تحلیل لیسنینگ آیلتس آکادمیک و جنرال کمبریج 16 - تست 4: بررسی سوالات، نکات کلیدی و استراتژی‌های پاسخ‌دهی

مقدمه

بخش لیسنینگ، اولین و یکی از مهم‌ترین چالش‌ها در آزمون آیلتس است که نیازمند تمرکز بالا و درک شنیداری دقیق می‌باشد. در این مقاله، به تحلیل جامع تست ۴ لیسنینگ از کتاب آیلتس کمبریج ۱۶ (Cambridge IELTS 16) می‌پردازیم. هدف ما شکستن ساختار سوالات، شناسایی تله‌های رایج و ارائه استراتژی‌های کاربردی برای کمک به شما در مدیریت زمان و افزایش دقت پاسخ‌دهی است. این تست شامل چهار بخش با موضوعات و فرمت‌های متنوع سوال است. داوطلبان باید با انواع سوالات مانند Multiple Choice، Form Completion، Matching و Map Labelling آشنا باشند. با ما همراه باشید تا با بررسی جزء به جزء این تست، با اطمینان بیشتری به سراغ آزمون اصلی بروید.

برای دیدن بقیه‌ی تحلیل‌ها به لینک زیر بروید:

Table of Contents

• Part 1: Questions 1-10 Analysis & Audio Script
• Part 2: Questions 11-20 Analysis & Audio Script
• Part 3: Questions 21-30 Analysis & Audio Script
• Part 4: Questions 31-40 Analysis & Audio Script

PART 1 Questions 1-10 + Audio Script

📝 Question 1: "available for week beginning 1 ______"

🔹 Correct Answer: 28th

📍 Location in Audio Script: "It’s free the week beginning the 28th, though, for seven nights. In fact, that’s the only time you could have it in May."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio script directly states the week available as the 28th, after Tom inquired about the 14th, which was already booked.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The conversation starts with a request for the week beginning the 14th. This could mislead candidates into thinking that's the answer before the speaker specifies the correct date.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Pay close attention to shifts in the conversation and use of words like "but", "however", "though". The initial request can be a distractor.

📝 Question 2: "cost for the week: 2 ______ £"

🔹 Correct Answer: 550

📍 Location in Audio Script: "That’s the beginning of high season, so it’d be £550 for the week."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Shirley directly states the cost for the week as £550.

⚠️ Potential Traps: Tom mentions they budgeted up to £500, which may mislead some candidates to assume this is the correct answer, when in fact, it is not.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Do not assume that if a number is mentioned, it is automatically the answer. Look for the specific information requested, not simply any numbers mentioned in the vicinity.

📝 Question 3: "Cottage 3 _______"

🔹 Correct Answer: Chervil

📍 Location in Audio Script: "Well, we’ve just finished converting another building into a cottage, which we’re calling Chervil Cottage."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Shirley introduces the name of the new cottage, "Chervil Cottage," directly in the conversation.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The name is spelled out by Shirley "C-H-E-R-V for Victor I-L", so it may be helpful for candidates to write the name down as it is spelled so they have the correct spelling for their answer.

⭐ Key Learning Point: When a proper name is part of the answer, be careful to write it down as you hear it, and note any spelling given, as the spelling may not be immediately obvious.

📝 Question 4: "building was originally a 4 _____"

🔹 Correct Answer: garage

📍 Location in Audio Script: "The building was built as a garage."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Shirley directly states the building’s original purpose was a garage.

⚠️ Potential Traps: None significant. The answer is straightforward and directly stated.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Be aware of the words that directly state what something was or is. They will help you find the answers to questions.

📝 Question 5: "walk through doors from living room into a 5 ______"

🔹 Correct Answer: garden

📍 Location in Audio Script: "Yes, you get to it [the garden] from the living room through French doors, and we provide two deckchairs."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio mentions French doors that lead to the garden from the living room, making "garden" the correct answer.

⚠️ Potential Traps: Candidates may be confused by the mention of "deckchairs," thinking it refers to a patio, but the question asks where the doors lead.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Listen for the relationships between spaces; the question is looking for the location reached through the doors.

📝 Question 6: "several 6 _______ spaces at the front"

🔹 Correct Answer: parking

📍 Location in Audio Script: "The front door opens onto the old farmyard, and parking isn’t a problem – there’s plenty of room at the front for that."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio explicitly mentions that there is "plenty of room at the front for parking."

⚠️ Potential Traps: While it is mentioned that there are "trees and potted plants" at the front as well, these are not what the question is asking for (type of spaces).

⭐ Key Learning Point: Focus on the type of space available, rather than just items found in the area.

📝 Question 7: "central heating and stove that burns 7 ______"

🔹 Correct Answer: wood

📍 Location in Audio Script: "There’s central heating, and if you want to light a fire, there’s a stove. We can provide all the wood you need for it."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Shirley explains that wood is provided for the stove.

