Cambridge IELTS 12 Listening Test 1 Answers

SECTION 1

1. Answer: mountains

2. Answer: horse

3. Answer: garden(s)

4. Answer: lunch

5. Answer: map

6. Answer: experience

7. Answer: Ratchesons

8. Answer: helmet

9. Answer: shops

10. Answer: 267

SECTION 2

11. Answer: A. the variety of work

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– Good morning everyone. My name’s Joy Parkins and I’m the restaurant manager. And I understand that none of you’ve had any previous experience as kitchen assistants? Well, you might be feeling a bit nervous now, but most of our kitchen assistants say they enjoy the work. OK, they might get shouted at sometimes, but it’s nothing personal, and they’re pleased that they have so many different things to do, which means they never get bored. And I’ll tell you straightaway that if you do well, we might think about moving you up and giving you some more responsibility.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (A):
    • variety = different
    • work = things to do
    • promotion = move up
  • Explanation: The kitchen assistants might get shouted at, so “friendly atmosphere” is impossible. B is incorrect.
  • In terms of promotion, the restaurant (the speaker) says that those who perform well will get to a higher position. However, the kitchen assistants say nothing about this opportunity.  Thus C is not correct.
  • What the kitchen assistants enjoy about their work is that they have “many different things to do”, which is the same as “variety of work”.
  • The answer is A.

12. Answer: A. jewellery

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– Now I’m glad to see none of you have unsuitable footwear, so that’s good – you need to be careful as the floors can get very wet and slippery. Those of you with long hair have got it well out of the way, but some of you’ll need to remove your rings and bracelets – just put them somewhere safe for today, and remember to leave them at home tomorrow, as they can be a safety hazard.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (A):
    • shoes = footwear
    • jewellery = rings and bracelets
  • Explanation: According to the speaker, none of the staff have unsuitable “footwear” (the same as “shoes”) so C is not the answer.
  • About hairstyles, people with long hair “have got it well out of the way” so that should not be a problem either and B is wrong.
  • However, for safety reasons, the speaker warns some staff to remove their rings and bracelets, which are two kinds of jewellery.
  • Therefore, the answer is A.

13. Answer: C. the restaurant is almost fully booked.

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
  • Now it’s going to be a busy day for you all today – we don’t have any tables free for this evening, and only a few for lunch. Fortunately we’ve got our Head Chef back – he was away on holiday all last week which meant the other chefs had extra work.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
    • absent = away
  • Explanation: The word “holiday” appears in both the recording and answer A, but in the recording the speaker says that the Head Chef was away on holiday. A public holiday is not mentioned, so A is irrelevant.
  • The Head Chef is now back to work, so B is wrong.
  • The restaurant does not have any tables free for that evening, and only a few for lunch, which means that it is “almost fully booked”.
  • Therefore, the answer is C.

14. Answer: C. the meat slicer.

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– For all of you, whatever your age, there’s some equipment you mustn’t use until you’ve been properly trained, like the waste disposal system for example, for health and safety reasons. Then I think there are two of you here who are under 18 – that’s Emma and Jake, isn’t it? Right.so for you two, the meat slicer is out of bounds. And of course none of you are allowed to use the electric mixer until you’ve been shown how it works.

  • Explanation: The speaker warns the staff, whatever their age, not to use the waste disposal system and the electric mixer until they know how the equipment works. Thus A and B does not answer the question.
  • Emma and Jake, who are under 18, are not allowed to use the meat slicer (“out of bounds” means not allowed).
  • Therefore C is the correct answer.

15-16. Answer: A. They have to follow orders immediately., E. The work is physically demanding.

