Audioscripts IELTS Practice 4 Listening Test 01

Part 1

You will hear a new student asking the receptionist of the University Sports Centre for information about memberships and fitness classes.

First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 4.

(Pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.

Receptionist: Good afternoon, University Sports Centre. How can I help you?

Student: Hi there. I’m a first-year student and I’m looking to join the sports centre. Can you give me some basic information?

Receptionist: Of course. We have three main types of membership: monthly, termly, and annual.

Student: Well, an annual one is definitely too long since I go home for the summer, but a one-month pass seems a bit short. I think I'll go with the termly membership.

Receptionist: Good choice. That covers you for exactly 3 months.

Student: And how much is that?

Receptionist: The regular price for the public is £65, but since you have a student card, you get a £10 discount, which brings it down to £55.

Student: Oh, that’s quite reasonable. I'll definitely do that. What are your opening hours? I prefer working out quite late.

Receptionist: Well, during the weekdays, Monday to Friday, we're open from 7 am right through to 10 pm.

Student: And the weekend?

Receptionist: We used to stay open until 10 pm on weekends too, but recently we’ve had to change it. We now close a bit earlier, at 8 pm.

Student: 8 pm on weekends. Got it. And is there anything specific I need to bring with me when I use the gym? I have my own trainers.

Receptionist: Yes, clean trainers are a must. Water bottles are highly recommended, but not mandatory. However, strictly speaking, for hygiene reasons, everyone must bring a towel to wipe down the machines after use. We won't let you in without one.

Student: Understood. I'll make sure to pack one.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 5 to 10.

(Pause)

Now listen and answer questions 5 to 10.

Student: I'm also interested in taking some classes. What do you have running this semester?

Receptionist: We have a packed schedule. Are you looking for anything on a specific day?

Student: Mondays and Wednesdays are best for me.

Receptionist: Right. On Mondays, we have Yoga in the morning, and then Pilates in the afternoon.

Student: I'm not a morning person, so I'd like to try the afternoon one.

Receptionist: Great, that's Pilates. It's held in Studio 3, and the instructor is Sarah.

Student: Perfect. What about Wednesday?

Receptionist: On Wednesdays, the main sports hall is reserved for badminton. It's very popular.

Student: Oh, I love badminton! Do I need to bring my own racket?

Receptionist: No, equipment is provided. The instructor for that is Dave Hayes.

Student: How do you spell his surname?

Receptionist: It's H-A-Y-E-S.

Student: Thanks. Are there any water-based classes?

Receptionist: Yes, on Fridays. We have swimming for beginners, but right after that is a diving class in the main pool.

Student: Oh, diving sounds exciting.

Receptionist: It is! Max teaches that one. It’s a small group, so you get plenty of attention.

Student: Do you have any weekend classes?

Receptionist: We do. On Saturday mornings, we run a rock climbing session on the indoor wall.

Student: Oh, I've always wanted to try that. Is it crowded?

Receptionist: Not at all. For safety reasons, we strictly limit that class to 12 participants maximum. It's led by Chris.

Student: Fantastic. How do I sign up for these?

Receptionist: For regular classes, you can just book through the app on your phone. But if you want a personalized training program, you should look at our website. There’s a specific form there to fill out.

Student: OK, I'll check the website instead of the app.

Receptionist: Just one last thing—before you start using the facilities, we require all new members to fill out a health questionnaire. If you have any pre-existing conditions, it must be signed by a doctor.

Student: I’m perfectly healthy, but I’ll make sure to complete the form. Thanks for all your help!

Receptionist: You’re welcome. See you in the gym!

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

Part 2

You will hear a tour guide giving a talk about a restored historical site called Oaklands Heritage Farm.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 13.

(Pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 13.

Guide: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Oaklands Heritage Farm. Before you head off to explore, I’d like to give you a brief overview of the farm's history and point out a few key areas on your visitor map.

Oaklands started out way back in the 1850s. While many farms in the local area successfully grew wheat, this site was exclusively operated as a dairy farm, known throughout the region for its high-quality milk and cheese. The soil here wasn't great for crops, but the lush grass was perfect for cows.

The business really expanded in 1880. That was the year the local railway was built, passing just a mile from here. This allowed the farm to send its products to the city much faster than the old method of using a horse and cart.

