Audioscripts IELTS Practice 19 Listening Test 01

Part 1

You will hear a teacher phoning a heritage farm centre to ask about booking a school trip.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.

Centre Staff: Good morning, Green Valley Heritage Farm. Alex speaking.

Teacher: Hello. I’m a teacher at a local primary school, and I’m interested in bringing a group of students to visit your centre. I was hoping you could give me some basic information first.

Centre Staff: Certainly. What would you like to know?

Teacher: Well, I’ve never been there before. Could you tell me a bit about the layout of the site?

Centre Staff: Of course. It’s quite a large site. We cover about 80 hectares in total. We are split into three distinct zones: the working farm, the ancient woodland, and the river wetlands.

Teacher: I see. And has it always been a farm? Was it a coal mine in the past? A lot of places in this area were.

Centre Staff: People often assume that, but actually, the main area where the visitors centre stands used to be a clay mine in the 19th century. They dug up the earth to make bricks for the local houses.

Teacher: Oh, that’s interesting.

Centre Staff: Yes. When the mining stopped, there were plans to use the deep pits as a landfill, but thankfully they just filled up with rainwater, which is how our lakes were formed. They are now a protected sanctuary for wildlife.

Teacher: So I assume there’s plenty for the children to see in terms of animals?

Centre Staff: Oh yes. We have the usual farm animals like sheep and cows. We used to have some rare birds, but they've moved on. However, in the wetlands, we now have an abundance of rare frogs and dragonflies. It’s very popular with science classes.

Teacher: That leads to my next question. What kind of educational activities do you offer?

Centre Staff: We have quite a few. We link them to the school curriculum. For Science, we have a Mini-beast Hunt where children catch and identify insects.

Teacher: That sounds good. What about other subjects? Can they visit the old farmhouse for History?

Centre Staff: The farmhouse isn't safe for large groups to enter, I'm afraid. Instead, we have a session called Life in the Past. The children visit our reconstructed Victorian barn and see the old tools farmers used 100 years ago.

Teacher: Do you cover Geography?

Centre Staff: We do. We have a session on Water Cycles. The students go down to the stream. They don't measure the depth because it's too shallow, but they do measure the speed of the water flow and look at river erosion.

Teacher: Excellent. And do you offer anything creative? Like Art?

Centre Staff: We don't do a specific Art class anymore, but we do offer a Drama workshop. The children dress up as historical characters and act out a day on the farm.

Teacher: Oh, they would love that. It sounds very engaging.

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 Staff: Besides the academic side, we find the visits are really good for the children’s personal development.

Teacher: In what way? I suppose being outdoors all day is great for their physical fitness.

Centre Staff: It is, but what teachers often report is that being outside actually helps with their concentration. They are much more focused when they get back to the classroom the next day.

Teacher: I can believe that. Fresh air does wonders.

Centre Staff: Also, many of the tasks we give them, like building a shelter in the woods, require teamwork. It forces them to communicate with each other to solve problems.

Teacher: That’s exactly what my class needs. Now, regarding the costs. What is the price for a group visit? I saw £8 on the website.

Centre Staff: That’s the price for families. For a full school day, it is £6.50 per student. That includes all the materials for the activities.

Teacher: Okay, £6.50. And what about the adults? We usually bring one adult for every six children.

Centre Staff: We don't charge for the adults. They have free entry. However, if you want to book a private room for your group, there is a small extra fee of £10 for the room hire. That’s usually where groups have their lunch. Otherwise, you can just eat in the picnic area outside for free.

Teacher: We’d probably prefer the room in case it rains, so we can have our lunch comfortably. Okay, that all sounds perfect. I’ll speak to the headteacher and call you back to confirm the date.

Centre Staff: Great. We look forward to seeing you.

Teacher: Thanks for your help. Goodbye.

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

Part 2

You will hear the president of the Westwood Twinning Society talking to members about recent activities and an upcoming visit from a German group.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.

President: Good evening, everyone. It’s wonderful to see such a full room. As you know, the bond between Westwood here in the UK and Altenberg in Germany has never been stronger, and I’d like to start with a quick review of our recent visit over there.

Last month, 30 of us travelled to Altenberg. It was a fantastic trip. Our German hosts took us to a traditional bakery to see how the local bread is made, which was fascinating. We were supposed to go hiking in the Black Forest, but unfortunately, the heavy rain meant that had to be called off. However, that evening, we attended an open-air concert in the town square. For me, and I think for many of you, that was the absolute best part of the whole weekend.

Now, looking ahead. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our partnership. In Altenberg, they are naming a new street after our town to celebrate. We had a committee meeting to decide how to mark the occasion here. We initially thought about installing a stone fountain in the market place, but the council were worried about the maintenance costs. So instead, we have commissioned a local artist to create a statue which will be placed outside the library.

