Are there errors in the following test items? If yes, what are they?

In what ways can you

improve them?
Write the revised version below each item you think need improvement.

VSTEP 2
PART 1
No Questions Scripts
.
Who makes the phone call? Secretary: Good morning. British Council.
A. Ms. Proctor Mr. Kale: Hello. May I speak to Ms. Proctor?
B. Mr. Gale Secretary: I’m sorry. She is not in. Can I take a message?
1 C. Mr. Kale Mr. Kale: Yes, please. This is Mr. Kale.
Secretary: Is that G-A-L-E?
Mr. Kale: No, it’s K-A-L-E.
Secretary: Thank you.
When is the party at Bob’s house? A: Good afternoon, 651 8935.
A. on Monday B: Hello. Could I speak to Wendy?
B. on Saturday A: Ah, I’m afraid she is not in right now. Can I take a
2 C. on Sunday message?
B: Yes…er…, there is a party at Bob’s house on Sunday
night. Bob’s address is Flat 4, 45 Church Road.
A: Bob’s address is Flat 4, 45 Church Road.
Secretary: Hello. Can I help you?
David: Yes, I’d like to see Professor Hansen on Tuesday,
please.
Secretary: Who is speaking?
Who makes the phone call?
David: David Bell.
A. David Pell
3 Secretary: Yes, would 3:30 be convenient?
B. David Bell
David: That will be fine. Many thanks.
C. David Dell
Secretary: Mr. Bell, would you leave your telephone
number, please?
David: Yes, my number is 859 7783.
Secretary: 859 7783. Thank you.
Secretary: Good morning. Dr. Jenkinson’s secretary. Can
I help you?
Rita: Good morning. I’d like to make an appointment to
see the doctor on Friday, please.
At what time will Rita have an
Secretary: Who is speaking, please?
appointment with the doctor?
Rita: Rita Harper.
4 A. 2:14
Secretary: Thank you. Is 2:40 any good?
B. 2:40
Rita: That’s fine. Thank you very much.
C. 4:20
Secretary: Mrs. Harper, could you leave your telephone
number, please?
Rita: Yes, of course. My telephone number is 563 2860.
Secretary: 563 2860.Thank you, Mrs. Harper.
5 What is Mr Priest’s telephone Secretary: Hello, Mr. Watson’s secretary. Can I help
number? you?
A. 421 7896 Richard: Good afternoon. I’d like to make an
B. 241 8796 appointment to see Mr. Watson next Monday, please.
C. 421 8769 Secretary: Who’s speaking, please?
Richard: Richard Priest.
Secretary: Yes, Mr. Priest. Monday is all right. Would
10:15 be convenient?
Richard: Thank you. That’ll be fine.
Secretary: Oh, would you leave your telephone number
please, just in case we need it?
Richard: My telephone number is 421 7896.
Secretary: 421 7896. Thank you, Mr. Priest.

PART 3
Questions Scripts
Man: Can I help you?
Woman: I'm looking for the new
Brad Smith video about a boy
who works as a waiter. My
daughter wants it, but I don't
know the name.
You will hear a woman talking to a shop assistant about buying a
Man: Oh yes. It's called Blue
video film for her daughter. Listen and complete questions from
Café.
11 to 15. You will hear the conversation twice.
Woman: My daughter is 13. Is
she old enough to watch it?
VIDEO
Man: It's for anyone who is 12 or
Actor in film: Brad Smith
older, so she'll be OK.
Woman: I hope it's not too
Name of the film: (11) Blue ………………………
expensive. Some videos are
nearly twenty pounds.
For people: (12) …………...years old or more.
Man: It’s five pounds ninety-
nine. We're selling it at a special
Cost: (13) £…………………..............
price today.
Woman: Great. Can I have one,
Video shop in: (14) ………………………Street
please?
Man: I'm sorry. I've just sold the
Opposite: (15) ……………………………
last one. You'll have to go to our
other shop.
Keys:
Woman: Oh dear. Where's that?
Q11. Café
Man: It's in Shirley Street. That's
Q12. 12/twelve
SHIRLEY.
Q13. 5.99/five (pounds) (and) ninety-nine (p/pence)
Woman: Oh, that's where the post
Q14. Shirley
office is, isn't it?
Q15. (the) bank
Man: Yes, the video shop's not
far from there, just across the
road from the bank. It's only five
minutes from here.
Woman: OK. Thanks for your
help.
VSTEP 3-5
PART 1