⚠️ Potential Traps: She also mentions coal ("smells so much nicer than coal"), but the sentence about provision clarifies that it is wood that is used for this stove.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Be mindful of what is being specified as a provision for a particular item (the stove), not just a general mention of alternatives.

📝 Question 8: "views of old 8 ______ from living room"

🔹 Correct Answer: bridge

📍 Location in Audio Script: "There’s a famous stone bridge – it’s one of the oldest in the region, and you can see it from the living room."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio states there's a view of an old stone bridge from the living room.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The text mentions other attractions such as the hills and monument, but they are visible from a different location (bedroom), not the living room.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Pay attention to where the views are being referenced from; be precise in matching the viewpoint to the object seen.

📝 Question 9: "view of hilltop 9 _______ from the bedroom"

🔹 Correct Answer: monument

📍 Location in Audio Script: "The bedroom window looks in the opposite direction, and has a lovely view of the hills and the monument at the top."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio directly states that the bedroom view includes a monument on the hilltop.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The audio mentions "hills" and "monument," but the question specifically asks for the object on the hilltop.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Specific details within the phrase are very important; "hilltop monument" means the monument is the item on the hilltop.

📝 Question 10: "deadline for final payment: end of 10 _______"

🔹 Correct Answer: March

📍 Location in Audio Script: "You’re coming in May, so the last day of March, please."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Shirley directly states the deadline for the final payment is the last day of March.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The booking is for May, so candidates may be confused and write that down, but the date for final payment is different.

⭐ Key Learning Point: The phrase "final payment" must be closely associated with the relevant month, not the month of the stay itself.

SHIRLEY: Hello?

TOM: Oh hello. I was hoping to speak to Jack Fitzgerald about renting a cottage.

SHIRLEY: I’m his wife, Shirley, and we own the cottages together, so I’m sure I can help you.

TOM: Great. My name’s Tom. Some friends of ours rented Granary Cottage from you last year, and they thought it was great. So my wife and I are hoping to come in May for a week.

SHIRLEY: What date did you have in mind?

TOM: The week beginning the 14th, if possible.

SHIRLEY: I’ll just check … I’m sorry, Tom, it’s already booked that week. It’s free the week beginning the 28th 📍Q1, though, for seven nights. In fact, that’s the only time you could have it in May.

TOM: Oh. Well, we could manage that, I think. We’d just need to change a couple of things. How much would it cost?

SHIRLEY: That’s the beginning of high season, so it’d be £550 for the week. 📍Q2

TOM: Ah. That’s a bit more than we wanted to pay, I’m afraid. We’ve budgeted up to £500 for accommodation.

SHIRLEY: Well, we’ve just finished converting another building into a cottage, which we’re calling Chervil Cottage. 📍Q3

TOM: Sorry? What was that again?

SHIRLEY: Chervil. C-H-E-R-V for Victor I-L.

TOM: Oh, that’s a herb, isn’t it?

SHIRLEY: That’s right. It grows fairly wild around here. You could have that for the week you want for £480.

TOM: OK. So could you tell me something about it, please?

SHIRLEY: Of course. The building was built as a garage 📍Q4. It’s a little smaller than Granary Cottage.

TOM: So that must sleep two people, as well?

SHIRLEY: That’s right. There’s a double bedroom.

TOM: Does it have a garden? 📍Q5

SHIRLEY: Yes, you get to it from the living room through French doors, and we provide two deckchairs. We hope to build a patio in the near future, but I wouldn’t like to guarantee it’ll be finished by May.

TOM: OK.

SHIRLEY: The front door opens onto the old farmyard, and parking isn’t a problem – there’s plenty of room at the front for that 📍Q6. There are some trees and potted plants there.

———————

TOM: What about facilities in the cottage? It has standard things like a cooker and fridge, I presume.

SHIRLEY: In the kitchen area there’s a fridge-freezer and we’ve just put in an electric cooker.

TOM: Is there a washing machine?

SHIRLEY: Yes. There’s also a TV in the living room, which plays DVDs too. The bathroom is too small for a bath, so there’s a shower instead. I think a lot of people prefer that nowadays, anyway.

TOM: It’s more environmentally friendly, isn’t it? Unless you spend half the day in it!

SHIRLEY: Exactly.

TOM: What about heating? It sometimes gets quite cool at that time of year.

SHIRLEY: There’s central heating, and if you want to light a fire, there’s a stove. We can provide all the wood you need for it 📍Q7. It smells so much nicer than coal, and it makes the room very cosy – we’ve got one in our own house.

TOM: That sounds very pleasant. Perhaps we should come in the winter, to make the most of it!

