IELTS Mock Test 2020 March

Published on: 03 Apr 2020
Tests taken: 257,338

Answer Keys:

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Part 1: Question 1 - 10

1 80
2 maximum limit
3 4.5 (metres)
4 Hire and installation
5 (Cost of) carpeting

6 55
7 June 5th
8 Jenny Lakewell
9 CV6TL3
10 07944 325883

Part 2: Question 11 - 20

11 G
12 D
13 C
14 A
15 F

16 B
17 B
18 C
19 A
20 C

Part 3: Question 21 - 30

21 B
22 C
23 C
24 B
25 A

26 A
27 B
28 C
29 B
30 C

Part 4: Question 31 - 40

31 (single-handedly) revolutionised
32 Identical theory
33 sole credit
34 proved extremely controversial
35 of evolution

36 missing link
37 proof of
38 the skull
39 so convincing
40 was declared

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Tips for improving your ielts score

How to use the "keyword technique" in IELTS Reading?

We can use Keywords Technique for all the types of question in the IELTS Reading Test.

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08 May 2018

Review & Explanations:

Part 1: Questions 1-10

Questions 1-7

Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Details of Order
Party Host	Example: Customer's *oldest daughter*
Occasion	18th birthday
Number of Guests Invited	1
Customer Budget	2 £800
Marquee Size	3 X 9 metres
4 Cost	£450
5	£150
Lighting Cost	approximately ₤ 6
Number of Guests	seated 30 / standing 50
Furniture Cost	per table £4.00 / per chair £3.00
Dates Marquee Required	Set-up date 7 To be taken down on June 7th

1 Answer: 80

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q1 must be “Number of Guests Invited ”
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be a particular number.
Although there are many numbers given and make us misunderstand, so we need to listen carefully. Firstly, “50” but it is just the limit number wanted by representative, not final result as well as the correct answer for this question. Then, we continue to hear that “She would like to invite double that number but we decided to split the difference and settle on 80 rather than 100.” Accordingly, we can understand that the woman’s daughter want to invite about 100 guests, but the representative decides to split the difference and settles on 80, which is the correct answer for the question 1.

2 Answer: maximum limit

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q2 must be “Customer Budget”.
From the question, we can guess that the answer must be cost.
Although the woman firstly only spends between £400-£600, but then she have a little changes in price. Particularly, the woman confirms that she can stretch to another hundred or two but that's the maximum limit. In another way, the budget can reach to £700 or £800 and £800 is the maximum limit. Thus, maximum limit is the correct answer for this question.

3 Answer: 4.5 (metres)

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q3 must be “Marquee Size”.
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be size.
We need to consider to the object mentioned in this question, it asks the size of Marquee, not this of the garden. So the information “15 metres by 30 metres.” of the garden is the wrong answer for this question. Then we can hear that “Well, our 4.5 by 9 metres marquee would fit in nicely” Thus, the correct answer for this question must be 4.5.

4 Answer: Hire and installation

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

- The keyword concerned in Q4 must be “£450”.
- From the question, we can assume that the answer must be services.
- Accordingly, the man mentions that the hire and installation comes to £450 but that allows you to have the marquee for 2 days. Therefore, the answer for this question must be “hire and installation”.

5 Answer: (Cost of) carpeting

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

- The keyword concerned in Q5 must be “£150”.
- From the question, we can assume that the answer must be services.
- Accordingly, the passage mentions that :” the cost of carpeting the marquee will add on another £150.” In another way, the cost of the carpeting is £150. Therefore, the answer for this question must be “carpeting”.

6 Answer: 55

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q6 must be “lighting cost”
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be cost.
The man gives 2 prices of lighting which make us misunderstand. Although the man mentions to “£90” but it is the cost of the chandelier lighting, is the most expensive option as well. However, the question doesn’t ask the chandelier lighting, just common lighting, so we will take the average lighting whose price is around £55. Therefore the answer must be “£55”.

7 Answer: June 5th

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q7 must be “Dates Marquee Required”.
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be time.
As the passage,although the daughter’s birthday is on June 6th, then the woman states that “so ideally a day beforehand. Then we could have it taken down the day after her birthday.”Please focus on the detail “a day beforehand”. In another way, set-up date is June 5th. Therefore, the answer must be “June 5th”.