1. Which animals did the children see?

A. horses and birds
B. lions and tigers
C. monkeys and birds
D. monkeys and tigers

2. Which evening dress does the woman decide to wear?

A. a short sleeved dress
B. a black dress
C. a long sleeved dress
D. a dress with flowers on the sleeves

3. Which calendar will the boy buy?

A. a calendar with pictures of mountains
B. a calendar with pictures of flowers
C. a calendar with pictures of boats
D. a calendar with pictures of animals

4. What will the man do first?

A. sweep the kitchen floor
B. painting
C. cleaning the windows
D. wash the walls

5. How did the woman get to work today?

A. by bus
B. a neighbour offered her a lift
C. by bike
D. walk
PART 2
1. Conversation 1. You will hear a conversation between a man and a woman at home.
Question 1. Why does the man want to gout out?
(A.) Because he feels bored staying at home.
B. Because he feels safe staying at home.
C. Because he feels cold staying at home.
D. Because he feels hot staying at home.
Question 2. Why does the woman want to stay at home?
A. Because she has coughs.
(B.) Because she feels tired.
C. Because she has toothache.
D. Because she has stomach ache.
Question 3. Why doesn’t the woman want to watch an Italian film?
A. Because she is short of money.
B. Because she is serious about it.
(C.) Because she’s afraid she will fall asleep watching it.
D. Because she has stomach ache
Question 4. Why doesn’t the woman want to watch a Robert de Niro?
A. Because she feels too busy to watch it.
B. Because she feels too serious to watch it.
C. Because she doesn’t want to watch it the third time.
(D.) Because she doesn’t want to watch it the second time.
Question 5. Why doesn’t the woman want to watch a Robert de Niro?
A. Because she feels too busy to watch it.
B. Because she feels too serious to watch it.
C. Because she doesn’t want to watch it the third time.
(D.) Because she doesn’t want to watch it the second time.

Man: What shall we do tonight? Shall we go out somewhere?

Woman: No, I’m tired. I’ve had a really hard day.
Man: That’s a bit boring! Come on, let’s go to a cinema or see that new play at the theatre.
Woman: Not tonight. Why don’t we rent a video and stay in?
Man: Well, I’d rather go out... but if you’re tired ... OK. So what shall we have? How about that new
Italian film?
Woman: No, far too serious for me. I’d fall asleep! Why can’t we get something funny, a film with
RikMoran is or someone like that.
Man: A comedy? No thanks. I’m not wasting my money.
Woman: Well, I’ll pay, if you’re going to be difficult about it.
Man: I’m not being difficult; I just don’t want to see a comedy.
Woman: Fine. What else do you suggest then?
Man: How about a Robert de Niro?
Woman: We’ve seen them all.
Man: Maybe, but they’re great films. Let’s watch one again.
Woman: Now you’re suggesting something that’s a real waste of money! And I hate seeing films twice,
you know that.
Man: OK, OK. What, then?
Woman: Oh, forget it. We’re obviously not going to agree anyway!
Man: No, I tell you what, you go down to the video shop and choose a film. Whatever it is, I’ll watch it.
Woman: Really? And you won’t be difficult or make me feel guilty?
Man: No. Go on, off you go. I’ll make something to eat while you’re out.
Woman: Great. See you in a few minutes then.
2. Conversation 2. You will hear a conversation between a girl, Lisa, and a boy, Ben, about
holidays.
Question 1. What does the girl think about a good holiday?
(A.) It may be cheap.
B. It may be very cheap.
C. It may be expensive.
D. It may be very expensive.
Question 2. Why doesn’t the boy want to walk?
A. Because he feels too hot to do it.
(B.) Because he finds it hard to do it.
C. Because he doesn’t like hard work.
D. Because she doesn’t like the sounds of people walking.
Question 3. What does the girl think about the food in Youth Hostels?
A. It is comfortable.
B. It is good.
(C.)It is sometimes good.
D. It is clean and cheap.
Question 4. What does the boy decide to do in the end?
A. go home
B. leave home
C. sell his home
(D.)enjoy his holiday home

