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Practice dictation & shadowing on the Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Listening Part 2 Test 3.
Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Listening Test 3 Part 2
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Total Correct Answers:
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Speaker 1 (1)
First of all, let me thank you all for coming to this public meeting to discuss the future of our town.
Speaker 1 (2)
Our first speaker is Shona Ferguson from Barford Town Council. Shona.
Speaker 2 (3)
Thank you. First, I'll briefly give you some background information, then I'll be asking you for your comments on developments in the town.
Speaker 2 (4)
Well, as you don't need me to tell you, Barford has changed a great deal in the last 50 years.
Speaker 2 (5)
These are some of the main changes.
Speaker 2 (6)
50 years ago, buses linked virtually every part of the town and the neighboring towns and villages.
Speaker 2 (7)
Most people use them frequently, but not now, because the bus companies concentrate on just the routes that attract most passengers.
Speaker 2 (8)
So parts of the town are no longer served by buses.
Speaker 2 (9)
Even replacing old uncomfortable buses with smart new ones has had little impact on passenger numbers.
Speaker 2 (10)
It's sometimes said that bus fares are too high, but in relation to average incomes, fares are not much higher than they were 50 years ago.
Speaker 2 (11)
Changes in the road network are affecting the town.
Speaker 2 (12)
The centre was recently closed to traffic on a trial basis, making it much safer for pedestrians.
Speaker 2 (13)
The impact of this is being measured.
Speaker 2 (14)
The new cycle paths separating bikes from cars in most main roads are being used far more than was expected, reducing traffic and improving air quality.
Speaker 2 (15)
And although the council's attempts to have a bypass constructed have failed, we haven't given up hope of persuading the government to change its mind.
Speaker 2 (16)
Shopping in the town centre has changed over the years.
Speaker 2 (17)
Many of us can remember when the town was crowded with people going shopping.
Speaker 2 (18)
Numbers have been falling for several years despite efforts to attract shoppers, for instance, by opening new car parks.
Speaker 2 (19)
Some people combine shopping with visits to the town's restaurants and cafes.
Speaker 2 (20)
Most shops are small independent stores, which is good, but many people prefer to use supermarkets and department stores in nearby large towns, as there are so few well-known chain stores here.
Speaker 2 (21)
Turning now to medical facilities, the town is served by family doctors in several medical practices, fewer than 50 years ago, but each catering for far more patients.
Speaker 2 (22)
Our hospital closed 15 years ago, which means journeys to other towns are unavoidable.
Speaker 2 (23)
On the other hand, there are more dentists than there used to be.
Speaker 2 (24)
Employment patterns have changed along with almost everything else.
Speaker 2 (25)
The number of schools and colleges has increased, making that the main employment sector.
Speaker 2 (26)
Services such as website design and accountancy have grown in importance.
Speaker 2 (27)
And surprisingly perhaps, manufacturing hasn't seen the decline that has affected it in other parts of the country.
Speaker 2 (28)
Now I'll very quickly outline current plans for some of the town's facilities before asking for your comments.
Speaker 2 (29)
As you'll know, if you regularly use the car pack at the railway station, it's usually full.
Speaker 2 (30)
The railway company applied for permission to replace it with a multi-storey car park, but that was refused.
Speaker 2 (31)
Instead, the company has bought some adjoining land, and this will be used to increase the number of parking spaces.
Speaker 2 (32)
The Grand, the old cinema in the High Street, will close at the end of the year, and reopen on a different site.
Speaker 2 (33)
You've probably seen the building under construction.
Speaker 2 (34)
The plan is to have 3 screens with fewer seats, rather than just the one large auditorium in the old cinema.
Speaker 2 (35)
I expect many of you shop in the indoor market.
Speaker 2 (36)
It's become more and more shabby-looking, and because of fears about safety, it was threatened with demolition.
Speaker 2 (37)
The good news is that it will close for 6 weeks to be made safe and redecorated, and the improved building will open in July.
Speaker 2 (38)
Lots of people use the library, including school and college students who go there to study.
Speaker 2 (39)
The council has managed to secure funding to keep the library open later into the evening, twice a week.
Speaker 2 (40)
We would like to enlarge the building in the not too distant future, but this is by no means definite.
Speaker 2 (41)
There's no limit on access to the nature reserve on the edge of town, and this will continue to be the case.
Speaker 2 (42)
What will change though, is that the council will no longer be in charge of the area.
Speaker 2 (43)
Instead it will become the responsibility of a national body that administers most nature reserves in the country.
Speaker 2 (44)
Okay. Now...