Section 1

Mrs Blake:     Hello?

Conor:     Oh, hello I'm ringing about the advertisement in yesterday’s newspaper... the one for the bookcases can you tell me if They're still available?

Mrs Blake:     We've sold one, but we still have twoavailable.

Conor:     Right. Err... can you tell me a bit about them?

Mrs Blake:     Sure, er. what do you want to know?

Conor:     Well, I'm looking for something to tit in my study, so. well, I’m not too worried about the height, but the width's quite important Can you tell me how wide each of them is?

Mrs Blake:     They're both exactly the same size let me see. I’ve got the details written down somewhere. Yes. so they're both 75 cmwide and 180 cm high

Conor:     OK. fine, that should fit m OK. And I don't want anything that looks too severe . . not made of metal, for example I was really looking for something made of wood?

Mrs Blake:     That's all right, they are, both of them

Conor:     So. are they both the same price as well?

Mrs Blake:     No, I he first bookcase is quite a bit cheaper. It's just £15.00. We paid £60.00 for it just five years ago. so it's very good value. It's in perfectly good condition, they're both in very good condition in tact, but the first one isn't the same quality as the other one It's a good sturdy bookcase, it used to be in my son’s room, but it could do with a fresh coat of paint...

Conor:     Oh, it’s painted?

Mrs Blake:     Yes, it’s cream at present, but as I say you could easily change that if you wanted to fit in with your colour scheme.

Conor:     Yes. I'd probably paint it white if I got it Let's see, what else ... how many shelves has it got?

Mrs Blake:     Six two of them are fixed, and the other four are adjustable so you can shift them up and down according to the sizes of your books.

Conor:     Right, fine Well that certainly sounds like a possibility.

Mrs Blake:     But the second one's a lovely bookcase too. That's not painted, it’s just the natural wood colour, a dark brown It was my grandmother’s, and I think she bought it sometime in the 1930s so I'd say it must be getting on for eighty years old, it’s very good quality, they don’t make them like that nowadays

Conor:     And you said it's the same dimensions as the first one?

Mrs Blake:     Yes, and it's got the six shelves, but it also has a cupboard at the bottom that’s really useful for keeping odds and ends in.

Conor:     Right

Mrs Blake:     Oh. And I nearly forgot to say, the other thing about it is it's got glass doors, so the books are all kept out of the dust. So it's really good value for the money. I’m really sorry to be selling it but we just don’t have the room for it.

Conor:     Mmm So what are you asking for that one?

Mrs Blake:     £95.00 It's quite a bit more, but it’s a lovely piece of furniture - a real heirloom.

Conor:     Yes all the same, it's a lot more than wanted to pay .. I didn't really want to go above thirty or forty Anyway, the first one sounds fine for what' need.

Mrs Blake:     Just as you like.

Conor:     So is it all right if I come round and have a look this evening, then if it's OK I can take it away with me?

Mrs Blake:     Of course. So you’ll be coming by car. will you?

Conor:     ‘ve got a friend with a van, so I'll get him to bring me round, if you can just give me the details of where you live.

Mrs Blake:     Sure. I'm Mrs Blake. ..

Conor:     B-L-A K E?

Mrs Blake:     That's right, and the address is 41 Oak Rise, that’s in Stanton.

Conor:     OK so I'll be coming from the town centre, can you give me an idea of where you are?

Mrs Blake:     Yes. You know the road that goes out towards the university?

Conor:     Yes.

Mrs Blake:     Well you take that road, and you go on till you get to a roundabout, go straight on, then Oak Rise is the first road to the right.

Conor:     Out towards the university, past the roundabout, first left?

Mrs Blake:     First right. And we're at the end of the road.

Conor:     Got it. So I’ll be round at about 7:00, if that's alright. Oh, and my name's Conor .. Conor Field.

Mrs Blake:     Fine I’ll see you then, Conor Goodbye

Conor:     Goodbye

Section 1

Cindy:     Hello, Brindall's Estate Agents here. How may I help you?

Martin:     Oh, good morning, I’m ringing to see what flats you have for rentat the moment.

Cindy:     Right. Can I start by just taking your name Mr em...

Martin:     Hill, Martin Hill

Cindy:     Right, and are you looking for a flat for yourself or ... em ... a family perhaps?

Martin:     Well it's for three of us myself and two friends - we're going to share together.

Cindy:     I see . . erm, what about employment - are you all students?

