Listening 2026-07 Test 3

PART 1 Speaker 0: Part one. Speaker 0: You will hear a conversation between a commercial property letting agent and a businessman who wants to move his business to new premises. Speaker 0: First, you have some time to look at questions one to six. Speaker 0: Now we shall begin. Speaker 0: You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Speaker 0: Listen carefully and answer questions one to six. Speaker 1: Good morning, mister Rich, isn't it? That's right. Speaker 0: Raymond Rich of ICT Industries. Speaker 1: ICT Industries. Just a moment while I put that on the form. Now, you're looking for new office space. Is that right? Speaker 0: Yes. Our present lease is due to expire soon, and as the company is expanding anyway, we need to find somewhere to move to. Speaker 1: Do you prefer the suburbs, the city, or a commercial zone on the outskirts? Speaker 0: Well, currently, we're in a very pleasant suburb, but as I said, we've outgrown that building as we've got to move anyway. I think the city center is where we want to be, right in the heart of things. Speaker 1: I see. Anywhere in particular? Speaker 0: Yes. Somewhere in the vicinity of the main transport center because I have a large staff and car parking in the city is terribly expensive. I think it would be a good idea if we didn't use our cars at all. Speaker 1: Exactly what size premises are you looking for? Speaker 0: Good question. Something more than the 10,000 square meters we have at present should do it. Speaker 1: Shall we say 12,000 square meters? Speaker 0: That's probably about right. Yes. I think that would meet our needs. Speaker 1: Just how many employees do you have to accommodate? Speaker 0: 40 in all, but only 14 will have their own offices. The rest will be in open plan shared offices. Speaker 1: Oh, I forgot to ask. Do any of your employees have extra requirements? Will we need to consider people with disabilities? Speaker 0: Yes. Actually, there is one in a wheelchair who'll need suitable access and another who can walk just a few paces. She uses a mobility scooter, so we'd need to make sure all facilities, especially toilet facilities, were suitable and accessible, and we'd also need to be either on the Ground Floor or to find a secure place by the lifts for Mrs. Jackson to park her scooter. Speaker 1: I'll need to keep that in mind when I come up with the property for you to look at. Now, when are you thinking of moving? Speaker 0: Well, our current lease expires in August, so we'd like to have the move completed by then, of course. Speaker 1: Well, there is a very suitable property that I have in mind here in the city, but the owners want a lease signed by the end of this month, May. Speaker 0: Oh, too early, I'm afraid. I'd be ready to sign up by the end of June though. Speaker 1: Shall we say signed up by the July 1 and moved by the end of that month? Speaker 0: Definitely. Speaker 0: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions seven to 10. Speaker 0: Now listen and answer questions seven to 10. Speaker 1: Well, I'll keep your requirements in mind and let you know when something comes up. Wait a minute. There is a vacant office space on the 10th Floor of this very building. Would you care to take a look? It has only just become available, but I haven't started marketing it yet because it's in need of a bit of a makeover. The floor area is about the right size. Speaker 0: Good. Let's see it then. Speaker 1: Well, what do you think? Elevator access is great, and the lobby area is roomy enough for that disability vehicle you were telling me about. Speaker 0: Oh, I don't know. There are too many small offices. Would we be able to take out a few of these walls and make bigger work areas? Speaker 1: I don't see why not. Most of them are just partitions. Obviously, load bearing walls can't be touched, but there aren't many of those to worry about. Speaker 0: What about kitchen and dining facilities? We like our staff to feel comfortable eating at work. If they go out for lunch, it often leads to extended lunch hours and lost time. Speaker 1: Come this way. This is the kitchen. Speaker 0: Oh, it's a bit pokey. We'd need to enlarge it somehow. What's behind the wall here? Speaker 1: There's just a storeroom. You could take out that wall and expand into that space. Speaker 0: Then what would we do for a storeroom? Speaker 1: Ah, well, see that tiny office near the entrance? It has no external windows or natural light. It would make an ideal storeroom. Speaker 0: Yes. You're right. The whole place is a bit dilapidated, obviously in need of that redecoration you were talking about. And I don't just mean a coat of new paint. I think all the light fittings would have to be modernized. Those broken blinds have to be replaced and this old blue carpet definitely has to go. Speaker 1: I agree. That's something we can negotiate with the owner. But overall, do you think it would fit your requirements? Speaker 0: Well, you haven't given me any indication of what the lease would cost. But before we get into that, what are the terms of the lease concerning length of tenancy? Speaker 1: Well, generally, in the city, leases are never less than three years. Speaker 0: Oh, I mean, we don't mind signing up for that period of time initially, but we don't necessarily want to have to move after that. We've been in our last place for ten years, you know. Speaker 1: Well, the usual agreement is a three by three by two. That's a contract for three years with entitlement to extension for three years, and then another two years after that. But let me speak to the owner first. Speaker 0: And one more thing. We have to consider the time frame. Remember, my current lease is due to expire in August. Speaker 1: Well, with reliable contractors, it shouldn't take more than a couple of months to do the necessary refit. Speaker 0: That is the end of part one. Speaker 0: You now have one minute to check your answers to part one. Part 2 Speaker 0: Part two. You will hear an introduction from a tour guide about suggestions for an island. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 14. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 14. Speaker 1: Hello, everyone. I'm Hazel, the guide from Travel Lite Agency. Since we mentioned the trip to Munnar Island in the last program, we've received several online messages from those who have been there. As a result, we've collected some helpful do's and don'ts for new visitors, which will hopefully help you to know the island better and enjoy your stay to the fullest. The first suggestion is about tips. Although tipping is required in most circumstances in Munna Island, the amount you should give differs significantly. If you take a taxi, there is no set rate on how much you should leave to the driver. Someone may give a generous tip if he thinks the service is fantastic. It's up to you entirely. However, if you go to the hairdresser's or enjoy a meal in the restaurant and the bill comes with no service charge, a 10% tip is advisable. Moon Island has got relatively good medical service. If you get sick, the quickest way is to ask the hotel to arrange an English speaking doctor for you. But remember, it's not a complimentary service. The other alternative is to visit the local clinic, and you have to prepare for the charge as well. I should remind you that the medical service on the island can be pricey, so it's better to buy your insurance before you leave. When you visit Moon Island, you'll see the notice nearly everywhere. Tap water is safe to drink, but you might not get used to its weird taste because it contains minerals. In this case, you can buy bottled water sold in every shop, but you'd better make sure the sealed lid is untouched as the locals often put tap water into the bottle. Speaker 0: Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 15 to 20. Now listen and answer questions 15 to 20. Speaker 1: Then I'll focus on transportation in Moonee Island. The bus is the most commonly used means of transportation for local residents. Although there aren't many bus lines, they're always on time. However, some people complained that the road was so bumpy that they even got nausea and dizziness. As a result, it's not a good choice if you want to sit peacefully and relax on the way. And another thing is before you jump on the bus, inquire of the driver about where the bus will go. Unlike most cities, here in Moon Island, you cannot find the destination shown in front of the bus or at the bus stop. Maybe you found the bus service is not so enjoyable. In that case, you can always rent a car. If you choose this way, I advise you to prepare well beforehand. Although some taxi companies provide car rental services, many visitors sometimes find nobody answering the phone, so leave this way when you are in a hurry. It's wise to compare several car rental companies online beforehand as the price may vary a lot. Booking via hotel may be overcharged as it contains a 10% commission, so it's also not advisable. More importantly, don't forget to check with the company what the price covers in detail, like daily rental expenses, car insurance, commission, etcetera. It usually includes unlimited mileage too, but fuel is excluded. If you don't want to drive, a taxi is the quickest and most comfortable way, although few are available on Moone Island. If you want to find a taxi quickly, it's not a good idea to reserve through the taxi company as sometimes you'll have quite a wait, especially in the rush hour. The easiest way is just waving your hands on the street to stop the taxi. Otherwise, the driver will drive away directly after he drops off the guests. Oh, another thing is I have to remind you that there is no meter for taxis in Moon Island. So before you jump in the taxi, you'd better negotiate with the driver about how much you're going to pay. For example, if you take a taxi from the airport at night, it may cost you. So confirm the price before you get in. Okay. That's all about the tips for Moona Island that I want to share today. And are there any questions? Speaker 0: That is the end of part two. You now have half a minute to check your answers to part two. PART 3 Speaker 0: Now turn to section three on page five. Speaker 0: Section three. Speaker 0: You will hear two students called Mona and Tom discussing Mona's recent work experience in a hotel. Speaker 0: First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26 on page five. Speaker 0: Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26. Speaker 1: Hi, Tom. Speaker 1: I'm exhausted. Speaker 1: I've just finished my work experience week at the hotel in the center of town. Speaker 2: Oh, how did it go? Did you do a lot? Speaker 1: Yeah. It was a very good programme actually because they let me work in all the different departments. Speaker 2: Oh, brilliant. Speaker 1: So tell me all about it. Speaker 1: Well, first of all they put me on reception for a morning and I thought, oh, I know what this is all about. It'll just be handing out keys and stuff. How wrong I was. In fact, they handle loads of different things there special requests, contractors coming in and so on. Speaker 2: What did you do in the afternoon? Speaker 1: Well, in the afternoon and evening, in fact, I was in the hotel restaurant. There were loads of staff there, so it wasn't too exhausting. But the manager really wanted everything done absolutely precisely, really focused on the guests. You weren't allowed to make any mistakes. I thought it was a bit over the top actually. Not very enjoyable to work in. But they've got a really nice coffee bar at that hotel. Speaker 2: Did you get a chance to work in that? Speaker 1: Yes. The next morning. You're right. It is nice. But I bet it gets really busy. It wasn't too bad actually. But there's a lot of running around, so I was worn out afterwards. And then I had to go to work in the shop. It's interesting to see how shops fit into the overall hotel culture. Speaker 2: I never know who goes in those hotel shops but they must be worth it. I suppose they're owned separately from the hotel though. Speaker 1: Think so. Anyway, there were loads of staff working there, but we still couldn't keep up with the flow of customers because nobody knew where anything was or what they were supposed to be doing. I was quite relieved when it was over. Then the next day I went to see what the personal services department did. Speaker 2: Fascinating. Yes. They seem to mop up everything else, don't they? And you must have to be a certain sort of person because to handle the request and some of the people that make them, you have