SHIRLEY: Yes, we find we don’t want to go out when we’ve got the fire burning. There are some attractive views from the cottage, which I haven’t mentioned. There’s a famous stone bridge – it’s one of the oldest 📍Q8 in the region, and you can see it from the living room. It isn’t far away. The bedroom window looks in the opposite direction, and has a lovely view of the hills and the monument at the top. 📍Q9

TOM: Well, that all sounds perfect. I’d like to book it, please. Would you want a deposit?

SHIRLEY: Yes, we ask for thirty percent to secure your booking, so that’ll be, um, £144.

TOM: And when would you like the rest of the money?

SHIRLEY: You’re coming in May, so the last day of March, please. 📍Q10

TOM: Fine.

SHIRLEY: Excellent. Could I just take your details …

PART 2 Questions 11-20 + Audio Script

📝 Question 11: "A survey found people’s main concern about traffic in the area was"

🔹 Correct Answer: C - changes in the type of traffic

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…a significant number of people complained about the increasing number of heavy vehicles using our local roads to avoid traffic elsewhere."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio indicates that people complained about the "increasing number of heavy vehicles," which represents a change in the type of traffic and its volume.

⚠️ Potential Traps: While cuts to the train service are mentioned, they "doesn’t seem to have affected people too much," making A incorrect. Potholes are also mentioned but are a road maintenance concern, not the *main concern about traffic* itself, therefore B is incorrect.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Listen for paraphrasing and the main emphasis; the audio will not necessarily directly match the exact language of the question or options.

📝 Question 12: "Which change will shortly be made to the cycle path next to the river?"

🔹 Correct Answer: A - It will be widened.

📍 Location in Audio Script: "...so we’re going to add a bit on the side to make it wider."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio explicitly states the cycle path will be made "wider."

⚠️ Potential Traps: The audio mentions extending the path in the future ("At some stage, we’d like to extend the path"), but this is not a short-term action, therefore B is incorrect. C is incorrect because the path was already resurfaced last year.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Focus on the timeframe specified in the question (e.g., 'shortly') and distinguish it from past actions or long-term plans.

📝 Question 13: "Plans for a pedestrian crossing have been postponed because"

🔹 Correct Answer: B - the proposed location is unsafe.

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…the Highways Department have told us that it would be dangerous to have a pedestrian crossing where we’d originally planned it as there’s a bend in the road there."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio specifies that the original location for the pedestrian crossing was unsafe ("dangerous") due to a bend in the road.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The postponement is initially considered because of rumors of the post office moving, but the *reason for the current postponement/rethink* is the safety concern raised by the Highways Department, making A partially relevant but not the final reason. Funding (C) is not mentioned as the reason for postponement.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Pay attention to the specific reasons that are given for an action or delay, especially if multiple factors are discussed chronologically.

📝 Question 14: "On Station Road, notices have been erected"

🔹 Correct Answer: B - asking motorists to switch off engines when waiting at the level crossing.

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…we’ve now got signs up requesting them not to leave their engines running at that time."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio indicates that the notices (signs) ask drivers to "not leave their engines running" (switch off engines) while waiting.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The audio also mentions bike racks at the station and problems with cyclists, but this does not align with the question about the *notices*, so A is incorrect. While this action benefits pedestrians, the notices are directed at motorists, not warning pedestrians, therefore C is incorrect.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Be precise about what is specifically being asked in the question (e.g., the content of the notices).

📝 Question 15: "New car park"

🔹 Correct Answer: C

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…we’re suggesting a new car park on the opposite side of the Community Hall, right next to it."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The text states that the car park is on the opposite side of the Community Hall, which typically corresponds to the letter C on a map where the hall is a central feature.

⚠️ Potential Traps: Candidates could be distracted by the original parking area ("between the Community Hall and that line of trees"), but the question is about the *new* car park.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Pay attention to changes and new locations, not old ones, when interpreting map questions.

📝 Question 16: "New cricket pitch"

🔹 Correct Answer: F

📍 Location in Audio Script: "As we’ve now purchased additional space to the east of the recreation ground, beyond the trees, we plan to move it away…into this new area beyond the line of trees."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The cricket pitch is moved to the east "beyond the trees," corresponding to letter F on a typical map layout.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The previous location of the pitch ("rather near the road") could be confusing if not paying attention to words like "new" and "move it away."

⭐ Key Learning Point: Changes of location are very important to mark on the map, following directional cues.

📝 Question 17: "Children’s playground"

🔹 Correct Answer: A

📍 Location in Audio Script: "We’ve got plans for a children’s playground which will be accessible by a footpath from the Community Hall and will be alongside the river."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The playground is located "alongside the river" and accessible from a footpath at the Community Hall, corresponding to the letter A on a typical map.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The playground was originally going to be near the road, but the text clarifies that this was not where it will be, so this should not be the answer.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Changes of plan are important to notice; listen for the final decided location.

