Audioscripts IELTS Practice 4 Listening Test 03

Part 1

You will hear a student talking to the housing officer at her university about changing her accommodation.

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

(pause)

Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.

Mark: Hello there. I understand you are looking to change your living arrangements?

Elena: Yes, that is correct. I am currently living in a shared student house, but I need to find a quiet homestay family.

Mark: I see. Let's get some basic details down first to update your student file. What is your full name, please?

Elena: It's Elena Silveira.

Mark: Silveira? How do you spell your surname?

Elena: It's S-I-L-V-E-I-R-A.

Mark: Great. And how old are you, Elena?

Elena: 21. My birthday was just last week, on the 14th of October.

Mark: Happy belated birthday. And how long have you been studying here in the UK?

Elena: Well, I spent eight months up in Manchester first, but I've been living here in London for exactly three months now. I prefer it here.

Mark: What is your current address at the shared house?

Elena: Room 4, 128 Riverside Avenue, Richmond.

Mark: Okay. And what exactly are you studying at the moment?

Elena: I was doing general English back in Manchester, and I am hoping to start a Master's degree next September. But right now, I am doing an advanced business course.

Mark: That sounds good, but it will take a lot of reading. When exactly are you hoping to move out of your current place?

Elena: My lease doesn't actually expire until Sunday, but I really want to be out by Friday if possible.

Mark: Friday the 12th of November?

Elena: Yes, exactly right.

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.

Mark: That does not leave us with a lot of time. I need to know what kind of place you are looking for so I can match you correctly. Do you want to share a room to save money?

Elena: Definitely not. I have been sharing a twin room for three months, and I really need my own space now. A single room is what I'm looking for.

Mark: Yes, fine. That is the standard arrangement anyway. Do you have any specific preferences regarding the host family? Would you prefer a family with young children, or perhaps an older couple?

Elena: Do you have any older couples? I think it would be much quieter for my studies.

Mark: Yes, I have several retired couples whose children have grown up and left home. Most of them live in traditional suburban houses. They don't usually have pets, if you're allergic, but they do have quite large gardens. That is not a problem for you, is it?

Elena: Not at all. I would love to sit outside and read.

Mark: Okay, fine. Now, regarding the costs. I should let you know that you will have to pay a deposit of £250 before you move in as insurance against any damages. The actual weekly rent is £180.

Elena: Okay, £180 per week. That's manageable. Are bills included?

Mark: Your weekly rent fully covers the electricity and the water, so you don't need to worry about those. However, you will need to pay your proportion of the internet bill every month.

Elena: That sounds fair. When will you have some options ready for me to look at?

Mark: I'll work on it this afternoon. Come and see me tomorrow anytime after 3 PM.

Elena: Thank you so much. See you then.

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

Part 2

You will hear a local radio presenter called Sarah Jenkins talking about this year's Winter Arts Festival.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 14.

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 14.

Presenter: Good evening. And in this week's edition of City Arts, Sarah Jenkins is going to fill us in on what is in store for us at this year's Winter Arts Festival. Over to you, Sarah.

Sarah: Thank you, Mark. This year, the Winter Arts Festival is the most ambitious we have ever seen, so there should be something for absolutely everybody. This is the fourth year they have run it, and the timing is slightly different. For the last couple of years, it has been held in December, but this year, they wanted to avoid the busy holiday rush, so they have pushed it back to the first week of February.

The program has sensational live music and poetry readings, but those are just standard additions. The thing the festival is genuinely most famous for globally is its spectacular street theater. For today's report, though, Mark, I am looking at some of the main stage events. In particular, I'm focusing on this year's central theme, which is magic and illusions.

I am going to tell you about three specific performances. The first is called The Grand Illusion from Spain. As this is a touring production, you won't find it in a traditional indoor venue. It follows a long tradition of performing in a custom-built dome. It looks like a massive inflatable tent, put up right in the middle of the sports field.

Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 15 to 20.

(pause)

Now listen and answer questions 15 to 20.

Sarah: In spite of this setup, The Grand Illusion isn't at all like the traditional magic shows I grew up with. You won't see any disappearing rabbits. The show has some tense moments with escape routines, but the absolute best part is the lighting. The digital projections are truly breathtaking. However, I must issue a warning. Much of the psychological humor would be completely wasted on children, so it is strictly tailored for adults. I strongly suggest you leave the kids at home.

The second magical performance is Shadow Crafters at the Apollo Theatre. The purists are complaining that this isn't a magic show at all. There are no card tricks. Instead, it is a showcase for skills in contemporary dance. For my money, it is the aerial gymnastics which are truly outstanding, as well as the intricate costume designs. The Apollo is a very intimate venue, seating only 150 people. The performers are incredibly young—the youngest is only 15—but it is highly accessible. It is a fantastic one for the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents.

And finally, you may wish to see the Nordic Light Troupe performing outdoors in the botanical gardens. Now, this involves massive projectors casting moving images onto the trees, controlled by technicians on raised platforms. The projections tell local myths, but the highlight comes at the very end. The best moment is simply seeing the technicians step down to bow. It is really hard to believe that what you have been watching is just manipulated shadow. As an adult, I had a wonderful time, but I did note that some teenagers in the audience were quite bored. But don't let that stop you; it is an absolute must for young children, and that is the specific audience it is primarily aimed at.

Well, that is all I have time for today.

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

Part 3

You will hear a conversation in a university postgraduate center between a student and an academic advisor.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.

