Barrons IELTS Practice Exams General Training Listening Test 2 (Online Test)

Good evening, everyone. As you know, this is our last meeting before we set off on our annual week-long hiking trip, so tonight I'll be telling you everything you'll need to know to be ready for the trip. Let's talk about equipment first. Having the right equipment is essential for your comfort and safety. First, you'll need a warm and comfortable sleeping bag. However, you won't need to worry about carrying a tent since we'll be sleeping in shelters along the way. Also, part of the fee you've paid for the trip goes toward food, so you won't need to put that on your packing list either. We've found, though, that it's more efficient for each person to bring his or her own dishes, so be sure to pack a plastic bowl, a cup, and a fork, knife, and spoon. That's all you'll need in the way of dishes.

Perhaps the most important item to put on your list is a comfortable pair of hiking boots. Nothing ruins a hike more than getting blisters and sores from ill-fitting boots. So make sure your boots fit you right. Shoes and sneakers aren't adequate for the type of hiking we'll be doing. Of course, a backpack is necessary for carrying your equipment. Make sure you have one that's lightweight and comfortable to carry. Walking poles have become popular among hikers recently, but we don't recommend them. They can get in the way when too many hikers are using them at once, and some serious injuries have been caused, so it's best to leave those at home.

Let's see...What else? Oh, yes. Some people have asked me about trail maps. They're available, but you really don't need them, as your hike leaders have scouted out the trail and will be guiding you along the way. And don't forget to bring a warm jacket. You may think you won't need one in this warm summer weather, but remember that evenings in the mountains can get quite cold. Is there anything else I need to tell you? Oh, yes, your guides will each be carrying a first-aid kit, so that's one less thing for you to pack yourself. Remember, you'll be carrying your backpack all day, so keep your load light and don't overpack.

I know you're all experienced hikers, but it's always worth repeating the rules of the trail since they're so important. These rules are in place for the safety of everyone on the trip. As you know, there'll be a hike leader walking at the head of the line, who will show the group the way. At the end of the line will be the rear leader, or sweep. It's important to always stay ahead of this person while we're on the trail.

There are several different trails on the mountain where we'll be hiking, and they cross each other at some points. When you come to any intersection of trails, stop and wait for the rest of the group to catch up. This way we can be sure that no one goes off on the wrong trail.

Let me emphasize here how important it is to stay on the trail. We'll be climbing through some steep and rocky areas. Don't be tempted to go off on your own and try to climb some rocks. That can be quite dangerous. Also, it's not likely, but it is possible that we'll encounter some large wild animals along the way. The last thing you want to do is try to feed any of them. That will just encourage them to follow us, which could lead to some dangerous situations. One last thing: Before we set off hiking each morning, be sure to fill up your water bottle. This is perhaps the most important safety rule. Dehydration can be a serious problem when you're out in the wilderness, so you must always be sure to carry an adequate supply of water with you.

I think that covers just about everything. Are there any questions?

I'd like to go over with you today some of the requirements for your student teaching, which you'll be undertaking next semester.

I'm really looking forward to working in a real classroom and teaching children, but I'm nervous about it, too.

One of my roles is to provide you with whatever support you may require. One thing that helps me do that is to know what you're doing in the classroom, so I require all my students to keep a journal about their teaching experience.

That sounds like a lot of work. Will I have to write in it every day?

Yes, if you can. You'll give it to me at the end of each week. Another thing I'll want from you is a few sample lesson plans. I'll let you know ahead of time exactly how I want you to do them.

Several of us from the university will be student teaching at the same school. Are we supposed to get together regularly to discuss our work?

I'll meet with each student teacher individually, but you aren't required to meet with each other. Of course, you can talk together as much as you want. You will, however, have to observe some of the other teachers in the school, besides the teacher you'll be working with.

Then will I get an evaluation from my supervising teacher at the end of the semester?

Actually, no. I'll do your evaluation, and I'll base it on several things. One is your required portfolio, which should contain samples of your class activities and your students' work. Another important thing is your term paper.

Then there won't be a final exam?

No, we don't feel that's necessary for student teaching.

I know I have to get an agreement form signed. Since you're my advisor, are you the one to do that?

No, that form is for your supervising teacher to sign, to document that he or she agrees to have you in the classroom as a student teacher.

Oh, I see. I'm concerned about the term paper I'll have to do, and the evaluation process. I'm not sure I understand what I'm supposed to do.

Regarding the term paper, the first thing is to choose a topic. It should be related to your teaching work. You should let me know your term paper topic by the end of the first week of the semester.

Will you be observing me regularly in the classroom?

Yes, and during the fourth week of the semester, we'll have our first evaluation meeting to discuss my observations.

One thing I'm really looking forward to is the student teacher conference that the university puts on every year.

I'm glad you're looking forward to it. Of course, everyone in the program is required to attend. The conference takes place, let me check, yes, the seventh week of the semester.

When will I have to turn in my term paper?

The term paper is due by the end of the fourteenth week of the semester. Then during the fifteenth and final week, we'll get together one last time for a semester review.

Wow. It looks like I have a busy semester ahead of me.

An understanding of customer psychology is an invaluable aid for retailers looking for ways to increase sales. Much can be done to the store environment to encourage shoppers to linger longer and spend more money. The first aspect to consider is the physical organization of the store. Placement of merchandise has a great deal of influence on what customers buy. For example, a common practice among retailers is to place the store's best-selling merchandise near the back of the store. In order to get to these popular items from the front entrance, customers have to walk down aisles filled with merchandise that they might not see otherwise. Carpets are also used to direct customers through particular areas of the store. Retailers choose carpets not only for their decorative or comfort value, but also because lines or other types of patterns in the carpets can subtly guide shoppers in certain directions. Besides encouraging shoppers to go to certain areas of the store, retailers also want to keep them in the store longer. One way to do this is to provide comfortable seating throughout the store, but not too close to the doors. This gives customers a chance to rest and then continue shopping.

Retailers can do a number of things to create a pleasant atmosphere in the store, thereby encouraging more purchases. Music is commonly used, not as entertainment, but as a calming influence. It can slow the customers' pace through the store, making them spend more time shopping and, consequentially, making more purchases. Scent's are also used in various ways. Everyone has had the experience of being drawn into a bakery by the smell of fresh bread. Experiments have been done with other types of scents, as well. For example, the scent of vanilla has been used to increase sales in clothing stores.

Use of color is another important aspect of store environment. Certain colors can affect behavior as well as mood. Light purple, for example, has been found to have an interesting effect on customer behavior. People shopping in an environment where light purple is the predominating color seem to spend money more than shoppers in other environments. Orange is a color that's often used in fast-food restaurants. It encourages customers to leave faster, making room for the next group of diners. Blue, on the other hand, is a calming color. It gives customers a sense of security, so it's a good color for any business to use. In addition to using color to create mood and affect customer behavior, color can also be used to attract certain kinds of customers to a business. Stores that cater to a younger clientele should use bold, bright colors, which tend to be attractive to younger people. Stores that are interested in attracting an older clientele will have more success with soft, subtle colors, as older people find these colors more appealing.