IELTS LISTENING S64T3

HOTELS

Steve: Hey Melisa! How’s it going?

Melisa: Great; I’m really pleased to have the exams behind me; now I’m looking forward to a break for the summer as I know next year is going to be unbelievably difficult, being our final year and all. You?

Steve: Same – pleased to be finished, but dreading next year, though.

Melisa: Well, I wouldn’t exactly say I’m dreading it, but I know what you’re saying!

Steve: At least we’re gonna have smaller classes next semester.

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Melisa: How do you mean?

Steve: Didn’t you hear? The Commerce Faculty just got approval to build a new state-of-the-art Lecture building over the summer months. Q21 It’s expected to be finished by the start of term.

Melisa: Fantastic! No more lecture theatres crammed with over two hundred people. That’ll make a pleasant change. How on, earth are they paying for it though? I thought the Q22 college was reining in its expenditure and decreasing spending.

Steve: It is, but the grant has been approved for the best part of, three years, so they have no choice but to provide it now that the project is going ahead; after all, those funds are supposed to have been set aside specially.

Melisa: So what’s taken so long for construction to start?

Steve: You see, the grant only covers 30% of the cost. The incoming government made a pledge during the election campaign that it would cover the other 70%, but, typical of a political party, wouldn’t you know, it didn’t keep its promise. The College Donors Club, a group of wealthy alumni, stepped in to pledge 10% of the money needed, but the project really only got a kick-start when an anonymous donor pledged the rest.

Melisa: Very mysterious!

Steve: Yeah, and apparently he demanded that certain changes be made to the plans before handing over the money.

Melisa: Like what?

Steve: Well, you know the proposal to have Q24 a gym in the basement?

Melisa: Don’t tell me that’s been canceled.

Steve: Not at all. In fact, our anonymous donor friend insisted on it being twice the original size and on Q25 a relaxation room being added as well. You know, with games and stuff.

Melisa: Sweet! Are we still getting our new computer lab?

There’s always such an awful queue for the existing one.

Steve: We are indeed and next to it there’s now going to be what they’re calling the ‘Software Zone’. A place where students can access all the latest high-end software free of charge,

Melisa: Nice! Thank you very much Mr. Donor! Everything else Is staying, right? Lecture rooms, hardware zone, etc.?

Steve: Yeah. The rest’s the same.

Melisa: By the way, on the subject of college next year Steve, have you decided what courses you are going to choose yet?

Steve: Pretty much. I want to major in marketing, so I’m focusing on the International Markets and Product Placement modules. Will you be joining me?

Melisa: Well, you know I prefer Human Resources; that’ll probably be my major, but Q26 if you twist my arm, I’ll probably join you for the first one; no way on all that Product Placement Q27 nonsense though; sounds boring! Organisational Behaviour is a requirement if you want to major in HR, as is Managing People, so Q28&29 I will definitely do both of those. Will you join me on them then?

Steve: Sorry Melisa; you know HR is just not my thing. What about your optional modules? Do you feel like doing Information Systems with me? We all need to know a bit about the digital world after all!

Melisa: Hmm. I’ll get back to you! I haven’t ruled out Public Relations, either. Let’s chat about it again later in the week Q30 when I’ve had some time to think.

Steve: Cool; I’ll call you, okay?

Melisa: Sounds like a plan! I’d better go now.

Attempt full listening test…