The farm remained in the same family for generations, but sadly, it couldn't compete with modern industrial agriculture. It managed to struggle through the 1950s, but the original business finally closed its doors in 1960. It lay abandoned until a local charity bought it and restored it to what you see today.

Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 14 to 20.

(Pause)

Now listen and answer questions 14 to 20.

Guide: Now I'll just orient you to the layout of the farm so you know what to look out for. We are currently standing at the main entrance on South Lane. Just to our right is the ticket booth, where you just showed your passes.

Immediately to the left of the entrance gate, you'll see a covered area. That's a secure parking space for bicycles. We encourage green transport, so that facility is completely free for visitors to use today.

Moving forward, you enter the main courtyard. Directly ahead, at the very top of the courtyard, is a large glass structure. That is the Grand Greenhouse, where we keep all our exotic and tropical plants. It gets very warm in there!

If you look to the top left corner of the site, in the opposite direction, you'll spot a large stone building. This is the Old Barn. It used to hold hay, but now it serves as an interactive museum about agricultural history. It’s definitely worth a visit before you leave.

Right next to that, on its right side, is the Farm Shop. It sells fantastic local produce and handmade crafts, and it's actually where you can purchase souvenirs.

Now, heading back over to the right side of the farm, you'll find the Orchard Pavilion. It's a wooden building surrounded by fruit trees in the top right-hand corner. At 2 pm today, they are hosting special apple tasting sessions there.

Just below the Orchard Pavilion is an enclosed paddock. This is the Petting Zoo, which is always a massive hit with the kids, as they get the opportunity to safely feed the animals, like the goats and sheep.

Finally, on the left side, just below the Farm Shop, we have an open grassy space. This is the designated Picnic Area. We don't have a cafe on site yet, so this is where you can sit down and eat your own food if you brought a packed lunch.

Right, if you'd like to follow me, our guided tour will begin at the Grand Greenhouse.

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

Part 3

You will hear a student called Marcus discussing his coursework with his tutor, Professor Higgins.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

Marcus: Hi, Professor Higgins. Do you have a moment?

Professor: Yes, Marcus, come on in. How is the Urban Planning module going?

Marcus: Well, I'm actually here to ask about the third essay. It was originally due on the 17th, but I've run into a major issue. I know I have a massive sociology presentation this week, but the real problem is my laptop crashed and I lost my drafted notes.

Professor: Oh dear. Have you contacted IT support?

Marcus: I have, but they said it might take a whole week to recover the hard drive.

Professor: You know we usually only grant extensions for medical emergencies, Marcus. Time management is a key skill. However, I checked your midterm project and you scored 88%.

Marcus: Yes, I worked really hard on that.

Professor: Right, you are clearly a capable student. Given the technical failure and your strong track record, I'm willing to make an exception.

Marcus: Thank you! Could I possibly have ten extra days? So, hand it in on the 27th?

Professor: I'm afraid that's too late. The absolute maximum I can offer is an extra week. You'll need to submit it on the 24th of May.

Marcus: I understand. Thank you, Professor. Oh, before we move on, I have a quick question about the bar chart you handed out in yesterday's lecture. My copy printed in black and white, so I can't tell which bar is which. I assumed the tallest bar represented people motivated by environmental protection.

Professor: Actually, that's a common misconception. While lowering the carbon footprint is important to many, the tallest bar represents financial savings. Reducing electricity bills remains the primary driver for residents adopting solar energy.

Marcus: Ah, that makes sense.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30.

(pause)

Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.

Professor: Now, what about the supplementary reading list for your essay? Have you started on that?

Marcus: That was my next question. There are so many articles, and I'm a bit overwhelmed.

Professor: You certainly don't need to read all of them. Let's look at the list. The paper by Harrison is absolutely fundamental. There are no shortcuts there, I'm afraid. You must read the whole thing.

Marcus: Okay, Harrison completely. What about the one by Peterson? I started the first page and it seemed incredibly complicated.

Professor: Yes, Peterson is highly technical. I wouldn't suggest reading it cover to cover. Just look closely at how they gathered their data. That section will be useful for your own research design.

Marcus: Got it. And the article by Dr. Lee?

Professor: It provides an interesting perspective on green spaces, but honestly, it's not essential for this specific essay topic. Just keep it on your desk and have a look if you find yourself with extra time.

