Audioscripts IELTS Practice 10 Listening Test 04

Part 1

You will hear a customer calling a garden centre to arrange for some landscaping work to be done in his garden. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6.

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.

Centre: Greenfingers? Good afternoon.

Customer: Is that Mr. Green?

Centre: Speaking. How can I help?

Customer: I've got quite a few plants which need planting and pruning in the garden, and I wonder whether you'd be able to do the work.

Centre: I'm sure I'd be able to help, but let me take down a few details.

Customer: Yes, of course.

Centre: Well, firstly, how did you hear about us?

Customer: It was my neighbor John Smith. You did some excellent work for him a couple of months ago. Do you remember?

Centre: Oh, yes. That was in North Road Gardens. Nice gentleman.

Customer: Yes, he is.

Centre: And what's your name, please?

Customer: It's Arthur Pendelton.

Centre: Arthur... Can you spell your surname, please?

Customer: It's P-E-N-D-E-L-T-O-N.

Centre: Single L, right. And do you live in North Road Gardens as well?

Customer: No, actually it's South Road, Number 12.

Centre: Oh, right. That's round the corner, I seem to recall. Quite easy to find.

Customer: Yes, it's opposite the church.

Centre: Right, I know. And what's your phone number?

Customer: 564 892, but I'm working a great deal in the mornings and evenings.

Centre: So, would the best time to call you be in the afternoon?

Customer: Yes.

Centre: Fine, I've noted that. Can I just ask, I'll be in a truck and I know parking's rather restricted near your house. Where would you suggest?

Customer: Well, I always tell people in larger vehicles to park by the bus stop on the same side of the road as the gate.

Centre: Good, thanks.

Customer: And will you be able to give me a full breakdown of costs?

Centre: Oh yes, I'll list all the tasks separately with individual charges.

Customer: That'd be very useful.

Centre: No problem.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10.

[Pause]

Now listen and answer questions 7 to 10.

Centre: What would you like me to do?

Customer: Firstly, and most critically, is in the front yard. With all the storm damage, the branch on the tree has snapped and I'd need that removing.

Centre: I assume you mean cutting?

Customer: Oh, yes, and as quickly as possible.

Centre: What I'll do is come round on Monday morning and do that straight away.

Customer: Oh, thank you so much. The other things aren't so pressing, but...

Centre: Now, I'll make a list of everything you want doing.

Customer: Well, in the backyard, I'd like some digging doing.

Centre: All the flower beds?

Customer: Just the area near the shed. It's very hard.

Centre: It does tend to get that way. Yes. Well, if you want a thorough job done, what I'd need to do is water the dry soil and fork it about a day before I dig it.

Customer: Of course. Now, John tells me you also do work on the patio.

Centre: That's right.

Customer: Well, I'd like you to repair a wall.

Centre: Just one?

Customer: Yes, at the bottom end.

Centre: Fine. Shouldn't be an issue.

Customer: And that's everything.

Centre: Fine. Yeah, as I say, I can come round on Monday morning to assess things with you.

Customer: Well, that's brilliant. Thank you.

Centre: So, I'll look forward to seeing you on Monday at...

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

Part 2

You will hear a recorded guide giving an overview of the educational attraction of Oakwood Science Park in Scotland.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.

Guide: Welcome to Oakwood Science Park, where a century of discovery is made accessible to all. The whole family can enjoy a trip to Oakwood. Explore our wind tunnel, view replicas of the engines it tested, get your portrait sketched in a laboratory coat. Discover for yourself how scientists experimented, calculated and invented at different eras throughout history, and particularly how researchers lived, collaborated and relaxed.

The park of Oakwood is situated in rugged and dramatic woodland, on a slope of the Little River Dee, and was founded here because it's the most sheltered valley of the Dee. Winds are much less powerful in this valley, and it proved an ideal location to test and launch gliders to and from the air, which is over 500 feet above. A small workshop was already built here when, about 80 years ago, aluminium was processed nearby, though it wasn't until the Second World War, when a massive demand for aircraft of all types emerged, that Oakwood grew to become one of the most vital sites in the region. And because it was already so active, engineers began to search for other materials, and by the end of the 20th century, plastic, carbon, titanium and fibreglass were added to the components tested at Oakwood.

In the initial phase, the parts had been assembled, or constructed, in the same hangars they were designed. But as production scaled, the assembly process required vast industrial plants, or factories, to join the metal to the frame, and there was not enough space in the local valley, so the kits containing parts had to be transported great distances.

