CELPIP Listening Practice Test 28

MAN: Hi there, I'm looking to get a quote for moving services next month.

WOMAN: Welcome! I'd be happy to help you with that. Do you know your moving date yet?

MAN: Yes, I'm planning to move on the 15th of next month. I'm relocating from my apartment to a house about 20 miles away.

WOMAN: Perfect, let me check our availability for that date. Could you tell me the size of your current place?

MAN: It's a two-bedroom apartment on the third floor, about 1,000 square feet.

WOMAN: I see. And does your building have an elevator?

MAN: Unfortunately not, that's one of the reasons I'm hiring professionals.

WOMAN: That's definitely something we'll factor into the quote. We'll need to assign extra crew members for stairs. Would you like packing services as well?

MAN: No, I think I can handle the packing myself. I just need help with the heavy lifting and transportation.

WOMAN: Alright, I'll need some more details about your furniture. Do you have any particularly large or valuable items?

MAN: Yes, I have a grand piano that needs special handling. I'm quite concerned about moving it safely.

WOMAN: Don't worry, we have extensive experience with piano moving. We'll need to send our specialty team for that. They use specific equipment and techniques.

MAN: That's reassuring. I also have a large sectional sofa that might be tricky to move down the stairs.

WOMAN: We can handle that too. Will you need storage services at all?

MAN: No, I'm moving directly to the new house. But I was wondering about insurance coverage.

WOMAN: We provide basic insurance coverage included in the quote, but I recommend additional coverage for the piano.

MAN: Yes, that makes sense. Could you include that in the quote?

MAN: I just remembered something else - there's limited parking at both locations.

WOMAN: Thanks for mentioning that. We'll need to arrange for parking permits. Do you know if there are any time restrictions?

MAN: The current apartment has a loading zone we can use, but only between 9 AM and 4 PM.

WOMAN: That's helpful information. I'll make sure to schedule your move within those hours. We typically start early morning for moves of this size.

MAN: Perfect. Oh, and what about payment? Do you require a deposit?

WOMAN: Yes, we require a 25% deposit to secure the date, with the balance due after the move is completed.

MAN: That works for me. How long will it take to get the quote?

WOMAN: I can have it ready for you within the hour. Would you like me to email it to you?

MAN: Yes, please. My email is [email protected].

A: Hey there! I've been thinking about starting a community book exchange. What do you think?

B: That sounds interesting. How would it work?

A: Well, we could set up a small bookshelf or cabinet in the community center where people can leave books they've finished and pick up new ones to read.

B: That's a great idea! It would encourage reading and bring the community together.

A: Exactly! Plus, it's eco-friendly since we're reusing books instead of buying new ones all the time.

B: True. Do you think we'd need permission from the community board?

A: Probably. I was thinking of drafting a proposal to present at the next meeting. Would you be interested in helping?

B: Absolutely! I could help with the logistics, like finding a suitable bookshelf and organizing volunteers to manage it.

A: Perfect! We could also create some simple rules, like a limit on how many books each person can take at once.

B: Good point. And maybe we could have themed months to encourage diversity in reading.

A: I love that idea! Let's start working on the proposal this weekend. I'm excited to see this come to life in our neighborhood.

B: Me too! It's going to be a great addition to our community.

MAN: Hi there. I'm interested in joining your car-sharing service. I've seen your vehicles around the city, but I'm not really sure how it all works.

WOMAN: Good morning! I'd be happy to explain our service. Basically, Urban CarShare allows members to reserve vehicles by the hour or day through our app. We have cars parked at designated spots throughout the city, and you can pick up and return them to the same location.

MAN: That sounds convenient. I live downtown and don't need a car every day, but sometimes I need to run errands or visit family in the suburbs. What are the costs involved?

WOMAN: We have three membership tiers. Our Basic plan has a $20 monthly fee plus $9.50 per hour of usage. The Standard plan is $45 monthly with a reduced rate of $7.75 per hour. And our Premium plan is $85 monthly with just $5.50 per hour. All plans include fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

MAN: I see. I'd probably use a car about twice a month for maybe 3-4 hours each time. Which plan would you recommend for that usage pattern?

WOMAN: Based on what you've described, the Basic plan would likely be most economical. You'd pay about $20 monthly plus approximately $76 for your eight hours of driving. The Standard plan might be worth considering if your usage increases.

MAN: That makes sense. Are there any additional fees I should know about? And what happens if I need to cancel a reservation?

WOMAN: Great questions. There's a one-time $25 application fee to cover your driving record check. As for cancellations, if you cancel more than 24 hours in advance, there's no charge. Within 24 hours, there's a $10 fee, and within 2 hours of your reservation, you'll be charged for one hour of usage.

MAN: I understand. What about the types of vehicles available? I sometimes need to transport larger items from stores.

WOMAN: We have a diverse fleet. Most locations have compact cars, but we also have SUVs and cargo vans at select hubs. The hourly rate for SUVs is $2 more per hour, and vans are $3.50 more per hour than our standard rates. You can filter by vehicle type in the app when making your reservation.

MAN: Perfect. That sounds like exactly what I need. How do I get started with the application process?

WOMAN: You can either download our app and follow the registration steps, or I can help you complete the application right here. You'll need your driver's license, a credit card, and about 10 minutes to complete the process. We typically approve applications within 24-48 hours.

