Listening 2025-12 Test 5

Section 1. You will hear a conversation between a customer service representative and a customer who demands a full refund. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 4. You will see that there is an example which has been done for you. On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first. Hello and welcome to Under Pressure Enterprises, Customer Service Department. This is Kelly. How may I help you? Yes, I am calling about one of your rice cookers I just purchased. The customer says that he is calling about one of the rice cookers he just purchased. So, rice cooker has been written in the space. Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4. Hello and welcome to Under Pressure Enterprises, Customer Service Department. This is Kelly. How may I help you? Yes, I am calling about one of your rice cookers I just purchased. What seems to be the problem, sir? Seems? There's no seeming about it. The blasted thing shoots hot steam all over the place, that's what. It nearly scalded my hand when I went to open it. Why, it could have killed the cat or something. It could have exploded and killed my wife and me. Sir, sir, please calm down. As long as the steam escapes the cooker, it won't explode. So you're telling me there's no problem? Are you calling me a liar? Sir, no one is calling you a liar. Yes, so I demand a full refund. Under Pressure will be happy to refund your money, sir. Now, I just need some basic information. Okay, okay. Sorry, I do tend to get a little hot under the collar. My wife tells me to slow down. So, what do you need to know? Sir, don't worry. I just need to ask you the model number of the cooker. Hmm, where are my glasses? Ah, here. Let's see. Ah, it's R242. R242, okay. And how much did you pay for the product? £89.99. It was on sale, I guess I should tell you. Thank you, that's honest of you. Now, where did you buy the cooker? Which store and which branch? At that big electric life appliance store downtown. The city centre branch? That's the one. And you say the problem is that the steam escapes? Yes, it does. No problem, sir. If there's steam escaping, clearly the cooker is broken or defective. So, we have an R242 cooker with an escaping steam problem. It was bought from Electric Life City Centre Branch for £89.99. Is that correct? Yes, that is correct. Oh, I nearly forgot. When did you buy the cooker? Just as soon as my wife got the crazy idea she'll live longer if she stops eating good English food, roast beef and mash. No, all she says she wants is rice and vegetables and sauces you'd not soak your feet in. Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions five to ten. Now listen and answer questions five to ten. Sir, sir, when did you buy it? Oh, there I go again. Let's see. We bought it just six months ago. We hardly use it either. But six months? Is that too long? I mean for the warranty? Very well. That's well within the warranty period. Very well. That's well within the warranty period. Now, what's your name and address? Name and address? What for? Sir, it is company policy. If you want your money, you must inform me. Money, you say? Oh, my name is Herbert Hewitt and my address is 84 Park Road. Is that here in Coventry? Yes. The postal code is B0241DJ. But I don't think sending things in the mail is very secure or very efficient. I mean... Don't worry, Mr. Hewitt. Don't worry. We can credit the money to your credit card. You do have one, don't you? Yes. That's how we paid for the cooker. Oh, yes. We still have the number on the computer. I only need to ask your card's expiry date. I'm afraid I never give that sort of information out. I mean, once you have that, anyone could go charging things and... Sir, I said your expiry date, not your card's password. Oh, yes. Foolish me. Of course, you didn't say password. Let's see. That will be April 2008. April 2008. Very well. Your card still has nearly two months left to go. We'll get that refund right to you, probably by 5 o'clock this evening. You had better. If I don't get my money... Wait, wait. Yes, I know I'm losing my temper again. I really am sorry. I haven't had my medicine today. And, sir, just one more question for our records. How often do you go shopping at the city centre branch? Oh, well, it's hard to say. I suppose maybe once a month. But I can tell you this. If I don't get my refund, I'll never shop there again. Oh, I think it's time to start looking for another job. That is the end of Section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers. Now turn to Section 2. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now turn to Section 2 on page 3. Section 2. You will hear an audio guide introducing visitors to a museum. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15 on page 3. