An introduction to the ielts listening practice test with answers.

IELTS Course Lesson 15 – IELTS listening practice test with answers

IELTS Listening #4

You will now have 4 listening exercises: 4 videos each followed by 1 quiz.

Section one:

You will hear a man arranging to get a telephone connection. First you have some time to look at questions one to four.

You will see that there’s an example that has been done for you. On this occasion only the conversation relating to this will be played first.

This is the Clear Point telephone company customer service office. My name is Miss Jones. How may I help you?

Yes, I’m moving and I’d like to arrange to have a phone line installed.

The woman answers the phone. This is the Clear Point telephone company customer service offices. So the words telephone company have been written at the top of the form. Now, we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen, because you will not have the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions one to four.

This is the Clear Point telephone company customer service office. My name is Miss Jones. How may I help you?

Yes, I’m moving and I’d like to arrange to have a phone line installed.

Of course, let me get some information from you first. May I have your name, please?

It’s Kramer, Harold Kramer.

And would you spell your last name for me, please?

Ok, K-R-A-M-E-R.

…E-R, got it. Ok, could I have the address where you’d like to have the telephone connected?

That would be number 58 Fulton Avenue, apartment 12.

Is that a business or a residence?

A residence. It’s my new home address.

Then the type of phone service you want is residential, not business?

Yes yes, it’s for my home.

Alright fine, now let me get your employment information. Who is your current employer?

I work at the Wrightsville Medical Group.

Then your occupation is doctor?

No, I work for the doctors. I’m the office manager.

Now listen and answer questions five to ten.

Okay and could I have your work phone number?

It’s 637 555 9014.

9014… great. Just one more thing. I need to know how long you’ve been at your current job.

I’ve been working there for quite a while now let me see eight, no, nine. That’s right nine years.

Okay good, you’ve been there long enough so I don’t need to ask about any other work history. Now, in addition to our basic phone service we have several special services available.

Could you explain them to me?

Most customers opt for unlimited long distance service. It really saves you money if you make a lot of long-distance calls.

That sounds like a good idea.

Then I’ll put you down for long distance service. Another popular service is voicemail. Voicemail takes all your messages electronically and all it takes is one simple phone call to retrieve them.

Voicemail… no, I don’t think so. I have an answering machine to take my messages. It’s old but it still works fine.

We also provide Internet service if you’re interested in that.

I am, please put me down for Internet as well as phone service.

Right, okay. I think we’re almost finished. I just need to schedule a time for the technician to go to your apartment and do the installation. Let me see… what about next Tuesday, would that work for you?

No, not Tuesday. I’ll be at the conference all day. Wednesday would work though.

I’m afraid I won’t have any technicians in your area on Wednesday. I could send someone on Friday.

That would be fine.

What time of day works best for you, morning or afternoon?

Morning would be best.

Alright then, it’s on the schedule. Do you have any questions?

No, I don’t think so.

Thank you for calling the Clear Point.

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

Comprehension Questions 1 to 10 (Section 1)

Section two

You will hear a radio interview about an upcoming fair. First you have some time to look at questions.

As you listen to the first part of the talk answer questions eleven to fourteen.

[Music]

Good afternoon and welcome to “City Hour”, the radio show that brings you all the latest information about events in and around our city. Today we have with us Cynthia Smith who is heading up this year’s City fair. Cynthia, would you start by giving us some of the basic information about the fair? Where will it take place this year?

I’m glad you asked that question, because I know most people will be expecting the fair to be at the fairgrounds as usual, but we’ve had to change the location this year due to some construction work. You know, they’re building the new high school in that neighborhood and they’ve been using the fairgrounds as a place to store construction materials. So we’ve moved the fair to city park which I think is a wonderful location.

Yes that will be a great place for the fair. I understand the Fair begins on Friday morning with a special opening event.

Actually it won’t begin until that evening, but you’re right about the special event. Traditionally we’ve begun with a parade, but this year our opening event will be a special dance performance and the most exciting part is that the mayor will be one of the dancers.

The mayor is a woman of many talents. Cynthia, could you tell our listeners about the price of admission? What will it cost to attend the fair?

We’re trying to keep the price down as much as possible.A three-day pass is just $25 or you can buy a Saturday or Sunday only pass for $15. The opening event on Friday, the dance performance doesn’t cost anything to attend and we’re hoping a lot of people will come to watch that.

Now listen and answer questions 15 to 20.

Could you tell us about some of the events planned for Saturday and Sunday, the main days of the fair?

We have a lot of exciting things planned. There are a number of events, especially for children including a clown show on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening we’ve got an event that can be enjoyed by the whole family, a concert by the lake.

I’m sure that will be a popular event. Is there anything special planned for Sunday?

Yes, a really fun event and we hope a lot of people will participate. There’ll be a singing contest in the afternoon. It’s open to everyone at no charge. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced singer or not. If you’ve always dreamed of singing on stage this is your chance.

That sounds like a lot of fun!