Regarding our finances, the fundraising team has done a brilliant job. The used book sale raised more money than ever before, and the coffee morning was also very popular. The only slight disappointment was our garden party. We sold out of tickets very quickly, so that was great. And we were lucky it didn't rain, so the weather wasn't an issue at all. But we simply couldn't accommodate everyone who wanted to come because the venue was too small. We’ll definitely book a larger space next time.

Next week is the big event: the return visit from our German friends. Their coach gets in at 6 pm on Friday. Some hosts asked if they should organize a big barbecue in the garden for that first night, but my advice is to keep it low-key. They will have been travelling all day, so please just have a simple meal at home rather than dragging them out to a local restaurant. Let them relax and unpack.

On Saturday evening, we have our social gathering at the Village Hall. We’ve booked a magician to provide the entertainment. His name is Mr. Evans. You might recognise him. He’s actually a maths teacher at our local high school—not the one in Germany. And while he hasn't performed in a band previously, last year he did a wonderful job organising the charity run for the hospital. He’s very talented.

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.

President: On Sunday, as per tradition, we will be taking our guests on a day trip. This year we are going to Oakfield Manor. It’s a lovely estate. I have a map here to orient you.

As you can see, we arrive at the Car Park at the bottom of the map.

If you look to the right of the Main House, you’ll see a long, low building. That used to be the carriage house, but it’s now been converted into the Gift Shop. It’s the first building you come to on the right as you walk up from the car park. It sells lovely local crafts.

For those who want a cup of tea, there is a café. If you walk past the left side of the Main House, you’ll see a circular building just in front of you. That’s the Café. It’s got a lovely glass roof, so it’s very bright.

We know the German group loves walking, so we will definitely visit the Rose Garden. That is located directly behind the Main House. It’s a large rectangular area, completely surrounded by a high hedge. It should be in full bloom next week.

For the children, or anyone who wants to sit down, there is a Picnic Area. To get there, you need to take the path that goes off to the left from the car park. Follow it along until you reach the river. The picnic benches are situated right in the bend of the river, under the trees.

Finally, for the best view of the estate, you should walk to the Boathouse. From the car park, go straight up, walk past the western side of the house—that’s the left side—and keep going until the path forks. Take the left fork towards the water, and the Boathouse is right at the end of that track.

That is the end of part two. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part two.

Part 3

You will hear two textile design students, Sophie and Ben, discussing their final year projects.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

Ben: Hi Sophie. I haven't seen you in the studio lately.

Sophie: No, I’ve been hiding away working on my project.

Ben: You’re focusing on natural dyes, aren't you? Using plants to avoid using chemicals?

Sophie: That was my original plan, but I changed my mind. I’m looking at bio-materials for shoes. I started out trying to make a leather substitute using pineapple leaves. It wasn't because the leaves were too expensive, but in the end, I found that mushroom roots—mycelium—simply provided better strength.

Ben: Wow. That sounds high-tech. How about your other project on recycling? You were looking at denim jeans, weren't you?

Sophie: Yes. It’s been exhausting, but rewarding. The basic process involved shredding the old jeans into raw fibres and then spinning them back into yarn.

Ben: But you used a digital knitting machine, didn't you, to create the new garments? Was the speed of the machine the best part?

Sophie: It was fast, yes, and I was quite limited with the range of colours available, but what I loved about this project was experimenting with the fabric itself. I managed to create a 3D effect on the surface just by changing the tension. I was really pleased with those 3D textures.

Ben: It must satisfy you to know you’re saving clothes from the landfill.

Sophie: It does. I’m hoping to display some pieces at the college fashion show. Oh, I read something online yesterday that you might find interesting. It was a company that has developed temperature-sensitive ink for clothing labels.

Ben: How does that work?

Sophie: Well, the logo on the shirt changes colour if the wearer’s body temperature gets too high. It started as a concept for professional athletes to prevent overheating during training, and parents are buying it for babies now.

Ben: So, it's already on the market?

Sophie: Yes, but actually, I thought it would be most useful for medical staff in hospitals. You know, to monitor patients with fevers without having to wake them up.

Ben: Right. And going back to fabrics, what else could that ink do? Could it measure the weight of the fabric? Or monitor pollution levels in the air?

Sophie: No, the ink only reacts to heat.

Ben: Ah, I see. Well, maybe it could be used for safety? Like indicating if a firefighter's suit is damaged by extreme temperatures?

Sophie: Yes, that's exactly the kind of application it needs.

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.

Ben: I was reading a report on future trends in the fashion industry for our seminar next week.

Sophie: Oh! Things like microplastics? You know, the tiny fibres that shed when we wash synthetic clothes?

