Swimming Pool and Outdoor Venue - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 2 Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–14 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 15–20 Matching
What's the theme of each continent based on the rooms of the clubhouse?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-H.
A. film and music
B. mountains
C. space travel
D. jewelry
E. animals
F. waterways
G. volcano
H. ancient forts
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | A | The public selected two top proposals from over a dozen created by renowned architect Ned Mosby, and the final design is truly something else | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that even though an expert (an architect) drew many ideas, it was 'the public' (regular people) who 'selected' or picked the two best ideas to be used. Answer Explanation: The answer means that regular people who live in the community were the ones who picked the winning plans for the swimming pool. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript highlights that the project is called 'Pool for the People' and was created by 'the people'. It specifically mentions that a group of 1,050 members of the public made the decisions, including picking the top two designs from a list of options made by an architect. Keywords like 'selected', 'public', and 'proposals' show that the community made the choice. |
| Q12 | B | the final design is truly something else. The pool is shaped like a fishbowl, sinking down into the ground, and there's – you guessed it – a real, live fish tank in the centre | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes the finished look of the pool as being very special. It explains that the pool is built in the shape of a bowl for fish and actually has a tank with living fish in the middle. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the pool has a very unique and special design that you cannot find anywhere else. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript describes the final design of the pool as being 'truly something else,' which is a way of saying it is very unique or special. It details a specific and unusual architectural style where the pool is shaped like a fishbowl and contains a real fish tank in the middle. These details support the idea that its style is 'one-of-a-kind.' While the people helped decide on the ideas, the plans were actually made by an architect, and the text never says it is the very first pool in that area. |
| Q13 | C | The only problem now is the possibility that it will in fact become too popular! The pool is only so large, so swarms of people coming to enjoy it may cause quite a crowd in its first summer of opening | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the pool has a limited size. If it becomes very popular, a 'swarm' (a very large group) of people will make it too crowded. This is why the size of the pool is a concern. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the radio report is worried that the pool is not big enough for all the people who will want to go there. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is **C** because the radio speaker identifies one main problem with the new pool. The speaker says the pool might become too popular, and because it is 'only so large' (limited in size), there will be too many people there. This 'crowd' is a result of the pool's size not being big enough for a 'swarm' of visitors. |
| Q14 | C | There is some discrepancy, however, on the sculpture design for the foyer at the entrance. The people elected a jellyfish sculpture to greet entering visitors, but given last week's vicious attack by a box jellyfish on a local youth, coordinators fear it will bring too much fear to patrons | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there is a disagreement about the art for the entrance. The public voted for a jellyfish statue, but the organizers are afraid it will make visitors feel scared after a recent jellyfish attack on a child. Answer Explanation: The answer is choice C, which means people have not yet made a final decision about the statue that will be placed at the front entrance. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker mentions a 'discrepancy,' which means a disagreement or a lack of agreement, regarding the sculpture for the foyer. While the public chose a jellyfish, the leaders are worried it might scare people because a real jellyfish recently hurt a young person nearby. Because of this worry, the final choice for the sculpture is still not settled. |
| Q15 | E | Representing Asia in the reception area will be a mosaic made up of prominent animals indigenous to the continent – a camel, a panda, and the Siberian white tiger, to name just a few | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the section for Asia will feature a picture made of many small pieces (a mosaic) showing animals that belong to that part of the world, such as camels and pandas. Answer Explanation: The answer is choice E, which is animals. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the transcript describes the clubhouse area for Asia as being decorated with a mosaic of various animals native to that continent. The text lists specific examples of animals like camels, pandas, and tigers used for this theme. |
| Q16 | B | In the West lounge, feel the cool, icy vibes of the Transantarctic Mountains of Antarctica. Makes you cold just thinking about it, doesn't it? Just seeing a wall with a mural of the glacial mountains is almost enough to cool you off on a December afternoon | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in the lounge for Antarctica, you can see a large wall painting (mural) of mountains covered in ice (glacial mountains). It says this makes the room feel cold and icy. Answer Explanation: The answer is mountains. This is the main theme or topic for the room that represents the continent of Antarctica. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker mentions that the theme for Antarctica is related to the icy mountains found there. Specifically, the speaker describes 'the Transantarctic Mountains' and a 'mural of the glacial mountains' on the wall of that room. |
| Q17 | D | The theme in the lady's lounge room for Africa may not be what you expected. A safari? Drum music? The Nile River? No, did you know that Africa was home to the first jewelry | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the room representing Africa has a theme that might surprise people. Instead of common ideas like safaris or rivers, this room focuses on jewelry because Africa is where the first jewelry was created. Answer Explanation: The answer is D, which means the theme for Africa is jewelry. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is jewelry because the transcript explains that each room in the clubhouse has a theme based on a continent. For the Africa room, the speaker mentions that many people might expect animals or music, but the actual theme is jewelry. This is because Africa is known as the place where the very first jewelry was made. |
