Audioscripts IELTS Practice 13 Listening Test 03

Part 1

You will hear a man phoning a friend who lives in a city called Hampton to get some advice about moving there.

First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5.

(pause)

Now Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.

Sarah: Hello, Sarah speaking.

Paul: Oh, hi, Sarah. This is Paul Jones. Mike Smith gave me your number. He said you'd be able to give me some advice about moving to Hampton.

Sarah: Yes, Mike did mention you. How can I help?

Paul: Well, first of all, which area to live in?

Sarah: Well, I live in Redwood, which is a really nice district. It’s quiet and there’s a lovely river nearby.

Paul: Sounds good. Do you know how much it would be to rent a two-bedroom apartment there?

Sarah: Yeah, you should be able to get something decent for £950 per month. That's the average price. You certainly wouldn't want to pay more than £1000.

Paul: Does that include bills?

Sarah: Not usually, but it often includes the service charge for the building maintenance.

Paul: No, that sounds manageable. I'll definitely check that area out. Is it easy to get around from where you live?

Sarah: Well, I'm very lucky. I work in the town centre, so I don't need to take the bus. I generally go on foot.

Paul: Oh, I wish I could do that. Is it far?

Sarah: No, it only takes twenty minutes. And it wakes me up in the morning. Anyway, driving to work in the centre would be stressful because there is a strict one-way system. And the parking fees are extortionate.

Paul: I'd be working from home mostly, but I'd have to go to Birmingham once a week.

Sarah: Oh, that's fine. Getting to Birmingham is easy. There's a direct train every hour.

Paul: How long does that take?

Sarah: It's pretty quick. It only takes 50 minutes.

Paul: That's convenient.

Sarah: Yeah, the train service is reliable during the week, and they have Wi-Fi. It's Sundays that are a pain. They run a reduced service and you often have to change at Crewe. That adds an hour to the journey. But other than that, Hampton is a wonderful place.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.

(pause)

Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.

Paul: There are some nice facilities in the town centre, I heard?

Sarah: Yes, there is a brand new library, which has only been open a few weeks. It has a great cafe inside.

Paul: Sounds like Hampton is on the up.

Sarah: Yes, we're really lucky. There are lots of positives. The local primary schools are excellent. And the doctors' surgery here is one of the most modern in the region. Everyone I know speaks highly of the staff there. Oh, I can give you the name of a good cleaning company too, if you need one when you move.

Paul: Oh, thanks.

Sarah: I'll text you the details later.

Paul: Thanks. That would be really helpful. Are you going to be around next week?

Sarah: Yes, I am. Why?

Paul: My wife and I are coming down. We want to view some flats.

Sarah: I could meet you for a coffee if you like and tell you more about the area.

Paul: Are you sure? That would be great.

Sarah: Either Wednesday or Friday is good for me, after 6.00.

Paul: Well, we're driving back on Thursday morning, so...

Sarah: OK, let's make it Wednesday. Friday I usually go to the gym anyway.

Paul: OK. Great. Let me know where suits you.

Sarah: I'll meet you in the restaurant next to the cinema. You can't miss it. It's the Italian one with the red sign.

Paul: Perfect. Is that the cinema on the High Street?

Sarah: No, it's the one by the park.

Paul: OK, got it. Next to the cinema.

Sarah: That's the one.

Paul: Perfect. I'll message you when we arrive. Thanks so much for all the help.

Sarah: No problem. See you next week.

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

Part 2

You will hear a nutrition expert giving a talk on a health podcast about different types of diets.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 17.

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 17.

Expert: So, if you're one of those people who is confused by all the different eating plans out there, here are some things to think about which might help you choose the right approach for your lifestyle.

The first question to ask yourself is whether you would enjoy following a strict meal plan. Many people are put off by the idea of having to count every single calorie. You often have to weigh your food, which can be very time-consuming. But with consistent effort, you'll see a significant improvement in your energy levels in just a few weeks.

Plant-based eating has become incredibly popular in recent years. That's probably got a lot to do with the fact that it's seen as a very ethical choice. Anyone can try it, even if you just start with 'Meat-free Mondays'. But make sure you get enough protein. It's worth researching different sources, and some specialist ingredients can be pricey. Another great thing about this diet is that you can find options in almost any restaurant now.

The Paleo diet is another really good way to improve your health. What attracts many people is that you can eat as much fresh meat and fish as you want. On the other hand, it can be quite restrictive socially. It's hard to explain to your friends why you can't eat bread or pasta when you go out for dinner.

