IELTS Listening Test Scripts - Practice Test 1

NARRATOR: This is the IELTS Listening Test. Time: approximately 30 minutes.

Instructions to candidates:

• Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so

• Write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page

• Listen to the instructions for each part of the paper carefully

• Answer all the questions

• While you are listening, write your answers on the question paper

• You will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to copy your answers onto the separate answer sheet

• Use a pencil

You will hear each section of the Listening Test once only. During the test, you will have time to read the questions and you will have a chance to check your work.

Now turn to Section 1.

SECTION 1: Questions 1-10 (Hotel Booking)

NARRATOR: Section 1. You will hear a conversation between a customer and a hotel receptionist about booking accommodation.

First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6.

[30 seconds pause]

Now listen and answer questions 1 to 6.

RECEPTIONIST (Female): Good morning, Riverside Hotel. How can I help you?

CUSTOMER (Male): Good morning. I'd like to book a room for next week, please.

RECEPTIONIST: Certainly, sir. Could I have your name, please?

CUSTOMER: Yes, it's Johnson. Sarah Johnson.

RECEPTIONIST: Thank you, Ms. Johnson. And how many nights would you like to stay?

CUSTOMER: Three nights, please. From Monday to Wednesday.

RECEPTIONIST: Right, three nights. Now, what type of room would you prefer?

CUSTOMER: I'd like a double room, please. With a double bed.

RECEPTIONIST: A double room. Any special requirements?

CUSTOMER: Yes, could I have a room on the ground floor? I have problems with stairs.

RECEPTIONIST: Of course. I can arrange that for you. Now, let me calculate the cost... That's £60 per night, so for three nights that would be £180 in total.

CUSTOMER: That's fine. How would you like me to pay?

RECEPTIONIST: You can pay by credit card if that's convenient.

CUSTOMER: Perfect. I'll pay by credit card.

RECEPTIONIST: Now look at questions 7 to 10.

[30 seconds pause]

RECEPTIONIST: Could I have a contact telephone number, please?

CUSTOMER: Yes, it's 07712345678.

RECEPTIONIST: Let me repeat that: 07712345678. And your email address?

CUSTOMER: It's s.johnson@email.com. That's S dot Johnson at email dot com.

RECEPTIONIST: Thank you. What time are you planning to arrive on Monday?

CUSTOMER: Around 3 PM, if that's okay.

RECEPTIONIST: That's perfectly fine. Check-in starts at 2 PM. Is there anything else I can help you with?

CUSTOMER: Actually, yes. Could you arrange a taxi service from the station?

RECEPTIONIST: Certainly. I'll make a note of that. Taxi service from the station.

CUSTOMER: Thank you very much.

RECEPTIONIST: You're welcome, Ms. Johnson. We look forward to seeing you on Monday.

NARRATOR: That is the end of Section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

[30 seconds pause]

Now turn to Section 2.

SECTION 2: Questions 11-20 (Sports Center Information)

NARRATOR: Section 2. You will hear someone giving information about local sports facilities.

First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15.

[30 seconds pause]

Now listen and answer questions 11 to 15.

SPEAKER: Good morning, everyone. I'm here today to tell you about our new community sports center, which opened last month.

First, let me tell you where we're located. You'll find us behind the shopping mall on High Street. We're very easy to find - just walk through the mall and you'll see us at the back. Some people think we're next to the railway station, but actually we're quite far from there.

Now, our facilities are available seven days a week. The swimming pool, which is our main attraction, is open every day including weekends and public holidays. We never close the pool - it's available seven days a week.

Let me talk about membership costs. We have very reasonable prices. A monthly membership costs £45. That's much better value than some places that charge £35 or £55. Our £45 monthly fee gives you access to all facilities.

Our fitness classes are very popular. These take place in our purpose-built studio room. Not in the main hall or gymnasium - we have a special studio room just for classes. It's equipped with mirrors, sound system, and all the equipment you need.

And I'm pleased to tell you that equipment rental is completely free for all members. You don't need to pay £2 or £5 per session like at other centers. If you're a member, all equipment rental is included at no extra cost.

NARRATOR: Now look at questions 16 to 20.

[30 seconds pause]

SPEAKER: We also offer special discounts for senior citizens. If you're over 60, you can get reduced rates on membership and classes.

Personal training is available, and our qualified instructors charge £25 per hour. This is very competitive compared to other local facilities.

Our most popular activity is definitely swimming. The pool is busy from morning until evening, and we offer swimming lessons for all ages.

Parking is always a concern, isn't it? Well, I'm happy to tell you that we have free parking available in the rear courtyard. You don't need to worry about finding street parking or paying for parking meters.

Finally, our opening hours. During the week we're open until 10 PM, but on Sundays we close a bit earlier - at 6 PM. This gives our staff time to prepare for the busy week ahead.

