Audioscripts IELTS Practice 11 Listening Test 03

Part 1

You will hear a man telephoning a community centre to ask about weekend workshops.

First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6.

[Pause]

Now Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.

Sarah: Good afternoon, this is Westgate Community Centre, Sarah speaking.

Man: Oh, hello. I saw a flyer about weekend workshops in the district and it said people should ring you for details. I'm visiting Westgate with my wife and two kids for a few days on August 14th or maybe the 15th. And I'd like some suggestions for classes on the 16th.

Sarah: Yes, certainly. OK. Then let's start with a couple of sessions, particularly for families. The craft museum is hosting an event called Creative Hands that day, when there are demonstrations and tools to use throughout the museum.

Man: That sounds fun. What time does it kick off?

Sarah: The museum opens at 9 and the Creative Hands event runs from 9.30 until 1 o'clock. The museum stays open until 4, and several times during the day they're going to screen a short video that the museum has filmed. It explains how glass is blown, and there'll be safety gear and materials for children to try a simplified version themselves. Last time they held the event there was a video about weaving, which was very popular with the kids, and they're now planning one about pottery.

Man: I like the idea of that. And what other things are on in Westgate?

Sarah: Well, do you all like watching theatre?

Man: Oh, yes.

Sarah: Well, there are several open-air plays taking place at different venues, one or two in the morning, the main ones at lunchtime and a couple in the evening, and they range from Shakespeare to modern comedy.

Man: The modern comedy could be good. What time is that?

Sarah: It's being performed several times in different locations. They're acting in the Town Hall at twelve o'clock, then at three it's in the Arts Centre, and in the evening at 8.00 there's a full performance in the park.

Man: Right. I'll mention that to the others.

Sarah: Something else you might enjoy is the cycle race through the streets.

Man: Oh, yes. Tell me more about that.

Sarah: The race starts at Northfield Stadium to the west of Westgate and goes as far as River Park. The best spot to view it from is Kingsway Bridge, though that does get quite busy.

Man: Kingsway Bridge? Could you spell that for me?

Sarah: Sure, it's K-I-N-G-S-W-A-Y.

Man: Got it. And who's competing?

Sarah: Well, local cycling clubs, but the level is very professional. One of them came first in the North of England Regional Tour in July this year. It was the first time a rider from Westgate has won. It implies that next year they'll be entering the region in the international tour.

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.

Man: Now I've read something about Oakhaven Wildlife Park. It's a great spot for seeing rare insects, isn't it?

Sarah: That's correct, all year round. There is a pond there as well as a stream, and they provide a very rich ecosystem, so it's a good plan to bring a magnifying glass if you have one. And just at present you can see various butterflies that are quite scarce. The climate at Oakhaven isn't very typical. They're looking beautiful right now.

Man: Right. My wife will be especially keen on that.

Sarah: And there's going to be a lecture and display about bees, and you'll be able to go out and observe some afterwards and identify the different species.

Man: Uh-huh. And is it allowed for children to paddle in the stream?

Sarah: Yes, a section of it has been cleared to make it safe for children to paddle in. It's very clean and there's a warden on patrol whenever it's accessible. The pond is too muddy, so paddling isn't permitted there.

Man: OK, we must not forget to pack their towels in case we visit Oakhaven. How long does it take to drive there from Westgate?

Sarah: About 15 minutes, but parking is very expensive, so it's generally much cheaper to go by train, and it takes roughly the same time.

Man: Right. Well, I'll talk over the choices with the family. Thanks a lot for all your advice.

Sarah: You're welcome. Bye.

Man: Bye.

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

Part 2

You will hear a talk given by a man called David Miller about changes in a town called Oakhaven.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.

Chair: Good evening, everyone. Let me welcome you all to this community meeting to discuss the evolution of our district. Our first speaker is David Miller from the Oakhaven Historical Society. David.

David: Thank you. First, I'll briefly give you some historical context. Then I'll be inviting you for your opinions on projects in the area.

Well, as you can see around you, Oakhaven has altered significantly in the last 40 years. These are some of the key shifts.

Trains connected virtually every corner of the region and the neighbouring villages and cities. Most residents used them daily, but not now, because the rail operators focus on just the lines that are most profitable. So parts of the district are no longer served by rail. Even introducing fast, modern trains with Wi-Fi has had little effect on commuter figures. It's often claimed that ticket prices are exorbitant, but in comparison to average salaries, prices are not much steeper than they were 40 years ago.

Changes in the street layout are influencing the town. The main square was recently pedestrianised on a pilot scheme, making it much more pleasant for walkers. The result of this is being monitored. The new bus lanes, segregating public transport from private vehicles in most key routes, are being utilised far less than was predicted, increasing congestion and reducing air quality. And although the society's efforts to have a tunnel built have been rejected, we haven't abandoned hope of convincing the ministry to reconsider its stance.