📝 Question 18: "Skateboard ramp"

🔹 Correct Answer: I

📍 Location in Audio Script: "...in the end we decided to have it in the southeast corner near the road."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio states the skateboard ramp will be in the southeast corner near the road, which is marked as I on a typical map.

⚠️ Potential Traps: Candidates might think the ramp would be by the river (an earlier consideration: "considered moving this up towards the river"), but the audio states this plan was not chosen ("in the end we decided...").

⭐ Key Learning Point: Negative phrasing or changes in decisions can be important; notice when something is 'not' going to happen or a different plan is adopted.

📝 Question 19: "Pavilion"

🔹 Correct Answer: E

📍 Location in Audio Script: "It will stay where it is now – to the left of the line of trees and near to the river"

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The text indicates that the pavilion is to the left of the line of trees and near the river, and its location is unchanged, which corresponds to the letter E on a typical map.

⚠️ Potential Traps: There was no mention of the pavilion moving, so candidates could focus on the parts of the map that had changed, and not look for unchanged places if they assume everything is changing.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Sometimes the answer involves no change in location; pay attention to whether a change was discussed or if it "will stay where it is."

📝 Question 20: "Notice board"

🔹 Correct Answer: H

📍 Location in Audio Script: "...and that will be directly on people’s right as they go from the road into the recreation ground."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The notice board will be on the right as people enter the recreation ground from the road, which is marked as H on a typical map.

⚠️ Potential Traps: No major traps, the location is straightforward relative to the entrance.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Use the directions of approach from a landmark (like the road entrance) to find the right place on the map.

CHAIRPERSON: Right. Next on the agenda we have traffic and highways. Councillor Thornton.

COUNCILLOR THORNTON: Thank you. Well, we now have the results of the survey carried out last month about traffic and road transport in the town. People were generally satisfied with the state of the roads. There were one or two complaints about potholes which will be addressed, but a significant number of people complained about the increasing number of heavy vehicles 📍Q11 using our local roads to avoid traffic elsewhere. We’d expected more complaints by commuters about the reduction in the train service, but it doesn’t seem to have affected people too much. The cycle path that runs alongside the river is very well used by both cyclists and pedestrians since the surface was improved last year, but overtaking can be a problem so we’re going to add a bit on the side to make it wider 📍Q12. At some stage, we’d like to extend the path so that it goes all the way through the town, but that won’t be happening in the immediate future.

COUNCILLOR THORNTON: The plans to have a pedestrian crossing next to the Post Office have unfortunately had to be put on hold for the time being. We’d budgeted for this to be done this financial year, but then there were rumours that the Post Office was going to move, which would have meant there wasn’t really a need for a crossing. Now they’ve confirmed that they’re staying where they are, but the Highways Department have told us that it would be dangerous to have a pedestrian crossing where we’d originally planned it as there’s a bend in the road there 📍Q13. So that’ll need some more thought.

COUNCILLOR THORNTON: On Station Road near the station and level crossing, drivers can face quite long waits if the level crossing’s closed, and we’ve now got signs up requesting them not to leave their engines running at that time 📍Q14. This means pedestrians waiting on the pavement to cross the railway line don’t have to breathe in car fumes. We’ve had some problems with cyclists leaving their bikes chained to the railings outside the ticket office, but the station has agreed to provide bike racks there.

———————

CHAIRPERSON: So next on the agenda is ‘Proposals for improvements to the recreation ground’. Councillor Thornton again.

COUNCILLOR THORNTON: Well, since we managed to extend the recreation ground, we’ve spent some time talking to local people about how it could be made a more attractive and useful space. If you have a look at the map up on the screen, you can see the river up in the north, and the Community Hall near the entrance from the road. At present, cars can park between the Community Hall and that line of trees to the east, but this is quite dangerous for pedestrians so we’re suggesting a new car park on the opposite side of the Community Hall, right next to it 📍Q15. We also have a new location for the cricket pitch. As we’ve now purchased additional space to the east of the recreation ground, beyond the trees, we plan to move it away from its current location, which is rather near the road, into this new area beyond the line of trees 📍Q16. This means there’s less danger of stray balls hitting cars or pedestrians.

COUNCILLOR THORNTON: We’ve got plans for a children’s playground which will be accessible by a footpath from the Community Hall and will be alongside the river 📍Q17. We’d originally thought of having it close to the road, but we think this will be a more attractive location.

COUNCILLOR THORNTON: The skateboard ramp is very popular with both younger and older children – we had considered moving this up towards the river, but in the end we decided to have it in the southeast corner near the road 📍Q18. The pavilion is very well used at present by both football players and cricketers. It will stay where it is now – to the left of the line of trees and near to the river 📍Q19 – handy for both the football and cricket pitches. And finally, we’ll be getting a new notice board for local information, and that will be directly on people’s right as they go from the road into the recreation ground. 📍Q20

PART 3 Questions 21-30 + Audio Script

📝 Question 21 & 22: "Which TWO benefits of city bike-sharing schemes do the students agree are the most important?"

