Grass Roofs - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Expert on Cambridge IELTS 10 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–13 One Choice
Choose the correct letter A, B or C.
Questions 14–18 Table Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONLY ONE WORD for each answer.
| Type of roof | Advantages | Disadvantages | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass roof | Cooler in summer
Warmer in winter Little 14 Encourages biodiversity Absorbs water run-off |
15 appearance in winter | Highly recommended |
| Tiles | 16 appearance | 17 absorption | Not recommended |
| Thatched roof | Good insulators | Very 18 | Not ideal for cities |
Questions 19–20 Two Choices
Choose TWO letters A-E.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | C | There has been a constant stream of new "green products" coming into the market for the environmentally conscious | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many new eco-friendly items are being sold specifically for people who care about the environment. Answer Explanation: The answer means that green products are made for people who care about protecting nature and the planet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explains that new green products enter the market for "the environmentally conscious." The phrase "environmentally conscious" is a synonym for people who are aware of nature and care about the environment. |
| Q12 | B | Environmentalists sing the praises of grass roofs as interest in sustainable ecological building has led to the greening of the rooftops of residential and commercial buildings around the world | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that grass roofs are being built on roofs of both homes (residential) and businesses (commercial) all over the globe. Answer Explanation: The answer means that grass roofs are put on both houses where people live and on different types of business buildings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker mentions that green roofs are added to "residential and commercial buildings around the world." In this context, "residential" means homes, and "commercial buildings" refers to other types of buildings like offices or shops. The transcript does not say they are only in Europe or mostly on homes, making B the correct choice. |
| Q13 | A | Then on top of the insulation and drainage layer is added a final layer of soil or crushed stones for the plants and or grass to grow on | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the final layer of dirt or small crushed stones is placed right above the insulation and drainage layer so that grass and plants can grow. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the soil or crushed stones are placed directly above the layer used for keeping in heat and letting water drain away. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker explains the steps for constructing a grass roof in order. After describing the waterproof layer, the speaker states that it is covered with layers for insulation and drainage. Immediately after that, the speaker says that on top of the "insulation and drainage layer", they put a final layer of "soil or crushed stones". Therefore, the soil or stones sit directly on top of the insulation and drainage layer. |
| Q14 | maintenance | The roofs require little maintenance and are better than any other roofing material | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that grass roofs need almost no extra care or fixing to remain in good condition compared to other types of roofs. Answer Explanation: The answer "maintenance" means the work needed to keep something in good condition and working properly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "maintenance" because the speaker lists the benefits of grass roofs and clearly states that they require very little care and upkeep to stay in good shape. In the notes, the phrase "Little " directly matches the speaker's statement that "The roofs require little maintenance". |
| Q15 | unattractive | In winter, the brown soil is a bit more evident, which can look unattractive, if the roofs are not tended carefully, but that is a price worth paying and I would say that they come highly recommended by those who have them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that during winter, people can see the brown dirt more easily, which can make the grass roof look not pretty unless it is carefully maintained. Answer Explanation: The answer means not looking nice, pretty, or pleasing to the eye. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed because the speaker discusses the disadvantages of grass roofs during the colder months. In winter, the brown soil shows more, which can "look unattractive" if the roof is not looked after properly. In the notes, the word "look" corresponds to "appearance", making "unattractive" the exact word needed to describe its winter look. |
| Q16 | tidy | If you compare grass roofs with tiles, the latter do certainly look very tidy, but at a price to the future of the planet | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that when you compare grass roofs with tile roofs, the tiles definitely look neat and clean ("tidy"). Answer Explanation: The answer "tidy" means neat, clean, and orderly in appearance. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "tidy" because the speaker compares grass roofs to tile roofs and points out an advantage of tiles: they look very neat and clean. In the table, under the "Advantages" column for "Tiles", the blank comes before "appearance". Therefore, "tidy" correctly describes how tile roofs look. |