Girl: Hi, Ben! Only one more week at college, and then the summer holidays begin. Great,
isn’t it!
Boy: I don’t know. It might get a bit boring. I don’t think I’ve got enough money to go anywhere nice for
a holiday this year.
Girl: It would be nice to have lots of money to spend, but a good holiday doesn’t have to be expensive!
Boy: Oh yes it does! The best holiday I ever had was a few years ago when I went to Greece. I want to fly
off somewhere hot, and lie on the beach and go swimming.
Girl: Yes. Well, I can’t afford to do that, either.
Boy: So, what are you doing this summer?
Girl: I’m going on a walking holiday in Scotland with some friends. We went last year. We really
enjoyed it. We walked all day and spent the nights in Youth Hostels. Why don’t you come with us? We’re
going for two weeks. It won’t cost much, and you’ll come home feeling really relaxed and fit.
Boy: I’m not sure. Walking all day sounds like hard work to me. And surely you’re not hoping for lots of
sunshine in Scotland?
Girl: It did rain a bit last year, but most of the time it was sunny. Anyway, it’s not good walking in the
heat. You have to stop all the time to rest and have drinks.
Boy: Well, I like the sun, and I like to stay in comfortable hotels, not Youth Hostels!
Girl: But they are comfortable. They’re basic, and the food’s often not very good, but they’re very clean
and cheap. In fact, I prefer them to hotels because the people are always so friendly.
Boy: Maybe. Look Lisa, thanks a lot for asking me, but I think I’ll just stay home and get bored!
3. Conversation 3. You will hear a part of an interview with a boy called Simon who is helping to
protect the environment.
Question 1. Why does Simon enjoy taking his boat onto the River Stanton?
A. Many people go there.
(B.) He likes its water speed.
C. The river is closed to his house.
D. He likes sailing.
Question 2. What does Simon notice about the river water?
A. It was getting lower and lower.
B. It was cleaner and cleaner.
(C.) It was having negative effect on him.
D. It was always blue.
Question 3. How did Simon learn more about the river’s problem?
(A.) He looked on the Internet.
B. He asked his teachers.
C. He asked other people.
D. He read in a book.
Question 4. Why does Simon feel pleased?
(A.) He found solutions to pollution.
B. He found limestones in the river.
C. He found lots of fish in the river.
D. He found lots of plants in the river.

Interview: Simon, tell us about yourself.

Simon: Well, like lots of other kids my age, I’ve grown up taking my boat onto the rivers in this area.
One of my favourite rivers is (Q1) the River Stanton, which is fast with excellent white water – so things
can get pretty dangerous but it’s exciting and I’m experienced.
Interview: Now, it was while you were on the River Stanton that you noticed something was wrong.
Simon: Yeah, (Q2) I always wondered why the water made my eyes burn if it got on my face…and why
it was a strange, orange colour, especially when the water was running low.
Interview: So you decided to find out more.
Simon: Yeah, I asked other people using the river and (Q3) I visited a few websites and found out that
the river was orange because of pollution from the old mines in the area. There was a lot of mining for
coal done in this part of the country. I knew that from my history class at school, but what I didn’t know
was that pollution was coming from those old mine works and escaping into the rivers.
Interview: then you did a qualification, didn’t you?
Simon: Yes, I found out about an organization called: “The Friends of the River Stanton”. They told me
they did a special course where I could learn how to test the river water to see if it was healthy or not. So
that’s what I did and I got really interested in the subject.
Interview: In fact, you got so interested that you actually started to look for an answer to the pollution
problem!
Simon: I learned as much as I could about the chemistry behind the pollution. I can’t really explain all the
detail, but basically (Q4) if you add something called limestone to the river, it can improve the chemistry.
That means that the plants and fish which had died because of all the mining companies that used to be in
the area…could live in the river again. So that made me really happy.
4. Conversation 4. Listen to a conversation between a man and a florist.
Question 1. Why does the man want to buy flowers for his wife?
A. He wants to surprise his wife for her birthday.
B. His wife has just received a nice job promotion.
(C). The man didn't remember the day they got married.
D. His wife has just graduated.

Question 2. Near the beginning of the conversation, what is one thing that the woman suggests the
man do for his wife?
(A.) take his wife to an elegant restaurant.
B. purchase a couple of beautiful balloons
C. buy twelve gorgeous roses
D. buy a single rose.
Question 3. Why does the man panic when seeing his wife outside the store?
(A.) She will realize he spaced their important day
B. Her finding him in the flower shop will spoil the surprise.
C. His wife will think he is buying the flowers for someone else.
D. She will think he is in love with the florist.
Question 4. Why does the man panic when seeing his wife outside the store?
(A.) She will realize he spaced their important day
B. Her finding him in the flower shop will spoil the surprise.
C. His wife will think he is buying the flowers for someone else.
D. She will think he is in love with the florist.
Question 5. What is the most plausible ending to the conversation?
A. The man's wife graciously accepts the dozen roses the man buys for her.
(B.) The man begs his wife to forgive him when he comes out of the shop.
C. The florist delivers the flowers for the man because he is embarrassed.
D. The man happily congratulates his wife.

Florist: Hi. May I help you?

