ilts listening pretest version NP 1

0 3
you will hear a number of different recordings
and you will have to answer questions on what you hear
there will be time for you to read the instructions
and questions
and you will have a chance to check your work
all the recordings will be played once only
the test is in four parts
write all your answers
in the Listening Question booklet
at the end of the test you'll be given
10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet
now turn to Part 1 on page 2 of your question booklet
part 1
you will hear a man
asking a friend for advice about hiring a campervan
for a holiday
first you have some time to look at questions 1 to nine
now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to nine
oh hi Jane
we're planning a holiday next year
and we're thinking of hiring a campervan
I know you guys did that last year
could I ask you advice about a few things
of course well
I mean first of all
we have to choose a camper van
I've been looking online but
there are so many different models
and options available I know
but some of the options just aren't necessary
so in the kitchen yes
you need a stove and a sink of course
but you don't need a freezer for example okay
well that's good to know so what else do you recommend
well what time of year are you planning on going
probably April it can be cool then
especially in the evenings
so get a van with a heater in it
exactly alright
that's good advice uh
and then anything else well
we did have one problem with our van
the television was unreliable
and I've heard other people say the same thing
but everything else was fine
and um
anything else I should think about
well if the weather's fine
it's nice to be able to sit outside
our van had some chairs
which could be stored under the bed
that way we could sit out when we wanted to
that's a nice idea
so then did you book your van online or what
we used an agent Jonathan Simpson
it might be worth getting in touch with him
he can help you choose the right van
and get a good deal do you want his number
I've got his card here yes please
so it's 0 2
7 4
9 3
6 2
8 1 5 great thanks
and then
in terms of actually traveling around in our campervan
what should we look out for
well the price of petrol really varies
depending where you buy it
the cheapest we found was two dollars
and five cents a litre
but we heard of people paying over $2
60 for a litre we never paid that much
but in one place for us it was $2 40
and that can make
a big difference to your overall costs right
yeah I hadn't thought of that
any other unexpected costs
well there's Campbelltown
it's a lovely place but just remember it's on an island
oh do you have to pay for the bridge or something
there isn't one that's the point
just the ferry and they charge a lot for a campervan
yeah right
so then in general terms
how far do you think we should aim to drive in a day
well the roads are good
I mean some people drive 500 km in a day
but I wouldn't recommend it
so what maybe no more than 350
still too tiring I'd say 275 as the upper limit
okay
I guess the kids will get bored if we go any further
definitely
you want to get out of the van as much as possible
which reminds me
try and get a van with a rack on the roof
why's that you can rent bikes when you get there
they can go on top of the van when you're driving
then use them to explore local areas that's a good idea
before you hear the rest of the conversation
you have some time to look at questions 10 to thirteen
now listen and answer questions 10 to thirteen
okay so what are some of the places we should go to
any campsite should recommend
our favorites were the Kia holiday parks
they have all the usual facilities
like a laundry and so on exactly
but they also provide a gym for guests to use
it's a great way to relax at the end of the day
nice
and this Jack's Point that's a great campground oh
is that the one you see in all the photos
next to the really spectacular lake
that's right okay
we'll be sure to go there yeah
not to be missed
then something that's less well known is at Martin
we found it quite by chance
and I think your children would love it
in the park
there are all these puzzles kids can work on
they're really imaginative
and will keep the kids busy for hours
that sounds interesting I've made a note to that
then I also read about a craft market
I think it was at a place called rain something
is that right yeah rainwood
it's definitely worth a visit
you spell that R a
y N
E W
O d E
great and then one other thing I just like to ask
that is the end of part 1
you now have one minute to check your answers
to part one
you will hear the organizer of an orienteering event
for high school students talking to a group of parents
first
you have some time to look at questions 14 to twenty
now listen carefully and answer questions 14 to twenty
hello my name is Michelle
and I'm organising this year's high
school orienteering event
if you aren't sure what orienteering involves
participants look at a specially designed map
and use it to follow a route
as they race
they have to locate a series of checkpoints along the
way and do this in under 90 minutes
this year we've slightly changed the route
what with all the recent rain
some areas along our usual route are now very muddy
and we don't want competitors
having to go through them
the course is already difficult enough
but participants will still have to pay
attention to traffic
because we can't close any roads for this event
now what about entry requirements
many participants will have done this event before
perhaps with an older sister or brother
or even running with a parent
to give them encouragement
but for some younger participants
it'll be their first time
for confident kids
there's the option to do the event solo
but most competitors prefer to do it as a team
rather than by themselves
obviously there are rules that apply during the event
like I said there's a series of checkpoints
that the participants have to find
it doesn't matter which they do first
they can walk or run but there are no bikes this year
so the race has to be completed on foot
of course
competitors are permitted to have phones with them
in case they need help of any kind
so the event is this Saturday
registration finishes Friday
so we'll have a list of the competitors names already
we'll have teachers directing
participants
where to go for the starting line of the race
but I will need some assistance with handing out maps
that's one copy per person
not just a team so if parents can help with that
fantastic
we always have food at the event
the competitors are hungry after the race
and it's a good way of raising money for the school
