Michigan ECPE Listening and Speaking revised Part 3 pages

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 1
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is the main idea of the program?

a.
Middle-aged people often get lazy about their health.

b.
Adopting healthy habits won’t always cure you.

c.
The body can recover from years of unhealthy living.
2
What is the first overall lifestyle change that the speaker discusses?

a.
Decrease the amount of fiber you eat.

b.
Adopt a healthy diet.

c.
Reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
3
Which two activities does the speaker mention under the heading of getting fit?

a.
Losing weight and cutting down on smoking

b.
Weight training and aerobic activity

c.
High blood pressure and decreased bone density
4
According to the speaker, what is the most effective strategy for losing weight?

a.
Exercise more and cut back on calories.

b.
Walk for an hour three times a week.

c.
Reduce your calorie intake for at least five years.
5
What is true about people who stop smoking?

a.
They are still at high risk for lung cancer for the next thirty years.

b.
They continue to be high-risk candidates for a sudden heart attack.

c.
Their blood vessels and heart tissue show rapid improvement.
Listening Test 2
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
Which aspect of Hanley’s career does the speaker highlight in greatest detail?

a.
His career as a practitioner of sports medicine

b.
His achievements as head physician of Bowdoin College

c.
His role as an advocate of drug testing for athletes
2
When did Hanley begin his campaign against the use of anabolic steroids in sports?

a.
In the 1940s

b.
In the 1960s

c.
In the 1980s
3
Which is not mentioned as one of the possible side effects of anabolic steroids?

a.
Blindness

b.
Cancer

c.
Heart damage
4
What is true of the 12 American athletes who did not compete in the Pan-American Games in 1983?

a.
They were banned from the competition.

b.
They unexpectedly withdrew from the games.

c.
They tested positive but denied that they used drugs.
5
Why does the speaker mention Joan Benoit Samuelson at the end of the talk?

a.
As Hanley’s favorite niece, she was deeply saddened by his death.

b.
Hanley helped her become the first woman Olympic ski champion.

c.
Without Hanley, she might not have become a champion runner.

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 3
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What caused the city of Athens to delay the construction of a new subway system for so long?

a.
Fear that air pollution and traffic congestion would increase

b.
Fear that archeologists would be put out of work

c.
Fear that monuments and artifacts would be damaged

2
What role did archeologists play in the project?

a.
They carefully investigated the site before heavy machinery was brought in.

b.
They worked in close cooperation with those operating excavation equipment.

c.
They watched anxiously from the sidelines without having a say in the project.
3
What is true about the machinery that was used in the project?

a.
It was specially designed to minimize damage.

b.
It was able to complete the job in record time.

c.
It was run by specially trained archeologists.
4
Which of the following is not among the items unearthed during the excavation?

a.
Full-size replicas of the statues and frieze of the Parthenon

b.
A 4th-century BC grave with a skeleton in excellent condition

c.
An ancient cemetery for the victims of a deadly disease
5
What does the speaker say she admires most about the new subway system?

a.
Its eye-catching exhibits in the two best stations

b.
Its unrivalled archeological significance

c.
Its practical impact on traffic and air quality
Listening Test 4
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.

1
What aspect of life at the University of Virginia does the radio show focus on?

a.
The current round of final exams

b.
The need for a stronger code of honor

c.
The school’s recent cheating scandal
2
Why are some students currently facing disciplinary action?

a.
They cheated on an important physics exam.

b.
They lied about graduating from the school.

c.
They copied term papers from other students.
3
Once the problem was reported, how was it verified?

a.
Students were asked to testify over the Internet.

b.
A computer program was used to search for repetition.

c.
A committee was established to investigate the problem.
4
According to the speaker, what does research show about students at colleges that rely on honor codes?

a.
They cheat less than students at other colleges.

b.
They cheat more than students at other colleges.

c.
They cheat just as much as students at other colleges.
5
Why do some students say the investigation is unfair?

a.
The Honors Committee has accused the wrong people.

b.
Cheaters in other courses have gone unpunished.

c.
It puts students who are honest in a bad position.

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING PROGRESS
TEST 1 Listening Par
PART III
In this part of the test, you will hear three short segments from a radio program. The program is called "Learning from the Experts." You will hear what
three different radio guests have to say about three different topics. Each talk lasts about two minutes. As you listen, you may want to take some notes
to help you remember information given in the talk. After each speaker talks, you will be asked some questions about what was said. From the three
answer choices given, you should choose the one which best answers the question according to the information you heard.
Remember, no problems can be repeated. For problems 36-50, mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Do you have any questions?