Marcus: Okay, I'll mark Lee as low priority. Someone mentioned I should look at Wright's publication.

Professor: I used to recommend Wright, but the data is from ten years ago. It's quite outdated now, so don't bother with that one.

Marcus: Good to know. What about the study by Turner?

Professor: Turner is very relevant. The literature review is quite lengthy, so you can skip that part. Just go straight to the end where she details what she actually discovered.

Marcus: Perfect. And finally, the article by Smith?

Professor: Smith provides a fantastic historical context. You don't need the actual case studies he presents, but the opening section is brilliant for setting the scene. Definitely read that.

Marcus: That's incredibly helpful. Thanks for your time, Professor.

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

Part 4

You will hear a university lecture on the topic of green roofs in modern urban architecture.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Lecturer: Good morning, everyone. Today, we are going to explore a fascinating and increasingly essential topic in modern urban architecture: the integration of green roofs into our cityscapes. As our urban centers continue to expand, the sheer volume of concrete, glass, and asphalt has completely transformed the local environments we live in. In this lecture, I will focus on a few primary areas. First, I will look at how green roofs can significantly assist with urban water management, and second, how they actively contribute to temperature regulation. Finally, we will examine some of the logistical challenges of installing them.

Let's begin with water management. In a typical concrete city, conventional rooftops are designed to shed water instantly. You might assume the primary concern here is water pollution entering the rivers, but the most immediate threat is actually the sheer volume of rapid runoff. This sudden influx overloads the sewers and frequently leads to severe urban flooding. Green roofs, however, act essentially like a giant sponge. The engineered soil and dense vegetation absorb a significant amount of the rainwater as soon as it falls. By holding onto this water and dramatically slowing down the runoff, green roofs take the pressure off the city's aging pipes.

Now, moving on to temperature regulation. The secret to how a relatively thin layer of plants can cool a massive building lies in a fascinating biological process. Plants naturally release moisture into the surrounding air through their leaves, a highly effective cooling mechanism known as transpiration. To put this in perspective, on a scorching summer afternoon, a standard black asphalt roof absorbs the sun's rays. You would expect its surface to simply match the surrounding air temperature, but it actually soars to dangerous levels, often far exceeding the normal temperature of the human body. In stark contrast, the vegetation on a green roof barely fluctuates in temperature. The plants sweat, keeping the building underneath significantly cooler and reducing the need for air conditioning.

Beyond managing water and regulating temperature, green roofs offer other environmental perks. In heavily congested areas, plants serve as a highly efficient, natural filter. While they do absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, what is really crucial for immediate local air quality is how their leaves trap harmful airborne pollutants. This directly helps to reduce the thick, visible smog that plagues our major cities.

Furthermore, the varied plant life acts as an excellent acoustic buffer. Urban environments are notoriously loud. While low-frequency vibrations from heavy trucks or trains might still manage to penetrate the building structure, green roofs are particularly highly effective at blocking high-frequency noise, such as sirens. This creates a much quieter environment for the occupants.

However, despite these clear benefits, we must also acknowledge the logistical challenges. You cannot simply throw dirt onto any existing building. The most critical consideration for an architect isn't the height of the building, but its structural integrity. Wet soil, drainage layers, and mature plants add an enormous amount of extra weight to a structure. Many older buildings simply cannot support this without expensive reinforcement.

Another crucial factor is ongoing upkeep. While traditional slate roofs are mostly left alone for decades, green roofs are dynamic ecosystems. Especially in the very first year after planting, you might think they just need regular watering, but they actually demand comprehensive maintenance. This includes consistent weeding and specialized fertilisation to ensure strong roots.

Then there is the financial aspect. The actual construction time might be quite similar to a normal roof, but the initial cost is considerably higher. This is due to the necessity of laying down waterproof membranes and root barriers before the soil is even added.

Finally, while there are some modern systems adapted for slight slopes, green roofs are really only practical and safe to construct on buildings that feature completely flat roofs. This is because pitched roofs face severe issues during heavy rainstorms. The main problem isn't poor drainage, but rather soil erosion, as the dirt simply washes away down the incline.

Despite these challenges, the long-term benefits make green roofs a vital tool for future city planning.

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