Archive for category: IELTS Listening

When humans arrived in New Zealand about 700 years ago rats were carried on the ships with them. The rats flourished in the warm climate and put pressure on the native bird populations in particular on the flightless species. In 1984 researchers found that only _Q32 3 pairs of flightless bird species remained in existence and that even these faced severe threats. New Zealand is now a world leader in facilitating the recovery of severely endangered species from the brink of Extinction. Every year researchers carry out surveys in order to monitor the fluctuating levels of bird numbers and species living in New Zealand. Due to the migration patterns of many of the species, it is particularly hard to _Q33 estimate the bird numbers accurately. Since many may have flown to other countries in search of mates and warmer climates, and thus not appear in the survey. Bird numbers are also particularly sensitive to environmental influences in particular to those related to human activity. Everyday activities such as _Q34 farming or constructing a home can have a massive impact on the local population.

Forests that serve as a habitat for thousands of birds can be entirely eradicated to make fields for crops or to provide wood for construction having a disastrous impact. It is not only the human influence that threatens the future of many bird species. Since many predatory animal species have flourished in New Zealand. One of these species is the maintained snake which was introduced from Australia and has decimated the population of Kildeer Birds. These birds nest on the ground and often return to find that their _Q35 eggs have been devoured by the egg-eating snakes.

One cannot dismiss of course the pressure that nature itself imposes on the survival of many bird species. Natural disasters such as _Q36 storms can be devastating tearing apart forests and leaving thousands of destroyed nests in their wake. Monsoons flood the rivers and often drown many of the flightless bird species that are unable to escape. Unfortunately, the greatest threat to bird numbers in New Zealand is illegal hunting, which is almost impossible to prevent. Many endangered bird species are on display at the National Zoo, and it is essential that urgent measures are taken to protect them. The zoo recently employed an expert in bird protection, who recommended that they should employ a _Q37 guard to protect their birds from poachers. The expert also pointed out that the birds can become very stressed in situations where the public are able to approach them too closely. Suggesting that the administration install _Q38 fense Network to keep the public a safe distance away from the birds despite this threat to birds in captivity it is the freely roaming birds that are most at risk. Efforts are being made to educate people on how they can contribute towards protecting birds that are living in the _Q39 wild. Finally, research has shown that one of the most effective methods of informing the public on the importance of protecting the bird populations is through the _Q40 media.

I advise you all to read the articles written on this topic in specialist journals. And also carry out research on the internet each and every one of you could make an enormous contribution to the protection of birds if you put your mind to it.

Now we’re standing at the information desk and we’re going to look at the views in each direction. Tap to the West there’s a gift shop where guests can shop for small trinkets made by local villagers from shells and starfish. If you look carefully up there on the other side of the _Q11 restaurant there’s a state-of-the-art _Q12 spa facility just next to the Grove of palm trees. Where guests can have treatments including massage or detoxify their body in the steam room.

A major drawback of our previous Hotel complex was that there was no room for an on-site helicopter Port. Which meant that our most important guests were forced to commute from the local airport. As we were unable to construct a suitable facility on the Eastern side we have constructed a large heliport to the north. Guests wishing to stretch their legs after a long flight can simply head south to the _Q13 tennis courts for a match on our splendidly manicured courts. Now if you look in front of you there’s a _Q14 swimming pool in the center equipped with slides and a diving board which is the main feature of the new complex and is overlooked by all of the other buildings. We have decided to maintain the family-friendly status of our original Hotel however from guests we have come to realize that parents also enjoy time to relax without having to look after their children, therefore we have constructed a the fun _Q15 play center where parents can leave their children with a trained childminder and take some time for themselves. This facility is located just to the north of the swimming pool and is covered with a small canopy to protect the children from the Sun. Many of our working guests will require access to a quiet space for work if you direct them just sat at the swimming pool they will discover our _Q16 conference center which comes complete with meeting rooms, offices, and Wi-Fi access. In order to access the Wi-Fi network they should simply report to the information desk where an assistant will provide them with a personal password. This desk is situated Just Between the conference center and the beach.

Finally, the complex also contains a large _Q17 Sports Center where guests can enjoy our gym facilities and take part in sessions for yoga and Pilots. Overlooking the swimming pool from the southeast the center offers stunning views of the entire complex and across the ocean.

Next, I would like to discuss our new restaurant which is run by the award-winning Chef Alberto Brava. Every week he will offer a new menu of fresh seafood such as crab and sea bass, which has been caught that day by local fishermen. The daily menu will include a range of organic meats and vegetables freshly grilled on the _Q18 barbecue served with a selection of specially prepared sauces and spices. There is no menu specifically for vegetarians however there will be a large range of grilled vegetables for them to choose. The hotel now has a selection of Suites to cater to our more Discerning guests and provide for special occasions. As these sweets are finely decorated with furniture and paintings they are not suitable for families with children. Art Tiki Suite is the finest of them all it is likely to ornate for business people but would be perfect for couples on their honeymoon who may even _Q19 have been married in the hotel.

Finally I would like to share some exciting news our hotel has won awards in the past for its fantastic service however we have just won the _Q20 prestigious green award for our efforts in reducing our carbon footprint, the award will be proudly displayed in the restaurant facility where it can be admired by our guests and staff alike.

Well here we are back at our starting point the information desk.