Questions 8-10

Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Customer Details
Name	8
Postcode	9
Contact Number	10

8 Answer: Jenny Lakewell

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q8, Q9 must be “customer detail”, “name”and “postcode”
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be name.
After the man asks the name of the woman “May I start by taking down your name and postcode?” The woman replies her name and postcode “Jenny Lakewell, and the postcode's CV6 TL3.” Still here, it is easy in finding the correct answer if you listen carefully. However if you are miss or don’t listen clearly, don’t worry, because the woman explain more about some easily misunderstand points of the name and postcode. Particularly, the woman speaks that the word “Jenny” in her name has a double 'N' and with with a 'Y' at the end but not an “IE” as everyone. About the postcode, the woman also emphasises that “It's with a 'V', not a 'B'. So it's CV6” .
Therefore, the answer for the question 8 must be “Jenny Lakewell” and the answer of the question 9 must be “CV6 TL3”

9 Answer: CV6TL3

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q8, Q9 must be “customer detail”, “name”and “postcode”
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be name.
After the man asks the name of the woman “May I start by taking down your name and postcode?” The woman replies her name and postcode “Jenny Lakewell, and the postcode's CV6 TL3.” Still here, it is easy in finding the correct answer if you listen carefully. However if you are miss or don’t listen clearly, don’t worry, because the woman explain more about some easily misunderstand points of the name and postcode. Particularly, the woman speaks that the word “Jenny” in her name has a double 'N' and with with a 'Y' at the end but not an “IE” as everyone. About the postcode, the woman also emphasises that “It's with a 'V', not a 'B'. So it's CV6” .
Therefore, the answer for the question 8 must be “Jenny Lakewell” and the answer of the question 9 must be “CV6 TL3”

10 Answer: 07944 325883

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q10 must be “contact number”.
From the question, we can assume that the answer must be mobile phone.
Firstly, the woman mentions a mobile phone, but then confirms that “I forgot I've got a different number now.” Thus the first contact number given is wrong. The woman speaks a new mobile phone “it's 0-7-9-then double 4, not double 0, followed by 3-2-5-8-8-3.” In another way, it is 07944325883.

Part 1

Part 2: Questions 11-20

Questions 11-15

Label the map below of a typical medieval castle.

Write the correct letter, A-G, next to questions 11-15.

11 Chapel

12 Great Hall

13 Great Chambers

14 Bakehouse

15 Stables

11 Answer: G

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q11 must be “chapel”.
From the passage, we can listen that “The main entrance Would have been the Outer Gatehouse”, the speaker put in a particular place to easily locate directions finding the correct answer. Then the speaker gives us the information of the chapel building is that it “located at the bottom right-hand corner of the diagram. Thus we can guess the location of the chapel may be “G”
. Therefore, the answer for this question is “ G”.

12 Answer: D

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q12 must be “Great Hall”
According to the passage, we can see the map is divided into 2 main areas: the outside castle and the inner castle. Because the speaker emphasizes that “The inner castle area held the main building... Here the Great Hall, along, with the Great Chambers and Kitchens were lo-cated, as well as the castle Bakehouse.”, the Great Hall is in the latter. Moreover, he also shows in detail that “The Great Hall was the only building with a courtyard view to the back and front.” Thus, we can confirm that The Great Hall is D because D is the only place that have a courtyard view to the back and front.
We can guess that “D” is the exact answer for this question.

13 Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q13 must be “Great Chambers”
Accordingly, we need to listen carefully to 2 vital information of great chambers given by the speaker in order to find the correct answer. Firstly, “Whilst the Great Hall enjoyed a central location in the inner castle area, the Great Chambers and Kitchen were less prominently positioned.” Through the above sentence we can confirm the Great Chambers’s location is in the inner area. Secondly, the speaker states that “did not enjoy a courtyard view.”, thus we can guess the answer for this question is “C”.

14 Answer: A

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q14 must be “Bakehouse”.
The answer for this question show clearly if you listen carefully. The speaker states that “The Great Chambers, unlike the Bakehouse. which is next to one of the towers”. Don’t miss the characteristics between Bakehouse and Great Chambers. And as we can see, A is the only place which next to the towers.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be “A”.

15 Answer: F

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q15 must be ”Stables”.
Accordingly, the speaker confirms that “Part of the exterior castle wall formed the back wall of the Great Chambers as it did with the Stables, located in the Outer Court.” Thus, we can certainly confirm that F is the correct answer for this question.

Questions 16-20

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Medieval castles

A shared a common design.
B were each unique.
C had the same methods of fortification in common.

Answer: B

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q16 must be “medieval castles”.
According to the passage, although the speaker states that “the design and layout of each castle was determined greatly by local demands, function and purpose for which the fortification was intended”, there was no blueprint for medieval castles. In another way, the medieval castles were each unique.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be B.

The early medieval Keep served as

A a prison and fortified tower.
B a fortified tower and living area.
C a fortified entrance to the inner castle area.

