Listening Section 2: Matching & Map/Plan Labelling: IELTS Academic 9990 (IELTS Academic)

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Guide: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Foss Valley Heritage Museum. Thank you all for coming along to this morning's free introductory tour. Before we set off, just a couple of quick housekeeping points: photography without flash is fine everywhere except the textiles room, where the light can damage the fabrics, and the nearest toilets are back through the foyer, on the right as you came in. Right, let's begin.

We're standing in the main foyer now, and if you look around you'll get a sense of the whole ground floor. The room immediately on your left as you came through the front doors, that's the first door on the left-hand wall, used to house our geology collection years ago, but we moved all of that into storage back in the spring, and today that room has been given over entirely to our local crafts gallery, with basket-weaving, pottery and woodworking pieces made by artists from the valley. If you carry on past that, to the second door along the same left-hand wall, right at the back, that's our weaving and textiles room, which is where you'll see the museum's collection of hand-loomed cloth, and, as I mentioned, no flash photography in there, please.

Now, crossing over to the right-hand side of the foyer, the first room you come to is our little café, which does tea, coffee and homemade cakes, and is open until half past three. Beyond the café, at the back of the right-hand wall, is our learning zone, that's the hands-on room where school groups get to try grinding corn and spinning wool the old-fashioned way, and it's usually the noisiest room in the building!

Straight ahead of you, filling the whole of the back wall of the foyer, is our largest space, which currently holds the special exhibition, this season it's a display on the valley's Victorian mill workers, and it runs until the fifteenth of September.

And finally, if you take the staircase just beside that exhibition hall, up onto the mezzanine level above the foyer, you'll find our archive and local history room, where you can search old photographs and parish records. Right, shall we head into the crafts gallery first?

The plan shows the ground floor and mezzanine level of Foss Valley Heritage Museum, viewed from above. The main entrance leads into a central foyer. Two rooms run along the left-hand wall of the foyer: the one nearest the entrance is marked A, and the one furthest from the entrance, at the back, is marked B. Two rooms run along the right-hand wall: the one nearest the entrance is marked C, and the one furthest from the entrance, at the back, is marked D. A large room fills the whole of the back wall, marked E. A staircase beside room E leads up to a single room on the mezzanine above the foyer, marked F.

Where is each of the following? Write the correct letter, A–F.

1. Local crafts gallery
2. Weaving and textiles room
3. Café
4. Learning zone
5. Special exhibition hall
6. Archive and local history room

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Warden: Morning, everyone, thanks for turning up despite the drizzle! I'm Priya, one of the wardens here at Redmere Nature Reserve, and before you head off on your own this morning, I just want to run through the different trails and hides so you know what to expect from each one.

First, a quick note. The East Hide is currently closed for repairs after storm damage to the roof last month, so please don't try to visit that today; everything else on the map is open as normal.

Right, starting with Heron Trail: that's the one that climbs up onto the ridge above the mere, and it's worth doing for the view, but it does get steep and the ground is uneven in places, especially where tree roots cross the path, so honestly I'd only send experienced, sure-footed walkers up there.

If anyone would rather stay on level ground, the Sedge Boardwalk is your best bet. It's a raised timber walkway right across the wetland, completely flat, and it's actually the route we recommend for anyone using a wheelchair or a pushchair, since the surface is smooth the whole way.

Now, Willow Hide. I have to mention this one specially, because we've had a pair of ospreys fishing from the perches just opposite the hide for the last ten days, so if you're hoping to see something a bit special this morning, that's where I'd head first.

The Meadow Loop takes you through the grazing meadow where we keep the reserve's small herd of cattle for conservation grazing. They're moved between fields early each morning, so please avoid that loop before nine o'clock, after that, it's clear and perfectly safe.

Riverside Path runs right along the bank of the Redmere itself, and it's a lovely walk in dry weather, but it does flood fairly often after heavy rain, so if we've had a wet night, check with us at the desk before setting off that way.

And lastly, Kingfisher Hide. That one's extremely popular, so we do ask that you get a free timed permit from the visitor centre before going in, just to keep numbers down and give everyone a fair chance of a quiet view.

Right, any questions before you head off?

What does the warden say about each of the following trails or hides? Choose the correct comment, A–G.

