Audioscripts IELTS Practice 8 Listening Test 03

Part 1

You will hear a letting agent talking to a customer who wants to rent an apartment.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.

Agent: Good afternoon. How can I help you?

Customer: Hello. I'm interested in renting an apartment somewhere near the university.

Agent: Right. Could I take your name, please?

Customer: Yes, it's David Bradley.

Agent: And tell me how many bedrooms you require.

Customer: Well, I just need one, because I'm going to be living on my own.

Agent: OK. There are plenty of that size on our database. They mostly belong to investors who rent them out to postgraduates. What about the specific location?

Customer: It'd be ideal to be in the north quarter.

Agent: That shouldn't be a problem, as most apartments of that type are situated there. Now, what's your maximum budget for the rent?

Customer: I'm aiming for something around £700 a month, but I could stretch to £800 if it's really nice. But I absolutely can't go above that.

Agent: Do you know what length of contract you want to sign for? The standard lease is twelve months, as you probably know.

Customer: I'm doing a master's degree for one year, and I want to secure somewhere for the entire duration if possible.

Agent: Right. And what date do you want the tenancy to begin? Most of our properties are available from the beginning of the week.

Customer: Well... I need to settle in before term starts. So that means October 15th.

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: OK. Let me bring up some options on the screen. We have virtual tours of all the flats on our system, so you can get a feel for the layout. There's this one in Parkside Building at £750 a month, open plan living room and kitchen with a separate bathroom. It doesn't have a balcony, though it does have large windows.

Customer: Ah, I'd really like to have some outdoor space if possible.

Agent: Right. Then take a look at this apartment in River Court. It's got a very spacious bedroom and kitchen, modern bathroom, and a utility closet.

Customer: What's the monthly rent?

Agent: That one's 790. It's unfurnished but has white goods installed. It also has an allocated space in the basement parking and it's available immediately. Oh, and there's a shared roof terrace.

Customer: I don't think I'd use that much, to be honest. I prefer having my own private area.

Agent: OK. Then there's this older conversion in Victoria Street. Living room, separate kitchen, and it has a small balcony. £720 a month.

Customer: That looks quite charming. But where exactly in Victoria Street?

Agent: Right at the eastern end, near the intersection.

Customer: Oh, that'll be terrible for traffic. I know that junction well.

Agent: Yes, it gets quite congested. It's very central, though. Well, how about this flat in Queens Square?

Customer: That looks perfect. What makes that particular square so popular?

Agent: There's a lot of competition for flats in that block, so they don't stay empty long. But this one doesn't have a washing machine, which has deterred a few people. It's got a large living room, modern kitchen, and it's 780 a month. I think it matches most of your criteria.

Customer: It sounds great.

Agent: And there's a massive regeneration project happening in the area. It'll soon have the best facilities in the city. There's a huge shopping mall being built. Actually, the new supermarket inside is already open, a month early, and it's proving very convenient.

Customer: What about gyms? Are there any close by?

Agent: The old leisure centre was demolished in the spring and it's currently being rebuilt as a luxury health club.

Customer: I thought I read an article about a proposal to upgrade the local library with a larger IT suite.

Agent: Ah, that's scheduled for the autumn.

Customer: Well, it sounds like a vibrant area to live in. Could we arrange a viewing for the apartment, please?

Agent: Yes, certainly.

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

Part 2

You will hear a woman talking on a podcast about a City Sports Complex.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 16.

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 16.

Presenter: Hello, and welcome to Active City. I'm your presenter, Sarah Jones, and this is your weekly community sports update. Every Monday morning we highlight different leisure and fitness facilities and preview the classes and tournaments that are coming up in the district.

And today the focus is on the Metropolitan Sports Complex. Now, if you haven't visited it yourself, I'm sure you've driven past it. It's recognised nationally as one of the premier venues for indoor athletics. But did you know that it's actually much more than just a place to watch track events?

The complex itself is a massive building that accommodates a huge variety of sports. Under one roof it contains tennis courts, swimming pools, dance studios, squash courts and an impressive climbing wall, as well as amenities including two cafes and a sports therapy clinic. So, on any given day, the range of activities there is absolutely vast.

So, how did they manage to construct such a large leisure complex right in the middle of the suburbs? Well, the land was previously a derelict factory site that closed in the 1980s. So the decision was made to design a recreational space that would be what they termed the region's legacy for youth. Naturally, it took a long time for such an ambitious scheme to secure funding, but it was designed in the 90s, constructed in the 2000s, and finally opened to the community in 2012. Ever since then, it has proved to be a tremendous asset.

