Audioscripts IELTS Practice 12 Listening Test 02

Part 1

You will hear a man phoning a theatre box office to ask about an arts festival in the town of Milchester.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.

Agent: Good afternoon, Milchester Arts Festival box office. How can I assist you?

Caller: Hi, I've got a week off next month and my neighbour mentioned there's a festival on. She gave me this number to find out the details.

Agent: That's correct. The festival kicks off on the 12th of June and runs until the 15th.

Caller: I'll be in town from the 11th till the 16th. So, could you run through the schedule for me?

Agent: Certainly. On the opening day, there's a street parade in the city square. Spectators usually start arriving around one o'clock to secure a good viewing spot, but the procession won't officially begin until 1.30, and it concludes around 4.00.

Caller: OK, thanks. I'll make sure I get there early to beat the crowds.

Agent: The festival will be officially launched by the local mayor. She'll just give a brief speech, welcoming visitors to the town. All the festival organisers will be there and, of course, the press.

Caller: Right.

Agent: Then there'll be a concert by a brass band. Last year we had a jazz ensemble, but this year the regional police band volunteered to play, and they are excellent.

Caller: Uh-huh.

Agent: Following that, a drama society from the college will stage a sketch they've devised themselves, just a short one. It's about a well-known writer who was born here. I don't know if you're familiar with the local history.

Caller: I'm a drama teacher actually, so I'm always keen to see new performances.

Agent: Well, all that will happen in the afternoon. Later, as it gets dark, there'll be a laser show. You should head to the bridge to watch, as you'll get the clearest view from there. The projection actually happens on the wall of the castle. It's always a highlight of the weekend.

Caller: Sounds fantastic.

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.

Agent: Now, if you are interested, we also have some fantastic independent films showing.

Caller: Oh, it's quite different from the usual cinema screenings, isn't it?

Agent: Exactly. Because the main theatre is being renovated during the festival, the films are being screened in Whitworth Hall.

Caller: Could you spell that for me?

Agent: W-H-I-T-W-O-R-T-H. Whitworth Hall. It's just behind the post office.

Caller: Right. Now, let me see, what else is on the agenda? Is there any salsa dancing? I'm particularly keen on that as I go to classes.

Agent: There isn't any salsa, I'm afraid, but there'll be a workshop on ballroom dancing from professional instructors.

Caller: Where's that taking place?

Agent: It's in the marquee in the park. The big one, not the tea tent. And it's on at three and six every evening of the festival, except for the last day.

Caller: Perfect. I enjoy trying new styles. And I'd really like to see some comedy, if there are any acts.

Agent: Yes, there are a few. Two stand-up comedians and one improv group.

Caller: And where is the gig?

Agent: It's in the sports centre, which is on High Street.

Caller: And when is that? Is it on the 15th like last year?

Agent: Actually, they had to move it this time, so it's on the 14th at 8.00 in the evening.

Caller: I assume I'll need to book for that.

Agent: Yes, you can reserve via our app or you can pick them up when you get to Milchester, either at the tourist information desk or from the library.

Caller: Well, I think that's plenty to keep me occupied during my trip. Thanks a million for your time.

Agent: No problem. Have a great visit.

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

Part 2

You will hear a tour coordinator talking to a group of students about a study trip to the city of Paris in France that she has organised for them.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.

Coordinator: Right. I've now almost succeeded in confirming the itinerary for our trip, so I'll bring you up to date with the schedule.

As you know, we're taking the train to Paris on Friday the 14th. The departure is at 9.30, so it's a bit of a rush to get coffee at the station. I suggest we meet there at the ticket barrier at 8.45, which should give us plenty of time for checking in before we board.

When we arrive in Paris, we'll be met at the station by Marie Dubois. Marie works for the university liaison office and she'll guide us for the time we'll be in France. She's already contacted the curators of the museums we're going to visit and she's also arranged for a professor from the Sorbonne to give us a lecture one morning during our stay.

Now, last time we discussed this trip, I didn't have the final price for the hostel accommodation, but now I have. The standard rate at the hostel where we're staying is €40 a night for a shared room. I'd hoped to get that down to €30, but in fact I've only been able to negotiate a rate of €35. That'll be added to the final invoice, which you'll need to settle by the end of next month.

