Wind Farm In Australia - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 4 Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–30 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Wind Farm in Australia
Background:
• In the past, the wind was used to grind flour and pump 21
• During the 1970s, the wind power was firstly used to carried out 22
Disadvantages:
• The wind turbines can be 23
• The turbine blades will harm 24
Advantages:
• provides 25 of the power
• helps the local tourism
Structure:
The wind turbine blade is as big as 26 and made in 27
The local residents can get money from 28
In extreme weather conditions, they can 29 the speed.
The fan is made of fiberglass and 30
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | water | For many centuries, people used windmills to grind wheat into flour or pump water from deep underneath the ground | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that for hundreds of years, people used wind machines to crush wheat into flour and to pull water out of the ground. Answer Explanation: The answer 'water' is the substance that windmills were used to bring up from deep under the ground in the past. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'water' because Greg talks about how wind power was used a long time ago. He mentions that for many centuries, windmills had two primary jobs: grinding wheat into flour and pumping water from deep underground. The notes follow this exact structure, asking what was pumped. |
| Q22 | research | During the 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realised that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered and carried out into research for the first time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in the 1970s, concerns about pollution and fuel supplies led people to start formal studies on using wind for power. Answer Explanation: The answer research means the act of studying something carefully to learn more about it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is research because, according to Greg, people in the 1970s were worried about pollution and the limited supply of coal and gas. As a result, they began to study wind power formally for the first time. The phrase 'carried out into research' in the transcript matches the note 'carried out '. |
| Q23 | noisy | For example, wind turbines have the reputation of generating noise as well as electricity, so as more electricity is produced, they can be really noisy | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that wind turbines create sound along with power, and as they produce more electricity, the amount of sound increases, making them very loud. Answer Explanation: The answer 'noisy' refers to producing a lot of loud sounds that are unpleasant or disturbing to hear. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer comes from Greg's explanation of the negative effects of wind farms. He mentions that wind turbines have a reputation for making a lot of sound. He uses the specific word 'noisy' to describe the machines when they are producing electricity, which identifies one of the main disadvantages mentioned in the notes. |
| Q24 | birds | Another thing is that some new turbine blades kill a worrying number of birds, especially large birds like raptors | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that a bad thing about wind power is that the spinning blades on the turbines causes many birds to die. Answer Explanation: The answer "birds" refers to animals with wings that are hurt or killed by the moving parts of wind turbines. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "birds" because, in the section talking about the negative effects (disadvantages) of wind energy, Greg mentions that turbine blades are responsible for killing many of these animals. He highlights this as a specific environmental concern. |
| Q25 | half | According to figures pulled together by consultants of the Intelligent Energy Systems using data from the Australian Market Operator, wind energy accounted for 50 percent of demand in the state. That's half of the power source | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that researchers looked at data showing that wind energy supplied 50 percent of what people needed in the state, which is exactly half of the total power. Answer Explanation: The answer tells us that wind power provides 50% (one out of two parts) of the electricity needed in that area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from Greg's explanation of the positive side (advantages) of wind energy. He notes that energy from the wind met 50 percent of the demand in the state. He then clarifies by saying this amount is 'half' of the power source produced for everyone to use. |
| Q26 | plane | Just a single one of these giant wind turbine blades produced by manufacturer Siemens is almost as big as the Airbus A380, the world's largest plane | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that one very large piece of the wind machine is almost the same size as the biggest airplane in the world. Answer Explanation: The answer 'plane' refers to an airplane, which is a large machine that flies in the sky. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Greg discusses the size of the wind turbine parts. He says that one blade is nearly as large as an 'Airbus A380'. To make it clear how big that is, he describes the Airbus A380 as the 'world's largest plane'. The keyword 'big' in the notes matches the size comparison in the transcript. |
| Q27 | Europe | Just a single one of these giant wind turbine blades produced by manufacturer Siemens is almost as big as the Airbus A380, the world's largest plane. That's made in Europe | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the large blades for the wind turbines are produced by a company and that they are manufactured in Europe. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the continent where the wind turbine blades are manufactured. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Europe' because Greg explains that the very large wind turbine blades made by the company Siemens are constructed or produced in that specific region of the world. He makes this point while describing how huge the blades are compared to a large airplane. |
| Q28 | government | Actually at first there were protests among residents who claimed themselves to be victims of land loss and noise. Then policies came out really quick, and then they could get allowance from the government | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that local people complained about losing land and hearing noise, but they eventually received money (an allowance) from the government to solve these problems. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the organization or group of people that manages a country or state. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'government' because the transcript explains how the local residents responded to the wind farm. Greg mentions that although people were initially unhappy and complained (protested), the 'government' soon provided them with an 'allowance.' An 'allowance' is a synonym for money given regularly. Thus, the residents were able to get money from the government. |
| Q29 | lower | Though they do have an option to lower the speed of it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that even though the machines can work in very hot or cold temperatures, there is also a choice to make the blades move more slowly if needed. Answer Explanation: The answer 'lower' means to make something go slower or reduce its movement. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'lower' because Greg explains how wind turbines handle difficult weather. He mentions that there is a feature or choice available to decrease how fast the turbine turns when the conditions become dangerous or extreme. The note asks what they can do to the 'speed', and 'lower' is the specific action mentioned in the text. |
| Q30 | timber | Another material used to make longer turbine blades is timber | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states that, besides fiberglass, wood (timber) is another material used to build the long parts of the wind machine. Answer Explanation: The answer "timber" refers to wood that comes from trees and is prepared for use in building and carpentry. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "timber" because the transcript discusses the materials used to make turbine blades (the "fan"). Greg explains that while fiberglass is a major component, timber is also used for longer blades to provide extra strength and stiffness. |
Transcript
Tutor: OK, Greg, so I finally managed to read the article you submitted—the one about the study of the wind farm in Australia.