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– Now you may have heard that this can be a stressful job, and I have to say that can be true. You’ll be working an eight-hour day for the first week, though you’ll have the chance to do overtime after that as well if you want to. But however long the hours are, you’ll get a break in the middle. What you will find is that you’re on your feet all day long, lifting and carrying, so if you’re not fit now you soon will be! You’ll find you don’t have much chance to take it easy – when someone tells you to do something you need to do it straightaway – but at least we do have a very efficient air conditioning system compared with some kitchens.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answers (A&E):
    • immediately = straightaway
  • Explanation: The manager says that “when someone tells you to do something you need to do it straightaway”, meaning that you have to do it immediately, so is correct.
    • The kitchen has “a very efficient air conditioning system” so we can infer that it cannot get too hot, thus B is incorrect.
    • Also, the staff can always take a break despite how long they have to work, so C is incorrect.
    • With regard to overtime, the manager says that the staff can decide whether to do overtime or not, which means it is not compulsory, therefore D is incorrect.
    • Lastly, the staff must be “on their feet all day long, lifting and carrying”, indicating that the job is really “physically demanding”, that is, it requires a lot of strength.
  • Hence A and E are the answers.

17. Answer: F

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– So as I said, I’m Joy Parkins and I decide who does what during the day and how long they work for.

  • Explanation: Joy Parkins is responsible for the way the kitchen operates and the hours which the staff have to work (“how long they work for”) which means that he decides what each person has to do at what time, therefore she is in charge of the “timetable”.
  • F is the answer.

18. Answer: C

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– One person whose name you must remember is David Field. If you injure yourself at all, even if it’s really minor, you must report to him and he’ll make sure the incident is recorded and you get the appropriate treatment. He’s trained to give basic treatment to staff himself, or he’ll send you off somewhere else if necessary.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
    • first aid = basic treatment
  • Explanation: If a member of staff gets injured, he needs to see David Field to get the right treatment. Then obviously David is responsible for “first aid”.
  • C is the correct answer.

19. Answer: D

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– Then there’s Dexter Wills – he’s the person you need to see if you smash a plate or something like that. Don’t just leave it and hope no one will notice – it’s really important to get things noted and replaced or there could be problems later.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (D):
    • breakage = smash
  • Explanation: Dexter is responsible for situations where a plate is smashed (or broken) so his responsibility is obviously “breakages”.
  • D is the correct answer.

20. Answer: B

  • Here’s what the speaker says:

– And finally, there’s Mike Smith. He’s the member of staff who takes care of all the stores of perishables, so if you notice we’re getting low in flour or sugar or something. make sure you let him know so he can put in an order.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (B):
    • food stocks = flour or sugar
  • Explanation: Mike will put in an order if the kitchen runs out of flour, sugar or other food items, so he is responsible for “food stocks”.
  • The correct answer is B.

SECTION 3

21. Answer: B. how changes in society are reflected in public libraries

  • Here’s what the speakers say:- Well, there’s so much we could look into. How libraries have changed over the centuries, for instance, or how different countries organise them. What do you think, Trudie?- Maybe we should concentrate on this country, and try and relate the changes in libraries to external developments, like the fact that far more people can read than a century ago, and that the local population may speak lots of different languages.- We could include something about changes in the source of funding, too.-Yes, but remember we’re only supposed to write a short paper, so it’s probably best if we don’t go into funding in any detail.- Right.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (B):
    • changes in society = external developments
  • Explanation: At first, Stewart suggests they should look into how different countries organize public libraries, which is the content of answer A. However, after that they both agree to choose just one country and “relate the changes in libraries to external developments”.
    • The term “external developments” is similar to “changes in society” so the topic would investigate the link between libraries and the changes in society, which means B is correct.
    • Note that the idea of libraries funding is mentioned but then withdrawn, thus C is incorrect.
  • The answer is B.

22. Answer: C. they are generally old.

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– But the digitalised books that are available online for free are mostly out of copyright, aren’t they? And copyright in this country lasts for 70 years after the author dies. So you won’t find the latest best-seller or up-to-date information.

– That’s an important point. Anyway, I find it hard to concentrate when I’m reading a long text on a screen. I’d much rather read a physical book. And it takes longer to read on a screen.