I think it will be! I’d also like your listeners to know that besides our special events I’ve mentioned there will be things taking place all weekend. For example, at the food court international food will be served. You’ll be able to sample dishes from all around the world. There will also be special games for children at different locations around the fair.

Will there be things people can buy, souvenirs anything like that?

We have a large area set aside where there will be crafts for sale. This will be an opportunity to buy many lovely handmade things and to get to know some of our local artists and craftspeople as well.

It sounds like there will be a lot of fun for everyone at this year’s fair. Thank you for sharing the information with us, Cynthia.

Thank you for inviting me!

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

Comprehension Questions 11 to 20 (Section 2)

Section three

You will hear a conversation between a prospective student and the university advisor about applying to enter the university. First you have some time to look at question 21 to 23.

As you listen to the first part of the conversation answer questions 21 to 23.

I’m interested in entering your business administration program and I’d like some information on how to apply. I’m a little concerned, because I’ve been out of school for a number of years.

That could actually work to your advantage. It’s possible to get academic credit for work experience if that experience is related to courses in our program.

I’ve been working in business for several years. How would I get academic credit for that?

First, you’ll need to read the university catalog to see if any of the course descriptions match your specific job experience. For example, if you’ve worked in accounting you may be able to get credit for an accounting course.

So then what would I do?

You would write a summary of your work experience relating it to specific courses we offer. Submit that to the admissions office with a letter from your work supervisor confirming your experience.

Now listen and answer questions 24 to 30.

Would I submit those things at the same time that I apply for admission?

That would be the best idea. Have you seen a copy of our university catalog?

Not the most recent one. I have a copy from last year.

You’ll need to look at the latest one. Unfortunately I’ve run out of copies but you can get one from the library for now and I’ll send you your own copy as soon as I have more available.

Thank you. How does the admissions process work?

Well, first you’ll need to get an application for admission. Those are available in the admissions office. The application form contains all the instructions you’ll need.

That sounds simple enough.

Of course, you’ll need to make sure you meet all the admissions requirements.

How can I know what those are?

We have copies of the requirements lists for all university programs here in the Counseling Center. I’ll give you one before you leave today.

Will I need to get recommendations from my employer or former teachers?

Yes you will. The recommendation forms are available in the admissions office. Now I don’t know if you’ll also be applying for a part-time job through the university work-study program?

I’m considering that. How could I find out what kinds of jobs are offered?

You can access the job listings from the computers in the library. Are you planning to study full-time or part-time?

I want to be a full-time student.

Good, then you’ll qualify for the work-study program. Part-time students aren’t eligible.

As a full-time student, would I be eligible for a free bus pass?

No, unfortunately we don’t have those available for any of our students. However, you can apply for financial assistance to help pay for your books or for your tuition.

I’d like to look into that. Do I apply for that at the admissions office?

No, that’s through us. You’ll need to make an appointment with a counselor.

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

Comprehension Questions 21 to 30 (Section 3)

Section four

You will hear a lecture about the black bear. First you have some time to look at questions 31 to 35.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 35.

The black bear or Ursus americanus has a wide range inhabiting forested areas of North America, including Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico. Black bears are omnivores getting their nutrition from a wide variety of plants and animals. The particular foods anyone bear eats depends on what’s available in the area where that bear lives as well as on the season of the year. Generally speaking, plant foods make up 90% of the bears’ diet, the rest of its meals consist of animal foods such as insects and fish. Bears have a relatively long gestation period. Mating takes place in the spring or early summer, but bear cubs aren’t born until the following winter. Usually two Cubs are born at a time although, some litters may have as many as five Cubs. Bear cubs are dependent on their mother and may stay with her for close to two years. Wild black bears can live as long as 25 years. They’ve lived for as long as thirty years or more in captivity.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 36 to 40.

Much of the black bears range coincides with the range of its close cousin, the grizzly bear. Although, these bears are somewhat similar in appearance and habits, it isn’t difficult to tell the difference between them. Color isn’t necessarily a distinguishing characteristic as both species of bears occur in a range of colors from almost blonde to dark brown or black. Many black bears however, have a patch of fur on their chests that’s lighter in color than the rest of their fur. Grizzly bears don’t have this patch. Size isn’t always a distinguishing feature either although, grizzly bears are usually heavier with an average weight of 225 kilos. Black bears average a hundred and forty kilos in weight. Grizzly bears spend time digging in the ground for roots and tubers that make up part of their diet. The large muscles they need for this give them a distinct shoulder hump. This hump is absent in black bears which don’t do the same kind of digging. The shape of the face and ears is also different in each species of bear. Grizzly bears have a depression between the eyes and nose and short round ears. Black bears on the other hand have a straighter profile and longer, more pointed ears. Grizzly bears are known for their fearsome, long, sharp claws. Black bears have shorter claws which are better suited for climbing trees.

That is the end of section 4. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

You will now have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the listening answer sheet ielts listening practice test with answers.