Greg: You did? Great! What did you think of it?
Tutor: Yeah. I was a little confused at first because of the background information you failed to present on the paper. I mean, it's kind of important for you to give some general knowledge before you start actually writing on the main theme.
Greg: Oh, I was thinking of doing that during the presentation session, but now that you have mentioned it, I could add it to the beginning of the essay. I've done some research on that. To think about the different ways that people use wind. Wind is one of our cleanest and richest sources of power, as well as one of the oldest. Windmills began to be used in ancient Iran back in seventh century BC. They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s, when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power. For many centuries, people used windmills to grind wheat into flour or pump water from deep underneath the ground. During the 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realised that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered and carried out into research for the first time.
Tutor: Greg, why don't you just put all of that information together and present that in the introduction part of your essay?
Greg: OK, I'll do that. What also intrigued me was that there were disadvantages about a windfarm. You see, all the conventional 'green' scenarios for reducing carbon emissions include a dramatic upscaling in renewable power generated by wind, both on and off shore. However, the environmental impacts of this large-scale industrial deployment, both of turbines and power lines, frequently in relatively natural areas, are often neglected by climate campaigners. For example, wind turbines have the reputation of generating noise as well as electricity, so as more electricity is produced, they can be really noisy. Another thing is that some new turbine blades kill a worrying number of birds, especially large birds like raptors.
Tutor: But there must be a bright side, right?
Greg: Yeah, of course. According to figures pulled together by consultants of the Intelligent Energy Systems using data from the Australian Market Operator, wind energy accounted for 50 percent of demand in the state. That's half of the power source. Besides, this one unexpected outcome really attracts lots of visitors and helps the local tourism.
Tutor: That's good to hear.
Tutor: Oh, how about the structure?
Greg: Offshore wind farms consist of a number of connected elements. These include the turbines, foundations, array cables, offshore substation, export cable and onshore substation and infrastructure. Just a single one of these giant wind turbine blades produced by manufacturer Siemens is almost as big as the Airbus A380, the world's largest plane. That's made in Europe.
Tutor: Impressive!
Greg: Actually at first there were protests among residents who claimed themselves to be victims of land loss and noise. Then policies came out really quick, and then they could get allowance from the government. From then on, things went smoothly.
Tutor: What would happen in extreme weather conditions? I mean it could be dangerous if hurricanes occur.
Greg: A motorised operating mechanism enables the device to be switched back on remotely. All versions feature the modular design and share the same complete range of standard accessories. Thanks to its very extensive operating temperature range of -25 to 70 °C and its storage temperature range of -40 to 70 °C, it is ideally suited for use in wind turbines under extreme climatic conditions. Though they do have an option to lower the speed of it.
Tutor: Wonderful. Then what were the fans, or turbine blades made of? Is it a special kind of metal?
Greg: No, they were too heavy. Wind turbine blades must be strong, light and capable of operating for decades without much, if any, maintenance. Fiberglass is one of the main components of many large-scale wind turbine blades. The material is used because it is lightweight, easily shaped and not too expensive. Another material used to make longer turbine blades is timber. This material is too expensive to use amongst all the blades, but on the longer blades it's used to help reinforce them because it is stiff and light.