List of Comments A. Currently closed for repairs B. The best option for visitors using a wheelchair or pushchair C. Requires a free timed permit from the visitor centre D. Frequently floods after heavy rain E. Recommended this week for spotting a particular rare bird F. Should be avoided before 9 a.m. while livestock are being moved G. Steep and uneven in places, recommended for experienced, sure-footed walkers only

1. Heron Trail
2. Sedge Boardwalk
3. Willow Hide
4. Meadow Loop
5. Riverside Path
6. Kingfisher Hide

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Officer: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the grand opening of the Elmbridge Community Hub. Thank you all for braving the queue outside! I'm Daniel, one of the centre managers, and before you go off and explore, I just wanted to give you a quick tour in words, since a few of you have been asking where everything actually is.

So, we're standing in the main reception area now, right inside the front doors. The room on your immediate left, the first door along the left-hand wall, is our new community library. It's smaller than the old library on the high street, but it's open longer hours and has a much bigger children's section. Carry on down that same wall, to the room right at the back on the left, and that's our IT and digital suite, with twelve computers and free printing for residents.

Crossing to the right-hand side, the first room along that wall is our café, we're calling it the Hub Kitchen, which will serve breakfast and lunch every weekday. Beyond the café, at the back of the right-hand wall, is the children's play and reading corner, which is kept separate from the library so that younger visitors have somewhere a bit noisier to be themselves.

Straight ahead, filling the entire back wall of the reception area, is our main hall. That's the big multi-purpose space for classes, markets and events, and it can seat up to two hundred people.

Now, upstairs, and this changed partway through the build, so do listen carefully. We originally planned to put the exercise studio at the front of the first floor and the meeting rooms at the back, but so many local groups asked for meeting space that we swapped it around: the meeting rooms, which residents can book for free, are now at the front of the first floor, directly above reception, and the exercise studio, which will run yoga and fitness classes, has ended up at the back, above the main hall.

Both the lift and the staircase up to the first floor are just beside the main hall. Right, does anyone have any questions before we let you loose?

The plan shows the ground and first floors of the Elmbridge Community Hub, viewed from above. The main entrance leads into a central reception area. Two rooms run along the left-hand wall of reception: the one nearest the entrance is marked A, and the one furthest from the entrance, at the back, is marked B. Two rooms run along the right-hand wall: the one nearest the entrance is marked C, and the one furthest from the entrance, at the back, is marked D. A large hall fills the whole of the back wall, marked E. The staircase and lift beside the hall lead up to the first floor, where two rooms sit directly above reception and the hall: the room at the front of the building is marked F, and the room at the back, above the hall, is marked G.

Where is each of the following? Write the correct letter, A–G.

1. Community library
2. IT and digital suite
3. Hub Kitchen (café)
4. Children's play and reading corner
5. Main hall
6. Meeting rooms
7. Exercise studio

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Coordinator: Right, thanks for coming to this last briefing before the gates open. I know it's early, but I'd rather go through this now than have thirty of you radioing me the same questions at once this afternoon. A few notes on the site before you head to your posts.

First, just so you're aware, the Artists' Lawn behind the production office is reserved for performers and crew only after six o'clock each evening, so if any punters wander back there looking for a shortcut, please redirect them, that area isn't on the public map after that time.

Now, the Orchard Stage. That's our headline stage, and once it's full, security will be running a strict one-in-one-out policy, so don't let anyone tell you they can just squeeze past; one person leaves, one person comes in, no exceptions, however famous their friend is on the guest list.

The Walled Garden Stage has actually changed hands this year. It used to be run by the festival directly, but it's under new management from an outside promoter, and because of that it's also moved to a completely different corner of the site, over by the old orchard wall rather than its usual spot near the main gate, so do double check with people if they're looking for it, since plenty of returning visitors will still expect it in the old location.

Family Field is straightforward, but remember it closes earlier than everywhere else. Last entry and last exit is ten o'clock, a full two hours before the rest of the site, because it's aimed at people with younger children.

The Late-Night Barn, on the other hand, is the opposite end of things. That area requires a wristband upgrade to get in, on top of the normal festival ticket, so if someone's only wearing a standard wristband, they simply can't enter, however much they argue.

