Announcing the closure of a newspaper

<h3>Overview of TOEIC part IV (listening exercises)</h3>

In this section you will find a number of listening comprehension exercises which are based on the fourth part of the Test Of English for International Communication. These exercises will help you practise and improve your business listening skills and you will also learn many new phrases. Here is how you should complete the exercises:
<ol>
    <li>Read the questions below the MP3 player so you know what information you need to listen out for.</li>
    <li>Click on the red play button on the MP3 player.</li>
    <li>Click on the correct answers to the questions below the player.</li>
    <li>Click on the 'check my score' button to see your results.</li>
</ol>

You can listen to the recording as often as you like. If you want to see the transcript (the text) of the recording, please click on the 'show text' link next to the 'check my score' button.

TOEIC Short Talks

Tomorrow's issue will be the last one for our newspaper. We all knew this day was coming, and it is a sad day. We lost almost $20 million last year, and the owners have tried to sell the paper but no one wants to buy it in this economy. I want to thank all of you, all the editors, writers, photographers, page designers, printers -- everyone who helped make this paper a city institution for the past 150 years. It's been a pleasure and an honor working with you and supervising you. As you've heard, we will continue to have an online news site with a staff of 25. This re-designed website will begin tomorrow. We hope that it will help fill the gap left by the departed print product. Meanwhile, we have one more issue to put out. Let's get to work and make it the best it can be.

Afternoon traffic report on the radio

Who is most likely listening to the report?

What is scheduled to happen at 5:30 p.m.?

This is Betty Bellarussa with your 5 p.m. WARP-AM traffic report. Well, if you're on the roads listening to this, you already know that traffic is pretty much a mess everywhere. On Interstate 7, it crawls from downtown to the county line. Vehicles crossing the lake on State Route 50 are gridlocked both eastbound and westbound, and the valley freeway is stop-and-go from Mayberry through Winwood. Highway 17 is slow through the city, then clears out until Overpass Road. If that weren't bad enough, an injury accident is blocking Main Street downtown, causing a 15-minute backup for cars waiting to get onto the freeway. This has been Betty Bellarussa with your 5 p.m. WARP-AM traffic update. Our next traffic report will be at the bottom of the hour.

Insurance agent gives a quote to a prospective customer

Hello, this message is for Tayna Smith. Tayna, my name is Karl Klaussen with Premium Insurance Company. You had asked me to give you a quotation for your 2007 Toyaki Turbo coupe. I've processed your information, and we could insure this vehicle for $600 a year. That's $50 a month, and you have the choice of paying monthly or in advance. This price includes discounts for having a good driving record, and for also having your homeowner's insurance with us as well as your auto insurance. It includes comprehensive coverage, uninsured motorist protection, and up to $50,000 liability. We could begin coverage at the first of next month. If you have more questions I'd be happy to answer them. You can reach me at 590-095-6446 or on my cell at 342-768-0120. Thank you for considering Premium Insurance.

Giving boarding information to train passengers

What is the main purpose of the announcement?

What should listeners do once they have tickets?

Good morning, rail passengers. For those of you taking the 9:45 Starlight Special to Amityville, you will need to exchange your ticket for a boarding pass before you board the train. Boarding passes are available now at the purple booth next to door 9. If you need to buy tickets, come to one of the ticket windows on the east side of the station, or use one of our automated ticket machines located throughout the lobby. Once you have your tickets, each passenger must exchange them for a boarding pass, including young children. When you have obtained your boarding pass, you are ready to access the platform. The train will board through door 9 beginning at approximately 9:15. Thank you.

Radio commercial for an invisible dog fencing system

What does the speaker say about Invisifence?

Hi, Dori Madson here, host of the KORG-FM afternoon show. My dog, Spot, loves to run. The trouble is, she was always running out of our yard into the neighbors' yards. Once, she even ran into the street and nearly got hit by a car! That's when I called my friends at InvisiFence. They came right over, explained their program, and within a couple of hours had erected an invisible barrier around our yard that keeps Spot on our property just like a real fence would. Spot can now run happily around our yard, and me and my family don't have to worry about her running away. She'll go right to the edge of the yard, but won't go past it. The Invisifence process was smooth, quick, and surprisingly affordable -- much cheaper than putting a real fence around my yard would have been. If you're looking for an effective way to keep your dog on your property, call Invisifence now. They're right here in town, at 789-9876. Or, check them out on the web at invisifence.com. Take it from me, you'll be glad you did.

Announcing the next participant in a TV quiz show

Where is the introduction probably taking place?

What does the speaker say about Stan Kramer?

What will the listeners probably do next?