🔹 Correct Answers: B - reducing traffic congestion, C - improving air quality

📍 Location in Audio Script: AMY: "And also helped to cut the number of cars on the road significantly." JAKE: "Which is the main point." / JAKE: "...doesn’t the impact of reduced emissions on air pollution have a more significant effect on people’s health?" AMY: "Certainly, in some cities bike-sharing had made a big contribution to that."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Amy and Jake agree that reducing cars on the road (B - reducing traffic congestion) and reduced emissions improving air quality (C - improving air quality) are the most significant benefits.

⚠️ Potential Traps: While health and fitness (D) and affordability (E) are mentioned, they are not agreed to be as important as B and C. Noise pollution is discussed but is not considered a major impact by Amy.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Ensure you listen for clear agreement between the two speakers on the importance or significance of benefits, not just a statement of a benefit by one speaker.

📝 Question 23 & 24: "Which TWO things do the students think are necessary for successful bike-sharing schemes?"

🔹 Correct Answers: B - The app should be easy to use, C - Public awareness should be raised.

📍 Location in Audio Script: AMY: "...like a fully functional app – so people can make payments and book bikes easily." JAKE: "Good point …" / AMY: "What does matter though – is having a big publicity campaign." JAKE: "Definitely."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Amy and Jake agree that a functional app (B - The app should be easy to use) and a publicity campaign (C - Public awareness should be raised) are very important for successful bike-sharing schemes.

⚠️ Potential Traps: While GPS systems and cycle lanes are discussed, the speakers do not consider these absolutely necessary or the most critical factors in the same way as the app and publicity, so A and E are incorrect. Competing schemes (D) are discussed, but not as a necessary element for success from their perspective.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Be aware of the difference between an idea that is 'nice to have' or 'beneficial' and something that is described as 'really important,' 'matters,' or 'definitely' necessary.

📝 Question 25: "Amsterdam"

🔹 Correct Answer: C - They are surprised it has been so successful.

📍 Location in Audio Script: AMY: "In a way it’s strange that there was such a demand for bike-sharing because you’d have thought most people would have used their own bikes." JAKE: "And yet it’s one of the best-used schemes …"

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The speakers express surprise ("it’s strange") about the high demand for bike-sharing in Amsterdam given the existing cycling culture there, implying that it was more successful than they would have predicted.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The speakers do not express opinions related to the other answer choices for Amsterdam in this context.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Listen for implied surprise or unexpected outcomes, often indicated by words like "strange," "surprisingly," or contrasting expectations with reality.

📝 Question 26: "Dublin"

🔹 Correct Answer: F - They disagree about the reasons for its success.

📍 Location in Audio Script: AMY: "It must be because the public transport system’s quite limited." JAKE: "Not really – there’s no underground, but there are trams and a good bus network. I’d say price has a lot to do with it."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Amy suggests public transport limitations while Jake explicitly disagrees ("Not really") and proposes price as the reason. They have different reasons, indicating disagreement about the main cause of the scheme's success.

⚠️ Potential Traps: None of the other answers match their conversation or conflicting opinions on the reason for Dublin's success.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Notice when speakers offer different ideas or opinions for the same phenomenon, especially when one speaker directly refutes the other's suggestion. This is key to identifying disagreement.

📝 Question 27: "London"

🔹 Correct Answer: D - They agree that more investment is required.

📍 Location in Audio Script: JAKE: "Basically, not enough’s been spent on increasing the number of cycle lanes." AMY: (Implied agreement by not challenging and moving on to "Yes. Now what about outside Europe?")

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: Jake states "not enough's been spent" on cycle lanes, implying a need for more investment. Amy's response doesn't counter this, suggesting agreement or acceptance of the point regarding underinvestment in infrastructure.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The speakers state that the system is "well maintained" but Jake points out the lack of spending on cycle lanes. "Well designed" (E) isn't stated for the overall system in a positive light by both.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Focus on specific actions or needs identified, like needing more investment in cycle lanes, rather than just general positive or negative comments.

📝 Question 28: "Buenos Aires"

🔹 Correct Answer: E - They think the system has been well designed.

📍 Location in Audio Script: JAKE: "An example of good planning." AMY: "Absolutely."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The speakers explicitly call the Buenos Aires scheme "An example of good planning," which implies it was well-designed, and Amy strongly agrees ("Absolutely").

⚠️ Potential Traps: No other answers match the details or positive tone of their conversation about Buenos Aires.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Look for positive evaluative comments made by the speakers as a clue to which answer is correct, especially with strong agreement.

