The Gherkin Building - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 2 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–40 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
The Gherkin Building
Commissioned by: 31 firm called Foster and Partners
The features of its appearance:
- Its shape is like a 32.
- It can reduce the carbon 33 of the city.
- It lets 34 pass through the building, both reducing heating costs and brightening up the workspace
- One false story claimed that the exterior of the building is partly made of 35.
Architectural concept:
- links 36 with the workplace.
- relies less on 37 for temperature control than other similar buildings.
The features of its interior:
- The atria that let fresh air pass through the interior are known as 38.
- There is a place for entertainment called the 39 at the top of the building.
The future of urban planning and architecture:
- It is likely that the entire 40 will be designed with more similarly eco-friendly buildings in future.
- A new building will be constructed aiming to produce zero waste and remove carbon dioxide from us as much as possible.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | law | In 2003, construction was completed on the famous Swiss Re Building, or more informally called the Gherkin, a true masterpiece commissioned by the law offices of Foster and Partners | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that a group of lawyers or a legal company called Foster and Partners asked for the building to be built. Answer Explanation: The answer "law" refers to a type of business that works with legal rules and lawyers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "law" because the transcript mentions that the Gherkin building was commissioned by a firm known as the law offices of Foster and Partners. The word "commissioned" means ordered or paid for, and the transcript specifically uses the word "law" to describe the type of offices that ordered the building. |
| Q32 | cigar | You can pick it out of the London skyline by its unorthodox cigar shape | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the building is easy to find in the city because it has a shape that looks like a cigar. Answer Explanation: The answer 'cigar' is a long, thin, tube-shaped object typically made of tobacco leaves for smoking. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cigar' because the speaker describes the building's unusual look to help listeners identify it. In the talk, the building's appearance is specifically compared to the shape of a cigar. Phrases like 'unorthodox' (meaning unusual) and 'shape' help confirm that this is the specific comparison being made. |
| Q33 | footprint | The building helps reduce the city's carbon footprint in a number of ways | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that this specific building is designed to help the city by making its "carbon footprint" smaller. Answer Explanation: The answer is "footprint," which refers to a "carbon footprint," a term used to talk about how much pollution or harmful gas a person or building produces. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "footprint" because the speaker directly states that the Gherkin building helps to lower the city's "carbon footprint." The speaker even pauses to define this specific term for the audience, explaining it as the amount of harmful gases released into the environment. Important keywords in the text are "reduce" and "city's." |
| Q34 | light | So going back to the Gherkin Building – perhaps the most obvious as well as the most significant eco-friendly feature is the glass windows, which allow light to pass through the building, both reducing heating costs and brightening up the workspace | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the building has glass windows that let sunlight enter, which helps keep the building warm and makes it easier for people to see inside while they work. Answer Explanation: The answer 'light' refers to the natural brightness from the sun that enters the building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'light' because the speaker explains that the Gherkin's glass windows are a key eco-friendly feature. These windows 'allow light to pass through,' which reduces the need for artificial heating and makes the offices brighter. The transcript uses the phrase 'allow light to pass through the building,' which directly matches the fill-in-the-blank sentence in the notes. |
| Q35 | grass | In a recent April Fool’s Day edition, one e-publication printed a story detailing plans to replace 50% of the current exterior with grass, which would not only make large steps in the name of sustainability, but also give the building the green hue that would truly earn it the nickname of the Gherkin | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about an April Fool’s Day joke found in an online magazine. This fake story said they planned to put grass on 50% of the building's outside to help the environment and make it look green. Answer Explanation: The answer 'grass' refers to common green plants often found in gardens or parks, which a fake news story suggested would be added to the building's outside walls. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'grass' because the transcript explains that a magazine published a joke (an April Fool's Day story) saying that half of the building's outer surface would be covered in this green plant to make it look more like its nickname, the 'Gherkin' (a type of cucumber). |
| Q36 | nature | The design comfortably accommodates a large number of offices while keeping maintenance and operation costs down, striking a superb balance between nature and the workplace | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the building is designed to hold many offices efficiently while making sure there is a good relationship or mix between nature and the area where people work. Answer Explanation: The answer 'nature' means the natural world, such as fresh air, sunshine, and elements of the environment outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'nature' because the speaker mentions that the building's design achieves a 'superb balance' between the natural environment and the office environment. In the notes, 'links' is used to represent this 'balance' or connection between nature and the workplace. |
| Q37 | air-conditioning | A special system designed to reduce the building's reliance on air-conditioning was devised that cuts consumption in half compared to standard office buildings | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the building uses a special design so it does not need to use as much air-conditioning as normal buildings do. Answer Explanation: The answer "air-conditioning" refers to a machine or system used to keep the air inside a building cool and comfortable when it is hot outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the transcript's description of the Gherkin's temperature regulation system. The text explicitly states that a special system was created to lower the building's "reliance" or need for air-conditioning. It notes that this system uses 50% less energy for cooling than "standard" or similar office buildings. |
