Gold Experience B1+ Audio scripts

Progress test 1

1
B: I’m going into town to do some shopping – I want to get a new shirt. Do
you want to come with me?
A: Great idea! I can look for a new top, too, though I haven’t got much
money to spend at the moment.
B: No problem. There’s a new boutique on Widemarsh Street which looks
quite cheap and they had loads of things in their window when I went
past yesterday. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something nice which isn’t
too expensive. Why don’t we go there first?
A: Only if they’ve got some of this summer’s trends – I can’t stand wearing
last year’s clothes and colours.
B: I know what you mean. To be honest, I feel the same way. It’s no fun
being teased about your clothes.
A: Well, let’s start there and see what we can find, shall we?
2
B: Hi – my name’s Joe Evans and I bought some jeans from your store on
Monday but they’re too small. In fact, I think the label’s the wrong size,
which is a bit confusing. I’m also disappointed with the colour and
preferred the ones you had in store in grey. I wanted to return these
jeans for a refund, but I don’t have the receipt, so could I swap them for
the grey ones instead? Once I’ve tried them on of course. Could you
call me to let me know if that would be possible? My number is
8775644. I can come into the store tomorrow morning. Thanks a lot.
3
B: Hi Sue. You look a bit stressed. Can I help?
A: No, not really. I’m just sorting out my gear for the holiday.
B: I did that last week!
A: Yes, well, I’ve pretty much got everything I need – jacket, scarf, gloves
– though I still haven’t got goggles. I’m planning to buy those that
tomorrow. I’ve been going to the gym every evening for the last month
so I should be fit enough to manage all the skiing. I’m a bit worried that
I’ll be too slow though, and I don’t want to be last all the time – like last
year.
B: Everything will be fine, I’m sure!

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2015 Pearson Education Ltd. 1

 4
B: So how are you enjoying your job with the fashion magazine?
A: It’s fantastic! Well, you know I’ve always been a big fan of clothes and
fashion so I’m really enjoying it. What about you?
B: Umm ... it’s ... it’s fine but ... well, let’s say that farming has its ups and
downs.
A: What do you mean?
B: Well, I knew it would be hard work but I have to get up at four in the
morning sometimes! That’s ok in the summer when it’s warm – actually
it’s quite fun being up that early and watching the sun rise. And of
course I love being with the animals. But in the winter things are a bit
different – it’s the mud and rain that get me down. You know – I have to
wear these waterproof overalls and they’re so uncomfortable. And I
look really stupid in them!
A: My job sounds easy compared with yours!
5
A: So what do you think of the new boss?
B: He certainly talks a lot, but he makes me laugh – I like that.
A: I don’t understand how you can say that. I know he’s trying to be nice,
but it doesn’t work with me. It’s like he’s trying to hard – and his jokes
are terrible! He seems to be quite good at his job though. In fact, he
was able to sort out a difficult situation I had a couple of days ago – I
must say I was glad to have his help then.
B: Yes, I’ve heard that from a few other people too. He makes sure he’s
there whenever he’s needed, especially if there’s some kind of a
problem.
A: I suppose I’ll get used to him in the end – give it a few weeks.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 2

 
 Progress test 2

Speaker: Hi. I’m Kelly and I want to tell you about the ‘Young Inventor’
competition which I won last year. I was always keen on science at
school, and I also worked on lots of projects in my free time. In fact, I
used to spend most of my time working on different ideas in the garage
at home! There were various competitions advertised in magazines and
my teachers wanted me to enter some of these but I wanted to have a
really good idea before I entered.
I think the turning point was when I saw this competition on a website. It
looked interesting and the time was right for me – I was working on one
special idea which was going very well and I thought I was ready to
show it to other people. You see, I’m very interested in the environment
and how we can use technology to make sure that we don’t damage
the natural world, and so I was developing a new way of making plastic
from natural materials like banana skins. The main reason I decided to
enter this particular competition, though, was the prize. It wasn’t just
another certificate or even money – it was some science books that I
needed but which were too expensive for me to buy.
After I had told my teachers my plan, they filled in all the forms and
entered my project for the competition.
My parents helped me a lot, too. Actually, they were the most important
thing for me because they encouraged me, saying I could win and must
do my best. All my friends and my teachers were very excited when I
came first and I feel very proud of myself!

