女性の英会話劇場Woman's Story

Jacques: Scarlett! How was the exam?

Scarlett: It was so hard, Jacques. I know for a fact that I failed.
The listening was so fast! By the time I’d thought about
what they’d said and read through the possible answers they
were already halfway through the next question.

Jacques: Yeah, people who sit the exam for the first time always
say that. Unfortunately the only ways you can prepare is to
do as much listening and possible and get used to the speed.
How much of it did you complete?

Scarlett: I didn’t even answer half the listening questions. And then
I was so depressed I found it hard to concentrate for the
rest of the exam. I didn’t finish the reading comprehension
and what I did answer I’m not 100% sure about.

Jacques: How about the speaking?

Scarlett: I was pretty nervous, but actually, I think I did OK.
Recording myself talking every night was a big help I think.
I was able to answer all the questions without too much
trouble and I only hesitated once. I may have mucked up
everything else but I’m pretty sure that I got at least a
handful of points there.

Jacques: That’s good to hear. Well, it was your first time, and
remember, you only decided to sit this exam a month ago,
so if I were you, I wouldn’t get too down about it all.
Even if you didn’t pass, at least now you have a good
idea of what to expect the next time.

Scarlett: Next time? I don’t know if I want to go through all that
again…

Jacques: Come on now, you can’t give up after just one attempt.
There’s still three months to go until the next sitting.
Think what you could do in that time if you did a little
bit each day.

Scarlett: A little bit? I’m going to have to slog for hours every
week to be able to pass.

Jacques: No you won’t. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is more than
enough if you go about it the right way. In fact, it’s
better to do fifteen minutes every day than it is to do
three hours once a week.

Scarlett: Fifteen minutes? And you think that will be enough to
prepare me?

Jacques: I’m sure of it. Come on Scarlett, give it one more try.

Scarlett: Well… alright then. But I’m going to need some more of
your study tips!

Jacques: It’s a deal!

To be continued.