Nghe 5

Extract one
You hear a sportsman and a businesswoman discussing the issue of being

competitive.
1 How does the man feel about the book he’s read on competitiveness?
A surprised that it contradicts a well-established theory
B confused by the wide range of evidence it quotes
C unsure about certain aspects of its argument
2 The woman feels that in the business world, prioritising competitiveness leads to
A a demotivating effect on the workforce.
B a constant drive towards greater productivity.
C an obsession with short-term goals.
Extract Two
You hear two friends discussing some research into the impact of colour on
memory.
3 They both say that

A restaurants use clever tactics to attract new customers.
B the research methods used seem valid.
C the same colours can affect people in different ways.
4 The woman feels that the teenager’s findings

A could prove significant in the long-term.
B need the backing of the scientific establishment.
C confirm initial evidence about the way memory is viewed.
Extract Three
You hear two people discussing a television programme about music and the effect
it has on the brain.
5 How does the woman feel about the programme?

A surprised by its conclusion
B confused by the approach it took
C disappointed by the lack of explanation
6 What do they agree about music?

A It has unexpected benefits.
B Its effects on intelligence are obvious.
C It’s important to study its psychological impact.
Extract One
Woman: You’ve read this new book on competitiveness. Is it all about striving for
success, or a defence of the Olympic ideal? You know – taking part is more
important than winning.
Man: Well, yes, that’s a view often ridiculed certainly, as some sort of excuse for
underachievement. I mean if you run a race, surely it’s because you want to win,
and we’ve all got used to the belief that competition is a necessary force for good
in the modern world. It’s a deeply ingrained idea. It was a bit of a shock to read
that competition impoverishes people rather than enriching them [1]. There’s the
mind-boggling range of convincing examples you’d expect in support of this
theory, and the whole thing is so engagingly written that the most hostile
opponents would have trouble refuting it.
Woman: Well my experience of competition in the business world is nothing but
negative. I’d say that if you put competition at the heart of your strategy, far from
achieving the desired outcome of boosting efficiency by pitting staff against each
other, the effect is rather to encourage people to focus exclusively on immediate
success… not on sustained growth [2]. Let’s face it, the best businesses are the
ones that look ahead instead of limiting their perspective in this way.
Extract Two
Woman: You know how colours affect us, like red and yellow are often used in
fast food restaurants… in the decor I mean.
Man: Yeah, yeah – they say they excite the brain, which tells you you’re hungry –
that was in the papers years back.
Woman: Well, OK, but now there’s a suggestion colours may help us memorise
better.
Man: Oh, come on. Influence appetites and emotions, maybe, but…
Woman: No, really – this teenager did some research.
Man: Teenager?
Woman: Yeah I know- but it does seem sound [3]. She took a page of words and
printed them in so-called ‘warm colours’…
Man: How do you mean?
Woman: Well, reds, oranges, yellows, etc. – and gave people two minutes to
memorise the words. She followed that with pretty complicated maths equations to
stop them reciting the words in their head.
Man: Hmm… OK, sounds good so far…
Woman: And they were given a minute to record how many words they could
remember. And then the same procedure with words printed in cool colours like
green and blue.
Man: And?
Woman: Overall warm colours were memorised better and cool colours worse.
Man: She’s followed a thorough process, then [3]. But is there any existing
published data that backs up or contradicts these claims?
Woman: Well, not as such, I grant you. Though it sounds like she’s onto
something to me. But only time will tell. [4]
Extract Three
Woman: I watched ‘How Musical are you?’ on TV last night – they were saying
how listening to music is a really complicated process. The scientists were really
going to town on it!
Man: I thought so-called musicality meant being able to play a musical instrument,
but that seemed to be just one aspect of the whole programme. It’s odd, people
who’ve never set foot inside a music classroom might still have a musical ‘ear’
without realising it!
Woman: You mean, everyone has an innate ability to make sense of music? I’m
not sure but it brings an enormous amount of pleasure. [6] I really don’t know how,
but it changes my mood when I’m down – which never ceases to amaze me! But
they missed a trick in not clarifying why some people are avid listeners to music
and others not [5].
Man: They seemed more interested in the possible effect of music on musicians’
brains. I didn’t know that people who’ve had music training in childhood find
long-term positive effects on their verbal memory- who’d have thought it. [6]
Woman: I don’t remember words whatever I do! You know that online quiz they
mentioned – that might be worth a go. It’s about how engaged you are with music,
you know, whether it’s part of your identity or not.
Man: So you might be more musical than you think!

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Extract one

You hear a sportsman and a businesswoman discussing the issue of being

3 They both say that

4 The woman feels that the teenager’s findings

5 How does the woman feel about the programme?

6 What do they agree about music?

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