Answer: B

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q17 must be “The early medieval Keep”and “served”
From the passage, the speaker states that “Little more than a fortified tower, the Keep doubled up as basic accommodation for the castle's residents”. The mean of the word “accomodation” is similar this of “living area”.
The answer for this question must be B.

In later medieval castles, the Keep

A evolved into a set of different buildings.
B was used purely for accommodation.
C played a less significant role in the castle's domestic life.

Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q18 must be “In later medieval castle” and “the Keep”

A. "evolved into a set of different buildings."
Explanation: This is wrong. The passage says living areas (not the Keep) changed into separate buildings. The Keep remained a tower; it didn’t turn into new buildings.

B. "was used purely for accommodation."
Explanation: This is also wrong. The Keep wasn’t only used for living; it had other purposes too. The passage mentions its importance decreased as new living areas were built, but it wasn’t just for accommodation.

C. "played a less significant role in the castle's domestic life."
Explanation: This is the right answer. In the past, the Keep was very important for living and protection, but as castles evolved, new living areas were built, and the Keep became less important in daily life.

Therefore the answer for this question may be “C.”

Underground dungeons were built in response to

A a shift in the medieval belief system.
B the Keep being no longer used for prisoners.
C a call for harsher treatment of prisoners.

Answer: A

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q19 must be “Underground dungeon”
Accordingly, the speaker mentions “the use of latter-day dungeons for imprisonment was an unknown and alien concept, the judicial systems favouring more physical forms of punishment instead.”
Therefore, the answer for this question must be A.

The least effective line of defence was

A the portcullis.
B the drawbridge.
C the barbican.

Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q20 must be “least effective” and “defence”
From the passage, although the barbican is one of the typical features of most castles, we can listen that “the narrow, fortified entrance of the barbican was insufficient defence against an enemy intent on invading the castle.” The word “insufficient” is similar to the phrase “least effective”.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be C.

Previous Next

Part 2

Part 3: Questions 21-30

Questions 21-25

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Julie and Dave thought the lecture

A gave a new insight into Shakespeare's style.
B offered a thought-provoking view on Shakespeare and his work.
C explained Shakespeare's belief in ghosts.

Answer: B

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q21 must be “Julie and Dave”, “the lecture”.
As the passage, according to Dave, the lecture “made a break from the usual lectures on literary style”and incentive for Dave to look at some of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the playwright which is Shakespeare’s work. Thus, we can guess the answer for this question is B.
About C, it is the wrong answer. Because although we can listen some words relating to “ghost” , maybe it is a common misconception about Shakespeare. He is Protestant, as is his audience, and the Protestant religion does not subscribe to a belief in ghosts as spirits returning from another world

Hamlet was a play

A which reflected popular belief in the supernatural.
B that recorded historical events.
C seemingly in conflict with accepted beliefs.

Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q22 must be “Hamlet”
From the passage, although “Hamlet was set In Denmark and, although fictional, the play „would have reflected the Protestant beliefs of the Danes, too.” As you can see, Protestant doesn’t believe in the supernatural such as ghost,... , in Shakespeare’s plays which have fictional elements and one of these plays is Hamet. In another way, Hamlet is a play seemingly in conflict with accepted beliefs.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be C.

In the time of James I

A a belief in ghosts was not tolerated.
B more people believed in ghosts.
C certain religious beliefs were not acceptable.

Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q23 must be “time of James I”.
We can listen “Any other religions, like Catholicism, were not tolerated by the religious authorities or James I, who was head of the Church of England at the time.” In another way, in the time of James I, certain religious beliefs were not acceptable.
About the option A, the speaker only mentions except Protestantism, other religions aren’t tolerated, but not a belief in ghosts. Thus it is the incorrect answer.
About the option B, as you can see that Protestant doesn’t believe in the ghost, James I, who was head of the Church, so the answer B is certainly wrong.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be C.

Shakespeare introduced ghosts into plays

A because he believed in a spirit world.
B as a theatrical device.
C to provoke religious debate.

Answer: B

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q24 must be “Shakespeare” and “ghosts”
According to the passage, the speaker says that “ghosts appear in Macbeth and Hamlet really to show what the characters are thinking and as a catalyst for certain events.” In another way, Shakespeare introduced ghosts into plays as a theatrical device. Therefore, the answer for this question must be the option B.
About the option A, Shakespeare believes in a spirit world which is certainly wrong. Because he is a protestant. So it is the incorrect answer.

Shakespeare's audience would probably have

A secretly approved of a supernatural content in plays.
B shown approval for plays with a supernatural content.
C disapproved of the inclusion of ghosts in plays.

