Cheetahs IELTS Listening
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TapescriptThe part of the text containing the answer is underlined with the question number given in square brackets []. If you still struggle with IELTS Listening, please refer to Listening tips. IELTS Listening Section 1Interviewer: Excuse me. Interviewer: Now in this last section Id like you to give us some ideas about the facilities and arrangements in the city for getting to and from work, er, any suggestions you have for improvements. Narrator: Good morning. Im very pleased to have this opportunity to say a little about two exciting new developments in the city: the Brackenside Open-Air Swimming Pool and the childrens Adventure Playground in Central Park. As many of you may know, the idea for these initiatives came from you, the public[11], in the extensive consultation exercise which the City Council conducted last year. And they have been realised using money from the SWRDC the South West Regional Development Commission. First of all, Brackenside Pool. As many of the older members of the audience will remember, there used to be a wonderful open-air pool on the sea front 30 years ago but it had to close when it was judged to be unsafe. For the design of this new heated pool, we were very happy to secure the talents of internationally renowned architect Ellen Wendon, who has managed to combine a charming 1930s design, which fits in so well with many of the other buildings in the area, with up-to-the-minute features such as a recycling system the only one of its kind in the world which enables seawater to be used in the pool[12]. Now, there has been quite a bit of discussion in the local press about whether there would be enough room[13] for the number of visitors were hoping to attract, but the design is deceptive and there have been rigorous checks about capacity. Also, just in case you were wondering, were on schedule for a June 15th opening date and well within budget: a testimony to the excellent work of local contractors Hickmans. We hope that as many people as possible will be there on June 15th. We have engaged award winning actress Coral White to declare the pool open and therell be drinks and snacks available at the pool side. Therell also be a competition for the public to decide on the sculpture we plan to have at the entrance: you will decide which famous historical figure from the city we should have[14]. And now, moving on to the Central Park Playground, which were pleased to announce has just won the Douglas Award for safety: the news came through only last week. The unique design is based on the concept of the Global Village, with the playground being divided into six areas showing different parts of the world each with a representative feature. For example, there is a section on Asia, and this is represented by rides and equipment in the shape of snakes, orangutans, tigers and so on[15] fauna native to the forests of the region. Moving south to the Antarctic we couldnt run to an ice rink Im afraid but opted instead for climbing blocks in the shape of mountains[16] I thought they could have had slides for the glaciers but the designers did want to avoid being too literal! Then on to South America and here the theme is El Dorado games replicating the search for mines full of precious stones[17]. And then moving up to North America, here there was considerable debate, I know the contribution of cinema and jazz was considered but the designers finally opted for rockets and the International Space Station[18]. Eastwards to Europe then, and perhaps the most traditional choice of all the areas: medieval castles and other fortifications[19]. Then last, but not least, moving south to Africa and a whole set of wonderful mosaics to represent the great rivers[20] of this fascinating and varied continent. Now, the opening date for our Global Playground is 10th July. And again wed love to see you there so make a date and come and see this magnificent, original new amenity right in the heart of the city. IELTS Listening Section 3Victor: Right, well, for our presentation shall I start with the early life of Thor Heyerdahl? Olivia: All right, Victor, so after your part Ill talk about Thor Heyerdahls adult life, continuing from the theory he had about Polynesian migration. Up until that time of course, academics had believed that humans first migrated to the islands in Polynesia from Asia, in the west. Narrator: Well, Ive been talking to managers in a number of businesses, and reading surveys about the future of management. And what Im going to present in this seminar is a few ideas about how the activity is likely to change in the next ten years. It isnt a scientific, statistical analysis just some ideas for us to discuss. One area I want to mention is business markets, and Im sure a really significant development will be a major increase in competition[31], with companies from all round the world trying to sell similar products. Consumers will have much more choice for instance, food products sold in Australia might be manufactured in the USA, China, Finland and dozens of other countries. At the same time, mergers and takeovers mean that governments are actually losing power to major global corporations[32]. We can probably all think of companies that exert a great deal of influence, which may be good for consumers. A third point I want to make about markets is that in the rapidly expanding economies, such as India, China, Brazil and Russia, demand is growing very fast[33]. This is putting pressure on resources all over the world. I think businesses are becoming more open to external influences. In particular, companies are consulting customers more and more before making their business decisions[34]. Companies are finding out what they want and providing it, instead of making products and then trying to sell them, which is the model of years ago. Another influence is that concerns about the environment will force manufacturers to extend product, life cycles, to reduce the amount of pollution and waste. And in some cases, regulation will need to be strengthened[35]. Many societies are much more fluid and democratic, and the structure of companies is changing to reflect that. I think were going to see a greater emphasis within companies on teams created with a specific project in mind[36]. And when theyre completed, the teams will be disbanded and new ones formed. More and more people see work as simply one part of their lifestyle, and not the most important one, and as the workforce is shrinking in some countries, businesses are having to compete for staff instead of being able to choose among a lot of applicants. Typical examples that will attract and retain staff are traditional ones like flexible hours and something that has been made possible by advances in technology remote working[37], with people based at their home, abroad, or almost anywhere they choose. Management styles will almost certainly continue to change. Senior managers will require a lot more than the efficiency that theyve always needed. Above all theyll need great skills in leadership[38], so that their organisation can initiate and respond to change in a fast-moving world, where they face lots of competing requirements and potential conflicts. In most of the world, the senior managers of large businesses are mainly men in their fifties and sixties. The predominant style of management will almost certainly become more consultative and collaborative, caused above all, by more women moving into senior management positions[39]. Many of the changes are influenced by developments in the wider economy. The traditional emphasis of business was manufacturing, and of course the service sector is very important. But we shouldnt overlook the growing financial contribution of IP, that is, intellectual property. Some books and films generate enormous sums from the sale of related DVDs, music, games, clothes, and so on. Another point Id like to make is that although Ive been talking about companies, one trend that they have to face is the move away from people working for the same employer for years. Instead, more and more people are becoming self-employed[40], to gain the freedom and control over their lives that theyre unlikely to get from being employed. Print/Save in PDF Pages: 1 2 3 4 5
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