Regrettably, in the 21st century, the research hub of Oakwood closed, and hundreds of technicians were compelled to move out of the district. The facility at the park fell into ruin, and the site became virtually abandoned. But then the Oakwood Foundation was established to preserve the scientific heritage of the site. It recruited dozens of local enthusiasts to clear debris to reveal the original foundations of the laboratories. It then hired paid experts to align foundations with blueprints of the original park layout and to begin rebuilding it. Today, you can witness the outcome of this bold project of renovation. The goal, and we are confident this will be achieved before the start of the season, is to restore Oakwood Park to the state it attained at its height, as the premier aviation centre in the north.

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

[Pause]

Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.

Guide: But what can you experience and observe on your tour today? Here are just a few recommendations. We advise you begin with the tour to the wind tunnel. Ride on restored electric carts and travel into the heart of the facility along tracks once used by scores of engineers. Look out particularly for the giant cooling fans which cleared the tunnel of heat. But please be advised that, like all tunnels, ours is very noisy and enclosed, and we do state that children under six, and also pets, should not be brought into the tunnel.

The next suggested stop is to the design studio. While walking round the offices, take a specific look at our collection of blueprints, which is one of the most comprehensive in the country. And it's suggested that you schedule your visit to align with a live demonstration. This will offer you the chance to see experiments in action.

Beside the studio is the magnificent old steam locomotive called the Pioneer. You're invited to climb the engine and inspect the controls. Watch out for the driver's cap, which was lost until only two years ago when it was recovered out of the mud by a local walker. We have no clue how it ended up there, but it's been cleaned and proudly returned to its rightful hook in the cab. Please be careful climbing up the steps if you want to see the coal bunker. We don't advise you permit young kids to climb them.

So we trust you have an unforgettable trip to Oakwood Park and will recommend us to your family.

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

Part 3

You will hear two business students called Mark and Sarah talking about Sarah's recent internship.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

Mark: Hi, Sarah. Do you have a moment to chat about the internship you completed last winter? I'm planning to apply for one myself.

Sarah: Hi, Mark. Of course.

Mark: You did yours at a logistics firm, didn't you?

Sarah: That's correct. It's only a local branch, and they needed someone to update the employee handbook. I chose that specific role because I wanted to gain some HR experience, as I'm keen on a profession in personnel management in a corporate setting. It was beneficial because I had total control over the drafting.

Mark: What sort of abilities do you feel you improved on the internship? I mean, besides the ones you already possessed. Did you have to design all the graphics for the handbook, the format and everything?

Sarah: They engaged the services of a freelance designer for that. I did have to utilise my software skills to a degree because I formatted data from policy documents. But that didn't entail anything I hadn't practiced before.

Mark: Do you feel you became any more efficient at organizing your schedule and ranking tasks? You always mentioned you struggled with that.

Sarah: Oh, absolutely. There was immense stress to hit the print date, so I really had to learn how to manage my workload. And I also became more confident at presenting ideas and defending my choices, because I had to have daily briefings with the operations director and provide him with a status update.

Mark: It seems as if you gained a great deal from it then.

Sarah: Definitely. It was truly valuable. But, you know, the firm profited too.

Mark: Yes, they must have. After all, if they'd employed a specialist consultancy to rewrite their handbook instead of doing it internally, presumably they'd have spent a fortune more.

Sarah: Oh, indeed. I calculated it. It would have been 300% more, and I felt the final product was excellent, even though we managed everything on the premises. The branch has quite a robust server, and I managed to access some editing tools from the library. The revised handbook appears very polished. It boosts the professionalism of the firm immediately.

Mark: So, over time, it should assist them to recruit talent and enhance their retention rates?

Sarah: That's the theory, yeah.

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.

Mark: Well, overall, it sounds very encouraging. I think I'll proceed and request a placement myself. How do I initiate it?

Sarah: It's straightforward enough to do because there's a national body called LINK, L-I-N-K, that coordinates internships for undergraduates. You should begin by obtaining their brochure with all the specifications. I assume you can download one from their portal.

Mark: Actually, they've got leaflets in the business faculty. I've spotted them there. I'll just pop to the desk and grab one.

Sarah: Right. And then, if I were you, after I'd reviewed it, I'd discuss all the possibilities with someone.

Mark: I guess I should seek my professor's guidance. She understands my strengths better than anyone.

Sarah: One of the employment advisors would be superior. They've got more insight into the recruitment trends than your academic professor would possess.

Mark: Okay. And then, when I identify what I prefer, I can sign up with LINK. You'll locate their contact details in the brochure. And once you've signed up, they allocate you to a guide who monitors your submission. And then I guess you just relax and wait till you get a notification?