so if anyone can make some simple cakes or cookies
I'd really appreciate that
because we're not hiring outside caterers this year
we will have drinks on sale though
which the school is organising
now we need some parents to volunteer to be marshals
at each checkpoint it's up to the participants
to look at the information they've been given
and find their way around the course
so don't help them with that please
but
if you see that participants are running out of time
do encourage them to go a bit faster
that's quite important
any minor injuries cuts or sprains
call me and I'll send someone to
the checkpoint to deal with it
if you volunteer as a Marshall
I do have some advice for you
you'll probably be at the same checkpoint
for the duration of the event
and you don't want to be on your feet all that time
I suggest you bring along a camping chair
or something similar
once the event gets going
you'll be pretty busy
if you're thinking
it might be an opportunity to relax and look at the
newspaper think again
before you hear the rest of the talk
you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26
now listen and answer questions 21 to 26
okay let's look at a plan
showing some of the checkpoints
where we still need marshals
so you can see the school is at the top
with Ellis Road going past the school
and Victoria Road also marked on the plan
let's start with the refreshments checkpoint
so near the golf course
you can see the junction of Ellis Road
and Victoria Road
the refreshments checkpoint is right at that junction
and will definitely need two or three marshals there
to hand out bottles of water
Queens Wharf is another checkpoint
where we still need volunteers
from school
the quickest way to get there is to cross Ellis Road
and take the footpath through the trees
and at the end of the footpath
right out on the point is Queens Wharf
Cambria Gardens
if you're unfamiliar with the area
you'll see there are two hills
find the hill which is nearest to a wharf
and then
Cambria Gardens is on the northern side of that hill
not a bad place to spend a couple of hours
the checkpoint at the Flagstaff needs a marshal too
at the eastern end of Victoria Road
you can see a footpath it goes in a loop
let's say
you walk round that loop in a clockwise direction
you'd walk past the lighthouse
and then you'd get to the Flagstaff
the Ocean View check point is in a great location
see that little footpath on Victoria Road
that goes south and takes you past a wooded area
Ocean View is there between the trees and the sea
lastly the halfway point
you've got that hill
between Ellis Road and Victoria Road
from the hill halfway point is to the northeast
the nearest checkpoint to the golf course
please follow these instructions
that is the end of part 2
you now have 30 seconds to check your answers
to part two
part 3
following instructions from their tutor
you will hear two social study students
called Andy and Hannah talking about their assignment
on unaffordable housing in New Zealand
first you have some time to look at questions 27 to 33
now listen carefully and answer questions 27 to 33
okay we've been looking at the housing situation
in New Zealand it's clear that for many people
housing is becoming unaffordable
to prepare for your assignment
discuss the key issues regarding this trend
shall we work together Andy
sure Hannah
let's start with the statistics for home ownership okay
I'd assume that
the figures have been falling steadily for decades
but in facts between the 1950s and 1990s
the rate increased significantly
it's only since then that the rate has fallen
so today it's roughly the same as it was in the 1950s
I'm surprised to read that interesting
okay
then what about the different age groups owning homes
I read a report about people in their 20s
and the thing is some of them don't want to own a home
why is that people think it's because they wanna go out
and see the world but apparently that's not it
actually people in their 20s
don't see much point in buying a house
until they make a commitment to someone
and decide to have kids and
you know a joint bank account and everything
and many of them don't intend to do that
for five to 10 years okay fine
but still for many people
buying a home is unaffordable
and that means they have to rent a house instead
I read an interesting survey of renters
apparently they're always worried
their landlord might suddenly ask them to leave
and I have to find somewhere else
that's the worst aspect of renting
totally worse than the rent going up
you can plan ahead for that
and apparently new laws mean that landlords
now have to make repairs more quickly
if there's a problem quite right
then another problem is
new houses being built today are often large
so people can't afford them
exactly or it requires a massive bank loan
but what's the point of big houses
I mean the birth rate's falling
so we're not having more children
no but with a large house
people believe that if you sell it after 10 years
you'll make a handsome profit
ah I see
but with a more modest house
you risk losing money that's right
then one thing that struck me is
houses are much more expensive in cities
so why don't people just move to rural areas
good question many people work from home nowadays
so you'd think that happily relocate
it's a healthier lifestyle in the country as well
so I think
people aren't so concerned about having doctors nearby
I guess it's because
if you have kids and move to a rural area
you might not find a local primary school
and once they're older
it might be even harder to find a college
within driving distance that could put people off
make sense then another thing
did you read the Mckinry report
about the impact of unaffordable housing on students
yes Mckindry makes the point that
when students
are deciding on which university to attend
they also look at what they'll have to pay for a room
I think that's right but in the report
Mckindry also claims that
the availability of housing on campus is
very limited I think he's got that wrong actually
yes perhaps in the past that was true
and lots of students lived with their parents
as a result but nowadays
universities are building a lot of new apartments
exactly now
what about this trend of building tiny houses
yes interesting
these new tiny houses are cheap to build
so is this the answer well
they're only suitable for single people and couples
not those with families I think tiny
houses go some way
towards addressing the issue of affordability
but they're not the complete answer yeah
in the decades ahead though
tiny houses have some potential
before you hear the rest of the discussion
you have some time to look at questions 34 to 39