It's not commercially run, like many modern gyms, but is still community owned. It's managed by a local trust. Both our regional gymnastics squad and the city basketball team were consulted in the layout of the arenas, and they're now headquartered there, holding weekly training sessions. And as the complex is open from 6am to midnight, there are plenty of slots to book.

Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 17 to 20.

[Pause]

Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.

So, to give you a flavour of what's happening, and to help you plan your week, we've picked out a few of the top events.

If you're keen on racquet sports, then we suggest you head down to the Metropolitan on either Thursday or Friday evening at 6.00 for a thrilling exhibition match of badminton, featuring some of the top regional players. It's in the Main Arena, and entry starts at only £5, but you'll have to book online if you want to guarantee a seat. And bear in mind, it's only happening on those two days.

For those more focused on fitness, you might prefer to join the new Pilates workshop, which is running on Tuesday evening at 7pm in Studio 3. And that's called Core Strength. It's had excellent feedback, and the session costs just £6, which is a discount on the standard rate of £8. So, it's really cheap, especially for such high-quality instruction.

But you can experience the complex's biggest draw at the weekend, because on Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm, they're hosting a brilliant new competition that hasn't been held anywhere in the county before. It's a junior martial arts tournament called Future Champions. That's in Hall B. And it features some incredibly talented kids and teenagers from all over the region. And the best part is that spectator entry is completely free, so do drop in.

So, why not visit the Metropolitan Sports Complex this week for one or several of these exciting activities? And you can always grab a timetable at reception and discover all the other classes and leagues on offer, or starting shortly, for all ages and abilities. Next week, we'll be reviewing the newly renovated ice rink.

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

Part 3

You will hear a university tutor and a new student called Leo discussing Leo's volunteer experience and his upcoming Environmental Studies course.

First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.

Tutor: I've been reviewing your application essay, Leo. Let's start by discussing your volunteer experience in Southeast Asia. What prompted you to go there? Was it to acquire more knowledge of tropical biology?

Leo: Well, as I'm majoring in conservation alongside environmental studies, my primary goal was to understand more about the way local communities interacted with the rainforest. My theoretical biology was already quite solid, actually.

Tutor: So you weren't too concerned about academic gaps?

Leo: No. In fact, I ended up assisting with wildlife surveys there, although that wasn't my initial preference of assignment.

Tutor: I see. How did you organize all this?

Leo: I contacted an NGO that coordinates various ecological projects in Southeast Asia.

Tutor: What sort of projects?

Leo: Well, there were a few options. Joining tree planting initiatives was a possibility. Then there was eco-tourism, guiding visitors through the mangrove swamps, which I initially decided to do. And then there was work with local fishermen.

Tutor: But you didn't stick with the eco-tourism project. Why was that?

Leo: Because I never really felt sure if I was making a tangible difference or not. I'd assumed it might be demanding physically, but I was definitely energetic enough. Actually, I wanted to engage in something that had a clearer scientific methodology to it, I guess. I lose focus otherwise.

Tutor: What do you feel you gained from your time there? It must have been a fantastic chance to observe village dynamics.

Leo: Yes, but it was tough at the beginning to integrate with the residents. It was an extremely isolated settlement and some of them were hesitant to engage with me, although they were frequently curious about my camera equipment and where I bought it. My clothing was pretty standard for a researcher, so they didn't care about that.

Tutor: Well, that's natural.

Leo: Yes, but the situation quickly got better. What surprised me was that when the villagers grew more accustomed to my presence and less guarded, we truly shared knowledge with each other in a profound way.

Tutor: Excellent. What about supervision? Did you have a site director?

Leo: Yes, and she provided me with plenty of support and instruction.

Tutor: And was she effective at organizing too?

Leo: That wasn't her greatest asset. I feel she was often more absorbed in the data analysis side of things than managing the daily schedules. She was a bit disorganised.

Tutor: And did you have a set duration?

Leo: I was committed to stay for a minimum of four months initially. My friends were shocked when I applied to extend it, making it eight months ultimately. I was incredibly fulfilled there.

Tutor: And did anything regarding the logistics of the trip surprise you? What was the accommodation and meals like?

Leo: Basic. But there was an abundance of fresh food and I only contributed $10 a day for it, which was fantastic, honestly. And they supplied me with all the gear I required, even a GPS tracker.

Tutor: You hadn't anticipated that then?

Leo: Not at all.

Tutor: Well, I'm eager to hear further details later.

Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.

[Pause]

Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.

Tutor: But right now let's review these elective modules. You'll have to begin deciding which ones you'll absolutely want to enroll in. The first option here is Sustainable Agriculture in Asia. It examines how modern commercial farming techniques are altering rural landscapes.