SEGMENT 1
t III
36 What does the speaker imply about Schulz’s dying a day before the last Peanuts was published?

a.
That it was a tragic and slightly suspicious coincidence

b.
That it was fitting that the cartoon had outlived its creator

c.
That it was as if the cartoonist had wanted it that way
37 According to the speaker, what is true about Schulz’s childhood?

a.
He enjoyed drawing but apparently wasn’t very good at it.

b.
His fellow students encouraged him to develop his talent.

c.
He exhibited exceptional artistic talent at a very early age.
38 In what year did Schulz begin to produce the cartoon that later grew into Peanuts?

a.
1945

b.
1947

c.
1950
39 What fascinates the speaker most about Peanuts?

a.
That the strip has achieved such wide international acceptance

b.
That more products do not feature the Peanuts’ characters

c.
That Schulz failed to win the hearts of NASA space scientists
40 What image of Schulz does the speaker leave us with at the end of the program?

a.
An ambitious man who enjoyed success to the fullest

b.
A caring man who loved his family more than his work

c.
A humble man who did not let success go to his head

SEGMENT 2
41 What point does the speaker make about vocational high schools?

a.
They are much better than traditional high schools.

b.
They have advantages but they are not for everyone.

c.
They have much to offer certain types of students.
42 What is true of students at both Aviation and Bravo High Schools?

a.
Their studies prepare them for a wide variety of medical careers.

b.
Their schools do not require them to take regular academic classes.

c.
They take regular classes as well as gain practical work experience.
43 What do students at George I. Sanchez Charter School specialize in?

a.
Aircraft maintenance

b.
Computer technology

c.
Hotel management
44 What special advantage do schools like Aviation and Bravo Medical offer their students?

a.
The chance to work with professionals in their chosen field

b.
The opportunity to take part in a full-scale athletics program

c.
Guaranteed job placement upon completion of their coursework
45 According to the speaker, what is not true about specialized magnet schools?

a.
They provide unique opportunities for disadvantaged minority students.

b.
The drop-out rate is considerably higher than it is at traditional schools.

c.
They tend to have fewer discipline problems than traditional schools.
SEGMENT 3
46 Which was not a factor that motivated an increasing number of college students to study abroad in the 1990s?

a.
The need to train for the new global economy

b.
The ready availability of government scholarships

c.
The fact that their parents could afford to send them
47 In the speaker’s opinion, what is the main question that needs to be raised about study-abroad programs?

a.
Are such programs more expensive than they need to be?

b.
What can be done to send more students on such programs?

c.
Are such programs really right for students who go on them?
48 For whom was studying overseas a less stimulating and formative experience than it could have been?

a.
Jill Shondebare

b.
Justin Schwab

c.
Alexander Varela
49 What did Ph.D. candidate Lisa Chieffo discover by investigating the results of research that measured the advantages of studying abroad?

a.
The programs are frequently not as beneficial as many people think.

b.
Advanced language learners have the most to gain from such programs.

c.
Most students actually experience failure and loss of self-esteem.
50 What do academic advisers recommend to help students get the most out of their semester abroad?

a.
Arranging to take language lessons with special tutors

b.
Not going until they are sure that they are mature enough

c.
Taking several years to prepare for the experience

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 5
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is the main theme of the program?

a.
The impact of volunteer doctors in war-torn and developing countries

b.
The Internet as a global facilitator of medical advice and treatment

c.
The growing need for emergency medical treatment around the globe
2
What is the long-term goal of Carlin’s clinic?

a.
To provide free emergency medical treatment to refugees in Pakistan

b.
To offer medical treatment to needy Americans anywhere in the world

c.
To give specialist advice to medical personnel in developing nations
3
What problem did Carlin encounter in trying to help the pregnant woman from Russia?

a.
It took him a while to determine what she was suffering from.

b.
It was impossible to understand the curator’s broken English.

c.
It was difficult to confirm the diagnosis without examining her.
4
What did Carlin e-mail to the couple who were away sailing in the Caribbean?

a.
Advice on where they could find a qualified ear specialist

b.
A doctor’s prescription for the right dosage of antibiotics

c.
Detailed instructions on how to perform a medical procedure
5
With which part of the world is he hoping to establish a consulting relationship in the near future?