now listen and answer questions 34 to 39
so let's talk through
the issues related to building a tiny home
like sourcing building materials
well apparently
people often search through
old buildings that are going to be demolished
they remove wood and tiles
and use them for their tiny home
to reduce expenses clever exactly
then there are those videos about construction
they're online
they're for people who want to build a tiny home
but don't have building experience
well I read that many of those videos are unreliable
they suggest using materials and techniques
that can result in problems
later on like what
using the wrong type of metal for the frame
if it's not strong enough
it won't support the roof along
oh okay
then another issue is
the option of recruiting other people to help out
like friends have had proper construction jobs
that save time right
because they could tell you exactly what to do
and lend you the right tools
yeah quicker
but you'd have to pay them
that's true then
it's also necessary to
get information from the local council
about the building process
and apparently
some councils can be difficult to deal with
I read the same one member of staff will say
your designs
don't meet the health and safety regulations
and someone else will say they do
that's why some people abandon their project
they've done all the design
but then they can't risk going ahead
in case the council later decides
the building is illegal ridiculous
then what about location one report I saw said
people had built their homes on land
their family zoned
or bought a section of land themselves
location has to be your first consideration
before you even start thinking about a design
or construction process true
what about creating washing facilities
there's no room in some of those tiny homes
for a shower I listen to a podcast
and people said at first they didn't like
the idea of having an outdoor bathroom
but once that accepted it
they were happy to get creative and build one outside
interesting and then you might get some sort of
that is the end of part 3
you now have 30 seconds to check your answers
to part three
part 4
you will hear a lecturer from a zoological society
giving a presentation on
the threats faced by amphibians
like frogs and toads
first you have some time to look at questions 40 to 49
now listen carefully and answer questions 40 to 49
good morning I'm happy to have been invited here today
to talk about the research
my team's been doing into the problems
facing amphibians
these are animals such as frogs and toads
which can live on both land and in water
now I'm going to start with a frightening statistic
that over half of the world's amphibian species
are in decline
and 30% are in grave danger of extinction
we have based these findings on a review of past
published papers and we also used computers
to create simulations of possible situations
in order to see their effects
and we have combined these with the indications
emerging from ongoing conservation
programs around the world
now why should we be so worried
about the decrease in amphibian species
why are these small creatures of such importance
well there are the lifeblood of many environments
essentially
because of their position in the food chain
where they're down near the base
and so their prey for larger animals
and another reason they're so important
is that many of them
are of great interest to biologists
as they exhibit adaptations
which provide insight into many other aspects of
ecosystems
now I'd like to look in some detail
at some of the species we've been researching
to give you an idea
of these physiological and behavioral features
I'll start with the midwife toad
which is found on the island of Mayorca
and has long been an object of study
because its eggs are carried by the male
rather than the female once they're fertilized
this species is under threat from a fungus
which is drastically reducing numbers
and then the Alpine salamander
which
is widely considered one of the oddest amphibians
this is notable because of the behavior of its young
while they are growing in the womb
basically the dominant salamanders eat the others
until the number is reduced to 2
and then the mother gives birth
they are at particular risk from climate change
they live in the cool conditions at high altitudes
and as temperatures rise
so the salamanders have to climb even higher
our research shows
that they have not got much further to go
another amphibian affected by global warming
the common toad
has evolved to hibernate in cold winters
but they are finding it increasingly difficult to do
this and so
they experience a drop in energy
during the warmer months
common toads are often hit by cars as they cross roads
attempting to get to the ponds
which are their breeding grounds
also these days
these ponds are increasingly affected by pollution
which is becoming the biggest threat to their survival
finally we've been looking at letass frog
which has a very restricted habitat
it lives only in the Poe River Valley in Italy
but its habitat is being encroached upon by agriculture
and also by urban growth and it is feared that soon
this frog will have no habitat left
in our research we look at all amphibian species
that are evolutionarily distinct
and endangered
and were particularly worried about European species
half of Europe species will be extinct within 40 years
if nothing is done to reverse the causes
species at particular risk are those living in habitats
which are confined by barriers
for example those found on islands
where they are confined by the sea
another type of barrier
which prevents amphibians from moving into new habitats
is mountains
such as those inhabited by the Alpine salamander
so what can we do to tackle the problems
and try to save these unique creatures
before it's too late well
a range of options has been explored by the team
in the short term
we feel the best approach is to set up captivity
schemes which
essentially means
preserving some amphibians in a variety
of carefully chosen locations
with a view to building up stocks
then in the medium term
we shall be devoting many of our research
efforts to finding ways to cure diseases
and of course in the long term
reducing habitat destruction
and helping to reduce global warming
by developing alternatives to fossil fuels
now if you have any questions
that is the end of part 4
you now have one minute to check your answers
to part four
that is the end of the listening test
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your answers to the listening answer sheet
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you have one minute left
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