Wellbeing Tent is worth remembering for a different reason: once it gets dark, it's actually the only fully accessible area on site for wheelchair users, because it's the only zone with the temporary pathway lighting installed so far. Everywhere else gets genuinely difficult to navigate after sunset.

And finally, Riverside Bar has gone cashless this year, card or app payments only, so please don't waste time directing anyone there who's only carrying cash.

Right, radios on, and good luck out there.

What does the coordinator say about each of the following areas? Choose the correct comment, A–G.

List of Comments A. Requires a wristband upgrade to enter B. Closes earlier than the rest of the site, at 10 p.m. C. Reserved for performers and crew only after 6 p.m. D. The only fully accessible area for wheelchair users after dark E. Cashless payments only, card or app, no cash F. Under new management this year and moved to a different part of the site G. Operates a strict one-in-one-out policy once it reaches capacity

1. Orchard Stage
2. Walled Garden Stage
3. Family Field
4. Late-Night Barn
5. Wellbeing Tent
6. Riverside Bar

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Staff member: Welcome to Cranmoor, and congratulations on signing up. I'm Jodie, and I run the new-member inductions here, so let me talk you through the building before we start your tour properly, because it's easy to get turned around on your first visit.

We're in the main atrium at the moment, just past reception. A lot of new members assume the gym is straight ahead somewhere on this floor, but actually there's no fitness equipment down here at all. The whole ground floor is really about the pool and the courts, and the gym itself is upstairs, which I'll come back to.

So, taking the left-hand side of the atrium first: the room nearest the entrance, the first door on the left, is our café and juice bar, which is open to non-members as well as members, so don't be surprised to see people who aren't on the gym floor sitting in there. Keep going along that same left wall, past the café, and right at the back you'll find the swimming pool hall itself, that's a twenty-five-metre pool plus a smaller teaching pool alongside it.

Now, across to the right-hand side: the first room along that wall, nearest the atrium, is actually our health suite, with the sauna, steam room and a small plunge pool. A lot of people expect the courts to be first on that side, but it's the health suite that's closest to reception, and the courts are further along. Carrying on down the right wall to the room at the very back, that's where you'll find the two squash courts, which need to be booked online in advance.

The sports hall, which is used for badminton, basketball and five-a-side football depending on the evening, takes up the whole of the back wall of the atrium, straight ahead of you as you come in the main doors.

Right, and now the bit people always ask about, upstairs. The staircase and lift are beside the sports hall. Once you're up on the first floor, the main fitness suite, with all the cardio and weights equipment, is at the front, directly above reception. Behind that, above the sports hall itself, is our group exercise studio, where we run the spin, yoga and HIIT classes. And if you carry on past the studio, there's a door out onto the rooftop running track, which sits above the pool hall and is open whenever it's not raining or icy.

Okay, let's start with the pool, since your induction swim test is first.

The plan shows the ground and first floors of Cranmoor Leisure & Sports Centre, viewed from above. The main entrance leads into a central atrium. Two rooms run along the left-hand wall of the atrium: the one nearest the entrance is marked A, and the one furthest from the entrance, at the back, is marked B. Two rooms run along the right-hand wall: the one nearest the entrance is marked C, and the one furthest from the entrance, at the back, is marked D. A large hall fills the whole of the back wall of the atrium, marked E. The staircase and lift beside the hall lead up to the first floor, where a room directly above reception, at the front of the building, is marked F, and a room behind it, above the hall, is marked G. Beyond that room, on the same floor, an outdoor area above the pool hall is marked H.

Where is each of the following? Write the correct letter, A–H.

1. Café and juice bar
2. Swimming pool hall
3. Health suite
4. Squash courts
5. Sports hall
6. Main fitness suite
7. Group exercise studio
8. Rooftop running track

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Sales Adviser: Good evening, everyone, and thank you for coming along tonight. I'm Priya, one of the sales advisers here at Bellhaven Homes, and I'd like to talk you through the site plan for Foxglove Rise before we open the floor to questions. If you've got an information pack in front of you, there's a copy of the plan on page three, but I'll describe it as we go, so don't worry if you haven't found it yet.

