Audioscripts IELTS Practice 6 Listening Test 03

Part 1

You will hear a man talking to a customer service agent at a mobile phone company.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.

Customer: Good afternoon. I'd like to set up a mobile phone contract, please.

Agent: Certainly. If you'd like to take a seat, I'll just gather some details from you. It won't take long.

Customer: Thanks.

Agent: Is it a pay-as-you-go plan or a monthly contract you're looking for?

Customer: A monthly contract.

Agent: Right. I have the application form here, then. We have various plans. I see you've taken our brochure there.

Customer: I've decided on the one called Unlimited.

Agent: Right, that's fine. So, first of all, can I have your full name, please?

Customer: Yes, it's David Miller.

Agent: That's M-I-L-L-A-R?

Customer: No, it's E-R at the end. It's the more common spelling.

Agent: Oh, right. OK. And what's your date of birth, please?

Customer: The 15th of March, 1995.

Agent: Right. And will this be for a single line?

Customer: Yes, just for me.

Agent: Okay, fine. And where are you living, Mr. Miller?

Customer: 42 Station Road.

Agent: Is that two words?

Customer: Yes.

Agent: Manchester?

Customer: Yes.

Agent: How long have you been at this address? Is it more than a year?

Customer: Just six months, actually. I only moved to the city last year. I'm from Ireland.

Agent: Oh, that's fine. But we normally require a previous address in that case.

Customer: Oh, yes. Well, it's 10 Elmwood Park. That's E-L-M-W-O-O-D Park, Dublin, Ireland.

Agent: OK, thank you. Do you have a work telephone number?

Customer: Yes, I think the number at my office is 830 551. Just a moment, I'd better confirm. Oh, no, sorry, 515. I'm still getting used to it.

Agent: Would you like to add a landline number, too?

Customer: Yes, please.

Agent: And what is that number?

Customer: It's 443 892.

Agent: Are they both Manchester numbers?

Customer: Yes.

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.

Agent: Right. And your current employment?

Customer: Well, I'm in the UK as a data analyst, but that's not my main profession. I'm a software developer by trade.

Agent: I see. I'll put that then. It's more specific. Now, we usually request a piece of personal information which we can use to verify your identity, for security purposes. You know, if you ever need to contact us.

Customer: Like my father's middle name?

Agent: Your first pet's name might be better. It's less likely to be public knowledge.

Customer: It was Lucky.

Agent: Lucky?

Customer: Yes. L-U-C-K-Y. It's an English name.

Agent: Fine. And how much would you like to put on your first bill? We usually ask for a minimum payment of 20 pounds. That's about 25 euros.

Customer: Well, I'm going to set up a direct debit of 500 pounds from my Irish account, just till I get settled. In fact, I wanted to ask you about that. What's the best way to arrange it?

Agent: It depends which network you're on.

Customer: It's the Three network in Dublin.

Agent: OK, fine. I'll confirm that in a minute. If we have an agreement with them, we can do an automatic transfer, but it's not a major issue either way. Um, let's see. How often would you like to receive your bill?

Customer: I haven't really considered it. What's the normal cycle?

Agent: It's your choice. Some people like them fortnightly.

Customer: Oh, no, that's too frequent. Can I have them sent once a quarter?

Agent: Yes, that's fine. Is there anything else?

Customer: I was thinking of adding international roaming at some stage.

Agent: Oh, yes. Would you like me to email you details about that?

Customer: Please, yes.

Agent: And would you like to receive marketing about the company's other products? Broadband, TV, anything like that?

Customer: I don't think so, thanks.

Agent: That's OK, then. And one last thing. If you agree...

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

Part 2

You will hear a guide giving visitors to a historic estate information about the house and grounds.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 13.

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 13.

Welcome, everyone, to the magnificent house and estate of Highclere, once the residence of the celebrated poet, William Wordsworth.

He purchased the property in 1813, although his initial viewing of the place had occurred half a decade earlier. At that time, the owners leased it to a relative because Wordsworth was too slow in securing the funds to purchase it. When it became available again, there was no delay, and he acquired it immediately for £12,500, even though the estate had no modern plumbing, no irrigation system for the fields and no gas lighting.

When he relocated here, he had lost his wife two years prior. During that period, he had become one of the most respected poets in the literary world. His critical acclaim was immense, but his family life was far from idyllic. His relationship with his son had completely broken down, and he had been heartbroken by the passing away at the age of ten of his younger sister, Eleanor.

Relocating to Highclere enabled the family to make a fresh start. Wordsworth considered Highclere as a perfect example of a classic country estate of this part of the country and composed some of his most acclaimed poetry here. The estate and its woodlands became the family's sanctuary and their retreat to nature and solitude.