📝 Question 29: "New York"

🔹 Correct Answer: B - They think it should be cheaper.

📍 Location in Audio Script: JAKE: "When they launched it, it was more than ten times the price of most other schemes." AMY: "More than it costs to take a taxi, Crazy."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The speakers highlight the extremely high price ("more than ten times the price," "Crazy"), strongly implying it should be cheaper.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The other answer options do not align with their primary criticism about the New York scheme, which is its cost.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Look for opinions that suggest the opposite of what was provided or is considered reasonable, especially regarding cost.

📝 Question 30: "Sydney"

🔹 Correct Answer: A - They agree it has been disappointing.

📍 Location in Audio Script: JAKE: "I can’t quite work out why it hasn’t been an instant success like some of the others. It’s a shame really." AMY: "I know."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The speakers express disappointment ("It’s a shame really") and puzzlement that the Sydney scheme has not been successful like others. Amy's "I know" confirms agreement.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The other answer options do not align with their assessment of the Sydney scheme as underperforming or being a "shame."

⭐ Key Learning Point: Look for words and phrases that signal disappointment, failure, or unmet expectations.

JAKE: Now that we’ve done all the research into bike-sharing schemes in cities around the world, we need to think about how we’re going to organise our report.

AMY: Right. I think we should start by talking about the benefits. I mean it’s great that so many cities have introduced these schemes where anyone can pick up a bike from dozens of different locations and hire it for a few hours. It makes riding a bike very convenient for people.

JAKE: Yes, but the costs can add up and that puts people on low incomes off in some places.

AMY: I suppose so, but if it means more people in general are cycling rather than driving, then because they’re increasing the amount of physical activity they do, it’s good for their health

JAKE: OK. But isn’t that of less importance? I mean, doesn’t the impact of reduced emissions on air pollution have a more significant effect on people’s health? 📍Q21/Q22

AMY: Certainly, in some cities bike-sharing had made a big contribution to that. And also helped to cut the number of cars on the road significantly. 📍Q21/Q22

JAKE: Which is the main point.

AMY: Exactly. But I’d say it’s had less of an impact on noise pollution because there are still loads of buses and lorries around.

JAKE: Right.

AMY: Shall we quickly discuss the recommendations we’re going to make?

JAKE: In order to ensure bike-sharing schemes are successful?

AMY: Yes.

JAKE: OK. Well, while I think it’s nice to have really state-of-the art bikes with things like GPS, I wouldn’t say they’re absolutely necessary.

AMY: But some technical things are really important – like a fully functional app – so people can make payments and book bikes easily 📍Q23/Q24. Places which haven’t invested in that have really struggled.

JAKE: Good point … Some people say there shouldn’t be competing companies offering separate bike-sharing schemes, but in some really big cities, competition’s beneficial and anyway one company might not be able to manage the whole thing.

AMY: Right. Deciding how much to invest is a big question. Cities which have opened loads of new bike lanes at the same time as introducing bike-sharing schemes have generally been more successful – but there are examples of successful schemes where this hasn’t happened … What does matter though – is having a big publicity campaign. 📍Q23/Q24

JAKE: Definitely. If people don’t know how to use the scheme or don’t understand its benefits, they won’t use it. People need a lot of persuasion to stop using their cars.

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AMY: Shall we look at some examples now? And say what we think is good or bad about them.

JAKE: I suppose we should start with Amsterdam as this was one of the first cities to have a bike-sharing scheme.

AMY: Yes. There was already a strong culture of cycling here. In a way it’s strange that there was such a demand for bike-sharing because you’d have thought most people would have used their own bikes. 📍Q25

JAKE: And yet it’s one of the best-used schemes … Dublin’s an interesting example of a success story.

AMY: It must be because the public transport system’s quite limited. 📍Q26

JAKE: Not really – there’s no underground, but there are trams and a good bus network. I’d say price has a lot to do with it. It’s one of the cheapest schemes in Europe to join. 📍Q26

AMY: But the buses are really slow – anyway the weather certainly can’t be a factor!

JAKE: No – definitely not. The London scheme’s been quite successful

AMY: Yes – it’s been a really good thing for the city. The bikes are popular and the whole system is well maintained but it isn’t expanding quickly enough.

JAKE: Basically, not enough’s been spent on increasing the number of cycle lanes 📍Q27. Hopefully that’ll change.

AMY: Yes. Now what about outside Europe?

JAKE: Well bike-sharing schemes have taken off in places like Buenos Aires.

AMY: Mmm. They built a huge network of cycle lanes to support the introduction of the scheme there, didn’t they? It attracted huge numbers of cyclists where previously there were hardly any.

JAKE: An example of good planning. 📍Q28

AMY: Absolutely. New York is a good example of how not to introduce a scheme. When they launched it, it was more than ten times the price of most other schemes. 📍Q29

JAKE: More than it costs to take a taxi, Crazy. I think the organisers lacked vision and ambition there.