The whole site is entered from Meadow Lane, and a single access road runs straight up through the middle, from the entrance at the bottom right up to the top boundary. As you come in through the entrance, the first thing you'll see is on your left. That's our sales and marketing suite, which will actually be the very first structure completed on site, well before any of the houses themselves.

Directly opposite the sales suite, on the right as you come in, we're building our show home, which we've named The Birch. That will be finished and dressed with furniture before any other house on the plot, so future buyers can walk through a finished example of our most popular three-bedroom design.

Moving further up the site, about halfway along the access road, you'll find the visitor car park on the left-hand side. And directly across from that, on the right, we've set aside space for a children's play area, with swings and a small climbing frame. That one won't be built until phase two, but the land is reserved from day one.

Right at the top of the site, in the far corner on the left, we're keeping a strip of land for community allotments, so residents can apply for a growing plot once they've moved in. And in the corner opposite that, top right, we've reserved a plot for a future primary school, though that will depend on final approval from the local authority.

Now, right in the centre of the site, where the access road splits into two smaller cul-de-sacs, there'll be a balancing pond, that's a drainage feature that also doubles as a small wildlife area, with reed beds planted around the edge.

And finally, running along the whole of the northern boundary, behind both the allotments and the school site, we're keeping the existing hedgerow and adding a footpath that will link up to the bus stop on Meadow Lane, so residents at the back of the site have a short cut out to the main road.

That covers the main layout, happy to take questions now.

The plan shows the Foxglove Rise development site, viewed from above, with the main entrance at the bottom on Meadow Lane and a single access road running straight up the centre of the site to the top boundary. Immediately inside the entrance, the plot on the left-hand side is marked A, and the plot on the right-hand side, directly opposite, is marked B. Halfway up the site, the plot on the left (west) side of the access road is marked C, and the plot on the right (east) side, directly opposite, is marked D. The corner at the very top of the site on the left is marked E, and the corner at the very top on the right, directly opposite, is marked F. The point in the exact centre of the site, where the access road forks into two cul-de-sacs, is marked G. A strip of land running along the whole of the northern boundary, behind E and F, is marked H.

Where will each of the following be located? Write the correct letter, A–H.

1. Sales and marketing suite
2. Show home ('The Birch')
3. Visitor car park
4. Children's play area
5. Community allotments
6. Reserved primary school site
7. Balancing pond / wildlife area
8. Footpath link to the bus stop

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Library Assistant: Hello everyone, and welcome to Fenchurch Library. My name's Aidan, and before we let you loose to explore, I just want to run through a few of our key areas and what's different about each one, since a couple of things have changed recently.

Let's start with the Reference Section. Until last month this was up on the second floor, but we've just moved the whole collection down here to the ground floor, right behind the main issue desk, so it's now much easier to reach if you're in a wheelchair or just don't fancy the stairs. Everything in there is for consultation on-site only. None of it can be borrowed.

Next, the Children's Corner, over by the front windows. That space is specifically for under-twelves and the adult who's brought them along, we ask older readers to use the main fiction shelves instead, mainly so story time on Saturday mornings doesn't get too crowded.

Then we've got the Local History Archive, which holds all our old parish records, photographs and newspaper cuttings. That room is genuinely fascinating, but I should mention it's only accessible while one of our archivists is on duty, which at the moment is Tuesday and Thursday afternoons only, you can't just wander in and browse it yourself outside those hours, I'm afraid, because some of the material is quite fragile.

Moving on, we've got four Study Pods along the back corridor. Those little glass-walled rooms you might have noticed on your way in. They're popular with students working in small groups, but because there are only four of them, you do need to reserve one in advance through the library app rather than just turning up and hoping one's free.

The Computer Suite is just past the pods. To use one of the terminals you'll need a separate computer membership card, which is free but is a different card from your ordinary library card, pop back to the desk afterwards if you'd like one set up today.

And finally, the Newspaper and Magazine Area, tucked in the corner near the café. That's one of the areas we've extended the hours for. It now stays open until nine in the evening on weekdays, later than the rest of the building, so it's a nice quiet spot if you fancy popping in after work.

Right, that's the whistle-stop tour. Feel free to ask if you get lost!

What does the speaker say about each area of the library? Choose the correct answer, A–H, for each area listed below. You do not need to use all the letters, and no letter should be used more than once.

