SECTION 1: Apartments in Arillas

Agent: Greek Island Holidays. Can I help you?

Customer: Yes, I hope so. I have a friend who's just come back from Aros, and she's recommended some
apartments in Aros. She thought they might be on your list.
Agent: Aros? Um, let me check. Can you give me the names?
Customer: Yes, the first is Rose Garden Apartments. Could you tell me a little bit of information about
the apartments, its features and prices, for instance?
Agent: Well, at Rose Garden they have a huge parking lot, and it is free parking, so it can be very
convenient for some big families who drive there to spend holidays.
Customer: Oh, that's great. Our whole family will be going.
Agent: And there’s a big swimming pool inside which can accommodate over 50 people. We are thinking
of replacing it into an aquarium, but it's still in discussion.
Customer: That sounds exciting. What about the cost?
Agent: $219.
Customer: That seems reasonable. I'm just jotting down some notes. Now, the second one my friend
mentioned was called Blue Bay.
Agent: Blue Bay? Oh yes. In fact, that’s very popular, and it has some special features.
Customer: Really?
Agent: The main attraction is the large manmade lake, and it's only around a kilometer from some
shops.
Customer: Is it much more expensive than the first one?
Agent: Actually, it's $50 cheaper than the first one. That's mainly because they don’t have a parking lot
there. Moreover, we plan to install a lift, but we are currently short of funds so we don’t have it at the
moment. And this apartment isn’t really suitable for those with disabilities right now.
Agent: There are just two more apartments on the list. The third one is Sunshade Apartments.
Customer: This one is on top of a hill?
Agent: Yes, with a huge parking lot. Each room used to have a nice kitchen, but we have turned it into a
beautiful garden since our customers don't cook much, and they have shared barbecue facilities.
Customer: Sounds great.
Agent: Yes, it is well equipped.
Customer: How much does it cost?
Agent: $490.
Customer: I don’t think that would be within our budget, unfortunately.
Customer: And the last one sounds a bit expensive too – the Grand Apartments?
Agent: That one is quite reasonable. There’s no parking lot, but parking on the street requires no
charge. Many teenagers and businessmen have come here to spend their summer holiday, but children
make the biggest part of our customers. There is a huge painting room for them.
Customer: Sounds lovely. Okay, I will think about which one to book with my family.

Agent: That’s fine. We’ve got plenty of apartments here when you come. Is there anything else you
need to know about accommodation?
Customer: Oh, actually, could you tell me some more details about Aros in general?
Agent: Sure. What would you like to know?
Customer: Well, my friend told me that Aros was pretty, but I don’t know what the best way is to see
the town.
Agent: Well, if you want to enjoy the scenery, then the Blue City Bus is recommended.
Customer: Just a second while I check.
Agent: Ah, that one is a business route – mainly for commuters. The green one is a double-decker,
which offers a nicer view.
Customer: I also heard that the ferry boat trip is quite popular.
Agent: Yes. If you want to immerse yourself in the magnificent sea views, then the ferry boat trip is a
must.
Customer: The trip used to last 35 minutes?
Agent: But we made it a little bit longer – to 50 minutes – in response to our customers’ demands. A 30-
minute seafood dinner is included in this trip.
Customer: Okay. And one more question – I like riding bikes. Can I rent a bike and cycle around the town
of Aros?
Agent: Of course. There is a mall on Main Street, and a realest bike hire is located behind it.
Customer: Okay. I have made a note of that.
Agent: Furthermore, I’d like to suggest three famous museums from which you can learn native history
and culture.
Customer: That sounds fun.
Agent: Okay. The first one has an exhibition of the interior design as well as some famous paintings and
sculptures. Some of the paintings are donated by some well-known scientists.
Customer: That’s great.
Agent: The second one is about something that is familiar to us but actually most people don’t know
much about it – which is fizzy drinks, or soda. The visitors will be shown the history of some famous
products in this industry and how they are produced.
Customer: It’s interesting to know that some products have been taken to space before!
Agent: Wow, I would like to go there.
Customer: Yes, you should.
Agent: And the last one is about some special phenomena outside the planet where we live. Some
experts are there to unveil the mystery if the visitors have any questions. Various machines and
equipment are displayed inside – you can’t miss it.
Customer: Are there any more questions for now?
Agent: No, that is all.
Customer: I hope you have a happy journey.