Our next contestant is a 44-year-old lawyer from Rockland, Minnesota, where he specializes in personal injury claims. He grew up in Bronze Springs, Maryland, and moved with his family to the Midwest at age 4. After completing law school at Midwest University, he married his high school sweetheart. He's the father of two boys, 12 and 9, and a 5-year-old girl. If he wins the grand prize today on our show, he says, "I'm sure going to go someplace better than Disneyland." Ladies and gentleman, please give a warm "Guess the Price" welcome to Stan Kramer!

Giving information about medical insurance plans

Who is most likely listening to the talk?

We offer three types of family plans. Our Basic plan has a $1,000 deductible. It includes six doctors' visits a year with a $25 co-pay, and covers all your diagnostic treatments -- x-rays and blood tests, things like that. But it doesn't cover vision check-ups or prescription drugs. Our Plus plan has a $1,500 deductible and gives you the same benefits as the Basic, but also covers prescription drugs and vision. Our Premium plan has a $2,000 deductible and includes all aspects of our Basic and Plus plans. The difference is that it will give you more coverage for major surgeries and life-threatening emergencies -- up to 80 percent coverage for instances that require surgery or prolonged hospital stays. If you go to our website, we have a chart comparing the plans and detailing exactly what each one offers.

Giving a weather update and forecast on a private radio station

When is this report most likely being broadcast?

What is suggested about the weather prior to this report?

I'm Denise Dinger with KPUT weather. The soggy week we've been having in the valley promises to get dryer soon. Today we're looking at morning showers with afternoon sun breaks and a high of 55. Tomorrow morning will be partly cloudy, with increasing clearing in the afternoon and a high of 60. Friday looks to be sunny and clear with a high of 70, and that weather should carry over into the weekend. Saturday will be mostly sunny with highs near 70, and Sunday should be sunny and clear with highs soaring to nearly 80 degrees. For KPUT, this is Denise Dinger with valley weather.

A business partner cancels an appointment by leaving a voice mail message

Hi, this is Adam Swanson calling for Ron Jaworski. It's about 3 on Friday afternoon. Ron, I had something come up at the last-minute, so I won't be able to meet with you and Pete Schilling Monday as we had planned. I'd like to reschedule for later in the week, if that works for you and Pete. I'm available late Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, but early morning Wednesday or Friday would actually be best for me. We could still meet at Pete's office, as we planned, or I'd be able to meet somewhere else if it's more convenient for you. Sorry about the cancellation. Please call me as soon as you can after hearing this. My cell is 886-2468, or you can call my office at 351-9823 and leave a message with my secretary, Crystal Gains. Thanks, Ron. I'll talk to you soon.

A commercial for a vitamin supplement product

What does the speaker claim about Rev Up?

Feeling run down? Low on energy? Like you'll never make it through the day? Then it's time for you to Rev Up. One package of Rev Up contains enough vitamins and minerals to energize you for five straight hours. And the best part is, you won't come crashing down even more tired than when you started. Mix amazing Rev Up with a glass of cold water, and you'll feel energized and ready to tackle the busy day ahead of you. Rev Up contains more than 100 percent of the vital nutrients your body needs to help you think clearly and perform at maximum efficiency. Rev Up comes in three great flavors -- grape, lime and cherry -- and is available at supermarkets throughout the Tri-County area. When you're down, Rev it Up, with Rev Up.

Company executive is giving earnings report

Where is this talk probably taking place?

He thinks that earnings will continue to drop.

How does the speaker feel about the company's future?

Well, the bad news is that our third-quarter earnings are down 2 percent, or 50 cents a share. This is due mostly to economic factors beyond our control, particularly the gas-price increases. The good news is that our fourth-quarter earnings are projected to rise nearly 3 percent, or about 75 cents a share. That's partly because we've implemented an energy conservation program at all our plants - for instance, cutting fuel usage by 10 percent - and partly because the economy is on the rebound. Going forward, the company remains healthy, and we anticipate increased energy earnings for each of the first two quarters next year. Our challenge will be finding creative ways to remain well-positioned in a bear economy, and planning for flexibility to meet our goals without compromising the quality of our product.

Car dealer is promoting used cars through a radio commercial

Who is the intended audience for this advertisement?

How much money must customers pay in advance to buy a vehicle?

What does the speaker urge listeners to do?

Hi friends. Sherry Hawkins here, owner of Hawkins Motors. Do you need a new car but feel like you can't afford one? Well come on down to Hawkins, where you can buy a new or used vehicle for just $30 down. You heard right: Not $3,000, not $300, just $30 down lets you drive off the lot in your very own vehicle. We have hundreds of new and used compacts, sedans, SUVs or pick-ups to choose from, and a variety of financing options to meet your needs even if your credit's not too hot. Still think you can't afford a car? Think again friends. Come on down to Hawkins Motors, at the intersection of Highway 5 and State Route 99. We're open 9-5 weekdays, 9-9 on Saturdays and Sundays. We'll see you soon!

TOEIC Short Talks

To get a certificate, pass all tests in the «TOEIC Short Talks» category

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