Renovation Work at The Factory Complex - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 2 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–12 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 13–14 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 15–20 Plan Labeling
Label the plan below.
Write the correct letter, A-I.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | — | — | |
| Q12 | A / E | Once you’ve had a chance to settle in to the new offices, please take the time to view a training video for the operating system we’re now using. We think it’s going to manage all our programmes far more efficiently. Obviously, the sooner you can get this done, the better. Also for next week, because the renovations have meant a complete redesign of some of the company’s buildings, you’ll need to attend a session on things like – what to do if you hear the fire alarm go off, and where to meet if you have to evacuate the buildings | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that employees must watch a video to learn about the new computer system and attend a meeting to understand what to do if there is a fire or emergency. Answer Explanation: The answer means that during their first week back at the office, workers must learn about the new computer systems and the rules for staying safe during an emergency. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because the manager lists two tasks workers must complete. First, they need to watch a training video about a new operating system, which is a type of company technology. Second, they need to go to a meeting about fire alarms and evacuation plans, which are safety procedures. Other options are incorrect because the manager says files are already on desks (no moving boxes needed) and old security passes still work (no new identification needed). |
| Q13 | — | — | |
| Q14 | A / C | Inside we’ve replaced some dividing walls with coloured glass panels. They look great. We’ve also invested in some adjustable chairs. You can lower or raise them to whatever height feels right for you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the company used glass that has color and looks nice (attractive materials) to replace regular walls, and they bought chairs that workers can move up or down (comfortable seating). Answer Explanation: The answer highlights two specific improvements made to the office: the addition of chairs that can be changed by the user for comfort and the use of pretty-looking materials for the walls. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and C because the manager describes two changes that match these options. First, the manager speaks about 'coloured glass panels' and says 'they look great,' which matches using 'attractive materials' (Choice C). Second, the manager mentions buying 'adjustable chairs' that can be moved up or down to find the right height, which matches providing 'comfortable seating' (Choice A). |
| Q15 | I | If you look at the lower half of your plan, on the right, there are two long buildings that are parallel to each other. The conference centre is the one with a view of the river | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the conference center is one of the two long buildings found in the bottom right area of the plan, specifically the one next to the river. Answer Explanation: The answer is the location marked with the letter 'I' on the office map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified by following the manager's directions to the bottom right ('lower half... on the right') of the map. He mentions two long buildings that sit side-by-side ('parallel'). He clarifies that the conference center is the specific building that faces the water ('view of the river'). On a map of this complex, letter 'I' matches this description. |
| Q16 | B | So what we’ve done is move the office space further away from the road – into the building that directly joins on to Reception | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the offices were moved to a building that is physically connected to the Reception area, specifically to get away from the noise of the road. Answer Explanation: The answer B is the correct label on the plan for the new office area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the manager explains that the office space was moved to a new location to make it quieter for the workers. He states that the new office is in a building connected to the Reception area and is located farther away from the main road (Ellerslie Road). In the description of the map, location B is the building that is attached or 'joins on' to Reception. |
| Q17 | F | We also decided to move the Stores building, so it could be a lot closer to the warehouse. So now, if you were going to enter the factory complex from the Ellerslie Road entrance, Stores would be the building immediately on your left | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says the company moved the Stores building so it is near the warehouse. It explains that if you enter the area from the road on the left (Ellerslie Road), the Stores building is the very first building on your left side. Answer Explanation: The answer is F, which is the specific location of the Stores building on the map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the manager explains that the Stores building was moved to a new position to be near the warehouse, which is at the bottom of the map. To find it on the plan, you should imagine entering the complex from Ellerslie Road (the road on the left side). The building labeled F is located right there on the left side as you walk in, making it a convenient spot for the warehouse workers. |
| Q18 | C | So, you can see the main entrance on the plan. right? And below that is the roundabout. Then there’s the road that goes from the roundabout directly to reception. Well, the Finance building is about halfway along that road. On the plan, the factory’s just above it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes how to locate the Finance building by starting at the main entrance, moving to the roundabout (a circular road), and finding the road that goes to the reception area. It states the building is in the middle of that road, just below the factory. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Finance building is located at the spot marked with the letter C on the map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker provides specific landmarks to find the Finance building. He points out the main entrance and the roundabout below it, noting a road that leads from the roundabout to the reception. The Finance building is situated halfway along that road, with the factory building positioned directly above it. In map-labeling tasks, these combined directions (halfway along a specific road and below/above another building) identify the unique location of C. |
| Q19 | E | The café, just so you know, is in the same place as before. It’s not ideally located for the factory workers, that’s true, but it’s not too far if you’re heading down from Reception, or up from the warehouse. But what we’ve done is try to make the environment a bit more pleasant. So, whereas before you looked straight from the café onto the large car park, now there’s a line of trees separating them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the café is in a middle spot, not far from the Reception area or the Warehouse. It also mentions that the café sits next to the large car park, though there are trees in the way now. Answer Explanation: The answer E is the location of the café on the factory map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the manager explains that the café is in an area between two other buildings: the Reception and the Warehouse. He also mentions that it is located next to a big area for cars (the car park), but now there are trees between the café and the cars to make the view better. These details help us find the café at point E on the plan. |
| Q20 | D | It’s that square building you see right in the centre of the plan – one of the closest buildings to the larger car park | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the IT department is the building shaped like a square right in the middle of the drawing. It also points out that it sits very near the big area where cars are parked. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the IT Department is located at the spot marked with the letter D. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the manager describes the IT department as having a 'central location,' meaning it is in the middle of all the other buildings. He specifically says it is a 'square building' located in the 'centre' (middle) of the map and is close to the 'larger car park' (parking lot). Keywords like 'square,' 'centre,' and 'car park' help identify this specific spot on the plan. |
Transcript
Manager: Good afternoon. First of all, I want to say thank you for your patience for the last six months. As you know, all the office staff had to move to temporary offices while the renovation work at the factory complex was taking place. But finally that work is finished, and everyone can return to the factory complex, and their new office space. We’re hoping everything will go smoothly but – there’s a couple of things we’ll need you to do during your first week back.
