Practice Tests
IELTS Listening Part 3 #8
Tapescript
SOPHIE:
I haven't seen you for a while, Adam.
ADAM:
No, I've been really busy working on my latest project.
SOPHIE:
Oh, you're developing an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, aren't you? Something that's biodegradable?
ADAM:
Yes, exactly. I've been experimenting with algae. At first, I only wanted to create packaging alternatives, but algae turned out to have many more benefits than I expected.
SOPHIE:
That's interesting.
ADAM:
But how about your work on reducing textile waste? Weren't you focusing on upcycling old fabrics?
SOPHIE:
Yes, it's been a challenge, but really rewarding. The process itself was straightforward — breaking down old clothes into fibers and reweaving them into new materials.
ADAM:
But didn't you use a specific machine for that?
SOPHIE:
Yes, I used a digital weaving tool. It allowed me to play around with different patterns and even incorporate recycled dyes to create vibrant colors. I was really happy with the results.
ADAM:
It must've been satisfying to transform discarded fabrics into something useful and beautiful.
SOPHIE:
It was. And I'm planning to show some samples to local fashion designers. I'm hoping they'll be interested in using them.
ADAM:
I read about something yesterday that might interest you. It's a company that's developed smart tags for clothing labels.
SOPHIE:
Oh?
ADAM:
The tag changes color depending on how many times the garment has been washed or if the fabric is degrading. It's meant to help people understand when their clothes need repair or recycling.
SOPHIE:
Fascinating. Is it only for clothes?
ADAM:
No, it's also being tested for things like reusable bags and even furniture fabrics. But I think it could also be adapted for monitoring industrial materials in factories.
SOPHIE:
Yes, there are endless possibilities.
ADAM:
I was reading an article predicting trends in sustainable fashion for the next decade.
SOPHIE:
Oh — like focusing more on locally sourced fabrics? That's been talked about for ages, but most shops are still filled with imports.
ADAM:
Yes, the industry needs to push consumers to make more conscious choices.
SOPHIE:
And governments need to introduce stricter regulations to reduce textile waste.
ADAM:
Absolutely. Do you think there will be more interest in alternative fabrics like bamboo or hemp?
SOPHIE:
I think so. Many people I know have already started buying clothes made from those materials.
ADAM:
Yes, even if they're not specifically looking for sustainable options.
SOPHIE:
That's true. One trend I've noticed is the rise of celebrity-endorsed sustainable brands. People see celebrities wearing certain brands and then buy them. I bought something like that once, but I wasn't impressed.
ADAM:
I had the same experience. I bought a T-shirt advertised by a celebrity, and it wasn't as high-quality as I expected.
SOPHIE:
Mm. Did the article mention "pop-up recycling hubs"?
ADAM:
No. What are those?
SOPHIE:
They're temporary locations where people can drop off used clothes to be repaired or upcycled. But they're not widely known yet.
ADAM:
So people don't realize how accessible these services could be?
SOPHIE:
Exactly.
ADAM:
And did you know more and more people are trying plant-based fabrics for things like health or environmental concerns?
SOPHIE:
They might be experimenting too much.
ADAM:
Yes, it's hard to know which alternatives are durable enough.
SOPHIE:
Anyway, maybe we'll figure it out in time...
I haven't seen you for a while, Adam.
ADAM:
No, I've been really busy working on my latest project.
SOPHIE:
Oh, you're developing an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, aren't you? Something that's biodegradable?
ADAM:
Yes, exactly. I've been experimenting with algae. At first, I only wanted to create packaging alternatives, but algae turned out to have many more benefits than I expected.
SOPHIE:
That's interesting.
ADAM:
But how about your work on reducing textile waste? Weren't you focusing on upcycling old fabrics?
SOPHIE:
Yes, it's been a challenge, but really rewarding. The process itself was straightforward — breaking down old clothes into fibers and reweaving them into new materials.
ADAM:
But didn't you use a specific machine for that?
SOPHIE:
Yes, I used a digital weaving tool. It allowed me to play around with different patterns and even incorporate recycled dyes to create vibrant colors. I was really happy with the results.
ADAM:
It must've been satisfying to transform discarded fabrics into something useful and beautiful.
SOPHIE:
It was. And I'm planning to show some samples to local fashion designers. I'm hoping they'll be interested in using them.
ADAM:
I read about something yesterday that might interest you. It's a company that's developed smart tags for clothing labels.
SOPHIE:
Oh?
ADAM:
The tag changes color depending on how many times the garment has been washed or if the fabric is degrading. It's meant to help people understand when their clothes need repair or recycling.
SOPHIE:
Fascinating. Is it only for clothes?
ADAM:
No, it's also being tested for things like reusable bags and even furniture fabrics. But I think it could also be adapted for monitoring industrial materials in factories.
SOPHIE:
Yes, there are endless possibilities.
ADAM:
I was reading an article predicting trends in sustainable fashion for the next decade.
SOPHIE:
Oh — like focusing more on locally sourced fabrics? That's been talked about for ages, but most shops are still filled with imports.
ADAM:
Yes, the industry needs to push consumers to make more conscious choices.
SOPHIE:
And governments need to introduce stricter regulations to reduce textile waste.
ADAM:
Absolutely. Do you think there will be more interest in alternative fabrics like bamboo or hemp?
SOPHIE:
I think so. Many people I know have already started buying clothes made from those materials.
ADAM:
Yes, even if they're not specifically looking for sustainable options.
SOPHIE:
That's true. One trend I've noticed is the rise of celebrity-endorsed sustainable brands. People see celebrities wearing certain brands and then buy them. I bought something like that once, but I wasn't impressed.
ADAM:
I had the same experience. I bought a T-shirt advertised by a celebrity, and it wasn't as high-quality as I expected.
SOPHIE:
Mm. Did the article mention "pop-up recycling hubs"?
ADAM:
No. What are those?
SOPHIE:
They're temporary locations where people can drop off used clothes to be repaired or upcycled. But they're not widely known yet.
ADAM:
So people don't realize how accessible these services could be?
SOPHIE:
Exactly.
ADAM:
And did you know more and more people are trying plant-based fabrics for things like health or environmental concerns?
SOPHIE:
They might be experimenting too much.
ADAM:
Yes, it's hard to know which alternatives are durable enough.
SOPHIE:
Anyway, maybe we'll figure it out in time...