IELTS Listening section examines a candidate’s knowledge of listening and answering a wide range of questions. There is a total of 40 IELTS Listening questions. The audio is played only once. This topic - A Monologue by Latest Lecturer on Living in London is IELTS listening section two.
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Topic: A Monologue by Latest Lecturer on Living in London
Audio Transcript
SECTION 2
Welcome to this latest lecture on living in London. Today, we’re going to look at transport and I’d like to start with the London underground system – also called “the tube” because of the shape of the tunnels. First, you need to learn your lines. There are 12 different lines, each with its own name, for example, the Piccadilly line, the circle line. Each line has a different colour on the map of the underground system. You can find the map in the ticket hall at each underground station, and usually on the platforms as well. Sections of the map are also displayed in the carriages of the underground trains. Before you begin, it helps to know which line you are starting on and on which line your destination can be found. If they are on different lines, look at the map to see where the two lines cross, and note the name of the station where they meet – that is where you have to change trains. If the two lines do not cross, keep looking until you find a third line that crosses both of the other two. Then you will need to change trains twice.
You can buy a ticket from one of the automatic machines or from the ticket office. Either way, you need to know the name of the station you are going to. You also need to know whether you want a “single” ticket, which is valid just to get you to your destination or a “return”, which gets you there and back again. Fares are based on a zone system: the more zones you travel through, the more expensive your fare is. There are six zones, with zone 1 covering central London and zone 6 covering the outskirts of the system, including, for example, Heathrow airport. Most of the underground maps show which stations are in which zones. A single ticket for travel through all 6 zones currently costs 4 pounds. Depending on how far you are travelling and how many journeys you need to make, it may be cheaper to buy a one-day Travel card, which gives you unlimited travel on all London underground and bus services the day you buy it. A one-day Travel card covering all six zones currently costs 8 pounds. You can also buy an Oyster card. This is the best option if you are going to be in London for a long time. You get a discount on all tickets — usually about 10% — and you don’t have to queue to buy tickets. Just buy credit for your card and then use it as directed when you enter and leave underground stations at the start and finish of your journeys.
At underground stations you must pass through an automatic gate. Put your ticket into the slot to the right of the gate. When the gate opens, pass through. As you pass through, your ticket will pop up from another slot on the top. Pull your ticket out and take it with you; you need it at the end of your journey. This is the same procedure for Travel cards. With Oyster cards, you hold your card over the card reader at special automatic gates. If you have baggage with you, you can go through a special, larger gate where you can pass through more easily. Show your ticket to an attendant and ask him or her to let you through this gate.
Most stations have long escalators leading to and from the trains. Try to stand to the right-hand side, leaving space for people to walk past you on the left. When changing trains, get off at the station where the line you are on crosses the line you need. Follow the signs for the line you need, and the direction you want to go in. When you leave the system, you must pass through an automatic gate again to leave the station. Put your ticket in the slot as before. If you bought a return ticket or a Travel card, your ticket will pop up for you to collect again, so that you can use it later. If you bought a single ticket, or if you are on the return trip of your return ticket, your ticket will stay in the machine.
To find out more about the London underground, check the official website: www.thetube.com. This site also has the map and information in numerous foreign languages. Now, let’s move on to…
Questions 11-20
Questions 11-15
Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Answer: 12
Explanation: The monologue clearly states that there are 12 different lines.
Also, check:
Answer: name and colour
Explanation: The monologue clearly states that each with its own name, for example, the Piccadilly line, the circle line. Each line has a different colour on the map of the underground system.
Answer: zone 6
Explanation: The monologue clearly states that zone 6 covering the outskirts of the system, including, for example, Heathrow airport.
Answer: underground and bus
Explanation: The monologue clearly states a one-day Travel card, which gives you unlimited travel on all London underground and bus services.
Answer: 10%
Explanation: The monologue clearly states you get a discount on all tickets — usually about 10%.
Questions 16-20
Complete the gaps using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each.
Answer: slot
Explanation: The monologue clearly states to put your ticket into the slot to the right of the gate.
Answer: baggage
Explanation: The monologue clearly states to have baggage with you, you can go through a special, larger gate where you can pass through more easily.
Answer: escalators
Explanation: The monologue clearly states that most stations have long escalators leading to and from the trains.
Answer: signs
Explanation: The monologue clearly states to follow the signs for the line you need, and the direction you want to go in.
Answer: foreign languages
Explanation: The monologue clearly states to find out more about the London underground, check the official website: www.thetube.com. This site also has the map and information in numerous foreign languages.
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