Junior Cycle Camp

ANNOUNCER: Part 1. You will hear a woman phoning to ask about a summer cycling camp for her young son called Charlie. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5. Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.

JAKE: Hello, Junior Cycle Camp, Jake speaking.

WOMAN: Hi. I'm calling for some information about the cycle camp. I'm thinking of sending my son.

JAKE: Great. It's held every weekday morning during the summer vacation, and we focus on basic cycling skills and safety.

JAKE: We have eight levels for children from 3 years old and above. How old is your son?

WOMAN: Charlie is 7. He can ride a bike but needs more training before he's safe to ride on the road.

JAKE: He would probably be best in Level 5.

JAKE: At first, they practice on the camp site, and later we aim to get them riding on the road.

JAKE: Before that, they practice cycling in the park, away from traffic.

WOMAN: Can you tell me about the instructors?

JAKE: All staff wear different colored shirts.

JAKE: The supervisors wear red shirts, and there are three of them.

JAKE: The instructors wear blue shirts, and one instructor leads each class.

JAKE: All instructors must provide a reference from someone who has seen them working with children.

JAKE: They must also complete a training course which includes lesson planning and ensuring the well-being of the children.

WOMAN: What about the class size?

JAKE: Each class has a maximum of 8 children, so instructors can get to know them well.

JAKE: Children spend most of the time cycling, but they also have quieter moments with stories or games.

WOMAN: What happens if it rains?

JAKE: Classes still run. We simply put on our waterproof clothing and continue cycling.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10. Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.

WOMAN: Is there anything special Charlie should bring with him?

JAKE: He should bring spare clothes, especially if the weather is poor, and also a snack for break time.

WOMAN: Should he bring a drink?

JAKE: No, we will provide drinks.

JAKE: He should wear shoes, not sandals.

WOMAN: Charlie also needs to take medication regularly.

JAKE: Just tell us the schedule, and we'll make sure he takes it.

JAKE: On the first day, classes normally start at 9:30, but please arrive by 9:20.

JAKE: The camp finishes at 12:30 as usual.

JAKE: On the first day, we will check that each child's helmet fits properly.

JAKE: If it doesn't fit, we will adjust it or provide a replacement.

JAKE: Helmets must be worn at all times when cycling.

JAKE: After that, instructors will meet their classes in the tent before starting activities.

WOMAN: How much does the camp cost?

JAKE: The price is $199 per week. Last year it was $190.

JAKE: Places are filling up quickly.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers to part 1.

Food and Agriculture Sector Job Opportunities

ANNOUNCER: Part 2. You will hear a recruitment officer called Megan Baker giving a talk at a jobs fair about opportunities in the food and agriculture sectors. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 14. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 14.

MEGAN BAKER: Hello everyone. My name is Megan Baker, and I'm a recruitment consultant at AVT Recruitment Specialists.

MEGAN BAKER: Our company focuses on careers in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.

MEGAN BAKER: These sectors involve areas such as fresh food production, garden maintenance, and park management.

MEGAN BAKER: One advantage is that many jobs offer flexible working hours, which is helpful for people who need to balance work with family responsibilities.

MEGAN BAKER: Some people also enjoy working in a rural environment surrounded by plants and trees rather than buildings.

MEGAN BAKER: These roles can provide important health benefits, especially since many do not require sitting at a computer screen all day.

MEGAN BAKER: Salaries can sometimes be competitive, though they vary depending on the position.

MEGAN BAKER: Certain jobs may even offer opportunities for international travel.

MEGAN BAKER: However, working outdoors also has challenges, especially during cold or windy weather.

MEGAN BAKER: Some roles require a good level of physical fitness, although modern technology has reduced this demand.

MEGAN BAKER: Fortunately, health and safety standards are much higher today, meaning there are fewer workplace accidents.

MEGAN BAKER: On the other hand, these jobs are often located in remote areas, which may not suit people who prefer a busy city environment.

MEGAN BAKER: Some candidates also worry about finding accommodation, but this usually works out well in practice.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 15 to 20. Now listen and answer questions 15 to 20.

MEGAN BAKER: Let me now describe some of the current job vacancies available.

MEGAN BAKER: One role is a Fresh Food Commercial Manager working for a large food producer that supplies major supermarkets.

MEGAN BAKER: This job requires someone who can thrive in a fast-paced business environment.

MEGAN BAKER: Another position is an agronomist, who advises farmers about crop nutrition, pest control, and agricultural regulations.

MEGAN BAKER: This role offers strong opportunities for career progression, although applicants must have extensive agricultural knowledge.

MEGAN BAKER: We also have a vacancy for a Fresh Produce Buyer with a leading supermarket.

MEGAN BAKER: This is a 12-month maternity cover contract requiring experience in administration and purchasing.

MEGAN BAKER: A chain of garden centres is looking for a Sales Manager.

MEGAN BAKER: The job involves visiting different centres to maintain high levels of customer service.

MEGAN BAKER: Applicants must be willing to live in the region.

MEGAN BAKER: Another vacancy is for a tree technician, involving tree cutting, forestry work, and environmental conservation.

MEGAN BAKER: Applicants must have a clean driving licence and training in safety procedures.

MEGAN BAKER: Finally, there is a position for a farm worker.

MEGAN BAKER: Duties include crop planting and harvesting, machine maintenance, and animal care.

MEGAN BAKER: Benefits include the opportunity to rent a small cottage on the farm estate and earn a competitive salary.

MEGAN BAKER: However, applicants must have both a driving licence and tractor driving experience.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers to part 2.

Planning a Presentation on Diet, Obesity, and Related Solutions

ANNOUNCER: Part 3, you will hear two food science students called Adam and Rosie starting to plan their presentation on diet and obesity. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

ADAM: OK, Rosie. Shall we try to get some ideas together for our presentation on diet and obesity?