Answer: A

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q25 must be “Shakespeare's audience” and “have”
From the passage, the speaker says that “Nevertheless, contrary to expectations, they do seem to have been a superstitious lot.” So we can except the option C.
About the option B, the phrase “show approval “ means official permission. However, as you can see, believing in supernatural isn’t in line with Protestant beliefs, so showing approval for plays with a supernatural content is must not. Instead of, can only secretly approved of a supernatural content in plays.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be the option A.

Questions 26-30

What does Julie say about the following subjects?

Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to questions 26-30.

A	cornful, dismissive
B	open-minded
C	believing

26 witches / astrology

27 ghosts

28 UFOs/aliens

29 premonitions

30 telepathy

26 Answer: A

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q26 must be “witches / astrology”.
As the passage, the man states clearly:” today are a lot less gullible than In that period though,”, then the speaker explains particularly about these things “witches and astrology and all that...” As you can see, the unreliable things is often scornful or dismissive.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be “A”

27 Answer: B

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q27 must be “Abdul”, “qualification”
Although the passage states that “I guess most people are like me - curious, but not entirely convinced when it comes to the spirit world.” The word “curious” shows open-minded status of the speaker. Thus, the right answer for this question must be B.
About the option C, because of the phrase “not entirely convinced” and “the product of certain people's Imaginations” Therefore, the option C can’t the answer for this question.

28 Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q28 must be “UFOs/aliens”.
We can listen that “it's absurd to think we are alone in the universe.” In another way, the speaker believes that there is the existence of UFOs.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be “the option C”.

29 Answer: B

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q29 must be “premonitions”.
According to the passage, although at the beginning, the speaker states commonly that she believes in some aspects of the paranormal such as telepathy and premonition. But then she says that “I'm inclined, though, to think premonitions are more coincidence than due to a paranormal event” Through this sentence, we can see there are unreliability at there. Therefore, the answer for this question must be “the option B”.

30 Answer: C

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keyword concerned in Q30 must be “telepathy”
According to the passage, the woman states that “I think that the evidence in favour of it is impossible to deny”. In another way, the woman believes in telepathy.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be “the option C.”.

Previous Next

Part 3

Part 4: Questions 31-40

Questions 31-35

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Darwin is credited with having 31 popular beliefs about Man's creation. However, Alfred Russell Wallace simultaneously came up with an 32 to Darwin. Unfortunately for Wallace, Darwin seems to have been given the 33 for the theory of evolution. Darwin's theory 34 , upsetting the religious authorities of his time. Today, it is often accepted that Man is a product 35 and not spontaneous creation.

31 Answer: (single-handedly) revolutionised

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q31 must be “Darwin”and “Man’s creation”.
According to the passage, the speaker says that “He single-handedly revolutionised (31) the way we think about the natural world.” “Man’s creation” which mentioned in the question, is “the way we think about the natural world. “ Moreover, after “having” , it can be a noun or a verb. Therefore, the incorrect answer for this question is “(single-handedly) revolutionised”. Darwin is credited with having revolutionised popular beliefs about the way people think about the natural world.

32 Answer: Identical theory

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q32 must be “Alfred Russell Wallace”, “come up with” .
Accordingly, the speaker states that “Alfred Russell Wallace, was working on a virtually identical theory” The mean of the phrase “come up with” is similar to this of the phrase “work on”. Thus, the correct answer for this question must be “identical theory”. Please consider to the word “an” in the question.

33 Answer: sole credit

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q33 must be “Darwin” and “the theory of evolution”
The author gives information that “There is no question that Darwin acted dishonourably, therefore, falsely claiming the sole credit for a theory of evolution.”. Through this sentence, we can understand that because there is no question that Darwin acted dishonourably, Darwin have been given the sole credit for the theory of evolution. Therefore, the correct answer for this question must be “the sole credit”.

34 Answer: proved extremely controversial

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q34 must be “Darwin's theory” and “religious authorities”.
From the passage, the speaker mentions that “It also proved extremely controversial in the eyes of the Church” . The eyes of Church relates religion, so we can base on it as a vital keyword to find the correct answer. Darwin’s theory proved extremely controversial, upsetting the religious authorities of his time. And Darwin also explain particularly the source of that problem.
Therefore the right answer for this question must be “proved extremely controversial”

35 Answer: of evolution

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q35 must be “Man”, “product” and “spontaneous creation.”
According to the passage, the speaker states that Darwin claimed Man is a product of evolution but not of divine intervention.
Therefore, the answer must be “of evolution”.

Questions 36-40

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

The absence of a 36 might be seen by some to discredit Darwin's theory.

Finding an evolutionary bridge between Man and ape would provide undeniable 37 the theory of evolution.