Martin:     Oh no, we’ve all got full time jobs - two of us work in the Central Bank, that's Chris and me and Phil that’s the other one is working for Hallam cars, you know, at the factory about two miles out of town?

Cindy:     I'll put you down as young professionals, then and I suppose you'll be looking for somewhere with three bedrooms?

Martin:     Yeah - at least three. But actually, we'd rather have a fourth room as well if we can afford it - for friends staying over and stuff

Cindy:     Is that with a living room to share? Plus kitchen and bathroom?

Martin:     Yeah, that sounds good But we must have a bathroom with a shower. We don't mind about having a bath, but the shower's crucial.

Cindy:     OK, I'll just key that in ... Arid, are you interested in any particular area?

Martin:     Well the city centre would be good for me and Chris, so that's our first preference ... but we'd consider anything in the west suburbs as well really - actually for Phil that'd be better, but he knows he's outnumbered. But we aren't interested in the north or the east of the city.

Cindy:     OK, I'm just getting up all the flats on our books.

Cindy:     Just looking at this list here, I’m afraid there are only two that might interest you ... do you want the details?

Martin:     OK, let me just grab a pen and some paper, fire away!

Cindy:     This first one I'm looking at is in Bridge Street - and very dose to the bus station. It's not often that flats in that area come up for rent. This one’s got three bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen, of course ... and a very big living room That sounds a good size for you.

Martin:     Mmmm . So, what about the rent? How much is it a month?

Cindy:     The good news is that it's only four hundred and fifty pounds a month. Rents in that area usually reach up to six fifty a month, but the landlord obviously wants to get a tenant quickly.

Martin:     Yeah, it sounds like a bit of a bargain. What about transport for Phil?

Cindy:     Well, there'll be plenty of buses so no problem for him to use public transport... or... but unfortunately there isn't a shower in the flat, and that location is likely to be noisy, of course ...

Martin:     OK - what about the other place?

Cindy:     Let's see ... oh yes. well this one is in a really nice location - on Hills Avenue. I'm sure you know it. This looks like something a bit special It's got four big bedrooms and erm, there's a big living room and ... oh. this will be good for you a dining room. It sounds enormous, doesn't it?

Martin:     Yeah, it sounds great!

Cindy:     That whole area's being developed, and the flat's very modern, which I'm sure you'll like. It’s got good facilities, including your shower. And of course it's going to be quiet, especially compared with the other place.

Martin:     Better and better but I'll bet it's expensive, especially if it's in that trendy area beside the park.

Cindy:     Hmm, I'm afraid so. They're asking £800 a month for it.

Martin:     Wow it sounds a lot more than we can afford.

Cindy:     Well maybe you could get somebody else to move in too? I'll tell you what, give me your address and I can send you all the details and photos and you can see whether these two are worth a visit.

Martin:     Thanks, that would be really helpful my address

Section 1

Ralph:     Hello?

Paula:     Ralph, it’s Paula

Ralph:     Hi

Paula:     You know i told you we could apply to the local council for money for our drama club .. I've got the application form here but we need to get it back to them by the end of the week. I could send it on to you you really ought to fill it in as president of the club but I don't know if it’ll get to you in time.

Ralph:     Well, you're the secretary, so I expect it's OK if you fill it in.

Paula:     Yeah, but I'd really like to check it together.

Ralph:     Right. That's fine.

Paula:     Like the first part asks for the main contact person can l put you there? 

Ralph:     Sure

Paula:     Right. So that's Ralph Pearson .. and then need your contact address, so that's 203 South Road, isn't it?

Ralph:     No. 230

Paula:     Sorry. I always get that wrong .. Then it's Drayton .. do you think they need a postcode?

Ralph:     Better put it's DR6 SAB

Paula:     Hmm mrnm. OK ... telephone number that’s 01453 586098 isn’t it?

Ralph:     Yes.

Paula:     Right Now, in the next part of the form I have to give information about our group ... so. name of group, that's easy, we're the Community Youth Theatre Group, but then I have to describe it. So, what sort of information do you think they want?

Ralph:     Well, they need to know we're amateurs, not professional actors... and how many members we've got what's that at present, twenty?

Paula:     Eighteen and should we put in the age range, that's 13 to 22?

Ralph:     No, I don't think we need to. But we'd better put a bit about what we actually do ... something like 'members take part in drama activities’.