– Oh, I prefer it. I suppose it’s just a personal preference.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (C):
    • difficult = hard
  • Explanation: Remember that you are asked what the two both agree about digitalized books. Trudie thinks reading them is “hard to concentrate” (or “difficult”) and too time-consuming (“take longer to read”) but Stewart disagrees. Thus A and B are wrong answers.
    • What they do agree with each other is that digitalized books are not “up-to-date”, meaning they are old, due to copyright regulations.
  • C is correct.

23. Answer: C. no longer contain any books.

  • Here’s what the speakers say:
    • TRUDIE: Mm. I expect that libraries will go on evolving in the next few years. Some have already become centres where community activities take place, like local clubs meeting there. I think that’ll become even more common.
    • STEWART: I’d like to think so, and that they’ll still be serving their traditional function, but I’m not so sure.Thereare financial implications, after all. What I’m afraid will happen is that books and magazines will all disappear, and there’ll just be rows and rows of computers. They won’t look anything like the libraries we’re used to.
  • Explanation: Stewart hopes that libraries will continue their traditional function, but that is no what he expects, as he says “I’m not so sure”. Therefore A is not the answer.
    • Libraries becoming centres for the community is the prediction of Trudie, not Stewart, so B is wrong as well.
    • Stewart expects that “books and magazines will all disappear”, so libraries will not “contain any books”.
  • C is the answer.

24. Answer: budget

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Let’s make a list of possible things we could ask about, then work out some sort of structure.  For instance, um, we could interview some of the staff, and find out whether the library has its own budget, or if that’s controlled by the local council.

  • Clearly, the word required is budget.

25. Answer: employment

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Then there are other things like how the library is affected by employment laws.  I suppose there are rules about working hours, facilities for staff, and so on.

  • Explanation: Stewart gives examples of different kinds of rules/laws which affect the working conditions of the staff.  All of these laws/rules relate to the employment of the staff.
  • The answer is employment.

26. Answer: safety

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Then there are other issues relating to the design of the building and how customers use it.  Like what measures does the library take to ensure their safety?

  • Explanation: Trudie is talking about the safety of customers here.
  • The answer is safety.

27. Answer: insurance

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Oh, and another thing – there’s the question of the kind of insurance the library needs to have, in case anyone gets injured.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (insurance):
    • accidents = anyone gets injured
  • The answer is insurance.

28. Answer: diary

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Well, you know they’ve got an archive of local newspapers going back years?  Well, next to it they’ve got the diary of a well-known politician from the late 19th century.

  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (diary):
    • famous = well-known
  • Explanation:  the famous person referred to is a well-known politician from the past.
  • The answer is diary.

29. Answer: database

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Oh, I’ve just thought – you know people might ask in the library about local  organisations, like sports clubs?  Well, I wonder if they keep a database, or whether they just look online.

  • Explanation:  this part refers to ‘local organisations’, and if the local library keeps a database of them.
  • The answer is database.

30. Answer: museum

  • Here’s what the speakers say:

– Right. I quite fancy finding out what the differences are between a library that’s open to the public and one that’s part of a museum, for example – they must be very different.

  • Explanation: the speaker would like to know the difference between a local library and a library in a museum. 
  • The answer is museum.

SECTION 4

31. Answer: damage

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • In public discussion of business, we take certain values for granted……The trouble with these values is that they’re theoretical concepts, removed from the reality of day-to-day business.  Pursue values by all means, but be prepared for what may happen as a result.  They can actually cause damage, which is not at all the intention.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (damage):
    • result in = cause
  • Explanation: ‘They’ in the final sentence refers to the values which most people think are ‘good things’ in business.  In fact, the speaker says, pursuing these values may actually damage business.
  • The answer is damage.

32. Answer: side effects

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • Business leaders generally try to do the right thing.  But all too often the right thing backfires, if those leaders adopt values without understanding and managing the side effects that arise.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (side effects):
    • result = arise
  • Explanation: if business leaders adopt values without understanding what may happen as a result, then there are dangers (doing the right thing ‘backfires’).  Unforeseen consequences may result for the business, referred to as ‘side effects’.
  • The answer is side effects.

