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IELTS 21 Academic · Test 2

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 Professor Alan Reid on how bridges are designed. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
  2. 0:21 Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
  3. 0:25 Lecturer: Good afternoon. Today's lecture is about how bridges are designed.
  4. 0:31 Lecturer: The simplest kind of bridge is the beam, which was once just a fallen tree.
  5. 0:35 Lecturer: Arch bridges carry weight by pushing it outwards to the supports.
  6. 0:39 Lecturer: Roman engineers built arches from carefully cut stone.
  7. 0:43 Lecturer: Suspension bridges hang the road from steel cables.
  8. 0:47 Lecturer: Engineers must allow for the bridge to expand in hot weather.
  9. 0:50 Lecturer: One famous bridge collapsed because of strong wind that made it shake.
  10. 0:54 Lecturer: Modern designers test scale models in a wind tunnel.
  11. 0:58 Lecturer: Sensors now measure tiny movements and send data to a computer.
  12. 1:02 Lecturer: Paint is important because it protects steel from rust.
  13. 1:06 Lecturer: Many cities now see bridges as landmarks that attract tourists.
  14. 1:10 Lecturer: That's all for today. Next week, we'll look at some case studies in more detail.
  15. 1:16 That is the end of Part 4. You now have some time to check your answers to Part 4.
  16. 1:32 That is the end of the listening test.

How bridges are designed

Background

  • The simplest kind of bridge is the beam, which was once just a fallen 31.
  • Arch bridges carry weight by pushing it outwards to the 32.
  • Roman engineers built arches from carefully cut 33.
  • Suspension bridges hang the road from steel 34.

Key developments

  • Engineers must allow for the bridge to expand in hot 35.
  • One famous bridge collapsed because of strong 36 that made it shake.
  • Modern designers test scale models in a wind 37.
  • Sensors now measure tiny movements and send data to a 38.

Today and the future

  • Paint is important because it protects steel from 39.
  • Many cities now see bridges as landmarks that attract 40.
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