Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IELTS Exam
IELTS Exam
ROBOTS AT WORK
A
The newspaper production process has come a long way from the old days when the paper was
written, edited, typeset and ultimately printed in one building with the journalists working on the
upper floors and the printing presses going on the ground floor. These days the editor, subeditors
and journalists who put the paper together are likely to find them-selves in a totally different
building or maybe even in a different city. This is the situation which now prevails in Sydney. The
daily paper is compiled at the editorial headquarters, known as the prepress centre, in the heart of
the city, but printed far away in the suburbs at the printing centre. Here human beings are in the
minority as much of the work is done by automated machines controlled by computers.
B
Once the finished newspaper has been created for the next mornings edition, all the pages are
transmitted electronically from the prepress centre to the printing centre. The system of
transmission is an update on the sophisticated page facsimile system already in use on many
other newspapers. An image-setter at the printing centre delivers the pages as film. Each page
takes less than a minute to produce, although for colour pages four versions, once each for black,
cyan, magenta and yellow are sent. The pages are then processed into photographic negatives
and the film is used to produce aluminum printing plates ready for the presses.
C
A procession of automated vehicles is busy at the new printing centre where the Sydney Morning
Herald is printed each day. With lights flashing and warning horns honking, the robots (to give
them their correct name, the LGVs or laser guided vehicles) look for all the world like enthusiastic
machines from a science fiction movie, as they follow their own random paths around the plant
busily getting on with their jobs.
Automation of this kind is now standard in all modern newspaper plants. The robots can detect
unauthorized personnel and alert security staff immediately if they find an intruder; not
surprisingly, tall tales are already being told about the machines starting to take on personalities
of their own.
D
The robots principal job, however, is to shift the newsprint (the printing paper) that arrives at the
plant in huge reels and emerges at the other end sometime later as newspapers. Once the size of
the days paper and the publishing order are determined at head office, the information is
punched into the computer and the LGVs are programmed to go about their work. The LGVs
collect the appropriate size paper reels and take them where they have to go. When the press
needs another reel its computer alerts the LGV system. The Sydney LGVs move busily around
the press room fulfilling their two key functions to collect reels of newsprint either from the reel
stripping stations, or from the racked supplies in the newsprint storage area. At the stripping
station the tough wrapping that helps to protect a reel of paper from rough handling is removed.
Any damaged paper is peeled off and the reel is then weighed.
E
Then one of the four paster robots moves in. Specifically designed for the job, it rims the paper
neatly and prepares the reel for the press. If required the reel can be loaded directly onto the
press; if not needed immediately, an LGV takes it to the storage area. When the press computer
calls for a reel, an LGV takes it to the reel loading area of the presses. It lifts the reel into the
loading position and places it in the correct spot with complete accuracy. As each reel is used up,
the press drops the heavy cardboard core into a waste bin. When the bin is full, another LGV
collects it and deposits the cores into a shredder for recycling.
F
The LGVs move at walking speed. Should anyone step in front of one or get too close, sensors
stop the vehicle until the path is clear. The company has chosen a laser guide function system for
the vehicles because, as the project development manager says The beauty of it is that if you
want to change the routes, you can work out a new route on your computer and lay it down for
them to follow. When an LGVs batteries run low, it will take itself off line and go to the nearest
battery maintenance point for replacement batteries. And all this is achieved with absolute
minimum human input and a much reduced risk of injury to people working in the printing centers.
G
The question newspaper workers must now ask, however is, how long will it be before the robots
are writing the newspapers as well as running the printing centre, churning out the latest edition
every morning?
Questions 33 - 40
Complete the flow-chart below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 33-40 on your answer sheet.
ANSWERS
33
transmitted (electronically)
34
(photographic) film/negative(s)
35
36
programmed
37
damaged paper/wrapping
38
weighed
39
paster robot(s)
40
storage area
Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary. Alternative answers are
separated by a slash (/).
Questions 1 - 8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE
if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE
if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.
Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.
Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.
Helmets are compulsory for all participants.
Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.
If you need a rest you must get off the road.
First aid staff can provide cycle capes.
Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.
ANSWERS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TRUE
NOT GIVEN
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
FALSE
TRUE
SECTION 1
Questions 1 - 8
Questions 1 - 8
Look at the five advertisements, A-E.
