Northfield Sports Complex - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 4 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–16 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Questions 17–20 Matching
What are the features of the following sports facilities?
Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions 17-20.
A. A one-on-one coach is bookable.
B. It is featured in a TV drama.
C. It is beneficial for young people.
D. It is only available for women sometimes.
E. It is the largest in the country.
F. It can be booked for parties.
G. It is a place to hold courses for school children.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | B | I am giving this speech today to celebrate a special occasion. We started the business exactly a decade ago, and today we have developed into a large firm with a sizable group of members | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the speaker is celebrating a special event. He explains that the company was created exactly ten years ago. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the talk is held to celebrate the 10th year of the sports complex opening. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker says he is giving a speech for a 'special occasion' and mentions that the business started exactly a 'decade' ago. In English, a decade means ten years. Celebrating an event that happened ten years ago is a 10th anniversary. |
| Q12 | A | As experienced and qualified reporters, you are invited here to experience and witness this historical moment of Northfield Sports Complex together with us | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the speaker addressing the audience directly as "reporters," which confirms that the listeners are journalists there to cover the event. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the group of people listening to the speech as journalists, which means people who write news or report for TV and newspapers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker specifically calls the people in the audience "reporters." In the world of news, "reporters" and "journalists" are words that mean the same thing. The speaker says they were invited because they are experienced and qualified, which fits the job description of professional journalists. |
| Q13 | C | But what I take pride in most of all is the skating rink that has stirred the interest of boys and girls here in local schools to skate | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the speaker's biggest point of pride is the way the skating rink made school boys and girls interested in the sport of skating. Answer Explanation: The answer states that the speaker is happiest about the skating rink because it has motivated local kids to take part in sports activities like skating. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker specifically points out what makes him feel the most pride. While he mentions that world champions trained there and that local residents are healthy, he uses the phrase 'what I take pride in most of all' to talk about how the rink has 'stirred the interest'—which means encouraged or excited—local school children to start skating. This matches the idea of encouraging children to participate more. |
| Q14 | A | Just this month a new swimming pool is open to all fitness levels with special offers for those without a job | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in this current month, a new pool is available for everyone, and it has special deals for people who do not have a job. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the sports center has just started a new place or activity for people who currently do not have a job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'the unemployed' because the speaker mentions that a new swimming pool opened 'this month' (which means recently) and specifically mentions 'those without a job' (which means unemployed people). Other groups, like mothers with babies or pensioners, have activities opening in the future ('next month' or 'near future'). |
| Q15 | C | We intend to extend our business in the coming year. A list of equipment will be put up for sale ranging from exercising equipment like cardio machines to sports recovery and injury prevention facilities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that next year, the company will grow by selling different types of machines and equipment used for exercise and staying healthy. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the sports center will start selling machines and tools used for exercise and health. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Choice C because George Dyson mentions that in the "coming year" (which means next year), the business plans to grow. He says they will "put up for sale" (sell) a list of "equipment," which includes things like exercise machines and tools to help people stay safe or get better after an injury. |
| Q16 | B | For those who want to further ensure workout safety, they are welcome to apply to be a member of our standing committee | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if people want to help make sure exercising is safe, they can ask to be part of the group that makes the rules. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the sports center invites people to join a special group called a committee. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript states that people are 'welcome to apply' to join the 'standing committee' if they care about safety. The phrase 'welcome to apply' shows that the complex is inviting or encouraging people to take this role. There is no mention of encouraging people to become coaches or volunteers. |
| Q17 | F | It is also bookable for private functions, including pool parties, where lifeguards are available | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the pool can be used for personal events like parties. Answer Explanation: The answer says that people can reserve the swimming pool to have their own parties. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the speaker explains that the swimming pool can be reserved for specific events. He uses the phrase 'bookable for private functions,' which means you can pay to use it for your own small group. He specifically mentions 'pool parties' as an example of these events. |
