Describing a place- IELTS

For some questions in the Listening paper, you need to look at a map of a place, or a plan of a building.

1.1. Look at drawings A-F and decide what the images are.

1.2. Study the map in section 3.3 for 30 seconds.

1.3. Try to answer questions 1-4 without looking back at the map.

1 What is it a map of?

2 Name three landmarks on the map

3 Where is the entrance?

4 What is in the centre of the map?

Features already on the map are often used as landmarks to help you find your way.

1.4.Listen to extracts from the four sections of the Listening test. Complete the first column in the table by choosing the correct letter (A, B or C).

1.5. Listen again and complete the table on the previous page. Write down the landmarks mentioned and fill in the gaps in the phrases that help you to locate the correct answer.

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ANSWERS

1.1.

A An escalator (a electric stairs)

B A fountain (outdoor waterfall fountain)

C A hill

D A pond

E Traffic lights

F A roundabout 

1.3.

1. A market

2. A tree, a fountain, a play area (swings)

3. At the bottom on the left

4. A tree

1.4. 

1. A

2. B

3. C

4. A

1.5.

1. Lifts, entrance, toilets

-The entrance is over there on your left. 

-Then go straight ahead.

- The shop you want is opposite the toilets.

- Next to the lifts.

2. Circular courtyard, entrance, tree

-In the middle of the resort, you´ll see a  

-To the right of the courtyard, you´ll find a

-It´s just behind the tree

3.River, motorway 

- I was thinking of putting it right in the middle

- I think it would be better if it´s at the eastern end of the motorway

4. Bushes, pond, tree

- ...it is unable to live in the area of pond

-...it does need to  live in fairly close proximity to water

- ...in a tiny burrow surrounded by bushes

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SCRIPT

Recording 16

1

A: Excuse me, can you tell me where the gift shop is?

B: Yes, you need to go into the shopping centre, the entrance is over there on your left.

A: Yes, I see it.

B: Well, you go in there, then go straight ahead. The shop you want is opposite the toilets. Next to the lifts.

A: Thanks very much!

2.

Welcome to the resort! I´ll just tell you about some of our facilities. We´ve got a lovely little pond, where guests are welcome to sit and have a picnic. You´ll see it as you come in the entrance. In the middle of the resort, you´ll see a circular courtyard, it has some lovely cool places to sit as well. You can see our famous fig tree from there, it´s enormous! To the right of the courtyard, you´ll find a small shop where you can pick up things like postcards and stamps. It´s just behind the tree.

3.

A: Hello, Professor Jones, would you be able to help me with my assignment?

B: Of course. Are you having problems with choosing a good location for the new bridge?

A: Yes, I was thinking of putting it right in the middle as the river is at its narrowest there.

B: Well, that would save costs.

A: Exactly, but I realised that it would create costs in other areas as it would mean some important buildings being knocked down. So I think it would be better if it´s at the eastern end of the motorway.

B: That´s a good idea. It would be a lot more useful than if it was at the western end.

4

The Traviston Frog is different to many other species of frog. It is very small and so, unlike other species, it is unable to live in the area of a pond, though it does need to live in fairly close proximity to water so that it can fell. Rather than choosing the safety of a tree, which would be too tall and may actually increase the threat from predators, it elects to live in a tiny burrow surrounded by bushes.