Leo: If it focused on traditional practices rather than commercial farming, I might take it, but I'm going to pass on that one.

Tutor: OK. What about Environmental Policy Making? Do you reckon you'd find that beneficial? Well, you've gained some grassroots experience in the region. I believe it would be.

Leo: I hadn't considered that angle. I'll mark that down as a yes then.

Tutor: OK. How about Tropical Forest Conservation? That appears suitable.

Leo: I assumed so too, but I checked the syllabus structure online and that altered my opinion. I'm not so sure now.

Tutor: Don't evaluate the worth of the module based purely on that. Perhaps chat to some former students first and we can review it again next week before you make a final choice.

Leo: OK, I'll do that.

Tutor: Yes, and finally, will you register for the advanced data modelling classes?

Leo: My basic stats are fine, so would I find that module straightforward?

Tutor: Not necessarily. Some learners find that basic stats clash with learning complex modelling, grasping the new software too. It's significantly more demanding in many respects.

Leo: Well, I'd much rather select a different option then. I won't do that one.

Tutor: Very well. Now, what we have to process is...

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

Part 4

You will hear a lecture about scaling up in the hospitality industry.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Lecturer: Good afternoon, everyone. In the previous modules, I've been discussing marketing strategy, but now I'm going to transition to operational expansion. And in today's session, I'm going to explore what can cause failures when hospitality chains try to replicate their own successful models.

Once a restaurant brand has profitably launched a new concept — running a flagship diner, for example, or opening a boutique hotel — the corporate headquarters inevitably wishes to duplicate that triumph and roll it out, if feasible, on a national scale. The objective then is to exploit proven formulas and not to invent new menus. It's a less creative process than original culinary design, but it actually occurs more frequently, as a matter of routine. However, unexpectedly, executing things perfectly the second time around is not inherently any easier than it was the initial time.

Now, there's been extensive analysis into how hospitality groups can clone their prior achievements, and it absolutely hasn't been restricted to the UK market. It appears that most major hotel chains are attempting to duplicate their own flagship sites and transfer the culture they've developed. But despite this, it has been proven that the vast proportion of rollouts stumble. A multitude of reports verify this, analysing a diverse array of hospitality environments: coffee shops, fast-food franchises, luxury resorts, catering hubs, event spaces, to mention just a handful.

So why do so few directors get things functioning correctly the second or fourth time? Let's examine one cause for underperformance: putting excessive faith in the individuals who are managing the profitable venue, the founders, if you will. Directors who intend to roll out a proven model typically begin by consulting a founder, such as the chef who created and is managing a thriving bistro, and asking for their recipe. Now, this method can be useful if you wish to acquire a basic overview of a specific kitchen or resolve minor, specific staffing issues. The problem is, even the founder doesn't entirely comprehend the whole dynamic. Because when it comes to complex hospitality environments, the distinct elements of the service are interconnected with each other. The founder rarely has total visibility of the required variables. And the issue is made even more complex by the reality that founders are frequently blind to their own blind spots.

The lack of awareness can manifest in several ways. For example, a wealth of nuances of the service are hidden to head office. Some might be hard to articulate — picked up on the floor and understood implicitly by the waitstaff, maybe, but impossible to document in a manual that's practical. And there are certain routines that staff perform or anticipate that they're not even conscious of.

Now, let's look at two categories of error that can happen when a regional manager actually begins to build a franchised venue to mimic a thriving restaurant. Firstly, maybe she loses sight of the fact that she was merely intending to clone another diner and begins attempting to tweak the menu. A second error is attempting to cherry-pick the strongest elements of several different venues in the ambition of designing the ultimate dining experience. Regrettably, endeavours like these generally prove to be flawed and result in operational chaos.

Why? Well, for a number of factors. Maybe there weren't actually any real benefits after all because the customer feedback wasn't objective. Or perhaps the target demographics weren't truly identical. More commonly, the benefits are genuine, but there are also negative impacts that have been ignored. For instance, the layout changes might impact hygiene in the kitchen somehow.

So what's the remedy? Well, I don't mean to imply that it's simple to achieve perfection the next time. It's tough. But the fundamental barrier relates more to corporate culture than the sheer complexity of the rollout. And there are methods of achieving success. These require modifying corporate culture, to begin with. Being more pragmatic and observant, essentially. Secondly, they require imposing rigid standards on the managerial and service protocols. And this, consequently, requires replicating the prototype as strictly as permitted. Not just mirroring the aesthetic decor of the restaurant, but also mirroring the training that the pioneer staff received. Adherence to a blueprint like this provides the massive benefit of guaranteed quality.

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