Customer: Yeah. Um. You see, I need some flowers for my wife, and uh, and, you know, I . . .
Florist: Let . . . Let me guess. You forget your anniversary, and you're trying to make things up, right?
Customer: Oh. Yeah, is it that obvious?
Florist: Well, yeah. We see men like you all the time that are so involved in their work that they simply
forget about us.
Customer: Well, in, in . . . in this case, it's not like that.
Florist: Sure. What do you need?
Customer: Well, uh, I’d like to get a dozen roses with some greenery, and a very nice card.
Florist: Do you really think a dozen roses is going to cut it?
Customer: Well, yeah . . .
Florist: I mean, if my husband forgot our anniversary, he'd be in the doghouse for sure. [Well . . .] You
need at least two dozen roses, a dozen balloons, and a romantic evening at an expensive restaurant.
Customer: Well, I only have $10, and . . .
Florist: Ten dollars? Well, that will buy you a single rose and a hamburger at McDonalds, but that's it.
Customer: Uh, wait. I actually have twelve dollars and . . . wait, hang on, let me see here . . . thirty-two
cents, so that might be . . .
Florist: Forget playing golf this weekend. Your wife is way more important.
Customer: Oh, no. OH, NO! My wife is out in the parking lot looking for me. Oh. And, and . . . she's
looking this way. PLEASE, PLEASE. Help me! She'll wring my neck for sure.
Florist: Okay, Okay. Uh, let's see. Hum. [PLEASE, PLEASE!]. Well, well, it looks like I can arrange a
small bouquet of roses. [Okay.] A couple are a little wilted [Oh, that's okay.], but that's the best I can do.
[Oh, yes. Oh, yes. That's fine.] And I can also attach a small card and tie a nice ribbon around the flowers.
Customer: Oh, that would be great. You're a lifesaver. I’ll put you on my Christmas card list forever.
Florist: Okay. Okay. That'll be twelve dollars even.
Customer: You're an angel. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, no. [What?] Now, she's parked in front of your
store waiting for me. I’m dead meat. Do you have a back door?
Florist: No! It looks like you need to face the music and just talk to her. [I can't, I can't.] She'll probably
be very understanding after you promise . . . [You don't know my wife.] Well, you need to promise to
wash the dishes and clean the bathroom for the next six months. Get out there and be a man.
Customer: Could you call an ambulance . . . just in case? This could get ugly.
Florist: Men.

5. Conversation 5. You will listen to a conversation between a boy John and a girl Louise
What are they both doing here?
A. to meet Mrs Thompson
B. to listen to John singing
(C.) to attend singing class
D. to dance in a musical show
What does John think of Mrs Thompson?
A. she isn’t strict
B. she can sing well
(C.) she is a good teacher
D. she makes him nervous
What does John imply about his performance?
A. He does well in a real show
(B.) He practices it well
C. He really likes it
D. He makes some big mistakes
What does Louise think of a musical show?
(A.) she is not interested
B. she is keen on that
C. she thinks she will try it
D. she would love it.

Louise: John
John: Oh Louise. Hi.
Louise: I’ve just arrived for my singing lesson with Mrs Thompson. What are you doing here?
John: (Q1) I’ve come for a singing lesson too.
Louise: Well, if it’s a secret I won’t tell anyone
John: It’s OK, Louise. I’m going to be in a musical show, so everyone will know soon.
Louise: Really! But can you actually sing then?
John: Well, I was taught to sing at school you know, but now I’m in the show I thought I’d better have a
few more lessons.
Louise: Good idea. What do you think of Mrs Thompson? She’s really strict, isn’t she?
John: She is, but I think if you want to sing properly, then (Q2) she’s the best teacher. You don’t have
to like her to see that she’s really brilliant.
Louise: Oh, I suppose so, it’s just that she makes me feel so nervous. How did you get chosen for the
show?
John: Well, I went to see a few musical shows before Christmas. I don’t know why, because I’d never
really liked them before, and I thought I’d like to do that so I tried for a part in the show at The Regent
Theatre and got it.
Louise: Well done ... so have you actually done a show yet?
John: Yes, (Q3) we’ve done a practice show just for family and friends.
Louise: So, how did you feel?
John: Well, when we’d finished I wanted to cry because I was so delighted that I’d actually got through it
without making any big mistakes.
Louise: But did people like it?
John: Yes they did, and it was great to have an audience.
Louise: I would love to be able to sing and have everybody listen and clap
John: It’s quite hard to do a musical show, actually. You have to dance as well as sing. It’s hard work to
get it right
Louise: Oh, (Q4) I wouldn’t be keen on that. I’m only a singer really. When does the show open?
John: On the 9th of October. Would you like a couple of free tickets?
Louise: Oh yes! Thanks!