Audioscripts IELTS Practice 5 Listening Test 01

Part 1

You will hear a telephone conversation between a booking agent and a customer about a mountain trekking holiday.

First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 4.

(Pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.

Booking agent: Good morning, Mountain Escapes. How can I help you?

Customer: Oh, hello. I'm interested in the hiking packages you offer in the national park near here.

Booking agent: Yes, we run several treks. Which one did you have in mind?

Customer: Well, I liked the sound of the trip that mentioned the peaks. Was it the mountain summit?

Booking agent: Oh, that's our Summit View Trek. It's very popular and it's located in a beautiful village with great views.

Customer: Oh, right. And... how long does it last?

Booking agent: It's three days. That includes three hours' travel time each way from the city.

Customer: Good. I don't want to be away any longer than that. So, is that by bus?

Booking agent: Actually, it's by van. We like to keep these tours small and personal, so we don't take a large busload of people. In fact, we only take up to 12 people on this trek, although we do run it with just 8 or 10.

Customer: Oh, right. So... do you run these treks often?

Booking agent: Well, it depends on the time of year. Of course, in peak times, like the spring break, we do them every weekend. But at the moment, it's usually once a month at most.

Customer: And when is the next one scheduled?

Booking agent: Hmm, let me see. There's one in two weeks' time, which is May 12th. And then we don't have another one until July 4th.

Customer: All right. And is May a good time to go?

Booking agent: Very good, though the best time is really later in the summer.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 5 to 10.

(Pause)

Now listen and answer questions 5 to 10.

Booking agent: I have to say, though, that the trekking is only one of the many things offered.

Customer: Really?

Booking agent: Yes. The lodge itself where you stay has great facilities. It's called the Highgrove.

Customer: The what grove?

Booking agent: No, it's actually the Highgrove. H-I-G-H-G-R-O-V-E. It's right near the main trail entrance.

Customer: Oh, I see.

Booking agent: All of the rooms have mountain views and the meals are really good there too.

Customer: Oh, right. What about the other things, you know, that are included in the price?

Booking agent: Oh, there are lots of things. If you don't want to do the summit climb, your guide will take anyone who is interested either on a nature walk through the valley near the lodge, and there's no extra charge for that, or on a horse riding trip. That's an extra 15 dollars, I think. And there is also a local museum in town. That costs more or less the same.

Customer: No, I think I'd prefer the climb to the museum.

Booking agent: Yeah, and if you just want to relax, you're free to use the lodge sauna or go for a stroll. Oh... and they also have bowling alleys at the lodge, but you have to pay for those by the hour. But there are billiards tables in the basement, and they're part of the accommodation package. Just speak to your guide.

Customer: Well, that sounds good. So how much is the basic trek price?

Booking agent: At this time of year, it's usually around 350 dollars, but let me check. Oh, it's actually 320 dollars.

Customer: And the next trek, are there any places on that one?

Booking agent: How many people is it for?

Customer: There are two of us.

Booking agent: Yes, that should be fine. Can I just mention that we require all bookings to be made at least 10 days before you travel, to avoid cancellations of treks? And if you cancel within five days of departure, you'll have to pay 40 percent of your total booking.

Customer: OK.

Booking agent: And you also need to pay a 25 percent deposit at the time of booking.

Customer: Can I pay that by credit card?

Booking agent: Yes, you can.

Customer: All right. What I'll do is I'll talk to my wife and get back to you.

Booking agent: Fine. So I'll make a provisional booking, shall I? Two for the Summit View Trek. Let me issue you with a customer reference number for when you call back. Do you have a pen?

Customer: Yes.

Booking agent: OK. It's 48216S. That's S for Sierra. When you call back, ask to speak to the booking manager. That's me, Sarah.

Customer: Fine, I will.

That is the end of Part 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

Part 2

You will hear a radio program giving consumers advice about purchasing high chairs for their toddlers.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15.

(Pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.

Presenter: Hello and welcome to today's Smart Spender program, where we provide you with some guidance on how to use your budget effectively. Now, in today's broadcast, we're examining furniture for infants and young children.

Let's begin by evaluating high chairs. These are typically for children up to three years of age. We investigated three different models, all within the economical price bracket, and as per our usual format, we'll highlight the advantages, the drawbacks, and our final recommendation.