Ben: Exactly. Consumers can buy filter bags, but that’s not enough. The report argued that the government needs to introduce strict new laws to force washing machine manufacturers to install filters in every new machine.

Sophie: Absolutely. Legislation is the only way to solve it. What else was in the report? Did it mention the move towards gender-neutral sizing?

Ben: It did, but to be honest, I think that’s old news. Lots of my friends have been buying unisex clothes for a long time. It’s just normal now, not a future trend.

Sophie: True. What I have noticed is the hype around virtual fashion. You know, buying digital clothes for your avatar in the Metaverse.

Ben: Ugh, yes. I saw a designer selling a digital jacket for hundreds of pounds. It seems ridiculous. I tried a free version on a game once, and honestly, the graphics were terrible. It looked nothing like the picture.

Sophie: I agree. It feels like a scam. Did the report mention White Label brands?

Ben: No. What’s that?

Sophie: It’s a huge problem. It’s where a brand looks like a small, independent boutique on Instagram, but actually, they just put their label on cheap factory goods. They don't design anything. The issue is the complete lack of transparency about where the products actually come from.

Ben: That’s worrying. Customers are being misled. Have you seen the trend of people making their own clothes using 3D printing at home?

Sophie: I have. But the technology isn't quite there yet for comfortable fabrics. Home printers mainly use hard plastic mesh. So anyone trying it right now is probably just wasting their time. Anyway, we should probably get back to work...

That is the end of part three. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part three.

Part 4

You will hear an archaeology student giving a presentation on a prehistoric site called the Blackwood Estuary.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Student: For my presentation today, I’m going to share my research on the Blackwood Estuary site in the south of England. It is considered one of the most significant Bronze Age settlements ever found in Western Europe. I spent two weeks there last summer volunteering with the excavation team.

The site is truly remarkable. You might think it was discovered by a team of university researchers, but it was actually first identified back in the 1940s by a local fisherman named Arthur Evans. He was digging for bait in the mudflats when he struck some large pieces of timber. He noticed that the wood had distinct tool marks on it and seemed to be arranged in a deliberate pattern. He realised these were likely the remains of a structure. He reported his findings to the local council, but unfortunately, they dismissed him, believing the wood was just debris from old ships.

It wasn't until the 1980s that professional archaeologists took an interest. A team from the university conducted a geophysical survey. Unlike traditional digging methods or aerial photography, they used radar equipment to see beneath the mud without damaging the artifacts. This survey revealed a massive settlement buried three meters deep. Radiocarbon dating later confirmed that the site was approximately 3,000 years old.

The reason the Blackwood settlement is so important is its state of preservation. The site is covered by a thick layer of river silt and clay. This environment is anaerobic, meaning there is a complete lack of oxygen. It wasn't the cold temperatures, but this complete lack of oxygen that prevented bacteria from rotting organic materials. As a result, items made of wood, leather, and even textiles—which usually decay and disappear—have survived in near-perfect condition.

The people who lived at Blackwood were sophisticated builders. Unlike their inland neighbours who built directly on solid ground, these people constructed their homes over the water. The houses were circular and constructed on elevated platforms supported by wooden piles driven deep into the riverbed. This design protected them from the rising tides and kept their living areas dry.

Inside the houses, archaeologists found evidence of a comfortable domestic life. Central to each home was a hearth made of clay, which was used for heating and cooking. But perhaps the most surprising discovery was the quality of their carpentry. Given the water location, you would expect to find remains of wooden boats. However, the most unexpected discovery was several wooden wheels. This suggests that despite living on the water, they had vehicles for use on dry land nearby.

The settlers were not just isolated people; they were connected to a wider world. Excavations have uncovered beads, not carved from local stone as you might expect, but made of glass. Chemical analysis shows this material originated from the Mediterranean, which proves that there were extensive trade networks operating across Europe even then.

The site also gives us clues about their diet. While they certainly ate plenty of fish, they also practiced farming on the dry banks of the estuary. Archaeologists were thrilled to find large storage jars holding not water, but the remains of dried grain, specifically barley and wheat, which would have been their staple food source during the winter months.

However, around 800 BC, the settlement was suddenly abandoned. Why did this successful community collapse? The evidence points to a dramatic environmental shift. It wasn't a sudden flood that initially threatened them. Instead, the river channel gradually became restricted by a build-up of silt, which caused the water levels to rise unpredictably.

Eventually, a catastrophic event occurred. It wasn't an earthquake or an invasion that destroyed the village. Evidence shows a massive fire seems to have swept through the settlement. Because the houses were built so close together and made of timber and thatch, the flames spread instantly. The entire village collapsed, not into the sea, but into the thick river mud, where it lay preserved until today.

That is the end of part four. You now have one minute to check your answers to part four.