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15. Welcome to the Global Museum, located at the heart of this truly multicultural city, which is home to more than 60 different nationalities. The museum has a number of exciting displays and exhibitions, and this audio guide is designed to help you make the most of your visit. Altogether, the museum has 18 different galleries, and this season sees the opening of three new exhibitions. We recommend that you begin your tour by visiting this season's highlights. The Heritage Clothes exhibition is located in Gallery 5 of the museum. People who live in the area have spent two years preparing this exhibition, which brings together some of the fascinating garments traditionally worn in their own communities. They research the history of their community's clothing traditions and the customs and rituals associated with them. Altogether, 16 countries are represented, from Ghana to Korea, from Turkey to Nepal. The photographs that accompany each display case were taken by some of the city college students who are studying design, and show the clothes being modelled by the real people who wear them in the course of their everyday lives. Another highlight this season is the exhibition called Toys from the Past, which can be found in Gallery 9. This exhibition, which will appeal to people of all ages, is on tour throughout the country, and will be here for 10 weeks only. The exhibits include dolls made over 100 years ago with beautiful porcelain faces and, in some cases, real hair. The collection covers the favourite toys, such as wooden train sets from many different generations, and provides plenty of interest for children and adults. The gigantic board games, which are laid out on the gallery floor, are one of the most popular activities in the exhibition, and should not be missed. This exhibition concludes with a special display of miniature toys. These small objects are on loan from countries all over the world, and in some cases measure no more than a few centimetres. There's a tiny car made from matchsticks, a toy aeroplane complete with pilot and passengers made out of seashells, and some exquisite little buildings no higher than 4 centimetres. Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 16 to 20 on pages 3 and 4. Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20. The final gallery highlight of the season is the Biscuit Gallery, at number 15. Many years ago, this city was famous for its biscuits, although today the factory no longer exists. Did you know, for example, that before biscuits were packed in paper or cardboard boxes, biscuit tins were fashion items? The factory made tins – round, square, triangular, hexagonal – for a whole range of different occasions, to celebrate national events, festivals, famous faces and so on. One fascinating display deals with people's favourite biscuits. There are sweet biscuits and savoury ones, biscuits filled with jam and biscuits filled with currants, biscuits with pink, yellow and white sugar icing, or coloured sugar flowers. When the factory finally closed, it announced that people's favourite biscuit was not out of the factory, but a plain, savoury one which was eaten with cheese. When you get to the end of the exhibition, there's an entertaining, hands-on activity – to fill your own biscuit tin. All the biscuits ever produced by the company are piled up on a table along with various tins. The biscuits are made out of thin pieces of wood, but the weight, colours and shapes replicate the original biscuits. Your job is to fill a tin with biscuits, so that when the lid is taken off, they sit there as neatly as they did when the job was done by machine. It's not as easy as it looks. If you would like to buy a biscuit tin, you can buy it online. If you would like to buy a memento of your visit, there is a museum gift shop selling postcards, souvenirs and handmade pottery, next to the information desk on the ground floor. And finally, if you don't want to carry your coats and bags around with you during your visit, please make use of the free lockers provided by the museum. Enjoy your visit. That is the end of Section 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers. . . Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Come in, Helen. How can I help you? Well, I'm doing research for the anthropology assignment, and I was hoping to check a few details. Sure. You chose the topic of Pacific Island Tuppercloth, didn't you? What have you found out so far? Well, I was going to introduce my assignment by saying that the tuppercloth is a fabric made from bark, just the outer layer of the trees. It's particularly common in the Pacific Islands, but not exclusive to them. In fact, many other peoples around the world have made high-quality cloth from bark. But what sets Pacific Tupper apart is the incredible variety of roles it's played in this region. Yes, nice introduction, though I think you could be more specific regarding dates. OK, so what about the raw materials used? Well, tuppercloth is made from several species of tree. In the Pacific, the paper mulberry tree is most common, but it doesn't thrive in all conditions. In fact, it wasn't originally found in the islands, but was carried in their canoes by the first migrants. Tupper is also made from the breadfruit tree, which is