On Saturday, the day after our arrival, I had hoped we could visit the catacombs, but unfortunately the queues are too long for a large group. So instead, we'll have a walking tour of the famous markets in the Latin Quarter.

On Saturday evening, we'll all have dinner together in a bistro near the river. From talking to you all about your dietary needs, it was clear that a typical French menu would be too limited for the vegetarians among you. Some of you suggested a pizzeria, but I decided to book an Indian restaurant, as it offers the best variety of vegetable dishes.

On Sunday afternoon, the architect of the building we're going to visit that evening will meet us at the site. He'll explain the whole process of designing the structure, including how he selected the materials and, as the building is an eco-friendly one, how he worked with the environmental consultants.

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.

Coordinator: Right. Now I'd just like to highlight a few details about the events we're going to attend, partly because it might influence what you pack in your suitcase.

The concert we're seeing on Sunday evening is a classical one and we're going to the gala night, so it'll be quite a smart occasion. Though of course you don't have to wear a tuxedo, you'll need to dress up a bit. I hear it's rather a unique performance, with visual projections and a choir of local children, though unfortunately the conductor has been delayed and is unlikely to arrive until the interval.

On Monday, we're seeing an exhibition that was first curated two years ago, when it was commissioned to celebrate fifty years since the founding of a well-known fashion house. We're going to see a retrospective of that clothing collection, which received rave reviews.

Tuesday's event will really make you think hard about what shoes to wear, as it'll be in the grounds of a vineyard. It's a picturesque location, but I'd better warn you, the ground can be very muddy if it rains.

On Wednesday, we're going by bus to a gallery in another district, on the outskirts of Paris. This will be the launch of a sculpture park, and the minister for culture and all the other officials will be there. After the viewing, the gallery is hosting a buffet for all the guests, and there'll be a DJ playing jazz music.

And after having a free morning on Thursday... Our final visit is on Friday, and it's in the impressive setting of the National Library, which was built in the 1990s. The tour marks the 20 years that the head librarian has been in charge, and the exhibition is the one she curated for her first major project all those years ago.

And the day after that, we'll be taking the train back home. Now, have you got any queries before I...

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

Part 3

You will hear Luke, who is in the Environmental Science Department at his university, talking to his tutor, Helen.

First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.

Helen: Good morning. You must be Luke. I'm Helen Baxter. Please call me Helen.

Luke: Thank you.

Helen: Now, as this is your first tutorial since you started on the Environmental Science course, I'd like to find out something about you. Why did you decide to take this course?

Luke: Well, my father is a biologist, and although we always lived in the city, he used to talk about his field trips a lot, and that made me want to study nature. We hardly ever went, though. My father usually went on his own. But whenever his colleagues were in town, they always came to visit us.

Helen: I see. So I assume you already know a bit about ecology, one of the subjects you'll be studying?

Luke: I can understand the basic concepts, though I'm not terribly scientific yet.

Helen: Now, you probably know that you'll spend the second year of the course on placement. Have you had any thoughts about that?

Luke: I'm really looking forward to it. And although a local reserve seems the obvious place to go because of the convenience, I'd love to spend the time in Scotland.

Helen: Oh, I'm sure it can be arranged. Do you have any plans for when you graduate? A lot of students go on to work for the government.

Luke: I think the three years of the undergraduate course will be enough for me. I'm interested in education, and I quite like the idea of working in schools and teaching children about the environment. I'd find that more rewarding than research, which I suppose most graduates do.

Helen: OK. Now, how are you finding the modules you're taking this term, Luke?

Luke: Well, I'm really enjoying the one on marine biology. That'll continue next term. But the one on climate change that's running at the moment will be replaced by more practical workshops.

Helen: Oh, and by the way... If you're interested in learning about renewable energy systems, there's going to be a module on that the term after next.

Luke: That sounds good.

Helen: Have you started thinking about the project that you have to submit in the next few weeks?

Luke: Yes. My first choice would be to do something on plastic pollution.

Helen: Hmm. The trouble with that is that a lot of people choose that topic and it can be difficult to find a unique angle. Why not leave that for another time?

Luke: Right.

Helen: You might find urban wildlife or invasive species interesting.

Luke: I've read several articles on foxes in cities, so that would be a good idea.

Helen: Fine. I'll put you down for that topic.

Luke: Right. So what would you advise me to focus on in the project?

