Red Hill Suburb Improvement Plan - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 08 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–13 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 14–20 Map Labeling
Label the map below.
Write the correct letter, A-H.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | A | People we've heard from are mainly worried about traffic in the area, and, in particular, the increasing speed of cars near schools. They feel that it is only a matter of time before there is an accident as a lot of the children walk to the school | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that people are worried about fast cars and the risk of accidents for children who walk to school. Answer Explanation: The answer means keeping people safe while they walk on the street. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Graham explains that local people are mostly worried about cars driving too fast near schools. They are afraid that children walking to school might get into an accident. This worry about the safety of people walking (pedestrians) is their biggest concern. |
| Q12 | B | Well, I'm happy to report that the power company have agreed to move the power lines underground at a cost of $800,000 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says the company that provides electricity will pay to put the power wires under the ground. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the electric wires will be moved from high in the air to a spot below the surface of the earth. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript mentions that the power company has agreed to move the power lines "underground." In this context, "underground" is a synonym for being "buried." This change was planned because local residents were concerned about the appearance and safety of the old overhead lines. |
| Q13 | B | Well, the power company have agreed to bear the cost of this themselves after a lot of discussion with the council | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the company that provides electricity will pay for the project with their own money. Answer Explanation: The answer is the electricity provider, known as the power company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Graham mentions that the power company agreed to 'bear the cost' of the work. To 'bear the cost' is a synonym for 'pay for something'. This means the city council does not need to pay for it, and local businesses will not see an increase in their rates. |
| Q14 | C | Firstly, we'll plant mature pine trees to provide shelter and shade just to the right of the supermarket in Days Road | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the city will put big pine trees in a specific spot: on Days Road, exactly to the right side of the supermarket. Answer Explanation: The answer C is the location on the map where the new trees will be planted. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Graham Campbell describes the location for planting mature pine trees. He specifies that these trees will be placed to the right of the supermarket on Days Road to give people shade and protection from the weather. In map labeling tasks, following directions like 'to the right of' is key to finding the correct letter. |
| Q15 | D | In order to address the traffic problems, the pavements on the corner of Carberry and Thomas Street will be widened | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that to fix traffic issues, the city will make the sidewalks larger at the spot where Carberry Street and Thomas Street meet. Answer Explanation: The answer 'D' is the location on the map where the paths for people to walk on will be made bigger. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified because Graham mentions that the 'pavements' (another word for footpaths) at the specific corner of Carberry and Thomas Street will be 'widened,' which means made wider. This matches the label 'wider footpaths' for location D on the map. |
| Q16 | G | So the roadway at the entry to Thomas Street from Days Road will be painted red. This should mark it more clearly and act as a signal for traffic to slow down | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the ground where people turn from Days Road into Thomas Street will have red paint. This red color is a sign to help drivers see where they are going and make them drive slower. Answer Explanation: The answer G represents the location of the road with the special color. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the speaker mentions that they will paint the road red where Thomas Street starts from Days Road. This is done to show drivers exactly where the residential area begins and to tell them to drive more slowly. In English, 'coloured' means having a color other than black or white, so 'painted red' matches 'coloured road surface'. |
| Q17 | B | A 'keep clear' sign will be erected at the junction of Evelyn Street and Hill Street, to enable traffic to exit at all times | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that a new sign will be put up at the intersection of Evelyn Street and Hill Street so that cars can always get out safely. Answer Explanation: The answer is B because a sign that says "keep clear" will be placed at the corner where Evelyn Street and Hill Street meet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Graham mentions that the council wants to improve safety for people walking by adding more signs. Specifically, he says a 'keep clear' sign will be put at the junction, or the place where two roads meet, of Evelyn Street and Hill Street. The word 'signage' in the transcript is a more formal way to talk about signs. |