A It is currently closed for refurbishment. B It must be booked in advance. C It has recently moved to the ground floor. D It requires a separate membership card. E It is now open later than the rest of the building. F It is reserved for under-12s and the adults with them. G It is being extended thanks to a charity donation. H It can only be used while a member of staff is on duty there.

1. Reference Section
2. Children's Corner
3. Local History Archive
4. Study Pods
5. Computer Suite
6. Newspaper and Magazine Area

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Garden Guide: Good morning, and welcome to Thornbury Botanic Gardens. Before we set off, I always like to give visitors a quick verbal map, because the paths can be a little confusing on your first visit, especially once you're past the formal beds.

We're standing right now at the Visitor Centre, next to the ticket kiosk. That's your starting point, so if you ever get turned around, just head back towards this building and you'll be on familiar ground again.

Directly ahead of us, through the archway, is the Rose Garden. It's the first thing every visitor sees, four formal beds arranged around a central sundial, and it's usually in full bloom from June through to September.

If you carry on past the roses and bear right, you'll come to the Glasshouse, that's our tropical house, home to the orchid collection and a small pond full of koi. It backs directly onto the old walled garden, so the two areas sit right next to each other.

Speaking of which, behind the Glasshouse, still inside that same walled garden, is the Herb Garden. It's a working kitchen garden, really. Everything grown there gets used in the café kitchen, so do have a look at the labels if you're curious what's on today's menu.

Now, if instead of turning right at the Rose Garden you bear left, you'll reach the Lily Pond, roughly in the centre of the whole site. It's home to some enormous koi as well, and in July the water lilies themselves are extraordinary.

Carry on past the pond and the ground starts to rise, that's where you'll find the Alpine Rockery, built into the natural slope on the western side of the gardens. It's planted with species from mountain regions all over the world, and it's at its best in early spring.

The last area I want to mention is the Arboretum, which isn't really a single spot on the map. It's a path that loops all the way around the northern and eastern edge of the whole garden, taking in some of our oldest oak and cedar specimens as it goes. It's a good half-hour walk if you follow it all the way round.

Oh, and one more thing. Just a short walk east of here, right next to the café, we've got a small Sensory Garden, planted especially with scented and textured plants for visitors with visual impairments, though everyone is welcome to explore it.

Right, let's begin, follow me towards the Rose Garden first.

The plan shows Thornbury Botanic Gardens, viewed from above. The Visitor Centre, beside the ticket kiosk, is marked D. Directly ahead of the Visitor Centre, the first bed you reach is marked A. To the right of A, backing onto the old walled garden, is marked F, and directly behind F, still inside the walled garden, is marked C. To the left of A, roughly in the centre of the whole site, is marked H. Beyond H, on rising ground on the western side of the gardens, is marked B. A path loops all the way around the northern and eastern edge of the whole garden; that path is marked G. A short walk to the east of the Visitor Centre, next to the café, is marked E.

Where is each of the following located? Write the correct letter, A–H.

1. Visitor Centre
2. Rose Garden
3. Glasshouse (Tropical House)
4. Herb Garden
5. Lily Pond
6. Alpine Rockery
7. Arboretum walk
8. Sensory Garden

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Conference Organiser: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Ashcombe Business Summit. Before the keynote begins, I just want to run through a few quick points about the venue, since a couple of things have shifted since the printed programme went out.

First, the Main Auditorium, where the keynote and all the plenary sessions take place. Because we're expecting well over six hundred people this morning, we will be scanning delegate badges at the door, so please make sure yours is visible and not still in your bag, it'll save a lot of queuing.

Just outside the Auditorium is the Exhibition Hall, where our sponsors and partner organisations have their stands. Unlike the break areas elsewhere in the building, the coffee stations in the Exhibition Hall run continuously throughout the day rather than only during the scheduled breaks, so feel free to wander through whenever you need a drink.

Now, a couple of changes to be aware of. Breakout Room 1 is being used exclusively, all day, for the Digital Transformation workshop stream, if you're not booked onto that particular stream, please don't sit in on those sessions, as they're at capacity already.

Breakout Room 2, meanwhile, has actually moved. It was originally listed on the second floor in your printed programme, but we've relocated it down to the ground floor, right next to the cloakroom, because the second-floor room turned out to be too small for the numbers who booked on.

