IELTS LISTENING – TRITON MUSEUM OF ART S65T2

IELTS LISTENING S65T2

TRITON MUSEUM OF ART

Curator: A very good afternoon to you all, ladies and gentlemen! I’m glad you’ve chosen to visit the prestigious Triton Museum of Art today and I’ll look forward to showing you around. But first, I would just like you to refer to the maps of the museum that you picked up on your way In.

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Now… where you picked up your maps is just to the left, as you enter the building, outside the Museum Store. By the way, the Store Is a great place to pick up some souvenirs before you leave. Oh and if anyone wants to leave a coat in the _Q11 cloakroom, (E) then please feel free to do so at no extra charge. It’s just over there on the other side of the entrance to the Museum Store. OK… So this nice spacious area we’re now standing In is the Rotunda. It contains some of the museum’s most striking sculptures. From here you gain access to all the museum. Leading off from the Rotunda are the Warburton Gallery and our other large gallery that houses a permanent art collection. We’ll be starting our tour actually in the _Q12 Permanent Collection Gallery (F) as it’s the nearest of the two galleries to the entrance. We’ll make our way afterwards to the other gallery I mentioned, as it’s right next door. Oh, the smaller room behind the Warburton Gallery that you see on your maps is just a _Q13 storage space (G) for the museum and access is blocked off to the public by a railing across the entrance to that area. So now, where were we? Ah yes… After we’ve visited those galleries which will take us a good hour as there are so many interesting exhibits to see, we’ll make our way back across the Rotunda and visit the _Q14 Cowell Room (A). It’s right at the far end of the museum on the opposite side of the Rotunda to the Warburton and Permanent Collection galleries. It’s one of the museum highlights and contains some high quality contemporary art exhibits. Oh… I’m so sorry, I forgot to point out the ladles and gents toilets, earlier. They’re just before you get to the Cowell Room and are adjacent to the Museum Store. Don’t go into the room opposite the toilets. That’s our _Q15 staffroom area and kitchen (B)! Right… so that’s all you need to know for the moment… Let’s begin the tour!

Well, I hope you all found the tour Interesting. If any of you would like to become a patron of the museum, you can request _Q16 information from the Museum Store. Being a patron entitles you to special discounts on visiting exhibitions and first refusal on tickets to special events. You will also be the first to know about our museum events as you are automatically placed on the museum’s mailing list.

You can choose to become a ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ or ‘Bronze’ patron of the museum. ‘Gold’ patrons are also permitted free entry for one accompanying guest. However, all patrons can receive year-round benefits that are not enjoyed by non-patrons.

Having said all that, I would now like to announce some very special news. Next year will be our centenary celebrations. It’s hard to believe It but the museum was founded over 100 years ago! Accordingly, we will be seeing in the New Year in style with a special Masked Ball. This has been organised in _Q17 response to a special request from some of our patrons. Plans have yet to be finalised for this one-off event, but a ‘themed’ _Q18 Masked Ball has been suggested, the idea being that guests come in the guise of famous artists, past or present. One exciting event that has been confirmed is the Summer Garden Party. We are anticipating a lot of interest for this one so it’s best to book well In advance. Whilst the tickets are by no means cheap, we like to think that the price reflects the quality of the event. Amongst the many treats we have in store for you is a live orchestra playing in the museum’s gardens which are to the back of the main building. It is weather permitting of course. Again we are dependent on good weather in order for the barbeque to take place. Alternatively, a sit-down meal will be provided in the Cowell Room. Everything from the entertainment to the food is included in the ticket price so there are no hidden extras!

Now, having given you a round-up of the highlights of next year’s social events, let’s go on to the artistic highlights of next month. Coming up shortly is Euan Bailey’s _Q20 newest installation ‘Light and Sound Waves‘. Always thought-provoking, his previous installations have been very well-received. We will also have Hamish Barnes here for the first time as artist-in-residence. He will be encouraging visitors to adopt a more ‘hands-on’ approach to art! Finally, last but not least, we will be exhibiting the work of Sean Long, who will be making his artistic debut. His work will be on show in the Warburton Gallery over the summer period. We are anticipating a large attendance at his exhibition.

Well, that’s all from me. I look forward to seeing you at one or maybe all of our events. It’s certainly going to be an action-packed year for the museum, both culturally and socially!

