Compiled by Prof. Cinthia P.

Smith November, 2012

Dictations

2012

Ordinary Spelling

& Phonetic Script

Recorded and transcribed by

Prof. Cinthia P. Smith

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Compiled by Prof. Cinthia P. Smith November, 2012

Dictation 1

a.

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A: Right. Hes here.
B: Where?
A: Outside.
B: Which one?
A: Youll see. Hes wearing brown.
B: Anything else?
A: No. And when he looks at you, he looks like this.

b.

A: Left.
B: No, right.
A: I dont want to argue, but
B: Dont you remember that stone?
A: And it was after the stone.
B: It wasnt, you know.
A: Right. If you say so.

Source: Doff, A. (1978) Variations on a Theme. 1.2. UK: CUP.

Dictation 2
a.

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A: Hey, thats him, isnt it?

B: Mm? Where?
A: Down there, in brown.
B: But it cant be.
A: Thats what I thought. But hes got exactly the same
B: Wait. Ill try and get closer.

b.

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A: Well, I suppose that must be him.
B: I suppose so.
C: Not quite what I expected.
A: No, not really. Perhaps
C: Hold it. Yes, yes, its him alright. Remember, they said

Source: Doff, A. (1978) Variations on a Theme. 1.1. UK: CUP.

Dictation 3

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In the next room, in the tall glass case standing alone, we have one of the treasures of the
collection. A Japanese vase made in Kyoto in the second half of the 19th century. The main part
of this small and delicate vase has a design of birds and plants on a white background. The
long and delicate neck has an abstract design of circles and shell shapes. It is in nearly perfect
condition.

Source: Rixon, S. (1988) Successful Listening for First Certificate. U. 1.3. UK: OUP.

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Dictation 4

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Vase A
th
This vase is also Japanese, and made in the 19 century, but it is much bigger and less delicate
looking that the previous vase. It has a broad base, and a design of white birds on a dark
background. It has a short white neck with two handles. The design of birds is repeated, but this
time, the birds are less realistic looking, and are on a white background.

Source: Rixon, S. (1988) Successful Listening for First Certificate. U. 1.3. UK: OUP.

Dictation 5

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Steve: Hello, this is Steve. Can I speak to Alison, please?

Paul: Im afraid shes having a shower at the moment. Can she ring you back?
Steve: Mmwell, all right, but Im going out in a couple of minutes. Ill be back in about
two hours. Can she phone me back then?
Paul: I think shes going out later herself. Oh, hang on, shes just coming out of the
shower. Ill pass you over to her, OK?

Source: Cunningham, S. and B. Bowler (1993): Headway Intermediate Pronunciation. Task 12.4.
UK: OUP.

Dictation 6

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Compiled by Prof. Cinthia P. Smith November, 2012

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Student: Hello, is that Oxford 40414?

Landlady: Yes, it is.
S: Im enquiring about the flat which was advertised in the local paper.
L: Oh yes.
S: (I) wonder if you could tell me. How much is the rent a month, please?
L: Its 112.

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S: I see. Is it fairly near the city centre?

L: Yes, its only about a kilometre away.
S: See. Is it quite handy for the shops?
L: Yes, within a minute or two on foot.
S: What about a garden?
L: Well, you have the use of the garden.
S: I see. And central heating is there?
L: Yes, yes, gas central heating.
S: I see. And how many rooms are there, please?
L: Well theres one very large bed-sitting room, a kitchen and bathroom, and a small
hall.
S: I see. And which floor is it on?
L: On the first floor.
S: Ah good. And would it possible for me to visit it tomorrow say about five oclock?
L: Yes, certainly.
S: Oh good. Thats fine. Could you just give me your name, please?
L: Yes, the name is Mary Jones, and the address is 41 North Parade.
S: 41 North Parade. Fine. Thanks so so much. Ill see you tomorrow at five oclock
then.
L: Yes.
S: OK?
L: Good.
L and S: (Good)bye.

