Section 1
Narrator: You will hear a guide giving a talk to a group of tourists about the local museum. First, you have some time to look at Questions 1 to 6. (Pause for 30 seconds). Now listen carefully and answer Questions 1 to 6.
Guide: Welcome to the City Museum, everyone. My name is Sarah, and I'll be your guide for this afternoon. The museum is one of the oldest in the region, with a history dating back to 1870. Originally, it was built as a private home but was converted into a museum in 1925.
Let me start by giving you a brief overview of what you can expect during your visit. On the ground floor, you will find our most popular exhibit: the History of the City. This section provides a detailed look at the city's development from its founding to the present day. It's highly interactive, with plenty of touchscreens and videos to engage visitors of all ages.
Next, on the first floor, you'll find the Art Gallery. This space features works by local artists, with a focus on landscapes and portraits. We rotate the exhibits regularly, so there's always something new to see. In fact, we just opened a new exhibition last week, featuring a collection of modern art by up-and-coming artists.
Finally, on the top floor, we have the Natural History section. This is where you'll find displays of fossils, minerals, and even a life-sized model of a dinosaur. The highlight here is our new exhibit on marine life, which includes a tank with live fish and coral.
Now, I'd like to mention some of the facilities available to you. There's a café on the ground floor, serving a range of sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks. It's a great place to take a break after exploring the exhibits. We also have a gift shop near the entrance, where you can buy souvenirs, postcards, and books related to the museum's collections.
If you have any questions during your visit, feel free to ask me or any of the staff members. We’re here to help you make the most of your experience.
Now, before I take any questions, let’s move on to the specific rules to keep in mind while you’re here.
Firstly, flash photography is not allowed inside the museum, as it can damage the exhibits. Also, please make sure to keep your voice down in the galleries so as not to disturb other visitors. And lastly, we ask that you do not touch the exhibits unless they are clearly marked as interactive.
That’s all for the introduction. I’ll now take you to the History of the City exhibit. Follow me this way.
Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at Questions 7 to 10. (Pause for 30 seconds). Now listen and answer Questions 7 to 10.
Guide: As we walk through the museum, you’ll notice that each room is dedicated to a different period in the city’s history. The first room focuses on the city's founding, with maps and documents from the early settlers. As you move through the rooms, you'll see how the city grew and developed, with displays on the industrial revolution, the impact of the world wars, and the modernization of the city in the 20th century.
One of the most interesting pieces in this section is the original charter that established the city. It's kept in a special case to protect it from light and humidity, and we ask that you don't touch the case. However, there are replicas available in the gift shop if you’d like to take a closer look.
As you exit the History of the City exhibit, you’ll find yourself in the Art Gallery on the first floor. This gallery showcases the work of local artists, with a focus on both traditional and contemporary art. The current exhibition, which we opened last week, features abstract pieces that explore the theme of urban life. The gallery space is designed to be open and airy, allowing you to take in the artwork from multiple angles.
After visiting the Art Gallery, we’ll head to the top floor to see the Natural History section. This part of the museum is a favorite among our younger visitors, especially the dinosaur exhibit. You’ll also find an impressive collection of fossils, including some that were discovered right here in the region.
I hope you enjoy your visit to the museum. Remember, if you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask one of us.
Narrator: That is the end of Section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers. (Pause for 30 seconds)
Questions and Answers
Questions 1–6: Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the history of the City Museum?
- A) It was built in 1925.
- B) It was originally a private home.
- C) It has been a museum since 1870.
Answer: B) It was originally a private home.
2. Which exhibit is considered the most popular?
- A) The Art Gallery
- B) The History of the City
- C) The Natural History section
Answer: B) The History of the City
3. What feature is highlighted in the Art Gallery?
- A) Landscape paintings
- B) Portraits of famous people
- C) Regularly changing exhibitions
Answer: C) Regularly changing exhibitions
4. Which exhibit was introduced most recently?
- A) A modern art collection
- B) A marine life display
- C) A life-sized dinosaur model
Answer: B) A marine life display
5. Where is the café located in the museum?
- A) On the first floor
- B) On the ground floor
- C) Near the gift shop
Answer: B) On the ground floor
6. What rule should visitors follow regarding photography?
- A) Photography is completely prohibited.