convenient because its fruit is a staple food. The paper mulberry tree is only grown for tuppermaking, though. Yes, that's good. Now, what about the Maori people here in New Zealand? But the Maori don't make tupper now. That's right, and you need to account for it. We know that when Maori migrated here from the other Pacific Islands, they were prepared to make tupper because they brought the paper mulberry tree with them. The thing was, after they'd been in New Zealand a bit, they found the flax plant, which is superior to tupper because it makes a stronger fabric. By the time Europeans arrived in the 18th century, the Maori were making all their fabric from flax and had been for some time. OK. So, with the production process itself, first the inner bark is beaten with wooden hammers to soften the fibres. Then the different pieces are glued together using an adhesive paste made from the arrowroot tuber. This is the only way to fabricate large pieces of cloth because bark strands are too fine to be woven together and stitching isn't strong enough. Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30. So, now you need details about different countries. Where would you start? I think Samoa is the obvious place. It's famous for its very fine cloth called siapo, which is hand-painted with red ink. It's also famous for its very fine fabric, It's famous for its very fine cloth called siapo, which is hand-painted with representations of the ancestors. Still today, at the most profound events in life, such as births, funerals, weddings and the investiture of chiefs, Samoans wear siapo robes to add significance and meaning to the ceremony. OK. Then I could talk about Tonga. It seems to me that the great innovation in Tonga has been developing a simple, coarse cloth, which is quick and easy to make. This is suitable for all sorts of everyday functions around the house, like bed covers, mosquito nets and curtains. Good point. Now, what about Cook Islands, Tapa? Well, the soil there is poor quality, so the breadfruit tree is often used. One type of thick cloth, called tikoru, was wrapped around the poles and used to mark the entrances to places of worship, so it was highly regarded in local culture. You might mention Fiji as well, which is interesting, because tapa was actually used as a currency there. Fijians used to sail between the islands and exchange tapa for other commodities, like canoes or pigs. I know that in Tahiti the tapa cloth is different because the patterns are in colour, which is considered more valuable than the usual brown patterns. You're right about the Tahitians using coloured pigments, but they aren't more valuable. The colours are only a decoration. People enjoy wearing bright robes, especially for dancing and competitive games, and do it just for fun. Oh, I'll make a note of that. Well, the last place I was going to mention was Tikopia. Even today it's commonplace to see people wearing clothes made of tapa cloth. In many of the other islands, the tapa only comes out on special occasions, but here you see people working in the gardens wearing tapa. Sounds promising, Helen. I'll look forward to reading your assignment. Thank you. . Part 4 You will hear a lecture given by a university researcher about the benefits of woodland, which aims to explain how forests contribute to human well-being, to children's education, and also to the economy. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. . Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40. Today, I'd like to discuss the wide-ranging benefits that woodlands bring to people and societies. These advantages can be considered in terms of well-being, education, and even the economy. To begin with, within forest environments, plants release valuable oils with proven therapeutic properties. They are now incorporated into a range of medicines and beauty treatments worldwide. This demonstrates how natural resources from woodlands are not only important for traditional remedies, but also for modern industries. Moreover, the refreshing smell of trees and leaves is one of the forest's most powerful features. Many people say it brings an instant sense of tranquillity. That sensory experience is one of the reasons why forest walks are becoming so popular among people living stressful urban lives. In addition, research shows that walking in forests can enhance sleep patterns. It allows the body to reset its rhythms and promotes overall well-being. These findings are supported by health studies showing that time spent in green spaces lowers stress hormones, which in turn improves the quality of rest. Equally significant is the cultural role of woodlands. In many regions, woodland areas preserve ancient stories that shaped local identity. Passing them on allows each generation to connect with its history. Forests, therefore, act as living museums where traditions and narratives are kept alive. What is more, there is a quiet magic that lingers among trees and streams. It reminds people of myths, legends and hidden possibilities. For many, forests are not just