SECTION 2
Hello all!
Welcome to Aspen Ski Resort near Cumbria. It is one of my favorite vacation spots.
I first discovered this fantastic resort when it was recommended to me by a journalist who was
interviewing me. I then contacted my travel agent for further information about the resort, and from
the first time I visited the place, it was love at first sight. Now, when I don’t have acting jobs to do, I
would come here and relax.
My parents were both geographers, and their profession afforded my siblings and me the opportunity to
travel with them all over the world when we were growing up. Visiting some of the places I had seen in
television documentaries I had watched, their passion kept affecting me. Eventually, I realized that
traveling has been something I love for a long time.
Aspen Ski Resort: Background & History
The area of Cumbria was first known as a vacation spot in the 1920s. However, that was only as a
summer vacation spot. The area came home to a summer resort in the 1930s.
In the 1960s, with the increasing popularity of downhill skiing, the first British ski resort appeared. The
Aspen Ski Resort was established soon after, in 1968, and the Cumbria area became a popular
destination for winter skiing vacations.
Although snow skiing is the most popular winter activity at the resort, there are also some other popular
activities in the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Activities at the Resort
Golf is easily the favorite activity of most of the resort’s guests. There are five top-ranked courses within
a short driving distance of the resort, and the resort offers many packages for visitors during the warmer
months.
Throughout the year, many guests like to visit the Great Water Brewing Company, but it is under
reconstruction at the moment.
Some visitors take advantage of skydiving activities offered by a skydiving school, but note that the
school is located in another town — about two hours' drive from here.
Attractions in the Nearby Edmore Region
In the nearby Edmore region, many visitors also visit either:
 The hot springs near the city of Malor, or
 The local market in the city of Jameston.
The hot springs are geothermally heated groundwaters that rise from the crust of the Earth and are
enjoyed by folks of all ages. However, the price for a hot spa there is quite high this season.
A great alternative is the Edmore Nature Museum, where you will see details of the animals native to
the area. Most past visitors gave very positive feedback about this museum.
The market in the Jameston region offers a nice selection of fruits and vegetables grown on local farms,
as well as fresh seafood. Unfortunately, the market is not open this week.
Educational & Entertainment Programs
Please note that the Aspen Resort sponsors monthly education and entertainment programs, which are
open to the public.
Previous programs have featured:
 Mountain walking in Europe
 Wildlife around the world
The upcoming entertainment program will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 18th, in the resort’s conference
center. It will be about the landscape of the United Kingdom. These events are free for those attending,
but seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
Other Skiing Locations in Cumbria
Let me outline what other ski resorts in Cumbria are popular for:
 Lakeside: The oldest of the area resorts. Its popularity barely decreases over the years. It was
recently renovated, and a newly built ski school will open to the public within a couple of
months.
 Petersburg: Known as a training site for skiing teams. It’s the home training base for Olympic
champion Billy Randolph.
  Winton: Perfect for inexperienced skiers. It has many bunny hills for new learners and doesn’t
require expensive equipment.
 Elslopes: Offers special services. Certified staff are available to care for your kids while you're
skiing on the slopes.
For people who want to enjoy the beauty of nature and have some exciting activities, these places are
excellent choices.

SECTION 3
Lecturer:
Congratulations to you both for doing so well the past semester. You two have exhibited an impeccable
performance during your first year in the nursing program. I’d like to get some feedback from the two of
you to better improve the program and to provide guidance for our prospective students. I’d like to start
with you, Helen. So first of all, which aspect of the program impressed you?
Helen:
Well, to be honest, when I was enrolled into the course, I was expecting a group of classmates my age.
But as I stepped into the classroom for the first time, I was surprised by the diversity. Most were in their
20s, but there were also those in their 30s or even 40s. As it turns out, the intergenerational
communication has sparked intense debate and new thinking, and I think that’s something special about
the program that I appreciate very much.
Lecturer:
What about you, Paul? What do you think of the program?
Paul:
For me, the group project we carried out last semester is another key feature of the program. The whole
class was divided into eight different groups, working on eight prospective cases. Team-building sessions
were conducted in a collaborative way, most of the time comprised of five members. Our group studied
acute pancreatitis. During the process, we broke the task into different parts and assigned them to each
member. We were then able to tackle the complex problem by pooling our knowledge and skills. More
importantly, stronger links were established between the group members. Because of the project, we’ve
all become good friends.
Lecturer:
That’s true. According to graduates, group projects prepare them for the work world, in which
teamwork and collaboration are increasingly the norm. So tell me, Paul, what else do you like about the
program?
Paul:
I want to be a registered nurse working in a public hospital after graduation, so the internship provided
is a valuable opportunity for clinical practice in a supportive learning atmosphere. However, I was
amazed by the amount of written assignments, since I thought the course should have focused more on
practice-oriented learning.
Helen:
Well, I have to disagree with you, Paul. The essays demonstrate your understanding of the course. For
me, writing essays is a process that involves critical thinking, which challenges me to develop my points
more thoroughly. I thus managed to gain a diversity of perspectives.
Lecturer:
The program is designed to deliver basic and advanced theoretical knowledge of core concepts,
including healthcare systems concepts, together with practicum or clinical practice experience to bridge
the classroom content to the practice setting. So I’m afraid written work is unavoidable. Also, this year
we’ve added a module of law. How do you feel about that?
Paul:
At first, we felt that learning law is kind of redundant and too time-consuming. After a few sessions, we
realised that it is necessary in dealing with future medical disputes.
Lecturer:
Do you have any suggestions for prospective students?
Paul:
What bothers me most is handing in essays on time. I almost missed the deadline once because there
were three essays due within the same week. So, rationalising your time is critical.
Helen:
Well, that’s true. The lectures deliver so much useful information. I have poor memory, so I kept making
notes and revisiting them on a regular basis. To my surprise, at the end of the semester I had learned
the key concepts by heart.
Lecturer:
How was the research? I heard that it was quite challenging. How did you manage to overcome the
difficulties?
Helen:
That’s true. The majority of us had no clue how to carry out the research at first. Fortunately, when I
was digging up reference materials at the library, I sought help from the librarian. She taught me about
finding the appropriate resources and choosing the proper research methods.
Paul:
Have you checked out the online forum?
Helen:
Yes! It has become a habit for me to visit the forum regularly. In a sense, it extends classroom learning.
It is where the students post academic problems that they come across and get support from the faculty
members. Some of my classmates didn’t do so well during the placement tests. I feel that background
reading is necessary.
Lecturer:
Lastly, do you have anything to say to the freshmen?
Helen:
I was really ambitious at first, trying to get straight A’s on my transcript. I made tons of notes and
worked hard even on the optional assignments to get extra credit. I stressed myself out before having
an emotional breakdown. After consulting my advisor, I found it important to set realistic goals. Don’t
push yourself too hard. It is wise to sort out your priorities.
Lecturer:
Thank you for coming here today and providing valuable feedback on the program. Have a great
summer break.

