FCE Listening Test 6 Part 1

Test 6 Part 1
1. C 
2. A  
3. C 
4. C  
5. C 
6. A 
7. B  
8. C

1
People think working for a tourist company's a glamorous job, which may well be true if what you do is travel to dreamlike resorts in search of the ideal beach holiday for your clients. That's what one of my colleagues does - she comes back with scores of great photos and that's where I come in, to decide which of them will create the greatest impact in the company's publicity material. But, would you believe it, she complains it's not really a holiday for her! I'd agree if a tour guide said that, the poor guys definitely have no time for anything except dealing with difficult tourists.
2
F: So did you enjoy the film last night?
M: I would've done, if it hadn't been for that couple behind me who seemed to be providing a running commentary. It was barely a whisper, but I could still hear every word. I was sitting on the aisle, as usual, because in other seats there's not enough legroom for me as I'm so tall, but I would've gladly moved somewhere else, if only there'd been an empty seat. But the place was packed, so that wasn't an option. F: I know what you mean, I know the film well - it's got superb dialogue and you wouldn't want to miss a single word
3
I volunteered myself to run the marathon. I was at a party and the director of a charity was talking about marathon running, and I said, 'I've always wanted to run the marathon!' and then it was out there, and it was such a lie. I didn't do any sport at school, I used to say I wasn't allowed to run. I left the party thinking, he'll forget all about it. But then he wrote to me and I thought 'I can't back out now.' So I got myself a personal trainer, hit the gym five times a week and ran the marathon in five hours and 13 minutes.
4
It tells the time, maps the stars and calculates the height of buildings. No, it's not the latest James Bond gadget, but a scientific tool from the fourteenth century. It was the pocket calculator of its age and has been acquired by an anonymous collector for a world record of £138,000. This is an extremely rare piece, and there are only seven others in the world. It's made of brass and it had lain hidden under a floor until three years ago when it was discovered during building works. It is thought that the previous owner may have been trying to keep it safe from burglars. 
5
I'm all in favour of the latest government policy to invest in facilities for young people, and I'm really pleased that the tax we pay should be used in that way. What I don't understand is this local opposition to having an Internet cafe, from people who argue that most students have broadband and a laptop, which is just wishful thinking. There are computers in the library. I know, but are they available in the evening? Of course not, and there's no point in extending opening hours - young people want a relaxing environment in the evening, away from books and school.
6
I find theatre directing thrilling. It's also the hardest thing you can do, which is why I wanted to do it. There are very few women running theatres, though we're no less qualified than men. But I do wonder how they combine a career in theatre with motherhood. The two are not really compatible with the late hours, but more and more women just rise to the challenge, which is something I felt unable to do, as much as I wanted the job. I wouldn't have minded giving up the part-time work I'm doing at the moment, but, who knows, there may be other opportunities later on.
7
I run what I call 'laughter workshops'. The gift of humour is part of the natural apparatus human beings are born with. But my work is about learning to be less fearful of life's experiences because we know we can deal with anything. When I was young I suffered horribly from other children laughing at me, then I started to create that effect deliberately. And now I'm helping others in this way. I start with improvisation exercises to help people introduce themselves to the group. One thing that gets people relaxed and laughing is when I ask them to dance as badly as they can! Everybody can do that.
8
The first thing I noticed about the aeroplane was how small it was. I'm not a particularly nervous flyer but this made me a little apprehensive. I was in safe hands, though. I held my breath while my instructor got us into the air. After a short demonstration of the controls, and a reassuring 'you're not going to be expected to do anything complicated' from my instructor, I was allowed to try them myself. I whipped through the tops of clouds and began to turn the plane about. The vast number of instruments seemed intimidating, but it turned out only one or two are necessary at any one time.