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
ANSWERS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
B
E
E
C
D
B
A
D
moment of international fame just before the war; the Scandinavian countries,
particularly Denmark, which played a role in the development of silent cinema quite out of
proportion to their small population; and Japan, where a cinema developed based primarily on
traditional theatrical and, to a lesser extent, other art forms and only
gradually adapted to western influence.
Questions 34 - 40
Look at the following statements (Questions 34-40) and the list of countries below. Match each
statement with the correct country, A-J.
Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 34-40 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
ANSWERS
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
A
C
H
C
A
F
D
10
Questions 27 - 32
The text has seven paragraphs, A-G.
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs A, B and D-G from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i-ix, in boxes 27-32 on your answer sheet.
27
Paragraph A
28
Paragraph B
Example
Paragraph C
29
Paragraph D
30
Paragraph E
31
Paragraph F
32
Paragraph G
ix
ANSWERS
27
28
vii
29
iv
30
31
viii
32
iii
11
[Note: This is an extract from a General Training Reading text on the subject of coal. The text
preceding this extract catalogued the general belief that extracting and using coal is bad for the
environment.]
Greenhouse gases arise from a wide range of sources and their increasing concentration is
largely related to the compound effects of increased population, improved living standards and
changes in lifestyle. From a current base of 5 billion, the United Nations predicts that the global
population may stabilize in the twenty-first century between 8 and 14 billion, with more than 90
per cent of the projected increase taking place in the worlds developing nations. The associated
activities to support that growth, particularly to produce the required energy and food, will cause
further increases in greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge, therefore, is to attain a
sustainable balance between population, economic growth and the environment.
The major greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
and nitrous oxide. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the only major contributor to the greenhouse
effect that does not occur naturally, coming from such sources as refrigeration, plastics and
manufacture. Coals total contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is thought to be about 18
per cent, with about half of this coming from electricity generation.
The worldwide coal industry allocates extensive resources to researching and developing new
technologies and ways of capturing greenhouse gases. Efficiencies are likely to be improved
dramatically, and hence CO2 emissions reduced, through combustion and gasification
techniques which are now at pilot and demonstration stages.
Clean coal is another avenue for improving fuel conversion efficiency. Investigations are under
way into super-clean coal (35 per cent ash) and ultraclean coal (less than 1 per cent ash).
Super-clean coal has the potential to enhance the combustion efficiency of conventional
pulverized fuel power plants. Ultraclean coal will enable coal to be used in advanced power
systems such as coal-fired gas turbines which, when operated in combined cycle, have the
potential to achieve much greater efficiencies.
Defendants of mining point out that, environmentally, coal mining has two important factors in its
favor. It makes only temporary use of the land and produces no toxic chemical wastes. By
carefully preplanning projects, implementing pollution control measures, monitoring the effects of
mining and rehabilitating mined areas, the coal industry minimizes the impact on the
neighboring community, the immediate environment and long-term land capability.
Dust levels are controlled by spraying roads and stockpiles, and water pollution is controlled by
carefully separating clean water runoff from runoff which contains sediments or salt from mine
workings. The latter is treated and reused for dust suppression. Noise is controlled by modifying
equipment and by using insulation and sound enclosures around machinery.
Since mining activities represent only a temporary use of the land, extensive rehabilitation
measures are adopted to ensure that land capability after mining meets agreed and appropriate
standards which, in some cases, are superior to the lands pre-mining condition. Where the
mining is underground, the surface area can be simultaneously used for forests, cattle grazing
and crop rising, or even reservoirs and urban development, with little or no disruption to the
existing land use. In all cases, mining is subject to stringent controls and approvals processes.
12
Questions 1 - 5
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
1
Compared with ordinary coal, new, clean coals may generate power
A
more cleanly and more efficiently.
B
more cleanly but less efficiently.
C
more cleanly but at higher cost.
D
more cleanly but much more slowly.
Choose the most suitable title for the text from the list below. Write the correct letter, A, B, C
or D, in box 6 on your answer sheet.
A
Pollution control in coal mining
B
The greenhouse effect
C
The coal industry and the environment
D
Sustainable population growth
ANSWERS
1
3
5
D
B
D
2
4
6
B
A
C
13
Questions 38 - 40
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each
answer. Write your answers in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.
38
39
The dance outside the hive points in the direction of the.. Food (Source)
40
The angle of the dance from the vertical shows the angle of the food from the..Sun
Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary.
General Training Reading sample task - Short-answer questions
14
Questions 4 - 8
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each
answer.
Write your answers in boxes 4-8 on your answer sheet.