When 38 of the Piltdown Man was first unearthed in 1908, it seemed Darwin's theory was no longer in doubt.

In fact, the hoax proved 39 that scientists and the Press alike believed in its validity.

After 40 years, Piltdown Man 40 as being no more than a fake.

36 Answer: missing link

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q36 must be “absence” and “discredit Darwin's theory.”
According to the passage, the speaker shows that “The search for the 'missing link', as it has been called, has both occupied and perplexed scientists since the time of Darwin” It means that nowadays, people are curious to Darwin’s theory and find out, then they explore the absence of the missing link (for example: an ape-man that bridges the gap between Man and ape has yet to be found.), resulting Darwin’s theory is discredited.
Therefore, missing link must be the answer for this question.

37 Answer: proof of

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q 37 must be “evolutionary bridge between Man and ape” and “undeniable”.
The author mentions that “Many hoaxers over the years have tried to exploit the desire of scientists to find conclusive proof _of Darwin's theory in the form of a missing link” In another way, finding an evolutionary bridge between Man and ape would provide undeniable proof of the theory of evolution.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be proof of.

38 Answer: the skull

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q38 must be “the Piltdown Man” and ”.1908”
As the passage, the speaker states that “Sussex village where it was first unearthed in 1908, the skull of the Piltdown Man represented a transition from an ape to a man.” The answer of this question is quite clearly and it is the skull.

39 Answer: so convincing

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q39 must be “hoax”, “scientists and the Press” and “validity”
As the passage, the speaker states that “So convincing a hoax was it that it fooled the scientific establishment into believing for some 40 years that the 'missing link' had indeed been found.” In another way, the hoax proved so convincing that scientists and the Press alike believed in its validity.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be so convincing.

40 Answer: was declared

Listen from here Locate Explain Report

The keywords concerned in Q40 must be “Piltdown Man” and “after 40 years”.
From the question, we can guess the answer must be verb
According to the passage, the speaker mentions “When Dawson died in 1916, Piltdown Man's place In history seemed secure.” Whilst listen, concentrate on years given, after merely 40 years, 1953, the skull was declared a fake.
Therefore, the answer for this question must be was declared.

Part 4

Change Audio Sources

Part 1

You will hear a telephone conversation between a caller and a representative of a company hiring marquees. First you have some time to look at questions 1-7. [Pause 30 seconds]

You will see that there is an example that has been done for you. On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.

Representative: Good afternoon! Magnificent Marquees, how can I help you?

Caller: Oh hello, I would like to hire a marquee. You see, it's for special occasion. My eldest daughter's celebrating her 18th birthday and her coming of age. There was no question of her waiting until her 21st, although I'm sure we'll be having a big celebration then, too!

Representative: So, you're celebrating in style! Well, of course, I'd be happy to help. First, could you give me some details about guest numbers?

Narrator: The customer wants to hire a marquee for her oldest daughter's 18th birthday, so you write 'oldest daughter' in the space provided. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions 1-7.

Representative: Good afternoon! Magnificent Marquees, how can I help you?

Representative: So, you're celebrating in style! Well, of course, I'd be happy to help. First, could you give me some details about guest numbers?

Caller: Right, yes...Well, I was anticipating just a small 'do' but my daughter seems to have other ideas!

Representative: Well, you can't blame her; It's a special day! Caller: I guess...I told her to limit numbers to around 50 guests but the guest list seems to be growing daily. She would like to invite double that number but we decided to split the difference and settle on 80 rather than 100!

Representative: If you don't mind some of the guests standing, then our marquee sizes always allow standing space for almost double as many as those seated. For instance, one of our smaller marquees seats 30 guests but accommodates 50 standing. Caller: That sounds interesting. How big is that marquee? As not only am I working to a budget but also we're limited by our garden size.

Representative: Can you give me an idea of both your budget and the size we're looking at?

Caller: Yes, I'm thinking of spending between £400-£600.I can stretch to another hundred or two but that's the maximum limit. As for size, well, our garden's 15 metres by 30 metres.

Representative: OK... Well, our 4.5 by 9 metres marquee would fit in nicely. The hire and installation comes to £450 but that allows you to have the marquee for 2 days.

Caller: The marquee size you mentioned sounds fine and will accommodate the guests that we are expecting. Yes, I think that's the size I'll go for.

Representative: So, now as to the cost of lighting and fittings... Caller: Oh, will that be very expensive?

Representative: It depends on what you want but the cost of carpeting the marquee will add on another £150. With regard to the lighting, prices vary quite a bit. If you opt for chandelier

lighting, then it's another £90. But that's the most expensive option. Otherwise, the average pricing is around £55.