The foundations and the arched doorways were constructed of the local granite. The slates on the outbuildings and the stones of the garden walls were quarried from nearby hills, and the wooden ceiling supports inside were crafted from the pine forests native to this specific area.

Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 14 to 20.

[Pause]

Now listen and answer questions 14 to 20.

Now, please take a look at the map I've provided of the house and grounds.

We're currently at the visitor centre. Follow the gravel track marked with the sign and the first section you reach is the walled garden on your right.

As you continue further along the track, there's the vegetable patch on the left. And as you round the first gentle bend, you will discover on your right a section where various species of apple tree have been cultivated, as well as some beautiful wildflowers. And this is referred to as Apple Walk, planted by Wordsworth himself.

Next to this is the conservatory, where some delicate flowers and herbs are cultivated. Follow the track around the second bend, and on your left you will see the gateway to the Rose Garden, with its 200-year-old fountain.

Past the Rose Garden, continue along the track until you arrive at the rear of the house. I recommend you allow a full hour exploring this magnificent building. A steward leads visitor groups through every hour.

If you wish to buy any of Wordsworth's poetry collections or other gifts, then exit the house by the main entrance, where you will locate our gift shop, which is positioned directly between the house and the stables. Those stables, by the way, house the beautiful vintage carriage which once belonged to Wordsworth.

I imagine by this point you may also be feeling in need of a break and a cup of tea. Most guests are, so why don't you pop into the coffee shop on the far side of the stables?

If you have the energy, there is a delightful stroll down towards the River Lune. For me, this is the most beautiful area of the property. This isn't on the plan, but it is all well-maintained. You cross the meadow, which stretches along the banks of the river. In autumn, this section is particularly worth seeing.

Take a moment or two enjoying the wildlife on the water as you cross the stone bridge, and then proceed along the riverside path through the forest. On a chilly winter's afternoon, the pine needles along this route provide a welcome scent. In due course, you arrive at the old sawmill, which used to power the machinery for the estate.

And finally, for those of you who wish to capture breathtaking photographs of the surrounding fells and who are a little more adventurous, when you walk back from the sawmill, take the first path on your right and hike up to the summit. You will be glad you did.

Enjoy your tour.

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

Part 3

You will hear two students, called David and Sarah, discussing a business studies assignment they are working on together.

First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24.

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

Sarah: David, we really need to get moving on this business studies project. We've only got twenty-one days until the submission date to design it, collect the data and then analyse the findings.

David: I agree. Well, let's start planning right away. Let's review the brief. What specifically are we required to do?

Sarah: Well, it states here we have to investigate one sector of the retail market. There's a list of the various options.

David: What are they?

Sarah: Fashion, electronics, cosmetics, sport and food.

David: Is that everything? It appears so. So we pick one area of the market and then we investigate how two distinct demographics of consumers interact with it. Is that correct?

Sarah: Yes.

David: And do we have to use any specific approach to gather our data? Can we set up an online poll or do telephone surveys or maybe even focus groups?

Sarah: Well, actually, it seems we don't have a choice. The guidelines strictly state we must conduct our questionnaires in person.

David: OK. So at least we don't have to spend ages debating between the different approaches.

Sarah: Yeah, that's true. Oh, and the other stipulation is the sample size.

David: Not too large, I trust. Thirty? Fifty?

Sarah: Well, we have to survey two demographics, remember, and it appears we have to interview twenty for each demographic.

David: That makes our overall target forty, then. It's going to be so time-consuming.

Sarah: Yes, but remember we're sharing this workload, so we'll only need to do a score each.

David: OK. So are those all the specifications?

Sarah: Yes. It seems so. So, first... Which sector shall we investigate? My first choice would be fashion, as that's what I spend most of my disposable income on.

David: I'm not sure that's such a smart choice. I don't believe there are vast differences in the consumer base there. I mean, you get all sorts of people shopping at the same high street stores.

Sarah: Yeah, maybe you're correct. Let's go with food, then.

David: Right. So, what two demographics shall we survey and compare? Male and female?

Sarah: No. Most of my male friends shop in exactly the same supermarkets as me. And contrasting different age groups might be too predictable. I think categorizing people based on their annual earnings will be much more likely to reveal interesting contrasts.

Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30.

[Pause]

Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.

David: Yeah, I suppose you're right once again. I'll make a few notes, shall I? So, financial backgrounds. Well... What do you suggest? Maybe under 20,000 for one demographic and over 60,000 for the other? That should reveal some clear differences.

Sarah: Right.

David: OK, next. How about the type of food they prefer? Let's offer them some options and then we can just check boxes.

Sarah: OK, let's include organic, convenience, budget, international. What else?

David: Well, we should have vegan. Lots of people eat plant-based now, you know.

Sarah: OK. And then we must ask how they buy their food. The method.

David: Right. Let's list supermarkets, local shops, and then I guess there's online.