Paula:     Activities and workshops?

Ralph:     OK.

Paula:     Right That’s all for that section I think.

Paula:     Now, the next bit is about the project itself what we're applying for funding for. So first of all They need to know how much money we want. The maximum's£500.

Ralph:     l think we agreed we’d ask for £250. didn't we?

Paula:     OK. There’s no point in asking for too much, we'll have less chance of getting it. Then, we need to say what the project ... erm, the activity is.

Ralph:     Right so we could write something like 'to produce a short play for young children’.

Paula:     Should we say it's interactive?

Ralph:     Yes, good idea ...

Paula:     Right . I've got that. Then we have to say what we actually need the money for...

Ralph:     Isn’t that it?

Paula:     No, we have to give a breakdown of details, I think.

Ralph:     Well, there's the scenery

Paula:     But we're making that.

Ralph:     We need to buy the materials, though

Paula:     OK Then there’s the costumes.

Ralph:     Right. That’s going to be at least £50.

Paula:     OK. And what else ... oh, I just found out we have to have insurance ... I don’t think it’ll cost much, but we need to get it organised.

Ralph:     Yes ... I’d forgotten about that, and we could be breaking the law if we don’t have it. Good thing we’ve already got curtains in the hall, at least we don’t have to worry about that.

Paula:     Mrhm. We'll need some money for publicity otherwise no one will know what we’re doing.

Ralph:     And then a bit of money for unexpected things that come up - just put ’sundries' at the end of the list.

Paula:     OK. fine Now the next thing they want lo know is if they give us the grant, how they'll be credited.

Ralph:     What do they mean, credited?

Paula:     I think they mean how we'll let the public know that they funded us .. they want people to know they've supported us, it looks good for them.

Ralph:     Mmm. Well, we could say we'd announce it at the end of the play. We could make a speech or something.

Paula:     Hmm, they might prefer to see something in writing we'll be giving the audience a programme, won't we - so we could put an acknowledgement in that?

Ralph:     Yeah, that's a better idea.

Paula:     OK And the last thing they want to know is if we've approached any other organisations for funding, and what the outcome was.

Ralph:     Well, only National Youth Services and they said that at present funds were not available for arts projects

Paula:     Right. I’ll put that and then I think that’s it. I'll get that in the post straight away I really hope we get the money.

Ralph:     I think we've got a pretty good chance hope so anyway. Thanks for doing all this, Paula.

Paula:     That’s OK See you soon .. Bye

Ralph:     Bye

Section 1

Woman:    Hmm .. I'm interested in doing some work for the library - are you the person to speak to?

Librarian:    Yes Right, well, erm, what sort of work are you interested in?

Woman:    I've just come to live here in Australia I don't want a full-time job until my children have settled down, but t really need to get out of the house a bit, and l heard you need voluntary workers for various projects...  

Librarian:    Right.

Woman:      but I don't know if I have the right skills.

Librarian:    Well, we do provide training

Woman:    Oh.

Librarian:    We always include an orientation to the library, together with emergency procedures, that's fire regulations, emergency exits, first aid. So you can cope with accidents or sudden illness, things like that which are necessary for anyone who’s working with the public. Then we give specialist training for particular projects - like using our database system.

Woman:    I do have quite good computer skills, in fact.

Librarian:    Umm Great!

Woman:    Is there any sort of dress requirement?

Librarian:    Well, all staff have to wear a name badge so they can be identified if they go outside the ’staff only' areas. But apart from that there aren't many regulations - we ask you to sign in and sign outfor insurance purposes, but that's all. How about transport do you live locally?

Woman:    Not too far away I'm at Porpoise Beach. My husband needs the car during the day but it's only about twenty minutes on the bus.

Librarian:    In fact, we can reimburse part of your travel expenses in that case.

Woman:    Oh Would that be the same if I came by car?

Librarian:    No, because parking is such a problem here. One thing we are looking for though is someone who can drive a minibus.

Woman:    No problem So. do the projects involve going outside the library?

Librarian:    Some, yes. But not all. We’ve just finished one which involved working with photographs taken of the area 50 or 100 years ago it basically involved what we call encapsulation ..

Woman:    Putting them in some sort of covers to keep them safe?

Librarian:    Exactly, it’s time-consuming work, and we were very grateful to have help with it. Then, sometime next year we're hoping to begin working on an initiative involving the sorting and labelling of objects relating to local history. We'll be needing help with the cataloguing.

