IELTS Listening Practice Test 26: Part 1

Narrator: Part 1. You will hear a man phoning a pottery studio to ask about weekend classes.

Narrator: First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6.

Narrator: You will see that there is an example that has been done for you.

Narrator: Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.

Studio assistant (Carla): Good afternoon, Kiln Lane Pottery, Carla speaking.

Caller (Neil): Oh, hi. I'm calling about your weekend pottery classes. I picked up one of your leaflets, but it doesn't say much about the details.

Studio assistant (Carla): No problem. We run two weekend courses for beginners. On Saturdays there's hand-building, where you make things like bowls and tiles using just your hands and a few simple tools. And then on Sundays, there's the wheel course.

Caller (Neil): It's the wheel I'm really interested in. I've always wanted to try that.

Studio assistant (Carla): Then you'll want the Sunday course. It runs from ten o'clock until one. Have you done any pottery before?

Caller (Neil): Only at school, and that was a long time ago. I made a very lopsided bowl for my mom, and she still keeps her keys in it.

Studio assistant (Carla): Don't worry, that's what most people tell us. The course is for complete beginners. In the first few lessons you just practise making simple shapes, and by the end, most people have made a set of bowls or mugs they're really proud of.

Caller (Neil): Great. And how big are the groups? I'd hate to be in a class of twenty and never get any help.

Studio assistant (Carla): Oh, no, they're much smaller than that. The Saturday class can take up to twelve people, because they all work round one big table. But on Sundays it's limited to eight, simply because that's how many wheels we've got.

Caller (Neil): That sounds ideal. And what does it cost?

Studio assistant (Carla): Let me just check the price list. It's one hundred and seventy-five pounds. Oh, sorry, no, that's the Saturday price. The wheel course is one hundred and ninety pounds.

Caller (Neil): OK. And does that include the clay?

Studio assistant (Carla): Yes, all your clay is included, and the use of tools. The firing's included too. That's when we bake your pieces in the kiln to make them hard, and some studios charge extra for it. The only thing that isn't included is glazing. If you want your pots to be shiny and waterproof, that's an extra ten pounds for the whole course.

Caller (Neil): That's fine. So when does the next course start?

Studio assistant (Carla): The next one begins on the fourth of May. Oh, wait. That's a bank holiday weekend, and we're closed, so it's been moved back a week, to the eleventh.

Caller (Neil): The eleventh of May. That works for me. Could I book a spot now?

Studio assistant (Carla): Of course. Can I take your name?

Caller (Neil): Sure. It's Neil Rendell.

Studio assistant (Carla): Is that R-E-N-D-A-L-L?

Caller (Neil): No, it's E-L-L at the end. So, R-E-N-D-E-L-L.

Studio assistant (Carla): Thank you. And can I ask how you heard about us? We like to keep a record.

Caller (Neil): Well, I've seen your ads in the local paper, but I never really paid much attention to them. It was my neighbour who persuaded me. She's in your Saturday class, and she's always showing me the things she's made.

Studio assistant (Carla): Oh, lovely. That happens a lot.

Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10.

Narrator: Now listen and answer questions 7 to 10.

Caller (Neil): So, is there anything I need to know before the first class?

Studio assistant (Carla): Yes, a few things. First, and people are always surprised by this, you'll need to cut your nails. If they're long, they dig into the clay while it's spinning, and you can't get a smooth finish.

Caller (Neil): Really? I'd never have thought of that. What about my hair? It's pretty long right now.

Studio assistant (Carla): You don't need to cut it. Just tie it back so it doesn't get in the way.

Caller (Neil): OK. And should I bring anything? An apron?

Studio assistant (Carla): No, we provide aprons. But do bring an old towel. You'll be wiping your hands all the time, and clay's very hard to wash out, so don't bring a good one.

Caller (Neil): Got it. And is there anywhere to park? I'll be driving.

Studio assistant (Carla): There's no parking at the studio itself. A lot of people use the supermarket car park across the road, but you can only stay there for two hours, and the class is three hours long. So I'd park behind the library. It's free on Sundays, and it's only a two-minute walk.

Caller (Neil): Behind the library. Great. And one last question. Do we get to take our pots home?

Studio assistant (Carla): Of course, but not straight away. After the last class, everything has to dry out completely before it goes in the kiln. The drying takes about a week, and the firing a few more days, but because we only fire the kiln once a fortnight, you should allow three weeks before you collect them.

Caller (Neil): That's fine. I'm not in a hurry. And how do I pay?

Studio assistant (Carla): I'll email you a confirmation this afternoon with a link, so you can pay online. Or if you prefer, you can pay by card when you come in for the first class.

Caller (Neil): I'll do it online. Thanks, Carla. That's been really helpful.

Studio assistant (Carla): You're welcome. See you in May.

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