You will hear an interview with the television actress Donna Denton. Choose the best answer, A, B or C.
[pause]
Interviewer: My guest today, Donna Denton, is a familiar face, having appeared in a number of highly successful television drama series. But Donna’s not just an actress, she’s also a talented singer and dancer. Which came first, Donna?
Donna: Dancing. When I was nine, my mum decided I needed a hobby. Some of my friends went horse-riding and I wanted to try it too, but it cost quite a bit. Nothing was said, but although my parents worked hard, there was never money to spare. So I chose to go to dancing classes across the road; two hours a week at only fifty p. an hour. I’m sure Mum was relieved.
Interviewer: But presumably the classes were OK?
Donna: The teacher was very tall and so glamorous that I hardly dared look at her. She immediately sent me right to the back of the class. I didn’t mind because there I could dance away quite happily, out of sight. I didn’t realise until later that that was where the worst dancers were put! But she didn’t forget me and slowly worked my way forward.
It was a proud day when I eventually made it to the front row.
Interviewer: Where did the singing come in?
Donna: Mum heard about the knightswell Stage School, where you did normal lessons in the morning and dance and drama in the afternoons. To get in, I had to perform in front of about twenty people–you know, in an audition. Some kids had learnt songs from musicals or bits from plays, but I just did one of the dance routines I’d learnt. They offered me a free place for a year, which was lucky. The fees were quite high and it gave my parents time to save up enough money to pay for the rest.
Interviewer: But it was the right thing for you?
Donna: I loved it. The only thing was that if you wanted to study there, you had to wear a special red jacket with a school badge on it, even outside the school building. I had a ten-minute walk to the bus stop and the local kids from the ordinary school used to laugh at me: I dreaded that journey. So Mum said to the headmistress, “Donna’s having a tough time travelling to school. Can’t she change into her jacket when she arrives? And although it was against the rules, they agreed.
Interviewer: And that was where you were expected to sing?
Once every term, you had to get up in front of the whole school and perform a song– my knees used to shake, I was so nervous, but it was good practice and, gradually, it built up my confidence. That was important because in the final year there was a singing
competition. Most kids sang a classical piece, but at the last minute I decided to do a Frank Sinatra number from my dad’s record collection. I don’t think the choice of music had anything to do with it, but to everyone’s amazement, I won.
Interviewer: so you were headed for a singing career?
Donna: Yes. After leaving school, I went on having private singing lessons and got some work as a backing vocalist. But it’s hard to make your name as a jazz singer – which is what I’d set my heart on. So, like most of my school friends, I went after acting jobs on TV. I was more fortunate than most, getting parts in some good drama series, which allowed me to establish my name with the public. But I’d like to try other things now.
Interviewer: So, what can we expect?
Donna:Well, I’ve just completed a CD with a blues band –a dream come true for me.
It’ll be released next month. They’ve just asked me to sing with them on a world tour, actually. That was a lovely surprise but, sadly, I had to turn it down because I’d already agreed to do a month in a stage play in London on those dates. I thought of pulling out, but it wouldn’t have been fair on the theatre. That’s typical of show business –all or nothing– but I can’t complain.
Interviewer:thank you, Donna, for talking ……..
[The recording is repeated]
That is the end of section 1.
SECTION 2: (IELTS listening strategies for the Ielts Test: Unit 7, Test 4, Section 1) Tom and Barbara are talking about markets in London. Barbara has a market list and she wants to find out more details about them. Listen to the conversation and complete the market lists. Write no more than three words for each answer. Look at questions 1-6 on the market list now.
Now listen and complete the market list.
Tom: Hi, Barbara. What will you do this weekend?
Barbara:well, I’d like to do some shopping, but I have no idea where to go. I’ve only been here a few days. I was told London is an expensive place to live.
Tom:yes, but that’s not completely true. London can be an expensive place to live, but if you shop in the right places, you can live relatively cheaply.
Barbara: Is that true? Could you tell me something about the shops?
