Movement Of Population Towards Cities - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 6 Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–32 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Questions 33–35 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE answers from the list and write the correct letter, A-F, next to the questions.
Questions 36–40 Table Completion
Complete the table.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
| Possible Solution | Important Factor | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| tourism | Locals must 36 | Daylesford area uses its 37 |
| using the 38 |
|
Shepparton is known for its 40 |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | C | The many workers involved raised their families, who needed products and support services, such as medical clinics and schools, so the small country towns had mercantile activity, store fronts, and community participation, with all ages present and a distinct town culture | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because there were many workers and families in the past, the towns were full of people, had many businesses, and had a very active social life and culture. Answer Explanation: The answer means that in the past, towns in the countryside were lively and had a special character or culture. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the transcript describes original country towns as busy places with many families, shops, and a 'distinct town culture.' In contrast, it describes many modern country towns as 'forlorn' or empty. The text also mentions that new plans hope to make these towns 'lively and interesting' once again, which confirms they were that way originally. Key phrases to look for are 'community participation' and 'town culture.' |
| Q32 | C | This phenomenon is so predictable and widespread that it even has a name - rural flight, or rural exodus -and it has produced some fairly predictable problems | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the event of people moving away from the countryside is something that can be predicted easily. Because it follows a known pattern, the problems it causes are also things that we expect to happen. Answer Explanation: The answer "are expected" means that the issues found in small country towns are things that people thought would happen before they actually did. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker uses the word "predictable" twice to describe the movement of people away from rural towns and the resulting issues. In English, if something is "predictable," it means it is "expected" or easy to see coming. The text explains that this movement (rural flight) follows a pattern so common that the problems it creates are not a surprise. |
| Q33 | — | — | |
| Q34 | — | — | |
| Q35 | B / C / E | This comes in two aspects, one of them being monocultural farming practices. What this means is that it is now more efficient to have one product, and focus on its needs almost exclusively. So, for example, animal husbandry will usually involve a single type of animal, say pigs, but with huge factory farming techniques, or, in other words, the second aspect: economies of scale. This means instead of 200 pigs, there’ll be 2000, tightly fitted into small pens or cages, with high density waste disposal and automatic feeding systems. Yet despite this huge size, it can all be controlled by just a dozen farm workers pushing the right button | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that modern farming focuses on 'monocultural' methods where only one type of product is raised. It also describes 'economies of scale,' where the number of animals produced is much higher (from 200 to 2000). Finally, it highlights the use of 'automatic' systems controlled by buttons, showing that technology and machines do the work. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies three main characteristics of modern farms: they use more technology (machines), they grow fewer types of crops or animals (monoculture), and they produce a much larger quantity of those specific items to save money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the description of 'industrialisation of agriculture' in the text. First, 'monocultural farming' means farms focus on 'one product' (Choice C), which is fewer types than old farms. Second, 'economies of scale' means the amount of product increases, such as having '2000' pigs instead of '200' (Choice E). Third, the mention of 'automatic feeding systems' and workers 'pushing the right button' signifies the use of machines (Choice B) to manage these large operations. |
| Q36 | participate | The most important consideration here is that the local residents themselves participate in developing such initiatives and deciding what happens, since outsiders, be they state government or city-based planners, do not fully understand the local settings, the possibilities which may be on offer, or the town culture, since even small rural areas can be highly distinctive from neighbouring ones | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that it is vital for people living in the area to be part of the decision-making process. They understand their own town's culture and what makes it special, which people from outside might not know. Answer Explanation: The answer "participate" means that the people who live in a small town need to be involved or take part in planning new projects for tourism. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "participate" because the speaker emphasizes that local people must join in the work of creating new tourism ideas. The text explains that people from outside the town, like government officials, do not understand the local area as well as the residents do. Using the word "participate" highlights that local involvement is an important factor for success. |
| Q37 | natural springs | For example, the Daylesford area has developed a tourist industry based on the natural springs there, putting forward the angle that this water is relaxing and revitalising for the health | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Daylesford created a tourism business by using the natural water coming out of the ground in that area. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to water that comes naturally from the ground. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'natural springs' because the transcript specifically mentions that the Daylesford area used these to build a business for tourists. It explains how people visit the area because this particular water is seen as healthy and relaxing. Synonyms like 'natural water sources' or 'groundwater' help describe what it is. |