Woman:    I'd definitely be interested. How about at present?

Librarian:    Well, we have a small team who work to support those who are unable to read.

Woman:    Working with the blind.

Librarian:    Yes, or other groups who have reading difficulties. We provide volunteers with equipment so that they can take books home with them and read them aloud onto CDs. We're gradually building up a collection that can be lent to those who need them

Woman:    Mmm. I can see it would be useful, but I'd really like to do some sort of work where I can get the chance to meet people. How about reading stories to children?

Librarian:    Mmm. That's done by our regular staff. But we do have another project - it's a very long established scheme which involves helping those who are unable to have direct access to the library.

Woman:    Oh. I noticed someone with a trolley of books when i was at the hospital last week. That sort of thing?

Librarian:    That would have been one of ours, yes. It’s one of our most popular services - lots of people who wouldn't dream of going to the library normally, when they're at home, borrow a book when the trolley comes round the ward.

Woman:    I can imagine. Yes, I'd definitely be interested in that. Right, so how do I enroll?

Librarian:    Well, we do ask all volunteers to commit themselves to a regular period each week.

Woman:    I could probably do five or six hours.

Librarian:    Oh ... be careful not to take on too much - but we do need someone for a couple of afternoons from 2 to 4 ... so four hours altogether.

Woman:    That sounds fine.

Librarian:    Right, so here's the application form . .. it asks the usual questions, name and address and telephone number. You also need to fill in details of who we should get in touch with in case of any accident or problem like that, we do need to have that filled in, and there's a space for date of birth, but that’s only if you're over 75 so. we won't worry about that.

Woman:    No. Oh. it asks for qualifications do I need to provide certificates?

Librarian:    They're not necessary. We'll need the names of two referees not relatives or family members, obviously. What else . . signature of parent or guardian - that won't be necessary as i assume you're over 18?

Woman:    Yes. What's this? it says 'civil conviction check'

Librarian:    That's a document we have to provide by law for those working on projects involving children, so we’ won’t need it in your case. But you will need to sign this separate document that’s a copy of commitment, it's basically an agreement to work according to the library guidelines. So if you'd like to fill this all in - you can do it here, or take it home, whichever you prefer.

Woman:    I'll take it home if that’s OK. Right, well thank you for your time ...

Man: Hello. Robert Gladwell speaking.

Woman: Oh hi. My name’s Chloe Martin. I was given your name and phone number by Ben Winters. I work with him and he said you’re a member of Midbury Drama Club.

Man: Yes, I am.

Woman: Well, I’ve just moved to the area and I’m keen to join a drama club.

Man: Great! Yes, I can give you some information. We’re one of the oldest drama clubs in the area as (Example) the club started in 1957. We now have about 60 members. Our youngest member is ten and oldest member is 78.

Woman: I think I saw a picture in the newspaper the other day of some of your members being presented with a prize.

Man: Yes, (1) the youth section did very well in a competition and won £100 which will help with their next production. Anyway, tell me a bit more about yourself.

Woman: well, I’ve done a bit of acting. I was in a couple of musicals when I was at university and a historical play more recently.

Man: (2) Mm… we mainly do comedy plays. We get good audiences for that kind of thing. We haven’t attempted a musical yet, but we might do one soon.

Woman: Oh! When do you usually meet?

Man: On Tuesdays.

Woman: Presumably I’ll need to do an audition?

Man: Yes, there were a few auditions last Tuesday and we’ll be doing more at our next meeting which is in two weeks’ time, (3) that’s on Tuesday the 12^th of March. There’ll be another opportunity two weeks after that which will be on the 26^th of March.

Woman: Oh, well I can come to your next meeting. And if I don’t get an acting part in a play, I’d be happy to help with something else. (4) l’ve designed publicity before.

Man: Great! We’re very short of people who can do that, so that would be really good. There are a lot of people who like making scenery so we get plenty of help with that, but we haven’t got enough people to do the lights at the moment so if you think you can do that or you have any friends who would like to, do bring them along. We can show you what to do if you haven’t got any experience.

Woman: Mm… I’ll have to think about it. So do you meet in the theatre?

Man: we do our performances in The Manor Theatre but we only hire that for the nights of the actual performances. (5) We meet to rehearse every Tuesday evening in the community hall. We rent a room there.

Woman: Oh, I’m not sure where that is. I’ll be coming by car because I don’t live in the town centre.

