Urban Design Research Project - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 1 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–33 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 34–37 Matching
Match the groups A-D with their concerns about shared space 34-37.
A. Motorists
B. Blind people
C. Cyclists
D. Supporters of shared space
Questions 38–39 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-D.
Questions 40–40 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | C | Hans Monderman, who believed that by sharing the space available drivers become more aware of pedestrians and drive more carefully. Pedestrians are able to move more freely in this shared space and the number of accidents is reduced | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when drivers and walkers share the road without strict barriers, drivers pay more attention and drive safer, while walkers have more freedom to move. This improves how they use the space together. Answer Explanation: The answer means that 'shared space' changes the way drivers and walkers interact to make things safer and easier for everyone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Choice C because the transcript describes how shared space changes behavior. It mentions that drivers become 'more aware' of people walking and they 'drive more carefully.' It also says that pedestrians can 'move more freely.' These changes show a better relationship, or dynamic, between the cars and the people on foot compared to traditional road designs. |
| Q32 | A | This includes features like kerbs, road surface markings and traffic signs | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that shared space design often gets rid of or reduces several things on the street, including road signs. Answer Explanation: The answer means that using shared space design leads to having a smaller number of signs on the road. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript explains that shared space design reduces or completely removes the things that usually separate cars from people. One of the main things mentioned that get removed or reduced are traffic signs. The text also mentions a "reduction" in street furniture like signs. Therefore, the result is having fewer signs. |
| Q33 | B | With these urban centres easier to get around in, supporters claim that people are more inclined to shop there and as a consequence the centre can become a more thriving area for local people and businesses | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because the town centers are easier to walk through, supporters say people are more willing to go shopping there, which helps the area grow and do well. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who like this design believe it makes shoppers feel better about visiting the area and more likely to buy things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript states that people who support the idea believe it makes shoppers more willing to visit. Keywords like "inclined to shop" mean that people have a positive feeling or tendency to go there to buy things. This matches the idea of being "happier" or more eager to shop there. While the text says the area will be "thriving" (doing well) for businesses, it doesn't specifically say "new" businesses will open (choice A), and mentioning "trees" is not the same as encouraging "wildlife" (choice C). |
| Q34 | D | Supporters of shared space themselves also point out that a lack of experience and understanding of shared space by planners can lead to negative experiences for all these groups | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the people who support shared spaces are worried that a lack of knowledge or practice by the people who design cities could lead to problems. Answer Explanation: The answer is the group of people who like the idea of shared spaces. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the speaker says that even the people who think shared spaces are good (the supporters) have worries. They mention that if the people who design the roads and cities (the planners) do not have enough practice or knowledge, it can create bad situations for everyone. In this context, "lack of experience" means the same thing as "insufficient experience." |
| Q35 | A | Some motorist organisations claim that the system means drivers lose important information through the reduction of signage | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that groups representing drivers think that having fewer road signs means they do not get the important information they need. Answer Explanation: The answer is Choice A, which refers to motorists (people who drive cars). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the talk mentions that groups representing drivers worry about having fewer signs on the road. They feel that removing signs takes away useful information they need while driving. In the transcript, 'motorist organisations' are the groups for drivers, and 'reduction of signage' means there is a lack of signs. |
| Q36 | C | Cyclist representatives have also criticised some aspects of the scheme arguing that despite benefits some cyclists feel more bullied by motorists and consequently less safe | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that people who speak for bicycle riders say some riders feel that car drivers act like bullies toward them. This makes the bicycle riders feel less safe in the shared space. Answer Explanation: The answer is C, which represents cyclists. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text mentions that people representing cyclists have concerns. They believe that even though there are good things about shared space, some people riding bikes feel bullied by car drivers. This feeling of being bullied is the same as feeling direct intimidation. Therefore, cyclists are the group concerned about being intimidated by motorists. |
| Q37 | B | Those representing blind people argue that removing features such as kerbs, railings and barriers between pavements and roads takes away familiar support and means this group of people cannot negotiate their way as easily as other road users | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that people who represent blind people are worried. They think taking away curbs and fences makes it hard for blind people to walk because they use those things to help them move around. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'B' (Blind people) because this group relies on specific street parts to find their way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript explains that blind people have trouble when things like curbs (kerbs) and fences (railings) are removed. These items are called 'familiar support' in the text, which matches 'familiar street furniture' in the question. Without these items, blind people find it harder to walk safely around the streets compared to other people. The keyword 'removing features' explains the 'loss' mentioned in the question. |