Thank you for listening, and we hope to see you at the sports center soon.

NARRATOR: That is the end of Section 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

[30 seconds pause]

Now turn to Section 3.

SECTION 3: Questions 21-30 (Academic Discussion)

NARRATOR: Section 3. You will hear a conversation between two students and their tutor about a research project.

First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.

[30 seconds pause]

Now listen and answer questions 21 to 25.

TUTOR (Female): Come in, Sarah and Mike. How's your research project coming along?

SARAH (Female student): Well, we've been working on it, but we're having some difficulties.

MIKE (Male student): Yes, we decided to focus on urban pollution levels in the city center, but it's proving more challenging than we expected.

TUTOR: Urban pollution levels - that's an interesting topic. What kind of challenges are you facing?

SARAH: The main problem is limited data availability. We can't find enough recent studies or statistics.

TUTOR: I see. That's quite common with environmental research. Have you considered narrowing your research scope? Perhaps focusing on just one type of pollution or one specific area?

MIKE: That's a good idea. We were trying to cover too much ground.

TUTOR: Exactly. Now, how are you planning to collect your primary data?

SARAH: We thought about doing face-to-face interviews, but that would take too much time.

MIKE: So we've decided on online surveys instead. We can reach more people and collect data more efficiently.

TUTOR: Good thinking. Online surveys are definitely more practical. Now, don't forget that your final presentation needs to be exactly 20 minutes long - not 15 or 25 minutes. Twenty minutes exactly, followed by questions.

NARRATOR: Now look at questions 26 to 30.

[30 seconds pause]

TUTOR: Let's talk about your timeline. When do you need to submit your literature review?

SARAH: Is it next Friday? I want to make sure we have the deadline right.

TUTOR: Yes, that's correct. Next Friday for the literature review. And remember, you need at least 15 sources - academic sources, not just websites.

MIKE: Fifteen sources minimum. Got it. Which database do you recommend for finding articles?

TUTOR: I'd suggest using Academic Search. It has the most comprehensive collection of environmental studies. Much better than the general databases.

SARAH: What about analyzing our survey data? We're not sure which software to use.

TUTOR: For statistical analysis, I recommend SPSS software. It's what most researchers use, and we have a site license, so it's free for students.

MIKE: Perfect. When should we meet with you again to discuss our progress?

TUTOR: How about Tuesday morning? Say, 10 AM in my office?

SARAH: Tuesday morning works for us.

TUTOR: Excellent. I think you're on the right track now. Just remember to keep your focus narrow and your methodology clear.

NARRATOR: That is the end of Section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

[30 seconds pause]

Now turn to Section 4.

SECTION 4: Questions 31-40 (Academic Lecture)

NARRATOR: Section 4. You will hear part of a lecture about sustainable architecture.

First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.

[1 minute pause]

Now listen and complete the notes in questions 31 to 40.

LECTURER: Good morning, everyone. Today I want to talk to you about sustainable architecture and how it's changing the way we design and construct buildings.

Sustainable architecture aims to minimize environmental impact. This means reducing the negative effects that buildings have on our planet throughout their entire lifecycle - from construction through to demolition.

One of the most effective features we're seeing in modern sustainable buildings is green roofs. These living roofs help to reduce energy consumption significantly. They provide natural insulation, keeping buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

When it comes to renewable energy, solar panels are becoming increasingly popular. However, they're most effective on south-facing roofs, where they can capture maximum sunlight throughout the day.

Another important aspect is natural ventilation. By designing buildings with proper airflow, we can reduce the need for air conditioning systems, which consume enormous amounts of energy.

Water conservation is also crucial. Rainwater can be collected and used for irrigation systems, reducing the demand on municipal water supplies.

The choice of building materials is equally important. Bamboo, for example, is considered a renewable material because it grows so quickly - much faster than traditional hardwood trees.

Energy-efficient lighting makes a huge difference too. LED lights consume 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. That's a massive saving when you consider how much lighting a large building requires.

Smart home technology is revolutionizing how we control building systems. Smart thermostats, for instance, can reduce heating costs by 30% through intelligent temperature management and scheduling.

For heating and cooling, geothermal energy is an excellent option. This technology uses heat from underground - from the earth itself - to regulate building temperatures naturally.

Finally, let's consider the financial benefits. Studies show that sustainable buildings can increase property values by 15% compared to conventional buildings. This makes sustainable architecture not just environmentally responsible, but financially smart too.

In conclusion, sustainable architecture isn't just about being environmentally friendly - it's about creating buildings that are more efficient, more comfortable, and more valuable in the long term.

NARRATOR: That is the end of Section 4. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

[30 seconds pause]

You now have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to your answer sheet.

NARRATOR: That is the end of the Listening Test. In the IELTS test.

Please stop writing now and put down your pencils.