a.
Bangladesh

b.
India

c.
Central America
Listening Test 6
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
How did Nathan react when he realized what had happened?

a.
He fainted from the pain.

b.
He screamed for help.

c.
He stayed calm.
2
What made his mother realize immediately where the pencil was lodged?

a.
The amount of blood that gushed from the wound

b.
The fact that the pencil was so difficult to remove

c.
The way the pencil was moving in her son’s chest
3
What happened when Nathan was taken to the hospital not far from his home?

a.
He was evaluated then flown to a better-equipped hospital.

b.
He was put on a heart-lung machine to keep him breathing.

c.
A heart surgeon performed emergency open-heart surgery.
4
What is true about the operation that the boy underwent?

a.
The boy almost bled to death on the operating table.

b.
It was much less complicated than surgeons had feared.

c.
It was successful but left the boy with permanent damage.
5
What word best characterizes Nathan’s recovery?

a.
Amazingly rapid

b.
Completely unexpected

c.
Miraculous, given the complications

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 7
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.

1
What is the main focus of the radio segment?

a.
An unconventional course in meteorology

b.
The speaker’s failure to become a TV weatherperson

c.
The difficulties of modern weather forecasting
2
What is true of TV weather broadcasts?

a.
The great majority are presented by actors who know nothing about the weather.

b.
They are presented by trained meteorologists only when the weather gets serious.

c.
About half of all weather presenters have no academic training in meteorology.
3
What typical y happens in the first week of Professor Gadomski’s course?

a.
Students learn how to forecast the weather more accurately.

b.
Students experience the difficulty of being on the air.

c.
Students appear on a major morning news program.
4
According to the speaker, what is the most dif icult skil that a TV weather person must come to grips with?

a.
The ability to perform without relying on off-screen monitors

b.
The ability to point at weather maps without gesturing wildly

c.
The ability to appear relaxed and natural in front of the camera
5
What benefit do most of Professor Gadomski’s students derive from the course?

a.
Improved weather forecasting skills

b.
Improved chances of landing a job on TV

c.
Improved communication skills
Listening Test 8
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What misperception has scientific research recently brought to light?

a.
That the brain has fully matured by the age of 8 or 12

b.
That the brain continues to grow well into a person’s 20s

c.
That the brain undergoes no new development after age 3
2
What is true about the brain’s frontal lobes?

a.
They are nerve bundles that connect the left and right halves of the brain.

b.
They are the parts of the brain where judgment and self control originate.

c.
They are the parts of the brain that control growth and intelligence.
3

How did the National Institute of Mental Health’s research about gray matter compare to the findings of other studies
mentioned in the radio program?

a.
It showed a similar pattern of peaking and decline to other studies.

b.
It showed significantly more decline in the early teens than other studies.

c.
It showed a noticeably greater increase in the early 20s than other studies.
4
According to the speaker, what is true about the temporal lobes?

a.
They reach maturity earlier than other parts of the brain.

b.
They control the senses of hearing, touch and sight.

c.
They are responsible for language and emotional control.
5
What does “pruning” involve?

a.
An increase in existing gray matter

b.
A reduction in existing gray matter

c.
The replacement of old gray matter with new

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING PROGRESS
TEST 2 Listening Par
PART III
In this part of the test, you will hear three short segments from a radio program. The program is called "Learning from the Experts." You will hear what
three different radio guests have to say about three different topics. Each talk lasts about two minutes. As you listen, you may want to take some notes
to help you remember information given in the talk. After each speaker talks, you will be asked some questions about what was said. From the three
answer choices given, you should choose the one which best answers the question according to the information you heard.
Remember, no problems can be repeated. For problems 36-50, mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Do you have any questions?

SEGMENT 1
t III
36 Which statement best describes the woman’s situation at the beginning of the program?

a.
Winter had come and she knew she would put on more weight.

b.
Spring had come and she needed to get herself back into shape.

c.
She realized she needed help to cure her addiction to junk food.
37 What is a SportBrain?

a.
A unique exercise machine

b.
A new kind of digital cell phone

c.
A device that counts footsteps
38 What happened as soon as she got the SportBrain?

a.
She put herself on a diet and began eating less junk food.

b.
She was motivated to walk as much as she could.

c.
She hired a personal trainer to show her how to use it.
39 After 18 days what was her attitude towards the SportBrain?

a.
She was disappointed by the statistics the Web site provided.

b.
She was impressed with how much weight she had lost.