| Q17 | heat | The main drawbacks of tiles though are the water run-off and the absorption of heat from the sun's rays in summer | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the primary disadvantages of roof tiles are water running off them quickly and their taking in (absorption of) warmth from the sun during the summer. Answer Explanation: The answer "heat" means warmth or high temperature from the sun. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "heat" because the notes ask for a disadvantage of tile roofs related to "absorption". In the recording, the speaker mentions the disadvantages ("drawbacks") of tiles and specifically points out "the absorption of heat from the sun's rays in summer". Therefore, tiles cause "heat absorption". |
| Q18 | pricey / pricy | Thatched roofs are good insulators and very attractive, but very pricey (pricy) and not ideal for cities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that thatched roofs keep buildings warm and look nice, but they cost a lot of money and are not suitable for cities. Answer Explanation: The answer means expensive or costing a lot of money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "pricey" (or "pricy") because the speaker discusses thatched roofs and mentions their drawbacks. The speaker specifically states that they are "very pricey (pricy) and not ideal for cities," which directly completes the note "Very ". |
| Q19 | — | — | |
| Q20 | B / E | At a grassroots level, the best way to raise the profile of grass roofs is to make them trendy by highlighting them in fashionable magazines so that people begin to feel that they cannot do without them. But the idea I like best is holding competitions for the best designed grass roofs | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that putting grass roofs in popular magazines will make people want them, and setting up contests for the best designed roofs is another great way to get people interested. Answer Explanation: The answer means running contests for roof designs (Option B) and using communication channels like magazines (Option E) to inspire people to get grass roofs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and E because the speaker discusses how to encourage or persuade people to choose grass roofs. First, the speaker suggests featuring them in "fashionable magazines," which is an example of "Using the media" (Option E). Second, the speaker states that the best idea is "holding competitions for the best designed grass roofs," which directly matches "Holding design competitions" (Option B). |
Transcript
And now it's straight into the Eco Hotspot for today's programme. We are in fact going to look at an intriguing trend in recent years in the world of eco-friendly developments. There has been a constant stream of new "green products" coming into the market for the environmentally conscious. A new departure, which I feel needs greater attention drawn to it, is the increasing interest in grass roofs.
Environmentalists sing the praises of grass roofs as interest in sustainable ecological building has led to the greening of the rooftops of residential and commercial buildings around the world. And what does this type of roof consist of. Instead of tiles which allow water to run off and create flash flooding, the roof has a waterproof underlay which is laid over the roof deck. This waterproof layer is then covered with layers for insulation and drainage. Then on top of the insulation and drainage layer is added a final layer of soil or crushed stones for the plants and or grass to grow on. The roof can be planted with wild owners to add colour and life to your rooftop.
As for the benefits of grass roofs, in spring and in summer they are very pretty as flowers spring into bloom. Moreover, in summer grass roofs are of particular benefit in cities because they keep any building cool by reflecting the sun's rays. In winter the grass roofs insulate the building, helping to prevent heat loss. The roofs require little maintenance and are better than any other roofing material. They encourage biodiversity by attracting bees and birds and they absorb water run off which helps prevent flash flooding. In fact, the gravel layer retains 71 percent of rainwater that falls, thus helping to prevent flash flooding. In winter, the brown soil is a bit more evident, which can look unattractive, if the roofs are not tended carefully, but that is a price worth paying and I would say that they come highly recommended by those who have them.
If you compare grass roofs with tiles, the latter do certainly look very tidy, but at a price to the future of the planet. The main drawbacks of tiles though are the water run-off and the absorption of heat from the sun's rays in summer. So if we are to save the planet from the ecological point of view, tiles do not come recommended. The only roof that I can think of which has similar ecological credentials to the grass roof is the thatched roof. Thatched roofs are good insulators and very attractive, but very pricey (pricy) and not ideal for cities.
How can we make more of our roofs green. That is, how can people be persuaded to install grass roofs? The World Green Roof Conference in Australia was a very good start. At a grassroots level, the best way to raise the profile of grass roofs is to make them trendy by highlighting them in fashionable magazines so that people begin to feel that they cannot do without them. But the idea I like best is holding competitions for the best designed grass roofs.
Next week Eco-hotspot is going to look at...