AVT Recruitment: listening answers and explanations
Megan Baker, a recruitment consultant at AVT Recruitment, talks to job seekers about working in agriculture and horticulture. She weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of these outdoor jobs, then describes six vacancies her agency has right now.
Questions 11-12 come from the advantages, 13-14 from the challenges ('Of course, working outdoors does have its challenges'). 'Now let me tell you about some of the exciting jobs' opens 15-20, and the six jobs come in list order.
Answer key and self-check
Type what you wrote and hit mark. Hide the key first if you haven't done the part yet. Every question number jumps to its explanation.
How to attack this block: Megan mentions all five options, but three come with a 'but' attached: 'we can't guarantee that', 'there's a lot of variety', 'not everyone is keen'. The two real advantages are the ones she doesn't qualify.
Question 11-12
Answer: A and C (in either order)From the start of the talk up to 'Of course, working outdoors does have its challenges'
What are the two main advantages of agricultural and horticultural work?
they often offer opportunities for those who don't want to be stuck with a 40-hour week, but need to juggle work with other responsibilities … especially in jobs where you're not sitting all day looking at a screen - a big plus
Question says → You hear
flexible working opportunitiesdon't want to be stuck with a 40-hour week, but need to juggle work with other responsibilities
the active lifestylenot sitting all day looking at a screen
Why: C: the jobs suit people who can't do a fixed 40-hour week and need to fit work around child care, which is flexible working, and it's 'very important for many of our recruits'. A: not sitting at a screen all day is an active life, and it's 'a big plus for many people'.
The trap: E is the strongest distractor: Megan does mention working among plants and trees, but immediately says 'we can't guarantee that'. B salaries vary a lot, and D overseas travel depends on the job and doesn't appeal to everyone.
Multiple choice (choose TWO)
Questions 13-14
How to attack this block: Same pattern in reverse: three disadvantages are cancelled out ('not as important as it once was', 'fewer work-related accidents', 'usually turns out fine'). Keep the two she leaves standing.
Question 13-14
Answer: B and C (in either order)After 'Of course, working outdoors does have its challenges'
Which two things are likely to be drawbacks of working outdoors?
It's fine in summer, but can be extremely unpleasant when it's cold and windy. … these jobs are probably not for you - they're often in pretty remote areas.
Question says → You hear
difficult weather conditions at timesextremely unpleasant when it's cold and windy
being in a very quiet locationthey're often in pretty remote areas
Why: C: cold, windy weather can be extremely unpleasant. B: if you like a lively city, these jobs aren't for you, because they're often in remote areas, which means a quiet location.
The trap: E is the strongest distractor: fitness is mentioned, but with modern technology it's 'not as important as it once was'. A is the opposite of what's said (fewer accidents now), and D housing 'usually turns out fine'.
Matching (A-H)
Questions 15-20
How to attack this block: Each job gets three or four sentences. The matching detail is a paraphrase, often near the end of the description: '12-month maternity cover' for not permanent, 'renting a small cottage' for accommodation. Some letters are never used, such as leading a team and overtime.
Question 15
Answer: DThe first job, introduced right after 'the exciting jobs that we have on our books'
What does Megan say about the fresh food commercial manager job?
They operate in a very fast-paced environment with low profit margins - the staff there work hard, but they play hard as well
Question says → You hear
intensive work but also funa very fast-paced environment … work hard, but they play hard as well
Why: Megan says the job is fast-paced and the staff 'work hard, but they play hard as well'. Hard work is the intensive part, playing hard is the fun, so the answer is D. Nothing in the description mentions experience, so don't be tempted by C here: that one belongs to question 19.
The trap: 'Sociable personality' might make you think of leading a team, B, but nothing is said about managing people.
Question 16
Answer: FThe second job, after the fresh food manager
What does Megan say about the agronomist job?
There are good opportunities for the right person to quickly make their way up the career ladder
Question says → You hear
chance for rapid promotionquickly make their way up the career ladder
Why: Moving quickly up the career ladder is rapid promotion, F.
The trap: The sentence ends 'but a deep knowledge of the agricultural sector is expected', which rules out C, experience not essential. Advising farmers might suggest travel, but none is mentioned.
Question 17
Answer: AThe third job, from a leading supermarket
What does Megan say about the fresh produce buyer job?
A leading supermarket is looking for a fresh produce buyer who is available for a 12-month maternity cover contract.
Question says → You hear
not a permanent joba 12-month maternity cover contract
Why: Maternity cover for 12 months means the job is temporary: someone is filling in while an employee is on maternity leave. That's A.
The trap: 'A very competitive salary' could pull you towards E, but overtime isn't mentioned. Experience in buying is required, so C is out.
Question 18
Answer: HThe fourth job, 'a request for a sales manager'
What does Megan say about the garden centre sales manager job?
You will be visiting centres in the region to ensure their high levels of customer service are maintained.
Question says → You hear
local travel involvedvisiting centres in the region
Why: Visiting garden centres in the region means travelling locally, H.
The trap: 'Prepared to live in the region' sounds like accommodation, G, but it's a condition, not housing on offer. 'Manager' might suggest leading a team, but nothing is said about staff.
Question 19
Answer: CThe fifth job, 'There is also a vacancy'
What does Megan say about the tree technician job?
A year's experience would be preferred but the company might be prepared to consider someone who has just completed an appropriate training course.
Question says → You hear
experience not essentialwould be preferred but the company might be prepared to consider someone who has just completed an appropriate training course
Why: Preferred isn't required: someone straight out of a training course might be accepted. So experience isn't essential, C.
The trap: The driving licence and safety training are requirements, which can make the job sound strict. Listen past 'would be preferred' to the 'but'.
Question 20
Answer: GThe last job, introduced with 'Finally'
What does Megan say about the farm worker job?
Perks of the job include the possibility of renting a small cottage on the estate, and the chance to earn a competitive salary.
Question says → You hear
accommodation availablethe possibility of renting a small cottage on the estate
Why: A cottage to rent on the estate is accommodation, G.
The trap: 'The chance to earn a competitive salary' sounds like E, the chance to earn more through overtime, but overtime isn't mentioned. The licence and tractor experience are 'essential', so C is out.
'Surrounded by plants and trees' sounds exactly like a natural environment, E, but Megan adds 'we can't guarantee that'. The active lifestyle comes in the health point: not sitting all day at a screen.
Fitness, E, is a classic trap: Megan says you may need to be fit, then that it's 'not as important as it once was'. The remote location, B, is the disadvantage she doesn't take back.
'A year's experience would be preferred' sounds like a requirement. The key detail is the 'but' after it: a newly trained candidate might be considered, so experience isn't essential.
Words from this recording worth keeping
horticulture(Introduction)
growing fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants
juggle(Advantages)
manage several activities at the same time
rural setting(Advantages)
a countryside location
remote(Disadvantages)
far away from towns and people
profit margins(Fresh food commercial manager)
the money a company keeps after its costs
legislation(Agronomist)
laws made by a government
maternity cover(Fresh produce buyer)
a temporary job replacing someone on leave to have a baby
perks(Farm worker)
extra benefits that come with a job
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