Orientation for New Staff at Parkson - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Expert on Cambridge IELTS 09 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–13 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 14–18 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Mission Statement
- The Drive to 14
- Pursuing ways to be more creative and distinctive in meeting customer needs
Four Priorities
- Compelling and distinctive assortments
- 15
- Improving the shopping experience
- 16
Magical Special Events
- Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Halloween Fireworks
- Celebrity appearances
- 17
- Arrival of Santa Claus
- Tree lightings
- 18
Questions 19–20 Two Choices
Choose TWO letters from A-E.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | A | In 2005, sales climbed at an exciting rate, but then every company in the retailing industry suffered in 2007 as the global economy weakened and consumer confidence eroded We're delighted to see that sales have recovered to rise again in 2010, so the future looks bright |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that sales grew quickly in 2005, fell during the economic difficulties of 2007, and then started increasing again in 2010. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Chart A correctly illustrates the pattern of the company's sales, showing an increase in 2005, a decline in 2007, and an increase again in 2010. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Chart A because the speaker describes the sales pattern from 2005 to 2010. First, in 2005, sales "climbed" (went up). Next, in 2007, retail sales "suffered" (went down) because of the weak economy. Finally, by 2010, the speaker notes that sales "recovered to rise again" (went back up). Chart A reflects this rise, fall, and rise trend. |
| Q12 | B | Parkson was traditionally basically an apparel retailer and apparel remains an important part of our business, but over recent years we've seen that reduces as furniture and home appliances have both grown, leaving us equally balanced on all fronts at the present time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that while clothing sales decreased, furniture and appliance sales increased, making all three areas equal in size right now. Answer Explanation: The answer choice B represents the pie chart where all three departments are equal in size. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the director explains the current relationship between the three main departments (apparel, furniture, and home appliances). Although apparel used to be the biggest part, furniture and home appliances have grown, resulting in all three areas being "equally balanced on all fronts at the present time." In a pie chart, being "equally balanced" means each of the three sections has an equal share (one-third each), which corresponds to Chart B. |
| Q13 | C | Last year, we recruited temporary staff into every department, and this year we've done that again, actually increasing the numbers. And we expect to take on an even higher proportion in 2011 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the company hired temporary workers last year, added even more of them this year, and plans to hire an even greater amount in 2011. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Chart C correctly displays the trend, which is a steady increase in the number of temporary workers over time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the director explains the hiring pattern of temporary workers over three consecutive years. Last year, the store brought temporary workers into all departments. This year, they did the same while "increasing the numbers." Looking ahead to 2011, they plan to hire an "even higher proportion." Because the staff numbers rise from last year to this year and are planned to rise again next year, the bar chart must show a consistently upward trend, which corresponds to Chart C. |
| Q14 | Differentiate | Our mission statement - the guiding idea behind everything we do - is "The Drive to Differentiate" and is phrased "pursuing ways to be more creative and distinctive in meeting customer needs" | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Parkson's main guiding principle (mission statement) is named "The Drive to Differentiate", which focuses on being creative and unique when serving customers. Answer Explanation: The answer means to make someone or something stand out as different, special, or unique compared to others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Differentiate" because the speaker clearly announces the exact wording of the company's mission statement. The director explains that the title of their mission statement is "The Drive to Differentiate", which fits directly into the blank after "The Drive to". |
| Q15 | Simplified pricing | Our decisions are guided by the company's 4 Priorities - compelling and distinctive assortments, simplified pricing, improving the shopping experience, and creative marketing that builds our brands and drives traffic | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the company follows four main important goals (priorities), and one of those goals is to make pricing simple and clear for customers. Answer Explanation: The answer means setting clear and easy-to-understand prices for products. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Simplified pricing" because the speaker lists the company's "4 Priorities." The first priority listed is "compelling and distinctive assortments," followed immediately by "simplified pricing," and then "improving the shopping experience." Therefore, "simplified pricing" fills in the missing priority on the notes. |
| Q16 | Creative marketing | Our decisions are guided by the company's 4 Priorities - compelling and distinctive assortments, simplified pricing, improving the shopping experience, and creative marketing that builds our brands and drives traffic | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the company follows four key goals (priorities): offering attractive products, simple pricing, better shopping experiences, and imaginative marketing. Answer Explanation: The answer means clever and original advertising or promotional activities used to attract shoppers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed by the speaker's description of Parkson's main business strategy. The speaker lists the company's "4 Priorities", which include "compelling and distinctive assortments", "simplified pricing", "improving the shopping experience", and finally "creative marketing". Therefore, "Creative marketing" completes the list of priorities in the notes. |
| Q17 | Cooking demonstrations | let them know about magical special events - the Parkson Thanksgiving Day Parade, Halloween Fireworks, celebrity appearances, cooking demonstrations and holiday traditions | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that staff should tell shoppers about special fun events, including cooking shows where food preparation is demonstrated. Answer Explanation: The answer means events where someone shows people how to prepare and cook food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed by the speaker's list of special events. In the notes, under the section "Magical Special Events", the items listed are the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Halloween Fireworks, and celebrity appearances. In the speech, right after mentioning "celebrity appearances", the speaker lists "cooking demonstrations" as another special event. |