| Q38 | local product | And another solution is to utilise the predominant local product | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that one way to help small towns is to make use of the main items or goods that are produced right there in the local area. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to things grown or made in a specific nearby area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer comes from a section of the text discussing ways to help small country towns become active again. The speaker suggests that using what the town already makes or grows is a good plan. Keywords like 'solution', 'utilise' (which means to use), and 'local product' show that this is a key strategy for fixing the problems in these areas. |
| Q39 | characterized / characterised | It is important here that the country area is not only characterised by a specific product, but markets this idea well | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that for a country town to do well, it needs to be known for a special product and must also advertise that product effectively. Answer Explanation: The answer means that an area's identity is defined by or known for a specific thing it produces. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'characterised' (or 'characterized') because the transcript explains how rural areas can improve by using their main products. It mentions that an area should be identified or known for a specific product to attract people from the city. The speaker uses the word 'characterised' to describe this link between a place and its special product. |
| Q40 | mature cheese / mature cheeses | Similarly, Harcourt is famous for apples, Shepparton for mature cheeses, and Mildura for its citrus products | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript lists different places and what they are known for. It clearly states that Shepparton is famous for selling mature cheeses. Answer Explanation: The answer "mature cheese(s)" refers to a type of cheese that has been left to age for a period of time to develop a stronger flavor. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by looking at the section of the transcript that lists specific towns and the products they are famous for. The speaker mentions that Shepparton is well-known for its "mature cheeses." This serves as an example of how a rural area can use its unique local product to improve its economy and attractiveness. |
Transcript
If you consider the farms of old — the type your father or grandfather grew up on, they were small and labour-intensive, requiring lots of workers. In addition, they often had a diversity of products, be that animal or vegetable — say, cows and sheep, or oranges and lemons, with some peaches, and a few chickens on the side, for the production of eggs. The many workers involved raised their families, who needed products and support services, such as medical clinics and schools, so the small country towns had mercantile activity, store fronts, and community participation, with all ages present and a distinct town culture.
And how it has changed! Travel to any small country town in virtually any developed country, and you will often see that these places arc now somewhat forlorn and deserted, lacking life and vigour. Many of the residents have long since moved towards the big cities, so the country areas have become depopulated, and their downtowns empty. This phenomenon is so predictable and widespread that it even has a name - rural flight, or rural exodus -and it has produced some fairly predictable problems.
As for the causes of rural exodus, the most obvious is the industrialisation of agriculture. This comes in two aspects, one of them being monocultural farming practices. What this means is that it is now more efficient to have one product, and focus on its needs almost exclusively. So, for example, animal husbandry will usually involve a single type of animal, say pigs, but with huge factory farming techniques, or, in other words, the second aspect: economies of scale. This means instead of 200 pigs, there’ll be 2000, tightly fitted into small pens or cages, with high density waste disposal and automatic feeding systems. Yet despite this huge size, it can all be controlled by just a dozen farm workers pushing the right button. You might not like it, but in a competitive market, the cheaper the overheads, the better, and one can’t argue with market economics. It’s simply the way of the modern world, and it has changed the face of rural districts, mostly for the worst.
We can talk at length about the problem of rural exodus, but what about solutions? Well, there is certainly some cause for hope, since many are now feeling the negatives of increasing urbanisation, negatives which the countryside generally does not have. Thus, tourism, for example, is certainly one avenue of revenue and revitalisation. The most important consideration here is that the local residents themselves participate in developing such initiatives and deciding what happens, since outsiders, be they state government or city-based planners, do not fully understand the local settings, the possibilities which may be on offer, or the town culture, since even small rural areas can be highly distinctive from neighbouring ones. For example, the Daylesford area has developed a tourist industry based on the natural springs there, putting forward the angle that this water is relaxing and revitalising for the health. There has been the development of spas, saunas, and small-scale accommodation within its picturesque hillsides.
And another solution is to utilise the predominant local product. This takes advantage of the fact that many city-people are developing a dislike for factory-produced and packaged foodstuffs. They are becoming interested in products that can be sold directly to them, at a cheaper price, while preserving all the freshness from the tree or animal. It is important here that the country area is not only characterised by a specific product, but markets this idea well. For example, many areas of country Victoria have developed widespread grape-growing and winemaking facilities, and encourage wine tasting tourism—now a thriving industry, with an international patronage. Similarly, Harcourt is famous for apples, Shepparton for mature cheeses, and Mildura for its citrus products. Such strategies, done well, give hope that rural areas can revitalise somewhat, and once again be lively and interesting places to live in.