Caller: I think I'll go for the more economic lighting then.

Representative: Then there's the furniture: tables and chairs and so on. You decided on seating for 30 guests... Well, at £3 per chair, that will work out at £90 In total. You will then probably need 5 tables at least and so with each table costing £4, that brings us to a total of £20 for the tables.

Caller: OK, so I'm still just within my budget. Great! I'll go ahead with the booking then.

Representative: Wonderful. So there's only one more important detail that I need. When would you like us to set up the marquee?

Caller: Well, my daughter's birthday is on June 6th, so ideally a day beforehand. Then we could have it taken down the day after her birthday.

Representative: Yes, no problem.

Caller: Great. Well, I'll go ahead with the order then.

Representative: Wonderful!

Narrator: Before listening to the rest of the conversation you have some time to look at questions 8-10. [Pause 30 seconds] Now listen and answer questions 8-10.

Representative: OK, so that I can process your order, I need to take down some details. May I start by taking down your name and postcode?

Caller: Yes. It's Jenny Lakewell, and the postcode's CV6 TL3. Representative: Is that Jenny with a double 'N'?

Caller: Yes, that's correct.

Representative: And is that Jenny with a 'Y' or an 'IE' at the end?

Caller: Yes, it confuses everyone. I use the first spelling.

Representative: And, I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch the postcode, was that 'CB6'?

Caller: No, It's with a 'V', not a 'B'. So it's CV6.

Representative: Right you are. Can I have a contact number also, please?

Caller: My mobile number is 0-7-9-0-0 4-5-6. Oh, hold on a minute!

I forgot I've got a different number now. So it's 0-7-9-then double 4, not double 0, followed by 3-2-5-8-8-3.

Representative: Great! That's everything for the moment. Well be sending you details and an invoice through the post in the next few days.

Caller: OK. And thank you for your help. Goodbye!

Narrator: That's the end of Part 1. You have half a minute to check your answers. [Pause 30 seconds]

Now turn to Part 2.

Part 2

You will hear a history teacher talking to students in a class. First you will have time to look at questions 11-15.

[Pause 30 seconds]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 11-15.

Today we are going to study the typical layout of a medieval English castle. Highly fortified and with difficult access, medieval castles were Impressive strongholds, designed to keep the castle's inhabitants safe and the invaders at bay.

The main entrance Would have been the Outer Gatehouse, located at the bottom right-hand corner of the diagram, just by the chapel buildings. However, even If you had entered via the Outer Gatehouse into the castle grounds, you would still have been outside the main part of the castle. The buildings in the Outer Court were not the main residential areas of the castle. These latter buildings belonged to the inner castle area and were heavily protected both by a water-filled channel known as a 'moat' which extended around a third of the inner part of the castle as well as the fortified walls around the castle exterior.

To enter the Innermost area you had to enter a long, narrow tunnel known as a barbican, over, and directly above which, the Gatehouse was located. The barbican, being the only access point to the inner castle, was narrow and heavily guarded to prevent large enemy forces storming the inner castle area, The inner castle area held the main buildings around which dally life revolved. Here the Great Hall, along, with the Great Chambers and Kitchens were lo-cated, as well as the castle Bakehouse. The Great Hall was the only building with a courtyard view to the back and front. Whilst the Great Hall enjoyed a central location in the inner castle area, the Great Chambers and Kitchen were less prominently positioned. Both of the latter buildings were located off to either side of the Great Hall. The Great Chambers, unlike the Bakehouse. which is next to one of the towers, did not enjoy a courtyard view. Part of the exterior castle wall formed the back wall of the Great Chambers as it did with the Stables, located in the Outer Court.

Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the discussion you have some time to look at questions 16-20. [Pause 30 seconds]

Now listen and answer questions 16-20.

The layout I have just described will give you a better idea as to the design of a medieval castle. There was no blueprint for castles though and the design and layout of each castle was determined greatly by local demands, function and purpose for which the fortification was intended. What we see in the castle design here is an advance on earlier medieval designs. Those medieval castles that predated this one had very basic residential and living areas.