| Q18 | C | Anuzzi created for North America a sort of absurdist print interestingly juxtaposing the moon landing of 1969 with an abstract depiction of humans living on Mars. Seems to me like an interesting commentary on the future of space exploration | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the section for North America shows art of the moon landing and humans on the planet Mars, which the speaker describes as space exploration. Answer Explanation: The answer is space travel, which means flying to places outside of Earth, such as the moon or other planets. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is space travel because the transcript says the theme for North America is very modern and futuristic. It mentions the "moon landing" and people living on "Mars," which are parts of "space exploration." |
| Q19 | H | And in the men's lounge room, the ancient forts of Sparta, Rome, Greece, and other European civilisations fittingly exhibit the strength and combatant characteristics of these societies | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the men's lounge room shows the old, strong buildings (forts) of European groups like the Romans and Greeks. Answer Explanation: The answer is H, which is 'ancient forts'. This means the room representing Europe uses old, strong buildings used for defense as its main theme. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because the part of the clubhouse meant for Europe is the men's lounge room. This room shows 'ancient forts' from places like Greece and Rome to show the strength of those cultures in the past. Keywords like 'Sparta', 'Rome', and 'Greece' help identify that the speaker is talking about countries and civilizations in Europe. |
| Q20 | G | Finally, the cafe and breakfast room area is an enchanting round room that draws all attention to its centre – where there is a strikingly realistic sculpture of a volcano. The delicious food may actually be only the second most exciting part of this room in comparison to the 9-foot statue complete with brightly colored molten lava to characterise South America | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes a breakfast room with a very tall statue of a volcano that has bright lava. This big statue is used to show the theme of South America. Answer Explanation: The answer is G because the South American area of the clubhouse features themes related to a volcano. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the transcript describes a specific room in the clubhouse where a large, realistic sculpture of a volcano with bright lava is used to represent the continent of South America. This sculpture is the main focus of the cafe and breakfast area. |
Transcript
Hey if you're just joining us on WKPX “The Sound”, welcome. We're here in the studio with Matt and Cam in the morning, and this morning we're talking about keeping the kids occupied on summer vacation. Folks, there's a new kid in town in the world of summer fun. Get ready for the Pool for the People, a pool and outdoor venue created by – that's right – the people.
Scheduled to open in November, the ideas for everything from the design of the pool right down to the items sold in the snack bar have been decided upon by a sample of 1,050 members of the public.
The public selected two top proposals from over a dozen created by renowned architect Ned Mosby, and the final design is truly something else. The pool is shaped like a fishbowl, sinking down into the ground, and there's – you guessed it – a real, live fish tank in the centre! It's certainly the centre of attention in the Bridgewater area.
Now, you are probably wondering how much an extravagance like this must cost right? Well, have no fear. At just £15 for adults and £10 for kids, it's an affordable way to entertain the kids in those dog days of summer. The only problem now is the possibility that it will in fact become too popular! The pool is only so large, so swarms of people coming to enjoy it may cause quite a crowd in its first summer of opening.
There will be an opening party for a select audience, and in line with the pool's mission, the people have decided on all the arrangements. They collectively decided on actress Rebel Wilson to host the festivities scheduled for later this month, and even dictated the playlist by ranking their top 10 songs from a list of hundreds.
There is some discrepancy, however, on the sculpture design for the foyer at the entrance. The people elected a jellyfish sculpture to greet entering visitors, but given last week's vicious attack by a box jellyfish on a local youth, coordinators fear it will bring too much fear to patrons.
The theme of the clubhouse is set to be “international waters” with a different section representing each continent, designed by the legendary local artist Roberta Anuzzi. Representing Asia in the reception area will be a mosaic made up of prominent animals indigenous to the continent – a camel, a panda, and the Siberian white tiger, to name just a few.
In the West lounge, feel the cool, icy vibes of the Transantarctic Mountains of Antarctica. Makes you cold just thinking about it, doesn't it? Just seeing a wall with a mural of the glacial mountains is almost enough to cool you off on a December afternoon. Almost.
Why not make the trip to the pool a social studies lesson at the same time? The theme in the lady's lounge room for Africa may not be what you expected. A safari? Drum music? The Nile River? No, did you know that Africa was home to the first jewelry? I sure didn't.
By contrast, as you may expect, North America's theme for the card room is as modern – even futuristic – as it gets. Anuzzi created for North America a sort of absurdist print interestingly juxtaposing the moon landing of 1969 with an abstract depiction of humans living on Mars. Seems to me like an interesting commentary on the future of space exploration.
And in the men's lounge room, the ancient forts of Sparta, Rome, Greece, and other European civilisations fittingly exhibit the strength and combatant characteristics of these societies.
Finally, the cafe and breakfast room area is an enchanting round room that draws all attention to its centre – where there is a strikingly realistic sculpture of a volcano. The delicious food may actually be only the second most exciting part of this room in comparison to the 9-foot statue complete with brightly colored molten lava to characterise South America.
Honestly, it is like a museum visiting each room of the clubhouse. Why not make the trip to the pool an educational one for the kids?
We're going to take a quick commercial break here at WKPX, but we'll be back in 10 with more on what's touted to be the Summer's Hottest Place to Beat the Heat...