Barrons IELTS Practice Exams Academic Listening Test 4 (Online Test)

Man: Good afternoon, and welcome to City Hour, the radio show that brings you all the latest information about events in and around our city. Today we have with us Cynthia Smith, who is heading up this year’s City Fair. Cynthia, would you start by giving us some of the basic information about the fair? Where will it take place this year?

Woman: I’m glad you asked that question, because I know most people will be expecting the fair to be at the fairgrounds as usual, but we’ve had to change the location this year due to some construction work. You know, they’re building the new high school in that neighborhood, and they’ve been using the fairgrounds as a place to store construction materials. So we’ve moved the fair to City Park, which I think is a wonderful location.

Man: Yes, that will be a great place for the fair. I understand that the fair begins on Friday morning with a special opening event.

Woman: Actually, it won’t begin until that evening, but you’re right about the special event. Traditionally, we’ve begun with a parade, but this year our opening event will be a special dance performance, and the most exciting part is that the mayor will be one of the dancers.

Man: The mayor is a woman of many talents. Cynthia, could you tell our listeners about the price of admission? What will it cost to attend the fair?

Woman: We’re trying to keep the price down as much as possible. A three-day pass is just $25. Or you can buy a Saturday- or Sunday-only pass for $15. The opening event on Friday, the dance performance, doesn’t cost anything to attend, and we’re hoping a lot of people will come watch that.

Man: Could you tell us about some of the events planned for Saturday and Sunday, the main days of the fair?

Woman: We have a lot of exciting things planned. There are a number of events especially for children, including a clown show on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening, we’ve got an event that can be enjoyed by the whole family—a concert by the lake.

Man: I’m sure that will be a popular event. Is there anything special planned for Sunday?

Woman: Yes, a really fun event, and we hope a lot of people will participate. There will be a singing contest in the afternoon. It’s open to everyone, at no charge. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced singer or not. If you’ve always dreamed of singing on stage, this is your chance.

Man: That sounds like a lot of fun.

Woman: I think it will be. I’d also like your listeners to know that besides the special events I’ve mentioned, there will be things taking place all weekend. For example, at the food court, international food will be served. You’ll be able to sample dishes from all around the world. There will also be special games for children at different locations around the fair.

Man: Will there be things people can buy, souvenirs, anything like that?

Woman: We have a large area set aside where there will be crafts for sale. This will be an opportunity to buy many lovely handmade things, and to get to know some of our local artists and craftspeople, as well.

Man: It sounds like there will be a lot of fun for everyone at this year’s fair. Thank you for sharing the information with us, Cynthia.

Woman: Thank you for inviting me.

Student: I’m interested in entering your Business Administration program, and I’d like some information on how to apply. I’m a little concerned because I’ve been out of school for a number of years.

Advisor: That could actually work to your advantage. It’s possible to get academic credit for work experience, if that experience is related to courses in our program.

Student: I’ve been working in business for several years. How would I get academic credit for that?

Advisor: First, you’ll need to read the university catalog to see if any of the course descriptions match your specific job experience. For example, if you’ve worked in accounting, you may be able to get credit for an accounting course.

Student: So then what would I do?

Advisor: You would write a summary of your work experience, relating it to specific courses we offer. Submit that to the Admissions Office with a letter from your work supervisor confirming your experience.

Student: Would I submit those things at the same time that I apply for admission?

Advisor: That would be the best idea. Have you seen a copy of our university catalog?

Student: Not the most recent one. I have a copy from last year.

Advisor: You’ll need to look at the latest one. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of copies, but you can get one from the library for now, and I’ll send you your own copy as soon as I have more available.

Student: Thank you. How does the admissions process work?

Advisor: Well, first you’ll need to get an application for admission. Those are available in the Admissions Office. The application form contains all the instructions you’ll need.

Student: That sounds simple enough.

Advisor: Of course, you’ll need to make sure you meet all the admissions requirements.

Student: How can I know what those are?

Advisor: We have copies of the requirements lists for all university programs here in the Counseling Center. I’ll give you one before you leave today.

Student: Will I need to get recommendations from my employer or former teachers?

Advisor: Yes, you will. The recommendation forms are available in the Admissions Office. Now, I don’t know if you’ll also be applying for a part-time job through the university work-study program.

Student: I’m considering that. How can I find out what kinds of jobs are offered?

Advisor: You can access the job listings from the computers in the library. Are you planning to study full time or part time?

Student: I want to be a full-time student.

Advisor: Good. Then you’ll qualify for the work-study program. Part-time students aren’t eligible.

Student: As a full-time student, would I be eligible for a free bus pass?

Advisor: No, unfortunately, we don’t have those available for any of our students. However, you can apply for financial assistance to help pay for your books or for your tuition.

Student: I’d like to look into that. Do I apply for that at the Admissions Office?

Advisor: No, that’s through us. You’ll need to make an appointment with a counselor.

Lecturer: The black bear, or Ursus americanus, has a wide range, inhabiting forested areas of North America, including Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico. Black bears are omnivores, getting their nutrition from a wide variety of plants and animals. The particular foods any one bear eats depends on what’s available in the area where that bear lives, as well as on the season of the year. Generally speaking, plant foods make up 90 percent of the bear’s diet. The rest of its meals consist of animal foods such as insects and fish.

Bears have a relatively long gestation period. Mating takes place in the spring or early summer, but bear cubs aren’t born until the following winter. Usually, two cubs are born at a time, although some litters may have as many as five cubs. Bear cubs are dependent on their mother and may stay with her for close to two years. Wild black bears can live as long as 25 years. They’ve lived for as long as 30 years or more in captivity.

Much of the black bear’s range coincides with the range of its close cousin, the grizzly bear. Although these bears are somewhat similar in appearance and habits, it isn’t difficult to tell the difference between them. Color isn’t necessarily a distinguishing characteristic, as both species of bears occur in a range of colors from almost blonde to dark brown or black. Many black bears, however, have a patch of fur on their chests that’s lighter in color than the rest of their fur. Grizzly bears don’t have this patch. Size isn’t always a distinguishing feature either, although grizzly bears are usually heavier, with an average weight of 225 kilos. Black bears average 140 kilos in weight. Grizzly bears spend time digging in the ground for roots and tubers that make up part of their diet. The large muscles they need for this give them a distinct shoulder hump. This hump is absent in black bears, which don’t do the same kind of digging. The shape of the face and ears is also different in each species of bear. Grizzly bears have a depression between the eyes and nose and short, round ears. Black bears, on the other hand, have a straighter profile and longer, more pointed ears. Grizzly bears are known for their fearsome long, sharp claws. Black bears have shorter claws, which are better suited for climbing trees.