Fighting Air Pollution In Canadian Town - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 2 Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–14 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- 'Canadian Clean Air Day' will be held on 11.
- Air pollution may be responsible for 12 deaths every year in Canada.
- The sector most responsible for smog-producing pollutants is 13.
- Scientists now know that even 14 of pollutants can be harmful.
Questions 15–20 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Reducing Air Pollution
Individual action
- respond to the 15 'Challenge'
- walk, cycle or car-pool to work
- use public transit
- 16
- 17 your domestic equipment
Government action
- emission reduction in the 18 region of US and Canada
- move towards 19 (e.g. less sulphur in gasoline & diesel)
- reduction of pollutants from 20 and power plants.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | June 6th | and the first item coming up is a reminder to you all out there about Canadian Clean Air Day - which is on June 6th | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that a special day called 'Canadian Clean Air Day' happens on the 6th of June. Answer Explanation: The answer is the day and month when Canada celebrates Clean Air Day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is June 6th because the speaker explicitly names this specific date as the time for the upcoming 'Canadian Clean Air Day'. He mentions this right at the beginning of the radio broadcast to remind listeners about the event. |
| Q12 | 5,000 / 5000 | How many Canadians do you think die annually because of air pollution? 2000? 3000? Well, the rate is a staggering 5000 and, it's likely to grow - unless we do something | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript asks how many people die each year from air pollution. It says that while some might guess 2,000 or 3,000, the actual number is 5,000. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number of people in Canada who die every year because the air is not clean. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 5,000 because the speaker says that the number of Canadians who die every year due to air pollution is 'a staggering 5000'. He uses the word 'annually', which is a synonym for 'every year'. The speaker mentions that this number is very high and might even increase if people do not take action. |
| Q13 | transportation | Well, the transportation sector accounts for 27 percent of all greenhouse gases produced in Canada. It's also the biggest source of that thick, polluted air from traffic fumes that we call smog | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that transportation is the main cause of smog. Smog is described as the thick, dirty air that comes from vehicles. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'transportation', which refers to moving people and things using vehicles like cars, buses, and trucks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'transportation' because the transcript identifies this sector as the 'biggest source' of smog. Smog is the dirty air created by traffic fumes. In this context, being the 'biggest source' means it is the sector most responsible for producing these pollutants. |
| Q14 | low levels | but researchers have only recently realised that all you need are low levels of air pollution to seriously damage your health, so we're all at risk | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that scientists (researchers) just found out that even small amounts (low levels) of dirty air can cause big problems for your body and health. Answer Explanation: The answer "low levels" means a small or tiny amount of something, in this case, dirty air. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "low levels" because the transcript explains that experts (called researchers) have recently discovered that even a little bit of air pollution is enough to hurt a person's health. This matches the sentence which says that scientists now know that small amounts of pollutants can be dangerous. |
| Q15 | Commuter | So the easiest action you can take on Clean Air Day is to accept what we call the 'Commuter Challenge' and get to work on foot or by cycling for a change | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that a very easy way to help is to join the 'Commuter Challenge' and try walking or biking to work. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Commuter' is the specific name of a task or challenge meant for people who travel to work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the speaker explains how individuals can help the environment on Clean Air Day. He mentions that people can take part in the 'Commuter Challenge' by changing how they get to work, such as walking or cycling. The word 'commuter' refers to someone who travels regularly between home and work. |
| Q16 | plant trees | But, there's more you can do to improve air quality. For example, you can plant trees | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells the listeners that besides changing how they travel, they can also help the environment by planting trees to make the air cleaner. Answer Explanation: The answer "plant trees" means putting young trees into the ground so they can grow and help keep the air clean. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker lists several things that individuals can do to help stop air pollution. After talking about traveling to work, he mentions that planting trees is another helpful action a person can take to make the air better. Key words like 'improve air quality' show this is a way to help. |
