1. Complete the gadgets in the sentences.
1 He used a c__ __ __ __ __ __ __r to record the school play.
2 I need a new M__ __ __ __ __ __ __r so I can listen to music when I go running.
3 Without the s__ __ __ __v, we would never have found the hotel.
4 She wears a B__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ h__ __ __ __ __t so she can speak to the office while she’s in her car.
5 His s__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __h doesn’t just tell him what the time is but also how far he’s walked every day.
6 If I had a g__ __ __ __ c__ __ __ __ __ __ in my bedroom, I probably wouldn’t do much homework.
7 Now that I’ve bought this t__ __ __ __t, I hardly ever use my laptop.
8 My new d__ __ __ __ __ __ r__ __ __ __ is also a B__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ s__ __ __ __ __r, so I can use it to stream music from my s__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
9 I’ve saved all of my school work onto a m__ __ __ __ __ s__ __ __k.
Answer
1 camcorder 2 MP3 player 3 satnav
4 Bluetooth headset 5 smartwatch 6 games console
7 tablet 8 digital radio, Bluetooth speaker, smartphone
9 memory stick
Listening Strategy
You may have to distinguish fast from opinion in a listening task. Listen for clues to help you decide. An opinion might begin with a verb connected with thinking (e.g. think, believe, expect, reckon, etc.) or a phrase for introducing opinions (in my view, as I see it, etc.).
2. Read the Listening Strategy. Then listen to four short dialogues. Are the sentences below facts (F) or opinions (O)?
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F |
O |
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1 The best place to keep a copy of photos is on a memory stick. |
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2 Smartwatches will get cheaper over the next few years. |
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3 Watching films on a tablet is more popular than going to the cinema. |
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4 People buy fewer gadgets now than they bought in the past. |
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Answer
1 O 2 O 3 F 4 O
Transcript
See exercise 3.
3. Complete the phrases for expressing opinions with the words below. Then listen again and check.
as in opinion problem to
1 In my ……………………………, …
2 …………………………… I see it, …
3 …………………………… my view, …
4 The …………………………… is …
5 It seems …………………………… me that …
Answer
1 opinion 2 as 3 in 4 problem 5 to
Transcript
1
Boy Have you read about this new computer virus that affects tablets and smartphones? I’m really worried about losing all my photos.
Girl You should keep a copy of them, just in case.
B Where? On a CD?
G In my opinion, a memory stick is the best place to keep copies.
B Really? I could easily lose a memory stick – they’re tiny.
G Well, buy two then. They don’t cost very much.
2
Boy I really want to buy one of these new smartwatches.
Girl They’re so expensive though. It’s not the right time to buy one.
B What do you mean?
G As I see it, the price is likely to come down over the next few years. That always happens with new technology.
B I suppose so.
3
Boy Did you see this report? Apparently, most people these days prefer to watch a film on their tablet than go to the cinema.
Girl That’s ridiculous! In my view, it’s much better to see it at the cinema. You get the big screen – and the sound is great.
B I agree. I’d never watch a film on a tablet.
4
Girl Look at this photo – it’s a rubbish dump in Africa. It’s where a lot of our old gadgets end up.
Boy That’s terrible. It looks so polluted.
G The problem is, people are buying more and more gadgets.
B But is that true? It seems to me that people don’t have as many gadgets these days. I mean, they’ve got a smartphone – and that does everything.
G Maybe. But they replace their smartphone quite often.
4. Express your own opinions about these topics using the phrases from exercise 3.
1 students using their phones in school
………………………………………..
2 drivers using satnav to find their way
………………………………………..
3 having hundreds of ‘friends’ on social media
………………………………………..
Answer
your own answers
5. Listen to four dialogues. Circle the correct answers.
1 In dialogue 1, which sentence is a fact, not an opinion?
a They are driving along a road called West Way.
b There can’t be two hotels with the same name in the same part of town.
c The Adelphi Hotel has two buildings.
