Listening 1

You will hear part of a radio programme in which two people, Sally White and Martin Jones, are discussing the popularity of audio books. For questions 15-20, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.

Sally feels that the main advantage of audio books is that they

A encourage children to read more.

B make more books accessible to children.

C save parents from having to read to children.

D are read by experienced actors.

16 What does Martin say about the woman who came into his shop?

A She no longer worries about long journeys.

B Her children used to argue about what to listen to.

C She no longer takes her children to France.

D Her children don't like staying in hotels.

Martin says that in the USA there is a demand for audio books because people there

A were the first to obtain audio books.

B have to drive long distances.

C are used to listening to the spoken word on the radio.

D feel that they do not have time to read books.

Sally says that authors may record their own books on tape if

A their book has just been published.

B they want it read a certain way.

C they have already read extracts from it aloud.

D there are no suitable actors available.

According to Sally, successful abridgements depend on

A their closeness to the original.

B the length of the original.

C the style of the author.

D the type of story.

Martin feels that unabridged versions

A are better than abridgements.

B can be too expensive.

C contain too much detail.

D are becoming more popular.

Listening 2

You will hear part of an interview with Norman Cowley, a well-known novelist and biographer. For questions 17-23, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

17 How does Norman Cowley feel about his first novel?

A proud of the directness of the writing

B pleased by the way the characters interacted

C worried by the over-refined style he used then

D sad that he could never write anything like it again

18 What was Norman Cowley's reaction to one very bad review of his second novel?

A He was surprised as he thought this book was well written.

B He thought the detailed criticisms of the book were unjustified.

C He thought the review was written in a clever and amusing style.

D He did not regard the critic as well qualified to judge his work.

19 What value does Norman Cowley see in book reviews now?

A They encourage writers to try new subjects.

B They motivate less committed writers.

C They give young writers long-term guidance.

D They are part of a necessary selection process.