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IELTS LISTENING – ANIMAL ART S65T4

IELTS LISTENING S65T4

ANIMAL ART

Lecturer: I have just shown you all some slides of a very varied set of paintings. I noticed as I was showing the slides, a few giggles in the audience and a few looks of dismay. I guess, entitling my lecture ‘Unconventional Art Geniuses’ was a bit misleading. When most of you were looking at the frankly _Q31 basic colour use and rather primitive painting techniques, you probably were more than a little surprised.

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Well… I have a shock for you all. What I’m about to tell you next will help you understand the title of my lecture. All the slides I showed you previously are of artworks made by… wait for it… animals! Yes, I heard a few gasps In the audience when I said that. Whilst the artwork would be definitely primitive by _Q32 human standards, when you consider that the artworks were executed by animals, then, well, they are frankly staggering! Nor were the artworks purely the work of our _Q33 closest relatives, the apes. No, they were produced by animal artists, drawn from a diverse pool of species, ranging from elephants to gorillas, birds, and even sloths! In fact, _Q34 in recognition of this, last year, London’s Grant Museum of Zoology staged what organisers thought was the first Inter-species show of paintings by animals. In the show, art was shown from an orangutan, a gorilla, and an elephant. Whilst the gorilla and the orangutan produced works that bore a resemblance to the paintings of modern artists de Kooning and Kline, the elephant’s work took a more _Q35 figurative approach in the rendering of a flower pot.

Now before you all go thinking this is a revolutionary discovery, I would like to put the record straight. The contribution animals can make to the art world was highlighted as far back as the 1950s. In this decade, Desmond Morris, celebrated social anthropologist and author of bestsellers, such as ‘Bodywatching’ and ‘The Naked Ape’, Introduced Congo the painting Chimp to the British public in a TV appearance. Back then, animal art-makers were regarded as little more than a _Q36 novelty. Today, however, animal artists are not viewed so much as novelties but as sophisticated creators with skills and senses that they use to execute artworks in ways humans never can.

As a result of animals being taken more seriously as creators of art, it has become commonplace today for zoos to provide materials to captive animals. The hope is that by giving animals the means to create art, they will be kept physically and mentally stimulated. Obviously, you can’t give a lizard a paintbrush and expect it to draw! What the zookeepers do, though, is to give animals species-appropriate art materials and _Q37 tools. For example, sloth bears, who feed by blowing away dirt from the forest floor to feed on termites, have been given a straw-like apparatus to blow paint onto a canvas.

What is one of the most interesting discoveries to come out of all this, though, is the finding that animals voluntarily and Instinctively participate in the creation of art. It seems therefore that animals derive as much pleasure as humans do in applying paint to canvas or making a clay or plasticine figure. The obvious conclusion to draw from all this Is that there are _Q38 more similarities between Man and other animals than some of us might care to admit. However, just to satisfy the sceptics amongst you, there is something I would like to add. So far, the primate and elephant art that has been produced often bears an uncanny resemblance to Western art. Certain conventions are evident In the animals’ art that suggest a degree of _Q39 human intervention. As proof of this, an elephant named Boon Mee was actually guided by a keeper who steered the animal’s trunk to paint brushstrokes on a canvas! Nevertheless, we should keep an _Q40 open mind about animal art as there are just as many examples of artworks that have been completed by animals without human aid.

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IELTS LISTENING – Details of customer purchase S65T1

IELTS LISTENING S65T1

Details of customer purchase

Auctioneer: Good afternoon, madam. Ah yes, I see you successfully bid for Lot 2374.

Client: Good afternoon. Yes, that’s correct.

Auctioneer: I hope you are satisfied with your purchase. If I may say so myself, I think you got a real bargain. What you paid is not much above the original reserve price of _Q1 £300!

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Client: I love _Q2 P.J. Brownings work and to be honest I was prepared to pay a lot more. I’d decided beforehand that _Q3 £500 would be my limit, so getting it £150 cheaper than I was prepared to pay for it was a wonderful surprise!

Auctioneer: I have to say that _Q4 17th century paintings of _Q5 rural English scenes like this one are rather underrated. The art world seems to want abstract paintings by modern artists more. Geometric designs seem to be the trend today!

Client: Not my taste at all! I have a more conservative taste when it comes to art. The painting will blend In with my antique furniture at home.

Auctioneer: Well, I hope you have a big wall to put It on!