to keep calm and polite and be quite imaginative to find a way round them and resolve them. Speaker 1: Absolutely. I couldn't do it. It was beyond me. So I just sat and watched and listened. Speaker 2: Didn't you have to go with the domestic staff and do cleaning at all? Speaker 1: Oh, yes. My last day. I was dreading it. I just thought cleaning all those rooms would be so repetitive and tedious. Actually, the girls that do it are really lively and good fun. But by the end of the morning, my ears were ringing, the row of the vacuum cleaners, trolleys going up and down and the girls shouting at each other. I was amazed the guests didn't complain. Speaker 0: Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30 on page six. Speaker 0: Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30. Speaker 2: So what's your assessment overall? Speaker 1: Well, mixed. I mean, my dissertation is on a different topic, and I'm not planning to go into the hotel industry. But I see it as something that we have to do to understand certain aspects of this module that we're on. Speaker 2: Yes. I'd like to do something like that actually. Speaker 1: I think I'll have a word with the tutor to see if he can fix me up with something similar. The thing is that should take a while. I think sometimes people call the hotel directly and see if the manager will take them on. Though actually he gets loads of requests, so that might not work. You might be better to do it directly through the careers office if you've got time to pop down there. Speaker 2: Yes. I might try my tutor first though. Speaker 1: Well, I've got to go now. I've got to prepare this presentation on my work experience for next week. Speaker 2: Yeah. I guess that's part of the deal that you have to report back. Speaker 1: My tutor doesn't get everyone to do a presentation, so I don't think so. Apparently, he thought my last one was good, so I'm more or less doing a demonstration for the class. Some of them have had very little practice in presenting. By the way, what are you going to do for your assignment this term? Speaker 2: Oh, difficult. I've got that video I did of hotel work, so I think I'll use a bit of that to look at the way that business hotels are developing as conference centres. I really wanted to do something on those big five star resort hotels, I haven't got the time. Speaker 2: Oh, well, good luck. Speaker 0: That is the end of section three. Speaker 0: You now have half a minute to check your answers. Part 4 Speaker 0: Now turn to section four on page seven. Section four. You will hear a university lecturer talking to his students about an architectural studies assignment. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40 on pages seven and eight. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40. Speaker 1: Okay. Before this morning's lecture on successful design of public buildings, I want to draw your attention to your next assignment. So your assignment is on public monuments. And by that, I mean any structure or statue that is built to remind us of important events or of historic figures. The assignment should be divided into three sections. At the beginning of section one, you should identify the monument you're examining and say why you've chosen it. Include a comment on whether you think the monument works. By that, I mean its success. You may think it's wonderful. You may think it's a public eyesore, something that people hate looking at. Next, you should also include in this first section information about where the monument was built, its geographical site, and also a discussion of its social importance, how relevant it was for the people of the time. You should also include information on when it was built, its historical background, and make sure you illustrate the assignment appropriately too. I shall expect that. Insert any plans you can find, and make sure any photographs you use have captions and are clearly referred to in the text, or they will be meaningless. To end this section, you should include something about the record of the person who designed the monument, showing how the monument relates to his or her other work. Right. In section two of the assignment, you'll need to give a detailed account of the design and construction of the monument. Firstly, I'll want to read about any particular influence you think is apparent in the design. More often than not, there will be something in it that links it to an established style, classical Greek, for example. Or it may reflect a movement, like Bauhaus or Art Nouveau. You decide. Secondly, I want information about the choice of materials, not only those which were used, but reasons why they may have been selected from others that were available at the time and in the area where the designer worked. Next, I'll want to mention of any particular skills that were necessary in the construction too. The third section is the most important one. Here, you'll go into much more critical detail. To add to your own comments, you'll need to carry out a survey for this section to be as comprehensive and rounded as possible. Ask yourself and others the following questions. Firstly, was the reason for erecting the monument a valid one? For example, was it one that ordinary members of the public, the man or woman on the street, can readily relate to, and did it justify how much public money it cost? Was it a waste, or does it represent a sound cultural investment? Then think about its emotional impact. When someone looks at it, how do they feel? Angry? Sad? Indifferent? And don't forget to consider how well the monument sits in its environment. Does it harmonize with it, or does it clash with it? And is that important? Does it add to the effect or take away from it? Right. Those guidelines should help. Oh, and remember, it is important to weigh up carefully how to make the maximum impact in this kind of critique within the number of words allowable. You don't get extra marks for lots of factual information. You get those for a well constructed analysis. That's what counts, and that needs to be based on your personal opinion. Speaker 0: That is the end of section four. You now have half a minute to check your answers. That is the end of the listening test. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the listening answer sheet.