Step 1: Listen

You’re going to hear a genuine BBC news report. Before you listen, read these three summaries.

a) The new test can help people who have not yet developed pancreatic cancer.

b) The new test can find signs of pancreatic cancer before the disease is very advanced.

c) The new test can help 90% of people who have developed pancreatic cancer.

Now listen and decide which one is correct. Listen again if you need to.

Step 2: Learn the key words and listen again

How was that? Try listening again. Here are three definitions of key vocabulary items which may help you.

detect
find something that is hidden

pancreatic cancer
a cancer of the pancreas: an organ that helps you digest food

urine
waste liquid passed from a human or animal’s body

Step 3: Transcript and answer

Still not sure? This time you can read the transcript. The answer’s underneath.

Scientists in England and Spain have developed an inexpensive test which they believe could be used to detect the early stages of pancreatic cancer.

The test checks for three proteins in the urineand has proved more than 90% accurate so far.

Answer

The correct answer is: b) The new test can find signs of pancreatic cancer before the disease is very advanced.