| Q18 | F | Something we're planning to do to help control the flow of traffic in the area is to install traffic lights half way down Hill Street where it crosses Days Road | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the traffic lights will be placed at the point where Hill Street and Days Road cross each other, right in the middle section of Hill Street. Answer Explanation: The answer is the letter F on the map, which shows the location for the new traffic lights. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because Graham Campbell mentions that the city plans to put traffic lights in a specific spot: where Hill Street meets Days Road. He describes this location as being "half way down Hill Street." In map tasks, identifying the intersection or meeting point of two roads is key to finding the right letter. |
| Q19 | A | and an artist will incorporate that story into paintings on the wall of a building on the other side of Hill Street from the supermarket | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that an artist will put paintings on a wall. This wall is on Hill Street, across from the grocery store (supermarket). Answer Explanation: The answer A is the location where the new paintings or art will be placed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Graham says an artist will make paintings on a building wall. He explains that these paintings will be across the street (on the other side of Hill Street) from the supermarket. In the transcript, 'art work' and 'paintings' mean the same thing. |
| Q20 | E | And finally, we've agreed to build a new children's playground which will be at the other end of Hill Street close to the intersection with Carberry Street | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the city will put a new park for kids at the end of Hill Street, near the spot where it crosses Carberry Street. Answer Explanation: The answer is E. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Graham explains that the new area for children to play will be located at the far end of Hill Street. He specifically mentions that it is near the junction where Hill Street meets Carberry Street. In a map-labeling task, look for the spot where these two streets cross. Key words to listen for are 'children's playground' and 'intersection with Carberry Street'. |
Transcript
CAROL: Good morning and welcome again to Your City Today. With me today is Graham Campbell, a councillor from the city council. He will be telling us about the plan to improve the fast-growing suburb of Red Hill. Good morning Graham and welcome to the show.
GRAHAM: Good morning, Carol.
CAROL: Now, Graham, I understand that there has been a lot of community consultation for the new plan?
GRAHAM: Yes, we've tried to address some of the concerns that local groups told us about. People we've heard from are mainly worried about traffic in the area, and, in particular, the increasing speed of cars near schools. They feel that it is only a matter of time before there is an accident as a lot of the children walk to the school. So we're trying to do something about that. Another area of concern is the overhead power lines. These are very old and a lot of people we spoke to asked if something could be done about them. Well, I'm happy to report that the power company have agreed to move the power lines underground at a cost of $800,000. I think that will really improve the look of the area, as well as being safer.
CAROL: That's good to know, but will that mean an increase in rates for the local businesses in that area?
GRAHAM: Well, the power company have agreed to bear the cost of this themselves after a lot of discussion with the council. This is wonderful news as the council now has some extra funds for us to put into other things like tree planting and art work.
GRAHAM: Now, we've also put together a map which we've sent out to all the residents in the area. And on the map we've marked the proposed changes. Firstly, we'll plant mature pine trees to provide shelter and shade just to the right of the supermarket in Days Road. In order to address the traffic problems, the pavements on the corner of Carberry and Thomas Street will be widened. This will help to reduce the speed of vehicles entering Thomas Street. We think it's very important to separate the local residential streets from the main road. So the roadway at the entry to Thomas Street from Days Road will be painted red. This should mark it more clearly and act as a signal for traffic to slow down. One way of making sure that the pedestrians are safe is to increase signage at the intersections. A 'keep clear' sign will be erected at the junction of Evelyn Street and Hill Street, to enable traffic to exit at all times. Something we're planning to do to help control the flow of traffic in the area is to install traffic lights half way down Hill Street where it crosses Days Road. Now, we haven't only thought about the cars and traffic, of course, there's also something for the children. We're going to get school children in the area to research a local story, the life of a local sports hero perhaps, and an artist will incorporate that story into paintings on the wall of a building on the other side of Hill Street from the supermarket. And finally, we've agreed to build a new children's playground which will be at the other end of Hill Street close to the intersection with Carberry Street.
CAROL: Wonderful, now, what's the next stage?
GRAHAM: Well, the final plan . . .