, the weather is usually easier to forecast as it is generally more stable. However, for the coastal parts, especially those in the subtropics which are gready affected by the subtropical monsoons, it might be much more challenging to predict the weather.