4
5
6
7
8
ANSWERS
4
6
8
pieces of metal
$5
$50,000
5
7
Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary.
Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Although there is some appropriate vocabulary, sentence control is very weak. These problems
are made worse by the poor correcting which sometimes makes words unreadable.
Sample Script B: General Training Writing Sample Task 2
Examiner comment: Band 8
This is a very wellorganised script which contains a lot of well-supported arguments and
analyses the topic from different angles. The ideas follow each other well and there is a very
honest conclusion. The answer is easy to read. There are some areas where the expression is
clumsy but this makes little difference to the overall flow of the answer. There are minor errors in
spelling and structure.
TRANSCRIPT
Examiner:
Now, in this first part, Id like to ask you some more questions about yourself, OK?
Lets talk about your home town or village. What kind of place is it?
Candidate:
Its quite a small village, about 20km from Zurich. And its very quiet. And we have
only little ... two little shops because most of the people work in Zurich or are
orientated to the city.
Examiner:
Candidate:
On the top of a hill we have a little castle which is very old and quite well known in
Switzerland.
Examiner:
Candidate:
We have some farmers in the village as well as people who work in Zurich as
bankers or journalists or there are also teachers and some doctors, some
medicines.
Examiner:
Candidate:
Yes. Although it is very quiet, it is people are friendly and I would say it is a good
place to live there, yes.
Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Alright? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so dont worry if I stop
you. Ill tell you when the time is up.
OK
Can you start speaking now, please?
Yes. One of the most important things I have is my piano because I
like playing the piano. I got it from my parents to my twelve birthday,
so I have it for about nine years, and the reason why it is so important
for me is that I can go into another world when Im playing piano. I can
forget whats around me and what ... I can forget my problems and this
is sometimes quite good for a few minutes. Or I can play to relax or
just, yes to to relax and to think of something completely different.
Thank you. Would it be easy to replace this, this piano?
Yes, I think it wouldnt be that big problem but I like my piano as it is because I
have it from my parents, its some kind unique for me.
TRANSCRIPT
Examiner:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Weve been talking about things we own. Id like to discuss with you one or two
more general questions relating to this topic. First, lets consider values and the
way they can change. In Switzerland, what kind of possessions do you think give
status to people?
The first thing which comes in my mind is the car. Yes, because lots of people like
to have posh cars or expensive cars to show their status, their place in the society.
Is that a new development?
No, I think it isnt.
People have thought like that for quite a long time?
Yes. Another thing is probably the clothing. It starts already when you are young.
When the children go to school they want to have posh labels on their jumpers or
good shoes.
What do you think of this way of thinking, that I need to have a car or certain
clothes to show my status?
Probably its sometimes a replacement for something you dont have, so if your
wife has left you or your girlfriend, you just buy some new, I dont know, new
watches or new clothes to make you satisfied again.
You dont think of it as a healthy way of thinking?
Its probably not honest to yourself. You can understand what I mean?
Yes. And do you think this will change? In the future, will cars and designer clothes
be status symbols in the same way?
Im sure that clothes will be ... that the thing with the clothes will be the same. Im
not so sure about the cars because cars cause lots of environmental problems and
probably in some years, a few years, this will change because its not reasonable
to drive a car anymore.
Can you tell me a little bit more about that? ...
Listening sample task - Form completion (to be used with IELTS Listening Recording 1)
SECTION 1
Questions 1 - 8
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Country of destination:
Jacob 1
Name:
Address to be collected from:
Bristol
Town:
Postcode:
College, Downlands Rd
Size of container:
Length:
1.5m
Width: 4
Contents:
clothes
6
7
Height: 5
Listening sample task - Form completion (to be used with IELTS Listening Recording 1)
Tape-script for IELTS Listening Recording 1
You will hear a telephone conversation between a customer and an agent at a company which
ships large boxes overseas.
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
Listening sample task - Multiple choice (to be used with IELTS Listening Recording 2)
SECTION 1
Questions 9 and 10
9
10
Economy
Standard
Premium
port
home
depot
B
A
B
A
B
OK right. Now obviously insurance is an important thing to consider and our companies
are able to offer very good rates in a number of different all-inclusive packages.
Sorry, could you explain a bit more?
Yes, sorry, um. Theres really three rates according to quality of insurance cover theres the highest comprehensive cover which is Premium rate, then theres standard
rate and then theres economy rate. That one will only cover the cost of the contents
second hand.