| Q38 | — | — | |
| Q39 | A / C | The focus group have a website and an active social media presence and they decided that the questionnaire will be available as an online survey Interviews using the questionnaires will be carried out with pedestrians in the area itself |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the survey will be put on the internet for people to use. It also says that researchers will talk to people walking (pedestrians) in the actual location where the changes are planned to happen. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people can finish the survey by using a computer or phone on a website (on the Internet) or by speaking to a researcher at the specific location mentioned (at the proposed site). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Carol describes two definite ways people will give their feedback. First, she mentions an 'online survey' because the group has a website. Second, she explains that 'face-to-face interviews' will happen with people walking in 'the area itself,' which is the local shopping centre where they want to create a shared space. Other options like the library are still 'under discussion,' and sending them to homes was 'dropped.' |
| Q40 | A | I've pointed out that, if they want valid results, the questions must be totally unbiased and not in any way loaded to encourage participants to give the 'preferred' answer | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that to get true and useful facts, the questions must be fair. They should not push people to say what the group wants to hear. Answer Explanation: The answer means the survey questions should be neutral and should not show the opinions or the goals of the people making the survey. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Carol says the questions must be "totally unbiased" so the results are correct. This means the questions should not be written in a way that makes people choose the answer the group wants. In English, if something is "unbiased," it is fair and does not follow a specific side or view. The phrase "not in any way loaded to encourage participants to give the 'preferred' answer" means the questions should not reflect what the campaign group thinks is right. |
Transcript
Tutor: Okay everyone. This week it's the turn of Carol to talk about the progress of her research project. Over to you Carol.
Carol: Thanks. Yes, hello everybody. I'm going to talk about something called 'shared space' and the research I'm in the process of carrying out into people's attitudes to this as it might affect them in their local community.
First I'd best explain what shared space is. In essence, shared space is an approach to urban design that attempts to open up main street junctions more to pedestrians by reducing the dominance of motor vehicles. It's a form of planning associated with a Dutch road traffic engineer called Hans Monderman, who believed that by sharing the space available drivers become more aware of pedestrians and drive more carefully. Pedestrians are able to move more freely in this shared space and the number of accidents is reduced.
Shared space design is usually employed in urban centres where pedestrians congregate, such as in shopping areas. It usually results in demarcations between vehicle traffic and pedestrians being reduced or removed altogether. This includes features like kerbs, road surface markings and traffic signs. There are many examples of shared space in operation abroad and in the UK, for example in Kensington High Street in London and Giles Circus in Ipswich.
In addition to a decline in accidents, those in favour of shared space also claim additional benefits such as a reduction in unsightly street furniture like signs and metal guard rails, which can be replaced with more trees, planters, seating areas, and other aesthetic improvements determined by local people. With these urban centres easier to get around in, supporters claim that people are more inclined to shop there and as a consequence the centre can become a more thriving area for local people and businesses. Here are some before-and-after photographs of shared space developments to give you an idea of what it looks like ...
Despite all its advantages, shared space is opposed by various interest groups. Some motorist organisations claim that the system means drivers lose important information through the reduction of signage. Those representing blind people argue that removing features such as kerbs, railings and barriers between pavements and roads takes away familiar support and means this group of people cannot negotiate their way as easily as other road users. Cyclist representatives have also criticised some aspects of the scheme arguing that despite benefits some cyclists feel more bullied by motorists and consequently less safe. Supporters of shared space themselves also point out that a lack of experience and understanding of shared space by planners can lead to negative experiences for all these groups.
To carry out my research I approached a local campaigning group in my area who are interested in adopting shared space in our local shopping centre. I discovered that they were very keen to get feedback from local residents on shared space and because of the experience I'd gained in research methods they were keen for me to construct a questionnaire for them. The focus group have a website and an active social media presence and they decided that the questionnaire will be available as an online survey. Hard-copy questionnaires will also be used for face-to-face interviews. There were plans to leave paper questionnaires in the local library but this is still under discussion. Interviews using the questionnaires will be carried out with pedestrians in the area itself. The group don't have the resources to deliver additional questionnaires to the homes of local residents so this option was dropped.
We have met on several occasions to agree on the data the focus group need. I've pointed out that, if they want valid results, the questions must be totally unbiased and not in any way loaded to encourage participants to give the 'preferred' answer. Also we mustn't assume that participants have sufficient information to answer these questions. We're currently looking into how we can best present the concept of shared space during interviews.
I've designed some of the questionnaire and I'd just like to spend a few minutes going through it with you. I'd be grateful for any feedback you have ...