CAE (Advanced Exam) Listening Test 2

Part 4
21 E  22 D  23 B  24 G  25 C

26 C 27 A  28 B  29 E  30 G

Look at task 1. For questions 21–25, choose from the list A–H the reason each speaker gives for
going on the trip. Now look at task 2. For questions 26–30, choose from the list A–H the aspect of
the trip each speaker found most memorable.
While you listen you must complete both tasks. In the exam, you have 45 seconds to look at Part 4.

Speaker one
There’s a group of fifteen of you, plus the guide, and it’s a four-day hike to the site. The route’s
lovely, if a bit steep in places. For some people it was like a childhood dream come true, especially
arriving at the site and taking in the views and the architecture. But some found the hike much more
challenging than others, especially the rather basic hostels where you stay the night. When I’d first
suggested going, my wife said I’d never make it, which only made me more determined actually.
For me, the highpoint was how friendly the others were because I hadn’t expected that; nobody
seemed to mind waiting for me to catch up.

Speaker two
I was surprised you have to go in a group, and worried I’d be with the sort of people who just tick
these sites off a list of tourist attractions. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They’d all read up their
history and the guide was there to fill in any gaps. I mean, the view from the top’s out of this world,
but that wasn’t what made it for me. It was the actual design of the place. However did they build it
right up there? As a graduation gift, it was a lovely way of marking the achievement. I just wish my
grandfather could’ve come too because he’s always dreamt of going.

Speaker three
I knew it was a wonderful site and quite understood why my girlfriend wanted to go, and though it
wouldn’t have been my first choice – too touristy – I went along with the idea for her sake. But I was
wrong. The route’s actually quite challenging at that altitude, and we made some great friends in
the group, even quite enjoyed the camp-fire style meals. The guide was very knowledgeable, and
people had loads of questions, perhaps because the historical notes we were given left quite a lot
to be desired. What blew me away, though, was looking out from the low walls of the site over the
mountains. It was an awesome experience.

Speaker four
I don’t know why, but I hadn’t expected the actual walk up to the site to be so impressive. I mean,
it’s all there in the notes, but I never read stuff beforehand. Anyway, it was an unforgettable
experience. Our guide was a real character, but you could see he was fed up with some of the
group. Like me, they’d mostly seen that chap on TV at the site and decided to go too. They’ll
probably go to all the places he went to – just to say they’ve done it. I won’t be joining them!
Although the site is impressive, I’d seen that on the programme so it made less of an impression on
me somehow.

Speaker five
I’d been out of action for a while with a knee injury, so I was looking to do a bit of serious walking to
see what I was capable of. I’d heard that it’s quite a stiff climb, but that the guide’s there to lend a
hand if you get into difficulties. My girlfriend came along to keep me company and, though no great
walker herself, had a great time. I’ll never forget the meal the night before the final ascent. As usual,
the guide made a brilliant job of that. My girlfriend found the view from the site wonderful, the
architecture stunning but I never saw it because my knee finally gave out that last morning. Shame
really.