Man: It’s in Ashburton Road. As you’re coming towards the centre down Regent Street, you need to  turn left at the crossroads.

Woman: Oh, I know, there’s a big car park down there, just before you get to a hotel. (6) It’s on the other side of the road from the sports centre.

Man: That’s it. That’s the closet place to leave your car and you don’t have to pay in the evening to park there. We meet at 7.30 and we usually finish by 9.30 or 10.

Woman: OK!

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10.

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Man: I haven’t mentioned that we have to make a charge. (7) Everyone pays a subscription of £180 to be a member for a year. You can pay for the whole year at once or you can pay £15 every month. It works out the same. There are reductions for retired people and under-18s but I don’t think you come into either category?

Woman: No. I’m 26!

Man: Oh! That fee covers all the costs like photocopying of scripts and producing the posters but (8) it excludes the costumes for the performances. We ask people to pay for the hire of those themselves. It does mean they look after them properly as they know they won’t get their deposit back otherwise.

Woman: Mm… can I come along to the next meeting then?

Man: Of course. We’d love to see you. And if you want know more about how we run the auditions or the next play we’re doing, why don’t you give our secretary a ring? She’ll be really pleased to help you.

Woman: What’s her name?

Man: It’s Sarah Sawdicott. (9) That’s S-A-W-D-I-C-O double T.

Woman: Got that. And her phone number?

Man: I’ve only got a mobile number for her. Um… just a minute…let me find it. Ah! (10) It’s 07955 240063.

Woman: great. Thanks for your help.

Sally: Good afternoon. Megequip. This is Sally speaking. How may I help you?

Oskar: Oh hello. Um, I’d like to order some items from your catalogue.

Sally: Yes. Are you an existing customer?

Oskar: Er, no. I’ve only just moved here from South Africa. But I picked up your winter catalogue in the city centre yesterday.

Sally: Fine. The winter catalogue is our current one. As you’re a new customer, I need to take a few details from you.

Oskar: Sure.

Sally: Your name is?

Oskar: Oskar Greening. That’s (1) Oskar with a ‘K’.

Sally: O-S-K-A-R?

Oskar: Yes.

Sally: Greening. And your address?

Oskar: Um, York Terrace.

Sally: Here in the city?

Oskar: Yes.

Sally: What number?

Oskar: It’s a flat. (2) Number 52C.

Sally: C. Got that. And would that be the same address for delivery?

Oskar: Um, no. Actually, I’m out all day. (3) But my neighbor can take delivery at number 5 York Avenue. It’s just round the corner.

Sally: OK, fine, number 5, I’ve got that. And will you be paying by debit card or credit card?

Oskar: Well, er, I don’t have any cards yet. I’ll have some shortly, but I want these things this week if possible. (4) Could I come to the store and pay cash in advance?

Sally: Well, I guess so. I’ll make a note. I’m afraid that payment method doesn’t entitle you to a discount.

Oskar: No, I didn’t expect one for that. But what about my address? It says on the cover of the catalogue …

Sally: Oh yes, you’re right. Of course (5) York Terrace is within the city so you get free delivery and 5% discount on your order.

Oskar: Oh, good.

Sally: so what would you like to order? You have our current catalogue, you say?

Oskar: Yes. I need three things for the room where I study – My office, I guess. Um, the most urgent is a desk lamp. Is your catalogue, number 664 in stock?

Sally: 664? That’s, um, not ‘Home Office’? (6) It’s in the ‘Living’ section of the catalogue?

Oskar: It is. I want a small one that clips onto the edge of the desk.

Sally: Yes, no problem. In which colour?

Oskar: I’d like the greyish-coloured one, please.

Sally: Oh you mean the shade we call ‘slate’. Yes, it’s a nice colour.

Oskar: And, um, I wondered, could I get that when I come in to pay rather than waiting for delivery? I really need to be able to read at night and the lights in this flat are useless.

Sally: Yes, I’m sure that’ll be OK. (7) I’ll note down that’s ‘customer will collect’. What else did you want?

Oskar: Well, I need a chair which gives good support when I’m using my computer. I saw one in your ‘Home Office’ section and I think it would suit me. It’s on page 45, item number, oh, um, 129.

Sally: Um, yes?

Oskar: And it’s fully adjustable, isn’t it?

Sally: Let me see. Height, yes, back, yes, I’m not sure about the arms though.