Advisor: Hello, I am Dr. Susan Allen.

Student: Hi, I've been referred to you because I'm inquiring about the academic workshops the postgraduate center runs.

Advisor: Certainly. We run quite a few intensive seminars for students transitioning into a postgraduate research degree. Tell me a bit about your background.

Student: Well, I'm doing a master's in the economics department. I've actually been working in corporate finance for eight years. Because of that, I'm not worried about analyzing statistics, but it is a very long time since I wrote a formal paper. I really lack confidence in my academic writing.

Advisor: Yes, that can be a daunting transition. First of all, I highly recommend our intensive Research Foundation seminar.

Student: Is that mostly for students in the humanities?

Advisor: Not at all. It is perfectly suited for economics too. It is specifically aimed at returning professionals who feel entirely unsure about the rigorous academic standards expected at the postgraduate level.

Student: That sounds perfect. Is there a registration fee?

Advisor: Yes, the total cost is £45.

Student: Does that include a catered lunch?

Advisor: No, I'm afraid you have to organize your own lunch, but the fee does comprehensively cover all your printed course materials, as well as unlimited coffee and tea.

Student: That's fine, I usually bring a packed lunch anyway. I am incredibly excited about doing original research, but I must admit, I am a bit anxious about meeting all the strict deadlines without my corporate assistants around. But I'm sure I can organize my schedule.

Advisor: I'm sure you will.

Student: What about the other course I saw online? The one called Thesis Formatting and Editing. Should I sign up for that too?

Advisor: I wouldn't recommend it just yet. That course is primarily designed for students in their final year who are polishing their drafts for publication. You should wait until the final stages of your project before taking that one.

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

(pause)

Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.

Student: That makes sense. Let's stick to the Research Foundation seminar then. Could you give me a bit more detail on what the specific modules cover?

Advisor: Of course. We try to address all the core components of research. Let's start with the module on Literature Reviews. Obviously, you'll look at database searches, but the main benefit is that it teaches you to paraphrase accurately, which is something many new students struggle with.

Student: Excellent. And what about the Data Analysis module?

Advisor: For that one, we move away from theory. The focus is entirely practical. It introduces some very useful computer programs that will help you organize your raw data efficiently.

Student: Oh, I definitely need software training. I also saw a module called Oral Defense Preparation. Is that about defending the thesis to the professors?

Advisor: Exactly. It's essentially a workshop that significantly improves your public speaking skills, ensuring you can present your arguments confidently in front of an academic panel.

Student: That sounds intimidating, but necessary. What about the psychological side of taking on such a big project?

Advisor: Ah, yes. We have a module of Psychological Exercises. The process of investigating a complex topic can lead to moments of severe doubt. This module builds your mental resilience so you don't give up halfway through.

Student: I will definitely need that. Finally, what about that Thesis Formatting course we discussed earlier? Even if I take it next year, what is its main focus?

Advisor: While it covers grammar and citation styles, the most critical thing it does is help students avoid plagiarism. It ensures your references comply with the university's strict legal guidelines.

Student: I see. Well, please sign me up for the Research Foundation seminar right now.

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

Part 4

You will hear a community representative presenting the views of local residents about the design of a new library.

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

(pause)

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

Representative: We are very grateful that the committee has agreed to hear community suggestions about the design for the proposed new library. We appreciate that some of our ideas may not be financially feasible, but the ultimate beneficiaries of the facilities should have some say in its design.

Let me start by explaining the methodology of our research. Firstly, a meeting was held in the current library to explain the options. After that, we didn't just ask people to send an email. Instead, we invited all residents to submit written suggestions by placing physical cards into a suggestion box at the town hall. These suggestions provided the basis for a detailed questionnaire. We initially hoped for about 500 responses, but incredibly, the questionnaire was completed by approximately 2,000 of the local residents over a period of three weeks. Finally, the committee collated the results and drew up a comprehensive report, which forms the basis of today's presentation.

Regarding the crucial matter of the location, we evaluated the three options you proposed. Site one, in the city center, was widely unpopular. You might assume the main complaint was noise pollution, but actually, the primary issue cited was the severe lack of parking. Site two, on the outskirts, had a number of supporters mainly because it is situated right next to beautiful nature trails. However, Site three, located completely out of town near the residential estates, was clearly the most popular. This was simply because it offered the easiest access from people's homes, especially for families visiting after work.

Moving on to the interior facilities. Our survey revealed minimal interest in having a traditional reference room on the premises. People suggested that space should be converted into a digital media suite instead. Furthermore, we would like the current, rather outdated meeting hall to be replaced with a small fitness studio and, if possible, a community kitchen for cooking classes. Not a commercial-sized one, of course.

There was a large number of respondents in favor of adding an employment center. We also strongly request that the offices of the family counseling center be moved here from the town hall. There was, however, intense disagreement about whether to build an art gallery. Just over 40% of the respondents were in favor, but a largish minority were strongly against it. They claimed that building a gallery is elitist and a waste of public funds when we already have a local museum. Essentially, the jury is still out on that one.

Finally, a strong point was repeatedly made about security. Given the number of unfortunate vandalism incidents in the current library over the past few months, the residents have clear demands. The strict recommendations are to install 24-hour video surveillance and to hire professional guards who would patrol the building and check membership cards on request. We doubt if it would be feasible or welcoming to have a mandatory check at reception for every single person coming in.

Well, this is the summary of the views of the resident population. Fuller details are given in our report, and I am happy to take any questions.

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