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 3

 
 Progress test 3

1
Speaker: I’m good at singing, so when I saw an ad for people to take part in a
talent show, I put my name down for the auditions. I was so excited, but
worried too when I saw how many people were in the television studio.
The studio itself was full of cameras and equipment – I’d expected that
so it wasn’t a problem – but I hadn’t expected a big audience as well.
They made comments all the time, and I didn’t like that. I knew I had no
chance of winning!
2
Speaker: I love dancing and I’d love to be a famous dancer one day. I entered
the talent show just to see what people said about me and it went very
well. Everyone said very nice things to me! I could have danced better
than I did, but I enjoyed it a lot. The only thing that I didn’t like was the
other contestants – they made me very angry because they made
negative comments about everyone. I loved performing in front of an
audience, though!
3
Speaker: I play the guitar and I think I’m quite good. I decided to enter the talent
show to find out if I was right! I mean ... I thought it would be useful to
compare myself with other musicians. Unfortunately, most of the other
contestants on the show were dancers or actors, so I wasn’t able to do
that. I managed to deal with all the technical stuff like cameras and
lighting easily, and I played very well. Although I didn’t win, I don’t think
I could have done any better.
4
Speaker: My parents wanted me to enter the talent show, and I did it for them
really. I always get very worried if I’m performing in front of other people
and although I think I’m quite a good singer, I prefer to sing for myself
or in a larger group, like a choir. That’s what I normally do, so it was
difficult performing on my own and I didn’t do very well. The audience
were very kind, though, and it was fun meeting other people but I won’t
do it again.
5
Speaker: It was a fantastic experience, although I didn’t win. I love telling jokes,
and the audience seemed to think I was funny even though I’ve told
them better in the past. I found it difficult to perform with the cameras
and lights so close to me. It was very hot, and I didn’t know that there
would so many of them – it was hard to know where to look. I met some
lovely people and will definitely do another show if I get the chance.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 4

 
 Progress test 5

1
B: I’m glad we went there even though it was quite a long drive to get
there.
A: So am I, although I was a bit disappointed by the waiter. He didn’t
seem to know much about the food he was serving.
B: Don’t forget, he said it was his first day, so he did quite well really. The
food itself was excellent. I’ve never seen so many choices for people
like me who don’t eat meat.
A: Neither have I. My meal was beautifully cooked and you’re right – there
was a fantastic variety of vegetable dishes.
B: We’ll have to go there again sometime.
2
C: This is a great project. I love being in such close contact with the bears
and seeing them in their natural habitat is just amazing. And I feel that
I’m doing my bit to protect the planet for future generations.
D: I didn’t really know much about it before I joined up and it’s just so
fascinating. I knew that I’d learn a lot and I hoped it would be a
worthwhile thing to do, but I didn’t expect there to be so many people
involved. And what they’re trying to do here is so complex, too. I’m
really impressed with everything!
C: I know what you mean!
3
E: We at the local council have been delighted with the public’s response
to our recycling programme, although of course we can always do
more. I’m sure that you can all see the value of recycling things like
paper and plastic. It’s so important for us all to work together to protect
our environment, don’t you think? Anyway, on to the reason for today’s
briefing – I have to tell you about a new timetable for the collection and
emptying of the recycling bins. From next week onwards this will take
place on Wednesdays and not Thursdays. So everyone needs to make
a note of that.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 7

 
 4
D: So this time next week you’ll be starting your new job.
C: Yes, but I don’t really know what I’ll have to do. It’ll be something to do
with a endangered species. I decided to apply for it because I thought it
would be interesting and I’d be doing something useful, and although I
don’t regret it, I do wish I knew more about the job itself.
D: I know what you mean. I’m going to work on a really exciting project in
Africa, and I can’t wait, but I have to admit that I’m feeling a bit nervous
about the whole thing.
C: I’m sure we’ll both be fine once we start.
5
B: We’re so lucky with our local supermarket.
A: I know – it has such a great choice of foods from all over the world. I
really like the way some of the money goes to people in developing
countries. I’m happy to pay a bit more when that happens.
B: What’s more important for me is that it has produce that hasn’t travelled
so far. I like the way it supports farmers round here – from our part of
the country, I mean.
A: Yes, that’s a real bonus and the products are often tastier anyway.
B: And they’re not too expensive because of course, they haven’t created
too many food miles. They haven’t been transported by plane or
whatever.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 8

 
 Progress test 6

Speaker: Hi everyone! I’m Christi, your holiday rep, and I’m here to tell you about
your trip to the Arctic. We’ll be flying to northern Sweden on a direct
flight. The first time I went there in winter, what I first became aware of
was not the darkness or even the snow, but the cold! The Arctic can be
an overwhelming experience in winter, particularly as there are very
few daylight hours at that time because the sun doesn’t ever rise
completely. It’s been called a strange light – some people say it’s dim
or even foggy, but personally I’d call it grey.
The hotel we’ve chosen for you is quite isolated, so be prepared for a
rather poor mobile phone connection, but there’s wifi so all is not lost!
Your information pack tells you what kind of clothes you need, but don’t
do what I did the first time which was to remember the warm coat, hat
and scarf but forget the gloves! I had to borrow some and felt very
embarrassed about it.
We’ve organised activities for you such as cross country skiing. We’re
very aware of the importance of protecting the environment when we
organise trips to places like these, so please always take all your
rubbish back to the hotel with you. It’s vital not to damage the local area
or endanger the wildlife.
Now the part of the trip you’ve been waiting for – how you’ll see the
Northern Lights. First, a short explanation – they’re caused by particles
from the sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere. They’re mostly light
green and white in colour but the first time I saw them they were kind of
pink. I thought their slow movements made them seem like smoke.
You’ll go out into the countryside to get away from the lights of the
town. One word of warning – they’re a natural phenomenon, so we
can’t promise you’ll see them. Don’t forget to take your camera as you
can get amazing pictures – if you’re lucky! So – any questions?