Client: Luckily, I’m very fortunate to live In a rather large country house. What are the exact measurements of the painting by the way?

Auctioneer: The width is _Q6 1.5 metres and the height, is.1 metre, without, the frame that is. If you include the gilt-covered frame, which Is quite large to balance the size of the painting, you can add on another 0,5 metres for the width and the same again for the _Q7  height, obviously.

Client: That shouldn’t prove too much of a problem. I’m just happy I managed to win the bid for this wonderful painting!

Auctioneer: So, madam, I would just like to take down some details from you.

Client: OK, go ahead!

Auctioneer: I recognise your face as you’ve attended several of our auctions before, but I can’t put a name to your face. Could you remind me of your name, please?

Client: Oh, yes, it’s Mrs. _Q8 Bradwell Thompson. It’s a double barrel surname, so you need a hyphen In between the 2 surnames, you see.

Auctioneer: So that’s spelt B-R-A-D-W-E-L-L followed by a hyphen, then T-H-O-M-S-O-N?

Client: Well, the first part’s right. But you spell Thompson with a ‘P’ In between the ‘M’ and the ‘S’ of the surname.

Auctioneer: OK… and your address, please?

Client: Yes, It’s ‘Charlton Manor’; that’s spelt, C-H-A-R-L-T-O-N, and I live In Kingston Village. Oh and of course you’ll need the postcode, too, It’s _Q9 KN26 56T.

Auctioneer: Sorry, did you say KM26 56T?

Client: No, it’s K-N-not an ‘M’ then 2-6 5-6-T.

Auctioneer: Well, thank you, Mrs Bradwell-Thompson, I think that’s just about everything… Oh, and I need to know when you would like the painting delivered. We deliver on Tuesdays and Fridays, the week following an auction.

Client: Well… I’m having a long-weekend break In the Cotswolds, a charming area of England, you know, so this coming Friday would be impossible. Flow about next Tuesday?

Auctioneer: No problem at all, madam. So that will be the _Q10 23rd of March.

Client: Superb! Thank you.

Auctioneer: Not at all, madam, It was a pleasure doing business with you.

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IELTS LISTENING – Personality Assessment 64T4

IELTS LISTENING S64T4

HOTELS

I’m sure at some point in your lives you will have completed a personality test, whether for professional reasons or purely for fun. Such personality assessments are abundant. They pervade our _Q31 everyday lives since there Is a fundamental human need to understand the motivation behind our own and others’ behaviour. Learning how to assess personality permits greater understanding of the motivating factors affecting the way we communicate and _Q32 co-operate with others in addition to how we relate to others on a personal level. So now that we’ve talked about why personality tests are so important, let’s take a look at the most well-known tests and see how they compare.

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Well, first off we have a favourite of careers officers and potential employers alike – the graphology test The word ‘graphology’ is derived from two Greek words meaning ‘writing’ and ‘word’. Essentially, it is an assessment of personality based on handwriting analysis, How an Individual dots his ‘i’s or crosses his ‘t’s, in addition to whether writing is slanted or level, is believed to be indicative of the individual’s personality. Whatever your opinion may be of this method of personality assessment, at least it has stood the test of time. The graphology test as a measure of personality was first proposed by a certain Juan Huartede San Juan as far back as 1575 and It has seen fluctuation in its popularity since then. In the 20th century, Alfred Binet was so convinced as to its validity that he termed it the ‘science of the future’ and indeed today it is still a very popular method of personality assessment. Its validity though, as a measurement of character, is dubious. The British Psychological Society has even gone so far as to rank graphology alongside astrology, giving them both _Q33 ‘zero validity‘. A major problem with the test is that an  _Q34 element of subjectivity enters the assessment of certain criteria in the test, such as ‘harmony’ and ‘style’ of writing. However, in its favour, the test is relatively quick and easy to administer.

Next, let’s look at the Rorschach or Ink blot test which is one of the better known tools of psychological assessment. Popularised in party game versions of the test, the Rorschach test has received mixed reactions amongst psychologists. Whilst many dismiss the test as a ‘pseudoscience’, it is nevertheless used by prestigious mental _Q35 health organisations, such as the Tavistock Clinic, as a valid tool for personality assessment. Admittedly, assessing someone’s character based on their reactions to a series of ink blots on pieces of card might seem somewhat ludicrous. Whilst there is a tried and tested methodology behind the construction of the test and assessment of individual responses, the test Is subject to _Q36 cultural bias. The perception of the cards’ contents is liable to be biased by cultural factors making the individual responses somewhat meaningless.