AMY: I think so too. Sydney would be a good example to use. I would have expected it to have grown pretty quickly here.

JAKE: Yes. I can’t quite work out why it hasn’t been an instant success like some of the others. It’s a shame really. 📍Q30

AMY: I know. OK so now we’ve thought about …

PART 4 Questions 31-40 + Audio Script

📝 Question 31: "1507 – Portuguese ships transporting 31 _______ stopped at the island"

🔹 Correct Answer: spice(s)

📍 Location in Audio Script: "The sailors were carrying spices back to Europe…"

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio indicates that the Portuguese ships were carrying spices.

⚠️ Potential Traps: While the ships also stopped for food and water, the question asks about the cargo the ships were transporting, not the supplies they were collecting.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Be careful about the difference between the things that are carried (transported) and the things that are collected or obtained, as this can cause error.

📝 Question 32: "1638 – The Dutch established a 32 _______ on the island."

🔹 Correct Answer: colony / settlement

📍 Location in Audio Script: "However, in 1683 the Dutch arrived and set up a colony there."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio mentions the Dutch setting up a "colony" on the island. "Settlement" is an acceptable synonym.

⚠️ Potential Traps: While they settled on the island, the primary word used is "colony." Ensure understanding of synonyms if "settlement" is considered.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Synonyms can be an important way to find the correct answer. Recognize that establishing a colony implies creating a settlement.

📝 Question 33: "A Dutch painting suggests the dodo was very 33 _______."

🔹 Correct Answer: fat

📍 Location in Audio Script: "The best-known picture is a Dutch painting in which the bird appears to be extremely fat"

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio specifically states that a Dutch painting depicts the dodo as very fat.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The text later states that an Indian painting depicts the dodo as much thinner, but this is not part of the answer to the question about the *Dutch* painting.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Pay attention to the specific source or description being referenced (e.g., "a Dutch painting"), not general descriptions or contrasting information.

📝 Question 34: "The only remaining soft tissue is a dried 34 _______."

🔹 Correct Answer: head

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…so only one example of soft tissue from the dodo survives, a dodo head."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio states that the only surviving soft tissue is a dried dodo head.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The text references "four dried parts" that existed originally, so avoid being distracted by this and focus on what *remains*.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Look for the item that remains or survives, not the original group or number of items if that has changed.

📝 Question 35: "Recent studies of a dodo skeleton suggest the birds were capable of rapid 35 _______."

🔹 Correct Answer: movement

📍 Location in Audio Script: "...but scientists now believe the bird’s strong knee joints would have made it capable of movement which was not slow, but actually quite fast."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio describes that studies of a skeleton show the dodo was capable of rapid movement.

⚠️ Potential Traps: While speed ("quite fast") is discussed, the answer that is required is a noun ("movement") not an adjective, therefore 'fast' or 'speed' would be incorrect answers.

⭐ Key Learning Point: The grammar in the question can be a major clue to what sort of answer (part of speech) is expected.

📝 Question 36: "It’s thought they were able to use their small wings to maintain 36 _______."

🔹 Correct Answer: balance / balancing

📍 Location in Audio Script: "...the scientists suggest that these were probably employed for balance while going over uneven ground."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio suggests the dodo used its wings for balance. "Balancing" would also fit.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The text mentions that the dodo could not fly, so don't expect this to be the correct answer. This information helps narrow down the purpose of the wings.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Use the information in the text about what the dodo could not do to understand what it could do with certain features.

📝 Question 37: "Their 37 _______ was of average size."

🔹 Correct Answer: brain

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…which suggested the bird’s brain was not small, but average in size."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio mentions that the scientists determined that the dodo’s brain was of average size.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The text mentions that the dodo was thought to be unintelligent, but this has now been proven to be inaccurate based on brain size relative to body size.

⭐ Key Learning Point: Watch for changes in opinion and understanding as new research emerges as a cue to the correct answer.

📝 Question 38: "Their sense of 38 _______ enabled them to find food."

🔹 Correct Answer: smell

📍 Location in Audio Script: "The researchers also found that the structure of the bird’s skull suggested that one sense which was particularly well-developed was that of smell."

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio indicates the dodo’s sense of smell helped them find food (implied as a well-developed sense relevant to foraging).

⚠️ Potential Traps: While it is mentioned that the dodo had a large skull for its brain, this does not directly relate to their ability to find food through a specific sense highlighted here.

⭐ Key Learning Point: The question is asking for a specific sense used for finding food, not a general description of the bird's anatomy.

📝 Question 39: "39 _______ also escaped onto the island and ate the birds’ eggs."