Sarah: What about markets? You know, farmers' markets and street food stalls.

David: Oh, yeah. We must include fresh produce, of course.

Sarah: OK. We're making good progress now. The next question could be about where they actually prepare their food.

David: You mean, like, do they cook at home or eat in the office canteen?

Sarah: Yes, or get a delivery from a restaurant.

David: Right. That could be for weekday meals. Then we need a separate question for weekend habits. Where do they go for those?

Sarah: OK, let's say cafe, pub, restaurant, friend's house. Or takeaway.

David: And I suppose we should ask about organic box schemes.

Sarah: Not many of them in our area.

David: OK, we'll omit that then. So, what is there left to decide?

Sarah: That's everything. Well... Now we can draft a schedule for carrying it out.

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 about early settlements in ancient Greece.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Good morning, everyone. Last week we were discussing the hunter-gatherers in Greece, across the Aegean Sea from Turkey. Today, we're going to fast forward to the period between 3 and 5,000 years ago, known as the Bronze Age, which is when a complete maritime economy was established in Greece.

Now, there are numerous hypotheses about the origins of the first Bronze Age sailors in Greece, but the majority of these present challenges. For instance, there are considerable historical difficulties regarding the theory that they sailed from Egypt. The evidence doesn't fully support this. But there are even bigger logistical challenges regarding the idea that they migrated directly from the lands of northern Europe. For one thing, it's unclear just how large numbers of men and women could have been transported to Greece to form a stable community. As you recall, the nomadic economy which came before was based on dispersed, isolated tribes. The maritime economy would undoubtedly have demanded much larger settlements to perform all the tasks required to build and crew sufficient ships to trade with their neighbours.

The early sailors kept various goods, including olive oil and wine. There's also evidence of pottery, but it is conceivable that these could have been copied from the native Minoan designs. Now, we know from modern economics that if the level of exports falls below about... 500 tons per year, the future of the trade route locally is in jeopardy. So we must infer that from the start of Bronze Age trading, the volume of traded olive oil would have significantly surpassed 500 tons, and the national wine export must have been of a similar scale. The puzzle is how these goods were transported across the region and where they were sold. It's often proposed that the Bronze Age sailors relied on oar-powered boats to transport cargo, but this technique would have severely restricted the overall capacity of the trading fleets. The enormous volume of goods transport required means it's improbable that this cargo could have been shipped anywhere further than Turkey.

What about imports? Well, two key raw materials were brought to Greece during this period: copper and tin, both in various purities. The primary evidence for their arrival consists of solid ingots recovered from the remains of ancient shipwrecks, where a metal block accidentally fell into the hold of a ship before it sank. The ingots themselves were preserved by the saltwater, and they left a record which could be analysed and identified by metallurgists.

Let's shift our focus now to the shipbuilding technology accessible at that time. Before the trading ships could be constructed, it would have been necessary to cut the timber and to shape the hull by hand. An adze is a cutting tool, and while the wooden handles have long since rotted away, the bronze head of one such implement was unearthed during a dig on the island of Crete. The handle of the adze could have been wielded by craftsmen, but historians believe it is highly probable that controlled fire was also employed to hollow out the timber for the hull.

Now, the building of ships and the trading of goods brought about shifts in people's way of life, such as the type of communities they founded. For one thing, rather than remaining permanently settled inland, these populations required coastal ports. The bronze tools used to carve the docks out of rock were far more advanced than any that the Stone Age fishermen possessed. To make the tools, sources of suitable metal had to be located and systematically mined. These so-called bronze foundries were really workshops rather than factories, as the production of the tools wasn't centrally performed on the mine site. However, after the tool had been cast into shape, it needed water and stone for sharpening and finishing, so a dry mountainside wouldn't have been a suitable location for this. So this final stage of production had to be conducted in close proximity to a stream, and indeed, there's extensive evidence of this at riverside locations.

Now, it's apparent that these Bronze Age tools were traded all over Greece, as well as to Italy and the north of Egypt. It's not at all surprising that tools from foundries in Egypt have also been discovered in Greece. At the very minimum, this firmly establishes that a direct connection existed between these two great civilizations during that era.

Perhaps the most vital expertise possessed by these newcomers was the art of navigation, which was entirely unknown to Greek hunter-gatherers. The skill was probably developed by observing the stars by eye, and then plotting them until the patterns were the right shape. After memorising these patterns, sailors could consult the night sky to maintain their course, since they had no magnetic compass. Now, we know that the knowledge they relied upon was handed down entirely through oral tradition, which indicates that training was on a fairly informal basis, even though thousands of voyages are usually recorded at Bronze Age sites. Over the course of time, charts began to appear. At first, this looked like a series of lines and was just around the coasts of the islands. This could have been an imitation of earlier maps which were drawn on animal hide. Then eventually charts with depth markings...

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