Intermittent fasting has become almost as popular as veganism in recent years. That's probably because, as well as helping with weight management, many people say it improves their mental clarity. Provided the schedule suits you, of course; only people with a flexible routine can skip breakfast easily.

The Mediterranean diet is a good choice for those of you looking for a plan which focuses on developing long-term heart health. It's a good way of reducing cholesterol, and with the right recipes, there's less chance of getting bored than with other more extreme diets. But don't expect to lose weight rapidly. It can be surprisingly high in fat, especially for people who love olive oil.

Getting a nutritionist is a good way to start your health journey. Obviously there can be significant costs involved, but if you've got someone there to monitor your progress and help you adjust your meals, you're less likely to fall back into bad habits. Make sure you get someone with a recognised qualification though, or you could receive dangerous advice.

Before you hear the rest of the podcast, you have some time to look at questions 18 to 20.

(pause)

Now listen and answer questions 18 to 20.

Expert: Whatever you do, don't start a diet unless you're sure you can stick to it. So many people waste lots of money by buying expensive supplements and then hardly ever use them. That's a major pitfall.

What happens to their good intentions? I don't think people suddenly stop caring about their health or decide they prefer junk food. I think people lose motivation when they don't see immediate results on the scales. That's when they give up hope and stop believing they'll ever change their body shape.

Also, what people sometimes don't realize when they start is that it takes a lot of willpower and planning to cook fresh meals every night, and lots of people simply don't have that kind of time.

One thing you can do to help yourself is to set manageable targets. Be realistic and don't deprive yourself too much. Some people advise cutting out sugar completely, but I think it's better to have a balanced approach. Give yourself a small reward every time you stick to your plan for a week. And don't get too upset if you have a bad day. It's a journey. There are bound to be temptations along the way.

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

Part 3

You will hear a fine art student called Sarah discussing her project on using natural materials for creating sculptures with her tutor.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

Tutor: OK, Sarah, you wanted to see me about your sculpture project.

Sarah: That's right. I've been looking at how a range of natural materials can be used to create forms like clay and wood.

Tutor: Why did you choose that topic?

Sarah: Well, I got a lot of useful ideas from the gallery, you know, at that exhibition of modern art. But actually, the main reason goes back further. I've always been interested in anything to do with texture. Years ago, I went to a pottery studio with my aunt when we were visiting Cornwall, and I remember all the amazing surfaces. That really stuck with me.

Tutor: They might not all have been natural materials.

Sarah: Maybe not. But for the project, I decided to follow it up. And I found a great book about a sculpture park in Yorkshire that specialises in works made from stone.

Tutor: OK. So in your project, you had to include a practical investigation.

Sarah: Yeah. At first I couldn't decide on my variables. I was going to just look at one type of material, for example, like stone.

Tutor: And see how different tools affected it?

Sarah: Yes. Then I decided to broaden the scope and include others as well. So I looked at stone and wood and plaster.

Tutor: With just one type of tool?

Sarah: Various types, including some that were electric, for comparison.

Tutor: OK.

Sarah: So I did the experiments last week. I used some pre-cut stone blocks. I found a supplier which delivered them. They came in just a few days, but I also sourced some of my own wood.

Tutor: That must have taken quite a bit of time.

Sarah: Yes. I thought it'd just be a matter of picking up a few branches, and actually that wasn't the case at all. Like, I was using one type of tree, an oak, for a carving, and I had to season a whole log of it. So it all took much longer than I'd expected.

Tutor: One possibility is to use soft clay.

Sarah: I did use one. That was a grey clay, a synthetic one.

Tutor: Polymer?

Sarah: Yeah. I used it for a model first. It held the shape well initially. But when I baked the material, the details just melted away. I'd been going to try it out for a larger piece, but I abandoned that idea.

Tutor: Were you worried about durability issues?

Sarah: No, I thought if it's sold for modelling, it must be strong.

Tutor: Well, it can occasionally crack if it's too thick, I believe.

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.

Tutor: So what natural woods did you look at?

Sarah: Well, one was pine. The grain is great. It's a really soft wood. It's generally used for furniture like shelves. It's meant to be quite easy to carve, but you might find it's not durable when it's used outdoors. A few years and it rots.

Tutor: Right. I used willow for weaving a structure. When I bend willow to shape, I always end up with sore fingers.

Sarah: Oh?