In such castles, the main focal point was the Keep rather than the Great Hall and Great Chambers, as In later years. Little more than a fortified tower, the Keep doubled up as basic accommodation for the castle's residents. As the years passed, the living areas became more luxurious, evolving into separate buildings. Confusingly, the Keep was known as a 'don jon', meaning fortified tower in French. The term 'dungeon' was only used in later years to refer to underground prisons. In fact, at the time when the Keep dominated castle affairs, the use of latter-day dungeons for imprisonment was an unknown and alien concept, the judicial systems favouring more physical forms of punishment instead. Another dissimilarity between earlier and later medieval castles was In their fortification. A moat, fortified walls and a barbican were typical features of most castles. However, it was recognised with the passage of time that the narrow, fortified entrance of the barbican was insufficient defence against an enemy intent on invading the castle. As a result, extra, more reliable fortifications were added in the form of a portcullis and a drawbridge. The portcullis was a spiked metal gate that could be dropped vertically down from under the gatehouse, thereby sealing off the inner castle entrance from the outside world. To protect the main castle entrance further, a drawbridge was placed in front of the portcullis. This was a retractable bridge between the gatehouse and the outside area of the castle. However, the portcullis always remained the last line of defence against the enemy.

Narrator: That's the end of Part 2. You have half a minute to check your answers. [Pause 30 seconds]

Now turn to Part 3.

Part 3

You will hear a discussion between two literature students and their lecturer. First you have some time to look at questions 21-25. [Pause 30 seconds]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21-25.

Julie: That was an interesting lecture.

Lecturer: I'm glad you thought so.

Dave: Yes, it made a break from the usual lectures on literary style, It certainly made me look at some of Shakespeare's plays, like Hamlet, and the playwright himself in a new light

Julie: Me too! I always thought Shakespeare believed in the supernatural and that was the reason why so many of his plays, like Hamlet and Macbeth, featured a ghost.

L: What you thought is a common misconception. However, when you think about it, it was unlikely that Shakespeare would have been sympathetic to a belief In ghosts.

Dave: Why?

L: Well, he was Protestant, as was his audience, and the Protestant religion did not subscribe to a belief in ghosts as spirits returning from another world. Also, Hamlet was set In Denmark and, although fictional, the play „would have reflected the Protestant beliefs of the Danes, too.

Julie: So, the main religion in England at the time was Protestantism?

L: Very much so. Any other religions, like Catholicism, were not tolerated by the religious authorities or James I, who was head of the Church of England at the time.

Julie: What did the Catholics believe about ghosts?

L: Their religion was compatible with a belief in the spirit world as it were. Ghosts were seen as lost souls that were in Purgatory, that is to say, a state between Heaven and Hell.

Julie: So It was obvious, really, that Shakespeare incorporated ghosts into his play for other reasons, right?

L: Absolutely. It's certainly odd to write about something you really don't believe in and then ask the audience to believe in it.

So, yes, there was clearly another motive.

Julie: I guess when you think about it, it's quite apparent. As you mentioned in the lecture, ghosts appear in Macbeth and Hamlet really to show what the characters are thinking and as a catalyst for certain events.

L: Quite right. ,

Dave: And I think it's quite plain that Shakespeare had no belief in the supernatural. The fact that the ghosts seen by Macbeth and Hamlet are only often either visible to themselves or speak only to them suggests that the ghosts are only as real as the Imagination of those who see them.

Julie: So, would you say that the audience was as sceptical as Shakespeare with regard to ghosts?

L: Well, as you know, the official line would have been that they didn't believe in ghosts, as it was not in line with Protestant beliefs prevalent at the time. Nevertheless, contrary to expectations, they do seem to have been a superstitious lot. Belief in witches and astrology were common back then, but how they justified their beliefs in religious terms Is quite a mystery.

Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the discussion you have some time to look at questions 26-30. [Pause 30 seconds]

Now listen and answer questions 26-30.

Julie: People, I think, today are a lot less gullible than In that period though, don't you agree? I mean honestly! Believing in witches and astrology and all that...

L: Well, judging by the popularity of TV programmes today like 'Most Haunted' I would say there's a fair amount of Interest in the supernatural still.

Julie: I guess most people are like me - curious, but not entirely convinced when it comes to the spirit world.

Dave: Well, I think ghosts are just the product of certain people's Imaginations!

Julie: You can't overlook the fact that many supernatural events cannot be explained.

Dave: Personally, I think ghosts are just as likely to exist as UFOs and aliens.

L: Well, I Think at least the latter do exist,

Julie: I agree; it's absurd to think we are alone in the universe.

Dave: Hmmm...

L: You certainly seem to be quite a sceptic, Dave.

Dave: Actually I do believe in some aspects of the paranormal... Julie: Like?

Dave: Well, not ghosts and aliens, obviously, but things like telepathy and premonition.

Julie: It's easier to understand or believe in telepathy and premonition as you hear of so many examples of these phenomena occurring In real life. Not just reported stories but from friends and acquaintances. I'm inclined, though, to think premonitions are more coincidence than due to a paranormal event. But maybe I'm just saying that, as I've not had first-hand experience of premonitions.

Dave: So, you believe in telepathy then?