c.
She was enthusiastic about the performance of the product.
40 Of the benefits she says she derived from the SportBrain, which of the following concerned her the least?

a.
Losing weight

b.
Looking good

c.
Feeling good

SEGMENT 2
41 What was Brandon hoping to prove by making the bet?

a.
That the couple was strong enough to avoid joining the rat race

b.
That the couple could have lunch together without discussing work

c.
That the couple would not allow their work to dominate their lives
42 How many lunches did the couple manage to have together by April?

a.
Twice what the bet called for

b.
Half what the bet called for

c.
Exactly what the bet called for
43 What does the speaker imply about the length of time that Jill took to agree to Brandon’s suggestion that they quit their jobs
and move to Bali?

a.
She agreed to the idea immediately.

b.
It took him several hours to persuade her.

c.
She waited till she discussed it with her boss.
44 In the speaker’s opinion, which of the two men were right?

a.
Ellenson

b.
Brandon

c.
Both of them
45 From the speaker’s point of view, what have Jill and Brandon proved by deciding to go to Bali?

a.
That putting your life ahead of your work is not impossible

b.
That it is possible to work and have lunch with your spouse

c.
That it’s important to make preparations before you move abroad

SEGMENT 3
46 Which conditions have characterized the situation of the average U.S. worker since the late 1960s?

a.
Fewer hours and significantly higher pay

b.
Longer hours and increased stress levels

c.
Longer hours and decreased spending power
47 What is “downshifting”?

a.
Working long hours but getting paid for it

b.
Trading away leisure time for increasing spending power

c.
Abandoning a high-powered job for a less stressful one
48 Which of the following is an inevitable consequence of “downshifting”?

a.
Learning to manage on a greatly reduced income

b.
Being forced to leave the city and live in the country

c.
Choosing to stay at home to help raise your children
49 According to the speaker, which of the following would be least likely to entertain the idea of downshifting?

a.
Someone in a management position

b.
Someone in a lower-income bracket

c.
Someone in a middle-income bracket
50 What is true of two-thirds of the people who were in a recent study?

a.
They claim they would like to downshift but have not actually done so.

b.
They yearn to spend time with their family, but not if it means loss of income.

c.
They have voluntarily taken cuts in hours and income to be with their families.

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 9
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is the main idea of the radio program?

a.
Cars, pollution and the environment

b.
The impact of cars on American society

c.
Car addiction and how to break it
2
Which of the following is not mentioned as an alternative to driving a car?

a.
Buying a motorcycle

b.
Walking short distances

c.
Cycling within a city
3
What point does the speaker make about vanpooling and other forms of ride-sharing?

a.
They conserve gas and cut down on exhaust fumes.

b.
They are slightly more expensive but much less stressful.

c.
They are so effective that many cities have made them compulsory.
4
In the speaker’s opinion, what might a driver find frustrating at first about commuting by train?

a.
Sitting in traffic

b.
Keeping to a schedule

c.
Catching up on paperwork
5
What is the final piece of advice that the speaker gives to his listeners?

a.
Drive your car only when absolutely necessary.

b.
Consider renting a car before you buy one.

c.
Become an advocate of mass transit and similar issues.
Listening Test 10
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is the main idea of the radio program?

a.
To introduce readers to the history of the teddy bear and other stuffed animals

b.
To relate what happened when her son and his friends market-tested a high-tech toy

c.
To praise toy manufacturers for the sophisticated technology they have recently perfected
2
What sets Smart Alex apart from many other new toys on the market?

a.
His ability to speak in a natural human voice

b.
His ability to teach children foreign languages

c.
His advanced voice recognition capabilities
3
How did the children respond to the first question that Alex asked them?

a.
With enthusiasm

b.
With disappointment

c.
With confusion
4
What does the speaker imply when she mentions the 75-cent marble game she bought at a garage sale?

a.
It held the children’s interest better than the high-tech toy.

b.
The children had trouble deciding which toy they preferred.

c.
Such a cheap, low-tech toy had little to offer the children.
5
What conclusion does the speaker draw from her brief encounter with Smart Alex?

a.
Though not yet perfected, the new toy technology holds great promise.

b.
Such toys are not as appealing as their creators would like to believe.

c.
The toy is a good tool for training children to take multiple-choice tests.