Retailing in the market square has transformed over the decades. Many of us can recall when the square was bustling with people buying groceries. Footfall has been declining for several years, despite attempts to lure customers, for instance by hosting street festivals. Some visitors combine shopping with trips to the town's museums and galleries. Most retailers are large, franchise outlets, which is convenient, but many residents prefer to use boutiques and craft shops in nearby small villages, as there are so few unique independent stores here.

Looking now at educational facilities. The town is served by primary schools in several neighbourhoods, more than 40 years ago, but each accommodating far fewer pupils. Our university expanded 10 years ago, which means students from other regions are numerous. On the other hand, there are fewer nurseries than there used to be.

Job trends have shifted, along with everything else. The number of hospitals and clinics has risen, making healthcare the dominant employment sector. Industries such as graphic design and marketing have declined in relevance, and surprisingly perhaps, agriculture hasn't seen the growth that has boosted it in other parts of the county.

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.

David: Now I'll very briefly summarise current proposals for some of the town's amenities before inviting your feedback.

As you'll be aware if you frequently use the swimming pool at the leisure centre, it's often overcrowded. The management company applied for a grant to extend it with an outdoor pool, but that was denied. Instead, the company has acquired some adjacent property and this will be used to build a new gym.

The Royal, the old theatre in the Park Road, will shut at the end of the month and relocate to a different venue. You've likely noticed the structure being renovated. The intention is to have two stages with more flexible seating rather than just the one fixed auditorium in the old theatre.

I imagine many of you visit the botanical gardens. They have become more and more overgrown and because of concerns about access, they were threatened with closure. The positive news is that they will shut for three months to be landscaped and replanted, and the restored gardens will reopen in August.

Lots of students use the museum, including art and history groups who go there to sketch. The trust has managed to obtain sponsorship to keep the museum free of charge, all week round. We would plan to modernise the displays in the foreseeable future, but this is by no means guaranteed.

There's no restriction on entry to the castle ruins on the hill, and this will remain the status quo. What will alter, however, is that the trust will no longer be the owner of the site. Instead, it will pass into the ownership of a private company that manages heritage sites across the region.

OK, now let me ask you if...

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

Part 3

You will hear two architecture students called Alice and Ben, discussing a design portfolio they are creating for their final assessment.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.

Alice: Hi, Ben. Glad I caught you.

Ben: Hi, Alice. No worries. Well, we should review the progress on our portfolio, I guess.

Alice: Yeah, I've examined the sketches you've made for my concept, The Urban Garden, and I think they're fantastic. They really capture the vision I had when I was drafting the plan.

Ben: I'm pleased you approve. There are just a couple of tweaks I'd suggest.

Alice: Please do.

Ben: Now... I'm a bit unsure about the sketch of the entrance gate. It's got vines all over it, which is lovely, but the drawing looks a bit lifeless, doesn't it? I feel it needs a human element.

Alice: Yes, it's quite empty. Perhaps I should include the resident, Mrs Jones, shouldn't I? She could be opening it.

Ben: Yes, let's put Mrs Jones in the sketch. And what about adding a cat? The one that she feeds in the evenings. Maybe it could be sitting on the wall, grooming itself. And the cat pauses mid-action when it sees Mrs Jones coming out.

Alice: That's a nice touch. OK, I'll try that. Then there's the sketch of the community hall with people gathering. They're just inside the courtyard and there's a lot of activity.

Ben: That's correct. You wanted them to be setting up for a street party, but I worried it would look too cluttered. Do you think this layout works?

Alice: Yes, I appreciate the composition. The only issue is, could you insert Mrs Jones into it without disrupting the balance? How about positioning her standing by the fountain on the left of the image?

Ben: Yes, that would fit.

Alice: And do you want her chatting to the neighbours?

Ben: No, she's been excluded from the planning committee, so I'd like her to be looking away. That'll juxtapose well with the following sketch, where she's smiling at the children playing games.

Alice: Right, I'll amend that. And then the sketch of the kids playing football on the roof terrace. I wasn't entirely satisfied with that one.

Ben: Because they're meant to be playing on artificial turf, aren't they?

Alice: That's right, and it's vibrant green. At the moment, it looks a bit faded.

Ben: I get your point. I'll rework the shading on that. And I like the bright jerseys they're wearing. Maybe you could give each of them a number on their back as well?

Alice: Yeah, that's simple enough. They can be blurred slightly to imply they're running really fast.

Ben: Perfect. Well, that covers the sketches.

Alice: Right. So you finish finalizing your blueprints and I just need to complete the renderings and my designs and your sketches are ready.

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.

Ben: So, the next step is to agree on what specific content we need to cover in the commentary that accompanies the designs and how we're going to share the tasks.

Alice: Right, Ben. What are your thoughts on adding a chapter on how we researched the site history?

Ben: That's likely crucial for context.