| Q18 | C | But actually, under proper guidance and with close supervision by the coach here, it is a perfect sport for the youth to increase their flexibility and strengthen their muscles | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when young people are watched by a teacher, climbing is a great way for them to get stronger and more flexible. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the climbing wall is good for young people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker describes rock climbing as a 'perfect sport' for young people. Even though some people think it is dangerous, the speaker explains that with a coach, it helps young people improve their bodies. In the text, the word 'youth' refers to young people, and 'strengthen' and 'flexibility' are the benefits they get. |
| Q19 | E | There is no other skating rink larger than ours within the whole nation | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in all of the country, there is no other place for skating that is bigger than the one at Northfield Sports Complex. Answer Explanation: The answer E means that the skating rink at this sports complex is the biggest one in the entire country. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the speaker mentions that there is no skating rink bigger than theirs in the 'whole nation.' In English, 'whole nation' is another way to say 'entire country,' and 'no other... larger' means that this specific skating rink is the largest. |
| Q20 | A | If you book a one-on-one trainer, he or she might suggest a future training plan and help you train more systematically | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if you schedule time with a personal instructor, they can help you create a plan to reach your health goals. Answer Explanation: The answer A means that you can make an appointment to have a personal teacher work just with you at the gym. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker mentions that at the gym, visitors have the option to pay for a private instructor. The words 'one-on-one trainer' mean the same thing as a 'one-on-one coach,' and 'book' means that the service is 'bookable' or available by making an appointment. |
Transcript
On behalf of Northfield Sports Complex, I'd like to extend our warmest welcome to you all here this evening. I'm George Dyson, founder of Northfield Sports Complex. I am giving this speech today to celebrate a special occasion. We started the business exactly a decade ago, and today we have developed into a large firm with a sizable group of members. We've also been nominated the Most Valuable Company by Green Town at the yearly Business Awards which will be held next week. As experienced and qualified reporters, you are invited here to experience and witness this historical moment of Northfield Sports Complex together with us.
Situated within the campus of Green Town University, Northfield Sports Complex is a modern, refreshing and fully-equipped facility for sports of all kinds. As part of its commitment to the local community, Northfield Sports Complex is available not only to school children but also to local residents. It offers a wide range of facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool, paved walking and jogging paths, a well-equipped fitness gym, all-weather pitches, indoor courts for table tennis, tennis and other sports, as well as a renowned skating rink. Different age groups can all find the right sports to participate in. That's why local residents enjoy working out here. As a result, natives here are healthier than most of the people within our nation.
The whole town is very proud of having nurtured two world champions, who were once both trained right here in our skating rink. Thus it has become the ideal venue to learn to skate and have fun. But what I take pride in most of all is the skating rink that has stirred the interest of boys and girls here in local schools to skate. Since opening, an increasing number of pupils have been paying regular visits to the skating rink.
A new yoga classroom with trainers will be open next month for mothers with babies. They can bring their own yoga mat and work out together with their babies. This will be a great way for them to get healthy and meet other moms. There will also be a brand new gym open to the pensioners in the near future. Just this month a new swimming pool is open to all fitness levels with special offers for those without a job.
Our complex is open daily from 8 am to 9 pm except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We intend to extend our business in the coming year. A list of equipment will be put up for sale ranging from exercising equipment like cardio machines to sports recovery and injury prevention facilities.
Within our complex, we try our best to avoid injuries of any kind. We train knowledgeable staff to guide our clients through correct workout regimens. For those who want to further ensure workout safety, they are welcome to apply to be a member of our standing committee. They are responsible for revising the safety guidelines and supervising its enforcement.
Now I would like to introduce some of our most popular sports facilities here at Northfield Sport Complex. Our 25-metre swimming pool is the centrepiece of the complex. Combining modern, bright and airy surroundings with fully up-to-date changing facilities, the pool is excellent for learning how to swim, improving techniques and, of course, competing in school competitions. It is also bookable for private functions, including pool parties, where lifeguards are available.
Next, we have the only climbing wall throughout the whole town. Many would see rock climbing as a type of extreme sport, exposing great risk to those who participate. But actually, under proper guidance and with close supervision by the coach here, it is a perfect sport for the youth to increase their flexibility and strengthen their muscles.
I have to mention our skating rink once again. As our most popular facility, it has been prominently featured in a TV commercial we've released recently. There is no other skating rink larger than ours within the whole nation.
Also, our state-of-the-art gym is an inspiring place to train and keep fit in relaxed and friendly surroundings. The Technogym equipment enables our clients to measure their performance. If you book a one-on-one trainer, he or she might suggest a future training plan and help you train more systematically.