| Q38 | lungs | There are atria that link each floor vertically to one another, forming spiraling spaces up the entire building. They serve not just as social common spaces but also act as the building's lungs, distributing clean air from the opening panels in the facade through the entire building | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the building has open spaces called atria that connect the floors. It says these spaces work like "lungs" because they move clean air from the outside to every part of the building. Answer Explanation: The answer "lungs" is a word used to describe the parts of the building that move fresh air, similar to how human lungs help people breathe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "lungs" because the speaker uses this word to describe the function of the atria (open spaces) in the building. These spaces help move clean air around, so the speaker says they "act as the building's lungs." This is a key part of the building's special air system. |
| Q39 | clubroom | At the very top, a clubroom offers a picturesque entertainment spot for company functions, private parties, etc., with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the highest part of the building has a place called a 'clubroom' where people can have parties and enjoy a beautiful view of London. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'clubroom', which is a specific room or space inside the building used for socializing and events. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the transcript specifically mentions that there is a space at the very top of the building used for entertainment and parties. The text uses the word 'clubroom' to describe this high-up spot with a great view. |
| Q40 | city | Well, if the other projects currently commissioned by Foster and Partners are any indication, the entire city constructed with similarly eco-friendly buildings is not far in the distance | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that because of current projects, we might see a whole town built with buildings that are good for nature very soon. Answer Explanation: The answer "city" refers to a large and important town where many people live and work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "city" because the speaker discusses the future of building design and suggests that soon, entire urban areas will be made of environmentally friendly buildings. The text mentions that a future where a whole city is built this way is "not far in the distance." |
Transcript
Today I'd like to tell you about how U.K. architects are playing their part to address the issue of global warming. You have seen many of these iconic buildings while going about your everyday life, but you may not know how they are affecting your tomorrow.
In 2003, construction was completed on the famous Swiss Re Building, or more informally called the Gherkin, a true masterpiece commissioned by the law offices of Foster and Partners.
This is not the first ambitious endeavor of the firm – they are renowned for their various philanthropic, environmental efforts. The Gherkin, with its cutting edge green initiative and sharp design, is gaining recognition as an icon in modern architecture. You can pick it out of the London skyline by its unorthodox cigar shape.
While its appearance is the obvious attribute at which to marvel, there is far more to this building than meets the eye. And let’s face it – there’s a lot about this building that meets the eye. The building helps reduce the city's carbon footprint in a number of ways.
Just a quick note – in case you're not familiar with the term 'carbon footprint,' get used to it! It's a buzzword you'll hear relentlessly to talk about reducing emissions. Think of it as the amount of harmful greenhouse gases that are given off into the environment by a single person, organisation, or product.
So going back to the Gherkin Building – perhaps the most obvious as well as the most significant eco-friendly feature is the glass windows, which allow light to pass through the building, both reducing heating costs and brightening up the workspace.
The ingenuity behind the various eco-friendly aspects of the Gherkin has seen its fair share of publicity both from serious and silly sources. In a recent April Fool’s Day edition, one e-publication printed a story detailing plans to replace 50% of the current exterior with grass, which would not only make large steps in the name of sustainability, but also give the building the green hue that would truly earn it the nickname of the Gherkin. The only drawback is, as you may have guessed, that this story was an April Fool’s Day joke and completely made up.
In all seriousness though, the building is setting a new standard of design that other architects and city planners just cannot ignore. The building's bold and cost-efficient design has won a number of architecture awards, including the Stirling Prize, the London Region Award, and the Emporis Skyscraper Award among others. The design comfortably accommodates a large number of offices while keeping maintenance and operation costs down, striking a superb balance between nature and the workplace.
Nature is well and good, as long as the weather is nice outside. Given London's notoriously bad weather, the architects knew they must devise a quality temperature regulation system, and that they did. A special system designed to reduce the building's reliance on air-conditioning was devised that cuts consumption in half compared to standard office buildings. There are atria that link each floor vertically to one another, forming spiraling spaces up the entire building. They serve not just as social common spaces but also act as the building's lungs, distributing clean air from the opening panels in the facade through the entire building.
The building isn't all business though – it has its fair share of fun as well. At the very top, a clubroom offers a picturesque entertainment spot for company functions, private parties, etc., with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
The creation of such an innovative structure has many wondering what the future of urban planning and architecture may be. Well, if the other projects currently commissioned by Foster and Partners are any indication, the entire city constructed with similarly eco-friendly buildings is not far in the distance. The Masdar City development aims to create a desert city that produces zero waste and removes as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it puts in – a huge feat in protecting our earth.
The Gherkin is a truly impressive feat, yet it is not the only one worth noting. Now to move on to another green initiative, I'll tell you about the Eden Foundation Building, found in Cornwall...