| Q17 | upgrade | So you can make a big difference if you upgrade the appliances you use in your home | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that changing to newer, better machines in your house is a way to help the environment. Answer Explanation: The answer "upgrade" means to improve something by replacing it with a newer or better version. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is located in the part of the talk where Larry Knowles gives advice on what people can do at home. He mentions that people can help reduce pollution by choosing better machines, or appliances, for their houses. The phrase 'domestic equipment' in the notes has the same meaning as 'appliances you use in your home' in the transcript. The verb used for improving these items is 'upgrade'. |
| Q18 | border | Last year, Canada and the United States agreed to reduce emissions on both sides of the border between the two countries and they plan to reach their targets in the next few years |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that both Canada and the U.S. promised to lower harmful gases released on either side of the shared boundary or border between them. Answer Explanation: The answer "border" specifies the location where the United States and Canada have agreed to lower pollution. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "border" because the transcript explains that the Canadian and American governments made an agreement to cut down on gas output along the dividing line between their two nations. This action is part of the government's plan to improve air quality. |
| Q19 | cleaner fuels / clean fuels | The government's also taking action to get cleaner fuels. It's already reduced the sulphur contained in gasoline, and it hopes to reach the reduction target for sulphur in diesel by next year | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the government is working to provide fuels that are cleaner for the environment. It gives the example of reducing sulphur in gas and diesel to meet their goals. Answer Explanation: The answer means using energy sources, like gas or diesel for cars, that have fewer harmful chemicals in them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "cleaner fuels" because the text explains the government's plan to make the air better by focusing on the liquids we use for energy. The host mentions that the government is trying to get "cleaner fuels" by lowering the amount of sulphur in gasoline and diesel. Using the word "cleaner" describes fuels that produce less pollution. |
| Q20 | factories | the federal government's also working to reduce emissions from power plants and factories right across the provinces | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the national government is actively making efforts to lower the amount of pollution coming from both power plants and factories. Answer Explanation: The answer "factories" is one of the types of buildings from which the government is trying to decrease pollution. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the text which lists the two specific types of industrial sites the government is targeting to lower emissions: power plants and factories. The speaker mentions that the government's plans for cleaner air involve limiting the smoke and chemicals released by these large facilities across the country. |
Transcript
Good morning, folks, and welcome to the Information Round-up on your own local radio station! This is Larry Knowles talking to you this morning on Tuesday 25th May... and the first item coming up is a reminder to you all out there about Canadian Clean Air Day - which is on June 6th.
In case you weren't around for the last one, this is a chance for Canadians everywhere to focus on the problems of air pollution and to actually try to do something to help reduce the problem.
How many Canadians do you think die annually because of air pollution? 2000? 3000? Well, the rate is a staggering 5000 and, it's likely to grow - unless we do something. And, it's this concern with your health that's the driving force behind the government campaign that is sponsoring Clean Air Day.
So what causes air pollution in the first place? Well, the transportation sector accounts for 27 percent of all greenhouse gases produced in Canada. It's also the biggest source of that thick, polluted air from traffic fumes that we call smog. And it's the tiny particles and ground-level ozone in smog that are the main causes of health problems, and even deaths, across the country. Of course, it's worse in the big cities... but researchers have only recently realised that all you need are low levels of air pollution to seriously damage your health, so we're all at risk.
So, what can we do to fight air pollution? Well, it should be pretty obvious by now that the way we get to and from work every day can have a big impact on the air we breathe. So the easiest action you can take on Clean Air Day is to accept what we call the 'Commuter Challenge' and get to work on foot or by cycling for a change. If you have to use your car, try 'car-pooling' and share the drive, or better still, use public transit. If everyone tries this for just one day, you'll be amazed by the difference it can make to the air in our towns and cities.
But, there's more you can do to improve air quality. For example, you can plant trees. And if you don't have a garden, then you can do your bit in other ways. For instance, did you know that modern, improved wood stoves can reduce wood smoke by as much as 80-90 percent? So you can make a big difference if you upgrade the appliances you use in your home.
The government is also working hard on your behalf to clean up our air. Its priority is to reduce the emissions that cause smog - and they have clear plans to get there. Last year, Canada and the United States agreed to reduce emissions on both sides of the border between the two countries... and they plan to reach their targets in the next few years.
The government's also taking action to get cleaner fuels. It's already reduced the sulphur contained in gasoline, and it hopes to reach the reduction target for sulphur in diesel by next year. But the measures don't just focus on the motorist - the federal government's also working to reduce emissions from power plants and factories right across the provinces.
You can find out all about government action and all the plans for Clean Air Day events...