CELPIP Listening Practice Test 30

MAN: Excuse me, I just moved to the neighborhood last week and I'm interested in joining some activities at this recreation center. Could you tell me what programs are available?

WOMAN: Of course! Welcome to the area. We have quite a variety of programs. Are you looking for something specific—like fitness classes, sports leagues, or maybe arts and crafts?

MAN: Well, I'm particularly interested in swimming. I used to swim regularly at my old community center.

WOMAN: Perfect! We have an Olympic-sized pool with several swimming options. There's open swim times daily, lane swimming in the mornings and evenings, and various aquafit classes throughout the week.

MAN: That sounds great. Um, do I need to book those in advance or can I just show up?

WOMAN: For open swim and lane swimming, you can just drop in with your membership card. The aquafit classes tend to fill up quickly, so I'd recommend registering for those ahead of time. Would you like me to show you our current schedule?

MAN: Yes, please. And what about membership fees? Is there a special rate for new residents?

WOMAN: Here's our swimming schedule. As you can see, we have lane swimming from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. and again from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.

MAN: Perfect. And about those membership fees I was asking about?

WOMAN: Right! We actually do have a new resident discount—15% off your first year if you've moved here within the last three months. You'll just need to bring proof of your new address when you register.

MAN: That's fantastic. I definitely have my new lease agreement I can bring. Oh, I just noticed on this schedule that there's a masters swim club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. What exactly is that?

WOMAN: The masters program is for adults who want more structured swimming workouts. It's coached and focuses on technique and conditioning. Many members are former competitive swimmers, but we welcome all skill levels as long as you're comfortable in deep water.

MAN: That actually sounds perfect for me. I swam competitively in high school, and I've been looking for something to help me get back into shape.

MAN: Hi again. I've decided I'd like to sign up for the membership with the new resident discount. I brought my lease agreement as proof of address.

WOMAN: Great! Let me just take a look at that... Perfect. Now, would you like to register for the masters swim program as well? The next session starts next Tuesday.

MAN: Yes, definitely. But I just realized—I don't have any of my swimming gear with me yet. It's still packed away somewhere. Does the center have a shop where I could purchase some equipment?

WOMAN: We do have a small pro shop near the pool entrance. They carry the basics—goggles, swim caps, and suits. For more specialized equipment like training fins or pull buoys, you might want to check out Aquatic Sports on Main Street.

MAN: That's helpful, thanks. One more thing—I noticed there's a nutrition workshop listed on the schedule for next month. Is that included in the membership or is there an additional fee?

WOMAN: The nutrition workshop has a small additional fee of $25 for members. It includes a personalized nutrition consultation and a take-home meal planning guide. Would you like me to add that to your registration as well?

MAN: You know what, that sounds worthwhile. Please add it to my registration.

A: Hey, I heard you started volunteering at the community center. How's that going?

B: It's been great! I'm helping with their after-school program for kids. We assist with homework, organize activities, and provide a safe space for them.

A: That sounds rewarding. How often do you go?

B: I'm there three days a week, from 3 to 6 PM. It's a good balance with my work schedule.

A: Do you need any special skills or training?

B: Not really. They provide basic training on child safety and program guidelines. The main requirements are patience and enthusiasm.

A: I've been thinking about volunteering too. Do you think they need more people?

B: Absolutely! They're always looking for volunteers. The more help, the more kids we can support.

A: What kind of activities do you do with the kids?

B: We do a mix of educational and fun stuff. There's homework time, but we also have art projects, outdoor games, and sometimes guest speakers who teach new skills.

A: That sounds fantastic. How can I sign up?

B: Just go to the community center's website. They have an online application form. Once you submit it, they'll contact you for an orientation session.

A: Great, I'll check it out. Thanks for the info!

WOMAN: Hi, I'm Melissa Chen. I called earlier about the job shadowing program your company offers? I'm a third-year business student at Westlake College.

MAN: Yes, of course. I'm David Thompson, the HR coordinator. We're happy to have students shadow our professionals. It's a great way to see what working in marketing is really like. What specific area are you interested in?

WOMAN: I'm particularly interested in digital marketing. My program requires 20 hours of job shadowing experience, and I've heard great things about how your company uses social media campaigns.

MAN: Digital marketing is definitely one of our strengths. We typically offer shadowing opportunities in two formats. You can either do a full week, Monday to Friday from 9 to 5, or you can spread it out over four weeks, coming in just one day per week. Which would work better for your schedule?

WOMAN: The one day per week option would be ideal since I have classes most days. Would Thursdays be possible? That's when I have the lightest course load.

MAN: Thursdays should work fine. Let me check which of our digital marketing specialists are available on Thursdays. It looks like Sarah Jenkins or Michael Wong could mentor you. Sarah focuses more on content creation, while Michael specializes in analytics and campaign measurement.

WOMAN: I think I'd prefer to shadow Michael. I'm really interested in learning how companies measure the effectiveness of their campaigns. My data analysis professor always emphasizes the importance of metrics.

MAN: Excellent choice. Michael is great at explaining complex analytics in simple terms. Now, regarding the start date - would you like to begin next week on the 15th, or would the following Thursday on the 22nd be better?