SECTION 4: Dinner Affects the Environment

Good afternoon. Thanks for coming to today's lecture. In the last few decades, the environmental
impact of food production and consumption has become one of the greatest concerns. When we look at
what we eat and how we produce the food, we can find extensive evidence for how we damage our
environment. Greenhouse gas emissions may come from livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and
rice production. According to statistics, the carbon dioxide emissions from the production of the food
people consume every day are almost the same as the emissions we make when we are driving.
Let’s look at some more specific examples. The cultivation and processing of 100g of coffee beans are
responsible for 140g of carbon dioxide. Now, some international organizations are training farmers in
many countries to use sustainable agricultural methods as a way of reducing their carbon dioxide
emissions. All agricultural practices have been found to have a variety of effects on the environment.
Some of the environmental effects are associated with meat production. The popular red meat requires
28 times more land to produce than chicken, 11 times more water, and results in five times more
climate-warming emissions. According to another research, the cooking process also causes greenhouse
gas emissions. Scientists now are working on how to best minimize its impact.
Another problem that we cannot neglect is the packaging of food products, as packaging takes a lot of
energy, water, and other natural resources to produce. So, a lot of natural resources are wasted when
we throw the packaging materials away. Furthermore, packaging waste produces a big amount of
greenhouse gas. To make things even worse, the food we eat often comes from places far away.
Therefore, the transportation of our food across long distances contributes to air and water pollution.
In recent decades, with the growing population, more food is in demand, so more land has been used to
produce food. Hundreds and even thousands of forests have been cut down. It had a devastating effect
on the climate because forests can absorb greenhouse gases.
People in different parts of the world apply various kinds of farming practices. In most countries, cows
and other livestock are kept on the farms, while in some countries they are kept in a restricted area on a
mountain. But they all contribute to the carbon dioxide emissions. And for animal agriculture, the
problem can be more serious because the livestock need food all the time. In America, cows eat an
overwhelming amount of corn and soybeans each year.
In order to create a better world for us and our future generations, we should adopt sustainable
agriculture. The goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet the world's growing demand for food at the
present without affecting future generations. Every person involved in the food system—growers, food
processors, distributors, retailers, consumers, and waste managers—can play a role in ensuring a
sustainable agricultural system.
There are many practices commonly used by people working in sustainable agriculture and sustainable
food systems. Crop growers may change their food production methods to prevent pollution, although
some other areas of agriculture are very hard to change, such as fishing. Consumers and retailers
concerned with sustainability can look for foods that are environmentally friendly. However, sustainable
agriculture is more than a collection of practices. It is also a process of negotiation—a push and pull
between the competing interests of an individual farmer or of people in a community as they work to
solve complex problems about how we grow our food.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that we may not be able to go back to the old times and live a
simpler lifestyle. But we can take an active role in preventing more environmental problems caused by
carbon dioxide emissions. In the next lecture, I will share some of the studies and effective solutions
with you.