MAN: I think I'll download the app and do it tonight. Thanks for all the information—you've been really helpful.

A local beekeeper took home the top prize at the annual Maple Ridge Honey Competition last weekend. James Wilson, who has been keeping bees for just three years, surprised everyone by winning the Best Honey award with his wildflower honey. The competition, held at the community center, attracted over thirty beekeepers from across the region who submitted their honey for judging. Wilson's small apiary, consisting of only five hives located in his backyard, produced what judges described as "exceptionally flavorful honey with perfect consistency." When asked about his success, Wilson said, "I was shocked when they called my name. I'm still learning, and I was just happy to participate alongside so many experienced beekeepers." The competition also featured educational displays about the importance of bees to the environment and agriculture. Martha Stevens, head of the judging panel, explained that this year's entries were particularly impressive. "The quality of honey we saw this year reflects the growing interest in beekeeping in our community," she noted. Wilson plans to expand his apiary next spring and will return to defend his title at next year's competition.

A: Thanks for coming, everyone. As you know, we need to finalize the budget for this year's holiday party. Management gave us $5,000 to work with.

B: That's less than last year, isn't it? We spent nearly $6,000 on the last party.

C: Yes, but remember we went over budget last time. We need to be more careful this year. What are our main expenses?

A: Well, typically the venue is our biggest cost. Last year we spent about $2,000 on that alone.

B: The Riverside Hotel was nice, but maybe we could find somewhere cheaper? I know a community center that's quite lovely when it's decorated.

C: That's worth considering. What about catering? That's usually our second-biggest expense.

A: Right. Last year we spent $2,500 on the full buffet service. Maybe we could do something simpler this year?

B: What if we did a cocktail-style reception instead of a full dinner? Heavy appetizers, maybe some desserts?

C: That could work. And we could ask some of our talented staff to contribute desserts for a contest. People loved that baking competition two years ago.

A: Good thinking! That would save us quite a bit. What about entertainment?

B: The DJ last year charged us $800. I know someone who could do it for $500.

C: Or we could create our own playlist and just use the venue's sound system. That would save us even more.

A: I like that idea. We could have staff submit their favorite songs beforehand.

B: What about decorations? We spent $500 last year.

C: I've been checking some discount stores. We could probably do it for $300 if we're creative. Plus, we still have those LED lights from last year.

A: Perfect. So if we get the community center for $1,200, spend $2,000 on appetizers and drinks, $300 on decorations...

B: Don't forget we need some money for prizes - maybe $300 for the baking contest and door prizes?

C: That leaves us with about $1,200 for unexpected expenses and drinks. Much better than last year!

A: This actually sounds like it could be more fun than last year, even with the smaller budget. Should we vote on these changes?

B: I'm in favor. It feels more inclusive somehow, with the baking contest and playlist contributions.

C: Agreed. And we're being responsible with the company's money. Shall we start making the arrangements?

A: Yes, let's do it. I'll book the venue tomorrow if you're both on board.

B: Absolutely!

C: Go for it. This is going to be great!

Good evening, everyone. I'm Melissa Chen from the Vancouver Community Gardens Network. Tonight, I'd like to discuss the growing trend of neighborhood garden initiatives across Canada and the various perspectives on their impact on communities. Over the past decade, we've seen a significant increase in community gardens in urban areas. In Toronto alone, there are now over 125 community gardens, while here in Vancouver, we've expanded from just 18 in 2010 to nearly 110 today. These spaces transform vacant lots and underutilized public areas into productive green spaces where residents can grow food and connect with neighbors. Many advocates, like urban planner David Thompson from the University of British Columbia, highlight the numerous benefits of these initiatives. According to a recent study by the Canadian Urban Sustainability Practitioners, community gardens can reduce grocery bills by up to $500 annually for participating families. Beyond the economic benefits, Thompson points out that these gardens create important social connections in neighborhoods where people might otherwise remain strangers. As he notes, "In our increasingly digital world, community gardens provide rare opportunities for face-to-face interaction across generations and cultures." On the other hand, some municipal officials and property developers express concerns about these initiatives. Sarah Williams, a city planner in Edmonton, argues that while gardens have benefits, they can create challenges for urban development. "These spaces often occupy valuable land that could be used for housing or commercial development," Williams explains. "Additionally, some gardens fall into disrepair when volunteer enthusiasm wanes, creating eyesores and potential liability issues for cities." She also points to complaints from some residents about increased foot traffic, occasional noise, and concerns about rodents in poorly maintained gardens. A third perspective comes from community health workers like Dr. Amir Singh from the Calgary Public Health Department. He suggests a balanced approach might be most beneficial. "The health benefits of community gardens are clear – increased physical activity, better nutrition, and improved mental health," says Dr. Singh. "However, these initiatives work best when there's a partnership between community members, local government, and perhaps local businesses to ensure sustainability." He recommends integrating gardens into broader urban planning with dedicated funding and support staff. As we consider the future of neighborhood gardens in Canadian cities, it's worth reflecting on how we might balance these different viewpoints to create spaces that truly benefit our communities while addressing legitimate concerns. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on how we might achieve this balance in your own neighborhoods.