Oh Ive been stung before with economy insurance so Ill go for the highest.
Mhhm and can I just check would you want home delivery or to a local depot or would
you want to pick it up at the nearest port?
The portd be fine - Ive got transport that end.
Fine and will you be paying by credit card?
Can I pay by cheque?
ANSWERS:
9
10
Listening sample task - Short-answer questions (to be used with IELTS Listening
Recording 3)
SECTION 2
Questions 11 - 16
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
What TWO factors can make social contact in a foreign country difficult?
11 ....................................................
12 ....................................................
Which types of community group does the speaker give examples of?
theatre
13 ....................................................
14 ....................................................
In which TWO places can information about community activities be found?
15 ....................................................
16 ....................................................
Tapescript
You will hear an extract from a talk given to a group who are going to stay in the UK.
Good evening, and welcome to the British Council. My name is John Parker and Ive
been asked to talk to you briefly about certain aspects of life in the UK before you
actually go there. So I'm going to talk first about the best ways of making social
contacts there. Now you might be wondering why it should be necessary. After all,
we meet people all the time. But when youre living in a foreign country it can be
more difficult, not just because of the language, but because customs may be
different.
If youre going to work in the UK you will probably be living in private accommodation,
so it wont be quite so easy to meet people. But there are still things that you can do
to help yourself. First of all, you can get involved in activities in your local community,
join a group of some kind. For example, youll probably find that there are theatre
groups who might be looking for actors, set designers and so on, or if you play an
instrument you could join music groups in your area. Or if you like the idea of finding
out about local history therell be a group for that too. These are just examples. And
the best places to get information about things like this are either the town hall or the
public library. Libraries in the UK perform quite a broad range of functions nowadays
- theyre not just confined to lending books, although thats their main role of course.
ANSWERS:
11 & 12
in either order
language
customs
13 & 14
in either order
music (groups)
local history (groups)
15 & 16
in either order
(the) (public) library/libraries (the) town hall
Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary. Alternative answers are
separated by a slash (/).
Paul
Rachel
Paul
Rachel
The other thing I wanted to ask you was, did you find it hard, studying with the Open
University?
You mean, because youre studying on your own, most of the time?
Mm.
Well it took me a while to get used to it. I found I needed to maintain a high level of
motivation, because its so different from school. Theres no-one saying, Why havent
you written your assignment yet?' and that sort of thing.
Oh dear.
Youll learn it, Paul. Another thing was that I got very good at time-management
because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job.
Well Im hoping to change to working part-time, so thatll help.
What makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules, so you can take time
off between them if you need to. It isnt like a traditional three-or four-year course,
where youve got to do the whole thing of it in one go.
Paul
Rachel
Paul
Thats good, because Id like to spend six months travelling next year.
Huh, its all right for some. Then even though youre mostly studying at home,
remember youve got tutors to help you, and from time to time there are summer
schools. They usually last a week. Theyre great, because you meet all the other
people struggling with the same things as you. Ive made some really good friends that
way.
Sounds good. So how do I apply?
ANSWERS:
27
28
29
30
motivation
time (-) management
modules
summer school(s)
Media Studies
Women and Power
Culture and Society
Identity and Popular Culture
Introduction to Cultural Theory
Tapescript
(Note: There is no Listening recording for this tapescript.)
You will hear a Communication Studies student talking to his tutor about optional courses for the
next semester.
Dr Ray
Jack
Come in. Oh hello Alan. Have a seat. Right ... you said you wanted to see me to talk
about your options next semester?
That's right. We have to decide by the end of next week. Really, I'd like to do all five
options but we have to choose two, don't we.
Dr Ray
Yes, but the choice depends on your major to some extent. You're majoring in
Communication Studies, aren't you?
That's right.
So for example the Media Studies Option will cover quite a lot of the same area you
did in the core module on mass communications this semester - the development of
the media through the last two centuries, in relation to political and social issues.
Mmm. Well that was interesting, but Ive decided I'd rather do something completely
new. There's a Women's Studies option, isn't there?
Yes, 'Women and Power' - again it has a historical focus, it aims to contextualize
women's studies by looking at the legal and social situation in the nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries
So it would be useful if I intended to specialise in women's studies ... but I'm not sure
I do actually.
Well, it might still be useful to give you an idea of the issues involved. It's taught by Dr
Steed.
Oh, really? I'll sign up for that, then. What about the option on Culture and Society?
