Listen to the audio recording and complete the task below. You can play the audio as many times as you like. When you are finished, check your work against the answer key and the full transcript.
Before you listen — key vocabulary
These words appear in the recording. Knowing them before you listen will help you catch every word:
off-field landing (noun phrase)
A landing made away from an airport — for example in a field — usually after an emergency.
run roughly (phrase)
(of an engine) to run unevenly, shaking and losing power.
glide (verb)
To fly without engine power, descending gradually.
power lines (noun phrase)
The cables carrying electricity between pylons — a serious hazard when landing in open country.
fuel contamination (noun phrase)
Water, dirt, or the wrong substance in the fuel, which can stop an engine.
Your dictation task
This is a targeted dictation. You do not need to write the whole story. Listen carefully and write down only the actions the pilot took, in the order you hear them. There are seven:
On a calm afternoon, a single-engine Cessna was flying over farmland in central France. The pilot, who was alone on board, was returning to a small airfield after a sightseeing flight. Without warning, the engine began to run roughly and then lost power completely. The pilot quickly lowered the nose to keep flying speed and looked for somewhere to land. He chose a large, flat field that was clear of animals and power lines. He made a radio call to report his position and his intentions. As he glided down, he turned off the fuel and the electrics to reduce the risk of fire. The aircraft touched down firmly and rolled to a stop in the soft ground. The pilot climbed out unharmed and called for help. The cause was later traced to fuel contamination.
chose a large, flat field (clear of animals and power lines)
made a radio call (to report his position and intentions)
turned off the fuel and the electrics
climbed out (unharmed)
called for help
Commonly missed:turned off the fuel and the electrics (two separate items — write both); lowered the nose (not “raised”); the order of made a radio call and turned off the fuel and the electrics.
A landing away from an airport, often in a field, after an emergency.
forced landing (noun phrase)
A landing the crew must make immediately because the aircraft can no longer fly normally.
run roughly (phrase)
(of an engine) to run unevenly and lose power.
lose power (phrase)
(of an engine) to stop producing the thrust needed to keep flying.
glide (verb)
To fly without engine power, descending gradually.
touch down (phrasal verb)
(of an aircraft) to make contact with the ground when landing.
fuel contamination (noun phrase)
Water, dirt, or the wrong substance in the fuel, which can stop an engine.
Speaking follow-up
Imagine you are the pilot. A local journalist asks you to explain, step by step, how you brought the aircraft down safely after the engine failed. Describe your decisions and actions in a clear, calm order.
Record yourself on a phone voice memo so you can play it back and self-review. There’s no single right answer — the goal is to produce a clear, structured response under time pressure.
