Shadowing Practice: [VOL 7] IELTS Listening Test 1 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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306 sentences

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You will hear a telephone conversation between a hotel manager and a woman who is inquiring about wedding arrangements.

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

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.

Hello, Clarence House.

Oh, hello.

I'm getting married next year and I understand you're licensed to hold weddings at the hotel.

Yes, we are.

Can I ask what date you were thinking of?

Either the 1st or the 7th of June.

Right, let me see.

Oh, I'm afraid we already have a booking for the 7th, but we still have availability on June the 1st. That would be fine.

So, how many guests are you going to be inviting? About 80.

So, for that number, we'd recommend the Oxford Suite.

I don't know if you've been to the hotel.

Yes.

In fact, I went to a wedding there a few years ago and I was really impressed.

Very good.

I think we were in the Oxford Suite then.

The room where we were eating had big windows with really good views you could see right across the city.

That's it.

And you'd have exclusive access to the garden.

It'll be at its best in June.

So we could have the photos there.

Sure.

In fact, you can even have the ceremony there if you want.

It makes a lovely background.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

Yes, that's certainly an idea.

And is there somewhere for dancing?

Yes, there's plenty of space in the middle of the dining room.

Oh, yeah, I remember now.

So, just to give you an idea, would you like me to tell you about our special wedding package?

Sure.

Right.

So, for 80 guests, you'd have the exclusive use of the Oxford suite, as I said, and then a meal,

so that would be in the dining room, and that would be a sit -down meal with three courses.

And how's the room arranged?

I seem to remember you have round tables.

That's right.

Most people prefer them to long tables.

Long tables aren't really very friendly, are they?

And what about decorations on the tables?

They're included in the package.

And we have white linen tablecloths and white chair covers.

And we also include an individually designed menu specially printed for you.

It's something that people can take away to remember the occasion.

That's something we've just started doing this year.

Oh, right.

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

Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.

And then, towards the end of the evening, when everyone's beginning to run out of energy, we bring in a buffet.

Nothing too complicated.

Just a selection of sandwiches together with tea or coffee.

That's always very popular.

Right.

And we want some music.

Is that included in the package?

No, but we could probably get you a DJ.

Or we know of a very good band if you'd prefer that.

Yes, that'd be better, actually.

Something to get everyone on their feet.

Good so apart from the music he said that's an all -inclusive package

so how much does that package come to five thousand nine hundred and ninety five pounds

That's a bit more than the package they quoted for me at the Stanley Hotel.

Theirs was £4 ,500.

Yes, but I think if you look at what you're getting for the money, you'll find we're the best value.

And it is a big day after all.

Yes, you're probably right.

Oh, and I nearly forgot.

I'm looking for someone who can make me a really special cake.

Can you suggest one?

Certainly.

There's a new company that we've started using.

They're very good.

In fact, our wedding coordinator will be able to give you all sorts of advice.

We can offer you a free consultation and a tour of the venue.

Yes, well, I'd definitely be interested.

Right.

Well, the coordinator's name is Sarah Izzard.

That's I -Z -A -R -D.

Now, when would you like to meet her?

She's available from nine to five most weekdays, or later if that's more convenient.

Er, I'm free on the 12th of October, in the morning sometime, or the 15th of October.

That would be better, thanks.

Shall we say 11 .30?

Fine.

And can I just take your name and a contact number?

That is the end of part one.

You now have one minute to check your answers to part one.

Thank you.

Part 2

You will hear a tour guide talking to a group of visitors about a farmers and growers market in a small

New Zealand village.

First you have some time to look at questions 11 to 16.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 16.

Welcome everyone to this farmers and growers market in the quiet village of Havelock North.

My name is Helen and I'm your guide for the morning.

Before I let you go off and explore,

I'll just tell you a few things first which will help you know both what sort of products you will find here,

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there's everything from fresh produce to handcrafts, and then how to find your way around.

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Right, so what do people sell here?