The Networking Lounge, over by the west entrance, is a lovely space for informal chats between sessions, but do note that it will be closing early today, at four o'clock, so that the venue team can begin setting it up for this evening's private dinner.

If you'd like to catch up on anything you miss, head to the Media Room, just past the registration desk. Every session in the Auditorium is being recorded, and those recordings will be made available there, and later online, usually within a day or two.

One small practical note: the Cloakroom, next to the new location of Breakout Room 2, isn't staffed today, I'm afraid, so please hang on to your own coats and bags rather than leaving anything valuable there.

Oh, and one more thing. The Boardroom on the top floor is being used for a private event this afternoon, so that one is off-limits to delegates, I'm afraid.

Right, I think that covers it, enjoy the summit!

What does the speaker say about each part of the venue? Choose the correct answer, A–H, for each area listed below. You do not need to use all the letters, and no letter should be used more than once.

A It requires a delegate badge to be scanned at the door. B It is currently being used for a private event and is off-limits. C It has been moved to a different floor since the programme was printed. D It is reserved exclusively for one particular workshop stream all day. E It will close early, at 4pm, today. F It is where recordings of every session will be made available afterwards. G It is not staffed, so delegates look after their own belongings. H It serves refreshments continuously throughout the day, not just at breaks.

1. Main Auditorium
2. Exhibition Hall
3. Breakout Room 1
4. Breakout Room 2
5. Networking Lounge
6. Media Room
7. Cloakroom

Transcript-based practice (no audio).

Regeneration Officer: Good evening, everyone, thanks for coming along to this consultation event. I'm going to talk you through the main elements of the Redcliffe town-centre redevelopment plan, and I'll try to describe the layout as clearly as I can for anyone who hasn't picked up a copy of the plan yet.

The one thing that isn't changing is the Clock Tower, that's staying exactly where it's always been, right in the centre of the site, and it'll actually become our main reference point for the whole scheme.

Wrapped around the Clock Tower, we're creating a fully pedestrianised Market Square, no vehicles at all, just paving, seating and space for market stalls a few days a week.

Facing directly onto the square, on its northern side, will be the new Market Hall, a covered building that replaces the open-air stalls that currently blow away every time it rains. And further north again, beyond the Market Hall, we're planning a new residential block. Around sixty apartments above ground-floor commercial units, so it sits a fair way back from the square itself.

On the eastern side of the square, running parallel to the High Street, there'll be a new terrace of retail units, smaller, independent shop units rather than large chain stores, in keeping with the town's character. And if you carry on past that terrace, heading further east towards the water, you'll reach the Riverside Park, a new stretch of green space running right along the river, with a footpath connecting back into town.

On the southern side of the square, occupying the footprint of the old bus station, we're building the new Bus Interchange, which will actually have more stands than the current one despite taking up a similar amount of land, thanks to a more efficient layout.

On the western side of the square, accessed from the ring road rather than from the square itself, there'll be a new multi-storey car park, that's deliberately kept away from the pedestrianised area so that traffic doesn't need to cross the square at all.

And finally, tucked into the south-west corner, right next to the car park, we're proposing a new Leisure Centre with a swimming pool and a gym, which residents from the new apartments should be able to reach on foot in under five minutes.

That's the overview. I'll now hand you over to colleagues from Highways and Transport, but do stay behind afterwards if you have questions about any specific part of the plan.

The plan shows the Redcliffe town-centre redevelopment site, viewed from above, with the Clock Tower fixed in the centre of the site as the reference point for the whole scheme. Beyond the site to the east, along the river, is marked A. On the northern side of the Clock Tower, facing directly onto it, is marked B. On the western side of the Clock Tower, reached from the ring road, is marked C. On the eastern side of the Clock Tower, running parallel to the High Street, is marked D. The area wrapped immediately around the Clock Tower itself is marked E. In the south-western corner of the site, next to C, is marked F. Further north, beyond B, is marked G. On the southern side of the Clock Tower is marked H.

Look at the plan above. Where is each of the following located? Write the correct letter, A–H.

1. Market Square
2. Market Hall
3. Residential block
4. Retail terrace
5. Riverside Park
6. Bus Interchange
7. Car park
8. Leisure Centre