Julie: I think that the evidence in favour of it is impossible to deny. What do you think, Miss?

L: Maybe I'm less sceptical than most but I'm inclined to keep a pretty open mind on most things. Anyway, it's been a very interesting discussion but I'm afraid I have to leave now as I'm due to give another lecture.

Julie: Well, thank you for your time, and also your wonderful lecture! Dave: Yes, thank you, we appreciated it!

L: My pleasure!

Narrator: That's the end of Part 3. You have half a minute to check your answers. [Pause 30 seconds]

Now turn to Part 4.

Part 4

You will hear part of a lecture about Darwin's theory of evolution and its impact on society. First you have some time to look at questions 31-40. [Pause 1 minute]

Now listen carefully and answer questions 31-40.

Today few people can be unaware of Darwin and his theory of evolution. He single-handedly revolutionised the way we think about the natural world.

However, when I say 'single-handedly' that is not entirely correct. At precisely the same time as Darwin was formulating his theory of evolution, another scientist, Alfred Russell Wallace, was working on a virtually identical theory. In parallel to Darwin. However, whilst Darwin's name has been preserved for posterity, the name of Wallace is virtually unknown. Why one should have been celebrated in scientific circles whilst the other was relegated to obscurity is puzzling. Both decided to make their discoveries public in a joint announcement once they were made aware of one another's work. There is no question that Darwin acted dishonourably, therefore, falsely claiming the sole credit for a theory of evolution. However, the publication of Darwin's ground-breaking 'On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection' the following year almost certainly helped to secure him enduring fame.

The publication of Darwin's book proved to be a watershed in the history of science. It also proved extremely controversial in the eyes of the Church since Darwin claimed that Man was merely an animal, homo sapiens, and a product of evolution rather than of divine intervention. Such a theory was In direct opposition to religious dogmas of the day and threatened to undermine the very core of religious belief.

Today, however, many have successfully managed to reconcile Darwin's theory of evolution with religion. Only for some people, known as 'Creationists', is Darwin's theory seen as being Incompatible with religion. For these individuals, Darwin's theory is seen as heretical since they believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible and a biblical reference to the world being created in seven days rather than as a slow evolutionary process spanning millions of years. In addition, Darwin's claim that Man is no more than a highly evolved ape Is regarded as a blasphemy, since Creationists insist on the divine origin of Man.

Whilst not many would dispute Darwin's theory of evolution nowadays, curiously, an ape-man that bridges the gap between Man and ape has yet to be found. The search for the 'missing link', as it has been called, has both occupied and perplexed scientists since the time of Darwin. Many hoaxers over the years have tried to exploit the desire of scientists to find conclusive proof of Darwin's theory in the form of a missing link. The most memorable and also convincing hoax was that of the 'Piltdown Man'. Named after the Sussex village where it was first unearthed in 1908, the skull of the Piltdown Man represented a transition from an ape to a man. So convincing a hoax was it that it fooled the scientific establishment into believing for some 40 years that the 'missing link' had indeed been found. In fact, the Manchester Guardian newspaper went so far as to call the discovery of the ape-man skull 'by far the earliest trace of mankind that has yet been found in England'.

The find was credited to a local solicitor and fossil hunter, Charles Dawson. When Dawson died in 1916, Piltdown Man's place In history seemed secure. In 1950, a reconstruction of a head was made based on the skull. However, only 3 years later, the skull was declared a fake. People later questioned how such a hoax could have escaped detection without the compliance of an expert.

It is certainly an interesting footnote In the theory of evolution. However, the questions still remain today: where Is the missing link and why hasn't it been found?

Narrator: That is the end of Part 4. You now have half a minute to check your answers. [Pause 30 seconds]

That is the end of the listening test. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the Listening Answer Sheet.

NEW

NEW

IELTS Mock Test 2020 March

Part 1: Question 1 - 10

Part 2: Question 11 - 20

Part 3: Question 21 - 30

Part 4: Question 31 - 40

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Questions 1-7

Details of Order

Questions 8-10

Customer Details

Questions 11-15

Questions 16-20

Questions 21-25

Questions 26-30

Questions 31-35

Questions 36-40

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

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About us

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NEW

IELTS Mock Test 2020 March

Part 1: Question 1 - 10

Part 2: Question 11 - 20

Part 3: Question 21 - 30

Part 4: Question 31 - 40

Share your score

Tips for improving your ielts score

How to use the "keyword technique" in IELTS Reading?

Questions 1-7

Details of Order

Questions 8-10

Customer Details

Questions 11-15

Questions 16-20

Questions 21-25

Questions 26-30

Questions 31-35

Questions 36-40

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Comments:

About us

Our mission