Oskar: Oh that could be a problem… I’m very tall.

Sally: What about 131 on the same page? That has adjustable arms, seat, everything!

Oskar: (8) But can I get that in the same colour, I mean the green, like the one it shows?

Sally: Oh, they all come in the full range of colours.

Oskar: OK, so I’ll go for 131 in green then.

Sally: Mm… I think you’ll like that. My brother’s very tall and he uses one. We can make sure there’s one on the delivery van to you early next week.

Oskar: Oh good, thanks. And so, lastly, I need a filing cabinet for my documents. A little filing cabinet. With two drawers?

Sally: OK. Two drawers. Do you want the ordinary one or the lockable one? It’s an extra twenty pounds.

Oskar: Sorry, what’s that?

Sally: (9) You can have it with a lock, which is more secure.

Oskar: Oh, yes, please.

Sally: OK… so that’s number 153.

Oskar: It doesn’t by any  chance come in slate, does it?

Sally: Well, it’s similar. But the commercial office furniture doesn’t come in so many shades.

Oskar: So it’s grey?

Sally: That’s right.

Oskar: Fine, that’ll do.

Sally: Now, about delivery. The two items will probably come at different times as we have the chair in stock here so our van will bring it, as I said. (10) The filing cabinet will be coming direct from London, so – today’s the 29^th of September, say, not more than four days, that’ll be delivered on or before the 3rd of October. You’ll have them both within four days.

Oskar: That’s fine. I’ll drop in tomorrow morning to pay and get the lamp. Um, thank you for all your help.

Sally: Thank you for your order. Let me know if we can do anything else for you.

Oskar: Thank you. I will. Bye.

Sally: Bye.

Woman: Hello, how can I help you?

Man: Hi. I’m Carlton Mackay, and you booked me some flights recently, to Australia – and some internal ones?

Woman: Oh, yes. Mr Mackay, I remember you now, of course.

Man: Well, I find I’m going to need car hire while I’m in Sydney after all. I think you said you could recommend a good-value company?

Woman: Yes, that’s right. Costwise Cars. They’re very good and don’t charge lots of extras. They have three offices in the Sydney area, including one office right at the airport.

Man: So I’ll just book it online?

Woman: Yes, you can book online but you should have their phone number too, just in case.

Man: Mm, of course.

Woman: That’s 1800 705 639. It’s on the website. And you can get a discount if you quote (1) your booking reference from us.

Man: Oh, what’s that?

Woman: I mean the one you got from me when we booked your flights. I have it here – 743002.

Man: Oh, thanks. I guess I’ve got it at home, but I’ll write it down again in case. A discount is good. So where exactly is the office? I’ll be coming to the domestic terminal from Melbourne.

Woman: (2) It’s immediately outside the international terminal.

Man: OK. And, another thing I want to check is, will they be open when I arrive? Or is it just office hours?

Woman: (3) Mm… they open at quarter to seven and close at 6.15 in the evening. So, let’s see, you’re due to land at ten past six. By the time you’ve collected your bags and so on, which will take a little while, they won’t be open, but if you arrange it in advance, (4) they can wait for you. You do have to pay an extra $30 for that, though.

Man: OK. Well, I’m staying near the airport the first night, so I could go back in the morning and save a day’s hire?

Woman: Yes, that’d be better. That’d save you about $50.

Man: Do you know what kind of cars they have?

Woman: Quite a variety, I think. Er, the best value should be under $60 a day with luck. (5) That would be the ‘Echo’, I guess.

Man: Sorry?

Woman: E-C-H-O, like when your voice bounces back?

Man: I suppose I have to book online before I leave?

Woman: Mm, that’s the best way. Er, they won’t deduct any charges until you finish with the car, but (6) they do need your credit card number when you book and of course they’ll want to see your driving license when you collect. How long will you need it?

Man: (7) I’m in Sydney for seven days. I’ll only actually need to use it on three or four of those days, I hope, but I’ll keep it for the whole week. I guess it’s going to be a few hundred dollars. Can you suggest anything I can do to keep the cost down?

Woman: (8) Oh, you get quite a big discount if you do less than 1,000 kilometres in the week.

Man: Oh, that’s good. I don’t suppose I will be driving that far actually.

Woman: But, oh, yes, the other thing I should mention is the insurance. It’s included in the price.

Man: Oh, that is good value then.