ROSIE: Sure.

ADAM: I can talk about the experiment I did to see if people can tell the difference between real sugar and artificial sweeteners.

ROSIE: Where you gave people drinks with either sugar or artificial sweeteners, and they had to say which they thought it was.

ADAM: Yeah. It took me ages to decide exactly how I'd organize it, especially how I could make sure that people didn't know which drink I was giving them. It was hard to keep track of it all, especially as I had so many people doing it. I had to make sure I kept a proper record of what each person had had.

ROSIE: So, could most people tell the difference?

ADAM: Yeah. I hadn't thought that they would be able to, but most people could.

ROSIE: Then there's that experiment I did measuring the fat content of nuts to see if the nutritional informatio on the packet was accurate.

ADAM: The one where you ground up the nuts and mixed them with a chemical to absorb the fat.

ROSIE: Yes, my results were a bit problematic. The fat content seemed much lower than it said on the package. But I reckon the package information was right. I think I should probably have ground the nuts more than I did. It's possible the scales weren't accurate enough too. I'd really like to try the experiment again sometime.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.

ADAM: So what can we say about helping people to lose weight? There's a lot we could say about what restaurants could do to reduce obesity.

ADAM: I read that items at the start and end of a menu are much more likely to be chosen than items in the middle. So if you put low-calorie food at the beginning and end, people may choose healthier food without realizing it.

ROSIE: I think food manufacturers could also do more to encourage healthy eating.

ADAM: How?

ROSIE: Sometimes the calorie informatio on food labels is confusing. I suspect manufacturers do this deliberately because high-calorie food often tastes better and sells more.

ADAM: Yeah. For example, a pizza label might show calories per quarter pizza. You think that's fine, but who actually eats only a quarter?

ROSIE: Exactly.

ADAM: Another approach is encouraging people to do more exercise.

ROSIE: Right. In England the guidelines recommend 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week.

ROSIE: But when researchers measured activity with motion sensors, only about 6% of me and 4% of wome actually did that much exercise.

ADAM: Hmm, so it's clear why obesity is increasing.

ROSIE: So how can people be encouraged to exercise more?

ADAM: Small environmental changes can help. For instance, if stairs are placed before escalators in train stations, people are more likely to take the stairs. Wider stairs also allow more people to use them.

ROSIE: Right. It may seem like a small change, but repeated daily it can make a big difference.

ADAM: Actually, I'm not sure whether we should include exercise in our presentation.

ROSIE: Why not? We've done quite a bit of reading on it.

ADAM: Our tutor said we should focus on causes and solutions related specifically to nutritio .

ROSIE: Oh, right. In that case it will be simpler, and we already have plenty of information.

ADAM: So what should we do now?

ROSIE: Let's organize the structure of the presentation and decide what slides we need.

ADAM: OK, good idea.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers to part 3.

The Revival and Significance of Hand Knitting

ANNOUNCER: Part 4, you will hear a lecturer on a fashion design course introducing the subject of hand knitting, which involves making things like woolen jumpers and scarves. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.

SPEAKER: Good morning everyone, today we’re going to look at an important creative activity called hand knitting.

SPEAKER: Ancient knitted garments have been found in many different countries, showing that knitting is a global activity with a long history.

SPEAKER: When people hear the word knitting, they often imagine an elderly perso , perhaps a grandmother sitting by the fire knitting clothes for family members.

SPEAKER: This image may make knitting seem like a skill of the past, and in fact it was once predicted that knitting might disappear from everyday life.

SPEAKER: Many traditional craft skills declined when industrial machines began producing clothing, and when these skills were no longer passed down between generations.

SPEAKER: However, this situation is now changing, and interest in knitting classes is increasing in many countries.

SPEAKER: At the same time, sales of knitting equipment have also increased.

SPEAKER: People want to learn knitting today because this handicraft offers many benefits.

SPEAKER: In the past, many people knitted because they could not afford to buy clothes.

SPEAKER: Even today, knitting can help families experiencing economic hardship, especially if several children need warm winter clothing.

SPEAKER: Although knitting requires only basic skills and a small financial investment, the results can be very rewarding.

SPEAKER: In modern society, one of the greatest advantages of knitting is its benefit for mental well-being.

SPEAKER: Today people may spend up to nine hours a day online, so working with the hands provides relief from a fast-paced technological lifestyle.

SPEAKER: Now let’s consider the early history of knitting.

SPEAKER: The exact origins of knitting are unknown, but archaeological discoveries provide valuable evidence.

SPEAKER: Early knitted garments were usually round rather than flat.

SPEAKER: Finds from the 3rd and 4th centuries in Egypt include items such as socks and gloves.

SPEAKER: These were often knitted in a single piece using four or five needles, unlike modern knitting patterns which usually require only two needles.

SPEAKER: The earliest knitting needles were made by hand from materials such as wood and bone.

SPEAKER: Today, knitting needles are commonly made from steel or plastic, producing the familiar clicking sound while knitting.

SPEAKER: Early yarns were made from materials such as line , hemp, cotto , and wool.

SPEAKER: These materials were often rough on the ski .

SPEAKER: The invention of the spinning wheel allowed people to produce finer yar in larger quantities.

SPEAKER: This development made wool the dominant material in the knitting industry because of its warmth.

SPEAKER: Because knitting developed in many regions of the world, distinct regional styles appeared.

SPEAKER: These patterns help researchers identify where a knitted item came from, or even the occupatio of the person who wore it.

SPEAKER: For people in poorer communities, knitting also provided a way to earn extra money.

SPEAKER: Men, women, and children often knitted while doing other tasks, such as watching sheep, walking to market, or traveling by boat.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 4. You now have one minute to check your answers to part 4.