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 11
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is the main focus of the radio program?

a.
Fighting off winter illness without a doctor

b.
Recent advances in cold and flu immunization

c.
Home remedies for the flu and common cold
2
In what way does simple sugar affect the body’s natural ability to fight disease?

a.
It helps bolster the immune system, allowing us to recover more quickly.

b.
It interferes with the ability of white blood cells to destroy viruses and bacteria.

c.
It reacts with the fat in common baked goods to speed up metabolism.
3
Which is mentioned as a positive effect of nutritional supplements?

a.
They control the growth of harmful killer cells that can cause cancer.

b.
They stimulate natural killer cells to fight against viruses and tumor cells.

c.
They decrease our T-cell count, making us unable to fight off disease.
4
What is true of the nutritional supplement known as echinacea?

a.
It is dangerous to take it for more than two or three weeks.

b.
It is ineffective if treatment begins after the onset of a cold.

c.
It has proven effective in decreasing the strength and length of colds.
5
In addition to dietary changes and nutritional supplements, what other weapon can we use to combat winter illnesses?

a.
Corticosteroids

b.
Depression and anxiety

c.
A more relaxed approach to life
Listening Test 12
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is part of Sing Sing Prison compared to at the start of the program?

a.
A beautifully preserved classical monument

b.
A massive old church destroyed by bombing

c.
A huge stadium crowded with spectators
2
What is true of the prison’s oldest cellblock?

a.
Its inmates used to live in extremely tight quarters.

b.
After being modernized, it will house over 1,200 inmates.

c.
It is the oldest prison cellblock in use in the USA today.
3
According to the speaker, what is unique about the proposed prison museum?

a.
It’s the first time a prison will ever be turned into a museum.

b.
It’s the first prison museum that will open within an operating prison.

c.
It’s the first time a prison museum will open without adequate funding.
4
What do museum planners feel strongly that visitors not be allowed to observe?

a.
The prisoners going about their daily routine

b.
The prison’s infamous death chamber

c.
Exhibits about the treatment of prisoners
5
What point does the speaker make about the tourists who will eventually come to the exhibit?

a.
Not everyone will want to view the death chamber.

b.
Most will come to see the prison’s infamous electric chair.

c.
Many would welcome the chance to view an actual execution.

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING PROGRESS
TEST 3 Listening Par
PART III
In this part of the test, you will hear three short segments from a radio program. The program is called "Learning from the Experts." You will hear what
three different radio guests have to say about three different topics. Each talk lasts about two minutes. As you listen, you may want to take some notes
to help you remember information given in the talk. After each speaker talks, you will be asked some questions about what was said. From the three
answer choices given, you should choose the one which best answers the question according to the information you heard.
Remember, no problems can be repeated. For problems 36-50, mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Do you have any questions?

SEGMENT 1
t III
36 What has research recently shown about people whose diets are rich in fat and protein?

a.
They tend to lose things more often than people on Asian diets.

b.
They are less likely to experience memory loss after having a stroke.

c.
They are just as healthy as people who follow low-fat, low-protein diets.
37 What is the “catch” that the speaker refers to concerning the subjects of the first study?

a.

They were Japanese immigrants who ate less fat than the average American.

b.
They were average suburbanites who ate hamburgers and bacon three times a week.

c.
They had gone back to Japan before they got used to a high-fat, high-protein diet.

38 What was shown to be true in the study conducted by a psychologist at Duke University?

a.
High cholesterol intake is not a major cause of heart disease.

b.
People with low cholesterol are prone to anxiety and depression.

c.
People with high cholesterol rarely suffer from mood disorders.
39 According to the speaker, what do flaxseed oil and fish like salmon and tuna have in common?

a.
They are common cures for depression.

b.
They are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

c.
They contain just as much cholesterol as a Big Mac.
40 What point does the speaker make about people from countries where fish is a regular part of the diet?

a.
They are not as likely as Americans to suffer from depression.

b.
They have low levels of serotonin in their brain cells.

c.
They have less heart disease than people in the United States.