- B) Flash photography is not allowed.
- C) Photography is allowed only in the Art Gallery.
Answer: B) Flash photography is not allowed.
Questions 7–10: Matching Information
Match each exhibit or feature with the correct description.
Exhibits/Features:
- A) The History of the City exhibit
- B) The Art Gallery
- C) The Natural History section
- D) The gift shop
Descriptions:
7. Includes a tank with live fish and coral:
- Answer: C) The Natural History section
8. Features the original city charter:
- Answer: A) The History of the City exhibit
9. Highlights local artists:
- Answer: B) The Art Gallery
- Answer: D) The gift shop
Section 2
Narrator: You will hear a guide giving further information to a group of tourists about the City Museum. First, you have some time to look at Questions 11 to 16. (Pause for 30 seconds). Now listen carefully and answer Questions 11 to 16.
Guide: As we continue our tour, I'd like to tell you a bit more about the Art Gallery on the first floor. This gallery is one of the museum's most dynamic spaces. We pride ourselves on showcasing a diverse range of artwork, from classical landscapes to contemporary pieces. The exhibition changes every few months, which means there's always something new to discover.
One of the unique features of this gallery is its emphasis on local talent. We believe that it's important to support and promote the work of artists from our region. In fact, many of the pieces you'll see today were created by artists who live and work right here in the city.
In addition to paintings, we also display a selection of sculptures and installations. These three-dimensional works often add a different perspective to the themes explored in the paintings. Our current exhibition, titled "Urban Reflections," explores the relationship between the city's architecture and its natural surroundings.
Moving on to the top floor, you'll find the Natural History section, which I mentioned earlier. This area is particularly popular with families and school groups, as it offers an engaging way to learn about the natural world. The dinosaur exhibit, which is one of the main attractions, features a life-sized model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. But there's more to see here than just dinosaurs. We also have a collection of fossils from various periods, including some that were discovered in this very region.
One of the newer additions to this section is our marine life exhibit. This includes a large tank filled with tropical fish and coral, which provides a colorful contrast to the more traditional displays. The exhibit aims to raise awareness about marine conservation, and we hope it will inspire visitors to think about the impact of human activity on the oceans.
Finally, before we conclude our tour, I'd like to remind you that we offer guided tours of the museum every day. These tours provide a more in-depth look at the exhibits and often include behind-the-scenes access to areas that are not open to the general public. If you're interested in joining one of these tours, you can sign up at the information desk near the entrance.
Narrator: Now you have some time to look at Questions 17 to 20. (Pause for 30 seconds). Now listen and answer Questions 17 to 20.
Questions 11–16: Multiple Choice Questions
11. How often does the Art Gallery exhibition change?
- A) Every month
- B) Every few months
- C) Every week
- Answer: B) Every few months
12. What is the main theme of the current Art Gallery exhibition?
- A) Local landscapes
- B) Urban Reflections
- C) Contemporary portraits
- Answer: B) Urban Reflections
13. What type of work is primarily featured in the Art Gallery?
- A) Classical sculptures
- B) International art
- C) Local talent
- Answer: C) Local talent
14. What new feature has been added to the Natural History section?
- A) A collection of regional fossils
- B) An exhibit on marine life
- C) A new dinosaur model
- Answer: B) An exhibit on marine life
15. Where can visitors sign up for guided tours?
- A) At the information desk
- B) In the Natural History section
- C) At the entrance to the Art Gallery
- Answer: A) At the information desk
16. What does the guide say about the marine life exhibit?
- A) It is the most popular exhibit.