Woman: Yes, but what you must remember is that doesn’t cover anything expect the car, so you must be careful not to leave anything at all in it when you park (9) because your luggage isn’t insured, even if it’s out of sight, locked in the boot.

Man: Yeah, well, I think my travel policy will cover that actually.

Woman: Good!

Man: OK. And can I return the car outside office hours? My flight home is very early in the morning. Can I put the keys through the door, or something?

Woman: (10) There’s a secure box just outside the office on the pavement. You just drop the keys in there.

Man: Oh, good.

Woman: And one other thing: you should remember to buy petrol before you leave it. If you don’t drop the car back with a full tank you get charged to fill it. I recommend you go to a supermarket before you go out to the airport.

Man: Thanks for the tip!

Woman: Not at all. Do call in again if there’s anything else I can help with.

Man: I will. Many thanks.

Man: Good morning. Can I help you?

Woman: I hope so! I have a friend in Spain and her two daughters are coming to the city to study for a month. So I thought the Tourist Information Centre was the best place to ask hostels. Can you recommend any?

Man: Of course. Ah, I usually suggest one of the Hostelling International places. Hi West End is a big hostel in a residential area, but it’s only ten minutes from downtown (Example) if you take a bus. It’s really popular.

Woman: OK. Sounds good! I need to know how much it costs. The girls want a double room to themselves. They don’t want to share with other people.

Man: That makes it more expensive. The price is under $30 for a bed in a dormitory but they’ll be paying $50 a night. (1) But if they become members of Hostelling International, the price comes down to $41 a night.  Membership costs $35.

Woman: Right.

Man: And membership offers them benefits too on all kinds of activities.

Woman: Ah, what kind of things?

Man: Oh, er, skydriving and white-water rafting. Things like that.

Woman: Mm, I don’t think they’re interested in that kind thing. (2) If they become members, will they get cheaper entrance tickets to museums?

Man: Oh, yes and also discounts on bicycle and car hire.

Woman: OK. It’s problably worth it. Is the hostel very noisy? They’re coming here to do some studying.

Man: Ah, I think it is quite noisy as it’s a really big hostel. And if they want to use the Internet this hostel still makes a charge unfortunately. It’s $1 for 15 minutes and (3) $3 for an hour.

Woman: Mm… it might not be ideal for them. What else can you recommend? Is there anything in a quite area?

Man: There’s Elliscoat Hostel.

Woman: Mm, how do you spell that?

Man: (4) E-L-L-I-C-O-A-T.

Woman: I’ve never heard that name before. And where is that?

Man: It’s on the beach looking over the bay. Here, look on the map. It’s quite but not far from Dragon Island – there’s plenty going on there in the evening.

Woman: Oh, that’s a nice area. And if they want to go to Dragon Island (5) it only takes a couple of minutes to walk down to the ferry.  So how much is a room there?

Man: It’s in such a nice spot that the rooms area a bit more expensive. They’re $62.

Woman: Does that include any meals?

Man: Unfortunately not. It is possible to buy meals in a hostel at a reasonable price but because it isn’t very busy in the winter, (6) they only cook in summer.

Woman: Oh, I think I know the place you mean. It’s an old building isn’t it?

Man: Yes, it’s well known as it’s one the hostels in the city. (7) There’s been a hotel there since 1887 when it was first built. It was turned into a hostel in 1985 and they’ve invested a lot of money restoring it inside.

Woman: Mm, they’d like that but I’m just looking on the map at where their college is – it’s right in the centre. It is a bit far for them from there.

Man: (8) The hostel actually has scooters for hire at a very good price. So they could do that. Er, it would be quicker than cycling or walking to the centre.

Woman: Mm, it is a bit expensive… But it sounds like the best one so far unless there’s something a bit cheaper?

Man: OK. Er, well, what about the Backpackers Hostel? That’s not so expensive. It’s in a side street (9) in the entertainment district. They wouldn’t need to go far to find everything they want – they could walk everywhere. And it’s very reasonable. Only $45 and another $5 if they want to have breakfast.

Woman: Mm, but what about the other meals?

Man: There’s no café but on each floor in this hostel (10) there’s a kitchen for residents to cook in. I’m not sure how well equipped they are but it should be fine for basic meals.

Woman: Well, that’s really very helpful. I’ll pass all this information on now.

Man: Do ask your friends to ring me if they need to know anything else.

Woman: I will. Thank you.