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 9

 
 Progress test 7

B: Today we’re talking to Josie Perry, the young pop star who’s just had a
hit with her song, Love Like a Waterfall. Josie, you’re living every
teenager’s dream. How has your career affected your home life?
A: I’ve got four brothers and there’s always been a lot of competition
between us. I think they were jealous of me at first, especially as I’m
the youngest, but now that I’m famous I think they’re quite pleased to
be related to me! My parents never really wanted me to go into show
business. My dad hoped I’d become a doctor or something, but they
understood that I loved singing and it was important to me so they were
OK with it in the end. I’m lucky to have such a great family!
B: Tell us about how you started singing professionally.
A: The father of one of my friends heard me singing at a school concert
and he thought I might be able to make it professionally. He had a
contact in the music business who signed me up to his record label.
From then on, everything moved very fast.
I’m also very ambitious so I did everything I could to succeed. It’s been
hard work though – long hours and a tough schedule, especially when
I’m on tour.
B: How do you think your music makes people feel?
A: Some of my fans have told me that it makes them cry and others say
that it gives them a warm feeling. Isn’t that what all music should do –
you know, stir people’s emotions? I do quite a lot of fast numbers which
are, well, great to dance to, very rhythmic, you know? But my latest
album also has one or two ballads. I want to get away from straight
dance music and do something more serious – stuff which deals with
important issues like love and friendship.
B: You’re famous now. How do you feel about that?
A: It’s not easy. I haven’t got used to the fact that if I go to a restaurant I
can’t eat my food because someone usually recognises me. Then I
have to talk to them and they always want some photos to show their
friends. They’re so happy to meet me and I feel bad if I don’t talk to
them. One problem is that some people think they know me and of
course they don’t know who I really am, what I really like and so on.
That can be difficult.
Don’t get me wrong – I love having contact with my fans, but
sometimes I end up ordering takeaway food and eating at home just to
get some quiet time!
B: You often go on tour, which takes you away from your friends. What’s
that like?

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 11

 
 A: It’s hard, especially when it’s for several weeks and often I feel lonely
but I know I’m lucky to be able to entertain people. I love performing
and it’s fantastic when I can see the audience having fun. I do look
forward to the end of a tour, though. Then I can relax and do things I
really want to do – just be myself really.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 12

 
 Progress test 8

1
B: Well, I’ve never climbed a mountain before. It was amazing!
A: Yes, although it was harder than I expected. All that training we did was
so important. I wouldn’t have been able to get to the top without it,
although the climb was still hard.
B: Well, not everyone did get to the top. You and I achieved something
special, you know.
A: I found it pretty scary. I didn’t look down even once!
B: That wasn’t the problem for me. I was so tired by the end of the climb, I
nearly didn’t get there.
2
A: Did you go to the lecture? I was too late to get there.
B: Yes, I did. There were three people talking about developing the
software used in computer games and they showed a few short films
about making different games. It was fun to see them, but actually I
might have understood more if I’d had some worksheets to read at the
same time. It’s easier to remember something if you see it written down
I always think. I didn’t know much about the way the software is written
and even after the talk I don’t think I know much more!
3
B: Welcome to the Spy Museum. Unfortunately, because of technical
difficulties the car which was used in the James Bond film is not on
display this week, but there are many other things you will enjoy, such
as the fascinating gadgets. As some of the Bond rooms are closed you
will need to follow the signs taking you directly into the communications
room and then into the equipment room. Take your time in there, as
there are lots of things to try. Don’t miss the secret writing section! The
museum will close as usual at five.
4
A: I’ve got the information about the maths competition here and I want to
tell you more about it. It’s not the usual type of maths challenge, you
know, doing calculations. You have to write an article on what you think
is the most interesting number sequence in nature. Obviously I think
this is fascinating and we’ve studied it in class. However, I know some
of you have found the subject tricky and I think that taking part in this
competition could make your class work easier. The closing date is the
end of this month and I’d like you all to enter.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 13