The first chair we reviewed was by SecureSit, and it had several positive attributes. Our researchers really appreciated the fact that it featured four wheels, so it was quite mobile around the kitchen. The only minor issue with this chair was that it lacked brakes, but they didn't feel that this was a significant concern. Initially, they were slightly worried about the hinges because they thought toddlers could pinch their fingers in them, but our researchers concluded that this was highly improbable, so they've awarded this one a verdict of 'satisfactory'.

Moving on to the next model, which was by KidsKare. This time, despite the rather confusing instruction manual, our researchers were happy to discover a chair which features very simple assembly. On the negative side, our researchers didn't appreciate the fact that the tray on the chair was fixed in place, making it awkward to lift heavier toddlers in and out.

However, the genuine concern with this model wasn't the material, but rather the gap in the safety harness. Our researchers found the straps were simply too loose and a child could easily slip through. We felt this was a major safety risk and so we've categorized this one as 'dangerous', I'm afraid.

Before you hear the rest of the program, you have some time to look at questions 16 to 20.

(Pause)

Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.

Presenter: And finally, more positive results for the Parent's Pick chair. This model was slightly unique in that although the seat itself was fixed, the height could be adjusted into three different levels, making it versatile as well as practical.

The drawbacks for this one were relatively minor. The only complaint everyone had was the fact that it doesn't fold flat for storage. And the only other issue anyone could identify was that there were decorative stickers on the armrests. These were only lightly attached and so could easily be peeled off and swallowed. However, the manufacturers have now pledged to stop using these, so the chair will soon be excellent in every regard. We've designated the Parent's Pick chair our 'best buy'. Well done to Parent's Pick.

So what elements should you look for in a child's high chair? Well, naturally, safety is a paramount consideration, along with durability and ease of use. We advise that if you're purchasing a chair, do ensure that any metal parts are not corroded or sharp in any way. You should also check your chair has only rounded or smooth corners, without any jagged edges. This is particularly vital for wooden models.

Right, and now, on to booster seats for older children...

That is the end of Part 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

Part 3

You will hear a conversation between a student, Leo, and a university advisor, Fiona, about a postgraduate certificate.

First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.

(Pause 30 seconds)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.

Leo: Hello. I was referred to this office for guidance on, um... Public Relations certificates?

Fiona: You're in the right place. Hi, my name is Fiona.

Leo: Pleased to meet you. I’m Leo, Leo Thompson.

Fiona: So, Leo, have you had a chance to read our course guide yet?

Leo: Yes, I’ve already reviewed it. Actually, I found the section on elective modules really helpful, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the different study modes available. Distance learning, weekend blocks and so on.

Fiona: Well, let’s see how I can assist. I think each mode has its benefits and drawbacks, so it really depends on your situation, your learning style and your budget, naturally. Are you currently employed?

Leo: Yes, I’ve been working in the marketing department of a regional non-profit organisation for the last four years, and before that I was in the press office of a construction firm for three years. So I've got about seven years of relevant industry experience, and what I’m hoping to specialise in now is handling corporate emergencies.

Fiona: I see. And are you considering quitting your current role to focus on your studies, or are you thinking about just taking a sabbatical?

Leo: I want to explore my options, really. I don’t want to leave my job permanently. And my directors are supportive of me gaining more expertise, but obviously it'd be preferable if I could complete the course without being absent from the office for too long.

Fiona: Right. So you’re not particularly interested in the one-year intensive course, then?

Leo: No, not really. It’s also a matter of finances. You see, my organisation has agreed to fund the tuition fees, but I would have to take a leave of absence if I study full-time, and, well, I simply couldn't survive without my regular income for twelve months.

Fiona: OK. Well, you have two other options. You could either do the evening-based course, which would be spread over 36 months, and you wouldn’t have to take any leave, or you could do what we call a fast-track course. You could finish that in 15 months if you wanted, or stretch it out. It’s quite adaptable.

Leo: Hmm. So what does the evening course entail?

Fiona: For that, you would attend a class after work and have a workshop once a week. Then you’d have to participate in a virtual seminar once every four weeks.

Leo: What kind of assignments would I have to complete?

Fiona: Well, it’s a variety. You’d be expected to submit a journal entry each week, which contributes to your final grade. You have a research project to complete by the end of the term, which might involve conducting interviews or something similar. And you also need to provide a short summary every six weeks.

