test listening transcript (all levels)
INTERVIEWER: Today we interview Tony Malone, an Australian travel agent. Tony, tell us about Australia. Does it get many tourists?
TONY: Oh yes, Australia is very attractive to American, Asian and Japanese tourists because it’s near their countries. And we get a lot of British and South African visitors too. I suppose that’s because of the language, the Mediterranean climate and the cultural similarities. We have our own traditions, but we also celebrate a lot of the British and American ones, for example Christmas, Halloween, April Fools’ day, etcetera.
INTERVIEWER: Tell me about Australian traditions.
TONY: Well, we celebrate the Sorry Day. It’s called like that because we are sorry that the British colonisers took Aboriginal children away from their families.
INTERVIEWER: Wow, that’s extremely cruel.
TONY: Yes, it is. But we also celebrate happier days, like the Chinese New year, usually in February, with a colourful parade. There are fireworks, decorated lanterns and a paper dragon dance.
INTERVIEWER: Nice! And, what places do you recommend tourists to visit?
TONY: Well, it all depends on the time they have got. Australia is a country bigger than Europe! If you have about one month, you can’t miss Melbourne and Sydney, our biggest cities, with lots of museums, restaurants and attractions. After that, you can take a plane to Brisbane and find some nice beaches to surf, and continue North to see the coral reef and the Daintree rainforest. Finally, in the middle of the island, you can see Ayers Rock, an extremely large sand rock sacred to the Aborigines.
INTERVIEWER: Ok, any other suggestions?
TONY: Yes, don’t forget we are in the Southern hemisphere, so bring warm clothes in summer, especially if you’re visiting Melbourne!
INTERVIEWER: Right, great advice. Thanks a lot!
TONY: Thank you. Bye!
TONY: Oh yes, Australia is very attractive to American, Asian and Japanese tourists because it’s near their countries. And we get a lot of British and South African visitors too. I suppose that’s because of the language, the Mediterranean climate and the cultural similarities. We have our own traditions, but we also celebrate a lot of the British and American ones, for example Christmas, Halloween, April Fools’ day, etcetera.
INTERVIEWER: Tell me about Australian traditions.
TONY: Well, we celebrate the Sorry Day. It’s called like that because we are sorry that the British colonisers took Aboriginal children away from their families.
INTERVIEWER: Wow, that’s extremely cruel.
TONY: Yes, it is. But we also celebrate happier days, like the Chinese New year, usually in February, with a colourful parade. There are fireworks, decorated lanterns and a paper dragon dance.
INTERVIEWER: Nice! And, what places do you recommend tourists to visit?
TONY: Well, it all depends on the time they have got. Australia is a country bigger than Europe! If you have about one month, you can’t miss Melbourne and Sydney, our biggest cities, with lots of museums, restaurants and attractions. After that, you can take a plane to Brisbane and find some nice beaches to surf, and continue North to see the coral reef and the Daintree rainforest. Finally, in the middle of the island, you can see Ayers Rock, an extremely large sand rock sacred to the Aborigines.
INTERVIEWER: Ok, any other suggestions?
TONY: Yes, don’t forget we are in the Southern hemisphere, so bring warm clothes in summer, especially if you’re visiting Melbourne!
INTERVIEWER: Right, great advice. Thanks a lot!
TONY: Thank you. Bye!
Last modified: Monday, 21 December 2015, 8:57 PM