SEGMENT 2
41 How did the driver of the Opel react when the Cadillac suddenly cut in front of them?

a.
He remained totally calm and did nothing.

b.
He assessed the situation and slammed on the brakes.

c.
He panicked and stepped on the accelerator.
42 What is adaptive cruise control?

a.
A braking system that allows drivers to slow down and speed up more smoothly

b.
A radar system that alerts drivers to take precautionary action to avoid collisions

c.
An automatic system that prevents one car from crashing into the back of another
43 As accident avoidance technology improves, how will the relationship between cars and drivers change?

a.
Drivers will eventually be able to synchronize their thoughts with their driving.

b.
Control of the car will pass from drivers to sophisticated electronic systems.

c.
Cars will have devices that will allow drivers to have more control over their cars.
44 Which is not mentioned as an improvement that will take place in the near future?

a.
A voice warning system that will keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel

b.
A super-intelligent electronics system that will eliminate any chance of collision

c.
Airbags on the outside of cars that will help protect pedestrians and other cars
45 Which of the following developments seems to impress the speaker the most?

a.
The car’s ability to transmit video footage showing the nature of victims’ injuries

b.
The car’s capability of signaling for an ambulance after an accident has occurred

c.
The car’s ability to travel at speeds beyond the ability of humans to control

SEGMENT 3
46 What is the main focus of the radio program?

a.
Ways to prevent the growth of plaque in a patient’s arteries

b.
Ways to treat patients whose arteries are narrowed by plaque

c.
Ways to enrich the oxygen content of the blood in a patient’s arteries
47 When angioplasty is performed, where do doctors initially insert the balloon-tipped catheter?

a.
Into the aorta

b.
Into an artery in the leg

c.
Directly into the clogged artery
48 What is the major drawback of angioplasty?

a.
For many people, it is only a temporary solution.

b.
It is only successful in 30 to 40% of the patients treated.

c.
It results in severe chest pain for the majority of patients.
49 What is true of coronary stent placement?

a.
It is performed only in cases when angioplasty fails.

b.
It is an invasive procedure involving a long hospital stay.

c.
It involves inserting a tube in an artery opened by angioplasty.
50 Which is not mentioned as a benefit of coronary stent placement?

a.
It ensures the success of bypass surgery.

b.
It reduces the need for bypass surgery.

c.
It is much less invasive than bypass surgery.

---

MICHIGAN PROFICIENCY LISTENING & SPEAKING
Listening Test 13
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What is the speaker’s main idea?

a.
Exciting new developments in artificial limbs

b.
The limitations of traditional prosthetic devices

c.
The problems amputees have in adjusting to artificial limbs
2
What is true of the Sense of Feel prosthetic devices developed by the company in Oklahoma City?

a.
They are made of living tissue.

b.
They are currently undergoing testing.

c.
They are already on the market.
3
What happens when pressure is put on different parts of the Sense of Feel device?

a.
The amputee feels like he is able to walk again.

b.
Feeling is restored to the amputee’s stump.

c.
A sensation is produced on the amputee’s stump.
4
Which of the following is not mentioned as a feature that has recently been added to the latest generation of prosthetic arms?

a.
The ability to open and close the hand and fingers of the artificial limb

b.
The ability to sense how much pressure artificial fingers are applying

c.

The ability to sense hot and cold through a probe in the artificial fingertip
5
Who is Chuck Tellermann?

a.

A participant in the clinical trials of the company’s new generation of artificial legs

b.
An amputee who recently felt the warmth of his wife’s hand for the first time in ten years

c.
The successful creator of the company’s new generation of artificial arms and legs
Listening Test 14
B
Radio Segment


You will now hear a short radio talk that will last about two minutes. When it is finished, you will hear five questions. From the three
answer choices given, circle the one which best answers the question. You will hear the talk and questions only once, so listen carefully.
As you listen, you may want to take notes to help you remember what was said.
1
What have the results of a new nationwide survey shown?

a.
That rates of asthma have risen dramatically among Americans of all ages

b.
That school officials lack adequate knowledge about asthma and allergies

c.
That few people are aware of the relationship between asthma and allergies
2
Which of the following statistics about school administrators seems to concern the speaker the most?

a.
61% reported an increase in asthma at their schools.

b.
41% forbid their students to carry asthma inhalers.

c.
10% are unaware that asthma can lead to death.
3
Which of the following is mentioned as a possible cause of an asthma attack?

a.
Holding a plastic bag over a child’s head

b.
Touching a contaminated surface

c.
Allowing pets in the classroom
4
What does the speaker find encouraging about the school administrators’ response to the survey?

a.
Many expressed a desire to become better informed so they can improve the situation.

b.
Only a few believe that children are not mature enough to medicate themselves.

c.
Some suggest that playground attendants and bus drivers should play a more active role.
5
At whom is the advice in the final portion of the program aimed?

a.
School health officials

b.
School administrators

c.
Parents of children with asthma

---