33. Answer: bridge

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • OK.  So the first value I’m going to discuss is collaboration.  Er, let me give you an example.  On a management training course I once attended, we were put into groups and had to construct a bridge across a stream, using building blocks that we were given.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (bridge):
    • team = group
    • build = construct
  • Explanation: the example given by the speaker is about a management training course, designed to encourage team work through collaboration.  The task was to build/construct a bridge.
  • The answer is bridge.

34. Answer: confusion

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • The other teams tried to collaborate on building the structure and descended into confusion, with everyone getting in each other’s way.
  • Explanation: the speaker continues the example, talking of the experience of the other teams who tried to collaborate in building the bridge.  Because it was not suitable for a team task, the attempt to collaborate soon resulted in confusion.
  • The answer is confusion.

35. Answer: smartphone

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • Teamwork can also lead to inconsistency – a common cause of poor sales.  In the case of a smartphone that a certain company launched, one director wanted to target the business market, and another demanded it was aimed at consumers.  The company wanted both directors to be involved, so gave the product a consumer-friendly name, but marketed it to companies.  The result was that it met the needs of neither group.  It would have been better to let one director or the other have his way, not both.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (smartphone):
    • collaboration = teamwork
  • Explanation: in another example of the failure of collaboration, the speaker talks about managers with two different ideas about marketing a smartphone.  The attempt to combine these two opposing ideas resulted in poor sales.
  • So, the answer is smartphone.

36. Answer: resources

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • Of course hard work is valuable, but only when properly targeted.  Otherwise it wastes the resources that companies value most – time and energy.  And that’s bad for the organisation.
  • Explanation: although the speaker admits the value of hard work, it must be ‘properly targeted’.  If this is not the case, time and energy may be wasted.  These are the most valuable resources for a company.
  • So the answer is resources.

37. Answer: unnecessary/not necessary

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • There’s a management model that groups people according to four criteria: clever, hard-working, stupid and lazy.  Here ‘lazy’ means having a rational determination not to carry out unnecessary tasks.  It doesn’t mean trying to avoid work altogether.
  • Explanation: ‘lazy’ usually means wanting to avoid work.  However, the speaker explains that the context of ‘lazy’ in the management model is different – it refers to people who avoid unnecessary tasks.
  • The answer is unnecessary/not necessary.

38. Answer: chocolate bar

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • Some advertising campaigns are remembered for their creativity, without having any effect on sales.  This happened a few years ago with the launch of a chocolate bar: subsequent research showed that plenty of consumers remembered the adverts, but had no idea what was being advertised.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (chocolate bar):
    • memorable = consumers remembered
    • failed to boost = without having any effect on
  • Explanation: speaking about creativity, the speaker mentions an advertising campaign.  People remembered the adverts, but could not remember the product advertised.  Sales did not increase, therefore.  The product was a chocolate bar.
  • The answer is chocolate bar.

39. Answer: problem

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • Creativity needs to be targeted, to solve a problem that the company has identified.  Just coming up with more and more novel products isn’t necessarily a good thing.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (problem):
    • as a response to = solve
  • Explanation: the speaker says that creativity must be targeted.  If the company has a particular problem, then that is the time to use creativity to solve that problem.
  • The answer is problem.

40. Answer: markeat share

  • Here’s what the speaker says:
    • A major study of company performance compared pioneers – that is, companies bringing out the first version of a particular product – with followers, the companies that copied and improved on that product.  The study found that the pioneers commanded an average market share of 29 per cent, while the followers achieved less than half that, only 13 per cent, even though their product might have been better.
  • Here are some key words that help you to get the correct answer (market share):
    • had = commanded
  • Explanation: the study found that pioneers who brought out a new product had, on average, almost double the market share of companies which followed by bringing out a similar product.  This percentage was ‘far higher’.
  • So the answer is market share.

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