- B) It highlights the impact of human activity on the oceans.
- C) It was added a few years ago.
- Answer: B) It highlights the impact of human activity on the oceans.
Questions 17–20: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
The Art Gallery, located on the 17. _______________, showcases a range of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The exhibitions change every few months, and the current one is titled "Urban Reflections." This exhibition focuses on the relationship between the city's architecture and its 18. _______________ surroundings. In the Natural History section, the 19. _______________ exhibit is a popular attraction, featuring a life-sized model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. A recent addition to this section is the marine life exhibit, which includes a large tank with tropical fish and coral. Visitors interested in a more detailed exploration of the museum can join one of the daily 20. _______________, which may offer access to areas not open to the general public. To sign up for these tours, visitors should go to the 21. _______________ desk near the entrance.
Answers:
17. first floorNarrator: That is the end of Section 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers. (Pause for 30 seconds)
Section 3
Narrator: You will hear a guide giving further details to a group of tourists about the City Museum. First, you have some time to look at Questions 21 to 30. (Pause for 30 seconds). Now listen carefully and answer Questions 21 to 30.
Guide: As we conclude our tour, I’d like to mention a few more points about the Art Gallery. This gallery is a space where we regularly showcase new and diverse artwork, including contributions from emerging local artists. The exhibition that you see today is titled "Urban Reflections," and it will remain open for the next three months. This exhibition offers a fascinating insight into how the city's architectural elements blend with its natural environment.
The gallery is divided into several sections, each featuring different art forms. We have traditional paintings, modern installations, and even multimedia pieces. I recommend taking some time to explore each section at your own pace.
Now, let's move to the top floor where we have our Natural History section. Here, the star attraction is undoubtedly the dinosaur exhibit, featuring a full-sized model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. However, this section also includes a vast collection of fossils, many of which were discovered in this region. We've recently added an interactive marine life exhibit that allows visitors to learn more about the importance of ocean conservation.
For those interested in a more comprehensive exploration of the museum, we offer guided tours daily. These tours include access to areas that aren't typically open to the public, such as our restoration workshop. To participate, simply sign up at the information desk.
Narrator: Now listen carefully and answer Questions 21 to 25.
Questions 21–25: Multiple Choice Questions
21. How long will the "Urban Reflections" exhibition remain open?
- A) Two months
- B) Three months
- C) One month
- Answer: B) Three months
22. What can visitors find in the Natural History section besides the dinosaur exhibit?
- A) Multimedia pieces
- B) Regional fossils
- C) Traditional paintings
- Answer: B) Regional fossils
23. What has recently been added to the Natural History section?
- A) An interactive marine life exhibit
- B) A new multimedia installation
- C) A collection of contemporary sculptures
- Answer: A) An interactive marine life exhibit
24. Where can visitors learn about the museum's restoration process?
- A) In the Art Gallery
- B) During a guided tour
- C) On the top floor
- Answer: B) During a guided tour
- A) Take your time in each section
- B) Focus mainly on the multimedia pieces
- C) Visit the gallery in the morning
- Answer: A) Take your time in each section
Narrator: Now listen carefully and answer Questions 26 to 30.
Questions 26–30: Matching Information
Match the exhibits or features with the correct descriptions.
Exhibits/Features:
- A) The dinosaur exhibit
- B) "Urban Reflections" exhibition
- C) Restoration workshop
- D) Marine life exhibit
- E) Regional fossil collection
Descriptions:
26. Recently added and focuses on ocean conservation:
- Answer: D) Marine life exhibit
27. Offers a blend of natural surroundings and architecture:
- Answer: B) "Urban Reflections" exhibition
28. Star attraction on the top floor:
- Answer: A) The dinosaur exhibit
29. Not usually accessible to the public:
- Answer: C) Restoration workshop
30. Includes discoveries from the local region:
- Answer: E) Regional fossil collection
Narrator: That is the end of Section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers. (Pause for 30 seconds)