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Well, for a start, there's some very nice hand cream from the far north which is always a top seller abroad

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Those of you visitors who come from other countries may like to take it back home with you as presents

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because the packaging is branded

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New Zealand and has pretty pictures on it of our native flowers

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now there's also some very tasty jam available although

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because it's made from blueberries this product is quite dear

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so you'll have to spend a little more than usual still very delicious though

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and for those of you who like your bath products gentle

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and suitable for sensitive skin there are some non -allergenic soaps here not perfumed or coloured just simple soap through and through,

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made by hand the old -fashioned way with nothing artificial added.

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Ah, now there are the candles for sale at a very reasonable price.

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They probably represent the top buy if you want your dollar to stretch as far as possible.

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They're just the colour of wax so that's not too exciting.

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but they do come in all different sizes to suit different purposes.

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Um, just a couple more items for me to tell you about.

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There's great flavoured ice cream on offer.

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In fact, it's so good that it's classified export grade and was awarded the gold medal at this year's food fair.

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You should try some.

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And finally, we've got shampoo, which comes in cute little blue, green and red bottles for three different hair types.

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The best thing about this product is

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that it's produced right here in Havelock North Village by a farmer's wife who started her own company.

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Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 17 to 20.

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Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.

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Right, so that's given you an idea of the sorts of products which are on sale at this market.

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Now, let's just give you a quick rundown on where to find everything.

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Then I'll let you go for a walk around to do your shopping.

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As you enter the market, through the gate here in front of us, at the bottom of the map you've been given,

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you'll see immediately that the farmers have set up their stalls out in a square in the middle of the vineyard.

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I know a few of you are interested in buying wooden handicrafts.

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So just to let you know that the stall is located on the far side of the walking track, opposite the entrance.

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There are some lovely toys for sale there, and also hand -carved wooden platters and bowls.

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Now the first one you'd see, to your left after entering, tucked away there by the gate,

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is the China Store, where there's an interesting display of old, second -hand or antique teacups and saucers.

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What else?

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Oh yes, the wool shop for those of you who are wanting to take home a New Zealand sheepskin rug

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or a woolly jersey for the winter can be found on your immediate right after you've gone in the entrance.

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There are some nice scarves and hats there too.

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Now after all this shopping you'll be needing a drink and something to eat.

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So go into the circular stand in the middle and you'll find a stall selling local wine, fruit juices and cordials.

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and that's the one at the centre top furthest away from the main gate

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and also a store with lots of snack food to keep you going

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Well, that's all from me folks

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Now, enjoy the market

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That is the end of part 2

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You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part 2

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Part 3 You will hear two graduate students called Jen and Bill discussing the write -up of their group project.

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

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Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.

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What's up, Jen?

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How are you?

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Oh, hey, Bill.

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Where's everybody else?

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I don't know.

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You're the first to get here.

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Well, I hope they don't take too long.

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I have a class at noon.

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Why don't we at least discuss what we've completed and what's left to do?

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Sounds like a plan.

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Have you heard anything from Irene?

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Yeah, Irene told me the experiment is just about done.

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She's been practically living in the lab the past week.

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Wow, we owe her a favor, don't we?

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You can say that again.

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Has Kim been helping her?

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I thought that lab work was not her style.

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Well, not so much in the lab, but she has started compiling the data for the analysis.

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Kim is terrific.

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I hate doing stats.

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I've always been bad at math.

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I always thought there wasn't anything to that boys are good at math theory.

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Yes, and I'm proof.

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Anyway, Kim hasn't actually run the stats for the project yet, since she still has to wait for the rest of the experiment data.

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But she's ready to get started when we get the experiment done.

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Seriously, without Irene and Kim, we'd be in trouble.

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Yeah, you're right about that.

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So, what about Linda?

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What's she been up to? Who knows?

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All she ever talks about is her fiancé.

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I haven't seen or heard from her all week.

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Well, I hope she turns up soon.

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We'll need everyone if we're going to get this done on time.

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Yeah, and she knows that

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Professor Cooper is a hard grader of projects.

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I'm worried that

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Professor Cooper is not going to give us a passing grade.

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Anyway, we haven't talked about the introduction yet.

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Have you finished reading those articles

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Professor Cooper gave us?