You’ll be pleased to know that your files and folders have been placed at your desk, so there’s no need for you to go hunting around for any records. Um, a couple of people have asked whether their old pass will still work at the security gate – or will they need to get their photo done and update their personal details. I can assure you that the old pass will still get you through the gate. No problem. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in to the new offices, please take the time to view a training video for the operating system we’re now using. We think it’s going to manage all our programmes far more efficiently. Obviously, the sooner you can get this done, the better. Also for next week, because the renovations have meant a complete redesign of some of the company’s buildings, you’ll need to attend a session on things like – what to do if you hear the fire alarm go off, and where to meet if you have to evacuate the buildings. We’ll let you know as soon as we have a definite time for that. It’s going to be a busy week for everyone, but hopefully the kind of challenge that can help bring the team together. We’ll make a time for you to report back to me on Friday.
All right, we’ve also taken some steps to improve the physical environment in your offices. Bigger windows mean that the offices are a lot brighter – and that’s better for your eyes. Inside we’ve replaced some dividing walls with coloured glass panels. They look great. We’ve also invested in some adjustable chairs. You can lower or raise them to whatever height feels right for you. What else? We’ve now got some quality insulation in the ceilings and walls that’ll make everything a lot warmer. Also – another thing – we’ve set aside several rooms for project work. That will allow a team to get together around the same table. We feel that more opportunities for face-to-face discussion will benefit the whole company. So, when you…
Manager: OK, so let’s look at a plan of the factory complex, and see how it’s changed. You can see that the main entrance is at the top of the map, Ellerslie Road is on the left-hand side, and the warehouse is at the bottom. OK, let’s start with one of the new buildings – the conference centre, perhaps. If you look at the lower half of your plan, on the right, there are two long buildings that are parallel to each other. The conference centre is the one with a view of the river. Hopefully that’s something visitors to the factory complex will appreciate – especially on a sunny day when it’s clear outside.
Now, what about the new office space? As you know, the offices used to be in that large building right alongside Ellerslie Road, and that could get a bit noisy at times. So what we’ve done is move the office space further away from the road – into the building that directly joins on to Reception. This should mean employees can benefit from a quieter working environment, as well as the other improvements I mentioned earlier. We also decided to move the Stores building, so it could be a lot closer to the warehouse.
So now, if you were going to enter the factory complex from the Ellerslie Road entrance, Stores would be the building immediately on your left. The warehouse staff have already commented that having the Stores here is much more convenient. Yes, I’m sure it’s going to save a lot of time.
Finance was another building that had to be relocated. They just didn’t have enough space before. So, you can see the main entrance on the plan. right? And below that is the roundabout. Then there’s the road that goes from the roundabout directly to reception. Well, the Finance building is about halfway along that road. On the plan, the factory’s just above it.
The café, just so you know, is in the same place as before. It’s not ideally located for the factory workers, that’s true, but it’s not too far if you’re heading down from Reception, or up from the warehouse. But what we’ve done is try to make the environment a bit more pleasant. So, whereas before you looked straight from the café onto the large car park, now there’s a line of trees separating them. I think you’ll agree that this was a good decision – putting in the trees, I mean.
It was also necessary to relocate the IT department. Of course, for some of their work, they can do it remotely, but from time to time, the IT people do need to visit the different buildings around the factory complex. For that reason, we’ve given the IT department a more central location. It’s that square building you see right in the centre of the plan – one of the closest buildings to the larger car park. Something I’d like to say about …