Leo: So that’s quite a heavy workload then, in addition to working full-time. It sounds like a lot of pressure.

Fiona: Yeah, you certainly wouldn't have much leisure time.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30.

(Pause)

Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.

Leo: What about the fast-track course? What would be required for that?

Fiona: Well, that’s where you get the chance to study on campus for short bursts. That way you can finish a lot of modules and participate in seminars during the day.

Leo: And how long is each burst?

Fiona: Each one lasts for exactly one month. So, about 4 weeks at a time. There are clear benefits to this, the primary one being that you can immerse yourself in the subject, which allows you to study in a truly intensive way.

Leo: And how many of these bursts would I have to complete to earn the certificate?

Fiona: The current structure is three bursts, and then you have to pick a case study to investigate in more detail. But you can use your own workplace for that, so you don't need to be away from the company for that final part. The key thing is that you don't have to balance study and work simultaneously. You can dedicate yourself to one task at a time.

Leo: Yes, I can see the appeal. It definitely sounds interesting. It would be more costly, though. I mean, I’d have to support myself without income during each study burst.

Fiona: That’s true. So that might be a hurdle for you. Look, why don't you discuss this with your managers and then...

That is the end of Part 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

Part 4

You will hear part of a lecture given by a financial historian about personal credit and debt in modern Britain.

First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.

(Pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Lecturer: Good morning. Today we are going to explore the shifting attitudes of different social groups towards the concept of personal debt and the management of credit, looking specifically at how individuals prioritize their borrowing and what they use it for. One factor that has often been overlooked in this area of economic history is age. So, if we look at generational issues, we are essentially asking whether younger and older people have different perspectives on taking out loans.

Back in 1936, the influential economist John Maynard Keynes wrote in his General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money that "the typical consumer is driven by a desire for immediate satisfaction, and is therefore prone to underestimating the long-term cost of interest." He also noted that "the older generation, having witnessed more economic cycles, is far more cautious in its approach to borrowing." Now, while modern economists might challenge some of those generalisations, recent data does indicate that there are still some very significant differences between age groups in their approach to financial liabilities.

Let's examine what different generations actually borrow money for. Research papers on young professionals in the UK have found that this group is far more likely to take on debt for international travel, and interestingly, they are also more likely to use credit cards to purchase the latest technology. The same research has found that older workers, on the other hand, tend to borrow for home improvements, which, incidentally, accounts for a remarkably high percentage of the credit market in Britain. But the other primary motivation for older people when managing debt is helping their family members. When they are at the peak of their earning potential, they are far more likely to take out loans to assist their children with university costs than younger people are.

Now, this trend is somewhat concerning because, in reality, the financial pressure on the younger generation to save for the future is much greater than for their parents. Let's look at the reasons for this. To begin with, it is a recorded fact that across Europe, the current generation is expected to have a much longer life expectancy than previous ones, so they require more capital to sustain themselves over a longer period. Since younger people are less likely to benefit from the generous state pensions of the past, they may therefore have to fund their own private care in later years. Furthermore, the rising cost of living in urban centres is creating a debt trap for the young. It is the new graduates who must often take on high rents, and thus they have less capacity to pay off their existing student loans.

So how can this financial imbalance be addressed? The data suggests that currently, for many young adults, it takes a significant recession to force them to re-evaluate their spending habits. But of course, a period of high unemployment is the worst possible time for anyone to try to reorganize their finances. Young people today must plan ahead. Even individuals in their early 20s must begin to understand the mechanics of compound interest, and with more resources available online, there are indications that this awareness is slowly increasing.

Then research also indicates that many people avoid managing their debt effectively because of a lack of mathematical confidence. The most efficient way for them to tackle this is by becoming better educated so they can make their own calculations rather than relying on the marketing of banks. Several programmes have been launched to support this. This university, for instance, provides weekend workshops in debt counselling and financial literacy. Here, they can get information on different debt repayment strategies. It is generally recommended that at least 80 percent of a person's monthly income should be allocated to essential living costs and debt reduction, but for the remainder, experts often suggest building a small emergency fund. Initiatives like these can provide the younger generation with the financial tools they need for a stable, debt-free future.

That is the end of Part 4. You now have one minute to check your answers.