Sarah: They advised me at the employment hub that it's wiser to be active and seek news yourself by monitoring the portal for new vacancy posts. Your guide is meant to keep you updated, but you can't depend on that.

Mark: I don't imagine it's a smart move to contact firms personally, is it?

Sarah: Not typically, but it is the employer who contacts you if they wish you to attend an assessment. You receive a note of confirmation or an invite from the recruitment team.

Mark: And do I respond directly to them?

Sarah: Yes, you do. LINK only intervenes again once you've been extended a contract offer.

Mark: Right. So once I've attended an assessment, I should let my guide know what the result is? I mean, whether I'm granted a role and whether I've chosen to take it?

Sarah: That's correct. They'll notify the employment hub once an internship has been finalized, so you don't have to handle that.

Mark: Is that everything, then?

Sarah: More or less. Only once you've confirmed a position, you'll likely have to provide a character reference, because the placement will be dependent on that. And that's something you should request your own professor to supply. She knows about your scholarly performance, and also about your attributes, like punctuality.

Mark: Well, thanks a million for the guidance. I'm beginning to get excited about...

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

Part 4

You will hear a man talking to a group of first-year engineering students about the emerging field of synthetic biology.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Lecturer: Today we're going to examine a critical field of engineering, specifically synthetic biology. So, what does it entail? Synthetic implies artificial, so it's biology and design on the level of DNA and genes. The concept is that by editing and reprogramming genetic code, you can essentially manufacture anything. However, as we'll discover, the engineering of the living has some huge consequences, impacting us in numerous ways.

There's no question that synthetic biology offers immense potential for humanity. However, all pioneering innovations have their initial hurdles. And with synthetic biology, the public often misunderstands its limits. Countless sci-fi novels and films have stoked people's anxieties about synthetic biology, with plots such as releasing modified viruses into the air that track everyone without you knowing it, or self-replicating organisms that eventually dominate the ecosystem.

So, how do we regulate such a potentially transformative science? Some researchers suggest that synthetic organisms be classified as novel substances, with distinct risk assessments and precise tagging. They argue that stricter protocols should also be implemented with organisms in research centres and plants. Others have advocated for a ban on new bio-products, such as fuels, and a provisional pause to many forms of genetic experiments.

But from my perspective, there's a necessity to push forward with the breakthroughs and uses of synthetic biology. I truly think that most engineers would appreciate a method to protect against irresponsible applications of such science. We can't proceed assuming that all invention is dangerous, all progress is dangerous. As with the discussion about any radical science, it is how you deploy it that matters. So, let's explore some of its potential benefits.

Thanks to synthetic biology, there could be a significant leap in the sector of construction, with the creation of self-healing concrete. This could be practically indestructible, greener and much more resilient, leading to buildings that are 50 times stronger than today. Those same enhanced properties will drastically lower the expense of building in remote areas, making it more affordable to local communities and providing a completely new housing solution.

In terms of electronics, the data industry will be able to compress storage units down to microscopic dimensions. We require synthetic biology in order to develop a next generation of hard drives that will process even quicker and will possess a billion times more capacity, but will be about the volume of a grain of sand.

Synthetic biology could also transform the way that we produce energy. The efficiency of biofuels will be radically improved, so utilizing this source will be far more sustainable than currently.

But synthetic biology has much broader uses than this, and could have a massive effect on our atmosphere. For example, engineered bacteria could be designed to actually absorb carbon dioxide, which could reduce the effect of climate change on our world. That's a quite incredible possibility, isn't it? On a more regional level, this new science could assist with the remediation of industrial accidents, as synthetic biology will enable us to extract heavy metals and other pollutants from the soil far more efficiently.

And if synthetic biology advances as predicted, as a kind of coding language of about 4 bases, then you could design anything you desired from the gene up. In terms of manufacturing, this implies that you only grow what you require, and so there wouldn't be any surplus.

The idea that you could synthesize anything at all has significant ramifications for our well-being. It implies that we'll ultimately be able to duplicate any organ. This would have a tremendous impact on our population. In future, it could even result in the elimination of starvation through the deployment of crops that grow in deserts to nourish the poor.

But it's in the field of healthcare that synthetic biology may have its greatest influence. How we diagnose illness will evolve as smart cells are engineered to detect symptoms in seconds rather than weeks. There's even theory that modified cells could be used to reverse the damaging effects, extending human longevity.

As you can observe, I'm very enthusiastic about the possibilities that could be accessible to us in the coming years. Precisely how long it'll require, I frankly can't say.

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