| Q18 | Animated window displays | holiday traditions ranging from the arrival of Santa Claus to tree lightings and animated window displays | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the holiday traditions include Santa Claus arriving, turning on Christmas tree lights, and moving displays set up in the store windows. Answer Explanation: The answer means store window decorations with moving figures or items that shoppers can look at during the holidays. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Animated window displays" because the speaker lists the special events and holiday traditions organized by Parkson. In the notes, under "Magical Special Events", the items listed right before the blank are "Arrival of Santa Claus" and "Tree lightings". In the talk, these traditions range "from the arrival of Santa Claus to tree lightings and animated window displays", making "animated window displays" the missing final event. |
| Q19 | — | — | |
| Q20 | B / E | There's a pile of information brochures on the front desk, and I'd like you to take one each, and please make sure you read them carefully when you get home tonight. It contains lots of useful facts and advice which will help you to fit in the company quickly. Will you also pick up your security pass this afternoon from the office on the sixth floor, as you'll need it to get in tomorrow | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript directly tells the listeners to read the information brochures tonight at home and to collect their security pass this afternoon so they can enter the building tomorrow. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the two tasks the new workers need to complete on this day are reading the company booklet (brochure) and collecting their building security card (pass). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker's instructions for the day. First, the speaker instructs the new workers to take an information brochure and read it carefully 'when you get home tonight' (corresponding to 'reading the brochure'). Second, the speaker asks them to 'pick up your security pass this afternoon' from the sixth floor (corresponding to 'getting security pass'). In contrast, certificates only need to be submitted 'the day after tomorrow', and the application form was already completed previously. |
Transcript
Director: Hello everybody, and welcome to Parkson. I truely hope that you will enjoy working here, and indeed that some of you may take the opportunity to join our permanent staff.
Now, my purpose this morning is to give you a short overview of Parkson and a few pointers about working here. Then I'll hand over to Julia, Head of Human Resources, to begin the training. Right, now we've seen quite a mixed history in sales recently at Parkson. In 2005, sales climbed at an exciting rate, but then every company in the retailing industry suffered in 2007 as the global economy weakened and consumer confidence eroded. Parkson was no exception. Even with the significant amount of energy and newness we infused into our business, our financial results were softer than we had originally anticipated going into the year.
There were, however, some important positive outcomes - not the least of which is that Parkson outperformed most of its primary competitors in the crucial fourth quarter of 2009. We're delighted to see that sales have recovered to rise again in 2010, so the future looks bright. This indicates to us that our strategic priorities are on track and gives us confidence that we will continue to compete successfully when the economy bounces back. As a company, we have to watch and be proactive about where these sales are coming from. All of you here will be allocated to different departments, but you may be interested to know where your area stands in relationship to others. Parkson was traditionally basically an apparel retailer and apparel remains an important part of our business, but over recent years we've seen that reduces as furniture and home appliances have both grown, leaving us equally balanced on all fronts at the present time. This is a situation we'd be pleased to maintain, although the general increase in home appliances spending is predicted to affect all major players in our sector. Well, that's us. What about you, as temporary staff? Where do you fit in? Maintaining a happy and consistent workforce is going to need to be the primary aim. Failure to do so will result in an organisation being short quality people, which will spell its ultimate demise, and Parkson is no exception. Last year, we recruited temporary staff into every department, and this year we've done that again, actually increasing the numbers. And we expect to take on an even higher proportion in 2011. So, employees are the most valuable asset that a company has and you'll be playing an important part in our success.
We regard the Parkson approach to the retail business as something special. Our mission statement - the guiding idea behind everything we do - is "The Drive to Differentiate" and is phrased "pursuing ways to be more creative and distinctive in meeting customer needs", and this belief applies to every customer and every purchase, however large or small. Importantly, the core strategy for Parkson has not changed. Our decisions are guided by the company's 4 Priorities - compelling and distinctive assortments, simplified pricing, improving the shopping experience, and creative marketing that builds our brands and drives traffic. These priorities have resulted in Parkson successful emergence as a national retailer, and they are more relevant than ever moving forward.
Clearly, Parkson is distinctly different from other major retailers. Parkson embraces customers and provides an experience that transcends ordinary shopping. So, as an employee, you should keep customers informed - let them know about magical special events - the Parkson Thanksgiving Day Parade, Halloween Fireworks, celebrity appearances, cooking demonstrations and holiday traditions ranging from the arrival of Santa Claus to tree lightings and animated window displays. To keep yourself up to date about these and all the other aspects of the company, please look carefully through the newsletter that we publish each month. OK?
Right, just a few last things, and then I'll hand over. I think you were all asked for details of your certificates when you filled in your initial application form. Can you make sure that you submit them to the Human Resources Office the day after tomorrow? There's a pile of information brochures on the front desk, and I'd like you to take one each, and please make sure you read them carefully when you get home tonight. It contains lots of useful facts and advice which will help you to fit in the company quickly. Will you also pick up your security pass this afternoon from the office on the sixth floor, as you'll need it to get in tomorrow? Without it, I'm afraid you can't go anywhere, so, please don't lose it. Oh, and don't forget you'll need it to obtain your staff discount when you make any purchases. OK, that really is it from me, so now, Julia, if you'd like to...