First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40. Good morning, everyone.
First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40. Good morning, everyone.
Today, in this second lecture of the series, we turn our attention to transportation. In particular, we're going to take a look at the way the motor car influenced urban development in Australia and changed our lifestyle from the 1940s to the end of the 1990s. The car is so common nowadays that we all take it for granted, and we barely think about the major effect it has had on our society.
But let's go back for a while to the late 1940s. Although they had been around since the start of the 20th century, only one person in eight owned a car in Australia's major cities at that time. Nearly 60% of journeys were still made by various means of public transport, and only 15% by car, which is clearly very few compared to statistics now.
Buses were very crowded in the days before extensive car use, and they were also considered to be uncomfortable, despite providing a cheap option that most people could afford. Remember, this wasn't long after the Second World War. People were tired of living without things, of making do, and to them, cars represented freedom.
But even for the wealthy few who did have vehicles, it wasn't easy to run a car at this time. As well as the expense of buying a car, spare parts were difficult to get, as many were imported. Another problem for car owners was that fuel was still rationed, and car taxes were very high.
Strong public feeling on issues like these from various pressure groups resulted in a change of government in Australia after the general election in 1949, which undoubtedly shaped the future of our nation. In the 1960s, cheaper, more reliable cars became available, and this coincided with the rapid expansion of the suburbs. The car enabled these to grow in all directions, far beyond the train lines laid down in the 19th century.
Sample Questions
- Question 1: Multiple choice — choose the best description of the main argument.
- Question 2: True / False / Not Given — decide if the statement matches the text.
- Question 3: Gap-fill — complete the summary using words from the passage.
About this practice
Cambridge IELTS Listening tests are the most trusted practice materials available, reflecting the actual test format and difficulty. Each test comprises four sections ranging from everyday social conversations to academic lectures. Consistent practice with authentic Cambridge audio helps you adapt to natural speech patterns, real speaking speeds and the pressure of time-constrained information processing. IELTS Mate interactive platform lets you pause, replay and check answers instantly, making your listening practice more effective. The automatic scoring system gives immediate feedback on your performance so you can focus on areas that matter most.
FAQ
How many sections does IELTS Listening have?
IELTS Listening consists of 4 sections: everyday conversation, monologue, academic discussion, and academic lecture. There are 40 questions in total to be completed in 30 minutes.
How can I improve my IELTS Listening score?
Daily listening practice is key. Start at a slower pace, focus on keywords and synonyms. Practice predicting answers from context and review recordings to understand missed words.
Is IELTS Listening the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes, the Listening component is identical for both IELTS versions. The difference only lies in the Reading and Writing sections.