Source: Blundell, L, and J. Stokes (1981): Task Listening. U. 6. UK: CUP.

Dictation 7

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Student: Well, its a lovely room. Its quite a nice size.

Landlady: Oh, yes, its a good-sized room, and its well furnished.
S: Yes, yes I can see that. Er Is there anything that I should know?
L: Well, I dont allow the cat to go upstairs at all.
S: Oh, not at all?
L: No, absolutely not. I dont like cats upstairs.
S: Oh, right.
L: And I dont allow people to smoke in bedrooms.
S: Oh, no, no I agree with that. I dont smoke anyway.
L: And er I dont allow people to stick pictures up on the walls with sellotape.
S: Oh!
L: Well, you see when you take the picture down the sellotape leaves a mark on the paper.
S: Oh, I see. Can I use blu-tack or something?
L: Oh, yes, something like that is quite acceptable.
S: OK.
L: And there are just two more things if you dont mind.
S: Yes?
L: Erm If you do go out, would you please remember to close the window.
S: Right, Ill do that.
L: And theres a kettle here as you can see, but when you boil the kettle, could you
please put it on the floor and not on the chest of drawers.

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S: Oh, I see. Does it make a mark or something?

L: Yes, it will probably leave a mark.
S: All right, Ill do that then.
L: Is that all right?
S: Well, that sounds very fair. Thank you very much.
L: Yes, all right, good.
Source: Blundell, L, and J. Stokes (1981): Task Listening. U. 5. UK: CUP.

Dictation 8

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Prime Ministers speech (Hugh Grant)

We may be a small country but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill,
the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot,
come to that. And a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend. And since bullies only respond to
strength, from now onward, I will be prepared to be much stronger. And the President should be
prepared for that.

Source: From the film Love Actually.

Dictation 9

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Hello, Im Dawn and welcome to this issue of Morrisons magazine. I really hope youll like our
new look. Weve been working really hard to make sure that every page is absolutely perfect.
But more importantly, that it is really helpful for you. Weve got tons of fantastic recipes for you
to try, including how to cook our seasonal lemon sole. Also check out our recipe for the ultimate
Easter Sunday lunch, which again includes a great video. As a mum, Im always looking for
ways to entertain my children, but also to get them involved in and enjoying cooking.

Source: Excerpt from Morrisons Online Magazine. Issue 18. Accessed March, 2012. UK.

Dictation 10

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* The speaker uses this weak form for the word your, which is fairly unusual in RP according to Prof. Wells.

Will: Oh, me. Yes, well. Ive got a two-year old, Ned. Hes erm got blue eyes, and
sort of sandy-coloured hair and hes about 2 foot 3 (2.3 foot). Erm and his mum
left him.
First woman: Really?
Will: Yeah, yeah well I mean obviously, it was a very big shock because we were so
happy, you know. Sandras neurology practice was just up and running and erm
And then one day her bags were packed and my best friend was waiting outside,
in his Ferrari. Yeah, you know the moderner, the one with a super charged
engine, the one where you can actually see the engines through the back
window?
Second woman: You got dumped, then?
Will: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Suzie: Er may I ask? Erdoes your ex see Ned at all?
Will: Well, er Sorry, I couldnt catch your name? Er
Suzie: Suzie.
Will: Suzie. Er She doesnt see much of him, no.
S: How does he cope with that?
W: You know hes a very good little boy. Very, very brave. Hes got amazing resources.
Just the other day, I was thinking about my ex, he came crawling up and put his
little pudgy arms around my neck, and he said You hang in there, Dad.
S: Thats amazing for a two-year old.
W: Is it?
The other women: Yes!
W: Yeah, well, he is very special, very very special. Sometimes I think hes the one
taking care of me, teaching me the ways of the world. Ugh, sorry.

Source: Film About a Boy (2002). UK.

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