So, moving onto a test that has similar features to the Rorschach test, let’s look at the Luscher Colour test. As with the former test, the Luscher Colour test assesses an individual’s subjective reaction to a series of cards. However, unlike the Rorschach, the Luscher test consists of a series of _Q37 coloured cards that the individual has to rank in order of preference. How the individual ranks the different colours is believed to be indicative of their personality. Whilst some believe the test to smack of pseudoscience and many question its validity, there is, however, a biological basis to the test which makes it more of a _Q38 convincing tool of psychological assessment than many other personality tests. Certainly, its use by psychologists and doctors, as well as authorities, such as government agencies and universities, to screen their candidates would seem to be a strong argument for the validity of the test. A major plus to this test is that it is so accurate that it is even sensitive to mood change. Individuals, therefore, taking the same test at different periods of time will see a correlation between results and mood.

Finally, I would like to refer to the TAT test or the Thematic Apperception Test, to give it its full name. On the face of it, it is a very simplistic test. As with the Rorschach and Luscher tests, the individual Is dealt a series of cards. However, on these cards are depicted a series of ambiguous scenes involving _Q39 groups of people. The Individual is required to make up a story about each, and the individual Is then assessed based on the content of each story. Whilst the test is quick and simple to administer, critics of the test argue that there is a _Q40 lack of standardisation of the cards and scoring systems, making comparisons between individuals problematic. This, therefore, undermines the validity of the test. Nevertheless, the TAT test is still used as a tool in fields as diverse as psychological research into occupation preference and partner selection and forensic examinations to evaluate crime suspects.

It is therefore a matter of individual preference as to which test is used when employed for professional reasons. All these tests, though, have their benefits and their drawbacks. No one definitive test exists that provides 100% accuracy in assessing personality.

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IELTS LISTENING – King’s Cross Square Pancras Road S64T2

IELTS LISTENING S64T2

Pancras Road

OK, ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? So, here we are at King’s Cross station. We’ll be leaving from here in just over an hour to catch a tube from the Underground station so you’ll have a bit of time to look around.

But first things first. Just so as you can get your bearings and find your way around this rather complex and confusing station, I will point out essential areas as well as points of interest.

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At the moment, we are standing in King’s Cross Square, facing two main exit doors, one off to our left and the other off to our right. The exits lead from the main platform area which can be accessed by several entrances, one of which is located just a bit further away to your left, although it is obscured by a wall from where we’re standing. Oh, by the way, that building standing on its own – the larger, not the smaller one – on your far left is the Great Northern Hotel. The taxi rank is sandwiched between it and the _Q11 Left Luggage office (G).

So, before I go onto a description of the main shopping and platform areas on the other side of the station wall, I’d like to point out the most important point of all: the _Q12 Underground station, (H) which is where we need to meet promptly for departure. Luckily, it’s quite prominent as it’s located away from the shopping and platform area of the station. It’s just over there on the corner, in between the entrance I mentioned earlier and the exit nearest to the hotel from where we’re standing now.

Now for those of you who would like to grab a bite to eat or do a bit of shopping, you can enter the shopping area by that entrance door over there. It’s by far the nearest entrance. You will find several clothes shops in this area in addition to a fast-food outlet. When you go to the entrance, if you go straight ahead rather than turning left into the other part of the shopping complex you will find two buildings facing one another. Within these buildings are several shops and eating places. In the building immediately after the ticket barriers on your right, you will find that the first shop you come across is the fast-food outlet, _Q13 Burgerland (E). If you need to avail yourself of the toilet facilities, then carry straight on past Burgerland and they’re at the far end of the building. In between the toilets and the _Q14 ticket office (F) is the Disabled Meeting Point. You will have to enter through this area in order to gain access to the toilets.

If you would like to go up to the second floor where there are one or two shops and a _Q15 pizzeria, (C) then as you enter the shopping area through the main entrance, instead of going straight ahead you turn off to the left. The escalators are immediately on your left again. When you go up, the escalators you will see two buildings again on your left. Go past the first building and the pizzeria is the first shop that you come to, in the second building.

