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IELTS 21 Academic · Test 1

Listening · Part 4

Mock mode: in the real test you hear the recording once.

Questions 31–40
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
  1. 0:00 Part 4. You will hear part of a lecture by Dr Helen Marsh on the history of salt. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
  2. 0:20 Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
  3. 0:25 Lecturer: Good afternoon. Today's lecture is about the history of salt.
  4. 0:30 Lecturer: In the ancient world, salt was so valuable that it was sometimes used as currency.
  5. 0:36 Lecturer: Early communities collected salt by letting seawater evaporate in shallow pools.
  6. 0:42 Lecturer: Inland, salt was mined from deposits left behind by ancient seas.
  7. 0:47 Lecturer: Salt allowed people to preserve fish for long journeys.
  8. 0:51 Lecturer: Many old trade routes developed because merchants carried salt by camel across deserts.
  9. 0:57 Lecturer: Governments often placed a heavy tax on salt, which led to protests.
  10. 1:02 Lecturer: Today most salt produced worldwide is used by industry rather than in food.
  11. 1:07 Lecturer: In cold countries, large amounts are spread on roads in winter.
  12. 1:12 Lecturer: Doctors now warn that eating too much salt can raise blood pressure.
  13. 1:16 Lecturer: Some chefs are rediscovering smoked salt for its unusual flavour.
  14. 1:21 Lecturer: That's all for today. Next week, we'll look at some case studies in more detail.
  15. 1:27 That is the end of Part 4. You now have some time to check your answers to Part 4.
  16. 1:43 That is the end of the listening test.

The history of salt

Background

  • In the ancient world, salt was so valuable that it was sometimes used as 31.
  • Early communities collected salt by letting seawater evaporate in shallow 32.
  • Inland, salt was mined from deposits left behind by ancient 33.
  • Salt allowed people to preserve 34 for long journeys.

Key developments

  • Many old trade routes developed because merchants carried salt by 35 across deserts.
  • Governments often placed a heavy 36 on salt, which led to protests.
  • Today most salt produced worldwide is used by 37 rather than in food.
  • In cold countries, large amounts are spread on 38 in winter.

Today and the future

  • Doctors now warn that eating too much salt can raise blood 39.
  • Some chefs are rediscovering smoked salt for its unusual 40.
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