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Bill, she gave us those two weeks ago

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Hey, I've been busy

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And I haven't

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Come on, Bill Jen, you know we all depend on you for that

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You're the only person I know that reads every assignment from beginning to end

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You and Professor Cooper often have private discussions about readings in the middle of class

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But hey, I'm not complaining

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That's why all the rest of us asked you to be on our team

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Oh, so that's why

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So it wasn't because I'm popular, huh?

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Hey, you're the best.

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No one's going to argue that.

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Hey, I'm thirsty.

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You want something to drink?

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No, I'm good.

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Okay, I'll be right back.

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

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Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.

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They're still not here?

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Nope, and I've got a class I gotta get to.

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Well, let's divide up responsibilities, like who's responsible for each section.

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It only makes sense that

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Irene writes up all the materials and methods, since she spent the most time with that.

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Aw, that's easy.

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Hey, didn't you just say we owe her one?

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Yeah, yeah, you're right.

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Irene can do the methodology section.

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Do you want to do the results?

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Not at all.

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I thought Kim would do that.

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Just because she is good at stats doesn't mean she'll be good at writing it up.

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And besides, you are the one good at copy editing.

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Well, all the same, I think it'll be easiest if she does the results section.

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I'll edit the whole report.

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Come on.

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That's asking a lot of you.

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Well, what part are you going to do, Jen?

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Isn't that obvious?

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Since I'm the one who does all the reading.

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I'm sure you'll give us the best literature review, Jen.

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We're all counting on you for that.

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I guess that leaves the discussion section and the bibliography.

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Yeah.

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Can you make suggestions on these?

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Okay, but seriously, wouldn't it make more sense if you do the list of references?

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There are enough commas, capital letters, and parentheses to keep you happy in there.

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Yeah, you got a point.

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It sure does make sense that I do the bibliography.

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I guess Linda could handle the discussion section, even if she hasn't been around much.

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Yeah, but isn't that like the most important section?

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Well, what else is she going to do?

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The whole paper.

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It'll serve her right.

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Then we'd all fail.

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Okay, but I think we all should start messaging her to make sure she gets busy.

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The discussion section can be long.

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What about the abstract?

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You really don't want me to do the abstract, do you?

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That's not the point.

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I just think that the abstract should be for whoever finishes first.

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Right.

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That is the end of Part 3.

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You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to Part 3.

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You Part

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4 You will hear a lecture on the influence of the car on urban development.

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

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Thank you.

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Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

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Good morning, everyone.

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Today, in this second lecture of the series, we turn our attention to transportation.

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In particular, we're going to take a look at the way the motor car influenced urban development in Australia

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and changed our lifestyle from the 1940s to the end of the 1990s.

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The car is so common nowadays that we all take it for granted,

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and we barely think about the major effect it has had on our society.

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But let's go back for a while to the late 1940s.

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Although they had been around since the start of the 20th century,

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only one person in eight owned a car in Australia's major cities at that time.

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Nearly 60 % of journeys were still made by various means of public transport, and only 15 % by car,

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which is clearly very few compared to statistics now.

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Buses were very crowded in the days before extensive car use, and they were also considered to be uncomfortable,

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despite providing a cheap option that most people could afford.

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Remember, this wasn't long after the Second World War.

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People were tired of living without things, of making do, and to them, cars represented freedom.

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But even for the wealthy few who did have vehicles, it wasn't easy to run a car at this time.

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As well as the expense of buying a car, spare parts were difficult to get, as many were imported.

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Another problem for car owners was that fuel was still rationed and car taxes were very high.

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Strong public feeling on issues like these from various pressure groups

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resulted in a change of government in Australia after the general election in 1949, which undoubtedly shaped the future of our nation.

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In the 1960s, cheaper, more reliable cars became available and this coincided with the rapid expansion of the suburbs

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The car enabled these to grow in all directions far beyond the train lines laid down in the 19th century

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For the previous 150 years, the city centre had been a prestigious area but the addition of cars made the main streets congested.

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This wasn't the only problem.

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Now they were polluted as well.

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Since these streets were usually straight, they tempted motorists to speed.

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So the layout of newer streets was affected by this change towards private transport.

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In the newer areas, roads were no longer built straight.

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Instead, they had curves that were specially designed to force drivers to slow down.

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This meant they were longer, but this was not a problem because people rarely walked anymore.