That addresses the historical debate on the place of culture since the Industrial
Revolution in Britain.
So a historical focus again...
Do I get the message you're not so keen on history?
Well, it's just we seem to have done quite a lot this semester anyway I'll think
about that one.
If you're interested in a course focusing on current issues there's the option on
Identity and Popular Culture - that approaches the subject through things like
contemporary film, adverts, soap operas and so on.
Oh? That sounds interesting. Can you tell me who runs it?
Well, it's normally Dr Stevens but he's on sabbatical next semester, so I'm not sure
who'll be running it. It should be decided by next week though.
Right, well I might wait until then to decide ... And the last option is Introduction to
Cultural Theory, isn't it. I'm quite interested in that too - I was talking to one of the
second year students, and she said it was really useful, it made a lot of things fall
into place.
Yes, but in fact in your major, you'll have covered a lot of that already in
Communications 102, so that might be less useful than some of the others.
Oh, I'll forget about that one, then.
Now while you're here, we could also discuss how you're getting on with your Core
Module assignment ...
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
Jack
Dr Ray
ANSWERS:
21
23
25
C
B
C
22
24
A
B
Tapescript
(Note: There is no Listening recording for this tapescript.)
You will hear a man talking to an official at a tourist information office.
Official
Man
Official
Man
Official
Man
Official
Man
Official
Man
only hotel with an indoor pool is the Bridge Hotel. It doesn't have a gym though.
The Majestic is planning to build a swimming pool and a fitness centre, but it's not
finished yet.
I see. Well, I think I'll probably go for one of the city centre hotels.
ANSWERS:
1
3
E
C
2
4
B
A
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letters A-I next to questions 11-15.
10
Tapescript
(Note: There is no Listening recording for this tapescript.)
You will hear the librarian of a new town library talking to a group of people who are visiting the
library.
OK everyone. So here we are at the entrance to the town library. My name is Ann, and I'm the
chief librarian here, and you'll usually find me at the desk just by the main entrance here. So I'd
like to tell you a bit about the way the library is organized, and what you'll find where and you
should all have a plan in front of you. Well, as you see my desk is just on your right as you go in,
and opposite this the first room on your left has an excellent collection of reference books and is
also a place where people can read or study peacefully. Just beyond the librarian's desk on the
right is a room where we have up to date periodicals such as newspapers and magazines and
this room also has a photocopier in case you want to copy any of the articles. If you carry straight
on you'll come into a large room and this is the main library area. There is fiction in the shelves
on the left, and non-fiction materials on your right, and on the shelves on the far wall there is an
excellent collection of books relating to local history. We're hoping to add a section on local
tourist attractions too, later in the year. Through the far door in the library just past the fiction
shelves is a seminar room, and that can be booked for meetings or talks, and next door to that is
the children's library, which has a good collection of stories and picture books for the under
elevens. Then there's a large room to the right of the library area - that's the multimedia
collection, where you can borrow videos and DVDs and so on, and we also have CD-Roms you
can borrow to use on your computer at home. It was originally the art collection but that's been
moved to another building. And that's about it - oh, there's also the Library Office, on the left of
the librarian's desk. OK, now does anyone have any questions?
ANSWERS:
11
12
13
14
15
11
Questions 21 - 30
Questions 21 and 22
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for
each answer.
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLDS OCEANS
The Robotic Float Project
Float is shaped like a 21
Scientists from 22 have worked on the project so far
Sample Listening A: Answer Key
21
cigar
22
13 (different) countries
Questions 23 - 25
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for
each answer.
THE OPERATIONAL
CYCLE
Sample Listening A:
Answer Key
23
(is) activated
24 (average) (around
/about/approximately) 50
kilometres/kilometers
25 (water/ocean/sea)
temperature / change(s)
in temperature /
(water/ocean/sea)
temperature change(s) /
temperature of
water/ocean/sea
12
Questions 26 - 30
In what time period can the float projects help with the issues 26-30 below?
A
At present
Sample Listening A:
Answer Key
A
C
A
B
C
Questions 11 - 20
Page 4 of original Listening paper
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for
each answer.
Sample Listening B:
Answer Key
11 classical music
(concerts) / (classical)
(music) concerts
12 (a) bookshop / (a)
bookstore
13
planned
14
15
16
363
13
Questions 17 - 20
Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for
each answer.
18
Three Lives
19
4.50
20
Faces of China