Tutor: Yes, it's really tough on your hands. And the structure ended up just a sort of flimsy basket. Disappointing.

Sarah: There's a dense wood called ebony. Have you heard of that?

Tutor: Yes. It comes from the tropics, and it was used in antique cabinets, but only by wealthy people, as it was so expensive. I didn't use it. It is protected now, though one restorer managed to get hold of some legally.

Sarah: So we can't really use it for student projects.

Tutor: Exactly. But that shade of black can be produced by staining other woods nowadays. Did you use any metal?

Sarah: Copper. That was quite complicated. I had to heat the metal so the shape would hold.

Tutor: I hope you were careful to wear goggles.

Sarah: Yes, I know the danger with that process.

Tutor: Good, it can be extremely dangerous if it sparks. Now, presumably you had a look at a stone-based material, like marble, for example.

Sarah: Yes, I didn't actually carve that. I didn't have time to start chipping away at blocks to get the smooth finish. And anyway, it's not available locally. But I managed to get a small sample quite easily from a mason. But it costs a fortune. I can see why it's generally just used in grand statues and in small quantities.

Tutor: Yes, it's very beautiful, but that's precisely why it's not used for practice. I also read about using concrete. Apparently you can pour it into moulds while it's liquid, and that sets hard.

Sarah: Yes, that works well for creating forms. But you have to be careful as the weight can actually affect the floor, and so you can't expect to move sculptures made in this way easily. And the surface is quite rough. Not everyone likes it.

Tutor: Anyway, it looks as if you've done a lot of work.

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 biology lecture about an animal called the sea otter that is common in parts of the Pacific Ocean.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Last week we started looking at marine mammals, including seals and dolphins. I'd like us to have a look at another mammal, the otter, and in particular, at some studies that have been done on a particular type of otter whose Latin name is Enhydra lutris. This is commonly known as the sea otter because it spends almost its entire life in the water, unlike other otters that come onto land.

I'll start with a general description. Sea otters live in the northern Pacific Ocean, along the coasts of Russia and Alaska. Unlike river otters, which are mostly sleek and travel on land, sea otters are quite heavy, but what's particularly distinctive about them is the thickness of their fur, which is the densest of any animal, in contrast with other marine mammals like whales, which rely on blubber for warmth. And they're much smaller than most marine mammals. They have quite a varied diet, including crabs and even small fish, but they mostly eat invertebrates of varying kinds.

Even though they're quite agile and clever, with strong teeth that can crush clams and mussel shells, they still have quite a few predators. Large sharks like great whites were one of the main ones in the past, but nowadays they're more likely to be caught and killed by killer whales. Actually, another threat to their survival isn't a predator at all, but is man-made. Quite a large number of sea otters are killed by oil spills when they're trying to groom themselves.

One study carried out by Dr. Sarah Miller at the University of California investigated the tool-using behaviour of these otters. Though they lack hands, they can manipulate objects quite skillfully. And she found that even if they were given hard-shelled prey, they could usually crack it open as long as they could find a stone. They didn't need any other tools from the environment.

Observations of these otters in the wild have also revealed that their sleeping habits are quite unusual. Unlike most animals, it seems that they're relatively social when resting, holding hands to form a 'raft'. And the mother and pup also stay together for a long time, both before and after the pup learns to swim.

It's quite interesting to think about the possible reasons for this. It could be that it's to do with preventing drifting. You'd expect them to have a much better chance of staying in the kelp forest if they are anchored together. But in fact, observers have noted that once the pups have learned to dive, they have hardly any contact with their mothers when resting. So there's not really any evidence to support that idea.

Another suggestion is based on the observation that male otters in certain territories tend to be bigger and stronger than other males. So maybe the male otters stay around so they can give the female otters protection from other males. But again, we're not really sure.

Finally, I'd like to mention another study that involved collecting data by tracking the otters. I was actually involved in this myself. So we caught some otters in the wild and we developed a tiny tag system that would allow us to track them, and we fixed this onto their hind flippers. Then we set the otters free again, and we were able to track them for 12 days and gather data, not just about their location, but even about how deep they dived during this period.

One surprising thing we discovered from this is that there were far fewer deep dives than we expected. It seems that they were actually trying to stay in shallow water. So why would that be? Well, again, we have no clear evidence. But one hypothesis is that deep diving requires too much energy. So maybe this avoidance is a way of conserving this, of self-preservation, if you like. But we need to collect a lot more data before we can be sure of any of this.

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