Helen: First, I suggest you avoid taking one species and going into a great deal of biological detail. That approach certainly has its place, but I think you first need to get an understanding of the animal in the context of the habitat in which it lives, what it eats, how it interacts with humans, and so on. I also think that's more useful than placing it within the history of urban development.

Luke: OK, that sounds reasonable.

Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30.

(pause)

Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.

Luke: Could I ask for some advice about writing the essay I'm working on about deforestation? I have to do that this week and I'm a bit stuck.

Helen: Of course. Have you decided yet what to focus on?

Luke: No, I haven't. There's so much that seems relevant. Economic causes, loss of biodiversity, climate impact.

Helen: Well, what I suggest is that you look at a report a PhD student published last year, which is available in the archive. It's concise and well-structured, and I'm sure you'll find it helpful. I'll give you the link in a moment. Websites usually cover so many aspects, it can be very difficult to filter the information.

Luke: OK. I've got a podcast of a debate about forestry that was broadcast earlier this month. Should I listen to that again?

Helen: If it's the one I am thinking of, I'd skip it. It's more political than scientific. But I've got a transcript of a lecture that you should read. It makes some interesting and critical points, which I think will help you to narrow your argument.

Luke: Right. So then should I draft an introduction?

Helen: Yes, just key themes for different paragraphs at this stage. And then you should start looking for suitable data and case studies to support them, and make notes which you file according to those themes.

Luke: I see.

Helen: Then put key words and statistics as bullet points under each theme. Make sure that this framework makes sense and connects logically before writing up the essay in full.

Luke: OK. Thanks. That's very helpful.

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 stress management in the workplace, given by a Psychology lecturer.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Lecturer: Over the decades, our understanding of mental health at work has evolved significantly. After all, there was a time when stress was simply seen as a sign of weakness, and employees were expected to cope without complaint. Awareness has improved a lot since then. You might assume the biggest problem today is sheer laziness, but actually, burnout in the workplace is still widespread, and team leaders nowadays need to be equipped to recognize it when it occurs.

What is stress in the workplace? Interpretations differ. But I'm taking it to refer to a physiological and psychological reaction to pressures that the individual finds unmanageable. While many people complain about their salary, severe anxiety is much more commonly related to the concept of workload. By this, I mean the sheer volume of tasks assigned to an employee who has insufficient time or resources. Although all pressure like this is a form of stress, not all stress is negative; some can actually be motivating.

As with all psychological responses, there are multiple triggers for it. Often, it's caused by someone who feels a lack of control over their daily tasks, simply trying to meet targets set by someone else in a distant office. In some cases, the environment itself is the stressor. It might not be the poor lighting, but rather a constant background of noise in an open-plan office that makes it impossible for a worker to focus.

Some stress arises when there is a mismatch between the values of the individual and the values of the organization. These specific stressors are called ethical conflicts. This could come about, for example, when a marketing team is asked to promote a product they know is faulty or harmful to the environment.

Stress obviously impacts the employees involved. The condition is likely to be very damaging for health, resulting in physical symptoms like insomnia or high blood pressure. For the company, if no measures are taken to reduce stress, it can lead to high turnover. You might think the primary loss is immediate profits, but actually, it can permanently damage the reputation of the brand.

Some recent research with senior managers has revealed some of the reasons why they may contribute to a stressful atmosphere. Many managers exhibit a specific trait: perfectionism. This is the refusal to accept any standard lower than flawless, combined with a reluctance to delegate. This can make them micromanage their team members. In a fast-paced industry, such traits become toxic. It's particularly difficult to resolve the situation where departments are competing for limited budgets. When they can't agree on resource allocation, tension mounts.

For staff at entry levels, it might appear that a strict hierarchy would create more stress than others. Surprisingly, though, a startup with a flat structure can generate more anxiety when ambiguity about job descriptions leads to confusion.

Now I'll say a little about managing stress. The goal is to minimize it from the start. A supportive leader will make efforts to ensure the wellbeing of their staff, particularly during busy periods. That will involve flexibility in working hours and trusting them to manage their own schedule within the framework of the deadlines.

Sometimes, of course, stress levels become critical. In such instances, the Occupational Health team often steps in. However, if an employee feels that Occupational Health is primarily focused on getting them back to work rather than their recovery, then an independent counsellor might be a better option. By providing a confidential space, they can offer unbiased coping strategies.

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