WOMAN: The 22nd would be perfect. That gives me time to rearrange some group project meetings. Is there anything specific I should prepare before I start?

MAN: Just bring your student ID, a notebook, and come with some questions prepared. We'll provide you with a visitor badge and a confidentiality agreement to sign. Also, our office is business casual, so no need for formal attire.

WOMAN: That sounds great. I really appreciate this opportunity. I'll email you my resume and contact information today, and I'll see you on the 22nd at 9 AM.

MAN: Perfect. I'll let Michael know to expect you. If you have any questions before then, feel free to call or email me directly.

A fifteen-year-old high school student is being praised for his quick thinking and compassionate actions during last week's severe snowstorm in Burlington, Vermont. Jake Thompson was shoveling snow from his family's driveway when he heard a faint cry for help coming from his elderly neighbor's house. Martha Wilson, an 82-year-old widow who lives alone, had slipped on her icy front porch while trying to retrieve her morning newspaper. Thompson immediately rushed to help Mrs. Wilson, who was unable to get up and had been lying in the freezing cold for nearly twenty minutes. He carefully helped her inside and noticed that her house was unusually cold. The power had gone out, leaving her without heat during one of the worst winter storms of the season. The teenager quickly called emergency services and stayed with Mrs. Wilson, wrapping her in blankets until paramedics arrived. 'If Jake hadn't found me when he did, I don't know what would have happened,' said Mrs. Wilson from her hospital bed, where she was treated for mild hypothermia and a sprained wrist. 'He's my guardian angel.' Since the incident, Thompson has organized a neighborhood watch program specifically focused on checking on elderly residents during severe weather. Local authorities have commended his initiative, with Police Chief Sarah Martinez stating, 'Jake's actions remind us all of the importance of looking out for our vulnerable neighbors, especially during extreme weather conditions.' The town council plans to honor Thompson with a Community Service Award at next month's meeting.

A: Alright, everyone, thanks for coming. We need to finalize some details for next month's Summer Music Festival. The mayor wants this to be bigger than last year's event.

B: I've been looking at the numbers from last year. We had about 2,000 attendees, which was great, but the venue was pretty cramped.

C: Yeah, I remember that. The lineup to get food was ridiculous, and there wasn't enough seating. We definitely need a bigger space this year.

A: I agree. I've been checking out Riverside Park. It's twice the size of last year's venue, and it has that natural amphitheater area for the main stage.

B: Riverside Park could work, but what about rain? Last year we had that covered pavilion, which saved us when it started drizzling.

C: We could rent some large tents. I know a company that does event rentals, and they might give us a good deal since this is a community event.

A: Good thinking. Now, what about the music lineup? We need to book the acts soon, or we'll lose them to other festivals.

B: I've contacted several local bands, and most are interested. The Jazz Collective is definitely in, and so is that new rock band, The Urban Lights.

C: Those are great for the afternoon slots, but we need a bigger name for the evening headline act. Someone who'll really draw a crowd.

A: What about The River Kings? They're getting popular, but they're still within our budget. Plus, they have local roots.

B: That would be perfect! Their new album is doing really well, and they always put on a great show.

C: Let's not forget about food vendors. Last year we only had three, and they were overwhelmed.

A: Right. I think we should aim for at least eight food vendors this year. Different cuisines, too. And maybe a separate area for local craft breweries?

B: The brewery idea is good, but we'll need extra security and proper licensing for that.

C: I can handle the licensing part. I've already started the paperwork. We just need to decide on ticket prices.

A: Well, if we're bringing in bigger acts and more amenities, we might need to increase them slightly.

B: What if we did an early-bird special? Sell tickets at last year's price for the first month, then increase them by five dollars?

C: That could work. It might encourage people to buy early, which would help with our planning.

A: Perfect. So, let's confirm Riverside Park, contact The River Kings, and start promoting the early-bird tickets. We'll meet again next week to discuss security and volunteer coordination.

A heated debate has erupted over a proposed mandatory recycling program in our city. The initiative aims to significantly reduce landfill waste and promote environmental sustainability. Under the new program, all households and businesses would be required to separate their waste into different categories: organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable.Proponents argue that the program is essential for meeting the city's environmental goals. They claim it could reduce landfill waste by up to 70% within five years. Additionally, they suggest that the program would create new jobs in the recycling industry and potentially generate revenue from the sale of recycled materials.However, critics raise concerns about the program's implementation and potential drawbacks. Some worry about the increased costs for both the city and residents, including the need for new infrastructure and specialized collection vehicles. Others argue that the program places an unfair burden on low-income families and small businesses who may struggle to comply with the new regulations.There are also questions about enforcement. The proposal includes fines for non-compliance, but some argue this could lead to illegal dumping in an attempt to avoid penalties. Privacy advocates express concerns about the potential for waste inspectors to infringe on personal liberties.Despite these challenges, similar programs have been successful in other cities worldwide. Supporters point to these examples as evidence that, with proper education and gradual implementation, a mandatory recycling program can work. The city council will vote on the proposal next month, following a series of public consultations and impact assessments.