🔹 Correct Answer: rats

📍 Location in Audio Script: "…the ships also brought another type of creature – rats, which came to land from the ships and rapidly overran the island." (and later implied they ate eggs as a danger to dodos)

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio states that rats escaped and overran the island. While direct statement of eating eggs is not in this quote, the context of dodo extinction factors points to this. (The analysis states "and consumed the eggs").

⚠️ Potential Traps: Other animals such as dogs and monkeys are mentioned as threats, but rats are highlighted in the context of overrunning the island and impacting dodo eggs (as per full context).

⭐ Key Learning Point: Look for the connection between the animal and the specific action (eating eggs) that contributed to the dodo's decline.

📝 Question 40: "The arrival of farming meant the 40 _______ was destroyed."

🔹 Correct Answer: forest

📍 Location in Audio Script: "This meant that the forest that has once covered all the island, and that had provided a perfect home for the dodo, was cut down…"

🔹 Analysis of the Answer: The audio explains that farming led to the destruction of the dodo's forest habitat.

⚠️ Potential Traps: The text mentions agriculture and crops, but these were the reason for the habitat destruction, not the habitat itself.

⭐ Key Learning Point: It's important to recognize the habitat that is being described as destroyed and not confuse it with the activity causing the destruction.

NARRATOR: One of the most famous cases of extinction is that of a bird known as the dodo. In fact there’s even a saying in English, ‘as dead as the dodo’, used to refer to something which no longer exists. But for many centuries the dodo was alive and well, although it could only be found in one place, the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It was a very large bird, about one metre tall, and over the centuries it had lost the ability to fly, but it survived happily under the trees that covered the island.

NARRATOR: Then in the year 1507 the first Portuguese ships stopped at the island. The sailors were carrying spices 📍Q31 back to Europe, and found the island a convenient stopping place where they could stock up with food and water for the rest of the voyage, but they didn’t settle on Mauritius. However, in 1683 the Dutch arrived and set up a colony 📍Q32 there. These first human inhabitants of the island found the dodo birds a convenient source of meat, although not everyone liked the taste.

NARRATOR: It’s hard to get an accurate description of what the dodo actually looked like. We do have some written records from sailors, and a few pictures, but we don’t know how reliable these are. The best-known picture is a Dutch painting in which the bird appears to be extremely fat 📍Q33, but this may not be accurate – an Indian painting done at the same time shows a much thinner bird.

NARRATOR: Although attempts were made to preserve the bodies of some of the birds, no complete specimen survives. In the early 17th century four dried parts of a bird were known to exist – of these, three have disappeared, so only one example of soft tissue from the dodo survives, a dodo head 📍Q34. Bones have also found, but there’s only one complete skeleton in existence.

NARRATOR: This single dodo skeleton has recently been the subject of scientific research which suggests that many of the earlier beliefs about dodos may have been incorrect. For example, early accounts of the birds mention how slow and clumsy it was, but scientists now believe the bird’s strong knee joints would have made it capable of movement 📍Q35 which was not slow, but actually quite fast. In fact, one 17th century sailor wrote that he found the birds hard to catch. It’s true that the dodo’s small wings wouldn’t have allowed it to leave the ground, but the scientists suggest that these were probably employed for balance 📍Q36 while going over uneven ground. Another group of scientists carried out analysis of the dodo’s skull. They found that the reports of the lack of intelligence of the dodo were not borne out by their research, which suggested the bird’s brain 📍Q37 was not small, but average in size. In fact, in relation to its body size, it was similar to that of the pigeon, which is known to be a highly intelligent bird. The researchers also found that the structure of the bird’s skull suggested that one sense which was particularly well-developed was that of smell 📍Q38. So the dodo may also have been particularly good at locating ripe fruit and other food in the island’s thick vegetation.

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NARRATOR: So it looks as if the dodo was better able to survive and defend itself than was originally believed. Yet less than 200 years after Europeans first arrived on the island, they had become extinct. So what was the reason for this? For a long time, it was believed that the dodos were hunted to extinction, but scientists now believe the situation was more complicated than this. Another factor may have been the new species brought to the island by the sailors. These included dogs, which would have been a threat to the dodos, and also monkeys, which ate the fruit that was the main part of the dodos’ diet. These were brought to the island deliberately, but the ships also brought another type of creature – rats 📍Q39, which came to land from the ships and rapidly overran the island. These upset the ecology of the island, not just the dodos but other species too. However, they were a particular danger to the dodos because they consumed their eggs, and since each dodo only laid one at a time, this probably had a devastating effect on populations.

NARRATOR: However, we now think that probably the main cause of the birds’ extinction was not the introduction of non-native species, but the introduction of agriculture. This meant that the forest 📍Q40 that has once covered all the island, and that had provided a perfect home for the dodo, was cut down so that crops such as sugar could be grown. So although the dodo had survived for thousands of years, suddenly it was gone.