Tom: All right. You know, food tends to be cheapest in the big supermarkets like Sainsburys and Tescos. Most of them have quite a good variety of food and household items. You can buy your fruit and vegetables on the street. You will find these street markets in almost every part of London. You can also buy clothes, shoes and household items in these markets for a real bargain. Have you got a market list provided by the Student Union?
Barbara: Yes. Here you are.
Tom: this might give you some ideas. Let me see. East Street SE17. This market sells cheap food, clothes and hardware. It’s open from 8 am to 5 pm.
Barbara: Yes. But how can I get there?
Tom: You can take the underground. We call it the tube. You see, there is a tube station on the list.
Barbara:Let me see. Yes, it’s Castle Station.
Tom: Right. You can get off at the Castle.
Barbara: Good. Look at Leather Lane WC1.
Tom:Yes, that’s a good central London market for clothes, food and hardware. It opens at lunch times from Monday to Friday. It’s near Chancery Lane Station.
Barbara: Well. What about the one in Petticoat Lane?
Tom: Oh, Petticoat Lane E1. It sells clothes, shoes and household goods. It opens only on Sunday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon.
Barbara: Yes, we can get off at Aldgate Station. OK. What about the one in Walthamstow E17?
Tom:Oh, that’s a big market for clothes and food. It’s open between 9 am and 4 pm on Mondays to Saturdays, except Wednesdays and Sundays.
Barbara: Let mesee …. Yes, we can get there on the Central Line. What about Brixton?
Tom:That’s Brixton SW9. It’s an indoor and outdoor market with a lively atmosphere.
It sells vegetables from all over the world. It opens 9 am to 6 pm Mondays to Sundays and half day on Wednesdays.
Barbara:Oh, it’s close to Brixton Station, very near my place. Great. It’s very convenient. Tell me more detail about Camden Lock.
Tom: Yes, there are several markets on Camden High Street and plenty of shops. They sell fashion clothes, jewellery, recorders and pottery. It’s good for buying presents, very close to Chalk Farm and Camden town Station.
Barbara: I see. It says that it opens on Sundays only from 8 am to 5 pm. Well, I think these markets might help to keep my costs down.
Tom: Well, if you need to buy new electrical goods or large household items, you can wait until the January sales when almost all the shops sell goods at discount prices.
Barbara: Thank you very much for your help. Tom, shall we go to Brixton together this weekend?
Tom:I’d love to.
Barbara:Oh, I’m afraid I’ve got to go to a lecture. I will ring you tonight. Bye.
Tom: OK. Bye.
Barbara is phoning Tom about shopping. Look at questions 7-10.
Now listen to their telephone conversation. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
(Telephone rings.)
Tom: 4010625?
Barbara: Hello. Is that you, Tom?
Tom: Hi, Barbara. Have you decided where to go tomorrow?
Barbara:Yes, that’s right. I want to go to Camden Town to shop. Would you like to go there with me?
Tom:Yes, I’d love to. That’s a good market. Mary is here with me now. She wants to go there, too. Shall we meet at Camden Town Station?
Barbara: OK. How are you going there?
Tom:We will go there by bus. It’s only three stops from my place. Well, we might walk there if the weather is fine. How will you get there?
Barbara:I think I will have to take the underground. I’m at Bond Street and I’ll take the Central Line first and get off at Tottenham Court Road.
Tom:That’s it. Take the Central Line and get off at Tottenham Court Road. Then you want the Northern Line to Camden Town. It’s only about four stops. Make sure you get a northbound train though. You want northbound Camden Town. OK?
Barbara: OK. I think I can find the way. I have an underground map with me now.
What time shall we meet there tomorrow?
Tom: How about ten thirty?
Barbara:Well, I think that’s a bit too late. It might be crowded by that time.
Tom: How about one hour earlier, say nine thirty?
Barbara: Fine. That will be all right. See you tomorrow.
Tom: Bye.
[The recording is repeated]