How to Master the ielts

[Q253] 
service ticketing machines located throughout the main hall.
Passengers who purchased their tickets online and printed off a bar­coded
[Q254]
boarding pass can access platform 4 through gate T, where their passes will 
be checked prior to boarding.
[Q255]
Boarding will begin at approximately 15.05 hours.
Please board the class of carriage shown on your boarding pass – either
[Q256]
standard class or premium class. Your seat number is indicated on the 
pass. Reserved seats should be claimed at least 30 minutes before the 
[Q257]
train is due to depart. Reserved seats not claimed by 15.20 hours will be 
made available to other passengers.
If you have reserved a place in the sleeping car, please show your boarding 
pass to the attendant on the train, who will direct you to your sleeping com­
partment. Thank you.
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Welcome aboard the overnight express service to Telstar city. Meals are now 
being served on the train. Passengers travelling in Standard class can have 
a light meal in the dining car, located in the middle of the train, or bring their 
food back to their seats.

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AUDIO­SCRIPTS FOR THE LISTENING TESTS 
161
[Q258]
A limited selection of meals is available from around 5 Euros.
Passengers travelling in Premium class can have their complimentary three­
[Q259]
course dinner and drinks served in the dining car, or at their seat by the 
waiter. A full selection of meals is offered. This service is also available to 
sleeping­class passengers.
[Q260]
Passengers in the sleeping car have a 5­star continental breakfast included 
in the price, and they can purchase additional drinks and snacks from the 
attendant. Thank you.
Section 
3
INTERVIEWER: Good evening. Tonight we’re taking a look at home composting. 
And here to tell us all about it we have in the studio Dr Marian 
Rotenberg, a soil scientist from the Institute of Environmental 
Integrity. Good evening, Dr Rotenberg.
DOCTOR: 
Good evening.
INTERVIEWER: Tell me. Why is home composting such a hot topic at the moment?
DOCTOR: 
Well, we need to recycle more of our domestic waste because
[Q261] 
we’re rapidly running out of landfill space, but primarily it’s 
to cut down on harmful greenhouse gases, emitted from landfill 
sites. Also, compost is the natural way to improve the fertility of
the soil for people interested in growing their own food, or organic 
gardening in general.
INTERVIEWER: Yes, I think most people understand the benefits of compost for
the soil and also the landfill problem, but aren’t greenhouse
gases produced just the same when waste is left to decay in the 
garden?
DOCTOR: 
This is a common misconception. When waste is properly
composted at home it generates far less greenhouse gases
[Q262]
than it would in a landfill site. There’s also the vehicle 
pollution to consider when waste from millions of homes has 
to be transported to these sites.
INTERVIEWER: I realize that, but can you explain how home composting is prefer­
able to decomposition in landfill?

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HOW TO MASTER THE IELTS
162
DOCTOR: 
Well composting is a biological process that requires favourable 
conditions for microorganisms, mostly bacteria, to survive and
multiply; that means sufficient oxygen, moisture, warmth and the 
correct acid/base balance. It’s also important to use the correct
[Q263]
blend of organic materials, and to agitate the compost to 
allow the air to circulate; this does not happen in landfill.
INTERVIEWER: Er, yes. Many people are unsure as to exactly what is meant by 
‘organic materials’ and what they can and cannot compost; can 
you give examples please?
DOCTOR: 
Well, organic means containing carbon, but in composting 
[Q264]
terms it refers to anything that was at one time living. It 
can be divided into green material and brown material. The greens 
are kitchen scraps such as vegetable, salad and fruit waste, old
flowers and grass clippings, these are a good nitrogen source. The 
browns include things like leaves, crushed eggshells, egg boxes, 
twigs and small branches, and shredded cardboard or paper, 
which provide the carbon.
INTERVIEWER: And do these browns and greens need to be mixed together?
DOCTOR: 
[Q265]
Normally it’s more of a layering process. Each layer of 
greens, that’s food waste, is covered by a layer of browns; for 
example, leaves.
INTERVIEWER: Right, and are there any food substances that won’t compost?
DOCTOR: 
Yes, most definitely. Don’t add meat, fish, bones, dairy products or 
any kind of cooking oil because these are not very biodegradable 
and will slow the composting process down.
INTERVIEWER: Fine, I get the general idea. Thank you, that was most illuminating.
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INTERVIEWER: One of our listeners would like to know more about the practical 
aspects of home composting. Can you say more about this
please?
DOCTOR: 
Yes, certainly. There’s more than one method of composting but a 
[Q266]
popular way is to use a ready­built wooden frame, or a 
plastic composting bin – made from recycled plastic of course; 
it can be sited anywhere in the garden, or placed near to the house 

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