Now, I would just like to ask: Are there any Harry Potter fans with us today? Ah, good. Yes, I see several hands raised. Well, there’s a treat in store for you if you go to the far end of the second building and take the escalator down again to the ground floor. As you reach the bottom of the escalator, turn right and carry on walking, keeping the ticket barrier on your left all the time. Don’t turn off left but carry on walking until you find yourself up against the station wall. This is the famous _Q16 Platform 93/4 (B) immortalised by J.K. Rowling in her Harry Potter books. You’ll see half a trolley embedded in the wall to mark the spot.

So those are the main things to do and see. I hope you enjoy yourselves but please meet me at the Underground entrance promptly for departure. Don’t be tempted to board the Hogwart Express on Platform 9 ^3/4!

Good, welcome back! I’m glad you were all punctual. As you know, we have a packed itinerary which _Q17 will give you a ‘taster’ of London’s major landmarks.

Before we enter the Underground I would just like to give you some important information. Firstly, for those of you _Q18 unfamiliar with the London Underground, you must retain your ticket throughout the journey, only surrendering the ticket at your final destination. This is not applicable to today’s trip but really for tomorrow when you will be at leisure and may wish to use the Underground again. For today, we have a group ticket which means that we have to stay together at all times whilst travelling on the Underground. Should you become separated from the group and end up travelling without a ticket you can expect to pay a hefty fine.

Also, remember that while we are travelling outside the _Q19 rush hour, between 5-7 pm in the evening and from 7.30-9 am in the morning. We will still meet with the midday crowds of shoppers. Sometimes there is only standing room at such times, so _Q20 you will be lucky to get a seat at all. Priority seats do exist if you are unable to stand, although this is rarely enforced and is at the discretion of the passenger occupying such seats. Beware of pickpockets, too! There are many opportunist thieves who prey on unsuspecting travellers. Obviously, keep your valuables tucked away, ensuring wallets, etc. are not visible.

So, that’s all for now. Let’s get on with the tour! Follow me and please keep close to your group members to avoid getting separated!

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IELTS LISTENING – Belvedere Gardens Hotel S64T1

IELTS LISTENING S64T1

HOTELS

Man: Good afternoon. Can I help you?

Woman: I hope so! My Portuguese friends are coming over to visit me next month and I need to find a place for them to stay that is quite central as I live in the city centre myself and want them to be close by. Can you recommend anywhere?

Man: Yes. A few places instantly spring to mind. What about Belvedere Gardens Hotel? Despite what the name might suggest, it’s right in the city centre, on Main Street, opposite Grimes Tower.

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Woman: How much is it per night, please?

Man: Quite reasonable given the location, $50, and that is inclusive of a _Q1 continental breakfast.

Woman: Oh, that sounds nice! What about other meals? Do you have to pay extra for them?

Man: Yes. Unfortunately, lunch and dinner are not included In the price. The hotel does have a very fine restaurant, though, and I would thoroughly recommend the _Q2 buffet dinner there; customers should be seated by 7:30 in the evening when the buffet starts.

Woman: Hmm. I’ll keep It in mind. Is there anywhere else you can think of?

Man: Certainly. The Belfield Grande is always a popular choice. It’s located a little further out, though, on the south side of Edgeware _Q3 Common. Perhaps that’s too far from the city centre.

Woman: Not really; it’s only a few stops on the subway; depends on the price.

Man: Believe it or not, the Belfield is more expensive than Belvedere Gardens, $55.

Woman: Oh, that’s no good.

Man: Mind you, there is a $10 discount offered to customers who’ve _Q4 booked online. There’s also the fact that the price is inclusive of _Q5 all meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served in the guests’ _Q6 lounge.

Woman: I like the sound of this hotel more and more. The Belfield then, so far. Is there anywhere else?

Man: Well, you should also consider _Q7 Maple View.

Woman: I don’t think I am familiar with that one.

Man: You should be; it’s right in the heart of the city, next to the entrance to the _Q8 pedestrian zone that runs along High Street.

Woman: Sounds lovely, being so close to the shops. Tell me more.

Man: It gets better; the price per night is only $28 on weekdays, though an additional $12 is charged on weekends and _Q9 bank holidays.

Woman: Sounds like great value for money.

Man: It is; that’s why you have to book well _Q10 in advance of your stay.

Woman: How soon should I book then?

Man: Yesterday might not be soon enough!

Woman: Yikes! I better get cracking. Thank you so much for your help.

Man: You’re very welcome.

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