physical spaces, but symbolic places of wonder that continue to inspire creativity and imagination. Turning now to the younger generation, young learners gain valuable experience by handling basic tools under supervision. This exposure helps them appreciate both safety and craftsmanship. Such hands-on practice is difficult to achieve in classrooms, but becomes natural in outdoor programs. In the same way, children also develop respect for the natural world. Instead of capturing them, children are guided to notice the movements of various insects. This method fosters respect for living things and builds awareness of ecosystems. Through these activities, children not only learn science, but also build empathy for the environment. Finally, it is worth highlighting the economic perspective. Rural forests may generate more reliable wealth than metropolitan property. This stability results from renewable resources rather than fluctuating housing markets. In fact, long-term investments in woodlands can provide steady returns through timber, ecotourism and even carbon credits. In addition to financial profit, forests also support farming. Rows of trees around farmland create natural shade that lowers ground temperature. This cooling effect can reduce the demand for extra watering. By moderating the microclimate, woodlands help farmers save water and reduce costs. Moreover, pollination is another critical service. When the wind is reduced by planted trees, pollinators like bees can work more effectively. Their activity directly benefits farmers by raising the quality and quantity of harvests. This shows how woodland management has positive ripple effects across the agricultural sector. For more UN videos visit www.un.org Transcription by ESO, translation by — . Today, I'd like to discuss the wide-ranging benefits that woodlands bring to people and societies. These advantages can be considered in terms of wellbeing, education and even the economy. To begin with, within forest environments, plants release valuable oils with proven therapeutic properties. They are now incorporated into a range of medicines and beauty treatments worldwide. This demonstrates how natural resources from woodlands are not only important for traditional remedies, but also for modern industries. Moreover, the refreshing smell of trees and leaves is one of the forest's most powerful features. Many people say it brings an instant sense of tranquillity. That sensory experience is one of the reasons why forest walks are becoming so popular among people living stressful urban lives. In addition, research shows that walking in forests can enhance sleep patterns. It allows the body to reset its rhythms and promotes overall wellbeing. These findings are supported by health studies showing that time spent in green spaces lowers stress hormones, which in turn improves the quality of rest. Equally significant is the cultural role of woodlands. In many regions, woodland areas preserve ancient stories that shaped local identity. Passing them on allows each generation to connect with its history. Forests, therefore, act as living museums where traditions and narratives are kept alive. What is more, there is a quiet magic that lingers among trees and streams. It reminds people of myths, legends and hidden possibilities. For many, forests are not just physical spaces, but symbolic places of wonder that continue to inspire creativity and imagination. Turning now to the younger generation, young learners gain valuable experience by handling basic tools under supervision. This exposure helps them appreciate both safety and craftsmanship. Such hands-on practice is difficult to achieve in classrooms but becomes natural in outdoor programs. In the same way, children also develop respect for the natural world. Instead of capturing them, children are guided to notice the movements of various insects. This method fosters respect for living things and builds awareness of ecosystems. Through these activities, children not only learn science but also build empathy for the environment. Finally, it is worth highlighting the economic perspective. Rural forests may generate more reliable wealth than metropolitan property. This stability results from renewable resources rather than fluctuating housing markets. In fact, long-term investments in woodlands can provide steady returns through timber, ecotourism and even carbon credits. In addition to financial profit, forests also support farming. Rows of trees around farmland create natural shade that lowers ground temperature. This cooling effect can reduce the demand for extra watering. By moderating the microclimate, woodlands help farmers save water and reduce costs. Moreover, pollination is another critical service. When the wind is reduced by planted trees, pollinators like bees can work more effectively. Their activity directly benefits farmers by raising the quality and quantity of harvests. This shows how woodland management has positive ripple effects across the agricultural sector. This is the end of the listening test.