Alice: Yeah, well, you've done most of the archival digging so far. How about you draft a summary, then we can review it together and refine it?

Ben: OK, that sounds fair. And I could write a paragraph on how we developed the initial concepts for our two buildings, couldn't I?

Alice: Well, I've already drafted a few notes on that, so why don't you do the same and we can merge the two perspectives?

Ben: Right. So what about the environmental impact of the designs? Do we need to explain how we think they function, like the benefits of solar panels or that kind of tech?

Alice: That's going to be addressed in the presentation, isn't it? I believe the panel is going to critique each other's sustainability credentials, which we're going to debate live.

Ben: Oh, I hadn't realised that. So it isn't going to be included in the written portfolio at all?

Alice: No. But we must discuss the materials because they're a fundamental part of the aesthetic experience of the building. It's probably best for you to tackle that section, as you have more knowledge about textures than I do.

Ben: Perhaps, but I struggle to articulate that in writing. I'd prefer it if you handled it.

Alice: OK. So when do you reckon we can submit this?

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 to design students about the application of a specific type of methodology known as biomimetics.

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

[Pause]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Lecturer: So, what I'm going to discuss with you today is a discipline called biomimetics. This is a field of engineering aimed at imitating the way biological systems function. It was initially pioneered for use in robotics, and it's also been applied in architecture and material science. So, what's it got to do with product design, you might wonder? Well, designers are discovering that biomimetics can offer them greater efficiency in the potential solutions for problems, either technical or aesthetic, as well as providing novel inspiration about their approach to sustainable structures. And biomimetics can also assist firms to engineer new materials or mechanisms that consumers actually need.

Let's examine some instances of how biomimetic research operates in industry. One group of engineers conducted a study for a firm producing swimwear. They analysed how sharks moved through the water to reduce drag and friction. They noticed that the shark's skin had tiny scales that channelled the water because although the skin looked smooth to the naked eye, the scales created micro-vortices. So a new texture of fabric was invented to replicate this effect, and it was a record breaker.

Another team of biomimetic designers investigated how termites cooled their mounds in Zimbabwe, in Africa. They discovered that the insects, who didn't have any mechanical fans, could maintain a constant temperature by opening and closing vents. Because these structures relied on passive airflow for their cooling, they were able to stay comfortable no matter how hot the sun became outside. So the architectural firm designed an office block for use in Harare with this integrated system.

Biomimetic research has also been undertaken in transport companies. In one corporation, the beak of the Kingfisher bird was studied for several months. It was observed that a significant part of its efficiency involved diving into water without creating a splash in order to catch fish, but that current bullet trains created a loud boom when entering tunnels. So, the team devised a concept for a nose cone that would allow them to do this quietly.

In another project, a group monitored and filmed geckos climbing on walls. This led to the realization that the lizards needed to adhere to the smooth surfaces of the glass no matter what the angle was. This resulted in the creation of a synthetic adhesive tape that enabled the robots to scale walls in locations throughout the factory.

Occasionally, research can be conducted even in habitats where the engineers can't be physically present. Drones used their cameras to record data during forest flights, in a study aiming at mapping the navigation of bats during the night.

So, what distinguishes projects like these from standard engineering? Let's review some of the fundamental concepts behind biomimetic design in industry. First of all, the designer has to be completely humble. He or she hasn't formulated a solution to be imposed, as is the norm in other types of design. Instead, they wait for the organisms in nature to instruct them.

As far as selecting the biological models themselves is concerned, that's not really all that dissimilar from standard biology. The factors according to which the organisms are picked may be something as basic as the environment they inhabit, or the researchers may choose them according to their size, or they might attempt to locate a group of animals who all face a similar challenge, for example. But it's absolutely vital to identify the correct species as models. As well as the factors I've listed, they have to be accessible for study and capable of being observed as they perform their functions. Actually, most biologists state that nature reveals its secrets quite readily, perhaps because they have had millions of years of evolution to perfect them.

So, what makes this type of design unique is that it's not just a question of copying the shape of the animal. Instead, the design is usually grounded in deep functional analysis of how they are achieving the result. But that doesn't imply that the designer never considers the aesthetics. However, unlike in artistic design, in this instance, it's the function rather than the stylist who dictates what form the product will take. This implies that there's reduced probability of the designer forcing his or her own style on the object.

But after they've finished observing their specimens and returned to their lab, the engineer's task isn't complete. Most experts calculate that 60 to 70% of their effort is expended not on the gathering of samples, but on its translation, studying diagrams, running simulations and testing prototypes, and so forth. The engineers may wind up with gigabytes of data. And to decide what's relevant, they don't look for the complex things or the exotic things. Instead, they attempt to recognize a principle of some kind in all this biology and to extract the logic behind it. This can lead to some revolutionary breakthroughs that can, subsequently, inform the entire manufacturing industry.

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