2 In dialogue 2, why do they decide to use the paper map, not the phone?
a There is no map app on their phone.
b Mobile phone reception is not reliable.
c The map on the phone is not big enough.
3 In dialogue 3, which sentence is an opinion, not a fact?
a They can’t drive along the High Street.
b There’s a market next to the park on Saturdays.
c The fastest route to the station is along Park Avenue.
4 In dialogue 4, why will the man’s mistake not make him late?
a The train he is on is faster than the train he wanted.
b He can still catch the train he wanted.
c Both trains go to the same destination.
Answer
1 a 2 c 3 c 4 b
Transcript
1
Man I think we’re here – look, the Adelphi Hotel.
Woman Really? But this is West Way. We need Windsor Avenue. Our hotel is in Windsor Avenue.
M But our hotel is definitely called the Adelphi, isn’t it?
W Yes. Maybe there are two Adelphi hotels.
M I don’t think there could be two Adelphi hotels in the same part of London.
W It seems to me that the hotel probably has two buildings – one here and one in Windsor Avenue.
M Yes, that seems more likely. We’re quite close to Windsor Avenue.
W Let’s try and park. Or do you want me to go in and ask?
M Yes, that’s a good idea. I’ll stop here and you can ask at reception.
2
Man What are you doing?
Woman I’m looking at the map. I’m working out exactly where we are.
M But I know exactly where we are. Look – my phone can tell us. We’re here, half way between these two villages.
W Yes, I know that. But where does this little road go? Does it cross the river?
M I’m not sure. I’ll just zoom in … Hmm. That’s strange.
W What?
M The map has disappeared. I can’t get a signal. Oh, hang on. If I hold the phone up here, I can get a signal. But then I can’t see what’s on the screen, it’s too small.
W So, let’s look at my map. Yes, I see. The road crosses the river and then goes along the side of this field. Come on, follow me!
M It must be that hill. It’s blocking the signal. OK, we’ll use your map.
3
Woman Hello! Excuse me!
Pedestrian Yes? Can I help you?
W We’re trying to find the Willow Sports Centre.
P Er … the tennis club?
W No, it’s a sports centre. There’s a gym there and a swimming pool. It’s called the Willow Sports Centre.
P You go straight on at these traffic lights, then you turn left. Keep going up the hill. Then turn right at the cross roads. It’s just there on the left.
Man So straight on at the lights, turn left, up the hill, then right at the crossroads.
P Yes.
M Thanks.
W Thank you! Why are you going left? He said straight on at the lights.
M Yes, but he didn’t know, did he? I mean, he didn’t sound very sure. I think it’s up this road.
W Well, you might be right. Let’s see.
M He’s waving at us. Look!
W Oh dear, how embarrassing! He’s just trying to be helpful.
M Don’t worry. He probably thinks we’ve forgotten what he said.
4
Man Phew! I just made it in time! Do you mind if I sit here?
Woman No, please, go ahead.
M Thanks. Ah … it’s good to sit down. I really thought I was going to miss this train!
W Yes, you got on just before it left.
M I had to run to the platform. But at least I can sit down now all the way to Oxford.
W Oxford? This train doesn’t go to Oxford.
M Oh no! Where does it go?
W It goes to Bristol.
M You’re joking!
W You needed the next train – the one at 10:04. This is the 9:55 to Bristol.
M But it was after 10 o’clock when I got on …
W I know. We left a bit late. But it’s definitely the train to Bristol.
M What am I going to do? I’m going to an interview in Oxford. I can’t be late!
W Don’t worry. This train stops at Reading. Just get off there and wait a few minutes. You can get on your train to Oxford. You won’t even need to change platform. And you’ll get to Oxford on time.
M Great! Thank you so much.
W No problem.
Related Posts
- Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – World
- Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – History
- Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Communities
- Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Success
- Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Emotion
- Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Solutions