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By the 1970s, the type of roads being built changed, with more lanes in each direction.

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There were more commuters, because now there was faster access to the city where they worked.

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By this time, the motor car was affecting many different areas of life.

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It even, surprisingly, affected relationships.

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Before this, meeting anyone who lived beyond walking or cycling distance was impractical, if not impossible.

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The car brought people together.

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What other effects did the car have?

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The increase in car use changed the way we advertise.

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Previously, advertisements had been designed to attract slow -moving pedestrians, so they were located at eye level and designed on a human scale.

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By the late 1970s, massive advertisements were designed to attract the notice of the passing motorist.

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In the 1980s and 90s, even the location of shops began to change.

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We built shopping malls out in the suburbs, which meant that old town centres did far less business.

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next we saw the development of drive -in shopping centers theaters

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and even restaurants

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which now ensure we get out of our cars as little as possible

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now i'd like to turn your attention to a few statistics related to car ownership over the same period

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that is the end of part four you now have one minute to check your answers to part four Thank you.

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Thank you.

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10 minutes to transfer your answers to the listening answer sheet.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This speaking lesson is built on the video “[VOL 7] IELTS Listening Test 1”. This video has 306 sentences and 2990 words to shadow. The speech runs for 26:35. The speaker talks at a steady 112 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
package noun	/ˈpæk.ɪd͡ʒ/	Something which is packed, a parcel, a box, an envelope.
carefully adverb	/ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/	With care; attentively, circumspectly.
gate noun	/ˈɡeɪ̯t/	A doorlike structure outside a house.
experiment noun	/ɪkˈspɛɹ.ə.mənt/	A test under controlled conditions made to either demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of…
suite noun	/swiːt/	A group or train of attendants, servants etc.; a retinue.
farmer noun	/ˈfɑɹ.mɚ/	A person who works the land and/or who keeps livestock; anyone engaged in agriculture on a farm.
abstract noun	/ˈæbˌstɹækt/	An abridgement or summary of a longer publication.
stall noun	/stɔːl/	A compartment for a single animal in a stable or cattle shed.
meal noun	/ˈmiːl/	Food that is prepared and eaten, usually at a specific time, and usually in a comparatively large quantity.
entrance noun	/ˈɛn.tɹəns/	The action of entering, or going in.
wooden adjective	/ˈwʊdn̩/	Made of wood.
edit verb	/ˈɛdɪt/	To change a text, or a document.
attract verb	/əˈtɹækt/	To pull toward without touching.
soap noun	/soʊp/	A metallic salt derived from a fatty acid, commonly used in cleaning products.
mathematics noun	/mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/	An abstract representational system studying numbers, shapes, structures, quantitative change and relationships between them.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
get out of verb		To leave, exit or escape from; to become free of.
go off verb		To explode.
set up verb	/ˌsɛt ˈʌp/	To make ready for use.
sit down verb		To assume a sitting position from a standing position.
slow down verb		To decelerate.
turn up verb		To show up; to appear suddenly or unexpectedly.
write up verb	/ˈɹaɪ̯t ˌʌp/	To produce by writing.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

Can I ask what date you were thinking of?
Wow, we owe her a favor, don't we?
You want something to drink?
Hey, didn't you just say we owe her one?
Do you want to do the results?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	you've been · we've just started · we've started
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	is branded · was awarded · you've been given
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	woman who is · someone who can · first which will

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 88 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: mathematics /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/, bath /bɑːθ/, theater /ˈθi(ə)tɚ/, wealthy /ˈwɛl.θi/, theirs /ðɛɚz/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: specially /ˈspɛʃəli/, ownership /ˈoʊnɚʃɪp/, sheet /ʃit/, occasion /əˈkeɪ̯ʒən/, delicious /dɪˈlɪ.ʃəs/
Long words — get the stress right: experiment /ɪkˈspɛɹ.ə.mənt/, mathematics /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/, advertisement /ˈædvɚˌtaɪzmənt/, bibliography /bɪbliˈɒɡɹəfi/, complicated /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like package, carefully, gate.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

Shadowing Practice: [VOL 7] IELTS Listening Test 1 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?