 
 5
B: You’re the first girl to take part in this particular race. How do you feel
about that?
A: It’s certainly an interesting challenge! I injured my knee during my last
race so I’m not completely fit. That doesn’t worry me too much though.
B: What about the track?
B: I’ve never raced here before so I don’t know it well, which means the
other competitors have an advantage over me. They don’t think I’m
much of a danger to them! But I’m training very hard and I’ll do the best
I can.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 14

 
 Progress test 9

1
Speaker: I was nervous about going to a new job, especially as it meant getting
another house in a completely different town. But it was better money,
so I couldn’t say no and I’d been told that the town had great sports
facilities. Once I was there, I took up tennis, something I’d never played
before, and that’s really made me fitter. I have loads more energy now.
And I’ve started eating healthier food, too. I certainly hadn’t expected
that as a result of my move! And it’s made me realise that the decision
to move was definitely the right one.
2
Speaker: I made a great effort to meet people when I moved, because I knew
that being alone in a new town could be lonely. I joined a gym which
was very near my house. I’d never done that before because it always
seemed expensive, plus I had always hated sport! But I wanted to get
fit and I thought it would be a new challenge. I was surprised how many
people spoke to me and how easy it was to become part of a group of
friends. That made the move much easier.
3
Speaker: I’m not too good at accepting changes in my life, so I was nervous
about moving to a new town. I was looking forward to getting to work
more quickly and I knew that it was a good career move for me. I’d
always been career-minded and this new job was really important for
me. One thing that’s come as a real surprise is how much history there
is around here. I’ve spent a lot of time visiting museums and places of
interest with my new friends and there’s so much to discover.
4
Speaker: I never imagined that making a move would be easy, though I hoped
earning more money would make my life more enjoyable. I had plans to
join a gym and make a lot of new friends with different interests who
could get me into new things. Sad to say that didn’t happen, but I hadn’t
realised how big the bonus of living nearer to my work would be. Less
travelling time means I have much more free time in the evenings and I
can even get up later every morning. I do wish I had more of a social
life, though.
5
Speaker: When my parents said we were moving to another town, I knew it was
because of Dad’s new job so I was happy to support him. After all, he
was going to make more money. I was sad about leaving my friends,
even though I knew I could keep in touch with them on the Internet and
that I’d make new ones. My parents hadn’t told me anything about the
new house, so I was amazed at the size of it. There were so many
rooms! And now I have my own space which is really great.
GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 15

 
 Progress test 11

A: On Arts Today we’re talking to Thomas Lambert, a young ballet dancer.

Thomas, how did you get into dancing in the first place?
B: My family were all heavily into performing arts in different forms – my
uncle was a theatre director, my cousin was a lighting designer, my
father played in a band and my mother worked behind the scenes
doing make-up for actors. At first I tried to go in other directions, like I
tried sport because my body was very flexible, but performing was in
my blood. I learned to play the piano, but I couldn’t sit still whenever
there was any music being played. It was my mother who took me to a
dance class when I was about, let me see, eight or nine, I think.
A: You chose to study at a number of different ballet schools. Why was
that?
B: I started at a full-time ballet school in my home town when I was twelve
years old. I was there for a number of years, but, you know, I’m a pretty
independent kind of person, and I wanted to do things my way. I didn’t
want to learn only one way of dancing.
So when I was a teenager, I moved to a school in Prague in the Czech
Republic and then later, I went to the US. I was hoping that by learning
different styles I might be able to take the best of them all, which would
make me a better dancer.
A: What appeals to you about ballet over other types of performing arts?
B: I love the movement and the physical demands it makes on my body,
but also that you have to be an actor. So many ballets tell a story and
you have to get that across to the audience without using words while
never forgetting the technical side of your training while you do it. It’s a
challenge, but when it all goes well, that’s what gives me a buzz.
A: You’ve won various awards already. Are they important to you?
B: It’s always a good feeling to be accepted by your peers – the awards
from outside the world of dancing mean less to me. I don’t do it for
recognition. I dance because I have this need inside me to do it. And I
know that my time as a dancer might not be very long. I might get
injured, and of course most dancers have to give up by the time they’re
forty anyway because although the mind is still keen and the response
to the music is still there, the body is no longer at its peak.
A: What would you like to have achieved by the time you stop dancing?

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 17

 
 B: I think that it’s important to make ballet accessible to a wider audience.
Many people think it’s elite, only for the rich, or they don’t understand it
and think it’s difficult. Of course there are certain conventions in dance
– like story ballets which have a lot of mime in them. There are
movements where we tell the story through gestures. People need to
learn them, to understand what they mean. But if I can bring dancing to
people who don’t know anything about it ... pass on some of the
pleasure I get from it ... then I’ll feel that my performances on stage
have been worthwhile.

GOLD EXPERIENCE B1+ PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2014 Pearson Education Ltd. 18